Lineage of Evil

Somewhere far away, deep within the tranquil Forest of Maple, laughter and chatter echoed through the trees. The morning sun bathed the village in a warm golden light, casting gentle rays across the grass that swayed with the soft breeze. Demi-humans moved about their daily lives, smiling and greeting one another beneath the rustling leaves.

“Good morning!” a young man called out cheerfully, his black fox ears twitching as his long tail swayed behind him.

“Good morning to you!” a woman with crimson hair and matching fox ears replied, balancing a wooden crate full of ripe fruits in her arms.

Children darted through the dirt paths, giggling as they bumped into one another before racing off again. The woman chuckled softly at the sight before continuing her walk toward a cozy wooden house nestled near the edge of the forest.

As she stepped inside, two small children ran to her—one boy with black hair and fox ears, and a little girl with red hair and bright, curious eyes.

“Hi, Mommy!” the boy shouted, his tail wagging in excitement.

She smiled warmly and patted both their heads. “Hey there, my little ones. Where’s your dad?” she asked.

The girl looked up, hugging her mother’s waist. “Daddy’s in his room writing again,” she said in a sweet, gentle tone.

The woman let out a soft sigh, her expression fond. “Oh really? Always busy, isn’t he?” She crouched down and brushed their ears affectionately. “Alright, you two. Go play with your friends for a bit, okay?”

“Okay!” the children shouted in unison before dashing out of the house, their laughter fading into the distance.

The woman set the crate of fruit gently onto the wooden floor, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She took a quiet breath before walking down the short hallway, the faint scratching sound of a quill reaching her ears.

Pushing open the door, she found a man seated by the window—his black fox ears flicked slightly as he wrote, sunlight gleaming across the parchment spread before him.

“Good morning, dear,” she greeted softly.

The man turned toward her with a warm grin. “Good morning to you,” he replied, setting his feathered quill aside. “I’m just working on my book, that’s all. Where are the kids?”

She smiled, leaning against the doorframe. “They’re outside, playing with the other children,” she said.

He chuckled under his breath, tail swaying lazily behind him. “That’s good to hear. It’s peaceful today, isn’t it?”

She nodded, her gaze softening. “It is. Almost too peaceful.”

The man rose from his chair and walked toward the bookshelf beside him, fingers tracing along the worn spines of old tomes. “I must say… ever since the raid by the Generals, I’ve become too paranoid,” he murmured, pulling out a few books. “It feels like they’re always targeting us.”

Diana tilted her head, puzzled. “Why’s that? We did sign the peace treaty with the Queen.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” he replied with a sigh, flipping through one of the books. “Her Majesty, Queen Larsha, seems like someone we can trust. She did promise protection… but I can’t shake this gut feeling. It’s like the same disaster might happen again.” He sat back down heavily, the chair creaking beneath him.

She walked over and gently rested her hand on his shoulder, smiling softly. “You’re always worried about something. You know, our lord—the Being Above All—will protect us from danger. So keep that faith close, alright?”

He placed his hand over hers, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Yeah… maybe that’ll help me sleep easier.”

But before the warmth of that moment could linger—

BOOM!

The entire house shook violently as a thunderous explosion tore through the air. The man’s expression turned from calm to alarm in an instant. “What the hell was that?!” he shouted, springing to his feet and snatching the sword hanging by the wall.

“Diana! Get the kids—now! Hide with them here! I’ve got a bad feeling about this!”

“Right!” she shouted, darting out the door.

The moment she stepped outside, her breath caught in her throat. Fire. Flames devoured the wooden homes around them as screams filled the air. Demi-humans and humans alike ran in chaos.

“RUN! IT’S HIM AGAIN!” a man shouted, clutching a child in his arms as he bolted past.

Her eyes widened. No… it can’t be.

Her husband rushed out behind her, sword drawn. “GO! EVACUATE NOW!”

Two small figures came sprinting through the smoke. “Mommy! What’s happening?!” her son cried, tears streaking down his face.

Diana dropped to her knees and grabbed their hands. “No time to ask! We have to run!”

“Mommy, I’m scared!” her daughter whimpered.

Diana scooped the girl into her arms. “It’s okay, sweetheart. We’ll be—”

A sudden whistling sound cut her off. She turned just in time to see a massive flaming log hurtling toward them.

“GUH—!”

