The stars shimmered quietly across the vast night sky.
Marine lay on the soft grass beside Isaka, the cool wind brushing through their hair.
"I wonder how they're doing up there," Marine murmured, gazing at the heavens.
Isaka smiled faintly. "You know, Marine… it's been almost two weeks since we began training. You've improved a lot.
The only thing you haven't quite mastered yet is archery, right?"
Marine sighed. "Yeah… maybe Mom was better than me at it."
"Oh?" Isaka turned to her, curious. "And how do you know that?"
Marine's lips curved into a small, nostalgic smile. "During Parents' Day at school, there was an archery contest—just for fun.
Mom joined in… and she won effortlessly. The way she held the bow, the way her arrows flew—it was like she'd trained for years.
When I look back now, those moments feel… so beautiful."
"Yes," Isaka said softly. "It's been almost two months since they went missing… yet we still don't have a single clue."
"We will—someday," Marine said, standing up. She brushed the grass off her skirt and started walking toward the house. "See you, Isu."
"Good night, Marine," Isaka called after her. "Don't forget your blanket—it's in the cupboard."
Marine waved before disappearing inside.
Isaka sat there a while longer, staring at the stars.
"Ahh… I wonder if Marine is really just an ordinary human," she murmured.
Then she looked down at her own hands. "No… maybe it's just my imagination.
I'm becoming more human every day—but this strength… it feels beyond anything human.
Maybe someday… we'll find out the truth. Right, Marine?"
------------
As Isaka rested on the blue planet far below,
high above the skies, Luna, Gara, and Rex drifted endlessly through space in their small spacecraft.
"Ahh… it's been two—maybe three weeks now, and we still haven't landed anywhere," Rex complained, staring at the stars outside.
"Stop whining, crybaby," Gara teased.
"Well," Gara added after a moment, "we haven't eaten for weeks… yet I don't feel hungry at all. Isn't that weird?"
She looked at Luna expectantly.
Luna sighed, flipping a few switches. "You two just noticed that? Ugh… you're such clueless kids."
"Wait—what do you mean?" Rex asked, frowning.
"It's because of a magic spell," Luna said, turning on autopilot and standing up.
"Magic spell?" Gara echoed. "What kind?"
Luna crossed her arms. "And you call yourself a witch? It's a spell created by the Crimson Witch—the one who wiped out most other witch clans… maybe even your family."
"What?!" Gara's voice shook. "You're saying the witch who killed my family was your friend?"
"Yes," Luna said quietly. "But that was long ago. Before she turned evil, she was… a good witch. The last time I saw her alive."
"Wait—alive?" Rex asked, leaning forward. "You mean she was murdered?"
Luna nodded, her expression darkening. "Yes. Alone in her home. No one ever found who did it."
"Good," Gara muttered bitterly. "If she hadn't died, I would've killed her myself."
"Gara," Luna warned softly, "don't say things like that."
"Don't tell me what to say, Rex," Gara shot back.
"Both of you, quiet," Luna said, her tone firm as she adjusted the radar. A single tear rolled down her cheek. "We're about to land."
The ship rattled as it descended through blazing clouds. Outside, everything glowed red.
"What is this place?" Gara asked, shielding her eyes. "It's burning!"
They stepped out—the heat hit like a wall. The ground was cracked and steaming, rivers of molten rock glowing beneath their feet.
"Welcome to Planet Homra," Luna said, walking ahead over the scorched path. "A world of dust and flame… perfect for training."
"Training?" Rex asked, sweating. "Here? Are you crazy?"
"This training isn't for you," Luna replied, glancing back. "It's for her." She pointed at Gara.
"What?! Me?" Gara yelped.
"Yes, my dear," Luna said with a sly smile. "You'll be learning how to control your presence—how to appear confident, captivating, even… irresistible."
"What?! No way! I'm not doing that kind of training!" Gara blushed furiously. "I'm only eleven! And that's just gross!"
Luna chuckled softly. "It's not gross—it's an art. The art of commanding attention… and bending others to your will."
She gestured toward a city built into molten cliffs far below. "Down there, every witch is trained to master that power."
"Ew! I'm not doing that!" Gara stomped her foot.
