Ruins
Past
Clank.
The sound of metal rang out sporadically across the ruins. In the absence of any other living presence, the silence felt deeply unsettling, amplifying each noise beyond measure.
Kai stumbled over a broken pipe in his way. He lurched forward, attempting to press on, but instantly lost his footing on a loose tile.
...Just my luck.
Rain had recently fallen, leaving the atmosphere thick, humid, and clinging—oppressive to breathe. Puddles of stagnant water filled the ground's hollows, mingling with mud and debris carried by the storm. The slick, grimy surface explained how even a loose tile could send him sprawling.
Kai recalled that this area had once been an open space in a park. It was clean and expansive. Children ran here, elders stretched in morning exercise, and doves along with other birds would land to rest.
He extended a hand, as though those simple pleasures existed only yesterday, nearly close enough to touch.
But he could reach no one... could not hold those fleeting phantoms, those moments of happiness, nor his family in Ezette...
Ugh... Seriously, am I seeing things from hunger now?
Like I could ever... actually hold onto anything.
...Better scrounge up some grub before it gets dark.
Kai had initially packed provisions sufficient to last until his arrival, but unforeseen complications had multiplied beyond expectation.
While crossing another refugee zone, his conscience would not permit him to hoard his remaining supplies; he surrendered everything to a pregnant woman accompanied by children. Later, his navigation device was destroyed in an encounter with Corrupted, forcing him to spend considerably more time reaching his destination.
The existence of a lone wanderer proved far more brutal than he had envisioned, yet he felt no regret. If enduring such trials alone meant others might be spared, that was enough.
Hours of searching followed, during which he examined every structure in the vicinity but found not a single edible thing.
...Figures. Any useful stuff would've been picked clean ages ago, not to mention food.
All that's left are probably just some useless combustibles.
Nothing but junk.
Kai let his eyes fall shut. The exhaustion had become too great to continue, so he chose to rest for the moment. Whatever came next, he would entrust to fate.
Kai's consciousness sank into darkness, but something about this darkness felt strangely off.
He caught the aroma of green onion oil, mingled with pepper. The smell drifted back and forth in the air around him, sometimes drawing close, sometimes fading into the distance.
...?
The scent was so powerfully familiar that Kai's eyes opened involuntarily.
Kamui's face loomed large before him, and between them hung a piece of hardtack, chewed down to a mere fragment. That was the source of the aroma.
Kamui blinked. Kai blinked in return. For several long seconds, they stayed motionless, locked in place, until a tiny crumb detached from the cracker and landed on Kai's cheek, breaking the spell.
Oh! Hey! Kai, you're awake!
Aaahh!!
With a hurried push, Kai moved Kamui aside to create space and sat up. Brushing the crumb from his face, he scrambled backward.
K-Kamui? What are you doing here?! And Azael and Catrayv too. Why are all of you even here?!
Fighting back the impulse to roll his eyes, Azael reached out and took the hardtack that Kamui had been gesturing with, an air of resignation about him.
...Don't waste food, Kamui. You said you were saving that for Kai, so quit messing around.
Whaaat? I wasn't messing around! You said not to freak him out, so I used my brain and came up with the perfect plan!
'Cause check it!! My special "pepper powder magic" recipe makes hardtack actually taste good. And Kai's the only other person who gets it! Using it to wake him up was a total no-brainer.
So what do you say, Kai? That was just a taste, right? I've got a whole stash, all for you!
Pepper, green onions. I brought them.
...For heaven's sake. Both of you, enough.
Unlike his usual manner, Kai offered Kamui no playful response. He refused the hardtack Kamui held out, remaining silent with his head bowed.
Several minutes later, he finally spoke, his face hardening into an icy expression as though each word had been deliberately selected.
...I don't need it.
Huh? But... it's pepper. Did something happen to your taste buds, Kai?
This garbage isn't food. You guys should keep your scraps and choke on them for all I care.
