Scene 1: Beneath the Ashen Sky
The courtyard behind the eastern wing of the Guild compound echoed with the clash of steel and flame. Haruto Izumi moved through traditional forms, katana slicing through the morning air, each motion sharp, precise—until it wasn't.
"Again!" barked Jeremiah, arms crossed as he stood with Tousin and Cecelia watching from a distance. "You're stiff, Haruto. Your body is here, but your mind isn't."
Haruto's eyes glinted. His next slash faltered, the edge of his sword skimming too close—too close—to Cecelia, who had stepped in to spar.
A burst of flame rippled from the sword's path, and then came the scream.
Cecelia staggered back, her left shoulder now burned and bleeding. The smell of scorched fabric and flesh turned the air bitter.
"Cecelia!" Jeremiah rushed forward, slipping into a low stance. He clutched her arm, summoning a sudden pulse of ice around the wound to dull the pain and stop the bleeding. "Hold on…"
Tousin appeared at her other side, steadying her.
"I'm fine," Cecelia hissed, but her face was pale. Her aura trembled. "I didn't expect that much heat..."
Jeremiah pressed his palm over the wound, ice magic giving way to glowing white energy. Skin and nerves began to stitch. "Don't move. This may tingle."
Haruto stood frozen, the katana lowered, eyes wide. His breath hitched. He opened his mouth but found no words.
"Haruto!" Tousin snapped. "What the hell was that?"
"I—I'm sorry…" Haruto muttered, stepping back.
Jeremiah frowned. "You're not yourself today."
"I need rest," Haruto said, and before anyone could press further, he turned and disappeared into the hallway.
---
Scene 2: Promises in the Sakura Rain
Haruto sat at the edge of his bed, blade laid across his knees. The flame patterns etched into the metal flickered faintly in the low light.
His fingers trembled.
His mind wasn't here—not in America, not in the Guild, not in this war.
It was in Japan.
Under falling sakura blossoms. Beside Akari.
He closed his eyes.
---
Years ago, in the hidden village of Himoraji, nestled within the volcanic region of Kumamoto, Haruto had met Akari—the head monk's daughter and a prodigy of the Pyrokenosis Clan. He was just fifteen then, banished from the outer cities after a fire he couldn't control claimed lives.
Akari found him in the temple's garden, bruised and quiet.
"You light fires," she had said. "But that doesn't mean you're meant to burn alone."
And from that day, he didn't.
They trained together, fought in secret tournaments, and once, on the night of Tanabata, she tied a strip of blue paper to the wishing tree.
"I want to stay by Haruto's side, forever."
They kissed beneath that tree.
They were unstoppable together. He was the flame, she the wind that fed it.
But two years later, the Obsidian raided their temple. Seeking the ancient bloodlines of elemental warriors, they slaughtered indiscriminately. Haruto fought until his katana broke.
When he awoke days later in the ruins, Akari's ribbon was the only thing left of her.
The temple was ash.
And so was his heart.
---
Haruto blinked away the memory, breath shallow.
He still kept the ribbon.
He still dreamt of her screams.
And now, in his distraction, he'd hurt Cecelia. Another ally. Another life he could've endangered.
His fist clenched.
"I'm not ready," he whispered. "Forgive me, Akari..."
---
Scene 3: The One Who Speaks for the Dead
A knock sounded at the door.
"Haruto?" Tousin's voice was gentle.
Haruto didn't respond.
Tousin let himself in, arms folded over his chest, his signature portal wristband gleaming faintly with residual energy. "You're taking it too hard."
"I almost killed her."
"You didn't. Jeremiah patched her up in seconds. She's tougher than she looks."
Haruto said nothing.
Tousin walked closer and sat. "You're haunted. I get that. I used to see death in my dreams every night, especially after my first breach. The first time I opened a portal into the void... I saw my cousin fall into it. Gone. Nothing I could do."
Haruto slowly looked up.
"I was fourteen," Tousin continued. "But pain is like a shadow. You can't run from it—but you can stop letting it control your light."
Haruto sighed. "Akari... she was everything. I lost control today because I saw her again. In Cecelia's expression. In the way she moved. In the fire. It all came back. And I froze."
Tousin nodded. "That's human. But out there? The Nexus-Born won't give you time to grieve."
"I know."
Tousin stood. "Then don't let her memory make you weak. Let it make you fierce."
Haruto met his gaze. Something shifted in his eyes.
"Thanks, Tousin."
---
Scene 4: Words Between Flame and Wind
Later that evening, Haruto found Cecelia outside the training hall, dressed in casual clothes, bandaged shoulder visible through the mesh.
She was watching the sky. American stars. But her eyes didn't quite belong here.
"I wanted to say I'm sorry," Haruto said quietly.
Cecelia turned, offering a small smile. "It's okay. I've taken worse."
"You shouldn't have had to."
They stood in silence.
"I... get lost in my thoughts sometimes," Haruto admitted. "Memories of someone I failed to protect."
Cecelia's expression softened. "I understand. I came back to America for a reason too."
"Oh?"
She laughed, short and a little bitter. "I'm half-American. Born here, raised in Sydney after my parents divorced. My mom ran a shipping conglomerate. Took me away when I was fourteen. I didn't even get to say goodbye to my childhood crush."
Haruto tilted his head. "Who was he?"
"Caleb," she said, laughing again. "Yeah, that Caleb. The one at the Guild."
Haruto raised a brow. "Does he know?"
"Not yet. I don't think he even remembers me."
"Maybe you should tell him."
"Maybe. Someday."
They sat by the railing as the breeze brushed past them.
Haruto eventually asked, "Do you speak Japanese?"
Cecelia replied fluently, "もちろん,私はずっと勉強してきました." (Of course, I've been studying it for years.)
Haruto blinked. "That was... perfect."
She smiled. "You're not the only one with secrets."
They both chuckled.
Haruto looked up at the stars. "Maybe this war brought us together for a reason."
"Maybe," Cecelia said softly. "Maybe we're all just trying to heal."
Their eyes met, and for the first time since the invasion began, Haruto felt something warm that wasn't fire—something closer to peace.