The Ash Lit Path
(The forest groans under the weight of a coming storm—trees shivering as if sensing the turmoil ahead. Rinze drags Rumi forward, her small form limp with exhaustion, while Ginjiro walks in silence, his sickle still humming faintly from battle. Ayane leads them all with cold precision.)
Rumi (whispering to herself): "...Shiriyuki... where are you?"
(Deep within her shadow—something stirs.)
Flashback ——
(We see Shiriyuki's consciousness adrift in a realm between dream and reality—a frozen expanse where moonlight never fades. Her massive form lies dormant… but not defeated.)
Shiriyuki (inner monologue, voice resonant): "A promise was made… and I shall keep it." (Her iceblue eyes snap open.)
(Rumi struggles against Rinze's grip—her eyes searching the darkening forest with the desperate hope that help may be nearby.)
Rumi (voice pleading, trembling): "Ryo... please... help..."
(Kujuro braces himself against a tree, bloodied but unbowed. His gaze meets Ryo's—both sharing the same silent agony.)
Kujuro (voice rough, but steady): "We're not done yet… son."
(Ryo chokes back another sob—relief and fury warring in his chest. They may be broken… but they are still standing.)
(The Kenzaki household is deathly silent—no one speaks. The air is thick with grief, anger, and the unspoken question: What now?)
Kujuro (voice hollow, staring at the floor): "They took her."
(No one replies. There's nothing to say.)
(Ryo's fists clench on his knees—his nails digging into his skin until they draw blood.)
(We see Ryo from a year ago sitting in the living room, doing homework by the table lamp. Rumi sits next to him, doodling on a scrap of paper, while Kujuro moves about the nearby kitchen humming a soft melody.)
Kujuro (without turning around): "Children... do your schoolwork."
(Rumi sticks out her tongue at his back, then looks at Ryo—grinning.)
(Ryo looks up from his homework, puzzled. Rumi hops up immediately, her curiosity piqued.)
Rumi (excited): "I'll get it!"
(She dashes to the door—swinging it open to reveal Yua and Kyou Ren standing there, schoolbags slung over their shoulders.)
(Ryo pretends to focus on his textbook as Yua and Kyou follow Rumi inside, their banter filling the air. But the tension between them is thick—Ryo knows his rival has arrived.)
Kyou (teasing, hands in his pockets): "Hey, Ryo. You look like you're having so much fun with your schoolwork."
(Ryo scowls—not acknowledging the bait.)
(Ryo and Kyou grimace, their faces squished under Yua's grip. Rumi giggles nearby—their antics are far from new.)
Yua (voice stern, eyes twinkling): "Behave, both of you." (The two boys grumble, rubbing their sore cheeks with identical scowls.)
(The four children play for hours—laughing, bickering, and teasing each other. There's a sort of carefree ease to it, like a reprieve from whatever awaits them outside.)
Kyou (taunt, as he scores): "How's it feel to lose again, Ryo?"
(Ryo shoots him a dirty look—competitive as ever. But even he is having fun.)
(We see a series of vignettes—the four friends sparring, eating, studying, laughing. Every interaction shows the bond growing closer, the weight of the world far away from them.)
Yua (excited, pointing to the sky): "Hey, look! A shooting star!"
(The group stops, gazing up in awe. In that moment, the four are timeless—just children in a world full of endless promise.)
(Ryo closes his eyes—the memories weighing heavy. The laughter of their carefree youth seems like an age ago, replaced by the cold reality of the present.)
Kujuro's Voice (quiet, full of regret): "Memories... can be both a blessing and a curse."
(The others look at him, saying nothing—knowing the sentiment all too well.)
(Tenjo looks at him carefully, a knowing look in his eyes.)
Tenjo (direct, but not unkind): "Training is about more than physical strength... it's about understanding your weapon, and yourself."
(Ryo looks up at him—the hint of a challenge in his gaze.)
Ryo (determined, intense): "Just tell me how."
(Tenjo exhales, gripping his own blade as if recalling old battles.)
Tenjo (voice grim): "There's a place—where time doesn't obey the same rules. The air itself is laced with Seishu so potent it burns your lungs… but it forces growth. Fast."