Stop following me. Stop looking for me. I've got a better place to be now. Don't get in my way.
While talking, Kai retreated several paces, increasing the gap between them.
Kamui stood frozen, bewildered by Kai's strange behavior... What had changed? Why did Kai now recoil from pepper, something he once loved more than anything?
Confusion swirling within him, Kamui moved instinctively closer, yet every advance made Kai shudder and withdraw further.
You know we're not buying that, Kai.
It's been rough, hasn't it? Being out here alone. Come on, let's go home.
...
No. I'm never going back to Ezette.
Just GO AWAY!! Leave me ALONE!
Turning abruptly, Kai fled, his only thought to disappear from their view. Carrying no light, he was swallowed by the growing darkness as day surrendered to night.
He forced himself onward, running further, seeking better concealment. If he could tuck himself behind those crumbling structures, they would lose him forever.
Mmph!!!
A strange, unsettling whoosh cut through the air, forcing Kai to react instinctively. With his heart pounding, he strained to see into the gloom—
HISSSSS!!!
A Corrupted had breached the area, and it had seen him, immediately giving chase. Given his depleted stamina and strength, his prospects appeared bleak.
He carried no real weapon, only a small pocket dagger, and frantically searched his surroundings for anything useful. The first few lunges he evaded with agility, but when he moved to counterattack, a blinding pain erupted in his skull, doubling him over.
RAAAARGH—
The Corrupted barreled directly toward him, yet Kai found himself utterly without the strength to flee or evade.
KAI!!
Kamui lunged ahead, intercepting the strike, as Azael and Catrayv moved in swiftly behind him to protect Kai, who lay frozen and defenseless.
Azael! Get him out! Catrayv, back me up!
With a roar, he swung his greatsword through the gloom, striking the Corrupted's core dead-on.
Luck was on their side. The monster was already wounded and operating well below its full strength. Kamui and Catrayv dispatched it with relative ease.
Once certain the threat had ceased moving, they hurried anxiously to where Kai lay.
How is he?! Is Kai okay?!
No external injuries. But the Corona Gene's side effects are hitting him hard.
...!! The inhibitor! Good thing we brought it! Quick, hit him with it!
Without hesitation, Kamui administered the inhibitor to Kai. They made a makeshift camp at the spot where Kai had collapsed, rotating responsibilities between tending to him and keeping watch for danger. They remained there until Kai's condition stabilized and he finally awoke.
Where...? You guys... Kamui...
...! Why are you still here?! Get away from me...
Pushing against the ground with his arms, he made a shaky attempt to stand and flee, yet his strength failed him and he crumpled back down almost immediately.
Kai!
Kamui caught Kai's body with quick reflexes. This figure who had once stood tall and warm in their eyes now felt as thin and light as paper.
Kai, you're in bad shape. You need real help. Come back with us to Ezette.
No... I can't. I can't be with you guys.
I have to leave Ezette.
Kai.
Azael had no patience for Kamui's sentimental roundabout approach. He chose to cut straight to the chase, blunt and direct.
We know why you're here. This is the place where we found you. Where you lost everyone you loved before Ezette.
This place has been nothing but rubble for a long time. We're well aware of that. And deep down, so are you.
It was Kamui who figured out that you'd come here. To end things here.
...You think you don't deserve to come back. So you ran back to the ruins of your old home instead. Is that it?
If you still remember anything about the family we built in Ezette, if you remember this idiot dragging us all the way out here on nothing but a hunch—
—then stop talking about leaving so easily.
...
Kai, I brought... magic potion.
Magic potion?
Azael shared a look of confusion with the other two. None of them had expected such a whimsical word to emerge from Catrayv.
Clumsily, Catrayv produced a packet of hardtack from his pocket and attempted to press it into Kai's hands.
Kai, eat. Eat this... and you won't cry.
...?
Breezes blow. Breezes blow.
That raspy, recognizable melody sent Kai's thoughts drifting. It was a song he remembered from long, long ago...
