Archive of Our Own

No one could tell for sure who cast that curse, or why. Yet, without fail, once every decade, it came back to consume a member of the Asogi clan. The previous victim had been the clan’s late leader and Kazuma’s father, Genshin Asogi—and now, it seemed like Kazuma’s turn had come.

It started small… White marks on his back and thighs, which became coarser and clearer with each passing day. He knew how it would end, though: fangs, claws, horns, scales covering his entire, deformed body. Little by little, he would lose his humanity, in both his appearance and his mind.

He would never forget the sight of his father shortly before his passing; he didn’t even look like a person anymore. And still, Kazuma had hoped that his father’s memories and personality would stay the same despite the transformation. He didn’t care about the appearance, as long as they could still be a family.

A foolish hope, which soon came to an end.

“You know what you have to do, don’t you?”

Jigoku, the current leader of his clan, looked somberly at him. Kazuma nodded in silence.

“And I hope you know that failure is not an option,” Jigoku added. “You either kill him, or die trying. Don’t come back here in that pitiful state, or I’ll have no choice but to kill you.”

Don’t pretend to care about me now…

“I understand,” said Kazuma.

“Good.”

Saying that, Jigoku approached him, placing a hand on his shoulder. Kazuma’s body stiffened, and Jigoku moved his hand away.

“I wish you luck,” said Jigoku. “May your father watch over you.”

He knew those words were meant as an encouragement, but they still hurt: ten years before, when his father lost his mind to the curse, Jigoku had been the one to stop him. Certainly, the memory of Genshin was painful for both of them, and still, the barely disguised joy in Jigoku’s eyes when he was chosen as the next leader, only a few days later, had permanently tarnished Kazuma’s vision of him.

“Thank you,” Kazuma murmured.

Then, without another word, he left. There was no time to lose; he had one single year to stop the curse before it took him completely. It sounded like a long time, but he had his target to consider. What if they chose to flee? What if they were stronger than him? There were so many things that could go wrong… Not least of all, he could be the one who ended up killed.

But, if he was a condemned man either way, then he would go down fighting. His father had chosen to return without breaking the curse, saying he wished to see Kazuma one last time before his passing. But, unlike him, Kazuma had no one left to make his determination waver. He would kill his opponent and break the curse, or drag them to hell with him so they wouldn’t have the satisfaction of living as a human in his place.

The days passed, slowly and too quickly at the same time. Kazuma was told he would know where to go, but now he was starting to wonder if that had been a lie. He was completely lost. Almost two weeks wandering with no clear destination, barely eating or sleeping, haunted by the certainty that, little by little, those scales were taking a clearer shape all over his body.

Where are they?

That person could be anywhere… Kazuma didn’t even know what they looked like. Their first name, their age, their gender, their appearance, everything was a complete mystery to him. The only thing he knew about his target was the name of their clan: van Zieks. He had heard many tales about them, and the animosity between them and the Asogi clan. Kazuma would have believed that curse had been their doing if it hadn’t been placed upon them as well. Whoever the van Zieks might be, like Kazuma, they too had a single year to try and put an end to that curse through the only way possible: killing the other person afflicted by it.

The thought still brought chills down Kazuma’s spine. He had trained to fight since his childhood, but had never taken a life before. Of course, he was determined to do whatever he needed to, but it wasn’t a pleasant thought. What if his enemy was a fragile woman, like his late mother? Or someone too young to be called an adult… Someone already weakened by age, or by an ailment. Someone with a family… Someone loved by others, unlike himself.

He struggled to silence those thoughts, hardening his heart, thinking only of his own survival. His opponent wouldn’t show him mercy, so why should he hesitate? He kept repeating those words in his mind until, slowly, the van Zieks stopped being a person and turned into a faceless being—nothing but a monster to be slain. It made things a little easier.

It was in the middle of the third week that he finally felt it: a strange, tingling sensation in his body and mind, like a soft, almost unnoticeable force pulling him forward. Kazuma ignored it at first, believing it was just a result of his imagination and exhausted body, but then those words came back to him: he would know where to go.

Nothing to lose, I guess…

Without much choice, Kazuma followed that subtle call, like a ghost guiding him by the hand. For days he followed it, as it slowly grew stronger. He crossed towns, cities, woods, fields, and places he had only seen in nightmares before. As his search grew longer, he started to wonder if he wasn’t walking in circles, following a non-existent call out of pure despair.

That was when, almost a month after the beginning of his journey, he finally found that place. Lost in the middle of the woods, in a strangely quiet area, as if even the wildlife avoided going there, was an old castle. Half of it was in ruins, and the other half was anything but inviting, with its stone walls darkened by the passage of time, covered by moss and thick curtains of ivy. Part of Kazuma wanted to turn around and pretend he never found that castle, but managed to stop himself. That was the place… He could feel it somehow. Whoever the van Zieks he was searching for was, they were hiding in there.

Kazuma needed a moment to gather his courage and organize his thoughts. He reached for the gate and, to his surprise, it opened easily with a creaking sound. Once inside, he reached for his sword, unsheathing it, cautiously approaching the huge building. His heart pounded anxiously, and Kazuma made an effort to keep his breath slow and steady. He stepped forward, and the sound of his boots crushing the dry leaves was the only one to be heard; yet he knew that the van Zieks was aware of his presence. That feeling, the same one that had guided him to that place, had certainly alerted the enemy of his arrival.

Another careful step. He paid attention, listening to any possible noise. Nothing…

Where are they?

Somehow, the silence was much worse than just being attacked. It was too much to expect a quick end to that nightmare, wasn’t it? If it were that easy, there wouldn’t have been so many deaths in his clan.

Another step, and then another, and another. Slowly, he reached the heavy wooden doors of the castle. The pulling became stronger, to the point Kazuma couldn’t separate it from his painful heartbeats. He reached for the door—if the van Zieks wouldn’t come outside to face him, then Kazuma had no choice but to go in. There could be traps… His opponent could be waiting right on the other side of those doors, ready to attack him by surprise. Still, he had no choice but to keep going. What was the alternative? Stay outside and starve or freeze to death?

Unlike the gate, those doors didn’t open easily; Kazuma forced them, but they refused to budge. He clicked his tongue, taking a step back. The door was probably locked from the inside… He would have to find another entrance.

Kazuma circled the building, not taking too long to find an alternate way: a broken window on the second floor. He would be able to reach it if he climbed a nearby tree and jumped inside. The glass would cut him, of course… But, if he was lucky, those injuries would be superficial and not enough to put him at a disadvantage in battle. He left his bag on the ground, taking only his sword with him. Then, with nimble movements, he put his plan into practice, easily climbing the tree, carefully walking on a thick branch that ended near the window. He took a deep breath, and then…

Kazuma barely had the time to react when a projectile flew beside his head, hitting the tree behind him. He lost his balance, falling forward, hugging the branch to avoid the fall.

Shit… The van Zieks knew he would try that. Kazuma gritted his teeth; he had to get inside before his opponent had the chance to fire again. Without hesitation, he jumped up, feeling the branch creak with his weight. Then he ran, taking that risky leap with no preparation.

Kazuma managed to reach the window, but didn’t go through it. He fell on its border with his body bent, half inside, half outside. A sharp yelp left his lips; those glass shards pierced the flesh of his stomach. Kazuma used all of his strength to drag himself inside the room, falling on the floor. The pain burned in his stomach, and Kazuma risked a glance at it: he was bleeding, a glass shard pointing out from the wound. Kazuma pulled it out, and the pain brought tears to his eyes.

That looked bad. He hugged his stomach with his left arm, raising his sword with the right one. His opponent could arrive at any second… Judging by where that projectile had come from, they were somewhere on the upper floors. Were they waiting for Kazuma to act again? If so, they would wait for a long time… There was no way Kazuma was leaving that room in such a state—he would bleed out before he reached the upper floor if he tried. Instead, he stayed there, firmly bracing his wounds in an attempt to stop the bleeding, while listening to any possible sounds, ready to jump back on his feet at any moment. He hadn’t given up yet… He wouldn’t while there was still a trace of life within him.

A long time passed, but then Kazuma finally heard it: light footsteps coming down the stairs. He tightened the grip on his sword, slowly getting on his feet. His wounds burned. Breathe… He could do it.

Kazuma stood beside the door, ready to attack the van Zieks as soon as they stepped inside. The van Zieks stopped outside the room, and Kazuma waited, anxious, as the minutes passed.

What are they planning? Were they waiting for Kazuma to open the door? Maybe they knew that walking inside would be suicide… So, it was pretty much a waiting game. If Kazuma opened the door, he would probably take a bolt to the chest; if the van Zieks did it, they would be stabbed on the back. The first one to act would die, and both of them knew it.

In any other situation, Kazuma would patiently wait; at that moment, however, each wasted minute made his chances of surviving that confrontation smaller. He needed to do something about his wounds, but that wasn’t an option before he defeated his opponent. He had no choice… He had to do something, no matter how risky it was.

Without thinking much, Kazuma reached for the nearest object, which was a broken sculpted bust. It was heavy, and lifting it didn’t do Kazuma’s wounds any good, but he had to try. Gathering all his strength, Kazuma threw the bust through the window, so it fell outside with a loud noise. A small, surprised sound echoed on the other side of the door, and a moment later, it opened.

Oh, Gods… It worked.

He heard the van Zieks cautiously step inside. Kazuma made no sound, waiting…

“Is someone there?”

The low masculine voice made his heart jump, but he stayed quiet. Another step, and now Kazuma could partially see the tip of a crossbow from his hiding spot. It was still too risky to act, though, especially in that state.

The window… You heard me jump, didn’t you? Go… Before I get too far and you miss your chance.

Those following seconds seemed to last an eternity. The van Zieks inhaled deeply, then, as Kazuma hoped, he walked toward the window. Kazuma jumped to his feet, throwing himself against that man with his sword raised. Before he could reach the van Zieks, however, that man turned around, seeing him. He pointed the crossbow at Kazuma, who tackled him, pushing him to the ground. The van Zieks fired the crossbow, and the bolt rebounded against the ceiling, falling by their side. Kazuma got over his opponent, raising his sword, but the van Zieks hit him in the face, making him fall to the side, the sword escaping from his hand.

Kazuma could feel the blood pouring from his injury. He glanced around, finding his sword a few steps away from him. He tried to crawl toward it, his fingers barely touching the hilt before a sound made him turn around. The van Zieks jumped over him, holding that bolt, aiming it toward his neck. Kazuma grabbed his wrist with both hands, stopping the sharp projectile from reaching him.

That man was much bigger than him, and almost as strong. With that bleeding injury, he was at an obvious disadvantage… But what could he do? The thoughts trampled over each other in his mind, and Kazuma had to make an effort to clear them. He jolted his body to the side, and the van Zieks lost his balance for a moment, his grip on that bolt loosening. Kazuma grabbed the projectile, then aimed it toward his throat; the man avoided the fatal injury, and instead the sharp projectile pierced his shoulder. He pushed Kazuma, who used that chance to reach for his sword, breathing hastily—his lungs burned, his vision got in and out of focus. He had to end that quickly.

No, even if he did… The wound in his stomach burned and bled, and there was nothing but adrenaline keeping his body moving through the pain and loss of blood. Was he really going to die like that…?

Yes… It would be foolish to deny it. But he wouldn’t go without a fight: if he couldn’t win, he would at least make sure to take the van Zieks with him.

The van Zieks reached for that bolt, yanking it out of his shoulder. He covered that wound with his hand, inhaling sharply as a faint light emanated from his palm. Wonderful… The bastard could heal himself.

But at least that gave Kazuma a single second of advantage. He no longer had the luxury to act carefully, so he charged against his opponent with a reckless move, his sword raised. He couldn’t see the van Zieks clearly, but their bodies soon collided. They were on the floor again, Kazuma above him. Before that man could react, Kazuma pressed his sword against his throat. The man went still, staring wide-eyed at him.

For a moment that felt too long, they simply looked at each other. It would be so easy now… Kazuma just needed to cut his throat, and it would all be over. However, just the thought of it made his stomach turn. So many times, he had fantasized about the idea of killing a faceless opponent… Yet, now that he finally had the chance, Kazuma couldn’t move.

Kazuma took a few breaths, then shut his eyes, moving the sword away from that man’s throat. The van Zieks looked at him, cautious but confused.

“What are you doing…?”

Kazuma almost laughed: something stupid, for sure…

“Even if I kill you…” he said. “I’m not going anywhere like this. It would be… pointless…”

He shut his eyes, bracing his injury. It hurt to speak—even to breathe. But he tried not to let it show on his face: even at death’s door, his pride wouldn’t allow him to show his weaknesses. He looked at the van Zieks, offering him a half-grin.

“Go ahead,” he said, offering that man his sword. “I’ll give you this victory… Make good use of it.”

The van Zieks didn’t move, and Kazuma hated him for it. For the love of everything sacred, just put an end to this already… If you’re going to kill me, why can’t you at least make it quick?

But he didn’t say a word. Slowly, Kazuma’s body started to lose the last of its strength, and he fell to the side, breathing with difficulty. He would have liked to die while standing tall, but it was too late for that. A long time seemed to pass until, finally, he heard the van Zieks move, crouching by his side. But he didn’t do anything else. Kazuma cursed him in his mind: he should have just put an end to that man’s life, after all… At least his final moments would have been more peaceful like that.

The van Zieks touched his shoulder, turning his body up. Kazuma’s vision was blurry, but he still could see the contours of his face. Then, he felt a light touch on his stomach, followed by a warm, slightly tingling sensation. Kazuma stared at him, confused.

