"Help me!"
"Run... run!"
"This is a contract."
Hoshi abruptly woke up from his dream. Sweat slowly trickled down his cheek. He wasn't sure what he had just heard, but the voice was so close. It was as if it was right next to his ear.
"Where... am I?"
His gaze was fixed on the ornate ceiling carvings. The soft bed, wrapped in silk, absorbed the night's coolness, bringing a sense of comfort to his skin.
Slowly, he tried to sit up. Beside him lay a sword, neatly wrapped in white cloth. Ancient red inscriptions, unlike anything Hoshi had ever seen, were etched onto it. However, his mind couldn't focus on the sword. Too many things were happening—too many things to process.
Suddenly, the door to the room opened.
"You're awake?" A soft voice greeted Hoshi. It was Sora Maikano.
Sora stepped inside, her white blouse shimmering dimly, like the last remnants of moonlight on the water—gentle yet cold. The purple crystal around her neck flickered faintly, its reflection holding echoes of something once grand, now just a fading memory.
"How long was I unconscious?" Hoshi asked.
"Long enough. I thought you weren't going to wake up," Sora replied with a teasing tone.
She turned toward the door, her posture suggesting she didn't intend to stay long.
"You must be feeling dizzy. Come walk with me. I'll explain a few things along the way," Sora offered with an awkward smile, perhaps because they still weren't fully acquainted.
Still disoriented, Hoshi simply nodded and got out of bed, following Sora. He walked behind her as if embarking on a journey.
The corridor stretched on, lined with floral-patterned carpets. But something felt odd—every door in the palace stood identical, forming a perfect row with no distinguishing marks. It was like an endless labyrinth.
"Strange?" Sora finally spoke. "Don't worry, there are dozens more floors just like this."
Suddenly, she stopped in front of a door. "Why don't you try opening one? It might answer some of the questions in your mind," she suggested, as if she knew what Hoshi was wondering.
Hoshi reached out, grasped the door handle, and turned it.
A golden-orange light burst through the gap, accompanied by a gentle breeze.
At the same time, his ears caught the sound of waves splashing and birds chirping.
"Isn't this... a beach?" Hoshi furrowed his brows. He was certain they were in the middle of a forest. How could there suddenly be a vast ocean?
"Every door here leads to a different place—wherever I desire. So if you want to return to your room, well… that depends on your luck," Sora said with a teasing grin.
Hoshi let out a long sigh. He had never met a woman this infuriating before.
The two of them gazed out at the sprawling ocean. This time, Sora's expression had changed. The playfulness from earlier was gone—now, she looked serious.
"You never told me. Why do you want to work for me?" she asked, without turning to look at him.
Hoshi took a moment before answering. Not because he didn't have a reason—rather, because his reason seemed impossible for any human to believe.
"In this world, there's a power that can bring the dead back to life. And I want to bring my mother back," Hoshi said, his voice firm with determination.
Sora remained silent. She didn't say a word, nor did she look surprised.
"This isn't the first time I've heard a wish like that," her voice turned colder. "But that doesn't mean I've ever seen it come true with my own eyes."
She turned away from the ocean and walked back toward the palace.
"There are 12 Zodiac powers in this world," Sora said as she walked. Hoshi followed her, though he was unsure of their destination.
"Each has its own time limit." Sora spoke again, pausing deliberately after each short sentence, as if giving Hoshi time to absorb her words.
"They do not follow the same path as those deemed 'good' or 'evil'."
"They move according to their own will—fighting against what they perceive as wrong, protecting what they believe to be right."
Sora suddenly stopped walking.
Without realizing it, Hoshi found himself in the main hall. Two spiraling staircases stretched in opposite directions, their golden railings gleaming under the chandelier's light. Between them stood a grand fountain, casting reflections of colorful stained glass onto the walls. But what truly caught his attention were the two massive portraits—one of a man dressed in regal attire, and another of a woman in an elegant blue gown, her gaze gentle yet shrouded in mystery.
For a moment, Sora simply stood there, staring at the paintings with deep contemplation, her eyes reflecting a quiet sorrow. Then, she resumed walking.
Behind the fountain stood an ancient door, its wood riddled with holes, embraced tightly by creeping roots. This wasn't the first time Hoshi had seen it. It was the very same door from the first time Sora had tested him.
