Elcos visited his father's old training grounds every day. The place held memories—of sweat, discipline, and echoes of his father's voice guiding him through each move. The scent of worn leather and dry soil lingered in the air, reminders of the relentless training that had once shaped a warrior. For Elcos, it wasn't just about refining his skills. It was a silent promise to his fallen family. He would grow stronger, and one day, he would avenge them.
Each morning, he arrived before the sun had fully risen, practicing form after form, pushing himself harder than before. The weight of loss sat heavy on his shoulders, but he carried it with quiet determination. The world had taken much from him, but it wouldn't take his resolve.
One afternoon, as he was mid-swing with a wooden sword, he noticed someone new nearby—a girl, quietly observing the area from under a large tree. Her long dark hair swayed slightly with the breeze, and her gaze was steady, thoughtful. She didn't seem like a passerby. Something about her presence felt rooted, as if she had always belonged here, waiting for the right moment to step forward.
Over the next few days, he found his eyes drifting to her more often. Each time, he felt a little braver.
Finally, after several days of fleeting glances, he worked up the courage to approach her.
"Hey," he began, clearing his throat slightly, more nervous than he'd expected. "I haven't seen you around before. What's your name?"
She turned to him with a small smile. "Mitsuki. And you?"
He hesitated, his instinct urging him to remain guarded. But something about her felt safe. "Dannie… Dannie James," he said eventually.
"Nice to meet you, Dannie," she replied politely. "What brings you here?"
He glanced around the worn training grounds, the place that had become both his sanctuary and battlefield. "I come here to train," he said, gesturing to the practice weapons beside him. "This used to be my father's place. He let me train here when I was little."
"You look young. Are you sure you're even allowed here?" she asked, a playful glint in her eyes.
Elcos grinned. "I make the rules now," he said lightly. "
Since it's my father's spot, I guess I get a pass."
Mitsuki chuckled. "Fair enough. I'm here to take care of my father. He's been ill for a while."
There was a pause before Elcos added, "Hey… how about we be friends? You seem cool."
Mitsuki nodded without hesitation. "Of course. I could use a friend. It gets boring around here."
And just like that, something changed.
For the first time in a long while, Elcos felt lighter.
Their friendship grew naturally, woven together through quiet conversations at the training grounds, shared laughter, and an unspoken understanding. He had spent so long consumed by thoughts of revenge, solitude had felt normal. But Mitsuki was a spark of light—unexpected and steady, a presence that made the silence less suffocating.
One afternoon, restless after days of the same routine, they sat near the edge of the training grounds.
"I'm bored," Mitsuki said, lying on the grass, staring up at the slow-moving clouds.
"Same," Elcos admitted, spinning a wooden staff idly between his fingers. "Want to do something different?"
Mitsuki sat up, eyes bright with an idea. "How about the mountain near the village? I've always wanted to explore it."
Elcos raised a brow. "The one with all the strange herbs and animals?"
She nodded enthusiastically. "That one! It's supposed to be full of rare plants. My dad knows a lot about it. I'll ask him if he wants to come too."
And so, the next morning, they set off—Mitsuki, her father Shank, and Elcos—climbing higher into the cool, forested slopes of the mountain. The air smelled of damp earth and pine, crisp and refreshing. Shank led the way, pausing now and then to inspect plants growing along the trail.
"This one," he said, kneeling beside a cluster of bright-green leaves, "is good for fever. Grows only above a certain altitude."
While Shank focused on collecting herbs, Mitsuki and Elcos wandered farther into the woods. The path narrowed, the trees became denser, and sunlight filtered through the leaves in patches. Their laughter faded into quiet conversation, the kind that needed no effort—just the comfort of companionship.
Then, the underbrush rustled.
A sudden hiss.
From the bushes, a snake sprang out, fangs bared.
Mitsuki froze.
The creature struck without hesitation, snapping at her scarf. Elcos reacted instantly—grabbing the snake mid-lunge and hurling it into the bushes. But it wasn't done. It came back, aggressive and fast, lunging again—this time aiming for Mitsuki's face.
Elcos stepped in front of her, blocking the strike with his bare arm.
A sharp cry escaped him before his legs buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
"Dannie!" Mitsuki cried, panic clawing at her throat.
Shank, hearing the commotion, rushed over. "Mitsuki, get away from the snake! I'll handle it!"
Fueled by adrenaline, she grabbed a stick and swung, knocking the creature back.
Shank hurled his axe with precision.
The snake fell, lifeless.
He knelt beside Elcos, inspecting the bite. The skin around it had turned a worrying shade of green.
"Venom," he muttered. "We need to act fast."
He crushed herbs between his fingers, applying the paste to Elcos's wound. "This will draw the poison out. But we need to get him back to the village—now."
They carried him between them, Mitsuki whispering encouragements, though he remained unconscious.
At the village, his mother rushed forward. "My boy!"
Shank was calm. "He'll recover. He just needs rest."
Mitsuki bowed her head. "I'm so sorry. He saved me. I want to stay and take care of him."
His mother hesitated, then nodded. "Thank you, dear."
That night, Mitsuki sat by his bed, watching his steady breathing.
She lay down beside him, resting her head near his.
"I don't know if you love me," she whispered. "You've never said it. But… I do."
Her fingers tightened slightly around his.
And for the first time in a long while, Elcos didn't dream of loss.
He slept peacefully—with someone by his side.