Kaida had always found solace in water.
There was a freedom to it—a weightless dance where the world fell silent and she could simply exist. Whenever her limbs cut through the surface, slicing through sun-dappled ripples, it felt like her spirit was untethered, floating beyond the weight of the world.
That day, she had wandered to a quiet lake just outside Eldrida, the midday sun gilding the surface in warm gold. She dove without hesitation, slipping beneath the surface like a creature born to it.
The world below the water was still and peaceful, a sharp contrast to the distant rustle of leaves in the trees. But even in this tranquility, something lingered at the edge of her senses.
She didn't notice the quiet eyes watching from the trees.
A young man stood at the forest's edge, half-hidden in shadow, his breath catching the moment he saw her.
She was like something out of a dream—serene, vibrant, untouchable. A moment seared into memory. And as he watched her glide through the water, a foreign rhythm stirred in his chest.
Then she looked up.
Their eyes met, and his heart stammered. Like a startled animal, he turned and vanished into the trees, leaving only a trail of crushed leaves behind.
Kaida, standing waist-deep in the lake, raised an eyebrow.
"…What the hell was that?"
By the time she made it back to shore, she had nearly forgotten the odd encounter. She wrung the water from her hair, then settled by the small fire she'd built earlier. The warmth licked at her damp skin, warding off the lake's lingering chill.
A noise made her glance up.
He was back.
Kaida blinked. "Oh. It's you again. The pervert from earlier."
The young man turned crimson. "I—I'm not a pervert! I just—uh, I saw you and panicked! I didn't mean to stare, I just thought—you looked… really… ethereal, and I'm not good with people, and—"
She stared, expression unreadable.
"I'm sorry," he muttered, already turning. "I'll leave. Really. I didn't mean to bother you."
"Hold it," she said, leaning back lazily. "You're already here. And I'm hungry. If you're going to lurk in the woods like a wild animal, the least you can do is be useful. Go catch me some fish. You can manage that, can't you?"
The boy's eyes widened. "Y-Yeah! I mean—yes. Of course. My father taught me when I was little."
Kaida smirked. "Good. Then get to it."
She watched him hustle toward the lake with awkward enthusiasm. Within moments, there was a splash.
And then a yell.
She turned just in time to see him flailing in the water before managing to drag himself out, soaked and sputtering.
Kaida blinked, then chuckled. "Oh my…"
"I'm sorry!" he said quickly, shivering. "I'm… really not great at this. Honestly, I've always been kind of a mess. Back in my village, I didn't have many friends. Never knew what to say to girls either. When I saw you… I don't know. I just wanted to try. But I guess I failed again."
Kaida's eyes softened, just a little.
"You're not wrong. You're awkward. And that was a terrible first impression." She stood, brushing off her legs. "But I've seen worse. Sit down. Dry off. I'll catch us something myself."
He looked down in embarrassment. "Actually… I did catch something."
"Huh?"
"When I fell in, I grabbed a fish. For you. I figured… even if I embarrassed myself, I didn't want to show up empty-handed."
Kaida stared at him.
Then burst out laughing. "What the hell? Acting like some tragic failure, but you still managed to bring me a fish? You're ridiculous."
She shook her head, amused.
"Fine, you've earned a seat. What's your name?"
The boy straightened, trying his best to regain some composure. "D-Daichi. I'm Daichi."
"Nice to meet you, Daichi, I'm Kaida," she said, tossing another branch into the fire. "You're not half as hopeless as you think."
His cheeks turned pink again. "Thanks…"
Daichi looked at her as if she'd handed him the stars.
She raised an eyebrow. "How old are you?"
"Seventeen. And you miss Kaida?"
"Miss? Gods, do I look that ancient to you?"
"N-No! I mean—you look amazing! Beautiful, really! I didn't mean it like—"
"Relax," Kaida laughed. "I'm teasing you. I'm twenty, Now sit tight. I'll get us more fish."
The day drifted on. As they sat by the fire, eating, talking, laughing—Kaida realized something strange. She didn't usually let people in. But something about Daichi's honest, awkward charm chipped away at the walls she'd built around herself.
As the sky bled into sunset, Kaida eventually drifted off, the fire crackling softly beside her.
Daichi watched her for a while. Then, with a reluctant sigh, he stood and quietly penned a short letter, leaving it by her side.
I hope I can see you again.
***
The next morning, he rushed back to the lake with his heart in his throat.
But she was gone.
And the letter was nowhere to be found.
"…Maybe she didn't want to see me again after all."
"Hmm. And here I was about to visit you," a voice said behind him.
He spun.
Kaida stood by the treeline, a small smile on her lips. "You're the one who invited me, weren't you?"
He beamed. "Of course! Come—I'll show you my home.''
''Welcome to Eldrida."
"Wow, this place sure is small,"
Yes, it's a quiet village," Daichi said, glancing around. "It may seem boring, but everyone here is really nice. Sometimes it feels like we're one big family.
"Boring?" Kaida whispered. "I think it's wonderful."
From that day forward, Kaida found herself drawn not to the lake, but to the quiet warmth of Daichi's world.
***
And three years later, she gave birth to their daughter—Amara.
Kaida had spent most of her life as a lone wolf, wandering through battlefields and broken promises. But now, she watched Daichi cradle their daughter with shaking hands and wide eyes, and for the first time… she felt something close to peace.
Amara's childhood was simple, yet filled with joy. She giggled at her father's terrible cooking experiments, hummed along with her mother's songs, and soaked in the quiet happiness of a family.
But when she turned three, something stirred inside her.
A terrifying power began to awaken.
A power that would alter the course of their lives forever.