(Sachi tightens her fist—knowing firsthand its dangers.)
Sachi (warningly): "Most who enter don't come back whole… if they come back at all."
(The room goes quiet for a moment—even Ginjiro looks taken aback. But Tenjo's voice breaks the silence.)
Tenjo (somber, heavy): "The Furthest End."
(Ryo stares back at him, his expression set.)
Ryo (voice firm, resolute): "I want to go there."
(Ryo's fists clench—his knuckles white with conviction.)
Ryo (voice unwavering, eyes burning): "Because Yua would have. Because Kyou Ren wouldn't hesitate. And because Rumi…" (His voice cracks slightly) "...is counting on me."
(The room falls silent—Tenjo sees the fire in him, the same fire that once drove warriors of legend.)
Tenjo (nodding slowly): "Then we leave at dawn."
(Ryo stands before the school gates, his uniform neatly pressed—his heart heavy with what must come next. His classmates chat idly around him, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing in his world.)
Satoshi (smiling): "Hey Ryo! Are you coming to lunch?"
(Ryo looks at them—smiling faintly but knowing this is the last time they'll see him like this.)
Ryo (voice steady, but sad): "...Yeah.."
(Mei and Hiroshi see him, their faces lighting up with surprise and joy.)
Mei (excited, waving): "Ryo! You're back!"
Hiroshi (smiling broadly, clapping him on the back): "About time dude. Where ya been? You look like you could bench press a tank."
(Mei and Hiroshi freeze—their smiles fading as they take in the emptiness in Ryo's eyes. The realization hits them like a physical blow.)
Hiroshi (quiet, hesitant): "Ryo… you good?"
(But Ryo doesn't answer. He just shakes his head slightly—knowing some wounds can't be put into words.)
(Mei hugs him tight, her embrace surprisingly strong. Hiroshi just clasps a hand on his shoulder—a silent sign of support.)
Mei (voice soft, almost a whisper): "We… we missed you, ya big dummy."
(A ghost of a smile flits across Ryo's face—grateful for their presence, even in this moment of pain.)
(As class starts, Ryo takes it all in—the sound of chalk on the blackboard, the hum of conversation, the sunlight casting shadows through the window. This everyday life that he took for granted for so long, he sees it now with new eyes… knowing it's slipping away from him, minute by minute.)
Teacher (lecturing, oblivious to the weight in the room): "... now we'll discuss the cultural importance of early Hakuto!"
(A knock at the door brings everyone out of their trance as they all perk up.)
(The class murmurs as the teacher opens the door—revealing a vision: a young woman dressed simply but with an elegance that defies description. It isn't just her beauty that mesmerizes… but an air of regality that seems to radiate from her very being.)
Classmates (whispering, in awe): "Is that… A princess?"
(The teacher bows deeply, clearly taken aback.)
Teacher (respectfully, almost reverently): "Your… Highness!"
(The princess stops in front of the class, her gaze sweeping over them with a cool detachment. There is a subtle mystery about her, as if there are secrets hidden beneath her elegant exterior.)
Teacher (respectful, confused): "Princess, if I may… forgive me, but we were not aware of your coming."
(The princess smiles faintly—almost as if she expected this greeting.)
(Her smile is practiced—an illusion of warmth hiding something deeper beneath. She holds herself with effortless grace, the silverthreaded embroidery on her dress catching the light as she speaks.)
Princess (voice melodic, rehearsed): "Ah, my apologies for surprising you all! I am Princess Lirien of Azurheim." (She gestures elegantly—a perfectly constructed lie.) "A small kingdom near the northern border. Though secluded, we take pride in our culture and… hospitality."
(The words flow easily from her lips, as if this lie is one she has told many times before. The students and teacher listen, entranced by the regal woman in their midst. Ryo watches too, something tugging at his memory as she describes her home.)
Princess (gracefully): "In Azurheim, we place great value on appearances. For example, one's eye color and hair color hold meaning…" (She pauses, as if unsure how to explain) "… as do the clothes and accessories one wears."
(The princess continues, the class enraptured by her words.)
