The Golden Vision

Original work. By the author ‘Pili.’

At the edge of the PHG grounds, the small wooden hut was quiet.

The small lantern hung near the center, its light warm and steady, casting long shadows against the rough timber walls.

It was their usual meeting spot. Where they used to plan or just waste time.

Tonight, everything felt heavy.

Things were different this time; Amaya was absent, and Miyu was busy.

Hiroki sat on a wooden crate near the wall, leaning his back against the wooden planks, his hands clasped tightly between his knees. He realized how tense his body was as they continued to gaze at him.

Ayuri stood near the entrance for a moment before stepping inside fully. She closed the door quietly behind her and glanced at the others.

“Man… this place never changes,” Kenji spoke as he looked around casually. “Smells the same. And that floor, always creaking under my feet. It brings memories. Although the last time we were here was like a week ago.”

Yoru sat facing Hiroki directly, her arms crossed, leaning back slightly.

"So… Are you going to explain what happened back there? Or are we just going to sit in silence until morning?"

Kenji let out a small sigh.

"Don't press on him too hard, Yoru. He looks like he’s about to pass out."

"I’m not grilling him. I just want answers."

She turned her eyes back to Hiroki.

Hiroki’s eyes stayed low.

“Now… how am I supposed to handle this? I don't want to reveal anything that might seem sensitive or strange…”

Yoru leaned forward, insisting curiously.

"You froze and looked terrified. And then you said you saw… possibilities of the future or something… What is it about?"

Hiroki stared at the small wooden table.

"It wasn't… clear. I’m not sure about that…"

His voice was too soft.

Yoru’s gaze sharpened immediately.

“Don’t dodge it,” she added. “You froze. Again. That’s not normal, Hiroki.”

Hiroki exhaled slowly.

“…Yeah. I know.”

After a brief pause to breathe, he carried on.

“It’s not like dreams,” he said. “And it’s not like hallucinations either. When it happens, I don’t feel asleep. And not confused. It’s more like… I’m there.”

Yoru frowned in confusion.

“There where?”

“Not sure. One second I was in the hallway, the next… I was somewhere else. A place full of snow.”

He swallowed the lump in his throat.

"There was snow everywhere. And… a feeling. A heavy, suffocating feeling."

“I think it usually snows in the eastern regions of the Kingdom,” Kenji stated.

At that moment, Ayuri let out a soft, peculiar groan. No one noticed it.

“But this has nothing to do with what he saw. It could be something entirely fictional,” Yoru replied to him.

Kenji grimaced. “Uh. Well… that clears up absolutely nothing, I guess.”

“Hmm… Snow… in the middle of autumn?”

Yoru tapped her finger against her arm.

Hiroki didn't mention the blood. He didn't mention the dead man with the blue eyes. Or the figure standing in the distance.

"I… can't tell them everything. They’ll think I’m losing my mind. I’m I…?"

She shook her head slowly.

"That sounds more like a nightmare rather than a vision."

"But… It felt real," Hiroki insisted, finally raising his gaze. "More real than sitting here right now."

"Man… that’s creepy."

Kenji whistled low.

“Are these moments random?” Ayuri finally spoke. “Or do they happen under certain conditions?”

Hiroki thought for a moment.

“I can't confirm that,” he admitted. “But… every time it happened, something bad followed not long after.”

Yoru stiffened.

“…You mean like before the Night Crows incident?”

Hiroki affirmed with a nod.

Yoru crossed her arms tighter for a moment.

“So… somehow you can see the future now…? Interesting.”

Hiroki shook his head immediately.

“No… I don’t think it’s that simple.”

“Then what else?”

Hiroki closed his eyes briefly.

“Not everything is guaranteed to be true all the time.”

Kenji let out a low whistle.

"Dude, that sounds too complicated. And you didn't think to tell us sooner?”

Yoru clicked her tongue. Her face tightened with worry.

“You’re an idiot.”

“…Sorry about that.”

Ayuri, who had been standing in the corner, finally moved closer.

She stepped into the center. Her expression was calm, yet her eyes held a strange depth as she looked at Hiroki.

"I don't think these are just dreams or nightmares."

The three of them moved their gaze towards her.

Ayuri placed a hand on the table.

"Have you ever heard of the… Golden Eye?"

"Golden Eye?" Kenji tilted his head. "That sounds like a fancy jewelry shop."

Ayuri ignored him, her focus remaining on Hiroki.

"Also known as the Golden Vision. It’s an old term. Very rare. I read about it in some ancient texts regarding the royal bloodlines."