“What are you…?”

“Stay quiet,” answered the van Zieks in a low voice.

“I…”

Kazuma stopped himself. As much as he disliked being told what to do, it was different when his life was in the hands of someone else. He stayed still, and slowly the pain in his stomach subsided—not fading completely, but reduced enough so he could breathe properly again.

“I’ve closed the wound,” said the van Zieks. “But you shouldn’t move much, just to be safe.”

Kazuma touched his stomach, and as his opponent said, the wounds were gone, reduced to scars. Kazuma sat up, observing the van Zieks, who kept his gaze on the floor.

“I don’t understand…” said Kazuma.

“Me neither.”

That response wasn’t enough. “Why did you help me? You… You were almost free.”

The van Zieks looked at him, a faint, tired smile on his face. “You spared my life. It seemed fair.”

“I only did it because I was dying,” said Kazuma. “Once I can move properly, I’ll try to kill you again.”

To his surprise, the van Zieks simply shook his head. “I shall deal with that when the time comes.”

Without another word, the van Zieks reached for his crossbow, taking it and walking out of the room. Kazuma followed him with his gaze, unsure of how to feel. He tried to stand up, but his body was still too weak from all the blood he lost. With a resigned sigh, he lay on the floor, turning to the side. It was a terrible idea to pass out there, close to someone who could change his mind and come back to finish the job at any moment. But he was too tired to be cautious, so he closed his eyes, allowing the exhaustion to completely take him.

Kazuma ended up falling asleep. He couldn’t tell for how long, but the realization made his heart jump. The van Zieks… Where was he? Where had he gone to? He jumped to his feet, taken by a slight dizziness and a faint pain in those fresh scars. Ignoring it, he moved downstairs, finding the van Zieks in what was left of the library, examining the ruined books as if looking for something he could still read.

“You’re still here,” said Kazuma.

“It is not safe to travel in a snowstorm.” The van Zieks answered without looking at him, glancing at the pages of another book. “And, even if it were… I don’t think I should return home like this.”

Kazuma lowered his gaze. He approached one of the tall, heavy shelves, leaning against it. “What are you planning to do now, then?”

The van Zieks closed the book, staring blankly at it for a moment. “I have no idea. I believed I would either be dead or cured by this point.”

“I guess it was the same for me,” said Kazuma. “I was told not to come back unless I killed you. So… I don’t think I’m going anywhere for now.”

“I see.”

For a while, neither of them said another word.

“You should have ended it back then.” Kazuma finally spoke, looking at him. “It would have made things easier for us both.”

“Perhaps. But it is too late to regret it now.”

Kazuma went silent, thinking for a moment. “We could… Maybe have a proper duel. Without tricks this time.”

“I suppose so.” The van Zieks glanced at Kazuma’s bloodstained shirt. “But you shouldn’t force that injury yet. It might be closed, but it will take a few more days to fully heal.”

“How honorable.” Kazuma forced a sigh, shaking his head. “And here I was, giving you the advantage…”

“I politely refuse it.”

That man was quite different from what he expected from a van Zieks… He certainly expected no sense of honor from one of them, judging by all the stories he had heard since his childhood.

“Can I at least know your name?” asked Kazuma.

The van Zieks looked at him. “Barok. You probably already know the surname.” He hesitated for a moment. “And you?”

“Kazuma.” He paused, unsure of what else to say. “This is awkward.”

“Indeed.”

Kazuma observed Barok for a moment: like himself, at a first glance, there seemed to be nothing wrong with his appearance.

“Your curse…” he said. “How bad is it?”

“Not much, for now,” answered Barok. “Mostly my back, but my mind is still clear.”

“Same here. I wonder how long it’ll take for it to get… worse.”

“Maybe it is better not to think about it for now.”

Kazuma let out a humorless chuckle. “You’re really practical, aren’t you?”

“I simply don’t wish to suffer in anticipation.” He showed a slight, bitter smile. “But I admit it is easier said than done.”

“Still… You’re dealing with it surprisingly well.”

“If that is how it seems to you, then I must be a better actor than I thought.” Barok returned the book to the shelf with a heavy sigh. “One year… It feels like so much time, and yet so little.”

“True.” Kazuma shrugged. “And one month is already gone.”

“A scary thought.”

Kazuma nodded. “What matters is that we’re not going anywhere for now.” He moved away from the bookshelf. “So… I guess I’ll take a look around.”

“Suit yourself.”

Kazuma left the library, and it was a relief to be alone again—as polite as Barok could be, it was clear that neither of them was comfortable in each other’s presence. He glanced around; the place was quite big, and would be even bigger if half of it hadn’t succumbed to time and crumbled down. If he were younger, Kazuma would have loved to explore such a place, trying to find any secrets hidden within its walls. Now, however, he barely had the energy to check the rooms for anything he could use to survive for the time being.

But he kept going, walking slowly not to force his wound. It wasn’t like he was in a hurry, anyway. One year… It had once felt like too little time to cure himself, but an entire year living in a desolate place, waiting for that curse to slowly consume him… It sounded like a nightmare.

Unless, of course, one of them killed the other. It was still a possibility. Even if they made a temporary truce, who knew how things would change once the curse truly started to spread. The thought only made the situation seem much worse: one year living alone in that ruined castle, accompanied only by a person who could stab him in the back at any instant.

Maybe it would be better for Kazuma to act while Barok had his guard down. Make it quick for both of them. It could even be considered an act of mercy, all things considered. In fact, he wouldn’t even resent Barok if he was the one to take action first. By that point, they would be fortunate to die as humans.

The thoughts weighed in his chest. He could still see Barok’s terrified expression when Kazuma was about to kill him. Was he really capable of going through with it? Take someone’s life, even if it was to save his own? He didn’t know… But the thought of it was enough to make him feel sick.

The last time he saw his father came to his mind. Kazuma was fourteen at the time, so he still remembered it clearly: ten months into that curse, Genshin’s appearance was monstrous, covered in white scales, eyes turned red, teeth and nails turned into sharp fangs and claws. A white dragon… Ironically, the mythical animal in the Asogi clan’s crest—the opposite of the van Zieks’ black dragon, showing how far back that rivalry between their families went.

It was surreal to think that he had been saved by one of them. The same one he chose to spare.

Kazuma’s head started to ache, and he tried not to think about those things anymore. Instead, he went outside to recover his bag, rushing back inside with it. He had been so tense before that only after relaxing did he realize how cold it was. He rubbed his hands together to warm them up, then ate some of the rations he still had in his bag—he also hadn’t realized how hungry he was.

Once he was done, Kazuma focused on searching those countless rooms, salvaging what he could, especially blankets, clothes, and other useful things that weren’t completely destroyed by the time and humidity. They all smelled terribly, but that was a small problem compared to freezing.

He took some for Barok as well. Who knew for how long they would be there? Even if, in the end, one of them killed the other, there was no reason to make their final days more uncomfortable than they needed to be.

Soon, his little “treasure hunt” took his entire mind as he went through his findings, separating them into two piles—two smelly, faded, moth-eaten piles. Well, no one was going to freeze, at least. Good… Great. Now, for the other matters at hand…

Food. What he had in his bag would last for a few more days at most. Where were they supposed to find food in such a place, though? He still remembered how unnaturally silent the woods surrounding the castle were. Was there anything alive there, other than the two of them?

There was the matter of water, too… He hadn’t paid much attention to his surroundings when he arrived, but there should be a well or something similar nearby. He should check it soon… If it was dry, or the water wasn’t good for consumption, they would have to find another source as quickly as possible.

A sound behind him made Kazuma turn around, seeing Barok by the door.

“Ah, Barok… I found some—”

He stopped talking when his gaze fell upon the knife Barok carried. He raised his eyes again, looking at him.

“Were you planning to stab me?”

Barok glanced at the knife in his hand, and a sudden flush covered his face. “No! I… I was searching the place, and I found some things that might be useful to us. This, for example, is still quite sharp… It could be useful for hunting.”

Coming from anyone else, that would have sounded like an excuse. But either Barok was a talented actor, or he truly had no intention to harm Kazuma. Either way, Kazuma simply accepted his response with a nod.

“I was thinking about it just now…” he said. “Don’t you think it’s strange how quiet it is? It’s like there’s nothing alive in this place.”

Barok considered it briefly. “Now that you mention it, I didn’t come across any animals on my way here.”

“Did you see any wells nearby?”

“Yes, I have just inspected it. It seems to be empty.”

“I feared so…” Kazuma sighed. “We’ll need to search the area for food and water, then. If we can’t find anything…”

“We won’t be able to stay in this place,” Barok completed.

“Yes.” Kazuma glanced around that room. “That’s a pity… It seemed like the ideal place to slowly turn into a dragon without harming anyone else.”

“What about our duel?”

“Oh, right…” Kazuma forced a small laugh. “I guess we should do that before the dragon part. Well, in better news…” He gestured toward his findings. “I found some clothes and other things we can use. I took some for you too.”

Barok followed Kazuma’s gesture, then looked at him, seeming a little surprised. “Thank you.”

“You won’t thank me after you smell them,” said Kazuma. “Anyway, I think I’ll go check those woods to look for a river.”

“You shouldn’t go far while your wound heals,” said Barok. “Keep searching the castle, I will search the woods.”

“Alright.”

Barok walked to the entrance hall and, without much else to do, Kazuma accompanied him, watching from a step behind as he opened the door.

“The snowstorm stopped,” Barok observed.

“Good…” Kazuma smiled slightly. “It makes things easier for us.”

Barok nodded in agreement, looking at Kazuma. “I shall be back soon.”

“Sure.”

Kazuma watched as he walked away. That was still awkward… But Barok was making an effort, so Kazuma would as well.

He did as Barok suggested, searching the terrain around the castle. The place was huge… Behind the building was an area that seemed to once have been a garden, but now was a labyrinth of dead branches and leaves. The sight was a little sad, to be honest—to think that, once, there had been life in that depressing place…

There was nothing that caught his attention in that dead garden, but maybe the area could be of use if they planted some seeds. Kazuma had never done any gardening before, but there was a first time for everything, especially in a situation of life or death. But they would still have to wait for everything to grow… And there was the snow. No, that probably wasn’t a viable option.

He soon found the well Barok had mentioned and, just to make sure, decided to check it. It was dark inside, no reflections of the light at all. Kazuma turned the handle, lowering the bucket until it reached the ground with a soft “thud.” Completely dry… Not even a drop of water. With a frustrated sigh, he covered the well again, then continued his search.

Further in, he found what had probably once been a barn; it didn’t look like it had sheltered animals for at least a century, though. Kazuma found some tools in a small shed, including gardening ones. He didn’t waste much time there, but kept it in mind in case they needed any of those tools later.

After one hour or so wandering around the place without finding anything of use, he went back inside. This time, instead of searching the bedrooms, he focused his attention on the first floor, including the kitchen, dining room, living room, and a few other rooms he couldn’t identify for sure.

Most of the cutlery and cooking ware was rusted beyond saving, but Kazuma managed to find a few among them that could still be used after some scrubbing. There were more than enough plates and glasses, as well… As long as they found some water to properly clean them, they should still be of use.

So, once again, the problem was reduced to water and food. They could survive with what little they had, as long as they could find a reliable source for those two things. If they didn’t… Well, he couldn’t go back home, and trying to find a place in any city would be dangerous not only for himself, but for others. He always had the option to kill Barok, of course… But if that proved to be impossible for him, his options would be reduced to staying in that place and starving to death, or maybe slicing his own throat. Neither sounded very appealing…

After gathering some of his findings in a single place and taking mental notes of where the rest was, Kazuma searched the cleaning supplies for a broom that could still be used, cutting some rags from the clothes that were too tattered to be worn, and started to clean two of the bedrooms. It felt a little silly to be cleaning in such a situation, but spending the night in a place covered by dust wouldn’t be of any help, either.

When he was done, Barok still hadn’t returned. Kazuma started to wonder if the man had changed his mind and run away. Surprisingly, the thought brought him some relief: killing wouldn’t be an option anymore, at least. While Barok stayed around, the possibility of breaking the curse would keep haunting Kazuma, and… To be honest, he didn’t want to kill Barok. They barely knew each other, sure, but the man was too kind. Who else in his situation would choose to heal their enemy instead of saving himself? He wouldn’t have a chance like that again… Really, he was such a fool.

But that also made Kazuma hate the idea of harming him. He sighed: why couldn’t that curse choose worse people to torment? It would be so much easier to kill someone in self-defense than to stab a good man in the back…

Kazuma placed the broom and rags back in the old cabinet near the kitchen, then entered one of the bedrooms, which he decided to make his own. More to pass the time than anything else, he emptied the wardrobe, placing only the usable things he found inside it. He made the bed, then organized things in a way that was more pleasant to the eyes—which wasn’t much, but still better than nothing. He hesitated, then walked to the second bedroom, doing the same to it. Even if Barok wasn’t coming back, it served to keep his mind occupied. How far should he be by that point? And also… Where was he planning to go? Maybe Kazuma should leave as well… Spend his last days somewhere more pleasant than—

A sound coming from the entrance interrupted his thoughts. Kazuma followed it, soon coming across Barok as he walked inside.

“Why did you come back?” asked Kazuma, unable to contain his surprise.

The question made Barok furrow his brow. “Why wouldn’t I?” After a moment of consideration, his eyes widened slightly. “Oh, I see. So this is what it looked like.”