Sora gripped the doorknob and turned it. Unlike before, it seemed effortless.
As the door creaked open, a brilliant blue light burst forth, accompanied by a cool breeze that kissed Hoshi's skin.
The moment they stepped inside, the surroundings changed instantly. It was as if they had entered another world.
Before them stretched a vast cavern wall, its surface adorned with ancient carvings etched in golden marble.
Scattered across the wall were glowing blue stones. Twelve small ones were embedded among the carvings, while larger ones lay scattered around the cave, illuminating the space with their ethereal glow. It was truly a breathtaking sight.
"When a Zodiac's time is up, we must reclaim its power," Sora spoke once more, stepping toward a shimmering pool of water before her. Its surface reflected the night sky, glittering with countless stars. "But it's not that simple."
"We have to kill them."
A sudden voice startled Hoshi.
He turned to his side—there stood a young boy. Hoshi hadn't even noticed his presence.
The boy wore a traditional Japanese hakama, neat and spotless. The deep blue of his attire radiated an air of mystery, sending a chill through Hoshi's body.
"Souta. Nice to meet you."
The boy's blue eyes stared at Hoshi, calm yet piercing. Though they shared the same eye color, Souta's eyes seemed darker, like the ocean's depths—silent and empty, yet turbulent beneath the surface.
"I will be the one handling the retrieval process." Souta pointed at Hoshi. "And you."
Hoshi's thoughts froze for a moment, his eyes widening slightly before he steadied himself. His fists clenched lightly at his sides, his heartbeat quickened, but his lips remained shut.
"If that's the price I have to pay to see my loved one again, then I am more than willing," Hoshi declared, locking eyes with Souta. His determination was clear, but fear still lingered in his expression.
"Interesting." Souta stepped toward Sora. "I can't wait to see what you're capable of."
"Hoshi, from today onward, you and Souta will work together to reclaim the Zodiac powers," Sora said, her expression now slightly brighter, a faint smile forming on her lips. "And the two of you will be known as 'Moon Reapers'."
Hoshi's eyes widened at the title, before a grin spread across his face.
He felt like he had taken a step closer to his dream—to see Aoi again.
★
"Hah…hah…ha—"
Hoshi ran with all his strength, his breath ragged and uncontrollable. His legs pounded against the dark forest floor, but the figure ahead of him kept moving farther away.
The cold night wind bit at his sweat-drenched skin, and sharp twigs scraped against his arms every time he brushed too close to the wild trees.
"Souta… you're too fast!" Hoshi groaned, his voice barely reaching past the rustling leaves. He forced his legs to keep moving, pushing through the last reserves of his strength.
But his steps grew heavier. His knees weakened.
"I can't—"
His body lost balance.
In an instant, his foot caught on a large root jutting from the ground. The world spun around him, and before he could react, his body crashed onto the earth with force. Dry leaves scattered into the air, blending with the sweat already soaking his face.
His chest rose and fell rapidly, his vision blurred.
At that moment, memories slowly began to replay in his mind.
…
"This palace is already big enough for me, and now I have to go through a forest too?" Hoshi crossed his arms, looking at Souta with clear dissatisfaction.
They stood in the palace's backyard, where faint sunlight illuminated a vast open field. Before them loomed a dense forest, standing tall as if awaiting new prey to wander into its trap.
Souta merely stared at him with those deep blue eyes, void of emotion. "If you want to get stronger, you have no choice but to follow me."
Hoshi swallowed, his chest trembling slightly as he gazed at the thick forest ahead. The tangled shadows between the trees seemed to hide something beyond his understanding. Yet, despite his fear, he knew he had no other option.
"Fine, show me what you've got," Hoshi finally said, though deep down, he was already regretting his decision.
Souta didn't respond. He simply turned and stepped into the darkness of the forest.
And that was how it all began.
…
"How long are you planning to lay there?" Souta's firm voice cut through the air.
Hoshi flinched, snapping back to reality as the coldness in Souta's tone pierced his thoughts. His blurred vision cleared—only to meet those same dark blue eyes staring sharply at him. Souta stood not far away, arms crossed, his expression as unreadable as ever. It was as if watching Hoshi collapse was nothing out of the ordinary.
