Every story has a beginning, but this one is a little different, it has multiple beginnings. The first beginning takes place in a small village in Japan. The village has a mix of small houses with tiled roofs and, at most, three-story flats. On a cold winter afternoon, the sun had already set. Night falls on the village, and one by one, lights switch on along the streets — but not brightly enough to reach very far.
Two siblings walk together — the older brother, around 10 years old, wears a blue parka and holds his little sister's hand tightly. She's about five, her puffer jacket zipped up to her mouth, and all her black hair tucked into her hood.
It had become a recent habit of theirs to go out together to the nearby playground in the afternoons for the past month. "We had a great time" is painted on their faces as they walk through the empty village streets, lit only by the dim glow of house windows and the occasional streetlight.
They stopped on the sidewalk, next to a car accessories shop. Its sign blocked the nearest streetlight, leaving them in its shadow. In front of them, a fenced yard brimming with overgrown plants rose to human height, the plans rustling softly to the gentle breeze.
The brother makes sure they're both zipped up tightly, while The sister's eyes wander across the scenery "Hey, look there!" she says in awe, pointing above the yard behind him. He turns around, and the majestic view of the stars draws him in instantly, his eyes sparkle and his hot breath can be seen easily.
The view so familiar but the atmosphere is so different, just perfect for their attention to get drawn to the night sky and gaze upon the stars shining like diamonds at the clear night sky.
"Awesome! Misaka... Oh, you can't see?" the brother says as his shadow moves away from her face.
"WOW! Majestic," she says softly as she moves around. "They're so pretty!" she giggles playfully at the sight.
"Our house is kinda far, and the road's always empty and a little creepy — but weirdly, I'm thankful. I get moments like this with her" His thoughts were cut off when his phone rang. After a quick talk, he closed it and slipped it back into his pocket "It was Mom. She got worried and called... Dad's on his way with the car to pick us up. We have to has our eyes fourteen for him"
Sister- Really?! Good because I'm freezing
Brother- Yeah! The car is always super warm!
A sudden breeze comes behind them, moving the tools from the shop, she finds comfort in her brother's arms, clinging to him tightly. A lingering almost undetectable sound like something is cracking make him glance over his shoulder. He feels the uneasy chill in his bones and sees the weirdest thing in his life until then, time seems to stop while a crack appears right behind him floating there. It gots bigger with each passing moment until a piece of sky, like glass, falls to the ground and a sudden white light blinds them.
Slowly, his senses come back, he feels a warm sensation on his legs, he can hear the sound of water running down a river and the whispering of leaves above him. Opening his eyes to find himself lying on the grass under a tree blocking the sunlight "what is happening? Where am I? My body feels so numb, is it morning?" He is extremely puzzled and dizzy, He gets up and walks around as he's looking around. The whole landscape change from a cold freezing afternoon in the village into a hot morning among the woods. he removes his parka and ties it around his waist.
He wanders around but the only thing he finds is some bushes with berries and behind them, a river. He sits on the grass to clear his mind and come back to his senses as he eats some berries "am i dreaming?" He pinch himself and feels the pain "no I'm sure not" thinking a little back to the scene and then he remembers "if I'm not dreaming then where is Misaka? I was holding her tight!" Panicking he stand up, yelling her name only to hear silence. He refuses to back down and continues to yells but he gets cut when he hears steps on the grass.
An animal — something like a tiger, but with horns and black-and-white striped skin — was standing calmly in front of him. "What is that thing?" Scared as he was, he slowly stepped back, eyes locked on it. The animal crept closer, growling at him. Panicking, he changed direction and started running as fast as he could along the river, His parka came loose from his waist and flew off behind him. The animal was way faster, in a matters of seconds it was a breath away.
Just then, before the animal could catch him, someone dragged him out of the way. A girl with a ponytail stood in front of him. The animal charged at her, She held a stick in her right hand "light fandon" she says and the stick glows yellow. With one swing, she scratched the animal — and it fled.
"wow, that was close you're lucky that i was clo—" She looked around. "Where is he?" She spotted him clinging to the river's edge, half in the water "AH SORRY" She rushed over and dragged him back to solid ground "gotcha"
He dropped to his knees, taking deep breaths. Soaking wet, his hands and face were covered in mud, he was still recovering from the shock.
Girl- Are you all right? Sorry—I act before I think. I'm really sorry, like, *super* sorry
Brother-"don't worry I'm okay" He coughed, then took a deep breath. Just as he got to his feet and started walking away, she grabbed his arm.
Girl- Hey, where do you think you're goin' like that?
Brother- "my sister could be nearby, if this thing found her she'll—" He shakes his head "the more reasons to go"
Girl- "I was wanderin' around here. There's no one nearby—" *She snapped at herself.* "Get it together. NO ONE is nearby."
Brother- Where could she be? I was holding her!" *He pressed his hand to his face, overwhelmed*
Girl- Hey— relax, nothin' will come from panickin'— We jumped in a river, our clothes are soaked and you're still in shock, my house is nearby, you can dry off and rest there.
Brother- but if she is in danger i have to—
Girl- there are guards all over the place, If someone's missin', they'll find her for sure, okay?"
Brother- fine—
He follows her to her house, going through the woods sunlight streamed through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on them as they walk a path made of dirt
Girl- You don't talk much, do you? you didn't even thank me for savin' you
Brother- You were the one who threw me into a river.
Girl- it was an accident! and i saved you— again
Brother- fine, FINE, thank you!
She giggles "My name is Elly—" she waits for his response "And you are?"
Brother- I'm Taiga, nice to meet you
Elly welcome him with a warm smile "Hello Taiga, nice to meet you"