A soft, soft song drifts along{226|153|170}. Bright, bright starlight flows along{226|153|170}.
The breezes blow{226|153|170}, the breezes blow{226|153|170}. Off we go{226|153|170}, to that fair land we know{226|153|170}.
Kai. Why sing?
Shhh. The kids are asleep now.
Kids. Crying. Before.
That's because I have a magic potion.
With the flourish of a magician revealing a trick, Kai produced several packs of hardtack from behind him.
Ohhh, you've been giving them your rations...
Hardtack. Magic potion?
Yeah. They've been enchanted with a special spell. Infused with a little bit of... "family's love." That's what makes them magical.
See? These kids... they don't go hungry anymore. They're not afraid of the cold. And so... they don't cry anymore.
Amazing, isn't it? You'll understand better when you're a little older.
Back then, he always treated everyone with such gentleness.
Magic. I know now. So...
So don't cry anymore, Kai. You don't need to be afraid, you don't need to be sad.
None of them stepped forward to wipe away Kai's tears, but through their words and actions, they let him know he didn't need to be afraid.
I...
The unexpected, clumsy warmth overwhelmed Kai, causing him to stifle a small sob.
Yet after a moment's reflection, he shook his head with visible pain and averted his gaze.
I... I can't go back with you.
Huh? Is the potion, like... not working? Don't worry, Azael and I have loads more stashed—
That's not the point!
I know what's going on with Project Barleycorn! I know we've hit a dead end and no one can break through anymore!
It's been going on for so long... Leif and the others are at their breaking point.
The higher-ups already sent down a Sunspot namelist based on the latest data. My name's on it. Even if I'm not a full-on risk yet... it's only a matter of time.
I've got no shot at a successful conversion anymore. I might even lose myself. I'm just... burning through resources, holding you all back. It's better if I just... go. Leave the supplies and the hope for the rest of you.
You're not a burden, Kai. Family can never be a burden. That's not how it works.
Look at you. You barely took anything. You think you could survive out there on your own?
If you're still thinking about us—even now, even at the end of your rope—then why won't you let us do the same for you?
Hope belongs to all of Ezette.
Everything we do... it's to give hope to every single one of our family. Including you.
So trust us, yeah? And trust yourself, too. Now come on. Let's go home.
Kai's composure finally broke, and he fell into Kamui's arms, weeping without restraint.
Together, they had weathered countless nights of darkness; this was just one more along their path.
But it didn't matter. In the absence of light, before the sun could rise,
they could still discern one another's forms as they pressed close for warmth.
Golden Sun Training Grounds
Ezette
Hyaaah!!
With a roar, Kamui unleashed another full-power strike, sweat pouring down his face. Despite his exhaustion, he would not allow himself to ease up, not even for one repetition.
Azael, having just completed the same punishing regimen, was in no better shape. Worried about Kamui's condition, he quickly logged the most recent data and immediately powered down the equipment.
That's enough. We're done for today.
Kamui, Catrayv. Pause your training. Get over here and look at the readings.
Catrayv had driven himself even nearer to collapse. He had to turn in circles several times just to steady himself before falling into step with Kamui as they headed toward Azael.
Physical output is up, but stability's worse.
Overall, the Corona Gene conversion rate and mind stability both improved. But neither broke 0.67%.
...Might as well be nothing.
It's not the training. It's the conversion stage. We've hit a wall.
Ever since we hit this wall, it feels like we're dumping everything into a black hole. No matter how hard we push, we don't even get a ripple.
...Is there really no other way?
Without a breakthrough achievement, Ezette would not be able to secure more resources from the World Government. Their relocation operations had never stopped, and they continued to rescue and shelter more people. If this went on, the pressure from either side would eventually suffocate Ezette.
...Keep... training.
Don't stop. Until we drop.
This was the only solution Catrayv could think of. Leif would not let them handle military and government affairs, and they had no authority to share that burden. Their only option was to do everything possible to advance Project Barleycorn as quickly as they could.
