The desert stretched endlessly, a vast sea of gold under the burning weight of the sun. Sand shimmered like molten glass, and the horizon bent and quivered in the heat. Every step left a fading mark, swallowed almost instantly by the restless dunes.
Hakari, Kage, Weller, and Yushi moved in a weary line, their cloaks tugged by the dry wind. The sun pressed against their backs like an iron brand. Their shadows stretched thin and wavering, the only companions on the endless road toward Akuma—the forgotten village buried deep in the desert of Koha.
"Oooh, Hakari, can't we just take a rest for a bit?" Yushi groaned, stumbling and wiping the sweat streaming down his forehead.
Hakari didn't even glance back. His voice was firm, steady, like a commander trying to hold the group together. "Yushi, you are just too weak."
Yushi's eyes widened. "I'm weak? I'm not weak! But you—you're a freak! Walking twenty, thirty miles without a break—are you kidding?"
A smirk flickered on wellers lips. "Yushi, you're getting a little softer."
Yushi spun on him, indignant. "Weller, you too? You know better!"
"I do," Weller replied calmly, his voice carrying over the hiss of the wind. "That's why I'm saying: keep moving. Once we reach the village, you can rest as much as you want."
"Yeah, as if," Yushi muttered bitterly. "I know once we arrive at the village, you'll all just keep looking for the cave and blah blah blah. And I won't even get to close my eyes."
Hakari's tone was cold and final. "I assure you, we will take rest once we arrive at Akuma."
Kage chuckled under his breath. "Hakari, you shouldn't talk about rest. I saw how restless you've been."
Hakari's head snapped toward him. "Kage, don't. Don't start it again."
"I'm starting it?" Kage's grin widened slightly.
The air between them tightened like a drawn bowstring. For a moment, only the crunch of boots on sand could be heard.
"Ook, ok. Alright guys, cut the tension," Weller said, raising his hand as if to part the air. "What if we camp here for the night? We've already walked enough for the day."
Hakari sighed. "Well, if you say so, Weller, we can camp here."
"Wow, you're listening to Weller and not me?" kage snapped.
Yushi threw his hands up. "And you, Weller—I said the same thing before! You said no. Now you say it and suddenly it's right? If I say it, it's wrong; if you say it, it's right?"
Kage raised a brow. "No, you tell me, hakari—what's your excuse?"
Hakari blinked. "My excuse? Are you for real?"
Weller chuckled. "Ook, ok, ok. My fault. I was wrong. Hakari was wrong. But the thing is: we camp here. Is that alright? Unless anyone has something against it, we move forward."
They exchanged glances.
"Well…" Yushi began.
"Well, no," Kage finished.
"Yeah, me too. No. We don't have anything against your proposal," Yushi admitted, grumbling.
"Then it's decided," Weller said. "We camp here."
And so, beneath the bleeding sunset, in the middle of the desert, they pitched their camp.
---
The tent unfolded larger than it seemed when carried—its canvas shimmering faintly under the starlight. Inside, a gentle draft cooled the air, calming the fire of the day. The night desert sang softly: the rustle of wind over dunes, the distant cry of a fox, and the sigh of sand collapsing in tiny avalanches.
Hakari stepped inside and froze in surprise. "Weller… so you brought this? It must have been expensive. For a camp, it's quite nice. Inside, at least, we have cool, soothing winds ."
Weller smirked. "I'm the prince. Expensive? Not at all. But heavy, yes. Folded it doesn't look much, but when open, it's big enough for us all."
Hakari chuckled. "Well, you have our thanks."
"Yeah, mine too," Kage added.
Weller folded his arms. "Yeah, what were you saying a moment before? Weller this, Weller that…"
Kage shrugged. "Well… forget about that. I'm Yushi, your bodyguard. My job is to guard you, to make sure you're fine. That's why I was being rude—for you."
Weller smirked. "For me? Ooh, then if I fold this tent right now and we all keep moving to Akuma without rest—for me—you'd do that?"
Yushi hesitated, his face burning. "That's… that's… well, good night."
Hakari laughed. "Is that person really his bodyguard? Looks more like a scammer from Velvet."
Kage burst out laughing. "Yeah, he does."
