This was only the beginning…
The cold winds of Valdoria no longer burned Kenzaki's skin — pain had become familiar, like an old friend walking beside him.
Barefoot, bloodied, and barely alive, he limped through the woods at the edge of the kingdom. His clothes were torn, his body covered in bruises and faded whip marks. Each step left a trail of crimson on the dying leaves. His once bright eyes were now hollow, surrounded by deep shadows — proof of five years stolen from him in the dark corners of a cell.
The jungle ahead was thick, ancient, untouched by man. Perfect.
No one would follow him here. No one could.
The king's hounds would lose his scent in the chaos of trees and wind.
Kenzaki kept walking…
Through mud, thorn, and silence.
With every step, his body grew heavier. His vision blurred. Hunger clawed at his ribs. The world twisted.
And then… nothing.
His body collapsed, falling into the roots of an ancient tree.
Unconscious. Cold. Silent.
---
When his eyes opened…
He expected the afterlife. But instead, he saw a wooden ceiling. A small room. Soft light. The scent of herbs.
Pain rushed back into his body, but he wasn't alone.
As his blurry vision adjusted, he saw ears. Long, soft, white ears. A girl. Not human.
She was young — maybe his age — with snow-like hair, pale pink eyes, and bandages wrapped around her arms. A sword rested beside her.
A beast race… a rabbit-type girl.
"...You're awake," she said softly, almost like a whisper.
Kenzaki tried to speak, but his throat was dry.
"I found you in the forest… bleeding. I thought you were dead."
She paused, then added, "But something in your eyes… it looked alive."
Kenzaki blinked, barely holding onto consciousness.
She leaned closer.
"I'm Airi. You're safe here. For now."
Two days later…
A soft voice echoed through the haze in his mind.
"You're awake…"
Kenzaki's eyes fluttered open. The wooden ceiling above him danced with shadows of candlelight. His body ached, but he was wrapped in warm furs. A gentle hand touched his forehead.
"You've been unconscious for two days. Here, drink this," the girl said, holding out a cup of water.
He weakly drank. His voice, dry and cracked, barely escaped his throat.
"…Who are you?"
The girl smiled, her long snow-white hair falling past her shoulders, two rabbit-like ears twitching softly.
"My name is Airi. I'm from the Beastkin tribe—rabbit class. I live alone near this forest."
Her voice was kind, eyes shining with warmth.
"You're safe now," she added.
Kenzaki stayed silent.
Airi tilted her head slightly, concern growing in her eyes. "Why were you alone in the jungle? You looked like you were running from something…"
Still, no answer.
"I understand if you don't trust me yet," she said softly. "But… you can. I won't tell anyone. I want to know because… I saw the scars on your body. The pain in your eyes. I just…"
She lowered her gaze, hands trembling slightly.
"…I want to be your friend."
Kenzaki's heart twitched. Friend?
He had forgotten what that word even meant. Ever since his father was branded a traitor, people had looked at him with nothing but hate.
But Airi… she helped him. Cared for him.
For the first time in years, he felt something stir inside.
"…My name is Kenzaki," he whispered.
And then, slowly, painfully—he told her everything.
His father's execution. His mother's fate. The years in chains. The blood. The screams.
When he finished, the room fell silent.
Tears slid down Airi's cheeks. Without a word, she wrapped her arms around him.
"You… you've suffered so much," she said, holding him close.
"But you're not alone anymore."
Kenzaki didn't know what to say.
He just closed his eyes… and let the warmth of her embrace silence the ghosts in his mind