The two of them shared an awkward silence for a few seconds.

“I… was sure you had left for good,” said Kazuma.

“Honestly, it didn’t even cross my mind until you mentioned it.”

Kazuma couldn’t hold back a tiny smile. “You’re too trusting… This won’t end up well for you.” He took notice of Barok’s empty hands. “So? Did you find anything?”

“No…” Barok glanced toward the door. “As you said, these woods seem to be completely devoid of life.”

“I feared so.” Kazuma lowered his eyes. “That’s a problem, isn’t it?”

“It is.” Barok paused for a moment, looking at Kazuma. “Don’t worry. We will find another solution.”

Strange how he tried to comfort Kazuma despite everything… Unsure of how to respond, Kazuma gestured deeper inside the castle.

“It’s not much, but I’ve cleaned a bedroom for you,” he said. “Do you want to see it?”

Barok agreed. He followed Kazuma to that room, taking a look inside.

“It feels less inhospitable than before,” he said.

Kazuma let out a small laugh. “I did my best.” He gestured over his shoulder. “I took the one across from it for myself.”

“Is it a good idea for us to sleep so close to each other?”

“Well…” Kazuma forced a smile. “Why not make it easier for the murderer?”

Those words made Barok crease his brow. “You have a terrible sense of humor.”

Kazuma shrugged. “Sorry about that.”

Neither of them said another word, and Kazuma chose to interpret that as a sign that the conversation had reached its natural end. Barok must have come to the same conclusion, since soon he spoke again.

“I suppose we should sleep now.”

Kazuma agreed, walking out of that bedroom to the one across from it, making himself as comfortable as he could in that squeaking, mold-smelling bed. Despite it all, his exhaustion was enough to make him fall asleep almost instantly.

He woke up what felt like just a few minutes later, for what seemed at first like no apparent reason. Then, in the silence of the bedroom, he could hear the steps of someone leaving the opposite room. Kazuma held his breath, listening with all his attention, ready to jump out of the bed at any sign of Barok entering his bedroom.

But his steps kept going, apparently upstairs. Could it be that he was unable to fall asleep? Or maybe just moved by curiosity to check the place for himself. If that was the case, he would be disappointed: half of the upper floors had crumbled down, and the remaining half wasn’t in a much better shape. There was nothing but ruined rooms and the rooftop up there.

But Barok should already know that, right? He had been on the upper floors when Kazuma arrived.

A bad feeling suddenly took hold of Kazuma. He left the bed, quickly making his way out of the bedroom and upstairs.

“Barok?” he called. “Are you there?”

There was no answer. Kazuma walked faster, almost running as he reached the top of that staircase, leading to the rooftop. He opened the door, and there, as he thought, he found Barok, standing close to the border, looking down.

Kazuma’s heart skipped a beat. Without thinking, he dashed toward Barok, throwing his arms around him, pulling him away from the edge. Barok stumbled back with a surprised sound, losing his balance, falling on the floor and bringing Kazuma down with him.

It all happened so suddenly that, only after he put a stop to it, did Kazuma fully understand what Barok was about to do. He stared at that man, a hot feeling burning inside his chest.

“What the hell were you thinking?” he yelled.

Barok lowered his eyes, responding in a trembling voice. “I cannot do this… I cannot kill you… And you won’t kill me, either… I don’t want to become a monster or stay in this place until I starve. I… just want this to be over.”

His words made Kazuma’s anger fade, leaving behind a faint pain.

“Don’t say this…” said Kazuma. “We still have eleven months, right? We… might find another way.”

“I don’t think there is another way.”

Kazuma pursed his lips, trying to think of a response—which would be easier if he had any idea of what to do.

“Fine…” he said. “We’ll leave tomorrow. Find a different place.”

Barok stared at him. “What?”

“There must be somewhere else,” Kazuma continued. “Somewhere better than here. Where we can’t hurt anyone until… We decide what to do.”

“I’ve already decided.”

“No,” Kazuma insisted, placing a hand on Barok’s forearm. “There has to be a better way than this.”

Barok glanced at that hand with an unreadable expression. He then looked away, never meeting Kazuma’s gaze.

“Why are you so against it?” Barok asked. “The curse only ends with death… This might bring you the salvation you seek.”

“Even so.”

“Even so?”

What was Kazuma supposed to say? That he didn’t want to live with the knowledge that he only survived because someone ended their life in return?

“We still have time,” he said, instead.

Barok shook his head. “I don’t know if that is such a good thing.”

“Just a little longer… I’ll think of something.”

“This curse has plagued us for hundreds of years,” Barok insisted. “I don’t think there is a solution to it other than the obvious one.”

“But we don’t know for sure, right?”

“If there was, someone would have found it, already.”

“Or maybe they were too busy killing each other to try.” Kazuma squeezed Barok’s arm so he would look at him. “Just give me some time, alright? Just… Just a little longer.”

Barok observed him quietly for a moment. “You know this is hopeless, don’t you?”

Before Kazuma could respond, however, he continued in a low voice.

“Very well… I won’t end my life tonight. But you should know that this means I could change my mind and choose to kill you, instead.”

Kazuma forced a smile. He stood up, then offered his hand to help Barok do the same. “We can always resort to our duel.”

“Of course.”

He sounded uncertain, but still took Kazuma’s hand. Kazuma, of course, had no plans in mind, but as long as that faint hope kept Barok from giving up on his life for a little longer, that was all that mattered.

“We should go back inside,” he said. “It’s too cold out here.”

Barok agreed silently, turning his back to him, facing the door. Instead of following him, Kazuma took a step toward the edge, glancing down: it was a long fall… Had it been wrong of him to stop Barok? The more he stared down, the more he could understand the temptation: a quick fall, and then nothing… No more worries or struggles.

He felt a hand on his shoulder, and his blood froze: just a little push… He wouldn’t even be able to fight back.

Instead, Barok offered him something. Kazuma looked at it, recognizing that hunting knife from earlier.

“In case you change your mind.”

Without another word, Barok walked away. Kazuma looked at that weapon, then raised his eyes to that man’s back. His heart still thumped from the fright, but he said nothing—the words wouldn’t come out even if he wanted them to.

Kazuma had trouble sleeping for the rest of that night, waking up at the lowest sound—and sometimes, no sound at all, only his restless imagination.

When the first signs of morning shone outside his window, he left the bed. The hunting knife was there, on the bedside table, and Kazuma looked at it. The previous night still haunted his mind, both the thought of Barok jumping, and the one of being pushed off that edge. He didn’t need that blade to kill someone—he still had his sword—but chose to take it with him anyway. It felt heavy… More than it should be.

Kazuma pushed those thoughts out of his mind, focusing on the present. He was so hungry… After eating some of his food, he left the bedroom, finding the door to Barok’s still closed. Good… He wouldn’t know what to say to him. Instead of thinking about it, he walked to the library, giving it a better look. Most of the books were damaged in some way, but Kazuma still spent some time reading the titles, while part of his mind tried to think of what to do next. Leaving seemed to be the only viable option… But, in that case, where to?

Before he could find an answer, he heard someone approach him. He looked over his shoulder at the man standing a few steps away. Barok opened his mouth, only to close it again, and Kazuma couldn’t think of what to say either, which resulted in a long, uncomfortable silence. Finally, Barok broke it with a low voice.

“About yesterday…”

He stopped talking, lowering his gaze. He was clearly struggling with the words, so Kazuma took a step in his direction.

“Are you alright?” he asked.

There was no way he was, Kazuma knew it. But at least the question seemed to help Barok sort out his thoughts, taking a deep breath before speaking again.

“I don’t know. I never thought I would…” He paused again, averting his gaze. “I mean, you had no reason to stop me, but you did. I don’t know if I should thank you or not, but… I still appreciate it.”

Kazuma offered him a slight smile. “I owed you that much.”

“No. With that, I am in your debt again.”

It seemed meaningless to argue over such a thing. Instead, Kazuma simply voiced his loudest thoughts. “If this is how you feel, then don’t try something like that again. It doesn’t need to end this way.”

Barok hesitated briefly before answering. “Very well.”

Saying that, he stepped forward, turning his eyes to the books on the nearest shelf, though his mind seemed far from there. Kazuma observed him, and couldn’t help but wonder who that man was before that curse took him over.

“Do you have someone waiting for you?” asked Kazuma.

Barok hesitated for the briefest moment. “No… No one.”

Despite the heaviness of his words, hearing that was a small relief.

“Me neither,” said Kazuma.

His response made Barok look at him, suddenly seeming tired. “Why are we still fighting, then?”

“I… don’t know,” Kazuma admitted. “But it should still be better than just dying, right?”

“Is it, though?”

“What do you mean?”

Barok lowered his gaze, staying silent for a moment. Kazuma simply waited until he finally spoke.

“I saw my brother turn ten years ago. He… couldn’t kill his mark, either. I thought we could find a way, as long as he was alive. But then, he…” Barok’s voice failed for a moment. “He disappeared before I could think of anything, leaving nothing but a suicide letter behind.”

His words made Kazuma’s heart sink. “I’m sorry.”

Barok shook his head. “I understand why he did it. Probably wanted to die far from the eyes of his family.” He paused, hesitant. “Even now, I’m terrified of what will happen to me. I don’t want to end like him, but… I’d rather die as a human than lose everything that I am.”

Kazuma understood it—he understood it too well.

“Ten years ago, my father came home consumed by this curse, too.” He made a small pause, lowering his eyes. “He started to lose his mind only a few days later. I could do nothing but watch until they ended his suffering.”

“Your father?” Barok looked at him, surprised. “Then…”

Kazuma nodded.

“I see…” said Barok. “It seems like they made the same mistake as us.”

“Was it really a mistake, though?”

Barok didn’t answer, once again seeming lost in thought. “What are we even supposed to do now?”

“No idea,” Kazuma admitted. “But we should at least try something, right?” He thought for a moment. “This curse… What do you know about it?”

“No more than you do, I believe.”

“Can’t we try to learn more? Maybe there is another way that we just don’t know about.”

“How, though? I doubt we’ll find instructions to an ancient curse in a public library.” Barok crossed his arms, looking away. “I told you… If no one found a way until now, I don’t think there is one.”

Kazuma hated to admit it, but Barok was right. What were the chances of finding a cure after centuries and countless lives lost? But he couldn’t give up so easily, either… He refused to.

“Then,” he said, “let’s make an agreement. In ten more months, when the curse is about to take us completely… If we don’t find another way until then, we’ll have our duel to the death. But, until then… No giving up, alright?”

Barok creased his brow. “You ask too much of me.”

“Please,” Kazuma insisted. “If ten months are too much, then at least eight, or even six.”

Barok stayed silent, simply observing Kazuma for a long while.

“I don’t understand you,” he said. “But… If this is what you want, then… fine. However, if this curse starts to affect my mind, I won’t wait a minute longer.”

“Fair enough.” Kazuma gave their situation some thought. “Should we leave this place, then?”

“Yes. That would be for the best.” Barok glanced at his stomach. “How is your wound?”

“Seems to be healing well.”

“We should give it another day, at least,” said Barok. “Do you have food?”

“I still have some. But not much water left.”

“I should have enough for us both, at least for another day.”

Kazuma nodded. “We leave tomorrow, then.”

“Yes. Until then, rest as much as you can.”

The last thing Kazuma wanted was to stay in bed, but he did as Barok said, returning to his room with the most undamaged book he could find in the library. As he read those brownish pages, he started to feel sleepy, and was considering taking a nap when the sound of his door being suddenly opened startled his sleep away.

“Kazuma!” said Barok in a loud voice.

Kazuma’s heart took a leap. “What?”

He was ready to reach for his knife to fight whatever it was that frightened Barok to that point; before he could, Barok gestured for him to approach.

“Come with me.”

Without waiting for Kazuma to respond, he turned away. Kazuma blinked, confused; he grabbed that knife, then followed him with hasty steps. For such a mild-mannered man to act that way… It couldn’t be anything good.

“Wait…” said Kazuma. “What happened?”

“I told you yesterday, didn’t I? There was no water in the well.”

“Yes. I saw it too. Why?”

“Come.”

Barok reached for his wrist, pulling him along as he went outside, toward that old well. There, he uncovered it, gesturing inside.

“Look.”

Kazuma furrowed his brow, but chose to just do as Barok said. Then, to his surprise, he saw the sunlight reflected in the calm water below.

“Are you kidding…?” He looked at Barok. “How?”

“I don’t know,” Barok admitted. “I came to check it after our talk, and it was like this.”

Kazuma blinked, speechless for a moment. “That… should be impossible, shouldn’t it?”

“I suppose. But…”

He didn’t need to finish that sentence: all things considered, the logical explanation didn’t really matter.

“Well…” Kazuma smiled, placing the knife safely on his belt. “I’m not about to question our good luck. Let’s get some water for the trip.”

Barok agreed. Then, suddenly, he widened his eyes, taking a step away from Kazuma.

“Oh, my apologies…” he said. “You should be in bed, but I dragged you all the way here.”

Kazuma stared at him, then couldn’t help but let out a small laugh. “A little late for that. It’s fine, though… I’d be shocked too in your place.”

Barok covered his face with a hand, seeming embarrassed. “Go back inside, I shall take care of this.”

“Alright. Let me know if you need me.”

Barok agreed with a small gesture, then turned his attention back to the well. Kazuma returned to his bedroom, opening the book, but couldn’t stop thinking about that strange event.

Well, it didn’t matter… There surely was a logical explanation for that, even if he couldn’t see it himself.