Gritting his teeth, Hoshi tried to push himself up, but his knees were still weak, trembling from exhaustion. His breathing remained unsteady, his chest heaving. He lifted his head and glared at Souta with a mixture of frustration and fatigue.
"Do you—do you seriously not see that I'm half-dead here?" Hoshi groaned, his hands gripping the dirt and dry leaves beneath him.
Souta remained still. "If this is enough to make you give up, how do you plan to face the Zodiac Holders?"
Those words stabbed at Hoshi's pride like a sharp blade. He huffed, attempting once more to rise. This time, he managed to stand, though his legs still felt unbearably heavy.
Souta brushed the dust off his clothes. "We've only run five kilometers. You still have a long way to go."
"Five kilometers?!" Hoshi's jaw dropped. "Are you trying to kill me?"
Souta looked at him blankly. "Kill you? I was just warming up."
Hoshi covered his face with one hand. "I've made a terrible mistake…" he muttered under his breath.
Souta turned away, walking ahead without looking back. "If you have the energy to complain, you have the energy to keep running. Let's go."
Hoshi groaned but forced his legs to move. Because he knew—there was no other choice.
★
Seven days passed.
Hoshi landed harshly on the ground, his legs aching from the imperfect landing. His breath came in short gasps, sweat dripping from his forehead down to his chin. Once again, he looked up and saw Souta's figure moving farther ahead, effortlessly leaping from root to root as if gravity had no effect on him.
"I... can't... take this anymore..." Hoshi wheezed, his knees nearly giving out.
But there was no time to rest. From above, Souta's calm voice rang out, accompanied by his swift silhouette darting through the thick trees.
"If you stop now, you'll fall even further behind."
Hoshi looked up with a frown. "You—are you seriously expecting me to jump around like you?"
Souta landed on a large root that stretched across the air, his arms crossed over his chest. His empty blue eyes stared downward, directly at Hoshi, who was panting heavily.
"You want to hunt the Zodiac Holders, right?" His tone remained the same—cold, emotionless. "If you can't even catch up to me, forget about your ambition."
Hoshi felt his blood boil. He knew Souta was merely stating facts, but the complete lack of sympathy in his words was infuriating.
"I'll prove that I can do it." Hoshi gritted his teeth and steadied his footing.
Without thinking twice, he pushed himself upward, jumping onto the nearest root. His balance wavered, nearly causing him to slip, but he managed to grab onto a small branch beside him. His breath trembled, his heart pounding in his chest.
Souta remained where he was, waiting.
"Keep going," he said flatly.
Hoshi swallowed hard. He looked at the next root stretching in the air—it was farther than the last one. If he failed, he would crash straight to the ground.
But he couldn't lose.
Gathering every ounce of strength he had left, he steadied his breathing, bent his knees slightly, and—
Jumped.
The wind brushed against his face, and for a brief moment, time seemed to slow as he soared through the air. His hands reached forward, aiming to grab onto the root ahead—
But suddenly, the wind shifted.
And his body plummeted.
"Argh—!"
Hoshi crashed to the ground, dry leaves scattering as his body struck the earth with force. Dust rose into the air, marking the impact of his fall.
He coughed several times, trying to steady his breathing. His head throbbed, and his entire body felt like it had been crushed.
Slow footsteps approached.
Souta stood beside him, looking down without the slightest hint of surprise.
"You failed."
Hoshi gritted his teeth, his fists clenching. "I know…"
Souta crouched slightly, just enough to meet Hoshi's eye level. "But you've come further than you were seven days ago."
Hoshi's eyes widened slightly. For the first time, Souta's words didn't sound like mockery. Instead, they felt… like recognition.
Taking a deep breath, Hoshi exhaled slowly. The pain in his body remained, but a small smile crept onto his lips.
"…Tomorrow, I'll try again."
Souta stood up, turning his back as he walked away. "We continue now."
Hoshi's jaw dropped. "What?!"
"The Zodiac Holders won't wait for you to be ready."
Hoshi groaned internally, but he still forced himself to stand.
★
15 days passed.
Water splashed through the air as Hoshi landed on a slippery rock in the middle of the river. Despite carrying a heavy load on his back, his body remained steady, his balance unwavering. His breathing was still heavy, but no longer chaotic like before. His muscles had adapted to the strain, and each leap felt more controlled, sharper.