Before she could react, a man lunged forward, shoving her aside. “DIANA—!!”

The log smashed into him, dragging his body through the flames.

“RICHARD!!” she screamed, collapsing to the ground, horror flooding her chest.

All around her, more demi-humans tried to flee—but one by one, they were cut down by invisible slashes, bodies falling where they stood.

Diana clutched her children tightly, trembling as heavy footsteps echoed through the smoke.

Then, from within the flames, a figure emerged—a towering man clad in black armor, his crimson cape fluttering behind him. His eyes glowed faintly beneath his helm.

Vinar.

“You Neyraks really are helpless,” he said coldly, his voice like steel scraping against stone. “Ever since the Great War… I’ve enjoyed wiping out every last Neyrak and Drin from existence.”

Diana’s blood turned to ice as she held her children closer, praying silently to the Being Above All.

“Praying, are we?” a deep, mocking voice pierced through the burning haze. “It’s not going to do anything. Your fate was sealed the moment my master commanded it.”

Vinar’s boots crunched against the scorched soil as he spun his obsidian blade with ease, the reflection of fire glinting against his black armor and crimson cape.

Diana trembled, clutching her children tightly against her chest. Her voice was too weak to speak—her body frozen between fear and disbelief.

“GET AWAY FROM HER!”

Her husband’s voice rang out, filled with raw desperation.

“Derek!” Diana gasped, her heart pounding as she turned toward him.

Derek lunged forward, sword in hand, his steps echoing through the trembling earth. But before his blade could make contact—

CLANG!

Vinar blocked it with a single arm. His voice bellowed like thunder, “HOW DARE YOU DEFY ME, YOU FILTHY NEYRAK!”

A sharp kick slammed into Derek’s abdomen.

“GUAH—!” He coughed out blood, crashing into a building.

“DEREK!!” Diana screamed, tears stinging her eyes as her trembling hand reached out toward him.

Vinar’s eyes narrowed, his expression twisting into sadistic delight. He flicked his wrist, hurling his massive sword like a spear.

The sound of steel tearing through flesh echoed.

“GAAHH—!” Derek’s voice broke, his body jerking back as the blade pierced clean through his shoulder, pinning him against a burning wall.

Vinar tilted his head slightly, lips curling into a smirk. “Really? I missed…” His hand raised again, his tone darkening. “Maybe next time—I won’t.”

Vinar gripped the hilt of his sword, twisting it before pulling the blade free from Derek’s shoulder with a sickening sound.

“GAH—!” Derek’s scream tore through the air, his blood splattering across the dirt.

Vinar walked towards Derek, leaned in close, his voice a venomous whisper that echoed like a curse. “You know… it’s your fault. You’re too weak to protect the ones you love. Yet your kind dares to call us selfish.” His tone dripped with mockery, his burning eyes reflecting the crimson blaze around them.

Diana’s body trembled. She wanted to move—she wanted to scream—but her body refused to obey. All she could do was clutch her children tighter, her heartbeat deafening in her ears.

Vinar’s aura flared, a violent swirl of red and black energy surrounding him as he raised his sword high. “Consider this mercy,” he said coldly. “I’ll make it quick.”

The blade descended.

Derek’s head lifted weakly, his eyes locking with Diana’s one last time. His hand reached toward her, trembling.

“Diana… run…”

And then—

SHHK!

Vinar’s blade cleaved through him in a single brutal strike. Blood splattered across the burning ground as Derek’s body fell lifelessly to the dirt.

Vinar exhaled, wiping the blood from his blade with a motion as calm as it was merciless. “Such a pity…” he muttered, his tone devoid of remorse.

Diana’s world fell silent. The fire, the screams, even her children’s cries—all faded into a hollow void as she stared at the lifeless body of the man she loved.

Vinar turned to her, the smile on his face crooked and cold. “Crying? Aw, don’t. It’ll be your turn next.” The words slid out like a promise.

Diana’s fingers closed around Derek’s dropped sword as if it were the only anchor left to her. Her chest burned with fury. “You—” she screamed, bloodless rage cutting through the smoke. “You shut up! I’ll kill you!”

The laugh that answered was a low, cruel thing. “You think you’ll kill me? You Neyraks truly have the best jokes—” Vinar mocked, amusement softening every syllable.

