CHAPTER 6: Shadows of the Past

Etsuko and Murasaki had once been inseparable, their childhood days filled with laughter and dreams. Yet, the memory of Totsuka’s tragic death lingered like a scar—ripped away by the Greeds before their very eyes. Murasaki had reached for her, but Etsuko could only watch helplessly as shadows devoured her friend.

Suddenly, Murasaki woke with a start, her breath ragged as the memory faded into the dark room. A figure loomed over her, and she tensed until she recognized Yami’s short black hair and expressionless face.

"It's time for breakfast. What are you waiting for?" she asked. Then Murasaki woke up sitting on her bed, rubbing her eye. Her face looked solemn, recalling something she should have forgotten long ago.

At the canteen, trays clattered as food was poured onto plates for those in line. Maika scanned around anxiously, her gaze darting across faces. Himeji, noticing her worried expression and she leaned closer.

"I-I'm sure... Etsuko will be fine..." Himeji offered, though her voice wavered. They both sat down.

"But... I still feel like something's wrong," Maika murmured, recalling her conversation with Shiba the night before.

"They've been keeping an eye on you lately?" Shiba raised an eyebrow as she sat on a wooden crate. Maika, seated beside her, nodded.

"Yeah... I had to be extra careful sneaking around. A few guards seem to be watching me more closely."

"That's terrible," Shiba sighed. Maika pulled a small clock from her pocket and studied its face for a moment.

"What's that?"

"It's... just a reminder that we'll escape someday," Maika replied with a soft smile.

"It seems like nothing, though," Shiba remarked, taking the clock in her hand. Suddenly, heat seared her fingers.

"Ow!" she gasped, dropping it.

"Are you okay?" Maika grew worried as she placed the clock back into her pocket and took her fingers, trying to heal a bit of the pain.

"That thing... it seems dangerous," Shiba said, her expression serious.

"Actually... no one else can see what's written but me," Maika whispered, eyeing the clock carefully. Does it hurt anyone who isn't the owner?

"No one... can actually see it? What do you mean?" The elf glanced at her curiously.

Maika's breath hitched as realization struck—only her people could see it. She quickly shook her head. "N-nevermind... it's not important anyway."

The elf studied her for a moment, doubt flickering in her gaze before she leaned back, silent but unconvinced.

"Oh... do you know of any hidden chambers where they keep The Greeds?" Maika's question caught Shiba off guard.

"…That's a dangerous place to even think about. Why do you ask?" Shiba's voice tightened with concern, her gaze sharp with unease. What unsettled her more was the casual tone in Maika's question—no one spoke lightly of the Greeds' domain, a place everyone feared to enter.

Maika looked down, her hands clenching tightly as fear and determination tangled in her chest. "My friend...Etsuko. she was taken there. I have to save her."

"It's too dangerous," Shiba warned, her voice low. "We'd never make it that far."

Maika's breath caught in her throat. "Then... how do I even know if she's still alive?"

Shiba paused, tapping her finger against her chin in thought. Then, her eyes lit up with an idea. "Then send a letter." She offered a soft, encouraging smile.

"A letter?" Maika tilted her head, curiosity sparking in her gaze.

"Yeah," Shiba nodded. "We send letters to friends when we’re assigned to different areas. Our shifts rarely overlap anymore, but it's how we stay connected."

"I see..." Maika nodded slowly, her gaze drifting away as she fell into quiet contemplation.

Back at the canteen, Maika discreetly lifted her plate, revealing a folded letter beneath it.

"Is that—" Himeji’s eyes widened.

"It's a letter for Etsuko," Maika confirmed. "With a little bit of my magic, she'll be able to read the hidden message between the lines."

"Wow! You can do that? You're so smart!" Himeji exclaimed. "How did you learn that?"

"I was taught well," Maika replied with a soft smile. Her mind drifted back to memories of a woman with long ears and flowing robes who had patiently guided her through techniques.

