Long Ways to Go Yet

"Wake up, Kazuki. Wake up."

Zephyr's voice was soft, calm, like morning sunlight cutting through a lingering dream. She leaned close, gently shaking him from sleep.

Kazuki stirred, blinking as his eyes focused on her. "Good morning, Zephy… what is it? Is something wrong?"

She shook her head. "No. We're near the Demon Lands. The shore has been sighted."

"Really?" Kazuki pushed himself upright, rubbing his eyes. "I didn't even notice the passage of time after our fight with the sea monster and Serika."

"Yeah… me neither," Zephyr admitted, her voice quiet.

"In my world, when something like this happens, it usually means your brain is stressed," Kazuki explained, stretching his arms. "It speeds up your sense of time so you don't feel it passing—a way for the mind to cope."

Zephyr tilted her head, lips pressing into a little pout. "So you are stressed. Is that why you called someone named Hana in your sleep?"

Kazuki froze. "…What? Hana? I said Hana in my sleep?"

She nodded, puffing her cheeks slightly.

He lowered his head, voice softening. "Back in my world, I was sick a lot. I couldn't go to school regularly… and when I did, people didn't really want to play with me or even talk to me. I never learned how to make friends—or what to say to keep them.

"Hana… she was different. I helped her a few times when bullies were stealing her things, and somehow, she became my friend. To me, that meant everything. She stayed by me during tough times… the way you've stayed by me."

His lips curved faintly as he looked at Zephyr. "You and Hana… you're very similar. More than you know."

Zephyr's cheeks flushed red. She slipped her arms around him, hugging him tightly without a word. She didn't need to—she already knew everything he'd said, but hearing him bare his heart so honestly made her chest ache in the best way.

Kazuki's voice grew firm, his expression shifting. "Zephy… could you gather the others? I need to tell them something before we reach the shore—about my new power, and the road ahead."

The change in his tone made her straighten at once. His eyes carried none of the warmth from a moment ago.

She nodded quickly. "I'll go right away."

Without hesitation, she slipped from the room, her steps light but urgent, leaving Kazuki alone with his thoughts as the ship groaned closer to the Demon Lands.

They gathered in the captain's quarters, the heavy door shut tight behind them. Privacy was needed for what was about to be said.

Alvis sat in silence, his forehead furrowed as though piecing together a puzzle. Across from him, Ardent glanced toward Maeryn, whose face had paled.

"Are you alright, Maeryn?" Ardent asked. His tone was softer than usual. "The sea gives Gorran trouble, but I've never seen you like this."

"Aye," Gorran muttered, crossing his arms. "She's been throwing up since yesterday."

"It's nothing," Maeryn replied quickly, though her voice wavered. "Probably just seasickness. Once we reach shore, it will pass."

Before more could be said, Kazuki entered. The room quieted at once, all eyes turning toward him.

He drew in a breath. "On the day the harpoon pierced me… I died. And then I appeared in a place of pure white. There, I met someone—her name was Sraosha."

Alvis's head shot up, his voice cutting across the room. "The goddess Sraosha?"

"I think so," Kazuki answered. "She called herself the Messenger of Gods."

A hush fell, their awe palpable.

"What did she say to you?" Ardent asked.

"She said we are weak—that we'll die before completing our mission unless we find a hidden dungeon near the Shroud. There's a tomb within it, holding something that will help us."

The twins leaned forward together, speaking in sync. "What's in the tomb?"

"I don't know," Kazuki admitted. "She didn't tell me."

Alvis unrolled his worn map across the captain's table, his finger tracing its faded lines. "This is the Verdant Shroud. But I see no dungeon marked here."

Kazuki shook his head. "You don't need to worry about that. A few days ago, I discovered what my new light affinity special power is. I was thinking about Zephyr, searching for her, when a sphere of light formed before me. It led me straight to her."

Alvis froze, then looked up sharply. "Path Finder… You've been granted the Path Finder's Light. Not a combat gift, but a divine compass. Whatever you think of, it will reveal the way."

Zephyr's lips parted in awe, her voice quiet but brimming with warmth. "A gift straight from the Gods…"

"So that's it, then," Gorran said, rubbing his chin. "Once we reach the Shroud, Kazuki can guide us to this dungeon."

Alvis gave a solemn nod. "Yes. That's our only option."

The weight of their mission settled over them, but for the first time in days, there was a sliver of direction—of hope.

When the ship reached the shore, Blacktide grasped each of them in a fierce embrace. His booming voice carried over the waves.

"If it weren't for you, we'd never have survived—let alone slain that monster. The sea is done with its mourning. Hope has returned to these waters because of you. We will return to Numeria to spread this news. The coast will be revived once more."

Alvis set a hand on the captain's shoulder. "When our mission is done, I'll send word. Come back for us."

"In that case," Blacktide rumbled, his grin fierce, "I'll have my men bury supplies along the shore. Enough to keep you alive until I return."

Alvis's lips curved in rare approval. "We appreciate it, friend."

With promises made and hands clasped, they parted ways with Blacktide and his crew—turning their eyes toward the land of demons and the hidden trial that awaited them.

And so, they walked on. The land was dead, a foul stench rising from the soil beneath their boots. The sky above was a shroud of gray, so heavy and dim they could scarcely tell day from night. Not a bird, not a beast stirred. Silence ruled.

On the road, Alvis often had Kazuki practice simple chants. Guiding his voice and breath.

Days passed in this bleak wasteland until Alvis finally spoke.

"We're close to the Shroud. Kazuki—use your power."

Kazuki closed his eyes, focusing on the dungeon the goddess had spoken of—the one said to hold a tomb within. A faint glow bloomed from his forehead, forming into a small sphere of light. It drifted forward, pulsing gently, waiting to be followed.

The twins' eyes lit up, and they hurried after it. "It looks so cute!"

Alvis shook his head, his voice tinged with thought. "I've been puzzled over this for days. A new power… and of the opposing kind? It all made sense the moment you spoke the goddess's name."

Ardent smirked, unable to resist. "Tell me Alvis, is it true you worship Sraosha as more than a goddess? Perhaps… as a lover?"

"Rumors," Alvis said sharply, cutting him off. His expression left no room for argument.

Zephyr laughed softly, covering her mouth, her gaze flicking toward Kazuki as she walked at his side.

The path glowed onward, and after a while, the air itself seemed to shift. They stepped through a veil none of them could see—one moment the wasteland stretched before them, and the next, they stood in a paradise.

Lush grass spread beneath their feet, vibrant trees swayed in a gentle breeze, and the sky above was clear, painted with sunlight. The sight left them breathless.

"How is this possible?" Gorran muttered, his eyes wide. "In this cursed land, such a place exists?"

"It must be another light power," Alvis said, his voice low. "A barrier strong enough to keep demons away."

"Quiet," Ardent hissed, his hand raised. "I hear movement."

Before they could react, shadows spilled from between the trees. Hooded figures stepped forward in silence, surrounding them on all sides. Steel glinted beneath their cloaks, and one voice cut through the stillness.

"Move, and you face your demise."

And with those words, an unknown fate closed in around them.