Five hundred years. It has been 500 years since The Witch began her search. Five hundred years of torture. Five hundred years of pain. Five hundred years of suffering. And 500 years of following.
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A man walks through a dark, charred forest. Trees are burnt to a crisp; the grass is so black it's like staring into a void. Puddles and creeks are thick with filthy water so foul that even someone dehydrated for years wouldn't dare drink it.
The man wears armor that's seen countless battles—scratched, dented, dulled by time, yet still sturdy enough to turn a blade. A weathered cloak hangs from his shoulders, its frayed edges whispering stories of long roads and cold nights. At his hip rests a longsword with a grip worn smooth from use, and a satchel slung across his shoulder carrying what little he has left.
He steps on the hand of a skeleton without flinching. Unfazed, he opens his satchel and takes out a small journal. He glances up at the sky. It'd clouded, overshadowed by a blood-red moon glowing down on him. Then he begins to write:
"My name is Hanaruma. One of my dear friends gave me this journal before The Witch's shadows attacked our camp. The camp was wiped out, leaving only me. My comrades gave me a spell that allows me to turn back time. We had planned to go back together, but… we were too late. The Void Witch, Lei. That's my goal. My only goal is to kill her and make sure no one else has to suffer like me."
Hanaruma closes the journal and tucks it into the satchel. He continues through the burned forest, wondering what trees once looked like before everything turned to ash. He sighs, a melancholic expression clouding his face. Losing his friends, his parents, his family, everything.. The Witch only fuels his determination.
Hanaruma: ("was born into this wretched world… so were my parents. And their parents. And so on and so on… It's practically a curse. My dream is to put an end to that curse…")
His hand moves to his sword. He spins around instantly.
A black void stands there.
An eternal darkness shaped like his friends… familiar silhouettes of the dead. His eyes widen in shock as the void rushes toward him.
Hanaruma rips his hand from the blade and runs. He knows instantly—
This is a fight he cannot win.
Hanaruma: ("Shit! The Witch! Why's she here!? I thought I ran far enough away…!!!")
A whisper brushes against his ear. Soft, gentle, almost loving.
Makan: "Why do you run? Please, Hanaruma… Come with me."
Dia: "Hanaruma… I miss you."
Dren: "Come on, Hanaruma! Join me!"
He shakes his head violently, refusing to listen to the voices of the dead. He fumbles for his satchel, hands trembling as the shadows creep closer. He pulls out a small scroll with faint golden engravings.
Hanaruma: "I was hoping to get a little closer to the castle, but there's no chance!"
He opens the scroll and recites the words, praying they'll work.
Hanaruma: "Frogs to tadpoles, turn back time to 500 years ago! Wait— that's it!?"
Before he can curse the absurdity of the spell, the ground beneath him cracks apart. A massive blue portal opens and begins sucking everything in. Hanaruma falls.
The void lunges after him, reaching out but the portal seals shut.
He's safe from The Witch's grasp… but dizziness overwhelms him. His vision blurs, nausea churns in his stomach, and his limbs go heavy.
Hanaruma: ("Sh-Shit…! I can't afford to— I can't—")
He loses consciousness.
Just before darkness takes him, he hears:
"I will follow you wherever you go."
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Hanaruma jolts awake, gasping for air, drenched in sweat. His hand instantly flies to his sword as he scans the surroundings.
But it's just… trees. Trees with leaves. Green grass. Birds chirping somewhere above. He slowly stands, stunned by the calmness, the life, the color.
Hanaruma: "So this is how everything used to look…"
He takes out his canteen and drinks it but only to get a few drops. Then he spots a nearby stream. Clear water. Not murky. Not thick. Not poisoned. He kneels, fills his canteen, hesitates… then drinks. His eyes widened.
Hanaruma: "It's… good."
He closes the canteen and looks at his sword, his expression sharpening into one thing:
Determination.
Hanaruma: "I gotta find and kill The Witch."
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Hanaruma travels through villages, towns, and cities. People whisper behind his back—mocking his armor, his sword, his grim expression. Who dresses for war when there is none?
He's unnerved by how peaceful everyone seems. No one is fighting for water. No one is starving. Food is abundant. It's strange… unfamiliar… but comforting.
