Darkness.
Reon was in an infinite nothing — no walls, no ceiling, no ground to stand on, just black that went on forever.
"Where… am I?"
His words rang out, devoured by the emptiness.
Then—
A gentle song.
A soothing hum, warm and tender, like a lullaby on the breeze.
His eyes popped open. "That's. that song…"
The melody drifted through the air like a forgotten memory. He spun around, his heart racing, and found a faceless woman sitting patiently on top of a grey rock. Her long, weeping hair swayed like darkened silk as she sang.
Reon's feet shook as he approached.
"Mom…"
He came to a stop a few feet from where she was sitting. Her face was a void, without emotion, a shape without definition. And yet, her being was like warmth. Like home.
"Who are you?" he breathed, already knowing the answer.
She stood up quietly and approached him, letting her melody die. Without a word, she reached out and touched his forehead with a single finger.
Light burst.
Then—
She disappeared.
"What?! Where did she go?!" Reon turned. "Did she… just disintegrate?! What is—"
The ground gave way beneath him.
And then—
He fell.
Reon's eyes burst open, gasping for air.
His chest seared. His arms throbbed. His entire body screamed agony.
He lay on a narrow bed, coarse cloths wrapped across his chest and forehead, bound and nearly not breathing. A hewn wooden ceiling loomed above. He rolled his head slowly and opened his eyes, remembering where he was.
"…What happened…"
And then, as a tempest ravaging his mind, the recollection rushed back.
Elira.
The knights.
The flying orb.
His broken sword.
Her scream.
"Those bastards…" he snarled, fists tightening on the sheet. "I'll kill them all. I'll smash the whole Council—"
A soothing voice broke through his fury. "Can you actually do that?"
He moved his head.
Alice sat beside his bed, arms crossed, eyes narrowed.
"Al… Alice," he groaned.
She held up a finger. "I know what you're thinking. But for now, you must sleep. We'll figure out what to do next after—"
"No." Reon sat up, disregarding the pain. "I don't have time for that."
His gaze snapped to a small, broken picture frame on the wall — a crude sketch of him and Elira, smiling in charcoaled lines.
"She's waiting for me."
The Next Morning – Slum Outskirts
The sun had just risen. Pale light streamed over the lip of the shattered slums.
Reon stood on the edge of the town, bag slung on back, blade handle wrapped around belt. He gazed at the far-off city walls for the final time, lips set with determination.
"Wait for me, Elira… I'll return stronger."
He took a step forward—
And hesitated.
"So where do you think you're going?"
Reon turned around.
Behind him were Alice and Jin, panting but fuming.
"Huh?!" Reon stuttered. "When did you—"
Alice advanced.
SMACK.
Her palm rang through the morning air, slapping him across the face.
"You fool," she spat. "Do we mean nothing at all to you? You were going to just up and leave without even letting us know?"
Reon remained quiet, guilt darting through his body. "I'm sorry… I didn't want to involve you in this."
Alice inched closer. Her voice broke.
"Just… promise you'll return."
Reon gazed into her eyes, then slowly nodded.
"I swear. I'll come back… no matter what."
Jin flung something at him. Reon caught it — a little steel dagger with leather wrapping.
"Whatcha got there?" he inquired.
Jin smiled. "Something better than your wooden club. Not much, but it's sharp. May save your life."
Reon smiled weakly. "Thanks."
Jin shrugged. "So… where you off to?"
Reon gazed forward, wind ruffling his disheveled hair.
"I don't know. Somewhere quiet. Somewhere I can grow strong enough to fight the gods if I have to."
The three stood in silence, the air heavy with unspoken emotion.
Alice finally broke the silence. "Then go. But keep that promise, Reon."
He nodded.
And with one final look at the only home he'd ever known, Reon turned and walked into the dawn.
The journey began.