Deep inside the womb of the forest, where even sunlight struggled to fully reach the ground, Leaf created a small fire.
The air around him shifted unnaturally. Instead of using primitive methods like striking stones together, he raised his hand slightly and focused. The invisible currents of air gathered, compressed, and tightened under his control. Oxygen condensed into a single point—unstable, pressured—
—and then ignited.
A faint spark appeared between his fingers.
Within seconds, it grew into a steady flame.
The fire slowly expanded, its orange glow pushing back the darkness, revealing the rough textures of tree bark, scattered leaves, and the faint mist lingering in the cold night air.
The fire crackled softly.
Leaf sat beside it, silent and still, his eyes reflecting the dancing flames. His face looked calm—but only on the surface.
Across from him, Python watched the fire for a long moment. The silence between them stretched, heavy with unspoken thoughts.
Finally, Python spoke.
"Brother… why did you tell me to run?"
His voice carried confusion but also concern.
"I saw you fighting back there… but it didn't feel like you. Something was… strange."
Leaf didn't answer immediately.
Inside his mind, another presence stirred.
A calm, deep voice echoed through his consciousness.
"Don't worry," Darkness said. "You can tell him now. He is safe enough to know about me… and about your real name."
Leaf responded silently.
"…I think so too."
He lifted his head slowly and looked at Python. The firelight flickered in his eyes, making them appear deeper—more serious than before.
"Listen carefully," Leaf said in a low, steady voice.
"My real name is Leaf Delta. I'm fifteen years old. And until two months ago... I had parents."
He paused.
The fire crackled louder, as if filling the silence for him.
"The truth is …"
His voice lowered further.
"I'm not alone in my mind."
Python blinked, trying to process the words.
Leaf continued.
"The Dark Lord himself… Darkness… lives inside me."
For a second, silence.
Then—
"WOOOOO! Wait, wait, wait!!"
Python suddenly jumped forward, eyes wide with excitement instead of fear.
"Why are you telling me this now? I already trust you! But first tell me—who were those people back there? And why did we run?"
He stopped mid-sentence, realization hitting him.
"Hold on… did you just say someone lives inside your mind?"
Leaf nodded once.
"Yes."
"It's darkness."
"The Dark Lord."
Python leaned closer, his curiosity growing instead of fading.
"Wow…"
He whispered, almost in awe.
Then, without hesitation—
"So… how does she look?"
Leaf opened his mouth to answer—
—but suddenly his body stiffened.
His expression changed.
His eyes darkened slightly.
A different voice came out.
Cold. Sharp.
"No. Him. Not her, idiot."
Inside Leaf's mind, the real Leaf groaned.
"Seriously…?"
"Okay, okay! Darkness, switch back to me!"
A brief pause.
Then—
Leaf exhaled and regained control.
Python leaned even closer now, fascinated.
"Was that you… or Darkness?"
Leaf rubbed his forehead.
"…That was him."
Python's eyes sparkled like a child discovering something incredible.
"So what does he actually look like?"
Leaf looked into the fire for a moment, thinking carefully.
"Well… he isn't in his true form right now," he said slowly.
"But the form I see is …"
He paused, choosing his words.
"Imagine a dark, bodyless shadow… floating inside a bright white robe."
Python didn't interrupt this time.
Leaf continued.
"You can't see his body clearly. It's like… darkness itself shaped into a presence."
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
"And inside that darkness… there are two glowing yellow eyes."
"That's all."
Silence returned.
The forest seemed to listen.
Then—
"WOOOOOW!!"
Python leaned back, completely amazed.
"That's actually so cool!"
Leaf gave a faint, tired smile.
After a moment, Python spoke again, softer this time.
"…And that boy back there? The one who called himself your successor?"
Leaf's expression changed slightly.
"Oh… him."
His tone became distant.
"He's just someone from my past, someone I'd rather forget."
Python tilted his head.
"…But I won't tell anyone."
Leaf stayed silent.
Python leaned forward again, almost pleading.
"Please… just tell me."
"…Please, please?"
Leaf sighed.
"…Alright."
He looked at the fire again.
"It's been nine years… since I last saw him."
"…Since we played together."
Python straightened slightly.
"So what happened between you two?"
Leaf closed his eyes for a moment.
"…Yeah."
"I think I can tell you."
9 Years Ago…
A small, slightly messy room.
Books were scattered everywhere—general knowledge books stacked unevenly, while a few anime manga lay open on the floor, their pages slightly curled.
The window was half-open.
A soft breeze slipped inside, gently moving the curtains like a quiet rhythm.
On the bed—
A young boy slept.
Leaf.
His face was calm, unaware of the world outside.
From the next room, footsteps approached.