The laughter filled the tent, lightening the desert night. But then Kage suddenly fell silent. His smile faltered. A tear slid down his cheek.
Hakari leaned closer. "Hey, hey, Kage. Why? What happened? Are you alright?"
Kage shook his head, voice breaking. "No… no. It's just—this moment reminded me of home. Of us, with Heena and Akami. I miss them. I really…"
Hakari exhaled deeply. "Sigh… I know. I do too. But it takes time, Kage."
"Yeah, I know. And It's odd, being consoled and advised by someone so much younger than me.
Hakari's gaze softened. "My master once told me: if advice is good, it doesn't matter who gives it. Whether a child, an adult, an old man, an angel—or even a devil—you should listen, and take it."
Kage's lips trembled into a half-smile. "You know what, Hakari? I'm still growing myself. But I think… once you grow, you'll surprise me. Them. And everyone. Every single one."
Hakari smirked faintly. "Well, I hear you. But now… it's time to sleep."
"Yeah."
The lantern dimmed. Silence filled the tent. Outside, the desert cooled beneath the star-salted sky. Hakari lay awake, staring at the seam above him.
I wonder what Akami and Heena are doing now…
---
Far away, in the bowels of stone, Akami and Heena sat in cells swallowed by darkness. The air was damp and smelled of iron and rot. Chains scraped against stone whenever they shifted.
"Father! Father! Fatherrrr!" Akami's scream tore through the silence. His fists battered the bars until his skin split. "Why did you take Heena? Why here? Mother! Motherrrr!" His voice cracked with pain and rage. "Why did you take her? I trusted you! I entrusted her to you!"
From the darkness came a voice, low and trembling. "I know… I know, Akami. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
Heena lay asleep in the other cell, curled tightly, breath shallow.
"Heena! Heena!" Akami shouted. "Are you okay? Say something! Heena!"
She stirred, dreaming, hearing faint echoes. Then her eyes opened. "Brother!"
Akami's chest heaved in relief. "Oh thank God. You're okay. Why weren't you answering?"
"Brother, where are you? It's dark here. I'm scared."
Akami pressed his forehead against the bars. "I know, my sister. Wait. We will get free. I promise you."
Suddenly, footsteps echoed down the corridor. Click. Click. Click.
Akami's eyes narrowed. "Who's there?"
From the shadows emerged a man—hair tied back, eyes a piercing cold blue, a strange smile twisting his face.
He walked straight to Heena's cell.
Akami panicked. "Don't! Don't—why are you going there?"
The man stepped inside.
"Brother! Brother!" Heena cried.
Akami's voice cracked, desperation breaking him. "Hey! You can do whatever you want with me! Don't hurt her, please! I'm sorry—please!" His cries sounded like a child's. "No, no, please!"
The man grabbed Heena. In his hand gleamed a hot iron rod. Fabric tore.
Her scream pierced the cell. Screams multiplied—echoing down the walls, twisting through stone, filling the dungeon like a thousand knives.
Akami slammed the bars until his palms bled. "No! No! Please!" He tried to call his commands, but nothing worked. His eyes filled with helpless tears. "I'm sorry, sister. I'm sorry, Heena!"
The man walked out slowly, holding the iron rod. His face remained cold, emotionless.
He glanced at Akami. "I have done my job."
Akami's eyes blazed, his voice low, dangerous. "Believe me—if my sister was hurt, I will tear this nation apart. I'll destroy everything. Every single thing."
The man smirked. "You've got a big mouth, boy."
Akami's eyes glowed red, his voice shaking the very air. "Believe me. Trust me. I will come for you. I will destroy your whole life—your family, if you have son,your son, if you have daughter,your daughter. I will break you. I promise—I do." His hands gripped the bars until blood dripped.
The man laughed it off and walked away… moments later, when he was outside.
his knees buckled. Fear struck him deep, unshakable. I don't know why, he thought, gasping. I, commander of Koha's army, who serves under the Ghost… I felt fear. His words were real. True.
Back in the cell, Akami stood, his body trembling. Red and purple aura leaked from him like fire given form. A mark appeared on the wall beside him—an ancient word, etched in glowing crimson: π.
His eyes burned completely red. The air itself shook.
The walls behind him had changed.
The desert night above held its breath.
And the war is coming.