She poured mana into the blade, its edge humming faintly with desperate light. Her legs trembled but held. For a heartbeat hope flared—then it was snuffed.

Vinar moved faster than she had any right to expect. His fist struck her face before she could finish the arc of her swing. Pain detonated across her skull; the world tilted. She tasted metal and dust as her body flew through the air, slamming against trees and snapping branches like brittle toys.

Diana hit the ground and rolled, nausea and fury colliding. Her vision swam; her hands — bloody and shaking — still gripped the sword. She forced herself up, more animal than human now, every movement carved from one raw, single thought:

I have to get to the children out of here… they must live.

Vinar’s footsteps were calm as he approached. He drew his sword slowly, letting it scrape the earth. The sound—a metallic whisper in the chaos—sounded obscene.

“Let your children watch,” he said, voice indifferent as a gale. “Let them remember. Let this be their lesson for the rest of their lives.”

Vinar vanished in an instant, appearing behind her like a shadow. His voice was a cold whisper in her ear, “What’s wrong? Weren’t you going to kill me?”

Before she could react, his blade swung down with terrifying force. She tried to block it, but the strike shattered her sword like glass. Sparks flew, and she stumbled backward, eyes wide with shock.

Her hands clenched into fists. “Tch… monsters… why were you born in the first place?!” she spat, rage and fear colliding.

“I could ask you the same thing,” Vinar sneered, the tip of his blade resting casually on the ground. “Creatures like you… you’re infuriating. Maybe it’s time we go hand to hand.” He grinned, eyes gleaming with cruel amusement.

She charged, fury fueling every step. Vinar met her head-on, blocking her strike with effortless ease. “Come on! Do more!” he shouted, goading her.

She tried a swift roundhouse kick, but Vinar caught her leg mid-swing. “HUH?!” Her eyes went wide with panic.

Before she could react further, he twisted her leg violently, slamming her onto the ground again and again. Each impact shook the earth beneath them, leaving her breathless, battered, and struggling to rise. The forest echoed with the sound of her pain, Vinar’s laughter cutting through it like a blade.

Vinar yanked her by the hair, pulling her face close to his with a cruel grin. “Know this… you Neyraks call me a monster, yet your kind slaughtered humans during the war. Compared to you brutes… I’m a saint.”

With that, he pulled a dagger from his belt and drove it straight into her chest. Her eyes widened in shock and pain as blood bloomed across her clothes.

Vinar laughed maniacally, the sound echoing through the forest, before tossing her lifelessly onto the ground. She hit the earth with a sickening thud, trembling, barely clinging to consciousness.

Her vision blurred, tears streaming down her cheeks as she gazed at her children, their small faces twisted in fear and sorrow. Vinar approached slowly, his shadow looming over them. She stretched out her arm, trembling, “No… get away from them… please,” she whispered, blood seeping through her fingers from the dagger in her chest.

The children’s cries slowly faded as her vision darkened.

With a final shudder, she fell, lifeless, her body collapsing onto the forest floor.

Vinar crouched near the children, a cold, cruel grin stretching across his face. He chuckled softly. “I’ll spare you… not out of mercy, but so the memory of your mother’s death burns in your minds forever. Farewell. My work here is done.”

With that, he vanished, leaving silence and terror in his wake.

The two children approached their mother’s lifeless body.

“Mommy…?” The sister whimpered.

The boy clutched her clothing, sobbing, his eyes flashing with a deep, predatory rage. His pupils seemed to shift, sharp and unyielding.

I’ll kill you… YOU MONSTER!!

The morning sun shone brightly over the town of Corveil. Trees swayed gently as a crowd gathered in front of the Adventurers Guild, their voices blending into a restless roar.

“Hey! Why can’t we cross the border?!” a bald, bearded man shouted, slamming his hand against a wooden crate.

Fidel stood before the crowd, sweating nervously as she tried to calm them down. “Please, everyone, the guild master will make an announcement soon! Just wait for Master Kimura, alright?!”

Her pleas did little to help. The crowd only grew louder, their shouts echoing through the square.

Meanwhile, Riko rubbed his eyes as he walked toward the guild, his messy hair catching the morning light from the window. “What’s with all the noise?” he asked, yawning so hard his eyes watered.

Hikari crossed her arms, exhaling. “Apparently people can’t cross the border, so now everyone’s losing their minds.”