From the riverbank, Souta watched him without expression.
"Don't stop."
Hoshi lifted his head, sweat dripping from his face, but his focus remained sharp. Without hesitation, he pushed himself forward, leaping onto the next rock. The weight pressing down on his shoulders was immense, but he refused to let it distract him.
One jump. Two jumps. Three jumps.
Each time his feet landed, he was already prepared to spring forward again. Where he once lost his balance, his legs now knew how to adjust to the uneven surface of the rocks. Where he once would have fallen into the river, he now jumped with confidence, as if this was something he had done for years.
Souta crossed his arms over his chest, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Better than before," he said, but his tone remained the same—cold and emotionless.
Hoshi let out a small smile but didn't allow himself to get complacent. He kept moving, his jumps becoming faster and smoother until he finally landed on the other side of the river. With a long exhale, he stood upright, his shoulders rising and falling slightly from exhaustion.
He turned his gaze toward Souta, who was now standing before him with his arms still crossed.
"Well?" Hoshi asked, waiting for some form of recognition.
Souta remained silent for a moment.
Then—
Thud!
A new weight was suddenly thrown at Hoshi. With sharp reflexes, he caught it, but as soon as he felt the added heaviness, his legs nearly buckled.
His eyes widened.
"Why did you add more weight?! I just finished—"
"You've gotten good with the previous weight," Souta interrupted, his voice as calm as ever. "Now, you need to get used to something heavier."
Hoshi gritted his teeth, glaring at Souta.
But deep inside, he knew—this wasn't punishment.
It was a sign that he had improved.
With a deep breath, Hoshi steadied himself again.
"Again?"
Souta gave a small nod.
A faint smirk formed on Hoshi's lips as he stepped back toward the first stone.
★
25 days passed.
Hoshi examined the sword in his hands carefully, his fingers slowly gliding along its smooth, cold blade. The evening light reflected a golden glow on its surface, illuminating ancient red engravings that twisted like roots.
This sword… He had never truly used it before. Since it was given to him, he had carried it everywhere, but he had never swung it with real intent.
"Why are you staring at it?"
Souta stood a few steps ahead, holding a wooden sword. His dark blue eyes pierced through Hoshi, waiting without a trace of emotion.
Hoshi took a deep breath. The sword in his hands felt heavy—not because of its physical weight, but because of the reality that he had to use it now.
"Tsk…" He shook his head, pushing away his hesitation. "Alright, let's begin."
Without wasting time, Hoshi lowered his stance, gripping the hilt of his sword firmly. However, before he could even react—
Srak!
In the blink of an eye, Souta was already in front of him. A swift strike from Souta's wooden sword hit his stomach hard. Hoshi coughed, his body stumbling backward.
He didn't even have time to breathe.
Srak!
Another attack—this time from the side. He tried to lift his sword to block, but—
Thud!
A powerful blow struck his leg. His knees weakened, and he nearly collapsed.
"Terrible," Souta's voice was calm but firm. "You're moving too slowly."
Hoshi clenched his teeth. He knew that. But his body still wasn't able to keep up with these attacks.
Before he could even regain his footing, Souta had already leaped into the air.
Srak!
Hoshi tried to lift his sword once more—
But Souta was faster.
Souta's wooden sword struck his shoulder, sending violent tremors through his body. His grip on his sword weakened, and—
Thud!
The sword slipped from his hands.
Hoshi staggered backward, collapsing onto the hard ground. His breath came in ragged gasps, his body felt unbearably heavy. Sweat dripped down his forehead, and every muscle in his body throbbed with pain.
He looked up at Souta, who remained standing without any change in expression.
"You may have grown physically stronger," Souta said, twirling his sword in his hand. "But if this is how you fight, you'll be dead in three seconds."
Hoshi clenched his fists.
The pain… But more than that—the frustration with himself hurt even more. He bit his lip before reaching for his sword again. Slowly, he pushed himself back up.
"I won't fall that easily again," he said, even as his body trembled.
Souta observed him for a moment. Then, he raised his wooden sword once more.
"Let's see how long you can last."
Hoshi lifted his sword again, attempting to block Souta's attack from the side. But before he could strengthen his grip, a powerful impact rattled his hands. His sword nearly slipped.
