The night was calm, the sky a deep, endless blue. Only the plane's hum and flickering lights broke the silence as passengers slept.
But one small traveler stayed awake, gazing at the sea below where stars danced on the waves, whispering secrets only she could hear.
Jayu fought off sleep, determined to savor the view while everyone around her slumbered in peace.
She yawned, covering her mouth, then carefully unbuckled her seatbelt. Slowly, she rose from her seat, moving with quiet precision, not wanting to wake her mother or the others.
The soft hum of the engine filled the cabin as she took a step toward the toilet.
"I wonder what it's like up front... maybe the pilots can see even more stars..."
Her bare feet padded softly against the floor as she passed by rows of sleeping strangers, her eyes darting curiously. The world outside the small windows shimmered in quiet stillness, a dreamlike glow she didn't want to miss.
She paused at the lavatory door and looked back once more at her sleeping mother, then gently pressed her hand to the handle—hesitating.
In the cockpit, silence hung heavy—only the low whirs of electrical systems and the gentle hum of the air conditioning filled the air.
"Um... Mr. Takashi?"
The co-pilot finally spoke, his voice cutting through the stillness.
"Yeah?"
The captain grunted, clearly irritated.
The co-pilot hesitated, glancing between his instruments and the glowing digital map.
"It says here on my display... we're at 33.306896, 130.403532. That's... uh..."
He paused, then turned to the captain, voice low but firm.
"We're in Nagasaki right now, sir..."
"And?"
The captain's tone was flat, dismissive.
The co-pilot swallowed hard.
"Our current trajectory... it's heading toward Shanghai, not Okinawa."
The captain scoffed.
"Hoh? So you're suggesting that my years of flying experience are wrong?"
The co-pilot froze, stunned by the captain's reply.
"No, no, no! I wasn't trying to say that, I was—"
"That's exactly what you're saying, cadet."
The captain's voice cut sharp through the hum of the cabin.
"Oh well, since you seem more experienced than I am, then you go ahead—fly this plane."
The co-pilot fell silent, his eyes fixed on the floor. Both hands rested stiffly on his thighs, trembling faintly.
"Goodness."
The captain leaned back in his seat, pulling his cap down over his face.
Outside, the night stretched endlessly as the plane glided through Nagasaki's airspace. Below them, the dark sea mirrored the stars—quiet, unaware.
Soon, they crossed over Shinkamigoto... where an unseen danger waited ahead.
Little Jayu stepped out of the toilet, careful not to wake anyone. Her small feet padded softly against the carpet as she made her way back to her seat. Sliding in quietly, she fastened her seatbelt with a gentle click.
She exhaled in relief and turned to the window, expecting to see the peaceful shimmer of the sea beneath the night sky.
But instead—
A blinding yellow light filled her vision. It swallowed the darkness whole.
Her heart skipped once—before a deafening explosion ripped through the rear of the plane. The shockwave tore through the cabin, sending a violent tremor that shattered the quiet of sleep.
Screams erupted, but many were cut short—voices and bodies ripped away as the cabin wall split open. A fierce vacuum howled through the gash, sucking seats, luggage, and passengers into the endless void outside.
She and her mom were among the few fortunate ones still fastened to their seats when the explosion hit. The violent gust tore through the cabin, but their seatbelts held firm—keeping them from being pulled into the void.
From above, the emergency breathers dropped like lifeless vines, swinging wildly in the chaos.
Jayu's mom jolted awake, her eyes wide, her heart hammering against her ribs. Alarms screamed, passengers shouted, and metal shrieked as the plane's frame tore apart piece by piece.
"Jayu!"
She screamed in her mind, searching desperately.
Beside her, little Jayu was crying, her tiny hands gripping the armrest, tears streaming down her face. Fear consumed her—she couldn't even scream, only tremble.
Jayu's mom unbuckled half her belt, bracing against the roaring wind as she reached for her daughter. The gale shoved her back, but she fought through it—inch by inch—until she could wrap her arms around Jayu, shielding her with her own body.
"It's gonna be alright, Jayu... it's gonna be alright!"
Her voice shook, but her hold never did.
That was all she could say.
All she could think.
All she could promise—
in a sky that had turned against them.
In the cockpit, alarms blared. Red lights flashed wildly as the shaken pilots fought to comprehend what was happening.
The cockpit door slammed open—
A flight attendant stumbled in, her face ghostly pale, hair whipping in the sudden rush of air.
"What the hell?!"
The captain shouted, gripping his seat.
"We've been hit by something!"
The attendant cried, clutching the doorway as the wind threatened to pull her out.
~~~The Room That Observes All~~~
"So? Any updates?"
Bao-shi asked.
Below their thrones, a staff member sat at his computer, eyes fixed on the screen.
"They've defeated the demon, sir."
"With Ashura?"
Silhouette 4 asked.
"Yes, sir."
