The air was dense, as if the ceiling of the hideout—modest as it was—bore the weight of many silent gazes. That place, with its rock and wood walls, barely lit by hanging torches, seemed even smaller when we were all gathered there.
The girl—the same one we had found in the forest—shifted slightly under the covers and slowly opened her eyes. Her gaze was still cloudy, as if the world she saw through them didn't quite make sense yet.
—Where… am I…? —she murmured, her voice as fragile as crystal on the verge of breaking.
Saria immediately approached her, as gentle as always.
—You're in a safe place —she said—. This is our hideout…
The girl blinked a few times, then replied with a hint of irony in her voice:
—This is your hideout...? This pile of junk?
I swallowed hard and looked away. Yeah… the place wasn't exactly a fortress, but at least it was ours.
Saria let out a nervous laugh, slightly embarrassed.
—Well… I wouldn't know… I don't even live here.
One by one, the silhouettes nearby stepped closer. Some familiar, others new. The girl sat up slowly, her breathing still unsteady.
—Hey —I said—, you passed out suddenly. We had to bring you back here.
—Yeah… I really appreciate it —she replied, lowering her head slightly.
But not everyone was as calm as I was. The boy next to her, with a stern face and eyes like blades, approached with evident distrust.
—From what I heard —he began, crossing his arms—, you were attacked out there by those shadow creatures from the Spider Queen… How is it possible that they didn't kill you? How did you end up in that situation?
He fired off the questions like knives, one after another. The girl could barely keep up, her expression growing uncomfortable.
—Tatsuya, that's enough —said a female voice—. You're making her uncomfortable.
—Before we get to the questions… maybe we should calm down and introduce ourselves, don't you think? —the injured girl intervened, with more composure than we expected.
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, took a breath, and spoke with a firmer voice:
—My name is Minami Hayami, and this is my older brother, Tatsuya Hayami.
The boy simply nodded with a slight gesture.
The youngest child, with an alert gaze and a salty breath, stepped forward:
—My name is Mamoru Hibiki, of the Hibiki fishing family.
Then everyone looked at us, as if expecting the same. Minami smiled slightly.
—Hey, you guys… you should introduce yourselves too, don't you think?
Saria, as always, was the first to react.
—You're right —she responded sweetly—. My name is Saria Hachigane, and this is my older brother, Ardan Hachigane. This spirit you see here is Kogorō…
But she paused, hesitating.
Kogorō let out a chuckle.
—Don't worry, even I don't remember my last name, so I'll skip…
I let out a quiet laugh before stepping forward.
—Well, allow me too. My name is Jiro Kamimizu, of the Kamimizu family, from the Academy of Magical Martial Arts… and of course, future hero—
—Please, Jiro, don't start… —Kogorō huffed.
—Sorry! I got excited —I said, scratching the back of my neck with an awkward smile.
That was when Minami turned to the last person who hadn't spoken yet. The girl with long hair and violet crystal eyes. Her presence still felt… fragile. As if the wind could carry her away.
—Now that we've all introduced ourselves… —Minami said, approaching her with a kind smile—. And you, sweetie, what's your name?
The girl lowered her gaze for a moment. She seemed to hesitate, but then replied softly:
—My name is Ichika… and I come from a land far from here.
She bowed, kneeling on the ground with an elegance that contrasted with her apparent frailty.
—Thank you so much for saving me, everyone…
At that moment, for the first time, everyone in the room fell silent. It was a strange feeling. As if we all shared the same thought, but no one dared to speak it yet.
Because even though Ichika smiled…
…I couldn't shake the feeling that something didn't quite add up.
We were in a forsaken corner of a soulless world.
No magic. No light.
But even in the darkness, there are moments when one's heart burns brighter than any flame.
There, standing before everyone, something inside me was ablaze.
It was more than a hunch, more than a foolish hero's dream.
It was a conviction.
—I'm going to defeat her.
The Spider Queen.
I will restore this world, even if it costs me my life.
Kogoro, as always, was quick to spit his venom.
—Here we go again… —he grumbled—. This guy just doesn't get it...
But this time, I didn't stay quiet.
Not this time.
—It's my duty —I said, turning to him—. With this spear… I can restore the magic of this world.
I can bring its essence back.
I can bring it back to life.
But I can't do it alone!
My voice echoed off the walls of the hideout.
The echo was faint, but my voice carried a strength I hadn't felt before.
—Please! —I looked at them, one by one—. I need you to fight with me.
Tatsuya, Minami, and Mamoru exchanged glances.
There was fear in their eyes. And also… disbelief.
—I don't know —murmured Tatsuya.
—It sounds too dangerous… —added Mamoru, lowering his gaze.
—He must still be in denial —Minami said coldly, as usual.
I looked at them. I saw the doubt stuck in their thoughts like thorns.
I felt something inside me start to break.
—Damn it… damn it… —I muttered through clenched teeth.
I couldn't believe it.
How could they not feel it?
How could they not hear that inner voice screaming: rise and fight?
I was drowning in a mix of rage and helplessness. The words caught in my throat. I didn't know whether to scream or fall to my knees.
But then, a step was heard.
Firm. Steady.
Someone was approaching.
—Well, well... I'm with him, honestly —said that voice I was beginning to recognize among all—. I don't really have another choice.
I slowly lifted my head… and there he was.
—Ardan... you...? —I said, surprised.
He nodded with that half-smile of his—half annoyed, half knowing. No need to say more. His decision was made.