Souta gave him no room to recover. He changed the direction of his strike, his sword cutting swiftly toward Hoshi's shoulder. Too fast.
Hoshi tried to dodge, but his body felt heavy. His movements were still slow.
"Your legs are still weak. Again."
That memory flashed through his mind. Training by jumping from stone to stone across the river, the weight strapped to his body making every leap feel impossible. The first time, he failed. The second time, too. Every time, his body plunged into the biting cold water, and every time he resurfaced, Souta would give the same order—without mercy.
But…
Hoshi tightened his grip on his sword. His stance shifted to the side, just before Souta's attack could land. This time, his body moved more lightly.
Souta attacked again, this time from the opposite direction. Hoshi raised his sword just in time, blocking the strike with more stability. His hands no longer trembled like before.
"Use your momentum," Souta's voice echoed in his mind from past training. "Don't force strength you don't have. Use what you already do."
As Souta swung his sword again, Hoshi didn't try to forcefully stop it. Instead, he adjusted his movement, letting the attack flow past before twisting his wrist to redirect Souta's blade to the side.
Souta's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Now you're finally using your brain," he said. But he didn't stop.
Strike after strike came at him. Hoshi defended better than before. His legs were stronger, his movements sharper. His breathing was still heavy, but his eyes no longer wavered with doubt.
Even so, Souta was still faster.
In an instant, his sword slipped through Hoshi's defenses, landing a firm strike against his side. Hoshi flinched, his body lurching backward. His footing nearly faltered—but this time, he did not fall.
He took a deep breath, then lifted his gaze to meet Souta's. Their eyes locked.
Souta remained silent for a moment before slightly raising the tip of his sword. "You're getting better."
Hoshi didn't reply. He only tightened his grip on his sword.
He hadn't won.
But he was no longer just accepting defeat.
★
30 days passed.
The sound of footsteps echoed across the damp forest floor. Hoshi's breathing was steady, his steps stable, and every movement he made was now vastly different from their first day of training. If before, he could only struggle to keep up, now he could stand as an equal in this battle.
His sword was raised, catching faint glimmers of light filtering through the towering canopy. Souta stood a few steps ahead, his posture as calm as ever, his eyes as emotionless as always. But today—for the first time—there was something different.
He was serious.
Without warning, Souta vanished from where he stood.
Hoshi didn't need to see to know where the attack would come from. His muscles had already memorized Souta's movement patterns. He spun, lifting his sword to block the incoming strike from the side—
Clang!
This time, he didn't get pushed back. Not like before.
Hoshi clenched his jaw, the muscles in his arms straining as he held firm against Souta's powerful strike. Shifting his stance, he adjusted the pressure on his footing, and with one swift motion, he forced Souta backward.
Without hesitation, Hoshi lunged forward. His blade sliced through the air, aiming for his opponent's shoulder—
But Souta dodged with ease. Too smooth, too fast.
"Still too slow."
Souta's sword came at him. Hoshi barely managed to lift his own in time to block, but this time, the impact sent a deep tremor through his body. His knees nearly buckled—but he endured it.
"Your legs are still weak. Again."
The memory resurfaced. Jumping from root to root, failing to keep his balance. Slipping, tripping, or misjudging the distance—each mistake left him bruised, his skin lined with small cuts. But after countless falls, he learned. He learned to read the forest's rhythm, to recognize which roots could bear his weight and which would crumble beneath him.
And now—
Hoshi adjusted his footing. Before Souta could launch his next attack, he was already moving. His sword slashed toward his opponent's side—this time faster, more precise.
Souta deflected the attack, but this time, he took a step back.
For the first time in thirty days of training—Hoshi had forced Souta to retreat.
But the fight wasn't over.
The air in the forest shifted. The trees seemed to whisper to one another, and the ground beneath them trembled ever so slightly.
The surroundings… were moving.
Souta took another step back, as if granting him space. But Hoshi knew—this wasn't mercy. This was a warning.
And then, the forest itself changed.
The once-gentle rustling of leaves turned into a violent howl, as if something had awoken. The earth beneath them shuddered, and the massive roots that sprawled across the ground began to shift, slithering like serpents roused from a deep slumber. Above, branches swayed—not from the wind, but from something unseen.
The pressure around them grew heavier.
This was no longer just a fight.