"Ah yes, putting a demon against a demon. Most effective way,"
Silhouette 5 scoffed.
"Tell us more."
Silhouette 3 ordered.
The staff cleared his throat as papers began printing beside him. He gathered them quickly, ascended the stairs, and stood behind the seven thrones.
"Itoshi, Ryujin, and Ayro are still on standby at the abandoned town—probably resting. The others are in a stand-off with several Seele. We've yet to identify their element, but we have confirmed their class."
"Menschlich class, right?"
Silhouette 7 confirmed.
"Yes... We've also confirmed that Ayro was stabbed... along with Ryujin."
The chamber fell silent. Even the soft hum of the screens seemed to fade.
"The mighty Ayro?"
Silhouette 2 chuckled, breaking the quiet.
"He shed blood twice in a row. That's new."
"Yeah... According to recent satellite images, Itoshi was seen pulling Ayro on his back after the cloud cleared."
"Ah, yeah... Tell us more about the storm,"
Silhouette 6 added.
"In theory... it should be raining in Kaba Island because of the storm."
"Ah-huh..."
~~~Kaba Island~~~
[Kirashi, Jayu, Aldrin, and Kara]
"WHY ARE THEY TAKING SO LONG!?"
Kirashi shouted, clearly annoyed as he waited for the Seele to arrive.
Aldrin wiped the sweat off his brow, muttering under his breath, a stick in hand.
"Honestly... I think they should take their time..."
"I agree with you on that one..."
Kara replied quietly.
Silence followed.
The rainless night stretched on—cold, still, and empty.
It felt like the world itself was holding its breath... until she broke it.
Kara's voice rose softly in the quiet, her tone gentle and soothing as she sang a lullaby for Jayu. The melody floated through the air like a fragile warmth, wrapping the little one in comfort.
Jayu's eyelids grew heavy as she leaned closer, the chaos of the world fading into the tender rhythm of Kara's song.
Then—
"Ah... Kirashi-san..."
Aldrin whispered, tapping Kirashi's shoulder.
Kirashi frowned. "Huh?"
"Look at that..."
Aldrin pointed upward.
Kirashi followed his gaze—
and his breath caught.
[Ai Jayu's POV]
"Mama!!"
Jayu's voice cracked with terror as she screamed, her small hands gripping the edges of her seat. Tears streamed down her cheeks, her body trembling as the world around her collapsed in fire and steel.
"Jayu! Hold on to me!"
Her mother's voice cut through the chaos, raw and desperate.
They clung to each other, arms locked tight as the plane convulsed around them. Jayu's mother wrapped her arms protectively around her daughter, shielding her from the howling winds and flashes of fire outside.
Oxygen masks swung wildly from the ceiling. Alarms blared. The storm of air tore through the cabin like the scream of heaven itself.
The fuselage shuddered and groaned, metal crying under pressure. Flames licked the windows. Amid the roar and panic, a trembling voice crackled through the PA system—strained and barely holding together.
"Everyone! Strap in tightly! We've been hit by a stray missile! We're making an emergency landing—please, hold on!"
"Mama!!!"
Jayu's voice shattered the air once more.
Her mother pulled her closer, clutching her head against her chest.
"I'm here, baby... I've got you. I promise."
[Plane Cockpit]
"Our altitude is dropping—fast!"
hushed the pilot as he gripped the yoke tightly.
"Shit! We have to find land—now!"
he commanded.
"But, sir—!"
"Water's not an option! The sea's too rough at night—she'll break apart on impact!"
the pilot finalized.
The co-pilot didn't argue—the captain's reasoning was grim, but possible.
"Ten thousand feet!... Nine thousand!"
The cockpit became chaos—flashing red lights, blaring sirens, metal groaning under pressure. Systems failed one after another as the aircraft plunged through the night.
"Damn it! We're putting her down on Kaba! Brace!"
"Four thousand feet!"
The wind howled against the fuselage. Outside the cockpit windows, mountains and thick forest loomed closer. The pilots fought the trembling yoke with white-knuckled desperation, forcing the plane toward a narrow stretch of land.
"One thousand—! Sir!"
Through the blur of branches and terrain, the forest floor surged up to meet them. The co-pilot turned toward the captain. In that brief, final second, he gave a solemn nod—firm, fearless.
And then—
The plane struck the earth.
A deafening crash split the silence of the night as metal tore, trees shattered, and fire lit the sky.
~~~April 7, 2169~~~
[1:32am]
Jayu woke in a dense, smoke-choked forest—battered, bleeding, and disoriented. Her vision blurred with tears and ash. Her ears rang from the explosion. Every breath felt like knives in her ribs. She coughed violently, her tiny hands trembling as they pushed her off the scorched ground.
Around her, burning pieces of metal lit the sky orange. Trees were set aflame, casting shadows that danced like monsters. Screams echoed faintly in the distance—some human, some not.
And then she remembered.
"Mama!!"