Meanwhile, Murasaki and Yami passed by from behind, still balancing a tray of food in her hands. "Letter... huh..." she murmured, her expression hardened with flicker of sorrowful look.

"Etsuko! Murasaki! This way! We can escape together!" The voice echoed through the night as Totsuka waved her hand, running toward the border. The sky was dark with barely a glimpse of the moon, shrouded by the towering wall looming ahead. It stretched endlessly, guiding them toward the emergency exit—a hidden passageway buried beneath the earth.

Etsuko and Murasaki exchanged a glance, hope sparking in their eyes as they sprinted forward. But just as they reached the edge of freedom, the collars around their necks flared to life—glowing bright blue as they detected their location. Distant shouts and the harsh glow of lanterns signaled the guards' approach.

The ground beneath them trembled. Cracks split the earth as shadows poured from below—Greeds rising from the depths, their twisted limbs clawing toward anything that moved. The air thickened with the stench of rot and soil as the creatures' jaws snapping.

"Totsuka!" Murasaki spun around, eyes wide as she searched the chaos. "Where's Totsuka?!"

"It's too late!" Etsuko shouted, grabbing Murasaki’s arm as she tried to break free. Both froze in shock as they saw Totsuka's half body disappeared into the Greeds' shadows, dragged away before they could even scream.

The memory gripped Murasaki tightly. Even now, the sounds of that night echoed in her mind—the crash of falling earth, the distant screams fading into darkness. Her fist clenched, knuckles turning white as her hand trembled.

That night, when the guard's patrol had moved on, Maika seized her chance. She crept past the barred wooden door, but just as she thought she was safe—

"YOU!"

Maika froze as a guard appeared before her. Instinctively, she hid the letter behind her back.

"I knew you did something to me! There's no way I got drunk by myself that night!"

"W-what do you mean, sir? Maybe you... just drank too much?" Maika tried to sound innocent.

"Nah, I know your tricks! I won't forget what you did!" He crossed his arms,

This is bad... Maika thought, glancing at the sleeping powder hidden in her sleeve. She quickly threw the dust toward him, but the guard covered his nose just in time.

"Ha! I knew you'd try that again!" He grabbed her wrist tightly. "You're coming with me—"

"No..! Wait..! Please, at least deliver this message to my friend!" Maika cried, desperation thick in her voice.

He paused, eyes falling on the letter clutched in her other hand.

"Give me that!" He snatched the paper, unfolding it with a quick flick. Maika's heart pounded in her chest as his eyes scanned the words, her breath hitching with every second that passed.

"Tch... This is just a letter to your friend?"

"...Yeah." Maika replied nervously.

"Then you should’ve said so earlier. Dammit," he muttered, folding the letter clumsily.

"Wait... what?" Maika blinked, confused.

"I thought you were up to something nasty. Who’s this 'Etsuko' anyway?"

"A friend of mine... She’s assigned to feed The Greeds now," Maika answered softly.

The guard sighed, shaking his head. "Geez. I pass by that chamber gate all the time. I'll deliver it to her. And you—go back to your dorm!"

Maika hesitated, a faint pang of guilt creeping into her chest. It wasn't her idea but her friends had done to him that day—stripping him of his clothes and leaving him outside with an empty bottle of alcohol. But the memory still weighed on her.

"Sigh... I’ve had worse things happen. Had enough of people blaming me for everything! I work my ass off for this lousy job!" He crossed his arms, shaking his head. "And you... What’s your name again?"

"Maika."

"Oh... Wait—Maika!?" His eyes widened as recognition dawned.

"W-what’s wrong?"

"Nothing, nothing... It’s just—the Warden’s been keeping an eye on you, haha. You’d better watch yourself!" He turned away, waving her off. "Now get back to your dorm before I change my mind!"

With that, he gave her a light shove before leaving Maika standing there alone, bewildered and uneasy.

As she stepped back inside, the room was silent—everyone was already asleep, except for Murasaki. She stood alone in the dim light, her gaze hard meeting her eyes.

"Murasaki..?"