Other than that strange event, the rest of the day went by peacefully. The next morning, Barok knocked on the door to Kazuma’s bedroom, coming in.

“Are you ready to leave?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“How is your wound? We can stay another day if you need to. Now that we have water, there is no need to rush.”

It was funny how much he worried about someone who almost took his life. But Kazuma didn’t comment on that—Barok was a good man, he already knew that much.

Before he could answer, however, a sudden movement by the window grabbed his attention, making him instinctively reach for his knife. But it was just a little bird. It looked at Kazuma with its beady eyes, and Kazuma couldn’t hold back a small laugh: there he was, getting startled by…

Wait…

He took a second look at that small animal, which soon opened its wings and flew away. After a moment of shocked silence, he looked at Barok, who seemed equally taken aback.

“That was… a real bird, wasn’t it?” asked Kazuma.

Barok nodded, speechless. Then, as if coming back to his senses, he walked toward the window, opening it, taking a look outside.

“There are more,” he said.

Kazuma approached him, looking outside. He was right: there were birds resting on the walls and on the tree branches, like one would see anywhere. It was almost hard to believe that, just a few hours before, that place was completely devoid of life.

“What is the meaning of this?” said Barok.

“I don’t know…”

It was strange, to say the least. He knew many kinds of birds migrated during winter, but… While the weather was a little better that day, they had a snowstorm not that long before. It didn’t feel right.

“If there are birds now, do you think there could be other animals too?” asked Kazuma.

Barok considered it for a moment. “I would say it is improbable, but so was the well filling itself. Perhaps I should search the area for food again.”

Kazuma nodded. “I’ll go with you.”

“How is your wound?”

Kazuma dismissed his worries with a gesture. “I’ll be fine. And it’ll be faster with both of us.”

Barok seemed unsure, but ended up agreeing. Armed with their weapons, they left for the woods, exploring it once again. They didn’t find animals bigger than birds and squirrels, but there was plenty of fresh fruits, nuts, and berries. They took some with them as they returned to the castle.

“This makes no sense,” said Barok. “How can this place change so much in a single day?”

“Hard to say.” Kazuma took a berry, inspecting it closely. “Do you think they’re safe to eat?”

“Good question.”

Without another word, Barok took an apple, rubbed it with his sleeve, then took a bite.

“Barok!”

“The taste is normal, at least.”

Kazuma sighed in disbelief. “You should be more careful.”

“My apologies. It has been a while since I ate something fresh.”

That was a fair point—and, truth be told, Kazuma’s stomach was grumbling in anticipation. He brought that berry to his mouth, biting it, and the flavor was enough to bring a smile to his face.

“It’s good,” he said.

“Indeed.”

But if those fruits were safe to eat, then that changed the entire situation they were in.

“So…” said Kazuma, looking at Barok. “What are we going to do? We have water and food, so are we still leaving?”

“It seems pointless now.”

“I agree. And I doubt there is a safer place for us to stay.

“You’re right.” Barok lowered his eyes. “If I lost my mind and hurt someone…” He shut his eyes, as if the thought was already too much to bear. “I don’t even want to think about the possibility.”

Despite everything, it was comforting to know he wasn’t the only one who was scared.

“I know,” said Kazuma. “To be honest, this is a relief.”

Barok nodded, then took a brief look around. “I suppose this will be our home for a while longer, then.”

Kazuma smiled slightly. “Feels strange to call it home, but… Seems like it.”

During the following week, Kazuma and Barok lived together like that. It was far from a luxurious life, but they had shelter and what little they needed to survive. Strangely, as the days passed, Kazuma started to feel more and more at home in that place.

The weather also seemed to become warmer, which was a welcome change. He walked outside that morning, and something immediately caught his attention. A butterfly… He didn’t remember seeing one there before. He followed it with his gaze, and then his heart almost stopped with what he saw next.

Flowers, herbs, vegetables… The dried-up garden was colorful and full of life, like something out of a storybook. He stared at it with an open mouth for a long while; then, finally accepting that it wasn’t a dream, he turned around, rushing back inside, entering the library where Barok was—now he could understand how Barok felt after he checked the well that day.

“Barok…!”

His urgent tone made Barok look at him, concerned. “Yes?”

“The garden…” said Kazuma, gesturing at the entrance door. “It was dead.”

“Yes…?”

He couldn’t find the words to explain, so he simply grabbed Barok by the hand, dragging him outside. “Come with me.”

Barok followed him in confused silence. As soon as they approached the garden, however, the shock was clear in his face.

“There cannot possibly be a rational explanation for this,” said Barok.

“Surely not.” Kazuma approached a tomato plant, crouching to inspect it. “Do you think they might be edible?”

Barok stared at him, seeming surprised that Kazuma was worried about food at a moment like that. Kazuma ignored his judgment, turning his attention back to the plants.

“We could try cooking them,” said Kazuma. “If they’re poisonous, well… At least we won’t have to wait eleven months.”

Barok sighed, as he always did at Kazuma’s grim comments. “I cannot tell if you’re optimistic or just gave up.”

Kazuma couldn’t help but laugh: by that point, he didn’t care if it was magic or a miracle behind those changes.

“Would you give me a hand?” he asked.

Despite his previous words, Barok returned his smile. “Of course.”

They harvested enough food for a hearty meal. After days of eating nothing but foraged fruits and nuts, the vegetable soup seemed like the most delicious thing Kazuma had ever tasted, and Barok seemed to enjoy it as well.

The food put them in a good mood so, that day, they spent some time after the meal just talking to each other. It was strangely enjoyable… They weren’t friends, of course, but Kazuma was learning to appreciate Barok’s company. Often, they would spend their free time apart, but that day, Kazuma joined him in the library. He could feel Barok’s gaze on him, but there were no questions or protests about his presence.

He searched the shelves, and was pleasantly surprised when the first book he found was mostly undamaged.

“This one looks fine,” he said.

Barok glanced at him. “How fortunate.”

Kazuma nodded. He sat in one of the armchairs, opening the book. Neither of them spoke, but the silence didn’t feel awkward—if anything, Barok’s quiet presence was a welcome one.

Kazuma returned to his bedroom hours later. Strangely, his pillow felt fluffier that night, and the covers much warmer. Maybe he was just imagining things, but after everything he witnessed those past few days, he couldn’t doubt anything.

The strange events didn’t end there—if anything, they only became more frequent and clearer as time went by.

When they visited the woods a few days later, they were surprised by the presence of different animals, like deer, rabbits, and new kinds of birds. A week later, they came across a clear lake filled with fish. Two more weeks passed, and Kazuma woke up to a few chickens pecking at the grass, and a pair of cows resting under the shadow of a tree. After another month, when they returned to the castle from hunting, the rubble that covered part of the third floor was gone, and the rooms returned to their original appearance. A music room and a few more bedrooms, bigger and more luxurious than the ones on the second floor.

“Maybe this place is cursed too…” said Barok, lightly touching the keys of a piano without making a sound. “And that’s why we, two cursed beings, found our way to it.”

“A cursed castle, huh…” The idea sounded far from reality, but not as much as everything he had witnessed those past two months. “Honestly, I can see it.”

“Perhaps, the longer we stay, the better things will become.”

“That’s a strange curse, don’t you think?”

Barok considered it briefly. “Unless the curse is to make us want to stay forever.”

When he put it like that, it sounded more like a cursed place. Still… “In this case, it’s perfect for us.”

“Indeed.”

That conversation made something cross Kazuma’s mind. “How is your curse, by the way?”

Barok rolled up his sleeve, showing a trail of dark scales on his upper arm. Kazuma sighed, then did the same, showing the white scales that spread in a similar manner.

“You know…” said Kazuma. “Things have been so strange lately that I sometimes forget about these scales.”

“I cannot blame you.” Barok rolled down his sleeve. “If only this place could heal us as well.”

His words stung, a reminder that things wouldn’t magically solve themselves in their case. An uncomfortable weight grew in Kazuma’s chest.

“It still doesn’t feel real, does it?”

Barok simply looked at him for a moment, then turned to face that piano.

“One moment…” he said. “I must try something.”

Kazuma watched as he sat on the bench, placing his hands over the keys.

“Do you know how to play?” asked Kazuma.

“I was called a prodigy when I was a child.” A small pause. “Unfortunately, once I got older, I found myself with less time to practice. I’m afraid my skill is little more than mediocre nowadays.”

Kazuma chuckled at his honesty. “How harsh…” He took a step closer, resting his arm on the surface of the piano. “Can I hear it?”

“As long as you don’t judge me if I make a mistake.”

“We’ll see.”

Barok offered him a slight smile, then started to play. For someone without practice and playing from memory, the music he made was soothing and pleasant to the ears. Kazuma closed his eyes, listening to it until the end.

“That was really nice,” he said.

“Why, thank you.” Despite the simplicity of the response, Barok seemed pleased with himself. “Speaking of which, do you play any instrument?”

“Not really.” Kazuma shrugged lightly. “I was too restless to learn anything like that as a child, so I just focused on the sword, instead.”

“Makes sense. I never enjoyed fighting, though my brother insisted that I learned fencing for self-defense.”

“You still chose the crossbow, though.”

“Don’t underestimate me. I can handle a sword.”

He sounded confident, which gave Kazuma an idea.

“We could practice together one of these days,” he said. “If you want to, of course.”

“That sounds good.”

Their eyes met for what felt like a moment too long. They both laughed awkwardly, then looked away.

“Would you play another song?” asked Kazuma.

“Certainly.”

With those words, Barok started playing again, closing his eyes as if taken in by the melody. Kazuma observed him, and how peaceful his face looked. He was a beautiful man… If it weren’t for that curse, it wouldn’t have been difficult for him to find a proper suitor and start a family. He would be a good husband and father, for sure…

The thought brought a faint ache to his heart, probably because of how much that curse had taken from them. Kazuma didn’t have much to lose, but having his options taken from him was what enraged him the most. And Barok… He deserved a better destiny than that—he truly did. The more time they spent together, the more Kazuma came to realize that most of his frustration wasn’t directed at his own misfortune, but that man’s.

If one of us has to die in the end, I hope it will be—

When the music came to an end, Kazuma managed to force a smile. He wasn’t about to ruin the pleasant moment with such dark thoughts.

Since that day, they made a habit of training together every morning. Barok had a different technique from Kazuma’s, but the more they sparred, the more their fighting habits melded together, turning into something new.

It was fun. Kazuma still carried most of the wins by a generous margin—a result of his many years of daily training. But Barok insisted that he would still turn those numbers around.

“I want to see you try,” said Kazuma in a playful tone.

Barok simply smirked in response—an expression Kazuma wouldn’t have imagined on his face until recently. And, as much as Kazuma teased him, he was still an impressive opponent who wouldn’t give Kazuma any chances to lower his guard.

Their routine continued like that for the following weeks, and then months: they would train, then care for the animals and vegetables, then prepare their meals together. A few times a week, they would visit the woods in the afternoon to hunt, forage, and fish—the last one something neither of them was very skilled at.

All things considered, it wasn’t an unpleasant life… Actually, Kazuma soon came to the strange realization that he was quite content with it—more than he had been in many years.

Seven months after their first arrival, the castle looked close to what it probably did in its glory days: bright and full of life, so unlike those ruins covered in snow that first welcomed their arrival.

Their bodies had also changed drastically, but the changes came so slow and steadily that Kazuma wasn’t as shocked by his new appearance as he should probably be. Sometimes, he even forgot how he used to look like.

The horns and claws were obviously new, but… Had his eyes always been that reddish color? He felt like they hadn’t, and yet it was hard to imagine them any different. He couldn’t remember how his skin looked without scales, or if his teeth had always felt that sharp. Was it normal, or also part of the curse?

Strangely, he still remembered Barok when they first met. Blue eyes instead of silver ones, pale skin not yet covered in dark scales, no black horns growing from his head or sharp claws from his fingers. He was still beautiful, though… Would probably always be, regardless of the form his body took.

New areas of the castle also revealed themselves one by one. One of the last places to open up was a ballroom on the third floor, that had its doors blocked until that morning. It was a wide room with tall walls, a shiny wooden floor, and huge stained glass windows, leading to a balcony above the garden. More than any other part of that castle, that one seemed to have come straight from a book.

“It’s weird to imagine that this place was once filled with people,” Kazuma commented as they walked inside.

Barok nodded. “It does feel a little too big for two.”

“It should be fun to live here as a kid, though.” He couldn’t hold back a smile as he imagined it. “The games of hide-and-seek would be amazing.”

“And long.”

“Very long… Probably would get boring after a while.”

“Indeed…”

They exchanged smiles, and not for the first time, that soft expression on Barok’s face made a hot feeling blossom in Kazuma’s heart, spreading toward his cheeks. He glanced around the place in an attempt to keep it hidden.

“Care to accompany me for a dance?” he asked in a playful tone.

Barok scoffed at the thought. “Please, don’t make me go through this… One of the few good things that came from this curse was not needing to attend any formal parties anymore.”

Kazuma had said that as a joke, but he was slightly disappointed with the immediate rejection. Sure, he didn’t even know how to dance… and still, he was disappointed.

“Other than meeting you, of course.”

The words caught him off guard. He looked at Barok, who quickly averted his gaze.

“Forgive me, that was—”

“No,” Kazuma interrupted him. “I’m glad I met you too.” He lowered his eyes. “I only wish it was in a different way.”

“I wish so as well.”

