Chapter 4: The Unexplained Awakening
The sun had just begun to rise over the dense woods. Tatsuo walked beside Munaro, Avenya, and Hiroshi—his new friends from the Broken Circle.
Tatsuo glanced up at the sky.
"I know you all will expose the truth behind these sacrifices one day."
Munaro smiled faintly. "What do you think your brother is doing right now?"
Tatsuo's face dimmed. "He's probably worried… scared. We need to hurry and get back."
Munaro asked gently, "Where are your parents?"
"They're gone," Tatsuo replied. "It's just me and my big brother now."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Munaro said softly.
"Don't be," Tatsuo said, trying to stay strong. "The road's still long. Let's walk with hope, not sorrow."
"I like this kid already," Hiroshi chuckled. "But I hope we reach soon. I'm starving."
—
Scene shift.
Cairo stepped out of his house and froze.
Lysendra stood by the gate.
Startled, he stumbled back. "L-Lysendra? You scared me!"
"I need to talk to you," she said seriously.
She told Cairo everything—about last night, about overhearing her father, Lord Tyran, begging for forgiveness… for the children he had sacrificed.
Cairo's face hardened.
"So it wasn't a demon," he muttered. "It was him…"
Lysendra lowered her head, ashamed. "If my father is responsible for your brother's death… I deserve your hate."
Cairo looked at her, conflicted.
"You don't need to ask for forgiveness. The powerful always use children for their own gain. And besides… I don't believe my brother is dead."
"What do you mean?" Lysendra asked.
"After he disappeared, I heard his voice. He said… 'I'm okay, big brother.' I feel it—he's alive."
Lysendra nodded slowly. "Then we'll find him. Together."
—
Scene shift.
The Broken Circle was nearing the village outskirts, but dusk was falling.
They saw guards ahead.
"We'll wait until they leave," Munaro whispered.
Once night fell and the path was clear, the group continued cautiously, holding their weapons close.
But then…
Tatsuo paused.
He looked up at the moon.
His pupils widened.
A strange light flickered in his eyes.
And then—his body began to glow faintly with a pale blue hue.
His form shifted—growing taller, more feral. Ice crackled around his fingertips.
"Tatsuo?" Avenya asked. "Are you alright?"
But Tatsuo didn't answer.
He roared.
The ground beneath them froze instantly.
Avenya tried to move—but her legs began turning to ice.
"Move!" Munaro yelled, pulling her away just in time.
"Tatsuo, snap out of it!" Hiroshi shouted.
Avenya fired an arrow—but before it could reach him, Tatsuo shifted his gaze. The arrow froze midair and shattered.
"He's not human anymore…" Munaro whispered. "Was he sent by the Moon Goddess to kill us?"
"No!" Avenya cried. "He wouldn't!"
But Tatsuo lunged forward. He kicked all three of them in a spinning strike.
They fell.
He grabbed Avenya's own arrow and stabbed it into her stomach. Then, in one motion, he turned it into a shard of ice and hurled it at Hiroshi.
It pierced his chest. Ice spread through his veins.
He died instantly.
"No!" Munaro screamed, rushing forward with his sword.
Tatsuo ducked under the strike and countered with an icy blast. Flames licked the frost—strange blue fire.
Munaro screamed as the ice-fire consumed him.
Tatsuo stood over the bodies, breathing heavily.
And then—he collapsed.
—
Morning.
Tatsuo woke in the cave.
He saw them—his friends—lying lifeless.
His breath caught.
He crawled to Munaro's side.
His head rested on Munaro's chest as tears silently fell.
"…I didn't mean to…"
A shadow loomed behind him.
A man, tall and cloaked in black, sat atop a black horse. A twisted mask covered his face, shaped like two sharp fangs. A massive scythe hung on his back. On one shoulder—a burning flame. On the other—cold blue fire.
"So… how long will you keep playing pretend?"
Tatsuo turned, startled.
The man's voice was calm, but mocking.
"You've lost your mother… your friends… and your brother never came for you. This world doesn't care about you, boy. Even your own blood doesn't."
"Shut up!" Tatsuo yelled.
"Truth hurts, doesn't it? One day, you'll thank me… for showing it to you."
The masked man turned his horse around.
Tatsuo stared after him.
Then, slowly… silently…
He followed.
—
End of Chapter 4: The Unexplained Awakening