“Ugh,” Miraku groaned, covering her ears. “I couldn’t even sleep because of all this noise. My ears are literally crying.”

Takashi stretched and looked around. “Wait, where’s Daigon?”

Riko scratched his head. “Good question… Miraku, did you see him?”

“Nope.” She shrugged. “Haven’t seen him since last night.”

Suddenly, a voice spoke right behind Riko. “Hey, I’m right here—”

“EEK!” Riko squeaked as his body reacted on instinct. His fist shot out before he could think, landing squarely in Daigon’s gut.

CRASH!

Daigon flew backward, slamming into the guild wall. Dust puffed out from the impact as he slid down, leaving a comical imprint.

“OOF! WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!” Daigon shouted, staggering to his feet with a red fist mark on his abdomen.

Riko waved his hands frantically. “You startled me! It was a reflex, I swear!”

Daigon’s tail flicked violently in irritation. “Reflex my ass! You nearly punched my soul out!”

Then, the guild bell rang out sharply—ding! ding! ding!—cutting through the crowd’s shouts like a blade.

“Everyone, gather your attention! Master Kimura will announce the cause of your complaints!” Fidel shouted, raising her voice above the chaos.

The murmuring ceased as Kimura stepped out from the guild’s entrance. His hands were folded neatly behind his back, his expression grim. The morning sun glinted off his silver hair as he cleared his throat.

“Listen well!” Kimura’s voice carried authority, silencing even the angriest of adventurers.

Riko and the others turned toward him, tension rising in the air.

What could possibly be happening…? Riko thought, his brow furrowing.

Kimura took a deep breath, his jaw tightening. “The reason we closed the border gates,” he began, “is because of an incident that occurred this morning. The Forest of Maple was raided—by none other than one of the Generals’ elite soldiers!”

Gasps erupted from the crowd. The color drained from several faces. Even the wind seemed to still.

Hikari covered her mouth, disbelief shaking her voice. “What…?”

Takashi’s eyes darkened, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles turned white. “That bastard… He had the nerve to raid them again…?”

Riko froze where he stood. His heartbeat pounded in his chest as a cold sweat ran down his cheek.

No… It can’t be… He’s talking about him, right?

His hands trembled slightly.

Vinar… Vinar Silverrine.

Kimura hesitated before continuing, his tone heavy with grief. “Over thirteen thousand six hundred and seventy people were slaughtered… nearly half the entire population of the Forest of Maple.”

The crowd fell into horrified silence.

Riko’s breath caught. His stomach turned, the image of the peaceful village he once passed through flashing in his mind—now reduced to ashes and corpses.

“And yes…” Kimura’s voice lowered to a near whisper. “Most of them were Demi-Humans.”

Hikari shot up from her seat, her voice trembling with anger and worry.

“Then why did the border fail to protect the citizens of Thyvarra?! What’s your excuse for that?!” she shouted, her hands clenched at her sides.

Her words sparked the crowd like wildfire.

“Yeah! She’s right!” one man yelled. “What the hell happened to the guards at the border?!”

Soon, dozens of voices joined in, all shouting in outrage.

Takashi’s voice cut through the noise. “How could you let this happen again?!” he roared, his face twisted with fury.

Even Miraku joined in, her voice breaking with tears. “Yeah! It’s your job to protect the people—how could you fail them like this?!”

Then, with a thunderous slam of his foot, Kimura’s voice boomed through the square.

“SILENCE!!!”

The air turned still. The shouting died instantly.

Kimura’s gaze swept over the furious crowd—his face shadowed with fury, grief, and exhaustion.

“Yes,” he began, his tone cold but heavy with truth. “Your words are correct. But listen well… The soldiers stationed at the border were also slaughtered. Beheaded—most of them sliced into pieces!”

The crowd recoiled, gasping.

Kimura’s fists trembled as he pointed toward them. “Do you call that my failure?! I am not the one assigned to guard the borders! Their duty was to protect the citizens—mine is to lead this guild!”

Fidel clasped both her hands together, her face pale with worry. “Master…” she whispered softly.

Kimura slowly raised both arms, clearing his throat. His expression hardened again.

“Listen well! Her Majesty, Queen Larsha, and I will be discussing this matter immediately! So for now—hang tight. More updates will be announced soon, understood?!” he shouted, his voice echoing through the hall.

He lowered his arms, exhaling sharply. “You are all dismissed.”

