The sound of footsteps echoed across a barren land resembling a desert It was a place where nothing remained except shattered stone and the natural remains of tropical vegetation that had long since perished
man wearing a dark cloak walked through this land a place filled with despair and devoid of greenery Countless skulls of nonhuman creatures were scattered everywhere as though a curse had been cast upon the land itself
In the distance the image of a vast lake and river appeared yet it was nothing more than an illusion formed by the subconscious of someone nearing despair.ฝ
It is time to sleep....
Tomorrow night I will tell you the rest of the story...
Within the embrace of an elderly woman, whose smile was gentle and full of love rested a small boy with thick glossy black hair and crimson eyes resembling blood Despite this, his face was filled with a pure and innocent smile
"Auntie I want to be like Lord kleos."
The young boy spoke in a sweet and innocent voice while nestling within the warm embrace of his grandmother Her eyes widened slightly in surprise though she did not let the child notice Her wrinkled hand slowly stroked the boys head
Good night little one Go to sleep Lord Kleos loves good children...
Within an old house in a remote rural area bordering the vast desert lay a place that was merely a fragment of the great land of Lanta within the continent of Rectes
In a small city filled with people a city overflowing with countless machines it seemed as though engineers and lovers of invention had gathered together. Electrical wires tangled chaotically, forming complex and delicate circuits, yet they understood them all
Scraps of machinery and oil stains were scattered along the walkways as though such sights were entirely normal
Those who loved invention yet did not know how to keep it within proper bounds
Konji a young man whose body was stained with grime and traces of magical engine oil had a face smeared with muddy grease His old, tattered clothing reflected the hardship of his life. He carried a large bag with great difficulty, his legs trembling and his face flushed red from the heat
man wearing a gray coat dressed like a traveler with many bags and belongings strapped to his back approached His blond hair caused people nearby to glance at him with curiosity
Hey.. !
let me help you, young man..
He lifted the large bag and placed it upon his own head with ease smiling kindly Konji returned a faint smile.
Thank you...
As time passed.
"Oh ! really. Thank you, young man."
The man spoke with a contented smile His posture was strong and steady This sturdy young man spoke with Konji at length as a traveler who had just met a local resident
"I really like your coat. It looks very good Where are you from."
Konji grasped the mans coat with admiration looking him over from head to toe
I come from the northern lands
After traveling through northern Lanta
That is where I came from..
The man unfolded an old torn map Konji stared intently without averting his gaze His eyes were filled with emotions too overwhelming to describe buried deep within his heart as they walked
The man glanced at Konji expression as it changed as though sensing something about him This traveler who had journeyed across many lands, felt a premonition about the boy. Yet not long after the man continued walking with a kind and warm demeanor
"Are you alone."
Konji flinched and stopped walking His eyes turned cold The man gently placed a hand on Konji shoulder
"It is normal for a child like you to struggle like this."
His voice was soft.
"In this city."
Everything fell silent They both stopped walking The boy stared straight ahead without meeting his gaze The man stood still waiting for an answer
"Yes I am alone "
Konji turned back toward him His eyes burned red like blood sharp and piercing His instincts told him that this man was no ordinary person The mans eyes widened slightly in surprise He crouched down placing his left hand on the boys shoulder patting him lightly in a playful manner
Then he leaned in and whispered something into the boys ear His voice changed completely becoming chillingly cold
"It is fine. Just seeing it is enough."
Konji stood frozen like a statue His hair fluttered in the dust filled wind His eyes trembled under the pressure The man slipped a piece of paper into the pocket of Konji coat
Konji did not resist He simply stood there in shock The man then set Konji belongings down on the ground
Edward Lasbreak Just say this name there..
And tell the madman with glasses at the institution called Ishiwor...
Then your life will improve...
The man turned away and walked off without a word of farewell leaving the boy in a state of utter shock unable to even move his feet
He disappeared into the crowd leaving behind only a single piece of paper one that seemed to become a variable in the life of the boy named Konji
The young man stood calmly upon a balcony as a gentle breeze passed by him His face remained cold Konji dark hair swayed with the wind Below two young men sat quietly beneath a tree
Resway a young man as cold as ice his eyes filled with complex emotions sat on a bench in the garden His clenched fist rested against his strong cheek his elbow planted on his knee
"What should we do next."
Asman a young man famous among girls across the campus for his charm yet possessing a body packed with dense muscle leaned casually against a tree with his arms crossed
"Let us go eat some bakery food and calm down."
Resway covered his ears with both hands and sighed softly He looked at Asman with disappointment
"I was not talking about eating. I meant the group."
Several girls passed by When they noticed Asman they greeted him with affection and admiration
He responded with a gentle and warm smile Resway sighed softly at the sight and waved back at the group of girls
"What did you do "
"Why are they so interested in you."
I was only a band member for one day..
I just played the guitar...
Asman turned to look at Resway with a confident and sly smile
Konji now nineteen years old observed them from above His eyes never left them His distinctive short black coat carried both charm and an imposing presence
He stood motionless with only his eyes revealing his inner thoughts as though he carried a story he could never tell anyone
Just seeing it is enough
The words of that man were filled with countless mysteries yet they led the young man who had once lived in a developed city falling into social decay, to exist on the opposite side of that place It was like the edge of the horizon