He writes in his journal:
"It's been a few days since I arrived. I've been met with kindness by most people. Someone gave me an entire loaf of bread. Do they not understand how rare that is, or am I just behind the times? …'Ahead' is a better way to phrase it. And for the first time, I saw a tree. A real one. It was Dia's dream to see a tree. She always wondered what nature looked like before The Witch attacked. I wish she could see this… But I won't make the same mistake again."
——————————-——————————-——————————-
Hanaruma walks along a forest path, map in hand, confusion written across his face until a scream echoes in the distance.
???: "Let me go!"
He immediately runs toward the sound, hand gripping his sword. Through the bushes, he finds a group of bandits harassing a young hooded girl. She struggles, fear flashing in her violet eyes as one bandit grips her arm tight enough to bruise.
Bandit 1: "Come on! Don't fight back!"
Girl: "Let go of me!"
The girl's black robe is worn and frayed. Long violet hair spills from beneath her hood, framing a delicate but world-weary face. Her violet eyes shine with intelligence…And fear.
Hanaruma sighs. He didn't want a fight. But he won't walk away. He steps out of the bushes, tightening his grip on his sword.
Hanaruma: "Let the girl go. Now."
The bandits turn, startled to see a warrior this well-equipped.
Bandit 1: ("Who's this guy think he is?")
He yanks down the girl's hood, revealing her pointed ears. Her face pales with horror.
Girl: "You little…!"
Bandit 1: "She's an elf. We're gonna sell her off to get some money. Just leave."
Hanaruma: "Why the hell should I care if she's an elf or about your stupid cash?"
Everyone stares. Even the girl. Hanaruma raises his sword to the bandit's neck, expression deadly serious.
Hanaruma: "Let her go."
Bandit 1: "I-I get it! You want the reward for yourself! Well too bad! She's ours!"
He pulls out a knife and charges. Hanaruma sighs—tired, and annoyed. He sheathes his blade, forms a hand sign, and a green barrier flashes into existence. The bandit slams into it face-first.
As he falls, Hanaruma teleports beside the second bandit and knocks him out with a single punch.
Bandit 3: "H-He can use the Aether!?"
Bandit 1: "Shit..!!! Run!"
They flee. Hanaruma stands there, sweating, breath unsteady.. The toll of using aether weighing on him. He turns to the girl.
Hanaruma: "Are you okay?"
She gazes up at him, utterly entranced. Her cheeks flush red. Her heart skips.
Girl: "Y-Yes! I'm fine!"
Hanaruma: "Good."
She continues staring at him with hearts practically glowing in her eyes.
Girl: ("I think I'm in love…!!!!! He's so handsome")
Hanaruma: "Do you have a fever?"
Girl: }N-No! Not at all! I just… wanted to say thank you!"
Hanaruma: "It's nothing. There's a town back the way I came. Go there and get help."
Girl: "I-"
But he's already walking away. She stands frozen, stunned. He left before she could even finish speaking.
——————————-——————————-——————————-
Hanaruma continues onward. He can't stop thinking about the girl… and the bandits. This world isn't perfect after all… But something else bothers him.
He feels watched.
He spins around and groans.
Hanaruma: "...Why are you following me?"
The girl is hiding behind a thin tree…
Very poorly…
Her cloak sticks out completely. She steps out as if nothing happened.
Girl: "We just happen to be going the same way! That's all!"
Hanaruma: "Right. And why didn't you go into town like I told you? It's safer than—"
Girl: "Like I said! I'm just going the same way!"
Hanaruma: "…"
Hanaruma: "I'm sure it's more dangerous going down this dark secluded path."
Girl: "But it's not…"
He blinks. She points to her ears.
Girl: "I'm an elf!"
Hanaruma: "…"
Hanaruma: "So?"
Girl: "So people think elves are evil! They sell us into slavery! They think we use aether for horrible things!"
Her voice trembles. Her fists clench. Just the thought of it angers her to her core.
Girl: "Why… why aren't you scared of me?"
Hanaruma answers instantly.
Hanaruma: "Because it's stupid."
He sighs as a memory flickers—his friend, Dren. An elf.
Hanaruma: "Do you have anywhere safe to go?"