The forest itself… was resisting.
"I expected you to reach this point." Souta's voice was calm, but his eyes gleamed sharply.
Hoshi tightened his grip on his sword. His breath was still heavy, but this time, not from exhaustion—this time, it was adrenaline coursing through his veins.
The creeping roots lunged at him, striking with impossible speed. Hoshi deflected one, then another. He sidestepped a falling branch that nearly crushed him. But Souta remained ahead—watching, testing.
Hoshi steadied his breathing. His steps changed—lighter, sharper.
He was no longer fighting against the forest.
He was moving with it.
A root lashed toward him—he didn't block it. Instead, he twisted his body, letting its momentum carry him to the side. A branch plummeted from above—he shifted his footing at the last second, allowing it to crash into empty ground.
Souta finally moved.
His sword flashed forward like lightning.
But this time—
Hoshi saw it.
He raised his sword at the perfect angle, and in one precise movement—
A loud crash filled the air.
For the first time, Souta was forced backward.
Hoshi couldn't believe it. His hands trembled, not from fear, but from the exhilaration surging within him.
He had finally done it.
Souta, now standing upright again, watched Hoshi without a word. His blue eyes remained as cold as ever, but there was something different—just for a moment, the corner of his lips almost curved into a faint smile before he quickly regained control of his expression. He adjusted his grip on his sword, as if what had just happened was nothing out of the ordinary.
But the fingers holding his weapon had loosened—just slightly.
Breathless, Hoshi's eyes widened, and before he could stop himself, his voice broke into a victorious cry—
"I DID IT!"
Souta turned his face slightly to the side, as if hiding an expression that almost slipped through.
And the moment those words echoed, the world seemed to pause for just a second.
★
Sora's hands stopped moving.
Hoshi's triumphant shout rang through the palace, loud and full of spirit. For a moment, she simply listened, letting the echo seep into the empty space around him.
Then, she exhaled slowly, raising an eyebrow.
"…Noisy," she muttered, though the faintest curve ghosted at the edge of her lips.
She refocused her attention on the water basin before her. A soft blue glow shimmered on its surface, but the image within remained blurry—like mist obscuring the world. Sora's grip tightened.
This pool of water should be clearer.
With one hand, she extended her palm toward the water, letting her magic flow gently. The rippling surface trembled before the ancient symbols at the pool's bottom began to glow.
A moment later, light surged into the air, forming a vast hologram that floated in the center of the cave. Glimmering lines flickered, gradually connecting to shape the map of the world—but it was incomplete, as if corroded by time.
Sora frowned.
She lifted her hand higher, forcing more magic to flow. The blue glow intensified, the ancient symbols pulsed in sync with her heartbeat. The broken lines started reconnecting, linking the points of light that marked the world's key locations.
At last, the world map formed perfectly.
Lowering her hand, Sora watched the hologram spin steadily in the air. Gentle ripples spread across the pool's surface, as if responding to his success.
She let out a quiet breath.
"Now, let's see who's still here."
Sora touched one of the glowing points on the map. The world rotated slightly, and lines of numbers and ancient symbols appeared around it—marking the remaining time of each Zodiac Holder.
But the moment she saw it, her eyes widened.
"…Impossible."
Her hands clenched at her sides. Each lifespan that should have lasted for years—decades—had drastically shortened. Some had only a few months left. Others, mere weeks.
And some… only days.
Sora bit her lip. She pressed a hand to her chest, feeling the rapid thumping beneath her palm.
Why was this happening? This wasn't supposed to happen.
Then, an old memory resurfaced in her mind.
"One day, the balance of this world will shift. And that change will begin with a single name."
Her father's voice echoed in her head, resonating just like Hoshi's voice, which still lingered in the air of the palace.
—"That name is Hoshi."
Sora closed her eyes, taking a deep breath.
All this time, she had never been truly certain. Was this Hoshi… the Hoshi her father had spoken of? She had always considered those words to be nothing more than a possibility, a vague prophecy that might not even come true.
But now?
She opened her eyes again, staring at the world map still spinning before him. The hologram's glow reflected on her face, but it wasn't enough to hide the shock still etched in her gaze.
Now, there was no more doubt.
The Hoshi within these palace walls… The Hoshi training in the forest…
He was the Hoshi who would change everything.