Without another word, Kimura turned and walked away, his footsteps heavy.

The crowd murmured among themselves, some in shock, others in despair, as they began to file out of the guild hall.

Hikari gritted her teeth, her fists trembling. “Tch…” She stormed out of the building, her red hair swaying as she pushed through the doors.

Riko noticed immediately, worry flashing across his face. “Wait, Hikari!” he called, reaching out—but she was already gone.

Takashi and Miraku followed behind, both silent. Their gazes were heavy with anger and sadness.

“I’ll just… go sharpen my blade,” Takashi muttered under his breath. As he passed the wall, he suddenly slammed his fist into it, cracking the stone. The sharp thud echoed behind him as he walked away.

Riko clenched his fist, his nails digging into his palm.

Beside him, Daigon rested both arms behind his head, his tone calm but heavy. “Riko, that’s how messed up this world is. Mortal kind… they’re sincerely known to be vile and cruel. They kill each other for power, for greed, and for wealth. But this raid…” His voice lowered. “This was different. It was pure evil—no remorse, no hesitation.”

Riko’s eyes trembled. Over thousands of people died… even kids… His chest tightened, anger and sorrow twisting inside him. That— that makes me sick to even think about. He clenched his fist tighter, veins visible on his arm.

“Daigon…” he muttered, his voice cracking slightly. “Why doesn’t your father do anything about this? Isn’t he a god?”

Daigon sighed, lowering his arms. His expression softened, a rare hint of seriousness flickering across his face.

“Riko,” he said quietly. “Sit down.”

Riko blinked in confusion.

Daigon looked toward the horizon, his gaze distant. “Because I’ll show you the true meaning of mortal life.

Riko sat down slowly, his jaw tight and his eyes glassy. “Tell me…” he said, his voice trembling. “If he’s so loving… then why does he let this happen?”

Daigon exhaled softly, lowering his head. “Riko, my father created reality for one reason—love.”

Riko blinked through the sting in his eyes, saying nothing.

Daigon continued, his voice calmer, deeper. “I once questioned my own existence when I was created. I asked him why I was even here, and he told me, ‘Daigon, for I am your father. Your purpose is to love your enemies and your neighbors. That shall show them the righteous path.’”

He looked down, his usual grin gone. “What he meant was… to bond with mortals. To understand them.”

Daigon’s tone softened even more. “That’s where Taisken began to question Father, too…”

Flashback:

A celestial realm bathed in golden light. Stars shimmered like dust above endless skies.

“Father,” a younger Taisken spoke firmly, his expression defiant yet curious. “Why do you let mortals roam free as they commit such vile and disgusting acts to one another? Why… did you create them in the first place?”

Ritumara smiled gently, stepping closer. Daigon—young and curious—peeked from behind a pillar, listening in silence.

Ritumara placed a hand on Taisken’s head, his voice filled with warmth. “Taisken, my son… I let these mortals roam freely out of love. I granted them free will.”

He looked toward the horizon where countless worlds shimmered in the distance. “If I hadn’t, then what would they be? Slaves? Machines without hearts or souls? I did not wish to create perfection—I wished to create those who seek it through choice, through love, through pain.”

Ritumara’s gentle gaze shifted. “Daigon… that goes for you as well.”

Daigon froze, peeking nervously from behind the door. Realizing he’d been caught, he stepped out shyly, his tail twitching.

“F-Father,” he said, voice soft and curious. “Why do evil and good even exist? Couldn’t you just make mortals… all good?”

Ritumara chuckled faintly, his expression calm yet wise. He placed his hand over Daigon’s head, his touch glowing faintly with divine light.

“Daigon, if evil and good did not exist, then mortals themselves would not exist either.”

Daigon blinked, confused.

Ritumara continued, “Free will reveals the true nature of mortal kind. One path leads to goodness… the other, to darkness. Without evil, mortals would never understand what it means to be good. Without good, they would destroy one another until nothing remained.”

He looked out toward the radiant expanse of stars beyond their divine realm.

“But when both exist, balance is born—and with it, the power to choose. That, my son, is what gives life its meaning.”

Back in the present—

Daigon leaned back on the bench, his expression calm but firm. “That’s what Father told me, Riko. What he truly gave to mortal kind wasn’t just life—it was free will, born from love itself. So listen well… don’t blame him. Blame the mortals who chose to stain that gift with their own deeds.”