"Who asked for your permission, little witch?" Luna smirked. "You'll learn it—eventually."
"Uhhh, a little help here?" Rex called from behind. He was hanging awkwardly from a sharp rock ledge.
"How did you even get there?" Gara sighed, hauling him up.
"While you two were talking about—ugh—lust magic," Rex grumbled, only to slip again and land face-first near Gara.
"Ehhh! You perv!" Gara shrieked, kicking him away.
"Can you two stop fooling around?" Luna snapped, crouching low. Her eyes narrowed. "We're not alone."
"What now?" Rex groaned. "Please tell me it's not another monster."
"I'm not sure," Luna said, her voice tense. "Let's wait. Whatever it is… it's coming to us first."
The ground trembled. The air shimmered with heat.
And somewhere in the fiery distance—a shadow began to move.
--------
Down on Earth, time flowed differently — almost in reverse compared to the distant realms above.
The time gap between the two worlds was unknown, but for Earth, it was just another peaceful afternoon.
In the small yard outside their home, Marine practiced archery while Isaka chopped wood for the fire.
"Marine, you know winter is just a month away," Isaka said as she split a thick log clean in half.
"Yeah, I can already feel the cold winds in the mornings and nights," Marine replied, releasing an arrow. It struck the bullseye perfectly.
"I bought some new winter clothes for you," Isaka said, carrying the chopped wood inside.
"And what about yours?" Marine asked, lowering her bow.
"I'll manage with these old ones," Isaka said calmly.
"No way! You're coming with me to buy some — and they have to be pretty ones. After all, we're sisters, aren't we?" Marine said with a playful smile as her long white hair danced in the wind.
"Ahh, alright, dear," Isaka replied, smiling softly. "But not now. We'll go in the evening — take the uphill ride."
"Hmm." Marine nodded, loosing another flurry of arrows. Each one pierced the previous.
---
That evening, the two headed to Acurda, where they had already arranged to meet Akira.
Together, the three girls explored the bustling marketplace, searching for something special for Isaka.
They tried many dresses, but their hearts were stolen by one in particular — a refined blue outfit that resembled a maid's dress, though far more elegant.
"This looks perfect on you, Isaka," Akira said, tying a bow neatly behind her back.
"Are you sure? Isn't it too formal for daily wear?" Isaka asked, examining herself in the mirror.
"No way! It suits you perfectly — like a graceful slayer girl," Akira said, grinning as she snapped a photo.
"Hmm… fine then, if Marine likes it," Isaka said, glancing toward her.
"I love it, Isu," Marine said with a bright smile.
That night, Marine and Isaka stayed at Akira's house. After dinner, as they were cleaning up, a sudden knock echoed from the door.
"Who could it be at this hour?" Akira murmured.
"Let me get it," Isaka said, standing.
"No, Isaka. Stay here — I'll check." Akira walked toward the entrance and opened the door.
To her surprise, Kazuya — the Lightning Guardian — stood there.
"Oh! Master Kazuya!" Akira exclaimed, calling out to the others.
Kazuya entered, taking a seat at the dining table. "I have news. Listen carefully."
Marine leaned forward, her eyes wide. "Is it about my mother or brother?"
Kazuya shook his head. "I can't say for sure. But strange events are increasing in the East — and they all began after your mother and brother were taken."
"What do you mean?" Isaka asked, her tone serious.
"I mean those events are connected to hollows," Kazuya said grimly. "We need to find the one leading them. If we do, we might uncover something about your family, Marine."
"Really? Then I'll help!" Marine said, hope gleaming in her eyes.
"Wait, Marine — we don't even know what we're up against," Isaka warned, turning toward Kazuya.
"I'll explain everything soon," Kazuya said, standing. "For now, I have to take care of something. I'll return in a few weeks, and then… we'll begin the search."
He walked toward the door, then paused. "Remember, Marine — you're special to your mother. Don't let yourself be caught in another mess."
And with that, he vanished into the night.
Marine turned to Isaka, puzzled. "Now what?"
"Now," Isaka said softly, taking Marine's hand, "we wait. But if he doesn't return within two months… we'll go after them ourselves."
--------------