Echoes of Silence

Dawn at Azurath Castle used to be a lively spectacle: knights training in the courtyards, servants running with trays of freshly baked bread, the princess’s laughter echoing through the halls. But that day, the routine was shadowed. Everything seemed quieter, as if the walls themselves were mourning our loss.
I walked down one of the stone corridors, my footsteps echoing in the solitude. I hadn’t slept all night. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Piko smiling, floating beside me, casting that warm light that always reminded me I wasn’t alone. Then the image would change: I’d see her body disintegrating, her last smile directed at me before disappearing. I woke with a knot in my chest and a deep hatred for myself.
In the dining hall, I found Rei sitting in front of an untouched plate. Her gaze was lost in the void. When I approached, she lifted her eyes, revealing deep shadows under them.
“I couldn’t sleep,” she admitted, forcing a smile. “I spent the whole night thinking about Piko. I’ve never seen someone so small make such a huge sacrifice. It’s ironic… I trained my whole life to avenge my parents, and in the end, it was her who reminded me what it means to give your life for something.”
I sat beside her, saying nothing. Words felt useless. Rei sighed and pushed the plate aside. “I don’t know if I can get over this quickly, Kaoru. But at least I know I’m not the only one who feels like a part of their heart has been ripped away.”
Before I could respond, Nara entered the room. Her usual mischievous smile was gone. She collapsed into the chair across from us, resting her head on the table.
“I hate to admit it…” she murmured, her voice choked, “…but I miss that little ball of light more than I thought I would. She always made me angry with her little noises and sparkles, but… now I’d give anything to hear them again.”
I was surprised to see her so vulnerable. Nara had always been the lightest of the group, hiding her feelings behind jokes. Now, the mask was broken.
“You’re not the only one,” Rei said softly.
Nara stared at me, and for a moment I saw tears in her eyes, though she quickly looked away.
The door opened again, and Lysbeth entered with firm steps. Her armor gleamed, perfectly polished, as if she wanted to maintain an image of strength to support us all. But even she couldn’t hide the weight on her shoulders.
“Training in the courtyard does nothing when your heart is broken,” she said honestly, taking a seat. “I tried, but every strike I landed on the dummy reminded me of what we lost.”
I felt surrounded by the shared pain of everyone. The void Piko had left wasn’t just mine; it had marked all of us equally. Then I remembered Aria’s words from the night before: “Don’t betray her memory by drowning in guilt.”
I stood slowly, looking at my companions.
“Piko wouldn’t want us to stay like this. She didn’t die for us to drown in sorrow. She died so we could move forward. And that means we can’t stand still.”
Everyone looked up at me. Nara frowned. “And what do you suggest? That we go out and smile like nothing happened?”
“No,” I replied firmly. “I suggest we honor her sacrifice by moving forward. We have a new purpose: to return Aria’s arm.”
Lysbeth nodded, crossing her arms. “Cicilia mentioned ancient relics. I’ve also heard rumors of a forgotten sanctuary in the northern mountains. They say it holds artifacts capable of defying death itself.”
Rei’s eyes lit up slightly. “If there’s even the tiniest chance, we have to try.”
The door opened gently, and Aria entered. Her shoulder was bandaged, and though she tried to maintain an upright posture, the effort was visible. Seeing us gathered, she gave a faint smile.
“I can hear your voices from the hallway,” she said, weak but warm. “I know what you’re thinking, and I want you to know: I’m not a burden. I don’t want you risking your lives for me.”
I stepped closer, looking her in the eyes. “You don’t have a choice, Aria. We’re a team. And even if I die trying, I will find a way to give back what you lost.”
She lowered her gaze, biting her lip to hold back tears. Finally, she nodded.
“Then we’ll do it together.”
Cicilia appeared behind her, a book in her hands. “I’ve been researching all night,” she announced. “I found references to a relic called the Heart of Aeterion. It’s said to restore bodies, even lost limbs, but it’s guarded in a ruined sanctuary. No one who’s gone in search of it has returned.”
The atmosphere tensed immediately. But this time, instead of fear, I felt a fire in my chest. It was the same fire that had been born in me when I swore to avenge Kiseki, but now it was directed toward protecting what remained of my family.
“Then that’s where we’ll go,” I affirmed. “No matter what we have to face.”
Rei slammed her fist on the table. “Yes! I’m not sitting idly by while you carry all of this.”
Lysbeth gave a small smile. “Looks like you finally learned to share the burden, Kaoru.”
Nara sighed and crossed her arms. “I guess I have no choice. Besides, I want to see if that so-called heart can give me a bit of hope back.”
Aria looked at me, and though there was fear in her eyes, there was also trust.
“Then we’ll depart soon,” she said with determination. “For Piko. For us.”
The sun began to filter through the windows, bathing the room in golden light. And in that moment, I understood: the pain was still there, but we had found a way to turn it into strength.
We weren’t running from the void Piko left; we were walking forward, with her in our memory, with the promise that her sacrifice would never be in vain.