Galloping at immense speed, the horse-drawn wagon rattled along the dirt road toward the Ardent mansion.
"Now Sylas, my boy," their mother called over the noise, "be careful, alright? Don't fall in with the wrong crowd."
"Yes, Mother," Sylas replied smoothly.
"And Dorian—do your best. I just know you'll be placed in the finest squad." She smiled at him warmly. "I love you both."
"Goodbye, Mother," Dorian said.
"Yes," Sylas added, glancing around, "but… where's Father?"
"He left right after dinner, dear," she answered, eyes dimming.
"Wait, I'm coming! Don't leave yet!" Yuki jogged toward the wagon, clutching his pack.
"Sorry, stain," Sylas sneered, "there's not enough room in here."
"What do you mean? There's a seat right there."
"That's my resting space. I need to be in the best shape for the Trials tonight. See ya."
"Dorian?" Yuki tried, desperate. "A little help?"
Dorian looked away, giving no response.
"Damn it…" Yuki muttered under his breath.
Gretta stepped forward then, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You know, bro… I can head to the stables and try to arrange a cart for you."
"Really?" Yuki blinked.
She gave a small smile. "Yeah. Don't let those jerks get in your head, okay? They don't get to decide your worth."
Yuki's shoulders sagged with relief. "…Thanks, Gretta."
"You're welcome," she said, already turning. "It'll take a little while, though."
"Gretta—" Yuki hesitated, then added softly, "you're the only one who actually sees me."
She looked back at him, her expression softening. "I always have."
And then she sprinted off, fast as she could, toward the nearby town to call for another cart.
Later, walking alone down the forest path, Yuki veered toward the clearing where he and his mother once sat reading together. He lowered himself at the base of their tree, running his hand along its rough bark.
He pulled her golden heart necklace from his pocket, raising it into the sunlight. The gleam almost blinded him.
Mom…
Flashes of fire tore through his mind. His mother's screams. The jeering crowd. The moment her eyes found his through the flames.
"Mom!" His voice cracked, strangled.
A sudden pulse shuddered through the earth. The tree beside him vibrated, a golden glow seeping from its roots.
"What… is this?" Yuki whispered, stumbling back.
The glow split open—
—and out hopped a rabbit.
"…A rabbit?" Yuki blinked.
The creature sat up on its hind legs, twitching its nose. "Where am I?" it blurted out.
Yuki nearly fell over. "The hell—did you just talk?"
"I don't know!" the rabbit said, panicking. "Wait, what's my name?"
"How am I supposed to know?!" Yuki snapped. "I literally just met you."
The rabbit's ears twitched violently. "Okay, okay—so let me get this straight. I'm in… wherever this is, I don't know my name, I don't know who you are, and I may or may not have been a carrot in a past life. Fantastic."
Yuki just stared at him. "…Are you seriously cracking jokes right now?"
"Hey, don't judge me!" the rabbit shot back. "This is how I cope with existential dread, alright? Ears twitch, mouth runs. Classic rabbit defense mechanism."
Yuki rubbed his face. "You're insane."
"Says the guy talking to a rabbit," the creature muttered. "Anyway, if I'm here, and you're here, and that tree's glowing like a torch—something's definitely wrong.
Despite himself, Yuki snorted. "…You're ridiculous."