My head throbbed violently, like a thousand spears had pierced through my skull. I could barely feel my own body. The cold earth embraced me like a grave.
Slowly, painfully, I opened my eyes.
A desolate battlefield stretched before me.
Blood soaked the ground. Broken weapons lay scattered across the dirt. Bodies—countless bodies—were strewn everywhere, motionless and silent.
Am I… the only one left?
It took everything I had, but I forced myself to sit up. Pain exploded across my chest and ribs, making me groan. My black cloak hung in torn strips, and my combat boots were caked with mud and dried blood.
My arms were covered in deep cuts and scratches.
I tried to stand.
The moment I did, agony shot through my ribs. My breathing became shallow and ragged.
Still, I forced myself to move.
Step by step, I walked through the field of corpses, searching desperately for any sign of life.
"Hello…?" I whispered hoarsely.
No answer.
Only the wind.
My vision began to spin. The world tilted violently as darkness crept into the corners of my sight. I grabbed my head, trying to steady myself.
Just as my body was about to collapse—
A blinding light burst across the battlefield.
It shone brighter than the sun.
I squinted painfully, raising my arm to shield my eyes. Slowly, the light began to take shape.
A figure appeared within it.
A woman.
She floated gently above the ground, dressed in a long golden gown that shimmered like liquid sunlight. Her skin was pale and flawless, and her eyes reflected the world around her like glass catching the sky.
I had never seen someone so beautiful.
She looked almost unreal.
Divine.
Then the impossible happened.
She extended her hand toward me.
"Goddess…" I muttered weakly, my voice trembling. "Please… help me."
Her eyes met mine, filled with warmth and life.
She smiled.
"It's my pleasure, mortal."
Her voice was soft, like a lullaby drifting through the night. It wrapped around my mind, comforting and gentle.
Despite my broken body, I felt warmth inside my chest.
Hope.
"Forgive me, Goddess… but may I ask your name?"
She laughed lightly, a sound like music.
"My name is Suzune."
"And you, mortal?"
"My name… is Haru."
She studied me curiously.
"Mortal, would you like to see a place beyond mortal sight?"
Before I could respond, my strength failed me. My vision blurred and the world faded.
My legs gave out.
But before I struck the ground, something caught me.
Through my fading vision, I saw Suzune holding me effortlessly as golden light surrounded us.
The battlefield disappeared.
And the last thing I saw before darkness claimed me…
…was her gentle smile.