The struggle continued.
Kage tried to get up, but his body refused him. Every muscle screamed, every bone felt cracked, and exhaustion pressed down like chains. He clawed at the sheets, his teeth gritted. "I… have to… get up…"
But he couldn't.
The Princess of Doer—Aalena—watched him silently. Her veil concealed most of her face, but her eyes held both pity and quiet strength.
Kage finally broke the silence. "…Please… help me."
For a moment, he feared she would turn away like the others in this cursed world. But to his shock, Aalena nodded softly. "Very well. I will help."
"W-What… why would you help me?"
Princess pulled her hand away and left his side.
Why?
She didn't say why.
She walked straight to the royal hall. There, the King of Doer—her father—listened as she pleaded.
"Father, these men… they face something that even threatens us. If we abandon them, it will not end with them. It will come for us next."
But the King's voice was cold and final. "No. I will not waste resources on strangers. This is Doer, not a sanctuary for wanderers. My decision stands."
Aalena lowered her head, but her heart was not shaken. She had already anticipated this answer.
When she returned to Kage's side, she spoke in a hushed tone. "The King has refused.
Kage's shoulders slumped, his voice heavy with sorrow.
"I knew… it was foolish of mine to think otherwise."
But before the silence could swallow them, she stepped closer, her eyes burning with resolve.
But I… I have soldiers who are loyal only to me. They will follow my command, no matter what."
She gestured, and within the hour, a hundred armored men stood ready. Their weapons gleamed in the torchlight; though few in number compared to Doer's army, their discipline was sharp.
Kage stared, stunned. "But… why? Why would you help me like this?"
Her eyes softened behind the veil. "Because I told you already—I like helping people. That is all."
Something stirred inside Kage's chest. For days he had felt nothing but despair, loss, and exhaustion. But now… his heart rose again. He bowed his head slightly. "Then… I won't waste this chance."
And so, with a hundred of Aalena's loyal soldiers, they marched into the desert once more.
---
Far from them, in the ruins of the collapsed cave, Hakari and the others lay unconscious. The earth was cracked, the air still heavy with the memory of the Angel's descent.
Waren had escaped.
But Hakari was not left in peace.
In his sleep, he dreamed again. A dream of death.
A girl's scream cut through the void. He saw her fall, blood spilling across the earth. Her lifeless eyes stared back at him, and fear seized his heart.
"No… no, not again!" Hakari gasped in his dream. He struggled, but his body wouldn't move.
Then, from the fog, he appeared.
The same silhouette from the cave. Tall, cloaked in mist, his voice an echo that clawed at Hakari's soul.
"Hakari… see it. Hakari… understand it. Hakari… save it. Hakari… remember. Remember… you are a good man."
Hakari's eyes widened. "Wait! Who are you?! Show me your face!"
But before he could reach him, the fog dissolved. The man vanished as suddenly as he came, leaving Hakari trembling, sweat dripping down his brow.
His eyes snapped open. He was awake—back in the desert ruins. His chest heaved, his heart racing.
---
Moments later, the sound of marching boots thundered across the sands.
Kage and the Princess's soldiers arrived, their banners fluttering in the wind. As they reached the scattered remains of the cave, they spotted Hakari and the others lying half-buried in dust and rubble.
"Rescue them!" Kage ordered, his voice hoarse but fierce.
Soldiers rushed to Hakari, Yushi, and Weller, steadying them. As Hakari stumbled back to his senses, Kage rushed forward and caught him in his arms.
"Hakari!" he gasped, relief flooding his face.
Hakari blinked, still dazed, but then returned the embrace. "…Kage."
Together at last, they left the ruined cavern behind.
---
That night, they were given refuge in a quiet house within Doer's city, arranged secretly by Princess Aalena. For the first time in what felt like eternity, they rested under a roof instead of beneath the endless desert sky.
But peace never lasts.
The King soon learned of their presence. Summoning his daughter, he demanded answers.
"You brought them here against my orders?" His voice was sharp, cold.
Aalena bowed. "Father, please. Let them stay. They are not enemies. They—"
"Enough!" the King's tone cracked like thunder. "If you do not bring them to me, I will go myself and drag them here by force."
She knew resistance was useless. Her only choice was to comply.
And so, Hakari, Kage, Yushi, and Weller stood before the throne of Doer's King.
But Weller wore a mask, hiding his face.
The King's eyes swept across them like a blade. "Who are you four?"
Hakari spoke first. "I am Hakari."
Kage followed. "Kage."
Then Yushi.
But Weller remained silent.
The King's gaze fixed on him. "And you? Masked one. What is your name?"
Still, Weller said nothing. His heart pounded in his chest. If he spoke, if the King recognized his voice… everything would collapse.
"I will ask once more," the King said, his voice dropping into a dangerous growl. "Who are you?"
Weller swallowed hard, then forced his voice into a higher pitch. "…My name… is Seller."
The King's eyes narrowed. He rose slowly from his throne, each step echoing through the hall as he approached.
Weller tried again, desperation creeping in. "I told you… my name is Seller!"
The King stopped before him. His gaze softened. His voice lowered. "…Weller."
Weller flinched, his breath caught.
"No… not at all," he stammered, forcing a trembling smile beneath his mask. "I told you, I'm Seller."
The King's hand shot out. Slap! The mask flew from Weller's face, clattering across the marble floor.
Weller kept his head low, shame burning his cheeks. "I told you… I-I'm Seller…"
But then…
A tear fell.
Not from Weller. From the King.
His voice broke, trembling with relief. "…You fool. Seller isn't a name."
Weller's eyes widened. His lips trembled. Slowly, his tears began to fall too.
The King embraced him, clutching him tightly like a man reunited with his long-lost blood.
"You're back…" the King whispered, his voice choked. "After all this time… you're back."
And for the first time in years, Weller—hardened by countless battles and scars—let his tears fall freely.
....