Girl: "There's an elf village, hidden up north. I've been traveling to it!"
He rubs his head. He tries to think of something to say but comes up with nothing, She's clearly not going to leave him alone.
Hanaruma: "Sigh… Fine. You can come with me. I'm heading that direction."
Her eyes light up like stars. She runs and hugs him tightly. He stiffens awkwardly, sighing. She steps back, hood on.
Hanaruma: "So, what's your name?"
Girl: "Hm..!? Uh— it's… Kana!"
He raises a brow at her hesitation but accepts it. After all, if she has an alias it must be for a reason.
Hanaruma: "My name is Hanaruma."**
Kana blushes.
Kana: "H-Haha! Then I'll call you my hero! Since you saved me!"**
Hanaruma simply turns.
Hanaruma: "Let's go, Kana."**
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The road stretches endlessly—dust, grass, and their footsteps echoing into the wind. Kana walks three paces behind him, humming a soft tune. Hanaruma glances back once. Says nothing.
——————————-——————————-——————————-
At sunset, they rest beneath a tree. Light filters through the leaves, making Kana's violet hair glow. She talks—about villages, about catching bugs as a kid. Hanaruma pretends he isn't listening. Nods occasionally. It's enough to make her smile.
——————————-——————————-——————————-
Rain pours. They shelter beneath a rocky outcrop. Kana sneezes. Hanaruma silently hands her his cloak. She protests, but he cuts her off, "Keep it. You need it more." When she looks up, he's already asleep—sword in hand. Kana smiles warmly. She wraps herself tightly in his cloak.
——————————-——————————-——————————-
At a bar entrance, a sign reads "No children."
Hanaruma: "Stay here. I need information."
Kana: "I look old enough! Let me come!"
He ignores her and enters. Kana looks around nervously, she plays with his fingers as she watches Hanaruma enter the bar. leaning on the wall, waiting. Drunk men stumble out for nearly an hour.
Kana: "When is he coming back!?"
???: "Oh my, oh my. Did your man stand you up, little lady?"
A tall, fat man stumbles out, face flushed red with alcohol.
Kana: "...No."
He chuckles. His breath reeks. Kana covers her nose.
Fat Man: "Ah, you looked away. You're lying. My gut never lies. How about you forget him and come with me?"
Kana nearly gags but holds it in. She forces a polite smile.
Kana: "Yeah… sorry. I'm good."
Fat Man: "Aw, don't be like that. I'll pay double what he pays you. I bet I'm better than him anyway—"
Kana clenches her fist in anger. Did he just say he's better than Hanaruma? Her hero? The man who saved her?
The man touches her hair.
Fat Man: "Never seen violet hair like yours—"
Kana slaps his hand away.
Kana: "Don't touch me, fatass. I'm not for sale like your whore of a wife. Your money's useless. But even if I was, I'd be way more expensive than what you could afford."
His shock twists into rage. He slaps Kana, knocking her to the ground. Her hood falls—ears visible. People gasp. Children scream. Adults run.
Fat Man: "An elf! An elf is here!"
Kana: "N-No! I'm not—!"
He kicks her in the stomach. She curls up, coughing. A crowd starts to form around her, taking turns beating her. Hanaruma hears the commotion and bursts out of the bar. His eyes go wide when he sees Kana being beaten. She notices Hanaruma and she reaches out her hand, small violet sparks form but they instantly get put out when someone steps on her hand.
Hanaruma: "Get off her! Now!"
A man turns toward him—just to get instantly punched out. Hanaruma shoves through the crowd, but someone grabs his shoulder.
Man: "What do you think you're doing!?"
Hanaruma: "What do you think you're doing!?"
Man: "We're killing an elf."
Hanaruma clenches his fist—then forces himself to relax. He pushes through the crowd and in the split second of confusion he created, he lifts Kana into his arms and runs.
Man: "He's running! Get him!"
Hanaruma groans. He doesn't want to hurt more people, but he can't let Kana die.
Hanaruma: "It's gonna get hot."
He shifts Kana onto his shoulder, freeing his hand, and forms a spark at his fingertip. A massive wall of fire erupts behind him, blocking the mob. Kana stares at the flames, mesmerized.
