Bang—!
The thunder roared, tearing apart the sky, like the hammers of heaven's wrath striking down upon the mortal world.
Lightning flashed, slashing across the pitch-black sky, illuminating the desolate scene for a fleeting instant before vanishing into the void.
Thud.... thud.... splash.....
Rain poured down in torrents, each drop like an arrow, pelting mercilessly upon the ground.
The cold downpour lashed against all things, drowning the entire world in a shroud of misty water.
***
Beneath the endless drizzle, a dark alley lay in absolute silence, desolate amidst the pitch of night.
No streetlight, no starlight.
On the asphalt ground, there were smeared traces of blood, dark crimson like serpents crawling along the pavement.
Raindrops fell, splattering against the earth, mingling with the scent of blood.
Under the rain, fresh red blood trickled, streaming down the drains, as though still bleeding from a wound that had yet to close.
At the end of the alley, within a dim corner—
"Sob.... sob...." Soft sobs broke the silence, as if they could dissolve into the rain at any moment.
Following the frail weeping, a small figure trembled.
Her scalp went numb, her legs weak, as though they could collapse at any time.
But before she could fall, a pair of arms hastily wrapped tightly around her.
That embrace carried a familiar warmth. Though trembling as well, it still clung tightly to the fragile body, passing along what little heat it had left.
A boy, barely six or seven years old, was clutching a little girl, not yet four.
"Please, my sister.....", the boy's voice whispered, as if trying to soothe the tiny body cowering in his arms. His tone was low, laden with bitterness and sorrow.
"Now, we only have each other, only each other to lean on if we want to live. So please, don't let despair consume you, don't foolishly leave me behind. You're all I have left, little sis."
"...."
Amidst the pounding rain, the little girl curled up in her brother's embrace, struggling to keep herself from collapsing.
Her eyes were void, staring blankly ahead, unfocused, unresponsive.
The vast world before her vision was smothered in darkness. Each breath of space hung heavy, weighed down by the sound of rain.
"Papa...."
Her parched lips barely moved.
That faint call was swallowed by the storm, vanishing without a trace.
And the boy, at that very moment, lifted his gaze toward the pitch-black sky.
In his eyes now, there was no longer the innocent light of a child, but only coldness, and the sharp glint of blades.
"Skyveil.... government...."
His voice whispered, steeped in murderous intent, with a hatred that pierced the very heart and soul.
...