Then, another figure stepped forward.
Saria.
—You and Ardan are very precious to me, Jiro —she said with a tenderness so deep it hurt—. And leaving you alone in this… isn't a good way to show it. So I'm going with you.
My chest filled with an indescribable warmth.
I wasn't alone.
Not this time.
But not everyone shared that light. Minami raised her voice, her face full of confusion.
—Hey! What are you doing?! This is madness! It makes no sense!
Kogoro, meanwhile, rolled his eyes, floating beside me like this was a nightmare he never asked to be part of.
—Don't look at me —he growled—. I'm not even here by choice...
I laughed a little. I couldn't help it. In the middle of all this chaos, even Kogoro's words felt like part of some twisted joke from fate.
—Thank you… guys —I said, turning to Ardan, Saria, and the others—. Really… you're the best.
Ichika, who had been silent all this time, stepped forward.
Her expression had changed. She was no longer just a victim.
—You all saved me —she said firmly—. From those creatures… and I still don't know how to repay you.
So I have no choice but to come with you to settle my debt.
She stood beside me, her gaze burning.
—I'll avenge my father at your side, Jiro. Let me guide you to the castle...
Guide us?
The word echoed in Ardan's head—I saw it in his eyes.
Something was off. Something didn't quite add up.
Does she know where the Spider Queen is?
I was about to ask her something, but there was no time.
—Fine! —Minami suddenly shouted, her eyes full of fury—. If you want to die, go ahead.
I've already given you my hospitality. But please… get out of our hideout.
—You'll just bring danger to us! —Tatsuya added, this time with a tone more shaky than defiant.
Their words pierced me like needles.
—I understand —was all I managed to say.
I didn't say anything else. I didn't blame them.
They were afraid.
And not everyone is ready to leap into the abyss.
With firm steps, I turned. Ardan at my side. Saria, Ichika.
And behind us, the trembling hope that not all was lost.
We left the hideout, crossing that door like someone leaving an entire life behind.
The air outside was cold, dry… but full of possibilities.
We had walked for hours through the hills. The sun was beginning to set, and the breeze grew thicker, as if the air itself was tainted with omens. From Ardan's shoulder, you could see a unique perspective… as if we were being watched by many eyes at once. What we didn't know was that it was true.
A small spider resting on his shoulder crawled down his arm and vanished into the tall grass. I didn't dare say anything; there was something in the air that chilled my blood.
I walked up to Ardan. I looked at him for a moment, silently. The wind was the only thing accompanying us, and without looking directly at him, I spoke:
—Hey… Ardan… I… wanted to apologize —my voice cracked between shame and the weight of the past—. For everything that's happened between us lately… and especially for what I did back then. I have no excuse, I was an idiot.
He didn't react right away. He just walked a few more steps. Then he stopped and turned his face toward me, calmer than I had ever seen him.
—It's all right, Jiro —he said calmly—. It wasn't your fault. It was my selfishness… I tried to force my ideas, and I ended up pushing you away. I'm sorry too.
I nodded. My throat was tight, but I managed to say:
—But you were right about many things… acting without thinking isn't good. I just… thought that if I acted fast, I could fix everything.
—We all think that, Jiro… —Ardan replied with a faint smile.
Behind us, I heard muffled laughter. Saria was walking next to Ichika, and although the tension was still there, there seemed to be some peace between them.
—Hey, Ichika —Saria asked curiously—. How did you know exactly where the Spider Queen's castle was? Did you and your father live there or something?
Ichika scratched her head and laughed nervously.
—Well… it's a long story, hehe… I wouldn't know where to start…
—It doesn't matter —Saria replied with a smile—. Your knowledge will be very useful. We'll avenge your father, I promise.
Ichika smiled too, but there was something strange in her expression… something I couldn't figure out at the time.
Finally, we reached one of the castle's outer chambers. It was enormous, far more than I expected, and from the bushes we could observe the elevated city that surrounded it. It was strange… no guards, no shadows watching the paths.
In my mind, the silence disturbed me, but I wasn't alone.
—So strange that no shadow creatures have noticed us yet… —I heard Ardan's voice inside me, as if his thoughts were merging with mine—. I don't think it's just because we're hiding. Something's off…
And then we saw them.
Spider women… strange and seductive creatures walked the streets of the suspended city. Their appearance was both beautiful and disturbing, as if they were beings of deadly beauty. We hid more carefully.
—This way… —Ichika whispered, moving toward a hidden corner. We followed her without thinking. She seemed confident.
We climbed a stone staircase covered in purple ivy until we reached a back chamber of the castle. It was magnificent, decorated with crystals and shining fabrics, almost like a royal hall.
—We've arrived… —Ichika said, turning toward us—. Now we just have to find the Spider Queen…
But then… her voice changed.
A deeper tone. Colder. And a different smile appeared on her face.
—It's been a pleasure meeting you. Now… meet my mother.
—What…!? —I turned immediately, but it was too late.
Ardan pushed me hard, just as a thread of web descended from the ceiling. The thread pierced his back and dragged him upward, wrapping around him and pulling him into the shadows of the walls.
—Ardan! Nooo!! —I screamed, reaching out helplessly.
—You damn liar! —Saria roared, pulling out her talismans and throwing them at Ichika.
But she vanished like smoke, leaving behind only a disturbing smile.
Then the ground trembled. A trap.
—Saria, watch out! —I managed to yell before the floor beneath us opened up all at once.
We both fell.
Everything turned to darkness.