Chapter Text
Run…, the snow fell faster from the heavens as I - dressed in no more than a light nightgown - began to tread faster through the ice and slush... farther away from my estate.
Hide…, frostbite had slowly begun to take hold of my tiny frame as I hid amongst a thicket of bushes where Izumi and I had played many of games of Hide and Seek with our mother when we were children.
And pray for morning’s light…; I kept repeating what I hope are not father's last words to myself whilst trying to control my breathing and stop the tears from streaking down my face.
God(s) how I hope tonight wouldn't be the last time. I can't stand to bear losing anyone else without saying goodbye.
I once read somewhere that:
fear is a powerful emotion...
we all feel it at one point or another...
even though some of us truly feel that we don’t fear anything...
“What a load of bullshit...” I thought,
“How can any normal human being NOT be grasped by fear after witnessing what I had in what had once been the comfort of my own home?! They would have to be a creature who lacks any emotion or humanity all together to not even flinch!"
I could hear my heartbeat in my ears and could no longer feel the bitter cold of winter as it is then replaced by the overwhelming heat and pressure of rage - an emotion I never allowed myself to express often.
Not when my mother died, not when the villagers began calling father insane, and especially not when Izumi - my own elder sister; the one who was supposed to help lead me down the righteous path while father was in grieving - decided to follow along with their trails of mockery and began to distance herself from our family.
"Dare I give someone who believes such the same respect of being called a human being... a title that I too have been 'assigned' since my birth?!? Why to believe such a ridiculous, fabricated lie is no less than the dumbest thing I've ever -"
My internal dialogue was quickly silenced as I could just barely make out the sound of heavy and quick footsteps trudging through the snow, nearing my hiding spot.
Crunch ... Crunch ... Snap ... Crunch ...
Could it be father?
Or maybe even Izumi?
Should I have better covered my tracks?
Is there a chance anyone I love is still alive?
As my mind was racing at a million miles a minute; I failed to realize something crucial.... the footsteps ... had stopped.
And just like that, the only sound I could hear aside from my beating heart was that of the roaring winter winds...a blizzard must be quickly approaching
The branches of the bush next to me began to rustle, as if a predator were looking for meek prey hiding within.
"Please be just a deer... or maybe a rabbit...", I mentally pleaded whilst cupping my mouth to try and silence the shaky whimpers threatening to pass my lips. "We always see dozens of them around our estate during this time of year".
The bush next to me stopped rustling, and the footsteps began once more, before stopping right in front of me!
A silhouette of a 'person's' legs could barely be made out between the branches - and I could do nothing but close my eyes and pray that the figure is distracted by the impending blizzard and moves further away from the thicket.
“Father ... Mother ... Big Sister ... WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?!?"
The snowflakes began to fall heavier, and the air felt significantly colder - despite already being well below freezing at that point
The storm had to have been right on top of me at that point. "I need to get back and check on father and Izumi - they need to get to the village for proper care as soon as possible. Surely whoever had been searching for me had moved on at this point ... right?"
It was then that I opened my eyes and looked up to see a man—
No, it was no man -
But rather, a monstrous, ominous, beast with sharpened claws, blood streaming down its face, and a devilish smirk plastered on its face… and its eyes... oh its eyes.. they were just as father had tried to exclaim to the townspeople - they were truly the eyes of the Devil himself. So full of malice and hatred - who knew what he had in store for me!
It was just then that I noticed the number Lower 2 engraved on its left eyeball. Just what kind of hellish creature was this?!?
"My, my...what is a precious young thing like you doing out in a storm like this?", it spoke.
I tried to inch my way back further into the bush, but found myself unable to move... I was frozen in fear.
"And with nowhere left to run too...", it crouched down
Its breath was truly putrid, and its teeth were stained with the crimson red of blood - oh god I was going to be sick.
"And not to mention...", it inched closer to me until I was forced to look into its cold, dead eyes,
"ALL ALONE" >:)
My heart was bound to explode out of my chest
I could not breathe
And I could feel myself losing control of my body as my vision began to go black...
"I'm sorry everyone ... I'm sorry for being so weak and leaving you all behind ... please forgive me..."
It was just then that the 'creature' quickly retreated, leaving me to fall forward into the pillowy snow that had begun to accumulate on the frozen ground.
"What just happened? How and why am I still alive?", I asked myself whilst lying on the cold ground.
And before everything went dark, I swear that I could make out another silhouette. This one however wielded a sword and wore flames on his back ... I have never seen someone with such peculiar fashion ... just who was this guy?
It was then that I was pulled into a warm embrace and quickly wrapped in some type of warm cloth - one that smelled of smoke and ash while also possessing a sense of comfort and safety.
"Ma'am? Ma'am, are you alright?'
.. Someone was speaking to me ... but I just didn't have the energy to respond
- I was exhausted, and I don't think I had the right to be... but I just couldn't stay awake anymore.
"Ma'am! Can you hear me!?"
And so, I let go and drifted off into a dreamless slumber - I doubt I would ever be allowed to dream or experience happiness again after a horrific night like this. I could only hope that father and Izumi would still be alive the next time I wake up
... and that my mysterious savior would be there for me to properly meet and thank - and to also question his strange wardrobe choice too.