The western gate of the kingdom opened silently as the sun set.
There was no ceremony, no farewell, no goodbye.
Just a shadow... with wounds on its back and darkness inside.
When Zero stepped outside the kingdom, he didn't even look back.
The anger and loneliness he carried in his heart weighed heavily on every step.
"If those you trust turn their backs on you, your path becomes quieter... but sharper."
He stopped when he reached the edge of the forest.
The sky was growing dark, the birds were silent.
He thought he was alone.
But he wasn't alone.
Among the trees… Lyria was there.
She moved forward without being seen.
She took careful steps, never taking her eyes off Zero for a moment.
Zero, however… a few seconds later, felt something stir inside him.
His sixth sense whispered that there was an eye watching him.
But he just smiled to himself.
"I know you're with me, Lyria..."
________________________________________
A short time later, he reached the shore of a small lake in the forest.
There... someone was waiting.
Kai.
He had a cloak on his back, his eyes were shadowed, but his expression was soft.
"Your face... has changed. Your eyes are harder," said Kai.
Zero sat down next to him.
He looked silently at the lake.
"I found out where you got your curse," he said.
"Shadow."
Kai nodded.
"He showed me the way... but I'm still paying the price."
Zero took a deep breath.
"I fought him too. I didn't win, but... I didn't give up."
Kai smiled.
"That sets you apart from everyone who came before you. You were able to redirect the curse. That's something very few people can do."
Zero rested his head between his knees.
He was tired. Not physically... but mentally.
"The kingdom spoke behind my back. They all turned their backs on me. Except for one person…"
Kai raised his gaze.
Just then, Lyria appeared with the rustle of a leaf.
She walked silently and stood behind Zero.
"I didn't follow you… I walked with you."
Zero turned, and their eyes met.
No explanation was needed, no apology.
Their gaze alone spoke volumes.
Kai watched them.
As a friend, a carrier, a witness.
"Perhaps there is now something in you that even this curse would envy, Zero."
"Not loneliness… but connection."
Zero nodded.
He stood up.
"It's time to chart a new path."
Lyria took his hand.
"Wherever you go… I'll go too."
________________________________________
And so… three shadows gathered in the same place.
But this time… the darkness between them didn't separate them… it united them.