The Unceratin Future (Part 1)

Hiro and Lili finally arrived at their destination, reaching the outer walls of the city without encountering any further obstacles. The sight of the walls brought them a sense of relief, but for Hiro, it also stirred up a strange uneasiness. He couldn't shake off the fear of being recognized, unsure of whether such recognition would bring positive or negative consequences. Being afflicted with amnesia and devoid of any memories of his past, Hiro could have been anyone before awakening in the forest. This uncertainty weighed heavily on him, intensifying his anxiety. He couldn't help but envision himself as one of the Night Owls' bandits, a traitor, or even a fugitive.

As they stood before the imposing main gate, Hiro found himself lost in his thoughts, completely detached from reality. It was only when one of the guards addressed him that he snapped back to the present, struggling to respond coherently.

“Huh?” he mumbled unconsciously, his mind still lingering in the depths of his own concerns. “I'm sorry, I didn't hear what you-”

He suddenly felt a sharp pain jabbing at his side, causing him to let out a stifled sound.

Liliana took charge, sensing his distraction, and firmly grasped his hand, leading him forward. She confidently announced that they were free to enter the city.

“Geez, big brother Hiro, you really are scatterbrained,” Liliana teased, a hint of exasperation in her voice, “I almost thought you were asleep back there. Did you even listen to a single word of our conversation with the guard?”

Facing the girl's question, Hiro scratched the back of his head and responded sincerely, without a trace of hesitation.

“To be completely honest with you,” he confessed, “your theory might not be too far from the truth. Either I was asleep back there, or I’m slowly losing my mind.”

Liliana let out a sigh in response to Hiro's behavior, expressing her frustration at his lack of attention towards the guard.

“Please, accept my deepest apologies, young lady,” he said with a touch of melodrama.

He bowed to her with a theatrical flair, as if she were a princess deserving of his deepest apologies. His playful antics brought a smile to her face, indicating that his apology was well-received.

“Anyway,” she continued, regaining her composure, “I've spoken with the guards, and you now have the freedom to enter and leave the city whenever you want.”

She proudly puffed out her chest, emphasizing her accomplishment of securing Hiro's unrestricted access to the city.

“Say what!? Are you a guard’s chief daughter or something!?”

Hiro's exclamation of surprise elicited only humming sounds from Liliana, leaving him even more bewildered. Undeterred, Liliana increased her pace, with Hiro following closely behind. As they ventured deeper into the city, Hiro couldn't help but be amazed by the wide, well-organized streets and the stunning architecture that surrounded him. Each district had its own distinct style of houses, and even the areas that appeared to be economically disadvantaged seemed far superior to anything Hiro could imagine. He marveled at the sophistication and intricate details present in every aspect of the city.

Moments earlier, the outer walls had given an impression of a plain and unremarkable city, but the reality within was a breathtaking sight. While the protective barrier of the city appeared sturdy, it lacked any remarkable features. In contrast, the carriages, houses and streets seemed to have been crafted with meticulous care and attention to detail, as if the city had been designed exclusively for nobility. The sheer grandeur and opulence overwhelmed Hiro, making him feel as though he had stepped into a world far removed from the humble forest where he had awoken without any memories.

Liliana stood beside Hiro, observing him with a mixture of astonishment and concern. After collecting her thoughts, she felt compelled to speak up, wanting to convey a message to him.

“It's not as idyllic as it seems,” Liliana began, her voice carrying a note of caution, “the city may look beautiful, but appearances can be deceiving.”

Hiro, taking in her words, nodded in agreement.

“You're right. Never judge a book by its cover, huh?”

Liliana's soft sigh carried a weight of solemnity, as she tightened her grip on Hiro's hand He sensed her growing anxiety and couldn't help but worry about her. Since their arrival in the city, Liliana's demeanor had been shifting. Her once cheerful and youthful spirit appeared to be gradually giving ground to a more serious and mature disposition. The absence of her radiant smile and childlike mannerisms left Hiro feeling uneasy.

Without a second thought, Hiro gently released her hand and, with a swift motion, hoisted Liliana high into the air before she could voice any objections. His intention was to inject a moment of joy and playfulness back into her world, if only for a fleeting instance.

“Waaaaaaah!” she exclaimed in shock as Hiro lifted her onto his back.

However, her initial surprise quickly gave way, and she adjusted to the novel vantage point.

