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Chapter 13 – Beyond the Unknown
Note: This chapter is entirely fictional and has no connection to reality. All of this is part of a bloody anime plot.
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Scene One – The Stone Gate
The sun began to set, coloring the sky with a faint orange shade.
The line at the city gate was long, and people were pushing to get through. A fat man wearing luxurious clothes, whose threads shimmered under the torchlight, stepped forward. He raised his hand toward the guard and said confidently:
Man: Let them enter on my account.
The guard looked at him in surprise, then said firmly:
Guard: Show me the city seal.
The man took a golden metal piece out of his pocket, carrying a precise engraving, and handed it to the guard. The guard examined it carefully, then said:
Guard: Very well, pay the tax… and they may enter. But remember—if they cause any recklessness, you will be responsible.
Merchant: Understood.
He turned toward Kyura and his companions with a wide smile:
Merchant: Follow me.
He walked inside the gate with confident steps, and the others followed behind him.
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Scene Two – Inside the City
The moment they entered, the life of the city enveloped them;
Lamp lights spread along the stone streets, children's laughter filled the place, food smells rose from the stalls, and the voices of merchants did not stop.
Merchant: My name is Zushi Orphan, and I'm glad I arrived at the right time to help you.
Kyura: My name is Haruki Kyura. We wouldn't have crossed without you… thank you.
Rinion: I am Misaki Rinion. We are truly grateful.
She turned toward Zokimoshi and whispered while pinching him:
Rinion: Say something!
Zokimoshi: Like what?
Rinion: Anything!
He hesitated for a moment, then said with complete seriousness:
Zokimoshi: Did you know… that water is transparent?
Rinion placed her hand on her forehead and sighed.
But the surprise was with Kyura and Orphan, whose eyes shone with exaggerated amazement:
Orphan, amazed: Really?! I thought it was blue!
Kyura: Me too!
Rinion began to tremble from extreme patience, then closed her eyes to calm herself:
Rinion, thinking: But you were training by the river in the forest and almost got us killed.
Then she added: Don't get angry… don't get angry… just simple stupidity that isn't worth exploding over…
Zokimoshi, proudly: You see?! Information like this is only known by wilderness survivors like me.
Orphan: Amazing! And what is your name, great expert?
Zokimoshi: My name is Zokimoshi Komara. I am 37 years old, conqueror of waves and king of the wilderness… my mask resembles a white tiger.
The signs of collapse increased on Rinion's face:
(Why am I surrounded by all these people?)
She said as she gave up:
Rinion: Thank you… let's go.
She grabbed Kyura's and Zokimoshi's ears and dragged them behind her.
Orphan: Wait! We'll go to the inn first.
Rinion: But… we don't have money.
Orphan: Leave it to me.
But something else happened;
People in the streets began to look at them with suspicion… then fear…
Whispers moved among them:
(Is he one of them?)
(Stay away from him…)
(Why did he come here?)
Kyura suddenly stopped, placed his hand on his chest, and felt a familiar tightness.
Rinion: What's wrong?
Kyura: Nothing… let's go.
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Scene Three – Inside the Inn
They stood in front of a door with a sign hanging on it reading (The Green Inn). They opened the door and entered, where some visitors were eating simple soup. Orphan stepped forward, paid for dinner and one room for one night, then turned toward them:
Orphan: Tonight is on me… after that, you rely on yourselves.
At the door, he stopped, took out a golden card, and threw it toward them. Kyura caught it.
Orphan: This is my home address. If you need anything—weapons, potions, travel tools—come to me.
Rinion: Thank you.
Then Orphan left.
Some people began whispering dirty comments:
(What is this, going with two into one room?)
(I envy them a lot.)
(Can she handle two?)
Kyura: What are you saying?)
Rinion: It's fine, leave them. Even though I want to hit them, ignore it.
They ate their food, then went up to their room. The room was modest:
A small window overlooking the street, two wooden beds, a small table, and a simple bathroom.
Rinion: The room isn't great… and why do I have to sleep with you?
Kyura began to think: She said it was fine what they said, and now she's complaining.
Then he said to her:
Kyura: Stop complaining.
Rinion: I'll sleep on this bed. You two on the other.
She jumped onto her bed and covered herself:
Rinion: I haven't slept on a bed for a long time…
Then she waved her hand:
Rinion: I'll sleep now… don't do anything weird.
Kyura, thinking: Her personality is unstable. I no longer know how to deal with her.
Then he approached the window sadly.
Rinion (thinking): Why is he acting strangely?
She slept, while Kyura kept staring at the city full of lights.
As for Zokimoshi, he sat on the bed and pressed it with his finger:
Zokimoshi: What is this? Very weak…
He lay down, then quickly got up.
Zokimoshi: The ground is better.
He stretched out on the ground and slept.
Kyura, however, was drowning in a heavy feeling—familiar and confusing.
Kyura: What is this feeling… and why do I feel it?
He raised his eyes toward the moon.
Narrator: While he was thinking… he did not realize that danger was approaching.
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Scene Four – In the Forest
Deep in the forest, there was a man whose features were unknown due to the darkness of the night. His steps were quiet… and with each step, the sounds of insects faded, as if the forest itself were retreating.
A massive bear emerged from between the trees, roaring threateningly.
The man raised his hand lightly—just one moment—and the bear turned into small pieces scattering with blood in the air, but suddenly everything vanished without leaving any clear trace.
The man smiled with strange excitement:
Man: I want to meet him… as soon as possible.
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Scene 5 – Inside the Inn
Kyora raised his hand toward the moon, letting its cold light spill gently across his face, casting soft shadows on the cracked walls. Slowly, he lowered his hand and walked toward his bed. A gentle breeze drifted through the open window, causing the tattered curtains to sway in a quiet, ghostly dance. Moonlight filled the room, highlighting the dust scattered across the worn floorboards. The walls were chipped and peeling, the corners shadowed and grim, yet Kyora barely noticed. His thoughts were heavy, swirling with the strange, pressing feeling that had been haunting him all day.
He glanced at Zokimoshi lying on the floor, swords in hand, muscles tense as if bracing for an unseen battle even in sleep. Kyora exhaled deeply and laid down on his bed, wrapping himself in the thin blanket. His eyes closed slowly, yet the feeling that churned within him refused to let go.
Kyora (thinking): What is this feeling? Why does it grow heavier the more I try to ignore it?
Sleep began to take hold, but then strange voices seeped into his mind, echoing through an endless, boundless space inside his consciousness:
"Stay away from me!"
"You're a monster!"
"Are you even human?"
"Don't let him play with it!"
"Don't come near me!"
"Leave my game alone!"
"Go away!"
The voices stacked upon one another, resonating like echoes in a vast, empty cave. Kyora squeezed his eyes shut and shouted:
Kyora: "Stop! What did I do to you?!"
Then, suddenly, one clear, distinct voice broke through the chaos, pure and unlike the others:
Voice: "Kyora… come, let's play there!"
Kyora opened his eyes within his mind to see a bright, blinding light spreading throughout his inner world, illuminating everything inside him, as if guiding him to a realm somewhere between sleep and waking. The glow seemed to pulse with life, and for the first time, he felt drawn forward, unable to resist its pull.
To be continued…
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