Just one person... just one more person achieving the breakthrough, and they could secure more hope for Ezette.
But... don't overdo it.
Azael panted for breath, his movements gradually faltering as waves of muscle pain overtook him against his will.
If we break down, we're just stalling ourselves... We've all hit our limit today. Let's head back.
Nah, I'm good! I've got, like, a second wind or something!!
You guys go ahead! Or stay and watch! I'll show you this new move—
Kamui never completed his sentence. He crumpled suddenly, hands gripping his chest.
The warning signs had arrived: his body had surpassed its thresholds, and then agony ripped through his consciousness. Even someone of Kamui's resilience could no longer fight or hold himself upright; awareness faded into a haze between sleep and waking.
Kamui!
They rushed forward to check Kamui's condition, and upon realizing something was wrong, immediately lifted him up and dashed toward the medical ward.
Medical Ward
Ezette
A brief examination and basic treatment revealed no major physical issues with Kamui. He was simply sprawled on the hospital bed, murmuring unintelligible fragments beneath his breath.
Hurts... hurts so bad...
Catrayv... go easy on me... you're killing me...
Azael... why you hittin' me... I didn't touch your hardtack...
Bewildered, the two boys looked at each other. Catrayv attempted to pry open Kamui's eyelids, but the unconscious boy only continued his fragmented murmuring. Out of options, Catrayv glanced at Azael, whose expression had already darkened, and moved aside.
Azael's mouth twisted in a slight grimace before he surged forward, delivering rapid, stinging slaps to Kamui's cheeks until his eyes flew open.
Without a word, expression stern, Azael seized Kamui's ear and twisted—30 degrees, 60 degrees, 150 degrees...
Oww owww owww! Who's—?!
Kamui shot upright in the hospital bed, indignation twisting his features as he readied himself to challenge his ear-tormentor. The complaint withered on his tongue, however, when he saw Azael—arms folded, utterly silent—standing before him.
The last time Kamui had witnessed such fury from Azael was after he had returned to combat prematurely, aggravating existing injuries. Azael had fixed him with murderous glares throughout the treatment process, right here in this same medical ward.
...Azael.
Don't try to butter me up. It won't work.
You've got some nerve, Kamui. Cranking up the Punishing Virus concentration in your training area, even making it exceed the safety threshold.
You think those numbers are just suggestions?! They exist so you don't die from the virus mid-workout!!
Doubling it?! What were you thinking?! If you're that desperate to check out, do it on the field, not by collapsing on the training ground and making us scrape you off the floor!!
Azael let his emotions carry him too far, and his words went beyond what should have been said. No sooner had they escaped than Catrayv, standing next to him, quickly extended a hand and pressed it over Azael's mouth.
Mom said, we don't, say mean things.
Say bad words... cover mouth. Say more bad words... smack mouth.
The words struck Azael still. They echoed memories from years past when the casual cruelty he had once directed at Kamui, the coldness he had shown Catrayv upon his arrival at Ezette. In those days, Odile would correct them using that same rule she had created.
Azael abandoned his intended outburst. Reaching up, he softly took hold of Catrayv's wrist, gesturing that he could let go now.
Kamui, did wrong. Azael, sad.
Did wrong. Must apologize.
With a guilty look, Kamui darted his eyes toward Azael and Catrayv, his shoulders rising in a timid, apologetic hunch.
...I'm sorry, Azael, Catrayv.
I shouldn't have made you worry like that.
Azael held his silence at first, fuming inwardly. But when he noticed Kamui's head drooped so low he seemed ready to sprout mushrooms from sheer misery, Azael managed to compose himself and finally spoke.
At the very least, you should've talked to us first.
If we need to push harder, we do it gradually, bit by bit. We hit the limit, we stop. That's how you don't break.
...Kamui, look at me. We haven't entered the final conversion phase yet. We're not Constructs.
We're still human, with mortal bodies.
Humans only get one life. Once you're gone, you're gone. How many times do you think you can gamble that one life of yours?