Riko’s eyes widened, his chest tightening.

Free will… that’s what Ritumara gave us. The right to choose—to walk the path of good, or descend into evil.

Daigon exhaled softly, then hopped off the bench, his tail swaying lazily behind him. “Here’s the truth, Riko. For mortals, it’s easier to do wrong than to do right. That’s why this world is as it is.”

He turned his gaze toward the horizon, the morning sun reflecting in his golden eyes. “And that, Riko… that’s reality.”

Riko lowered his gaze, the weight of Daigon’s words pressing on him.

He’s right…

I used to think there was no god… so I did whatever I wanted. I drank, I ignored everything around me… I only thought of myself. I didn’t even cry at my friends’ funeral, because I was too caught up in my own world.

I just wish… I could apologize. Apologize to them—all the people I ignored, the ones who tried to help me.

Daigon tugged on Riko’s cloak. “Aren’t you forgetting someone? You know… Hikari?” he said, a teasing edge in his voice.

Riko blinked and nodded. “Oh… yeah. I should go talk to her, try to cheer her up. Oh, but where are you heading off to?” He asked.

Daigon only waved it off, “I’ll be heading off to go grab soemthing to eat.”

Fatass… Riko thought with a deadpan.

He walked through the trees, sunlight filtering through the leaves, casting shifting patterns across the ground.

Thinking back… I remember when I was seven. Mom would always cook tonkatsu after school. Her smile… it always brightened my day. I can still smell the aroma of her cooking…

Riko took a deep breath, letting the sun shine across his face. The branches swayed gently above him, the leaves catching the light, dancing in the breeze.

Ever since she died… I felt empty… a sun that flickered and died out. I was isolated from pitch darkness…

Then he heard it—a soft whimper. Somewhere ahead… it sounded like Hikari.

Riko turned toward the direction of the noise, his footsteps soft against the grass. “Hikari…?” he whispered.

He found her sitting beneath a tree at the edge of the grassy cliff, knees drawn to her chest. The wind stirred her hair as the sunlight flickered through the leaves.

Quietly, Riko walked over and sat beside her, leaning back against the trunk. “Hikari… why are you crying?” he asked gently, his eyes fixed on the clouds drifting across the sky.

“Nothing… I’m just… not feeling well,” she whimpered, wiping her tears.

Riko sighed softly, gazing at the horizon. “Hikari… I’m here. Don’t hold it in. Tell me—what brought your mood down? Was it because of the raid?” His tone was calm, almost like the breeze itself.

Hikari froze, then slowly turned her tearful gaze toward him. Her lips quivered. “Yes…” she murmured.

Riko remained quiet, eyes half-lidded. “Tell me… why?”

The wind blew softly through the trees, brushing against his hair.

“It’s my fault…” she whispered. “It’s my fault my parents died. All because of me…” Her voice trembled as she clutched her legs tighter. “I used to live in the Forest of Maple… when the raid happened, I just stood there. I couldn’t move. I watched the village burn and screamed, but my legs wouldn’t respond. My parents came for me—they carried me and tried to escape—but then… the General caught up to us. My parents hid me behind a tree…”

Her voice cracked. “And… and they died because of it. All because of me…”

Hikari broke down, crying uncontrollably. Every word was drenched in pain, guilt, and memory.

Riko’s lips trembled. His eyes, too, glistened with tears he could no longer hold back.

How can I not relate to her…? he thought. It was my fault my mom died too… because of me, she ended her own life. I was just a burden to her. Her smiles… they were forced. Her eyes were exhausted… how did I not notice?

I’m sorry, Mom… I’m truly sorry… for being such a burden to you.

Riko’s voice trembled; it cracked halfway through. “Hikari…”

“Don’t cry,” he choked out, each word raw. “It isn’t your fault. It was your parents’ decision.”

But it’s my fault… all my fault… Mom, please— forgive me for taking your happiness away.

Hikari’s eyes widened. She turned her head to look at him from the other side of the tree, shut and trembling. Riko bit his lip, fighting back the flood of emotion. “Don’t worry, Hikari… it’s not your fault that your parents are gone.”

“H- Riko…?” she whispered.

He swallowed, forcing a small, earnest smile through the tears. “I will avenge your loss. Put your faith in me—trust me, for I am your friend…”