Kana: ("The aether… it's so beautiful… Hero… you saved me twice… How can I ever repay you…?")
Then her vision fades. She goes limp.
——————————-——————————-——————————-
Kana wakes wrapped tightly in a blanket beside a tree. So tightly she can barely breathe. She sees Hanaruma standing guard, sword drawn.
Kana: (" wounds…")
Kana: "Did you heal me with your aether?"
Hanaruma jumps slightly from surprise, then nods.
Hanaruma: "You should learn how to use aether yourself."
Kana: "My aether… 'acts up.' I don't know how to use it but it starts when I get emotional. I saw violet sparkles around my arm when I saw you.."
He sighs, sheaths his sword, and hands her a canteen.
Hanaruma: "I'll teach you. You need to fight for yourself."
Kana's whole face lights up. She launches at him, hugging him tighter than the blanket.
Kana: "For real!? Thank you! Thank you! Thank you—!"
He pushes her off gently.
Hanaruma: "Get some rest. We start tomorrow."**
——————————-——————————-——————————-
Hanaruma kneels, drawing a circle in the dirt.
Hanaruma: "Aether starts with emotion. You don't force it—you let it breathe. Picture the feeling that defines you."
Kana: "So I just think about how I feel?"
Hanaruma: "No. Feel it."
She closes her eyes. Violet sparks flicker, then grow—soft, pulsing, alive. Hanaruma stares.
Hanaruma: "…That's… fast."
Kana: "Did I do it right?"**
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By the river, Hanaruma slices the water with his sword. Aether makes the water part before collapsing.
Hanaruma: "Aether follows intent. Command it."
Kana mimics him. Aether surges and the river freezes solid. Hanaruma pauses in surprise. Almost as if he froze as well.
Kana: "I… I think I did it?"
Hanaruma: "…You definitely did something."
——————————-——————————-——————————-
He forms a defensive barrier—shaky, flickering.
Hanaruma: "This one takes patience."
Kana copies him. In seconds, a perfect barrier forms. Hanaruma stares.
Hanaruma: "…It took me three years to learn that."
Kana: "You're just a good teacher!"
Hanaruma: ("I might be dealing with someone out of my league… Maybe she could help me with taking down the witch-"
He cuts himself off.
Hanaruma: ("Stupid… She's a kid. I can't drag her into this.")
——————————-——————————-——————————-
At their campfire, Hanaruma pokes at the flames with his sword. Using it as a firepoker. Kana bites down on her fish that she caught earlier.
Hanaruma: "You know, you might be a prodigy with aether."
Kana blushes violently and chokes on her fish.
Hanaruma: "Slow down."
Kana grins.
Kana: "Maybe I am a prodigy…!"
Kana: (" compliment… from my hero… hehehe…")
Hanaruma chuckles softly. Kana freezes.
Kana: "This whole time that I've met you, I don't think I've seen you smile!"
Hanaruma: "…"
Hanaruma: "Really…?"
She giggles, then stops, she looks up at Hanaruma.
Kana: "You haven't told me much about yourself. Where you're from… how you know the aether…"
Hanaruma stares into the fire, debating…
Hanaruma: "I'm from the future. Five hundred years ahead. I came back because a Witch will destroy the world. I'm here to kill her before it happens. The Witch of Shadows—Lei. She took everything from me… no. She took everything from the world."
Kana is silent, processing.
Hanaruma: "Do you not believe me?"
Kana: *No, I do. You're my hero! Heroes don't lie. But it sounds like a bedtime story you'd tell a kid."
Hanaruma: "So… are you going to tell me about you?"
Kana hesitates, sighs.
Hanaruma: "I know Kana isn't your real name. But if you won't tell me, that's fine."
Kana: "No, it's just…"
She smirks.
Kana: "I'll tell you a teensy bit, okay?"
She gazes at the stars, sadness softening her smile.
Kana: "My parents took me out of our village, said we were going on a trip. I was nervous because of our race… but they promised we'd be safe. That night… I woke up and they were gone. I returned to the village. They wouldn't open the gate. They said I was a bad omen. My parents planned it… That was a few weeks ago. They've abandoned me.. I've been traveling to another village where my grandma is."
She chuckles weakly, staring at her feet.