She lowered her voice slightly.

"They say it’s an ability to perceive the flow of time. Not the future exactly… but potential outcomes. And that may include possibilities that might come to pass. Or so the legends say."

Hiroki’s breath hitched.

"Time… flow?"

"However…" Ayuri’s expression darkened for a split second. "It is known to be extremely unstable. It forces the mind to process things it isn't meant to see."

She leaned in closer.

"If you dive too deep into it, Hiroki… it could break you. It doesn't show you what you want to see. It shows you what you fear the most that could happen."

A chill ran down Hiroki's spine.

“What is all this about?! This isn't the answer I expected. But… at least there was some meaning to it all. But what is the main reason behind this?”

He instinctively touched his chest, thinking of the Golden Book hidden back in his room.

"Is the book showing me this? Or is it… her?"

He remembered Ayuri from the visions. But the girl standing in front of him right now seemed… unrelated to her.

"Ah… I didn't tell them about the one I saw. And… I probably shouldn't."

Ayuri pulled back, her casual smile returning as if the heavy moment hadn't happened.

"But, that’s just a theory. I don't know for sure. After all, all the ancient information about the kingdom and special magic was burned."

Yoru exhaled slowly.

"Great. So not only are we suspended from missions, but now our teammate might be developing a dangerous, unstable eye power."

She looked at Hiroki, her eyes warm with concern.

"Look… just be careful, alright? Don't focus on it too much. Afterall, it may be incorrect."

Kenji clapped his hands together loudly.

"Alright! That’s enough doom for tonight."

He walked over and patted Hiroki on the back.

"Whatever happens, we’ll figure it out. As we always do. For now, let’s be grateful that we aren't cleaning the stables for Ryuuji."

“Since when have we been doing this?” Yoru asked.

"Heh? Just me? Seriously?" Kenji was surprised. "Ryuuji forces me to do it every Tuesday!"

Hiroki managed a weak smile.

“Oh my of you. What are you even saying… But you're right.”

"Another thing caught my notice." Kenji continued, looking around. "Seriously… where is Miyu? She hasn't attended this place for a while."

"The Library," Yoru answered, standing up and stretching her arms. "Where else? She said she found a new lead on the… You know what."

She glanced at Hiroki, referencing the Golden Book.

"She’s working late again?" Hiroki asked.

"She’s obsessed," Yoru shrugged. "But she seemed happy about it. She said she wanted to be useful while we were grounded."

Ayuri nodded.

"She is a hard worker. We should bring her some snacks tomorrow. She is one of us after all."

The conversations slowly shifted. Less heavy. More casual.

The earlier panic was finally fading.

They talked for a few minutes about small things, complaining about Seina’s strict rules.

"Well… I think I’m going to head back," Hiroki said. "I’m exhausted already."

"Same," Kenji yawned. "So… see you guys in the morning."

They moved toward the door.

Ayuri stopped at the entrance. She wasn't heading back with them.

"Aren't you coming?" Yoru asked, looking back.

Ayuri waved her hand lightly.

"I have a little night patrol to do. Just checking the perimeter. Old habits."

"Again…? At this hour?" Yoru raised an eyebrow. "Seina told us to rest."

"Well… I find walking relaxing. Seina has known about that for a very long time." Ayuri replied with a smile. "Go on ahead. I won't be out for too long."

Yoru hesitated, clearly wanting to argue, but she just shook her head.

"Fine. Don't stay up too late."

"Goodnight, guys."

Hiroki watched Ayuri turn and walk toward the left side of the PHG, her white coat disappearing into the shadows. That was fast.

"…She never changes."

Hiroki turned and followed Kenji and Yoru back toward the dorms.

“If these visions keep happening… should I really just start to ignore them…?”

The night settled into silence. But it wasn't peaceful.

It felt like the calm before a storm.

Far away…

To the West of the Capital.

The city lights were dimming as the residents prepared for sleep.

Travelers from distant lands were unloading their carriages near the main gates, the bustle of the day fading into the stillness of the night.

It was peaceful as always…

Or it seemed that way.

Beyond the city walls, on a hilltop overlooking the western gate.

A figure stood outlined by the moonlight glow.

The wind howled softly, tugging at the long black coat.

A pair of eyes opened in the darkness.

They glowed like polished red rubies. Sharp. Twisting with amusement.

"Finally, I arrived… at the perfect time."

Renne stared down at the city, and a wide, predatory grin spread across her face.

"Are you all ready…"

She whispered to some.

"…for the show?"

[TO BE CONTINUED…]