At home, Mirai, hugging the white fox, wandered around searching for Kelfin. She checked room after room, but he was nowhere to be found. "Maybe he's outside?" She stepped out while carrying her katana and checked around and searched the surroundings, yet still, he was nowhere to be seen. Feeling a little tired, she let out a sigh and gazed at the sun, which was beginning to set that evening.
"The sunset is so beautiful… I hope this peace will always stay with us."
As she was about to return through the gate, her attention was drawn to something at the end of the road. In the distance, she saw a dark, bubbling layer covering the area.
Seeing this, Mirai grew uneasy, her brows furrowing as she wondered what that strange thing was. Slowly, she took a step backward, entering the gate while keeping her gaze fixed on the road.
Then… tap... tap... The sound of footsteps echoed from that direction. A figure emerged from the darkness, followed by dozens of men in black suits wielding katanas.
At that moment, a loud explosion thundered from the top of the hill. Mirai turned her head, her eyes widening in disbelief. That hill—where her grandmother and younger brother were. Seeing the explosion, her heart pounded violently, her breath becoming heavy.
Then, before she could react, a small blade shot toward her, grazing her cheek. It was as if the blade was intentionally meant to leave only a scratch. When she looked back at them, they were already masked and prepared. Her expression hardened, her clenched fists trembled—not with fear, but with rage.
Mirai turned around, placing the white fox inside the gate before facing them again. With an unusual expression, she glared at them sharply and spoke, "Move… Move aside!" Her fists clenched as she stepped forward.
At the shrine, Mirai's grandmother was deep in prayer at the highest altar, the Shrine of Blessings and Happiness (祝福と幸福の神殿). Meanwhile, Hayato was busy sweeping the courtyard. Shortly after, he heard the distant rumbling of thunder and realized that rain would soon fall.
"It's going to rain soon… When I get home, I'll give them these flowers." He smiled while watching his grandmother pray.
He ran back and forth, followed by butterflies fluttering around him. Suddenly, one butterfly landed on his nose. Hayato didn't panic—he simply smiled. The butterfly then flapped its wings and flew away, leaving him behind.
Feeling a bit disappointed, he walked toward his grandmother, who was still praying, patiently waiting by her side. He wanted to ask her to go home.
Suddenly, his grandmother gently stroked his head. Startled, Hayato looked up at her and smiled. She smiled back. Filled with warmth, Hayato hugged her tightly.
Hayato grinned brightly.
"Hayato…"
"Yes, Grandma?"
"Remember, no matter what happens, family is the most important thing. There is no treasure in this world more valuable than family. That's why… be a pillar for those you love."
Hayato fell silent, not understanding why his grandmother suddenly said such things. Just as he was about to ask—
Two figures stepped into the courtyard. As they entered through the gate, Mirai's grandmother turned to look at them.
"Hayato, stand behind me."
One was a woman wearing a black kimono with red accents on the inner shoulders, her face partially covered with a black veil. The other was a man wearing a tattered outfit and a dog collar. His left arm was missing.
The atmosphere changed drastically. The once warm air had turned cold. Dark clouds now blocked the sky, letting no light shine through. With the rumbling thunder overhead and the sun's light completely gone, the veiled woman finally revealed her face and spoke.
"It's been a long time, my dear friend… Fuyumi," she said, her voice carrying an eerie calm. "Time has truly changed your face."
"How have you been? Are you happy?"
"Moei!!! How dare you set foot in this village?" Fuyumi's voice was filled with anger, sharp and firm.
Seeing his grandmother like this—something he had never witnessed before—made Hayato uneasy. But when he shifted his gaze, his worry turned into dread. Behind those two strangers stood one of the village leaders, along with several villagers who had long despised Mirai's family. Each of them carried weapons and torches.
Hayato's pupils dilated—he realized this was a disaster.
"Grandma?" he called out anxiously.
As if to comfort him, Fuyumi gently stroked his head and kissed his forehead. With a soft smile, she whispered something—as if she were shielding him for the last time…
A portal opened, and a four-eyed eagle emerged with black color, grabbing Hayato by the collar and soaring into the sky, carrying him away from the shrine, leaving his grandmother alone.
Time slowed…
He screamed, tears streaming down his face, reaching out desperately…
His grandmother smiled at him.
She stood tall, still looking at her grandson.
A single tear escaped her eye…
…
…
…
Elsewhere, Kelfin ran through the rain-soaked streets. He sprinted as fast as he could, leaping over obstacles with all his might. The wet and slippery ground finally caught up to him—he stumbled and fell.
The cold seeped into his bones, but the despair in his heart was even colder. Rain blurred the world around him, but he forced himself to stand and run again.
The rain drenched his clothes, mixed with his tears, hiding his sobs.
Amid his desperate sprint, the voice of the child from his dreams echoed in his mind.
"Does it hurt?"
"Does it burn?"
Every time he passed a corner, a tree, or when he fell—the child's face appeared beside him, eyes staring, repeating the same questions.
He ignored it and kept running.
Unbeknownst to Kelfin, his red necklace had fully materialized, glowing like a ruby aflame.
…
…
…
Meanwhile, at Mirai's place, she fought using the katana in her hands, successfully landing solid strikes on several opponents. Until someone used a strange object.
Suddenly, a powerful force struck Mirai's body, sending her flying several meters. She coughed violently, fresh blood spurting from her mouth.
Blood flowed from Mirai's mouth—she vomited blood. When she turned to look, she was shocked. The thing that had just thrown her back was a creature with a face like a lion, but without a body, legs, or arms. It floated in the air, its long black hair flowing around it.
The rain poured down.
Struggling, she tried to rise. With shaky legs, she took slow steps. Thoughts of her grandmother and Hayato raced through her mind. But her strength gave out—her knees collapsed beneath her. She sat with her legs folded under her, weeping.
Suddenly… the white fox beside her gazed into her eyes and touched her hand. It was as if it whispered, That's enough. I'm here. Leave this to me.
It walked in front of her, sitting proudly, looking down upon the enemies with disdain. The necklace on the fox's neck began to glow, a deep blue light flickering and intensifying.
Blue flames erupted, swirling like living creatures. From within the blaze, a woman's form emerged—her short black-gray hair swayed, her white top and black trousers reflecting the blue inferno. She reached for Mirai's katana and slowly unsheathed it. With the blade held beside her face, she set her gaze upon them. The flames on her katana burned with an elegant, untamed brilliance.. She glared at them with fierce determination.
Mirai gasped. "Pochi… is that you?"
"My name is Leya… not Pochi," the woman corrected. "But fine. Mirai, go to the shrine now. I'll hold them off."
Mirai's eyes sparkled once more—hope had returned. With all the strength she had left, she rose and ran toward the shrine at the top of the hill, whispering her thanks as she passed.
Seeing this, Leya gave a faint smile. Once Mirai was far enough, she slowly stepped forward, walking straight toward them. The sound of water boiling into steam filled the air as her blue flames burned hotter.
The enemies tensed, They became slightly wary, even the strange creature assisting them growled… They gripped their weapons tightly.
With a single swing of her blade in those rain, Leya faced them alone.