Kana: "Haha… as if—"
She stops and meets his eyes.
Her violet gaze glows under the moon. She stares at him as if she found a new purpose..
Kana: "I don't want to go to that village anymore… I want to follow you. No- I will follow you. To the ends of the earth. Forever. Because you're my hero… and I love you!"
Her face turns crimson.
Kana: "I love you so much that it hurts because I can't hold it in! I love so much it's just- it's just hard to describe!"
Kana: "Will you promise… you'll be my hero forever?"
Hanaruma's eyes widened. He approaches her, ruffles her hair gently. He smiles—warmly. Softly. Comfortingly. Kana's heart nearly stops.
Hanaruma: "I promise."
Kana looks away, flustered.
Kana: "So? Do you love me too…?"
Hanaruma chuckles, scratches his head, avoids the question entirely, and wraps himself in a blanket.
Hanaruma: "Time for bed. Good night."
Kana looks down, hurt.
Kana: "Do you just see me as a kid with a crush on an older guy..? I'm not..! I'm mature! I meant it! I love you! So please… tell me your feelings! Please.."
Hanaruma is silent. Is he ignoring her? Or asleep? Kana sniffles, tears slipping down her face. Just then, Hanaruma speaks.
Hanaruma: "I… will always be your hero."
The fire pops softly. Kana wipes her tears, curls into her cloak, and mutters:
"What's that supposed to mean…? That doesn't tell me anything…"
——————————-——————————-——————————-
The next morning, Kana wakes with puffy eyes. She looks around— Hanaruma is gone.
Panic sets in. She spots a note pinned to a tree with a knife. She tears it off and reads it.
"I will always be your hero, but I can't bring you with me, Kana. It's too dangerous for a kid like you. I've grown close to you, and the thought of losing someone I love again destroys me. The village you mentioned is north. You can reach it by nightfall. Follow the trail we planned to take.—From your hero, Hanaruma."
Tears fall onto the letter, smearing the ink. Kana crumples it and throws it away. She collapses to her knees.
Kana: "Y-You… how are you supposed to be my hero when you're not here…?"
Kana: "You can't just abandon me… like everyone else…"
She wipes her tears and follows his footprints.
——————————-——————————-——————————-
Her steps drag. Her eyes are empty.
But then— She sees him.
Hanaruma walking at the end of the path.
Her eyes brighten for the first time since waking. She runs. She hugs him from behind.
Kana: "Hero.."
He turns in shock.. disbelief? Anger..?
Hanaruma: "Why- Why are you here..?
He pulls away. Kana looks down.
*Kana: "Why… did you abandon me?"
Hanaruma: "I told you. It's too dangerous. If you die—"
Kana: "You're a hero! Heroes don't abandon people! Especially not the ones closest to them!"
Hanaruma: "If that's the case, then I don't want to be a hero!"
Kana freezes..l
Kana: "B-But you're my hero— You promised—!"
Hanaruma: "Enough with the hero shit. You really are just a kid…Get lost before I start to hate you."
Her heart shatters. She falls to the ground, crying uncontrollably. Her cries drown out the sounds of nature. Hanaruma walks away.
Her sobbing echoes through the forest long after he's gone. Even if Hanaruma tries to ignore her.. her cries is the only thing he can hear.
——————————-——————————-——————————-
Kana doesn't know how long she lies there. When footsteps approach, she looks up, hopeful— But it's only an old couple.
Old Man: "Are you alright? We heard crying."
Kana shakes her head silently. He smiles and extends a hand.
Old Man: "Let us help you. We won't bite."
She reaches— Her hood falls.
Old Man: **"An elf!?"**
He grabs his wife.
Old man: "Run!"
They sprint away.
Kana watches with lifeless eyes.
Kana: ("Why did I think… I could be friends with them…? I'm tired. Tired of everything… All I want is…")
She lifts her arm toward the fleeing couple.
She whispers…
"Die."
Reality cracks beneath their feet. They vanish. Shadows flicker—then melt away.
Kana lowers her hand and follows Hanaruma's tracks.
Kana: "All I want… is to follow you.."
"Even if you hate me."
"Even if you despise me."
"Because I will love you forever…"
"My love is conditionless."