“Come on, let's turn that frown upside down! I figured you might enjoy seeing the city from a different perspective,”

Lili's face flushed deeply, her embarrassment palpable as she resisted being carried in this playful manner, a stark contrast to her earlier adventurous spirit in the forest.

“T-This isn’t funny! People will stare and, and-…” she stumbled over her words, her voice tinged with unease.

Hiro paused in his steps, looking up at the flustered girl, his gaze filled with understanding as he sought to ease the tension.

“Are you worried people will think you're having too much fun?” Hiro asked with a playful chuckle, “I might not understand why you've suddenly become more reserved, but...” he paused, his eyes radiating sincerity as he smiled at Lili. “You don't have to be like this around me, okay? Besides, I doubt anyone would even recognize you right now, unless you make it explicitly obvious, don't you think?” he reassured her, attempting to dispel the lingering tension in the air.

Lili, initially startled by the sudden lift, couldn't help but giggle at Hiro's lightheartedness. However, his reasoning left her dumbfounded. Nervously, she glanced around and let out a defeated sigh. Her disheveled appearance, with dirty and torn attire, along with her haphazard hairstyle, was a far cry from her usual polished self. While Hiro was correct in assuming that no one would likely recognize her in her current state, the guards at the gate had no trouble doing so. Unbeknownst to Hiro, Lili had specifically requested that the guards keep her return a secret for now—a conversation he had missed while lost in his own thoughts.

“Geez, big brother Hiro, you’re such a dummy.” Lili finally replied, her tone laced with amusement as she started to relax a bit.

“I guess so.” he shrugged, a sheepish grin forming on his face.

“Ehhh… Fine. That way.” she sighed in resignation.

Lili extended her arm, pointing her finger in the direction that led even deeper into the heart of the city. Hiro's response was immediate, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

“Hold on tight!” he exclaimed, a mischievous grin spreading across his face, as he broke into an abrupt sprint.

Caught off guard by Hiro's sudden burst of speed, Lili let out a surprised shriek and instinctively wrapped her arms around his head, ensuring her safety during their impromptu dash. As they zoomed through the bustling streets, their laughter filled the air, a harmonious symphony of joy. While the sight of a girl clinging to a boy's head might have appeared comical to onlookers, the genuine happiness radiating from both of them was undeniable.

Their carefree spirits embraced the adventure, and their laughter echoed through the city as they raced past its vibrant shops, enchanting gardens, and lively squares. With every stride, they reveled in the exhilaration of the moment, fully immersed in the sights and sounds that surrounded them.

Passersby couldn't help but be infected by their infectious laughter, offering smiles and curious glances as Hiro and Lili weaved through the urban labyrinth. The city unveiled its hidden charms, from ornate architecture to colorful street performers, becoming a vibrant backdrop to their shared adventure.

Sometime later, the directions they had taken had led them even deeper into the sprawling city of Osata. The journey had been longer than he had anticipated, and it became increasingly apparent that the city was larger than he had originally thought. Despite the late hour, the streets were still teeming with activity, as people continued to wander about.

‘A city that never sleeps, huh?’ Hiro mused to himself, his voice barely above a whisper, as they strolled through the dimly lit streets. The glow of streetlights cast long shadows on the cobblestones, lending an air of mystery to their surroundings.

Finally, they arrived at the end of the road, greeted by the sight of a massive steel gate. Beyond it, a grand path stretched out before them, leading to a colossal, castle-like mansion. The mansion's regal facade commanded attention, while a pristine white fountain stood proudly in front of it. Meticulously trimmed hedges lined the path, shaped into an array of intricate designs, showcasing the precision and artistry of the mansion's esteemed residents. The overwhelming aura of nobility and sophistication permeated the air, enough to send a tremor through one's legs. And standing right outside the imposing steel gate, Hiro felt that very tremor course through his being.

Hiro stood there, momentarily awestruck, his eyes scanning the extravagant scene before him. The grandeur and majesty of the mansion were palpable, and a mixture of apprehension and curiosity welled up within him.

“Ummm… Lili, I think we might’ve missed our turn. There’s nowhere we can go from here.” he pointed out hesitantly, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

“What are you talking about? We’re here. My house is ri~ght there in front of us.” she replied, her voice filled with confidence.

“Huh-?”

Hiro's confusion was evident on his face as he tried to comprehend the situation. And then it happened.

“WHAAAAAAAT!?” Hiro exclaimed, his voice filled with shock and disbelief.