Silence grew between them, heavier than it had been in the past months. It was hard not to get angry at the unfairness of that curse: they had done nothing to deserve it. And now, they couldn’t even grow close without fearing what was yet to come.

Kazuma had always wanted a close friend. And now that he finally had one, he would lose him one way or the other. How was that just in any way? Why couldn’t he have one single good thing in his life?

Those bitter thoughts seemed about to consume him, but then a voice pulled him back to reality like an anchor.

“Do you know how to dance?”

“What?” The question was so unexpected that Kazuma could do nothing but stare at Barok for a moment. “No… Not at all.”

Barok smiled slightly, then offered him a hand. “Come, I will show you.”

Still thrown off by the situation, Kazuma let out a small, nervous laugh. “I thought you hated to dance.”

“This place simply compels me to.”

“Makes sense.”

Kazuma hesitated for a moment—until it came to him that he no longer had the luxury to hesitate, or waste any opportunity out of fear. So, returning the smile, he took Barok’s hand.

“I hope you won’t regret this,” he said.

“Just follow me along.”

“Easy for you to say.”

But he followed Barok’s steps, or at least tried to. Without music, Kazuma became way too conscious of his own body and all the wrong ways it seemed to move. Calling his sorry attempt at dancing a disaster would be an understatement, but Barok didn’t seem to mind it—on the contrary, his expression was brighter than Kazuma had ever seen it.

“Relax,” Barok said. “There is no one watching us.”

“It’s still embarrassing, though.”

“Pay attention only to me.”

That only made things even worse, but Kazuma chose not to comment on it. Instead, he kept trying to accompany Barok, who moved slowly, not once complaining about his lack of skill. Little by little, the warmth from that proximity became stronger than his insecurities, and he managed to relax as Barok had said. He was still bad at it, but following Barok became a little easier.

“See?” said Barok. “It isn’t that difficult.”

“You’re just being nice.”

“I mean it.” Barok paused, adding in a lower voice. “I usually hate dances, but I am enjoying myself right now.”

Kazuma’s heart throbbed. He tried to think of a funny response, but nothing came to his mind. Before he could speak, Barok stopped moving, which made Kazuma look at him.

“Barok?”

Barok’s arms closed around him, pulling him into a tight hug.

“Forgive me…” said Barok. “It has been a while since I last…”

His words trailed off, but Kazuma knew what he meant to say. It had been a long while since he last held someone closely as well—not since his mother died. He raised his arms, gently placing them around Barok.

“It’s alright.”

For a long while, neither of them tried to move away. Secretly, part of Kazuma wished things could stay like that forever, while the other started to wonder if he had already started to lose his mind.

In the middle of the ninth month, the final room of the castle finally revealed itself to them. A loud noise on the highest floor made them both rush to it, only to see a new door where, until moments before, had been nothing but a pile of rubble.

“This is the last door, is it not?” asked Barok.

“I think so.”

Still, both of them hesitated to enter. Something about that door was slightly unsettling: painted completely black and covered in carved golden swirls like ivy, unlike any of the wooden doors they had come across in that place.

With a deep breath, Kazuma turned the door handle, and it opened easily. After a quick glance toward Barok, he finally stepped inside that dimly lit room. Barok followed him, walking to the nearest window, opening it to let the afternoon light in.

Despite the unusual door, behind it was a fairly big and well-organized study. A wide and heavy-looking desk, countless high shelves full of books, heavy trunks, and cabinets carrying all sorts of strange tools and equipment.

For the following minutes, he and Barok examined that place, not only searching for anything useful, but also curious about it and whoever once lived there. Barok searched the cabinets and trunks, while Kazuma went through the desk drawers and bookshelves; he opened a few books, but most of them were in a language he couldn’t understand.

“Did you find anything about the curse?” Barok asked with a shard of hope.

Kazuma shook his head. “I can’t understand anything.”

“I see…”

Neither of them could fully hide their disappointment. Instead of dwelling on it, however, they soon resumed their search. This time, Kazuma turned his attention from the books to something he hadn’t paid much attention to, and only caught his eye when the outside light reflected on it: a silver hand mirror resting on the desk.

Kazuma took it in his hands, carefully examining it. It had been beautifully crafted, the thin carvings around its frame replicating the ones on that black door. Kazuma brought it closer to his eyes to read the tiny words written on the back.

A window to your heart’s deepest desire.

“Curious,” said Barok over his shoulder.

Kazuma offered him a slight smile. “Shall we give it a try?”

Barok nodded. Despite being the one who suggested it, Kazuma hesitated: those words probably carried no deeper meaning, but it would be foolish of him to think there was nothing magical about that castle after everything he witnessed. So, after taking a few seconds to gather his courage, he looked into that mirror.

For a moment, he simply saw his own face. Then, the image trembled, replaced by something else: he saw himself with Barok, living in that castle; monstrous, but also happy… Gazing into each other’s eyes as if bewitched. Kazuma held Barok’s hand, touching it with his lips then pulling him close, their faces approaching until—

“Did you see something?” asked Barok.

The question startled him out of that fantasy. “Ah… Yes.”

“What did you see?’

Kazuma’s mind froze for an instant. The word desire came to his mind as a rushed answer left his lips. “My clan. It seems like… everything is fine.”

Barok smiled. “This is good to know.”

Kazuma pressed his lips together. What had he just seen?

“May I?” asked Barok.

Still lost in thought, Kazuma offered him that mirror. Barok looked into it. In an instant, his eyes widened, mouth opening in surprise; his expression slowly withered into something darker, worrying Kazuma.

“What did you see?” he asked.

“My family.”

Kazuma stared at him, taken aback. “What?”

Barok responded in a mutter, without looking away from the mirror. “My sleepless sister-in-law waiting by the window. My little niece… praying for her uncle’s safe return.”

“Oh…” Kazuma had no idea what to say. “I thought you didn’t have anyone waiting for you.”

“I…” Barok stopped, closing his eyes as he handed that mirror back to Kazuma. “Forgive me.”

Kazuma couldn’t respond, still thinking about that new information that changed everything. Barok forced a smile without meeting his gaze.

“I’m glad to know they are both well, at least,” he quickly added.

Still lost, Kazuma could only nod in response. Barok’s smile quickly faded, and he turned away.

“Forgive me, I… I should go to bed.”

“Of course,” said Kazuma. “Sleep well.”

Kazuma watched as Barok left the study, something heavy growing inside his stomach. A family… He had said no one was waiting for his return, just like Kazuma. Why would Barok lie about something that important?

Because of him, of course… Because it would make things easier for Kazuma in the worst-case scenario.

For an instant, he had an almost uncontrollable impulse to throw that mirror against the wall. But he recognized that rage for what it was: the beast growing within himself every day. They were running out of time.

Except now he knew Barok wasn’t all alone like him. Those silly fantasies of living together in that place like a pair of happy monsters now filled his mouth with a bitter taste.

Suddenly exhausted, Kazuma placed that mirror back on that desk, walking out of that study and back downstairs. Barok’s door was closed, which didn’t surprise him. It was still too early to go to sleep, though, so he went to the library, trying to distract himself with books while his mind refused to let go of what he had just learned.

That would be a long day.

Barok didn’t leave his bedroom that day. And the following days, he would barely look at Kazuma’s face, often seeming lost in thought.

At first, Kazuma thought it was just his anxious mind, but when he visited the garden that day, he could no longer ignore those small changes. The barn animals were nowhere to be found, the plants were wilting… He couldn’t hear the birds, either. That garden, brought back to life by an unexplainable kind of magic, was once again dying before his eyes.

He pretended not to know the reason, though it was clear in his mind: that place had changed along with the two of them, gaining life the deeper their bond became. But after gazing into that mirror, what he had once considered a friendship was quietly returning to being strangers trapped together in their wilting grave.

And it hurt even more than that curse. That was his home… By being there, he was the happiest he had been since his parents died, so many years ago. He finally felt like he found a place for himself—someone who felt like home to him.

But what was the point if Barok wasn’t happy?

He tried to push those thoughts out of his mind at first, desperate to keep clinging to that happiness. However, the entire castle kept reminding him that things weren’t right, no matter how much he refused to see it.

So, that evening, as they finished their meal in silence, Kazuma finally said those words.

“I think it’s time for our duel.”

Barok looked at him, their eyes meeting for the first time in a long while. He seemed surprised at first, then lowered his eyes, thinking for a moment before giving his answer.

“I agree.”

Part of Kazuma had hoped for a refusal, but at the same time, a strange sense of relief filled him: it was good to finally acknowledge that uncomfortable situation.

Kazuma stood up from his chair. “Alright. Let’s do it, then.”

Barok stared at him, wide-eyed. “Now?”

“Why wait?”

His voice was calm despite his inner restlessness. There were two possible ways things would end, and neither of them would be good for him; yet, bringing it all to an end would be much better than avoiding the inevitable while what was left of their bond crumbled away. It would be better like that.

They moved to the ballroom, swords in hand. Kazuma tried not to look at Barok’s face as he prepared himself, while feeling Barok’s gaze on him.

“Kazuma…”

“Yes?”

Kazuma didn’t raise his eyes. After a long silence, Barok finally responded.

“Nothing… I am ready when you are.”

“Alright,” said Kazuma. “Let’s do this, then.”

They raised their weapons. Not wanting to give Barok the chance to go back on that choice, Kazuma acted first, and Barok stopped his sword with his blade, widening his eyes. Past that initial surprise, however, he responded in that same way, properly initiating that duel. After training together so many mornings, Kazuma knew what to expect from him, and Barok could also read his movements quite well. Kazuma had foolishly believed that day would never come, so he never held back or tried to hide his skills—and, even in that situation, he was glad to realize the same could be said about Barok.

They were both fools…

But it didn’t truly matter. Kazuma knew before that duel started that he would never kill Barok, even if he had the chance to. But, knowing Barok, he would blame himself if he knew Kazuma had willingly chosen his freedom over his own life. So, instead, Kazuma gave his all to that fight, performing his determination to stay alive while also never aiming for a mortal wound, waiting for the moment when Barok’s skill would surpass his own and bring that play to a close.

It kept going for a long time, until he could feel his muscles ache, and sweat roll down his face and back. It wouldn’t be strange if he made a reckless choice at that point, in an attempt to end that long fight. As he considered his next action, Kazuma moved closer to Barok, sure that he would stop his sword like he had done many times before.

But Barok let go of his sword, facing him without any attempt to protect himself. Kazuma stopped, his blade almost touching Barok’s heart. He raised his eyes, and Barok’s face darkened.

“What are you doing?”

Barok’s voice was low but cold—so unlike his usual tone. Kazuma opened his mouth but struggled to find an excuse.

“What do you me—”

“You know what I mean!” Barok yelled, his voice echoing in that large room. “Did you think I wouldn’t notice it?”

Kazuma lowered his eyes, not answering. Barok pushed his hand and sword away, stepping in his direction.

“What are you planning?” he asked.

“Nothing.”

“Don’t lie to me!”

Barok grabbed him by the front of his shirt, glaring into his eyes. The sudden movement made Kazuma drop his sword. He had no idea what to say, but Barok’s gaze urged him to speak anyway.

“I just wanted to end this before it’s too late,” he explained in a low voice. “I have no one waiting for me, but you do.”

“So you tried to trick me into killing you?”

Kazuma didn’t respond. Barok clenched his jaw, narrowing his eyes.

“I won’t do this, Kazuma…” He muttered through his teeth. “You may let me win this duel a thousand times, and I still won’t kill you.”

“Why not?” Kazuma retorted in a sharp voice. “You want to go back, don’t you? So why don’t you end this already?”

His question made Barok’s mask of rage crack. “If I did… Every moment I spent with my family, every minute of joy… I would feel like I bought them all with your blood. Can you really not see what this would do to me?”

“Are you just going to stay here and wait for the end, then?”

There was a long silence. Barok turned his face away, his rage giving place to something much more somber.

“If I must.”

“Barok!”

But Barok didn’t respond, letting go of Kazuma, grabbing his sword and storming his way out of that ballroom. Kazuma could only watch, frozen in place. Things weren’t supposed to go that way… It should all be over by that point.

Exhaustion, both physical and emotional, fell heavily upon him. He sat on the wooden floor, bending his knees against his chest. He hadn’t thought of a secondary plan… He was sure he would be dead by the time that duel came to its end.

But he was still breathing, and more lost than he had ever felt. Inaction was slowly destroying them both and their relationship, but by trying to do something, he had only made things worse.

What else was he supposed to do?

He asked himself that same question countless times, but could never find an answer. At that moment, the only thing in his mind was Barok, and how much he wanted to see him. Barok certainly didn’t feel the same way, but…

Kazuma stood up, leaving the ballroom with slow, tired steps. He went downstairs, stopping before the closed door to Barok’s bedroom, gently knocking on it.

“Barok… Are you awake?”

Silence. Kazuma was about to step away from the door when Barok’s voice finally echoed on the other side.

“Yes.”

Kazuma suppressed a relieved sigh. “Can I speak to you?”

“Come in.”

He did as Barok said, opening the door and stepping inside the bedroom. Barok was sitting on his bed, eyes low. Kazuma simply observed him for a moment; he thought he was ready for that conversation, but as soon as he opened his mouth, something seemed to snap inside of him. His vision blurred, his voice trembling when he tried to speak.

“I’m sorry…”

That was so pathetic… He couldn’t even apologize properly. And still, Barok stood from his bed, rushing toward him, closing his arms around Kazuma’s body.