She follows his footsteps until she stands before an old castle.
——————————-——————————-——————————-
Earlier…
Hanaruma stands outside an old castle. It has moss growing on it, broken windows, and a fallen watch tower. It looks as if it has been abandoned for years. Hanaruma sighs in nervousness. He grips his sword and enters the castle. As he goes through some wooden doors, he sees that it looks even worse on the outside than the inside. A red carpet that leads to the throne is covered in mold, candle sticks are knocked over, yet nothing seems to be out of place. Even though it's been abandoned, nothing has been stolen or destroyed.
Hanaruma: "it definitely seems like a witch would be here…"
Hanaruma walks down to the throne, looking around for any traps he might run into but there's nothing. A witch should definitely have some sort of protection..
Despite Hanaruma's anxiety, pushes forward. Gripping his sword tightly, he hears something loud scrape across the floor. Hanaruma turns around in an instant. He looks up and sees a stone golem, 20 feet in height. It stands over him with its menacing look. The golem's fist slammed down, blowing chunks of stone across the hall. Hanaruma rolled aside, boots scraping over rotten carpet. Before he could steady himself, a second swipe roared toward him. He blocked with his blade, but the impact sent him crashing into the throne's steps.
He pushed up, coughing dust, as the giant lumbered forward. Hanaruma flashed a hand sign—a barrier snapped up just as the next strike landed. It shattered instantly, buying him only a heartbeat.
He lunged through the debris, sword carving a bright line across the golem's knee. The blade barely scratched it. The creature backhanded him, flinging him through a row of pews that burst apart like dry twigs.
Hanaruma staggered to his feet, made another sign—a short blink of teleport. He reappeared behind the monster and swung for its neck. The cut bounced off stone.
The golem didn't turn—it pivoted, faster than something that size should move. Its foot kicked him into a stone wall. Hanaruma falls down to the floor, coughing up blood. He grits his teeth with anger.
Hanaruma: "Where.. Where's The Witch!?"
The golem stands over Hanaruma. Not saying or doing a thing but then it spoke.
Golem: "What Witch do you speak of?"
Hanaruma's eyes widened with disbelief.. Thoughts scatter throughout his mind.
"It's lying!"
"What does it mean that there's no witch?
"Did I get sent to the wrong timeline?"
"Did I waste my life?"
"I'm gonna die here.."
All those thoughts ran through his mind. But one stood out the most:
"I wish I didn't say that to Kana… I just said that to drive you away.. So that I wouldn't feel pain when you die…"
Hanaruma starts to tear up, blood soaking his armor and clothes.
Hanaruma: "I shouldn't have said that… I shouldn't have said that to her… Everyone I get close to is bound to die.. It's my curse.. But- I wish I could have held onto her a little longer.."
The golem stands over Hanaruma and crushes him with his foot. Ending his life instantly.
——————————-——————————-——————————-
Kana steps through the doors. Past the dirty carpet. Past the broken glass. Past the fallen candles.
Her face is empty. Hood down. Ears exposed—she doesn't care.
The golem turns toward her.
She raises a finger. Her voice is cold, emotionless.
"Die."
The golem sinks into the void. Its shadow flickers and vanishes.
Kana walks to Hanaruma's body. She kneels. Holds his hand.
Tears fall—silently, endlessly.
Kana: "I have many regrets… Things I didn't tell you will haunt me forever. But my biggest regret was not telling you more about me…Even my name…"
"My name is Lei."
——————————-——————————-——————————-
A man runs through a dark, charred forest. Sword clanking against stone. Whispers of the dead swirling around him. Shadows chasing. A scroll in hand. A portal opens.
He falls and a voice follows.
A gentle voice…
Soft..
Warm…
Loving…
Kana: "I will follow you wherever you go."
And the story begins.
The Hero's Witch.
End.
Authors Comment: Hey again! Yuichi Akumoto here. Glad you read my 2nd story! How'd you like it? I'd appreciate if you gave me some feedback. Heck, even a simple comment will do. It'd make my entire day. Did you like Hanaruma or Kana more? I have a few more stories I will work on later so keep an eye out! It'd mean a lot if you supported my story just by leaving a simple review! Thank you! Goodbye.