Before he could react, his body suddenly gave way, and he tumbled to the ground. Darkness began to encroach upon his field of vision, slowly eclipsing his consciousness. Amidst the fading world around him, he could hear Liliana's panicked screams, calling out his name.

As his awareness slipped away, swallowed by the abyss of unconsciousness, Hiro was left with a whirlwind of unanswered questions. What had just transpired? The confusion and worry lingered in his fading thoughts, but they were drowned out by the encompassing darkness.

In the suffocating darkness, the reverberations of a deep voice pierced through, resounding with an ominous power. Its words carried an unsettling message, instilling a sense of emptiness and insignificance within the boy's psyche. He was unable to comprehend the true meaning behind the voice's declarations and could only receive and internalize them, devoid of resistance or action.

“YOU ARE NOTHING.” the voice echoed, its tone laced with a chilling indifference, as if casting aside any value or worth the boy held.

“YOU HAVE NOTHING.” the voice's words dripped with disdain and repulsion, seeping into his consciousness. The weight of the statement settled upon him, magnifying his own perceived lack.

“YOU MEAN NOTHING.” the voice taunted once again, its words carrying a demeaning air.

Like a relentless assault, the message continued to penetrate the boy's mind, leaving him unable to grasp its true implications. These three sentences reverberated in his existence, dominating his thoughts and distorting his sense of self.

In this realm of shadow, the boy's consciousness remained trapped, held captive by the voice's haunting proclamations. Lost in a void of understanding, he was powerless to break free from this relentless barrage of disparagement. The insidious influence of the voice lingered, casting a dark veil over his perception and leaving him adrift in a realm of uncertain meaning and purpose.

The incessant repetition of the demeaning messages continued to hammer against Hiro's consciousness, relentlessly wearing him down.

“Huh?” A glimmer of confusion pierced through the fog of submission that had engulfed his mind.

But then, a subtle shift occurred. The pattern of the messages was disrupted, as if something had gone awry in the monotonous loop.

"YOU wake- ARE NOTHING. YOU HAVE NOTHING. YOU up! MEAN NOTHING."

The words stumbled, losing their intended rhythm and coherence. A jolt ran through Hiro's mind, shattering the numbing cycle that had held him captive.

In that moment, a fracture appeared in the suffocating darkness, allowing a fleeting ray of light to pierce through. It was a brief flash, a mere glimmer of illumination, but it was enough to rekindle Hiro's senses.

In the regained clarity of his mind, Hiro began to perceive that something was amiss. The messages he had been subjected to carried an unnatural quality, a discordant note that clashed against his inner understanding. The darkness that had ensnared him started to crumble, granting him a glimpse of truth and awakening.

Though the light was fleeting, it served as a catalyst, reawakening Hiro's faculties and restoring his awareness. His senses flickered back to life, allowing him to see beyond the illusion and grasp the reality of his situation, however obscured it might still be. The battle against the darkness had begun, and Hiro, now armed with a glimmer of understanding, would not surrender easily.

As Hiro slowly regained consciousness, he found himself lying in bed, trapped between the confines of reality and the lingering remnants of his unsettling dream. The haunting sentences continued to reverberate in his mind like a haunting echo, refusing to release their grip.

Blinking his eyes to clear away the remnants of slumber, Hiro shifted his gaze towards the ceiling, attempting to ground himself in the familiarity of his surroundings. However, his vision remained blurred for a moment, as if the lines between the dream and reality were still blurred.

With a determined effort, Hiro mustered the strength to sit up, eager to escape the clutches of the nightmare that had plagued him. But as he rose, a searing pain erupted in his head, causing him to wince in discomfort. His hand instinctively reached for the tender spot on the left side of his skull, seeking solace in his attempt to alleviate the throbbing ache.

“Did I trip or something? That aside, I had some really nasty dream… What was it about, though? I can’t tell what… What on eart—” muttering under his breath, Hiro tried to make sense of the disjointed fragments.

His words trailed off, lost in the labyrinth of his thoughts.

Still groggy from just waking up, Hiro's senses were abruptly jolted when he became aware of another presence in the room. His attention snapped towards the figure of a man, a stranger, who had silently entered his space. The man exuded an air of authority and confidence, his elegant attire and stern gaze demanding attention and respect.

The stranger's piercing brown eyes locked onto Hiro's, intensifying his unease.

“Hey, what’s going--?” Hiro began to ask, attempting to raise himself from the bed, but his words trailed off as a sudden realization struck him like a bolt of lightning.

