Violinist

They all stood planted on the edge of the forest, a loud tune started to play. A violin entered their ears. Each high note gave them a twist in their stomach, while each low note gave them memories they wished to bury.

This music feels rather sorrowful and devoid of hope; whoever is playing this isn't even trying to hide their group. They are announcing to the world their surrender.

Toki comes beside Shina, who seems frozen in place with a solemn face; there was a bit of water under her eyes, as if even she was about to collapse.

She seems to be way more affected than I; I shouldn't pry into it. It won't benefit us in any way.

Turning around, he sees Ayuri streaming tears down her face, her orange eyes trying hard to resist the urge but ultimately failing, causing her school uniform to soak a bit.

Finally turning to Hiwo, who meets his gaze, his eyes were empty; the bright green they were so used to at this point got replaced by a darker, more sombre green. The violin's effect wasn’t merely affecting Shina but the whole group.

Touching his own face, Toki doesn’t have a single tear welling up. There wasn’t even a hint of anything soon.

I remember all these sorrowful memories, yet nothing comes out. Even Shina, who seems devoid at all times, broke, so why don't I?

Letting out a contemplative sigh, it wasn't the time to think such trivial things. “Let’s go to the camp; we don’t have much time.”

He starts walking past Shina before she quickly holds his uniform back, her firm grasp on the dark grey jacket making sure he couldn’t move any further.

“Let’s head back,” Shina spoke hushed and slightly like a broken player. There was a strong desire to avoid this camp forming within her.

Taking in Hiwo and Ayuri from behind, their bodies also seemed frozen in place. No one other than Toki dared to step any closer to the violin player.

“If we head back, there won’t be enough time.” They all knew this, giving him an affirming nod.

everyone is being illogical, This isn't like them. Maybe if it was just Ayuri, but Shina and Hiwo too?

He starts thinking about the music playing, the beautiful sounds shattering the silent atmosphere that haunted them after the first interval.

How does someone even get a violin in this world?

A question spirals into another question.

Only a deity would give a violin to someone, but why would they?

Toki’s mouth remains still, his eyes narrowing while his legs instinctively move towards the camp ahead of them. His footsteps ignored the sound of beautiful melodies. His ears revelled in the music provided, but his mind and soul weren't shattered like the rest of them.

They obviously would give them a violin if it were a power nessicity; no deity would entertain a mortal's request for sound. He gets closer, determined to end this facade of sorrow.

In front of the camp, he freezes, seeing the campfire in the middle and the three logs not even positioned for a suitable ritual. The origin of the violin is behind the campfire. Whoever it was must be sitting on the log.

I forgot to bring my spear… Turning himself around, he looks back, seeing nobody was following him; all of his group were still back at the forest's entrance.

Taking in a deep breath, his lungs expand hugely. With a burst of motivation, he walks around the campfire to catch his greyed eyes staring at a boy playing the violin with his eyes closed.

He had short brown hair that went to his chin and a contemplative look in his eyes. He was around Ayuri’s height, making him below average for a guy and shorter than all of them. He wore a proper suit like a band conductor while his hand glided the violin's bow around the strings, causing the sombre melody.

Toki stands still, trying not to cause alarm, before talking out loud in his indifferent voice, “Do you mind stopping playing that tune of yours?”

At the sound of his voice, the boy immediately opens his eyes and plays the wrong string, causing the melody to break apart before jumping out of the log onto the grass and taking his violin upwards, ready to swing towards the suspicious sound.

He scans the man in front of him, his dark grey pants and uniform with a white shirt underneath, his black hair around his length and the grey eyes that stare at him. “How did you get here?”

Toki’s eyebrows lift. “By walking?”

The boy shakes his head. “How did you bypass my song? It should affect all beings with any magic in them.”

Without answering the question, Toki sits down on a log near him. He relaxes himself down, seeing that this boy was merely frightened and not a threat.

That explains why it didn’t affect me, I suppose. Magic is something stripped from me by her after all. Just this once, I will take it as a lucky blessing.

“I have no magic,” Toki says casually.

The boy scoffs, “How did you survive those beasts?”

His hint of anger betrayed him; Toki was observing everything he said. There was definitely more to this than he knew yet.

“We have two powerful members, not enough to survive an onslaught, as we would get outnumbered. I have no weapon with me or magic to defend against me,” both a comfort for the boy and also a suggestion that he wasn’t here with ill intentions.

Taking in the facts, the boy asks, “Where is your group?”

“They didn’t budge due to your saddening music; they are most likely watching us.” He extends his hand towards his right side.

The boy walks around the campfire where Toki extended his hand, his brown eyes staring into the forest, seeing the three members stare back at him before turning back to Toki.

“I need some protection as well, as I can't fight alone against even one of them, but only ward them off.” The boy nods affirmingly at his own weakness towards Toki.

Time was running out; there were a mere ten minutes before the next interval of attacks began. They had to make a deal fast before they would get caught out by whatever abominations were hunting them during the eclipseion