Darkness stretched endlessly in every direction.
It wasn't just night—it felt alive.
The sky above trembled, as if something beyond it was trying to break through.
From within that suffocating void…
Voices.
Crying.
Screaming.
Begging.
"Help me…!"
"Please… don't leave me…!"
"I don't want to die…!"
The voices overlapped, echoing endlessly, growing louder and louder.
Sota stood in the middle of it.
Frozen.
His body refused to move.
His ears rang as the screams drilled into his mind.
His chest tightened.
His head throbbed like it was about to split apart.
"N-no…"
He grabbed his head tightly, pressing his hands against his ears.
"Stop… stop it…!"
But the voices didn't stop.
They grew louder.
Closer.
As if they were right beside him.
As if they were inside him.
Suddenly—
His eyes snapped open.
Sota jolted upright in bed, gasping violently for air.
"Haaah…! Haaah…!"
His entire body was drenched in sweat.
His heart pounded uncontrollably against his chest.
For a few seconds—
He couldn't tell what was real.
"…Where… am I…?"
His voice trembled.
He looked around.
A small room.
Plain walls.
A single narrow bed beneath him.
To his right—a window slightly open, letting in warm air that gently brushed against his face.
Reality slowly returned.
But his breathing was still uneven.
"Medusa…?"
His eyes widened.
"Medusa—where is Medusa?!"
He threw the blanket aside and stood up immediately, his legs still weak.
Ignoring the dizziness, he rushed to the door and stepped outside.
The moment he entered the corridor—
A strange atmosphere hit him.
The smell of medicine mixed with something heavier…
Blood.
Doctors and nurses moved quickly through the hallway.
Some carried equipment.
Others pushed stretchers.
On one of them—
A wounded man lay unconscious, his arm covered in blood.
Another patient sat against the wall, groaning softly.
"…It's worse than I thought…"
Sota whispered to himself.
His chest tightened again.
He walked faster, scanning every corner.
"Medusa… where are you…?"
Trying to avoid bumping into people, he moved toward the front counter—
"Hey."
A voice stopped him.
Calm.
Light.
Almost teasing.
"You're still not fully recovered."
"Running around like this isn't a good idea."
Sota turned sharply.
His body tensed instantly.
A young man sat casually on one of the waiting chairs.
Silver hair.
Dark eyes.
Not just dark—
They felt… deep.
As if something was hidden inside them.
Sota instinctively took a step back.
"W-who are you…?"
The man stood up slowly.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"I'm Mike."
"Nice to meet you."
There was something strange about him.
Too relaxed.
Too comfortable.
In a place like this.
Sota hesitated for a moment.
Then—
"…Sota."
"…Nice to meet you."
Mike walked toward him without hesitation.
"Your partner… or friend—whatever you call him—"
"He's on the second floor."
"…Still being treated."
The moment Sota heard that—
Everything else disappeared.
"Second floor…!"
Without thinking—
He ran.
Straight toward the stairs.
"Hey—!"
"At least listen to the room number—"
Mike sighed as Sota rushed out of sight.
"…Seriously."
Sota climbed the stairs quickly.
His legs still felt heavy, but he didn't stop.
He reached the second floor—
And froze.
Doors.
So many doors.
Left.
Right.
Endless.
"…T-this many…?"
His eyes darted from one door to another.
"Which one…?"
"Which one is he in…?"
His breathing became uneven again.
Then—
Footsteps.
"Tham… Tham… Tham…"
Sota turned around.
Mike.
Walking calmly.
As if he had all the time in the world.
"In such a hurry…"
"You forgot the most important part."
"The room number."
He stopped beside Sota.
"Come on."
"I'll take you there."
Sota lowered his head slightly.
"…O-okay…"
Embarrassment crept in.
Mike lightly patted his shoulder and walked ahead.
"Next time… listen properly."
"…Yeah…"
Sota scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
Mike chuckled.
"Don't worry."
Just then—
A nurse stepped out from one of the rooms.
"Keep it down!"
"This is a hospital!"
Mike immediately bowed his head.
"My apologies."
Sota blinked.
This guy… changes mood fast…
He followed behind Mike silently.
Can I trust him…?
Or… is this a mistake…?
If something feels wrong…
I run.
Their footsteps echoed through the quiet corridor.
"Tham… Tham… Tham…"
After a short walk—
Mike stopped in front of a door.
"We're here."
"He's inside."
"…Go."
Sota's hand hovered over the door handle.
His heart started beating faster again.
If this is a trap…
I don't hesitate.
He slowly pushed the door open.
Inside—
Medusa sat on the bed.
Facing the window.
Still.
Silent.
"…Medusa!"
Sota rushed forward and hugged him tightly.
"You're okay…!"
"You're okay…!"
His voice broke.
Medusa gently placed his hand on Sota's head.
"…Yeah."
"I'm fine."
Sota slowly pulled back.
But something felt… off.
Medusa wasn't looking at him.
He was still staring outside.
Sota followed his gaze—
And froze.
Ottar City.
The city that once felt alive—
Was gone.
Collapsed buildings.
Burnt structures.
Smoke rising in the distance.
Bodies.
Everywhere.
Some covered.
Some not.
Wounded people cried weakly, waiting for help.
The streets… were silent.
Too silent.
Like a graveyard.
"…This…"
Sota's voice disappeared.
His fingers trembled.
A child's shoe lay near the broken road.
Alone.
"…No…"
He quickly looked away.
His chest felt heavy.
"…Medusa…"
Medusa finally turned his gaze toward him.
Sota's eyes shook—
But slowly—
They hardened.
"I want to save them."
"I don't want anyone to die like this again…"
"I don't want to feel this… ever again."
His fists clenched tightly.
"I want to become strong."
Medusa looked at him quietly.
Then placed his hand on Sota's head again.
"You don't need to do something like that."
"You're fine… just the way you are."
Sota lowered his gaze.
His voice softened—
"…I'm not doing this for them."
A pause.
"…I'm doing this for myself."
His eyes lifted again.
"And… I still have questions."
"A lot of them."
Medusa pulled him closer slightly.
"…You're not good at lying."
Outside the room—
Mike stood silently.
Watching everything.
His playful expression was gone.
His eyes were calm.
Serious.
"…Interesting…"
He muttered softly.
Then—
Without making a sound—
He turned around…
…and walked away.