A woman entered.
Her expression was gentle, but there was a faint tiredness in her eyes—the kind only a mother carries.
She looked at him for a moment.
Then spoke softly—
"Leaf, wake up. You have school today. That doesn't mean you can sleep the whole day."
Leaf stirred.
His eyes opened slowly.
"…Hmm… Mom… Good morning…"
She crossed her arms lightly.
"Good morning? It's already afternoon."
"…Afternoon?"
He blinked.
Then suddenly sat up.
"Oh—okay, okay. I'm awake."
After washing up and eating, Leaf moved toward the balcony.
Outside—
The world felt peaceful.
A small garden stretched in front of the house, filled with blooming roses, lavender, and other colorful flowers. The breeze carried their fragrance, filling the air with a soft sweetness.
From the balcony—
Leaf could see the playground.
Seven or eight children were playing.
Laughing.
Running.
Shouting with joy.
Leaf watched them.
For a long time.
Then slowly—
He stood up.
And walked toward them.
As soon as he arrived—
The laughter stopped.
One by one…
They left.
Leaf stood there.
Still.
Before leaving, one boy turned back.
Moon.
"We don't want to play with a loser like you."
Silence.
"…I see," Leaf said quietly.
"Sorry for disturbing your game."
His eyes became cold.
Tears filled them—
But he didn't cry.
He smiled.
A small… broken smile.
Then walked away.
Back home—
His mother saw him.
She didn't speak immediately.
But she understood.
Leaf returned to the balcony.
Sat again.
Watched again.
As if nothing had changed.
After a moment—
His mother sat beside him.
"What happened, Leaf?"
"…Nothing."
"I just went to play."
"They don't play with someone like me."
She remained silent for a second.
"So… you wanted to play with them?"
"…Yes."
"Did they invite you?"
Leaf frowned.
"Why would they invite me?"
She smiled faintly.
"That's exactly the reason."
Leaf looked at her.
"They don't invite you because they don't see your value yet."
"…Right now, they think you're weak."
Leaf's expression hardened.
"So… you think I'm weak too?"
"No," she said calmly.
"I'm telling you how the world sees you."
She placed her hand gently on his head.
"If you don't like that… then change it."
"Become stronger."
"Not just in power… but in who you are."
Leaf stayed silent.
"Become someone they can't ignore."
"And one day …"
She smiled softly.
"When they come to you …"
"You can choose whether to accept them… or not."
Leaf looked at the playground.
Then at her.
"…Really?"
"Yes."
And for the first time—
He smiled.
A real smile.
Later—
"Go for a walk," his mother said gently.
"It will refresh your mind."
"…Okay."
As Leaf walked alone, questions filled his thoughts.
Why do they hate me?
Why am I always alone?
Why don't I have friends? …?
Then—
A sound.
Soft.
Beautiful.
He stopped.
"…Birds?"
Curious, he entered the forest.
With each step—
His thoughts faded.
The air felt lighter.
The scent of flowers wrapped around him.
And then—
A clearing.
And there—
A boy.
Playing a flute.
The sound was… alive.
Leaf hesitated.
Fear rose.
What if he rejects me too…?
But before he could step back—
The boy noticed him.
And smiled.
"Hello, friend."
Leaf froze.
"…Friend?"
"Did my flute disturb you?" the boy asked gently.
"If it did, I'm sorry."
Leaf shook his head quickly.
"No... actually, I thought it was birds singing."
He looked at the flute.
"Your music is beautiful."
"It makes the mind feel free."
The boy smiled warmly.
Leaf took a breath.
"My name is Leaf. Leaf Delta."
"What's yours?"
"White Phi."
"Phi?"
"You're not from C Delta?"
"No," White said.
"I'm from C-Phi."
"My father is a robotics scientist. He's here for research."
Leaf nodded.
"That's okay."
White looked at him for a moment.
Then smiled wider.
"Then... from today …"
"We're friends."
Leaf blinked.
"…Friends?"
"Yes."
Something changed.
Inside him.
For the first time—
He wasn't alone.
They played.
Laughed.
Talked.
Time passed unnoticed.
After hours—
White stood.
"I should go now."
"If I'm late… my parents will get angry."
He laughed lightly.
"See you tomorrow?"
Leaf smiled.
"Tomorrow."
"For how long will you stay?"
"Maybe a year… maybe a month."
Leaf nodded.
"Okay."
"See you tomorrow."
Back home—
"You're late," his mother said.
Leaf smiled.
"I was playing… with my friend."
She paused.
Then smiled softly.
"…I see."
Inside, she whispered—
"Thank God. …"
That night—
Leaf understood something.
A lonely person can become a villain.
But when friendship enters their life—
They can become a hero.