“What the hell!? Where are my clothes!?” Hiro's eyes widened in disbelief, his voice filled with shock and alarm.

The panic in his voice was palpable as he desperately searched for his garments, his body now exposed and vulnerable. With a surge of urgency, he yanked at the sheets, hastily trying to cover himself, his mind racing to comprehend the bewildering situation he found himself in.

“They were filthy and torn, so they have been disposed of.” spoke an unfamiliar voice, addressing Hiro's outcry about his missing clothes.

“Wait, wait, wait, hold up! Why would you do that!? They might not have been in the best condition, but they were all I had!” Hiro's voice conveyed his disbelief and frustration, unable to fathom why someone would discard his meager possessions without his consent.

“You shall receive a temporary change of clothes before selecting new ones to your liking. That, I can guarantee.” the stranger responded, their tone devoid of concern for Hiro's plight.

Their statement suggested an air of authority and an expectation for Hiro to comply without question.

Hiro's frustration only grew as he attempted to reason with the stranger, struggling to come to terms with the abrupt loss of his belongings. The stranger's demeanor and refined speech indicated a noble heritage, further fueling Hiro's initial impression of him.

“But that still doesn't make it right! You've essentially taken everything I owned from me!” Hiro protested, his voice laced with indignation.

As his mind continued to process the situation, a realization struck him, bringing a tinge of embarrassment to his tone. “Wait... Now that I think about it, who in the world undressed me?”

The stranger's response was filled with a mixture of arrogance and condescension, further aggravating Hiro's already frayed emotions.

“As unfortunate as it is, it had to be me. We would never allow one of our maids to perform such a task.” the man replied, his tone dismissive.

The boy’s sense of violation weighed heavily upon him, the overwhelming embarrassment sinking him further into a state of discomfort. The man who had undressed him cleared his throat, redirecting the conversation to a different topic.

“The remaining personal belongings that were in your possession will be returned to you soon, although it would be an overstatement to say the least. The only item to be returned is a sword that you had with you.” the man stated, shifting the focus away from Hiro's current predicament.

With a sigh, Hiro reluctantly acknowledged the situation.

“Okay, I suppose there's no helping it then. Um... What's your name anyway?”

Hiro inquired, hoping to establish some sort of connection or understanding.

“I deem it unnecessary to provide you with this information.” the man replied coldly, maintaining his distant and aloof demeanor.

“I deem it unnecessary to provide you with this information,” Hiro parroted under his breath “What did I even do to you? Can’t we just be friends?” Hiro's voice carried a tinge of desperation, longing for some semblance of camaraderie amidst the tension.

“Outrageous.” the man retorted, his response laced with hostility.

Though not expressed directly, the underlying tone revealed his disdain. In his own twisted way, the stranger attempted to maintain a veneer of respect, solidifying Hiro's theory that had been forming during their exchange.

‘He’s a butler or some sort of servant, isn’t he?’ he mused to himself.

“Hold on. Where’s Lili? If you hurt her I swear I’ll—”

Hiro's voice trembled with concern and a touch of anger as he voiced his fear for his newfound companion. With a sense of urgency, he attempted to approach the man, using the sheets to cover his nakedness. But his path was abruptly blocked as the man coldly intervened.

“Lady Liliana is currently awaiting your awakening elsewhere. However, before I inform her, please dress in the clothes placed on the chair next to the bed. I believe five minutes should suffice.” the man stated, his words sending a chill down Hiro's spine.

Though relieved to hear that Lili was safe, Hiro couldn't help but feel a lingering unease. Nevertheless, he decided to seize the opportunity to push back against the man one final time.

“With you watching? No way in hell.” Hiro retorted.

“Ugh,” the man let out an exasperated sigh, clearly annoyed by Hiro's response, “truly annoying. I shall leave you to it.” he continued, turning his back to Hiro and preparing to depart.

Observing this, Hiro's tone shifted, becoming more assertive as he addressed the man.

“I need to make sure she’s safe. Call her for me immediately after I change.” Hiro demanded firmly, determined to protect Lili at all costs.

“Very well.” the man reluctantly agreed, acknowledging Hiro's request before exiting the room.

“And don’t peek!”

The man elegantly but forcefully closed the door behind him, creating a resounding echo throughout the room.

‘Ah, so I suppose I'm inside her house now, huh? But who in the world is she, a princess?’

(I couldn't fit the entire chapter, second part is next.)