Kamui knew Azael too well to misunderstand. If he was talking, he was no longer angry. Relief mingled with sheepishness as Kamui rubbed his head and began to explain himself.
Yeah... I know you guys are looking out for me. I'll be more careful from now on, swear it.
But...
Kamui's expression turned serious.
I don't think we can afford to take it slow anymore. We're running out of time.
Marlis reached out to me recently. Told me some stuff. If Ezette can't show the World Government better results, they're gonna cut our resources again. Or worse, cut us off completely. Leave us to sink or swim on our own.
Marlis?! Why would you talk to her?!!!!
Azael's reaction was far more agitated than Kamui had expected, startling both Kamui and Catrayv.
...Kamui. Why do you even have a way to contact her?! Where did you get that?!
Whoa, hey, she contacted me first. Sent some anonymous letter, but she didn't exactly hide who she was. I figured it out.
I knew she wanted something from Ezette, so I just asked her straight up.
If it was something small, maybe we could've worked a deal. Bought us some time, y'know? Get through this rough patch.
But... turns out her only goal is to either disband Ezette completely or bring us under her thumb.
No way.
...Yeah. No way we take that deal.
So that leaves us one option. We have to break this wall. Break past our current limits and use that to claw back more resources for Ezette.
But the Corona Gene in our bodies... It's nowhere near enough...
Kamui's assertion went unchallenged by Azael. Being the three most accomplished trainees within Project Barleycorn, they understood this situation all too well.
Until they discovered new theoretical methods, their only option was to take a dangerous gamble, using every possible means to accelerate the Corona Gene conversion.
I'm in. With Kamui.
Once Catrayv had absorbed the full scope of the situation, he found himself in agreement with Kamui's assessment. However, he still refused to let Kamui shoulder such dangerous responsibilities alone. The only solution he could think of was to take more training together with Kamui.
Don't even think about it!!
The rough, familiar voice startled Kamui, making him jump. His eyes went wide as he turned toward the door. It was Leif.
Huh? Leif? What are you—
The test results came back. Your Punishing Virus levels are through the roof, past the safe limit. The docs called him the second they saw it.
With an air of ease, he rested against the hospital bed, his posture silently conveying that he didn't do anything to stop them.
Otherwise, knowing how stubborn you are, you'd just sneak off and keep pushing until you dropped.
Azael's right.
Starting today, I'm regulating the Punishing Virus concentration in the training room. No more excessive training. Period.
...Kamui. I know you're doing this for Ezette. But not like this, not by destroying yourself.
But Ezette can't wait any longer.
Kamui opened his mouth to argue, to beg Leif to let him fight for Ezette. But when he tried to rise, Leif's hand pressed lightly atop his head, guiding him back down.
The touch carried no force but more of a gentle reassurance. Kamui froze, overwhelmed by the unexpected softness.
How many years had passed since anyone had offered them such warmth?
After Odile and Eurytes died, no one had cradled them like the children they still were.
They had become so accustomed to being the first into the fray, carrying a sky perpetually on the verge of collapse, that they had forgotten they were still just young teenagers.
Everything has its order. We old folks are still here. Let us carry the heavy stuff first.
I'm still in talks with the World Government. Before I came to Ezette, I had some pull in the military. Don't you worry.
If we all do our part, together, we'll find a way through.
...Yeah.
Whatever happens... we'll figure it out. Together.
Trust me, Kamui. We're gonna fix this.
Azael fixed Kamui with a stare of absolute resolve. These were not empty words meant to soothe; his promise was genuine, to Kamui and to Ezette.
He would save them, in his own way.
He pocketed his terminal, face revealing nothing. Behind him, the gleaming display flickered once before sinking into the shadow of his pocket. It was a freshly sent message.
"I warned you not to touch anyone else from Ezette, especially Kamui..."
"Don't forget our deal... <color=#ff4e4eff><size=40>Marlis</size></color>."
