The creaking noises were gradually fading. It felt as if some unnatural mistake had been erased… I was extremely tense. My hands trembled uncontrollably. I stood frozen in place.
I held my breath. I grabbed the wooden sword from under my bed and tiptoed to the door. I held it like a treasure I didn't want anyone to take. I opened the door and, closing my eyes, swung the sword wildly.
When I opened my eyes, no one was there. Then where had the sound come from?
"I guess I was just imagining it," I muttered.
I took a deep breath and quickly returned to my room, closing the door as quietly as possible.
A flood of questions suddenly hit me.
Zero: "Why did the creaking gradually fade? Doesn't that seem illogical?"
Apollon: "Yes."
Zero: "How could the two people who killed Arina leave your mind so quickly?"
Apollon: "Normally, such events are either completely erased from memory or never forgotten."
Zero: "Do you think you're acting like a six-year-old?"
Apollon: "True. Everyone says I'm strange for my age."
Zero: "Why?"
Apollon: "Well… yes, why indeed. Who are you, anyway?!"
I had just snapped back to reality. What had happened to me? I gripped the sword tighter. Everything seemed blurry, as if the world were spinning. I stumbled but tried to stay upright, holding my head with my other hand.
I was about to lose it. My head was pounding, my ears ringing. I couldn't lift my head. I parted my lips:
Who are you?!"
Zero: "You should know my name. Didn't you realize as soon as you saw me?"
Suddenly, the letters slipped out of my mouth: "Z-E-R-O."
Zero: "Apollon, you must kill him first. Only then will the flower bloom again."
"GET OUT OF MY HEAD. GO. I—
" Zero: "I want you to."
The surroundings shattered like broken mirrors. It felt like I was falling into blackness, like a torn painting. I closed my eyes tightly.
When I opened them, I had fallen off the bed, drenched in sweat.
"It was only a dream…"
I couldn't help but laugh.
Someone knocked on the door.I flinched and slowly approached. I peered through the keyhole.
Edmund: "Young master, it's time to eat."
Feeling somewhat relieved, I opened the door and went down to the dining hall. Yet, an unease lingered inside me. As soon as I saw Odasaku, I instinctively stepped back.
I was scared of him—scared of how strong he might be, of who he really was. I drew a deep breath and tried to calm myself. These thoughts were consuming me. How could I be sane? Was it even possible to become someone's student after knowing them for only a few days?
I lifted my head. Odasaku was staring at me, mouth full of food.
Odasaku: "Where were you last night?"
"Why do you ask?"
Odasaku: "Never mind. Let's just say I sensed someone being somewhere they shouldn't."
Was he suspicious of me? In that case, I should have been suspicious of him, too. I didn't press the matter.
Odasaku: "Forget that. Which sword will you use now?"
"What do you mean?"
Odasaku: "Claymore, katana, carabela, wushu, or foil?"
I didn't know any of them.
"Isn't there a plain, normal sword?"
Odasaku: "Alright, I'll get one from the blacksmith tomorrow."
A devilish grin appeared on his face.
Odasaku: "Too bad the materials are gone. Seems we have to find it ourselves. You'll come with me tomorrow."
I knew there was no chance of refusing. Expecting a long journey, I stepped into the garden. Odasaku was like a child yet also an adult. I paused and looked up at the sky. I took a deep breath and continued walking. I wanted to trust him.
I approached Odasaku's room to tell him about the dream. I had made a snap decision and knocked without hesitation.
Odasaku: "Come in."
I entered the room.
"I had a very strange dream last night. There was a man named Zero—though he didn't seem fully grown, more like a youth. He spoke to me about a flower and…"
Odasaku's eyes widened. He dropped everything and stared at me.
Odasaku: "Is that so?"
His expression was blank. I felt fear.
Odasaku: "Is there anything else?"
I felt like revealing more would get me killed.
"No… If that's all, I'll go upstairs to bed."
Odasaku: "You may go."
As I tried to leave, he called out:
Odasaku: "A book is missing from the library. Do you know where it is?"
"No."
I ran back to my room. The things from my dream were happening again. When I came to my senses, Odasaku was there.
Odasaku: "Get up! We're going to be late!"
He grabbed my hand and pulled me into a horse-drawn carriage. Beside my seat was a sword. The seats were soft and white, very luxurious.
I didn't fully understand what was happening. I looked around. Odasaku sat in front of me.
"Where are we going?"
Odasaku: "To the ruins. It's a dangerous place, but don't worry, I'll be there."
"Don't be arrogant."
Odasaku: "I'm not arrogant. I'm just strong, and I know how to take pride in it."
"Then not even a hair on my head should be harmed."
Odasaku: "You misunderstand, kid. I won't be in trouble—you need to improve."
"WHAT… DON'T YOU—"
Suddenly, Odasaku opened the carriage door and jumped out, shouting:
Odasaku: "GOOD LUCK!"
The carriage stopped, and I remained inside. I wondered if I would survive. I heard footsteps. I gripped the sword and waited anxiously.
The carriage stopped, and I remained inside. I wondered if I would survive. I heard footsteps. I gripped the sword and waited anxiously.
He grew taller, filling the carriage with his presence. Terrifying.
Corrupted Being: "Apollon, let's go home."
His voice was a mix of Odasaku's and my sister's, but distorted.
"SHUT UP!"
The being shattered the carriage and ran after me. Without looking back, I dove into the ruins. Somehow, I managed to lose him. I leaned against a wall, exhaling deeply. Still, I could hear that disgusting voice behind me.
The being shattered the carriage and ran after me. Without looking back, I dove into the ruins. Somehow, I managed to lose him. I leaned against a wall, exhaling deeply. Still, I could hear that disgusting voice behind me.
A long, slender, massive hand touched the wall. I turned to see its owner—the horrible creature.
Corrupted Being: "I found you."
I ran without looking back. I couldn't defeat him. Even if I stabbed him with my sword, it probably wouldn't hurt. My only hope for survival was to meet Odasaku.
As I delved deeper into the ruins, the creature followed. Panting, wandering in the darkness, spider lilies began to bloom around me.
They glowed in the dark. A little further ahead, I saw… my sister. My mouth opened, my emotions a jumble of fear, joy, and confusion.
"Sister?"
End of Chapter
Author's Note:
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Did Apollon really get off the carriage, or was it something else?