The twin moons—one white, one black—rose high above Eizo's skyline, casting their mingled light across the quiet streets. The air carried a crisp chill, still and hushed as if the city held its breath. Yet silence was a fragile thing, and Yamori shattered it as he sprinted through the narrow avenues, Kaede clutched tightly against his chest.
Her small frame trembled, eyes wide as she buried her face into him, but Yamori's gaze was sharp and unblinking. His breath came short, yet steady, his muscles taut as shadows twisted unnaturally across the walls around them.
The first volley came suddenly—daggers flashing from the darkness. Yamori reacted in a heartbeat, tossing Kaede upward with one arm. She let out a startled squeak as the blades cut through the air where she had just been. Yamori twisted aside, teeth clenched, and caught the nearest dagger inches from his eye. Without hesitation he reversed his grip, snapping the weapon back into the gloom. A strangled cry followed, and a body hit the ground with a thud that rang far too loud in the empty street.
Blood spread across the cobblestones. Yamori exhaled and lifted his arms, catching Kaede as she fell back into them. His expression softened for only an instant, a fleeting smile brushing his lips, before new threats revealed themselves. From the shadows, more men emerged, steel drawn and voices raised.
"Kill the boy! Take the girl!" one barked. "Our client will have our heads if we fail!"
The first of them lunged. Kaede barely had time to gasp before Yamori spun her, pulling her close by the waist. The motion turned their flight into a grim parody of a dance. As he twirled her, Kaede's heel struck their attacker's gut, forcing him back. Yamori's hand shot forward, disarming the thug with surgical precision before driving both daggers into the man's throat. The corpse fell heavy at their feet, blood scattering like rain.
Another came from above, blade raised. Yamori leaned close, his breath brushing Kaede's ear. She flushed crimson, though her wide eyes reflected not his face but the silhouette of death descending. With a low sigh, Yamori lifted her once more, sending her just high enough to clear the strike. His own hand snapped up, seizing the man's arm mid-swing. A single twist wrenched bone and tore flesh, ending him in a spray of crimson.
Yet pain struck in turn. A dagger plunged into Yamori's back. Kaede's cry split the night—only to falter when instead of blood, water spilled from the wound, glimmering beneath the moons. Yamori's smirk deepened at the confusion spreading across the attacker's face.
"What—what the hell!?" the thug stammered, stumbling backward.
From deeper in the alley, another shouted, panic threading his voice. "Lenny! What's going on?!"
But Lenny only backed away, sweat pouring down his brow. "I never signed up for this shit! I'm done—I want to live!" He turned and fled into the shadows.
The remaining thugs stood frozen, eyes widening as Yamori and Kaede dissolved into a swirl of water that coiled upward like a living current. And from the other end of the street, a deep voice rumbled with laughter.
Sinbad stood there, framed by moonlight, both black axes glinting in his hands. His crimson hair caught the glow, his presence filling the street with an almost oppressive weight.
"A blessing from the Mother of the Ocean," he mused, watching the last traces of water fade. "Skill tree: Water Bubble. Or, in my style…" He smirked. "Call it Cancer. Gotta love irony, eh?"
His smile sharpened. "But really, attacking children? That's a sin."
A thug, desperate and reckless, tried to rush him from behind. Sinbad did not even turn—one swift swing, and the man's head rolled free. The axe in his hand gleamed faintly, feathers etched along its edge, as if the weapon itself mocked its own lethality.
Sinbad surged forward. Another's arm fell before the victim even registered pain. By the time realization struck, his head followed. Blood pooled quickly on the stones, and the survivors faltered, their courage collapsing.
"O-ocean save us," one stammered, his eyes wide. "Crimson hair… blue eyes… two black axes… You—you're Sinbad. The Executioner!"
But recognition came too late. Sinbad seized both men by the face, his hands like iron. With brutal force, he slammed them into the ground, knocking them cold. Dust rose in the aftermath, mingling with the metallic tang of blood.
He exhaled, rolling his shoulders, his laughter echoing through the streets. "Best keep two alive for the royal knights. Hahaha, damn, that boy. He really is his mother's son—coming up with such a plan, baiting these fools. Yamori!" His roar carried into the night, more pride than anger. "You hear me, boy?!"
And Yamori did hear him. High on the rooftops once more, cloth wrapped around the graze on his hand, he chuckled under his breath. Kaede, clutched in his arms, looked up at him, her heart torn between fear and something else—curiosity, awe, a spark of admiration she could not name.
Before she could speak, Yamori leapt lightly onto the balcony of a grand plaza. Below, music drifted from a gala, nobles dancing beneath chandeliers of crystal light. Gently, he set Kaede on her feet.
"Your father will be in the ballroom," he said quietly. "This is where we part. Goodbye, Miss Kaede. And… don't speak of me to anyone."
He turned, stepping onto the balcony's rail, the twin moons looming behind him. But Kaede clenched her fists, a sudden determination flashing through her tear-streaked eyes. She ran to him and pressed a small, dark earring into his hand.
"T-this is for when we meet again," she stammered, voice trembling but resolved. "I-I'll be stronger than you then. No—stronger than anyone. That's a promise!"
Yamori regarded her, his grey eyes unreadable. A sigh escaped him, neither annoyance nor disapproval—merely acceptance. He gave a single, steady nod. Then, spreading his arms, he let himself fall backward into the night.
Kaede rushed to the railing, but he was gone, vanished into the city's shadows. Her hand pressed to her chest, her heart pounding. A vow formed in her mind, clear as the moons above.
"Thank you… Yamori," she whispered.
And so, beneath the twin moons, a night of blood and promise was etched forever into her memory.