Weapon

The invaders left as swiftly as they came, leaving the city in ruins and countless victims in their wake. Kaji doesn't stop to take it in—he has to find his family and his friend.

It doesn't take him long to catch up with the escapees, all gathered outside the nearest capital—barely a hundred survivors, not even a fifth of the city's population.

Amid curses and crying children, he finds them.

"Nii!" Gurumi throws herself into his arms, clinging to him like she never wants to let go. "I was scared you wouldn't come!"

Their mother makes her way toward them, and Tokei gently guides her hand to Kaji.

The moment she touches him, she joins the embrace. "I was so worried about you, and when the others started coming and you weren't with them… I started fearing the worst."

Kaji subtly shifts his body to avoid her hand brushing against his bandaged arm, careful to hide the injury from her.

"I told you I'd be fine." He glances toward the capital's gates—a tall wooden wall blocking anyone from entering. "Why's everyone still out here?"

"The guards won't let us in," Tokei explains. "Apparently they need to confirm whether what happened is true before accepting refugees."

"Those morons, do they think all these people would make up a story like that?" Gurumi takes his hand, and Kaji slowly unclenches his other fist.

"What will we do if they don't let us in?" she asks.

"We… " He recalls the armored man's words: In later battles, we will go more fiercely. Not only will they be back—they haven't even gone all out yet. "We need to leave this place behind. Go deeper into the island. No… we should hide in the forest until the war ends and they're truly gone."

"We're at war? Dear gods." Garasa trembles, slowly lifting her hand to her mouth.

Gurumi reaches out and gently takes her hand. "What's a war?"

"It means they'll keep coming back," Kaji responds. "That's why we need to hide where they cannot find us." Gurumi opens her mouth to ask another question, but—

"Really now?" A voice, unfamiliar and uninvited, cuts in. "Never thought you were the hiding type."

"Do I know you?" Kaji eyes the stranger, a middle-aged man dressed like one of the useless guards. The bags under his eyes make him seem like the working type, though they're likely a result of the faint smell of booze he carries.

"Come on, have you really forgotten me, lad?" He offers a handshake.

"That voice…" Garasa looks unsettled, her nails between her teeth. "Fuhai?" The name rings in Kaji's mind, unwelcome. At its mention, the creep has the audacity to smile.

"So it's you." Now that he remembers why this man's ugly mug irritates him, Kaji slaps his hand away. "What do you want, you bandit with a badge?"

"Still stuck in the past, I see. Never mind that—we've got more important matters. I've heard you fought valiantly during the attack and even managed to kill an enemy."

"Kaji! What did you do?!" Garasa's grey eyes, though lacking light, seem to pierce through him. Still, he can't afford to look weak now, so he forces himself to ignore her, despite the pain it causes.

Kaji stares at the so-called symbol of justice. "Where are you going with this?"

"I must request that you hand over the weapon you've obtained." Assholes. I knew it.

"I refuse. I'll use it to protect my family—something you tax-wasters clearly can't do."

The good-for-nothing guard takes a step back and reaches into his clothes. Kaji's hand moves toward his waistband, ready to draw the weapon if necessary. But instead, the man pulls out a skin bag and takes a long swig.

"You've got quite a few years under your belt, lad, it's time you start acting like a grownup."

"You mean it's time for me to wave my tail and lick your dirty hands?"

"Don't start a fight you can't win, that's what I'm saying."

"You think I'm scared of a drunken wreck? I could take you down with a single punch."

"Even if you could, this isn't a fair fight." His eyes shift to a different target—those standing behind Kaji.

"Don't you dare!" As Kaji pulls out the wand, the man reaches for the curved knife strapped to his waist—but doesn't unsheathe it. The crowd begins to whisper.

"You sure about that, lad? You plan to protect your family by pitting them against the whole island?"

"Disgusting son of a—!"

"Stop!" Gurumi shouts. But as both Kaji and his enemy turn their gaze toward her, she takes a step back.

"S-stop... bullying..." Her voice grows quieter with each word. "My brother." She looks down.

Slow claps draw Kaji's attention back to the problem at hand.

"You've grown quite brave, lil' girl. But I'm not going to fight your brother—he knows better."

The creep flashes Kaji a smug, contented look.

"I hope you shoot yourself with it." Kaji throws the weapon at the shithead with all his strength. The man catches it effortlessly.

"Your cooperation is appreciated." He turns toward the people around them.

"As a token of thanks, I'll let you in on something: the higher-ups are already planning how to deal with the invaders. I can't give any specifics, but expect support for the refugees who lost their homes. Also, we'll soon be taking in new recruits. If you join and perform well in the practice test, you'll get a weapon—though you'll have to use it for the war."

"By weapon, you mean a useless lance? Or you telling me you'll give the only magic weapon you have to some new cadet?" The thief smirks, a disgusting grin spreading across his face.

"I'm not allowed to say more. Just know that we'll need every capable young person we can get." He turns back to the crowd.

"That goes for all of you. No matter what you think of me or the higher-ups, if you want to protect your loved ones, or avenge those you've lost, this is your chance. That's all from me."

With this, Kaji lost his last functional weapon. All that remains is the broken cane—and a small, fading hope that he might find a way to repair it.

A short while after the corrupt guard leaves, everyone is allowed entry into the capital of Burijji, one of the six largest cities on the island. They're given mediocre food, a shared roof, and basic treatment for the injured.

At this point, Kaji is too exhausted to complain and passes out the moment he lies down.