“You did it for my sake, did you not?” he asked. “I just wish you could understand that killing you wouldn’t be easier than not seeing my family again.”

“I didn’t think you’d feel this way.”

“So I’m telling you now.”

Kazuma could say nothing else, so instead he buried his face on Barok’s chest. With a small sigh, Barok rested his head on Kazuma’s, tightening that embrace. For a long while, they stood like that, until Barok gently moved away, guiding Kazuma to the bed until they were sitting side by side on it, leaning against each other, their arms and shoulders touching.

“I’m really sorry for what I did,” said Kazuma. “I thought it was the best way.”

Barok shook his head. “Don’t take all the blame for yourself. Neither of us wanted any of this.”

His words made Kazuma’s heart sting. “That’s… not true.”

“How so?”

Barok sounded so surprised that, for a second, Kazuma almost changed the subject. Enough lying… He took a deep breath, looking at Barok.

“I lied to you back then,” he said.

“What do you mean?”

“In that mirror…” He hesitated, lowering his voice. “I didn’t see my clan. I saw us, as we are now. Living together in this place. I have nothing else waiting for me out there. My family is gone, I have no friends… Right now, despite everything, I’m the happiest I have been in a long time. That’s why I thought it would be fine if I…”

His voice failed him. Barok pulled him closer, holding him against his chest.

“It wouldn’t.”

Those words made his chest feel lighter, at least for a short while. It didn’t take long, however, for that dreaded subject to return.

“What are we going to do?” asked Barok.

“I don’t know. I thought I could make things right by setting you free. But now… I have no idea.”

“It is not your duty to free me from this curse,” said Barok. “If there is really no other way, then I’ll choose the future where we both live, even if for a few more months.”

“What about your family?”

Barok forced a smile. “This is my choice… So don’t blame yourself.”

But there was pain in his voice, and Kazuma couldn’t ignore it. But he had no other solution, so all he could do was quietly nod in agreement.

“Would you mind if I stayed here tonight?” he asked in a low voice.

Barok’s expression softened. “No… Of course not.”

They lay together in bed, close enough to feel the warmth that came from each other. It was comfortable, reassuring… and still, Kazuma couldn’t bring himself to fully relax. Even when Barok already had his eyes closed, and his breaths had become calm and steady, Kazuma found himself wide awake.

As restlessness grew in him, he carefully left the bed, walking out of Barok’s bedroom with slow steps, entering his own; he sat on the bed with a heavy sigh, lowering his head into his hands. His mind raced, going through every possibility he might have missed, trying to find a hidden solution for that problem.

He couldn’t simply let Barok succumb to that curse. There had to be another way to break it, something they were both missing.

Only death…

He couldn’t stop his mind from returning to the darkest places. Of course, if everything else failed, he could do as Barok once tried to and jump from the roof. Or maybe…

His eyes moved to that knife on his bedside table. Kazuma reached for it, staring at his reflection on the blade. Barok had once given him that weapon while certain that Kazuma would use it against him. How would he feel if he used it against himself, instead?

The memory of Barok standing on the edge of the roof returned to his mind. Just one moment too late, one second of hesitation would have been enough…

If Kazuma hadn’t stopped Barok that day, would he been saving him from an even worse kind of suffering? If it had been Kazuma in his place, would Barok have stopped him? If Kazuma ended things himself, would the pain truly be greater than the relief?

Would Barok ever forgive him for it?

Would he ever forgive Barok if he had taken that final step?

The thought was enough to make him sick. Kazuma took that knife, then shoved it inside his bag, pushing it under the bed and out of his sight. That wasn’t right… He couldn’t do something like that. He didn’t want to kill himself… Not only for his own sake, but also because he knew how much it would hurt Barok even if his hands stayed clean.

I can’t give up yet…

Kazuma left his bedroom, as if the distance from that knife would weaken those thoughts. He had stopped Barok from jumping, so he wouldn’t allow himself to do the same. While he still had his human mind, he would keep trying to find another way. That was what he had done his entire life, and he wasn’t going to stop now.

As the thoughts spiraled in his head, his feet seemed to move on their own, and before he knew it, he was standing in front of that black door. He stared at those golden carvings for a long while, and after a moment of hesitation, finally opened it, walking inside.

The silver mirror was still where Kazuma had left it. He reached for it, holding it in his hands. Deepest desire… At that moment, there was nothing he desired more than an answer to his questions.

“If there is another way, then show me…”

He watched expectantly, but all he saw were the images of him and Barok together in that place. A bitter smile twisted his lips. What a selfish bastard he was…

Kazuma almost placed that mirror down, but couldn’t bring himself to. A voiceless plea echoed inside him, begging for him to keep looking.

And so he did, at that beautiful dream that couldn’t come true—until it suddenly faded away. The mirror reflected his surprised face for a second, and then it showed an older version of him.

It took Kazuma a moment to understand it wasn’t him, but his father. Images of Genshin Asogi, accompanied by a tall man who resembled Barok, flashed through the mirror: a battle, followed by moments of understanding, and then, of friendship. Genshin and Klint as they lived the last months of their lives in that place, slowly revealing new areas of the castle just like he and Barok did. Until the moment they found the mirror… And then, they were gone.

The reflection disappeared from the mirror, giving place to a bright purplish light that filled the entire room. Kazuma tried to let go of it, but the mirror refused to let him go.

“What is—?”

Before panic could take him whole, a low sibilant sound echoed in the study.

“I have made a grave mistake.”

Kazuma followed the voice, seeing the unstable image of a cloaked figure near the window.

“Born from good intentions, but still destructive beyond repair. I wish I could undo it, but not even my magic is strong enough.”

The man walked around the room, like a ghost or an old memory, and Kazuma caught a glimpse of the face under the hood: closer to a dragon than a human, covered in golden scales. Similar to the thing he was slowly becoming.

“I failed to understand the human heart. Its grievances and resentments made no sense to my kind, so I hoped I could show it to them… How senseless it is to hate for such small reasons.”

Images flashed before Kazuma: a pair of men, one in black and one in white, guiding their people, tired and beaten, into that very castle. They were welcomed by an ancient golden dragon, who gave them shelter and food, sharing his home and wisdom with the two men as they ruled by his side. The men thanked him with sincere smiles, their hands joined as a sign of friendship.

The scene changed, and the men now seemed older. Beside them were two boys with faces similar to theirs. Like their fathers, the boys stood close as they listened to the dragon’s lessons, hands joined—brothers in every way but blood.

Time passed, and the boys were now young men. Their hands were no longer joined, the once bright expressions now taken by something darker. They looked at each other without the affection from their childhood, as if looking at a despised enemy.

Time passed, and the old leaders were gone. Instead of ruling together as their fathers once had, the two men competed for that right in every possible way, trying to gain the dragon’s favor. Their hatred divided that once harmonious place in two, ruining the peace their fathers had so deeply cherished.

Pained to see the legacy of his friends tarnished in such a way, the dragon decided to teach those two one final and important lesson.

“But one cannot change a heart so easily, much less one filled with so much darkness. One single mistake, and this darkness will grow out of control.”

Images of the two men slowly changing into beasts came to Kazuma’s mind, their despair reverberating inside his chest.

“I thought my plan was perfect… A small lesson for their own good. But I have ruined them both… Made their hatred deeper than ever before. And for this crime, I shall trap my soul in this castle until the curse is lifted, never knowing rest until my mistake is undone. This shall be my punishment.”

Kazuma was still struggling to make sense of that tale when, once again, the mirror reflected images of him and Barok living happily in that place. This time, he didn’t look away as their lips touched.

“There is magic in feelings… none as strong as rage. Except, of course, for love. My curse was born from rage… It grew stronger than me, to the point that not even I can put an end to it.”

That was when he finally understood it. The greatest desire shown to him wasn’t just a future with Barok, but a different way to break that curse.

“If you can hear me, then… Show me proof of true love. A love strong enough to break my curse.”

Love. Not just a superficial feeling, but true love, stronger than the curse spreading through his body like poison, which had terrorized his clan for what could as well be an eternity. That sounded like a joke. No wonder no one could break that curse before… How could someone care that deeply about their enemy? It had happened to Kazuma, sure… But his and Barok’s friendship was already an unlikely thing.

As if capable of listening to his thoughts, the dragon let out a heavy sigh.

“It is the only way.”

The purplish light faded, along with the ghost of the dragon. Kazuma’s chest tightened as he thought about what he had just learned.

“But I already love him…”

Which was true, but Barok didn’t love him back. And no matter how strong Kazuma’s feelings were, they simply weren’t enough to break that curse on their own. They had gotten so close… Kazuma didn’t doubt that, given enough time, they could come to care about each other deeply enough to satisfy that dragon’s curse—if not romantically, then at least as friends.

His heart felt heavy as he thought that his father had probably felt the same way as he learned the truth alongside Klint. No matter how hard they tried, love wasn’t something that grew that easily… Even if two people cared about each other, it needed more than a wish to fully bloom—and, in many cases, more than a single year.

Kazuma gritted his teeth, frustrated: their time was running out. If only his love was enough for both of them…

A sudden idea passed through Kazuma’s mind. Maybe only a hopeful wish, but still…

He looked at that mirror again, and the happy image it showed changed slightly. His heart stung, but he didn’t look away from it, burning that sight into his mind. Even if it had a small chance of working for them both, it was still worth a try. But that would also mean…

Kazuma tried not to think about it. All that mattered was trying to help Barok and make sure that he would see his family again. Even if it meant hurting him, as long as it freed him from that curse, nothing else mattered.

True love… The dragon who cursed their families was a cruel one.

Kazuma spent the rest of that night thinking about what he had seen in that mirror. When the sun started to rise, he went to the kitchen, preparing breakfast for both of them. He was almost done when Barok walked in, seeming relieved to see his face.

“Ah, there you are.”

It didn’t surprise him that Barok would be worried after the events of the previous day. Choosing not to mention any of what happened after he left the bedroom, Kazuma smiled at him, gesturing at the table as he answered.

“I woke up early, so I thought I’d get breakfast ready. Are you hungry?”

Barok followed the gesture with his eyes. “I wasn’t until now.”

“Good to know. I’ll be done in a minute.”

“I will make tea for us, then.”

“Sounds good.”

They finished those preparations, then had their meal together while sharing a conversation. Everything seemed back to normal… the way it had been before they found that mirror. Kazuma couldn’t tell if he was relieved, or worried about the possibility of Barok acting cheerfully for his sake, but he chose to take the low sound of birds outside as a positive sign.

“It’s a beautiful day,” he commented. “We should go for a walk in the woods.”

Barok looked at him, a hint of concern on his face. “Are you sure?”

“Staying locked inside won’t change anything.” Kazuma lightly shrugged. “We might as well enjoy ourselves while we still can.”

“You have a point.”

So, not long later, they met at the front entrance. The short walk to the gates of that place was mostly silent; as soon as they crossed it, after hesitating briefly, Kazuma moved closer to Barok, linking their arms.

“Do you dislike this?” he asked.

“No, not at all.”

There was a slight flush on Barok’s face, or maybe it was just the sunlight and Kazuma’s hopes making him imagine things. Still, he wanted to hope it was a sign that things could still end well for both of them.

As they walked together, it crossed Kazuma’s mind that, at that moment, they looked like an ordinary duo, doing things that any pair of close friends would do. No curse, no changes, no fear—only the two of them and the warmth that had grown from that bond.

After a few minutes, they reached the lake. Kazuma observed the clean water, and in an impulsive move, took off his shoes and folded the hem of his pants, feeling the water with his foot before sitting at the border with his legs inside the lake.

“The water feels nice.” He looked over his shoulder at Barok. “Join me?”

Barok hesitated for just a moment before answering. “Of course.”

He mimicked Kazuma’s actions, sitting by his side. The warm weather made the cool water feel even better, and Kazuma couldn’t hold back a pleased smile.

“We should have done this more often,” he said. “This place feels so peaceful.”

“We had our minds full with other things.”

“Yes… But I like this. Just being here with you.”

Barok observed him quietly for a while, then let out a low sigh. “Kazuma… Why are you doing this? If you think I’m angry at you, then—”

“That’s not it,” Kazuma gently interrupted him. “I just wanted us to have a nice day today. That’s all.”

“Is it truly all?”

“If we can’t escape the worst, then we should at least enjoy what little time we still have.”

“You are right.”

But his words made a speck of anxiety grow in Kazuma’s heart. “Would you rather go back?”

“No.” Barok offered him a slight smile. “It would be a waste of a beautiful day.”

That was a relief… After that, the conversation took more pleasant turns, allowing time to pass smoothly.

“Those bushes are full of berries…” Barok observed after a while. “We could gather some on our way back.”

“We should have brought a basket… But I didn’t think about it until now.”

“Me neither. But we can return tomorrow, if the weather is pleasant again.”

Kazuma made an effort to smile as he nodded. When noon approached, they returned to the castle. After having a quick meal, they went to the library, reading together for a few hours. Sometimes, one of them would pause the reading to make a brief comment, to which the other would respond. A pleasant way to pass the time, just by sharing a room. Maybe a sign of how comfortable they felt close to each other…

He didn’t want to hope. He tried not to, but…

With an anxious ache in his heart, Kazuma pushed those thoughts away, turning his attention back to his book.

That day was filled with small joys; Kazuma hoped it would be special in some way, and that was how it felt. Special… Like a dream within a nightmare, a source of relief following those days of pain. It would be easy to let it end like that, just a sweet memory as they waited for the end.