She screamed, panic rising in her chest. Her feet moved before her thoughts did, running toward the smoldering wreckage. Debris crunched beneath her shoes, but she didn't stop. She weaved between twisted metal, heart pounding with every step.
"Mama!? Where are you!? Please!!"
She searched frantically. Passengers lay unmoving. The scent of blood and smoke thickened the air. The heat stung her skin, but she pressed forward.
"That's right... That's where we sat...!"
She spun toward a familiar shape—half the fuselage still intact, lodged high in the trees, swaying slightly.
"Mama... Mama! I'm getting closer!"
She stumbled up a hill, breath ragged, legs burning.
Then she saw it—their row. Dangling. Ripped in half.
Her eyes widened.
"Mama?..."
Her mother was still there.
Still buckled to her seat.
Still unmoving.
Blood trickled from her forehead, glistening in the firelight. Her arms hung limp.
"Mama! Mama!!!"
Jayu screamed, voice cracking as she collapsed to her knees.
"Wake up!! Mama!! Please!!"
Tears fell from her eyes, blurring everything—until her mother's fingers twitched. Her head tilted. Eyes fluttered open.
"J-Jayu..." she whispered, barely audible.
"M-Mama!?"
Jayu jolted, her head snapping up.
"H-Hi... baby..."
A faint smile trembled across her lips. Her voice was cracked, fragile like glass.
With trembling hands, she reached for the seatbelt. The buckle clicked open.
"MAMA—WAIT!"
Jayu barked.
Too late.
Her mother slipped from the chair and fell, landing with a heavy thud on the forest floor.
"Mama!!"
Jayu sprinted to her, nearly tripping as she slid down the slope. Her knees scraped open, but she didn't care.
She knelt beside her, voice trembling.
"Mama!! Are you okay!? Please answer!!"
Her mother groaned faintly. Jayu gently rolled her onto her back.
"J-Jayu...? You're safe... Thank God..."
"I need to get help! Stay here! I'll—"
Before she could run, her mother grabbed her hand.
"No... stay with me... just for a moment... please..."
"But you're hurt!... We need to find someone—"
"Just... stay..."
Jayu's lips quivered. She nodded.
"Okay... I'm here, Mama... I'm right here..."
Her mother lay trembling, her chest rising in shallow breaths. Jayu held her tightly, nestling close.
"I don't have much time... I can feel it slipping away..."
"Mama... I wanna call Daddy..."
Jayu whispered.
Her mother's lips parted, but no sound came.
Then—screams tore through the forest.
"AHHHH!!!"
"THERE'S A SEELE!!"
"RUN!!!"
Jayu flinched, looking over her shoulder. In the distance, shapes darted between the trees—one of them not human.
"It's not safe here... not for her..."
"Jayu...?"
"Mama, we have to go now! Come on!"
"I... can't... my legs..."
"No! No, no—we can do this! I'll help you!"
"Baby... you have to run."
"No way! I'm not leaving you!"
"JAYU!"
The sharpness of her mother's voice stopped her cold. Her eyes widened. Mama had never raised her voice before.
Then her tone softened, trembling with tears.
"I know you're scared... but you have to be brave now..."
"But... what about you...?"
Her mother smiled faintly, tears spilling as her voice broke.
"I'll be fine... I promise. I'll be right behind you."
"You mean it...?"
"Yes..."
"Pinky promise...?"
Her mother raised a trembling pinky. Jayu hooked hers around it.
"I pinky promise, my sweet daughter..."
Jayu sniffled, wiping her tears.
"Okay..."
She leaned in and hugged her mother tightly, burying her face in her chest.
"Go on... baby... live on..."
Jayu pulled away, shaking.
"I love you, Mama... always and forever!"
"T-That's good to hear... Now... go..."
Jayu took one last look, then ran—sobbing, broken, deeper into the forest. Her body hurt. Her heart burned. But she kept going.
Her mother lay back, eyes flickering. Her hand drifted from her chest, revealing the truth—a shard of metal pierced her abdomen. Blood pooled beneath her.
"I'm sorry... I... I lied... I just... couldn't let you see this..."
She stared at her bloodied hand.
"I wanted more time... just a little more time with her..."
Memories flooded in—laughter, birthday candles, the smell of Jayu's hair when she hugged her. Her vision dimmed as the warmth left her body.
With one final breath, she closed her eyes.
Then—footsteps.
Slow. Confident. Wrong.
A figure emerged from the firelight. Unnatural. Grinning.
"Hoh? What do we have here...?"
The demon crouched beside her lifeless body, rummaging through her torn bag. Two IDs slipped out and fell to the dirt.
"Ai-Jayu-Joo."
"Ai-Pyeong-Joo."
The demon smirked, holding them delicately between clawed fingers as it gazed into the forest.
"So... you have a kid, huh?"
It chuckled lowly—the sound like grinding metal and a twisted lullaby.
"How adorable."
~~~To be Continued~~~