Princess (with quiet authority): "In Azurheim, eye color is more than merely an aesthetic feature—it's a reflection of one's status and lineage. Blue eyes, for instance, are reserved for the royals and highest nobility. Brown eyes are common among the farmers and merchants." (She gestures elegantly towards her own eyes, a mesmerizing shade of deep purple.) "I, as a princess, have eyes of amethyst. This holds a certain significance…"
(She tilts her head slightly, allowing the light to catch the striking hue of her irises—a deep, luminous violet with faint silver flecks swirling like celestial dust.)
Princess (voice soft but deliberate): "Amethyst eyes… They are rare even among royals. Ours is a bloodline said to be blessed by moonlight." (Her gaze flicks briefly to Ryo—almost imperceptibly.) "A sign of… sacred duty."
(The class murmurs in awe. Ryo narrows his eyes slightly—something about that look unsettles him.)
(The princess continues, her fingers unconsciously toying with the silken strands of her long, platinum tresses.)
Princess (voice almost wistful): "Hair, in Azurheim, is also more than mere ornamentation. For us, it represents power… and a legacy that must never fade. White hair is exclusive to the royalty… a mark of royal blood and the responsibility that comes with it." (Her words feel more like a reminder to herself than an explanation.)
(Her hand reaches up to touch the single strand of white hair that runs through her otherwise perfect tresses. A pang of something almost like sadness flickers across her expression before she hides it carefully beneath a smile.)
Princess (soft, but with a hint of pain): "We also have a custom that is quite dear to us… a symbol of love, loyalty, and honor."
(The princess turns her attention to the girl, a polite smile curving her lips. She reaches up, fingers lightly tracing the intricate design of her locks.)
Princess: "Ah, an observant question. This is called 'Hakuren Kanzashi'—the Frozen Blossom Braid." (She gestures elegantly.) "Three strands interwoven with silver thread, signifying purity... duty... and sacrifice."
(Her tone is light—but there's something mournful in the way she says it.)
(The princess motions gracefully to the shimmering silk of her gown—its rich purple hue set aglow by the sunlight pouring through the windows.)
Princess: "And this dress… it is called Hanairo." (Her fingers trail almost lovingly over the fabric, the gold thread of the embroidery glinting. "Hanairo"... the dress of a princess... made specifically for special occasions…"
(Her voice is softer now, the earlier lightness of her tone replaced with a note of longing as she details each piece.)
Princess: "As for the accessories…" (She gestures to the intricate jewelry that adorns her—a delicate chain of amethysts and silver, a hairpin of carved pearl, a silk fan embroidered with silver cranes…) "Each is not merely decoration. They tell tales."
(Her smile falters—just for an instant—as her eyes meet his. Something flickers in her expression, a glimmer of curiosity… or perhaps recognition? But just as quickly, it's gone, replaced by that practiced regal warmth.)
Princess (to the class): "I look forward to learning alongside you all."
(But when she glances back at Ryo—there's something unreadable in those violet depths.)
(The princess turns her attention to the teacher, a quiet question in her voice.)
Princess: "May I ask... where would you have me sit?"
(The teacher, a little flustered by the attention, nods and gestures to the back row.)
Teacher (trying to keep her composure): "Um… there's a desk available in the last row, by the windows"
(The princess follows the teacher's gesture, her gaze landing at the last row of desks, where a single vacant seat waits by the windows. The light of the sun streams in, casting a warm glow over the desk.)
Princess (eyes lingering on the seat): "Ah… I see."
(She makes her way there, her dress rustling softly with each measured step.)
(As the princess glides toward the back, she pauses—realizing with quiet intrigue that her desk is placed right beside Ryo's. His gaze flicks to her, unreadable. The air between them feels charged with something neither can name.)
Princess (softly, eyes flickering with hidden calculation): "What… an interesting coincidence."
(Ryo says nothing—but his grip tightens slightly around his pen.)
(As the teacher starts the class, the princess settles into her seat, her elegant poise betraying nothing of the thoughts churning behind her violet eyes. Meanwhile, Ryo, sitting silently nearby, his gaze trained on the chalkboard… yet his mind is far away.)
Princess (whisper-soft): "One day…"
Ryo (equally soft, but fiercely, a vow made to himself): "I will protect you—no matter what."
⛓️💥🌌🪖End Chapter Sixty Three