When the sun was about to set, Kazuma took Barok’s hand and guided him to the ballroom. Barok’s expression, peaceful until moments before, darkened a little.

“Why are we back here?” he asked.

“Just thought we could replace the bad memories with better ones.”

“I don’t think it will be that easy.” Barok paused, giving it some consideration. “But it might be worth a try.”

“I’m glad you agree.” Kazuma looked at him, grinning playfully. “Shall we dance again?”

“Perhaps another day. My legs are at their limit.”

“Well, good… If you accepted, then I’d have no choice but to embarrass myself again.”

“We have both been through much worse and more embarrassing things than dancing in a silent room.”

“Dancing badly in a silent room.”

Barok smiled, amused. “You weren’t that horrible.”

“Liar.”

“Perhaps just a little.”

His unnecessary honesty made Kazuma pout. “If you’re going to lie, then do it properly. Seriously…”

“You are so hard to please.”

They continued that playful banter as they walked toward the balcony, stopping there to look at the reddish-orange sky, which soon would turn into a dark and starry one. That place was beautiful… Perhaps the most beautiful it had ever looked since their arrival. A small ball of light burned inside him, and Kazuma made an effort not to let it grow—it was still too early to have hope. And yet, he knew that was the time. If he waited even another day, there were countless things that could go wrong. Their humanity could start to fade, fear could shatter that fragile happiness, another argument could come, one of them could finally break under all that weight… He could lose his courage for good.

If he didn’t act that day, he might never have another chance.

Gathering all of his resolve, he looked at Barok. “May I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

He gulped, trying not to look as anxious as he felt. “Did you ever fall in love?”

There was surprise in Barok’s expression, which he soon concealed with a faint smile. “I don’t think so.”

“Ah, right.” Kazuma almost stopped there, but forced himself to continue. “Me neither… For years, I even thought I wasn’t interested in this kind of thing. But then I came to this place, and… At some point, it all changed.”

“What are you saying?”

A tiny, nervous smile took over Kazuma’s lips. “You probably already know.”

He took a deep breath, meeting Barok’s gaze before finally saying the words that mattered the most.

“I love you, Barok.”

Barok’s eyes grew wide in shock. “What…?”

“I am in love with you. In a way I never felt about anyone before.”

For a long while, Barok did nothing but stare at him, at a loss for words. His expression slowly changed, and Kazuma knew what his response would be even before he said a word.

“Forgive me, but I cannot…” Barok struggled with the words. “I cannot see a happy future for us… Or any kind of future, for that matter. Believing the contrary would only cause us even more pain.”

There was sadness in his words, and maybe some regret. Kazuma held onto those feelings as he spoke again.

“Even if the pain will be inevitable either way?”

Barok shook his head. “This would be one more regret weighing on us in the end.”

“Wouldn’t a few weeks of happiness make it worth the price?”

“How could either of us feel happiness knowing how this is fated to end?”

Kazuma lowered his eyes, the hope in his chest growing dimmer. “But we felt it today, didn’t we?”

“This is not happiness… It is us pretending that the pain isn’t there.”

“I wasn’t pretending…”

Maybe that was why Barok’s words stung so much: Kazuma was the only one living in that sweet dream, while Barok was trapped in a nightmare. He already knew it, and still, he had wished that a single day of happiness could have changed everything. His eyes and throat stung, and he looked away so Barok wouldn’t see his face. But it was probably too late, since soon Barok spoke again in a soft, slightly hurt voice.

“Kazuma, I have given up on everything that matters to me just so I won’t have to hurt you. I don’t regret my choices but, please… don’t ask more of me. I have nothing else to give.”

At that moment, that tall and admirable man sounded about to break. And still, Kazuma had to ask him that question.

“Does this mean you feel nothing for me?”

Barok lowered his head. “I apologize.”

The regret in his words made it clear that he cared about Kazuma—just not deeply enough. If only they had more time…

But there was no time left.

“I understand.” Kazuma smiled bitterly. “Looks like it was just a foolish hope… I’m sorry.”

“You’re sorry?” Barok furrowed his brow. “I blame the one who cursed us, not you. Perhaps, if things were different, then—”

Before he could lose his courage, Kazuma faced Barok, raising both hands to cup his cheeks, staring into his eyes. Barok stopped talking, taken aback by the gesture.

“Kazuma…?”

If anything, it was a small relief to know that would be the last time Kazuma would be able to hurt him.

“Hate me if you must, but this all ends here.” Kazuma made a small pause, selfishly voicing those feelings one last time. “I love you, Barok.”

Before Barok could try to push him or turn his face away, Kazuma stood on the tip of his toes, leaning forward, kissing his lips.

For a while, nothing happened; during that horrible instant, Kazuma started to question what he saw in that mirror. However, soon a bright, white light enveloped their bodies. Kazuma looked at Barok’s confused face, watching those dark scales recede, his monstrous form slowly regaining its original shape.

And then, Kazuma’s body bent forward with an unbearable pain. He hugged himself as his bones shifted, his muscles stretched, his skin was torn and gave place to white scales; the sound of fabric tearing echoed in that room as his body grew beyond a human’s size, his limbs twisting against his will. Something stabbed his back from the inside, spreading above him. Kazuma opened his mouth, but the scream that left his throat was anything but human—the horrible wail of a beast.

“Kazuma…?”

Barok watched him, horrified. It was just as he had seen in that mirror: the only two ways to stop that curse were by killing their counterpart or being loved wholeheartedly by them. And he loved Barok more than he ever did anyone else, while also aware that those feelings were not returned.

But if that one-sided feeling meant he could at least end half of that curse, then he had no regrets at all.

And still, nothing could have prepared him for that painful transformation, or the heartbroken expression on Barok’s face. He knew that would happen, but still…

It didn’t matter. There was no turning back… It was all over.

Kazuma spread his wings, flying away from the balcony, landing on the rooftop of that castle. He could hear Barok’s distant voice… He was coming, rushing upstairs for him. Kazuma pressed his heavy body against the closed door just before Barok tried to push it open.

“Kazuma…” he called. “Kazuma, open this door…”

Kazuma didn’t answer, afraid of what sound his monstrous body would make. But Barok didn’t give up, hitting that door again and again.

Go away… Please, just leave. Just go…

“Kazuma, please…”

Stop crying… You were supposed to be happy. You’re free now, aren’t you? So, just go…

But no matter how much he quietly begged for Barok to leave, he continued to call his name while trying to reach him.

The entire night went by in that same way. At some point, Barok stopped hitting the door, but he would still call his name in a low voice.

“Kazuma, please… At least say something.”

Every time he spoke, Kazuma’s resolve weakened; the sun was starting to rise again when he finally reached his limit. Kazuma spoke, his voice sounding hoarse and inhuman, but his words still intelligible.

“You should have left.”

There was a moment of silence before Barok spoke again. “I’m not going to. And if you won’t let me go through this door, I’ll find another way to reach you, even if it means climbing these walls with my bare hands.”

Coming from him, Kazuma didn’t doubt it. Reluctantly, he moved his heavy body away from that door, allowing Barok to finally open it. He looked at Kazuma, then rushed in his direction.

“You finally let me in…”

He reached for Kazuma’s body, carefully touching his white scales. With a heavy sigh, he leaned forward, resting his head against Kazuma’s chest.

“It wasn’t supposed to be like this,” he muttered.

It truly wasn’t… He knew his choice would hurt Barok, but it wasn’t supposed to last—he should have left by that point, returning to his family and old life. That was what Kazuma wanted for him.

“Why are you still here?” Kazuma asked. “Your niece is waiting for you.”

“She deserves better than an uncle like me.”

Those words hurt. “Don’t say this… This was my choice.”

“Because I gave you no other choice!” Barok stepped back, looking at his monstrous face. “I should never have told you about them… I knew this is how things would end. That you would feel guilty and…”

“You’re wrong. It wasn’t guilt at all… I did this because I love you.” He paused, pondering if he should say more. “And it only worked because I really do.”

Barok creased his brow, confused. “What are you…?” He stopped, as if trying to make sense of it. “You knew this would happen, did you not? Then, how…?”

“The curse… The mirror showed me how to break it.”

Kazuma briefly explained to him what he saw in that mirror. The more he spoke, the more perplexed Barok looked.

“Love?” he repeated in disbelief. “Do you mean, all this time… There was another way to break it?”

“Not a simpler way, though.”

Barok lowered his eyes, his expression darkening. “If only I—”

“Stop it,” Kazuma interrupted him. “It’s not your fault that you don’t feel the same way. But I had the power to at least break your half of the curse, so… I had to.”

“And how is this any different from death itself?”

“It is,” Kazuma explained. “Because this would have happened to me either way. Staying as we were would only have ended with two dragons instead of one.” He sighed, and the sound was like a grunt. “You did nothing wrong… When I learned that my feelings could break your curse, I couldn’t just let it change you too. I had to do this.”

Barok opened his mouth, only to shake his head, struggling to speak for a long while. “You should have told me… You shouldn’t have done this on your own! We still had time… We could have done something about this!”

“Barok… You said it yourself. Do you really think you would have fallen for me under these circumstances?”

It wasn’t Kazuma’s intention, but his words seemed to hit Barok like a punch. He looked at Kazuma, speaking in a low, trembling voice.

“Is this what you meant when you said…?”

“In part, yes,” Kazuma admitted. “But also, I… Call me selfish, but I wanted to tell you before you left.”

Those words made Barok’s expression suddenly shift into a serious one. “I’m not leaving you.”

The determination in his words caught Kazuma off guard. “Barok, you—”

“I’m not leaving! I never asked you for this… I didn’t want this, Kazuma! I didn’t want you to…” His voice threatened to crack, and he took in a sharp inhale. “Who cares if things would end up like this anyway? At least neither of us would have to go through it alone!”

He knew Barok would be hurt, but didn’t think it would be that deeply. That was the closest Kazuma came to regret his decision—but he also knew that he would have made those same choices again if given the chance. He lowered his head, unsure of what to say.

“I’m sorry…” Exhausted, Kazuma bent his legs, lying on the ground. “I thought this was for the best.”

There was no immediate response. Barok stepped closer, then opened his arms wide, hugging Kazuma’s neck.

“I am the one who is sorry… I am so sorry for everything.”

Kazuma sighed, then leaned his head forward, gently putting it over Barok’s shoulder. “It’s alright.”

“It’s not,” Barok retorted. “This is our home… We should have gone through this together, not… Not like this.”

Despite the pain in his voice, something in his words seemed to light up Kazuma’s heart.

“Home…” he repeated. “Is this how you feel?”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing…” If his new face could give form to a smile, Kazuma would do it. “I’m just happy to hear this.”

And yet, there was still something about that whole situation he couldn’t ignore. He looked at Barok, speaking in a serious tone.

“Barok, you really should go see your family.”

“But you—”

“I’ll be fine,” said Kazuma. “And I’m not going anywhere… Not like this.” He then added in a light-hearted tone. “If you ever miss me, you just need to come to this place.”

Barok shook his head. “I cannot leave you alone.”

“Just promise to come back, then.”

“Kazuma, you don’t understand…”

“What don’t I understand?”

But there was no answer to his question, as if not even Barok himself knew what he was about to say. Realizing no response was coming, Kazuma spoke in a gentle voice.

“It’s done now. For better or for worse, there is no turning back.”

Barok didn’t respond immediately, seeming lost in thought. “It was your kiss, wasn’t it?” He looked at Kazuma, hopeful. “Then, maybe… If we kiss again, you…”

“It won’t work.”

“How do you know?”

Kazuma recalled what he had seen in that mirror, the words of that golden dragon. “It has to be a gesture of true love. Only love or death can break the curse. That’s what it showed me.”

His words were followed by a long silence. When Barok finally spoke, his voice was barely audible.

“Do you really… love me this much?”

The sudden question made him laugh with a coarse sound. “I can’t help it. Living with you is the happiest I’ve been in a long time.”

Barok seemed to shrink under his words. “And you gave up on it for my sake. You could have kept me here with you as a dragon, but—”

“It’s pointless if it’s just me who’s happy.” Kazuma paused, guilt weighing in his chest. “But my actions might have caused you more grief than I thought. I don’t regret them, but… I’m sorry for hurting you.”

“Don’t you ever apologize,” Barok retorted. “I would have done the same for you if I could.”

Kazuma didn’t doubt it. So many times, Barok had the chance to free himself from that curse; and still, every single time, he chose Kazuma over himself. Once again, he was certain that all they needed was more time for that curse to be properly broken.

Kazuma’s thoughts were interrupted by a cold feeling on his snout. It was raining… How appropriate. That golden dragon refused to make things easier for them, it seemed.

“We should go back inside,” said Barok.

“The place might be a little too small for me now.”

“Come back to the ballroom, then. It is better than staying out here in the rain.”

Kazuma agreed. He flew to the balcony, entering that wide room. Barok joined him not long after, closing the door to the balcony so the rain wouldn’t come in.

“You should stay here for now,” he said. “Is there any way I can make this place more comfortable for you?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Are you cold? I can fetch you some blankets.”

“No, I’m fine.”

“A few pillows, then?”

“No need.”

Despite his words, Barok left the ballroom, returning with an armful of blankets and pillows, repeating the process until there was a fluffy pile beside Kazuma. Barok then spent a few minutes preparing a makeshift bed for him, and once Kazuma was comfortable in it, Barok prepared one for himself close to him.

“Why don’t you sleep in your bedroom?” asked Kazuma. “You’ll end up with back pain like this.”

“I’m not leaving you alone again.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t fly away this time.”

“Even so.”

His reserved way of caring made Kazuma feel a little better. Barok sat close to him, his back against Kazuma’s bent front leg, staying silent for a moment before speaking again.

“You never told me about your feelings.”

Kazuma looked away. “It’s not something you can just say.”

“I know. And that’s why I never even considered it… The two of us being anything more than friends.”

“I was afraid we would no longer be friends if you knew.”

There was a light tap on his leg, which made Kazuma look at him.

“That wouldn’t happen,” said Barok.

“I know it now. But I couldn’t risk it.”

Barok simply nodded in response. He didn’t speak for long minutes, seeming lost in thought. Kazuma didn’t interrupt him, having his own thoughts to sort out.

“I have decided,” said Barok, finally. “I will go see Irene and Iris as you suggested.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

“But I’ll be back,” he quickly added. “As soon as I can.”

Kazuma couldn’t tell if those words made him feel relieved or not. “You know you don’t need to do this, right?”

“I need closure with my family. But I want to stay with you, and nothing you say will change my mind.”

Kazuma still wanted to argue, but stopped himself—if there was any chance that would be the last time they talked, he didn’t want it to turn into an argument.

“Alright…”

Barok gently rubbed his scales, looking up into his eyes. “We’ll find a way to heal you… So, please, don’t lose hope.”

Kazuma doubted that was possible at that point, but if the thought brought peace to Barok, then he wouldn’t argue against it.

Barok departed two days later, after countless reassurances from Kazuma that he would be fine and could care for himself in his absence.

“It won’t take long,” said Barok. “Certainly no more than two weeks.”

Kazuma almost chuckled at his concern. “Just take your time.”

They said their farewells, and soon after that, Kazuma was alone in that castle. Funny how such an enormous place suddenly felt so small when he couldn’t even leave that ballroom with his changed body.

It was so strange, as if the entire world had become a little smaller. He wasn’t as big as the dragons from the stories, but still much larger than any animal he had seen before. Barok was a big man, and still, he wasn’t taller than Kazuma’s chest when both were standing.

That difference in size would make their lives in that place much more difficult. He wondered more than once if Barok would change his mind once he saw his family—part of him wished he would, so he wouldn’t have to see Kazuma lose his mind, or put himself at risk by being with him when it inevitably happened.

What if he hurt Barok after his human mind faded? The thought by itself was horrible, but the possibility that he wouldn’t even feel guilt was even worse. If he could keep any fragment of his human self with him, he hoped it would be how much that man mattered to him—if that was possible, it would be enough to bring Kazuma peace.

Without company, the days passed slowly. He counted the sunrises and sunsets, but after the first five days, those numbers only made him anxious. He went to the woods to pass the time, but moving with that body through the trees was tiring and uncomfortable, so he soon gave up on it.

Which also meant giving up on hunting for food. But hunting as a dragon wasn’t pleasant either, and eating was even worse. His body craved raw meat, while his mind rejected it, making him sick every time he even thought about it. He wasn’t hungry enough to make a bigger effort, so he just stopped eating until he truly needed to.

The first week passed like that, with Kazuma on his makeshift bed most of the time, only leaving it to stretch his legs for a few minutes, and then immediately returning to it.

He missed Barok. He missed his old body. He missed being able to go wherever he wanted, and do whatever he wanted. He missed warm food and reading books. He missed…

He missed how hopeful he had once been. His old self was stubborn and optimistic, trying to find a new path at every dead end, refusing to lower his head and give in to whatever destiny was forced upon him.

The more he thought about it, the less the man named Kazuma Asogi felt like himself. Most of the time, he couldn’t even remember how he looked before that curse started to change him.

He had red eyes like his father’s… No, that wasn’t right. His eyes were dark like his mother’s—and also his father’s in his oldest memories.

He had two legs and two arms. No scales covered his skin; no wings or tail grew from his back, and no horns from his head.

What did his face look like, though? Whenever he tried to remember, it took a different shape, and none of them felt right.

How did his voice sound? How did his mind work? How did his small and frail body feel like?

What was his name?

He was almost asleep when that question startled him awake. He looked around, trying to understand what was happening.

What was that place?

For a terrifying minute, he had no idea where he was, or who he was. Then, it all suddenly came back to his mind.

Kazuma… His name was Kazuma. And that castle was his home.

The relief brought by the memories was small compared to the dread that grew inside him. Was his human consciousness fading, already? But he thought he still had time… Not much, but at least enough for him to make peace with his end—to maybe see Barok one last time.

But his physical transformation had been a sudden one as well. Was it because he took Barok’s curse for himself?

Had his time already come to its…?

Panic grew within him, and Kazuma curled into a ball in an attempt to keep himself calm. That meant nothing… he was just tired. He closed his eyes, trying to find comfort in his sleep, only for his dreams to be as restless as his thoughts.

He saw his father, hugging him in that deformed body one last time, tears running down his face.

He saw his mother, sickly and stricken by grief, growing thinner and paler every passing day.

He saw Jigoku, his sword covered in blood. A sad frown on his face, a happy glint in his eyes.

If you come back as a dragon, I will kill you.

I know.

I will kill you like I killed him.

You didn’t even think twice.

So no one will take my place.

Because what is friendship compared to power, right?

You thought I cared about you, boy?

I once did…

I didn’t even care about your father…

I know.

Or your mother, for that matter.

I know.

I’m just glad you’re all out of my way.

I know.

I’m just glad you will die alone.

Jigoku smiled, and a burning feeling overcame Kazuma.

“Shut up… I don’t want to hear you… Shut up…!”

He only wanted him to be quiet… To rip that man’s smile off his face… To watch his detestable face burn away.

A terrified scream brought Kazuma back from that vision. He was on top of a stone wall circling an unknown city, wings spread wide, mouth open, fire burning in his throat. Before it could spill out of him in a deadly breath, Kazuma turned his head up, sending the fire upward instead.

What was I about to…?

Below him, people ran for their lives, some of them frozen in place, others shielding their loved ones with their own bodies. One second later, and he would have…

Panicked, Kazuma took flight, trying to get as far from those people as he could. Something pierced his back, then his wing. He kept flying despite the pain, disoriented for a long time, until he finally found his way back to the castle. One of the stained glass windows had been shattered—by his body, no doubt… He couldn’t remember any of it, not even a single second.

He felt sick. If that was supposed to get worse, then what else was he going to do? Moved by despair, he threw himself against the walls and windows, trying to wound his wings deeply so he wouldn’t be able to fly again. It wasn’t enough… No matter how much it hurt, his cursed body was still strong. So, he no longer slept, forcing himself to stay awake day after day; every single second, he spent trying to hold onto what was left of his humanity.

Humanity…? What a strange word…

It made no sense at all.

His heart pounded painfully, as if trying to warn him of something, though he wasn’t sure what it could be. He searched his mind for any clue, finding nothing but thick mist everywhere he looked. What was he supposed to remember? And why did it feel so important to him?

Who was he?

He was…

His name was…

What was he, anyway?

A person… He was a…

A dragon… Yes, he was a dragon.

No, he was something else… Two legs, two arms, no wings… He was a…

What was it called, again?

It was hard to think. His head hurt… His body hurt… He was hungry and tired.

His name was…

Barok.

No, that wasn’t his name.

And still, it made him warm. He closed his eyes, curling into a ball, covering his wounded body with his wing.

In his restless sleep, a cloaked figure covered in golden scales approached. He had seen it before, though he couldn’t remember where. The figure closed its eyes, its small body changing into a bigger one, similar to his own. It leaned forward, gently pressing their heads together.

“I am deeply sorry,” it said. “You didn’t deserve a destiny like this.”

He couldn’t answer, and the golden dragon seemed to know that, since it soon continued.

“If you so wish, I can end your torment. I owe you at least this much.”

He couldn’t understand why, but deep down he knew: he was waiting for someone. He couldn’t die before he finally saw them again.

“I see…” The golden dragon sighed. “Your flame isn’t gone yet, is it?”

It was hard to tell if it sounded pleased or sorrowful—yet, something in the golden dragon’s voice brought him peace.

“Sleep for now, child. May you have pleasant dreams.”

For what felt like a long time, he drifted between sleep and a state of half-consciousness. His dreams were peaceful, but during the time he spent awake, his mind was taken by a storm of disconnected thoughts.

He had a pair of legs and a pair of arms.

He had dark hair and dark eyes.

He had a name…

Barok…

No, not that one.

Genshin…?

Not that one, either.

Barok…

It couldn’t be that one. And still, it kept echoing inside his head, refusing to fade away. So, he tightly embraced it, allowing its warmth to flow within him.

But that was still not his name.

No matter how hard he tried, he simply couldn’t remember it.

He had a pair of wings and two pairs of legs.

He had white scales and red eyes.

He had always been that way.

But that wasn’t right… There was something he was forgetting.

Something very important.

He had a name.

“Kazuma…”

That voice made him open his eyes, growling at the disturbance of his sleep. Before him was a small creature, who looked at him with its eyes widened.

“Kazuma… What happened to you?”

The creature touched him in the places that hurt. Warm… It tickled, but it wasn’t bad. It didn’t bother him, so he just allowed it to do whatever it wanted. He was ready to go back to sleep when the creature’s voice echoed again, louder this time.

“Why won’t you answer me? Kazuma… Just say something…”

It shook his leg—weak but persistent. He couldn’t rest like that. His head hurt… Being awake made all those strange thoughts spin inside him… He hated it. He just wanted to fall asleep.

“You… You can understand me, can you not?” The creature continued to speak. “Please… Tell me I’m not too late…”

So loud… Part of him had the urge to hit that pestering little thing with his claws to make it quiet, then go back to sleep.

“I know you’re still there… Someone like you wouldn’t give up like this.”

But he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Even the thought of harming that creature was enough to hurt him more than any wound. He couldn’t understand why.

“Listen to me, Kazuma… You need to remember.” Its voice became louder, unsteady. “This is not who you are… You are a human like me. You…”

The creature was now standing before him, looking at his face. Something about it made his heart beat restlessly.

“You spared my life…” it continued. “And then you saved me again. You gave me hope when I had nothing left… You brightened my days when I forgot what happiness felt like.” A heavy pause, followed by quieter words. “You gave me a home.”

Nothing it said made any sense. But that name it kept calling… Why did hearing it cause him so much pain?

“Please, Kazuma…”

No, not pain… The thing in his heart wasn’t dark and heavy, but powerful and bright like sunlight—pounding so strongly it seemed about to break free from his chest.

“Please, don’t leave me.” The creature grabbed his neck with its weak limbs. “If I cannot save you, then… Make me like you. Curse me if you must, just don’t leave me… I need you. Please…”

It stopped talking. The silence was a relief, but also slightly disappointing… Nothing he could do about it, though—he was too tired for any of it. Before he could close his eyes, however, the creature’s voice echoed again, almost too low to be heard.

“I love you.”

Something about those words grabbed his attention. Confused, he looked at that small creature, who reached up to his snout, cupping it with its hands.

“I love you, Kazuma,” it said. “And I will love you until the end.”

The creature leaned in his direction, lightly touching his snout with its lips. He closed his eyes, warmth flowing within him, spreading throughout his body.

The blinding light within him finally escaped, engulfing him whole. His body moved and changed against his will, a river of thoughts and memories pouring into his once empty mind.

He wasn’t a monster; he was a man.

He had two legs and two arms.

He had a face and a voice, and a mind of his own.

He had a father and a mother he loved very much.

He had a man he wanted to spend his entire life with.

And he had a name…

“Kazuma…”

He opened his eyes, and the world was big once again. Before him was the face of the man he loved, who cradled him in his arms as if he was something precious.

“Barok…” Kazuma heard his own weak—human—voice. “You—”

Kazuma couldn’t make sense of everything that happened before Barok pulled him into an embrace so tight he almost couldn’t breathe. Without thinking, Kazuma threw his arms around him, holding him just as tightly, burying his face in his chest.

“I never should have left you…” Barok muttered against his hair. “I am so sorry…”

Slowly, he remembered what had happened, finally understanding the meaning behind those dreadful past days, and the fact that he was no longer a mindless monster.

“You came back,” said Kazuma. “That’s all that matters to me.”

Barok looked at his face, touching it with both hands; Kazuma smiled, covering Barok’s hands with his own.

“You broke my curse…”

His low words made Barok open his mouth, but instead of responding, he leaned forward, kissing Kazuma so desperately that, for a second, he couldn’t react.

“I love you…” Barok murmured against his lips. “I love you, Kazuma… I love you.”

The words thumped inside him like a second heart. Kazuma hugged Barok’s neck, eagerly returning that kiss—their fourth, but also the first proper one.

Once they started kissing and touching, neither of them could stop. It was love, and longing, and relief, all mixed into something stronger than either of them was able to control. When that desperate need was finally sated, they lay close to each other on the wooden floor of that ballroom, taking some time to recover.

With his mind clearer and the strong urge to touch Barok sated, Kazuma looked down at his own, naked body, finally paying attention to something he had noticed before: thin and clear scars like scales covered his back and limbs, like a reminder of how far that curse had consumed him. He examined them closely, soon noticing Barok’s gaze on him. Kazuma forced a smile.

“It seems like these aren’t going away,” he said.

“So it seems…”

Barok moved closer, gently holding Kazuma’s arm to give those marks a better look. Kazuma averted his gaze, suddenly nervous.

“I suppose being ugly is still better than being a monster, right?”

Despite everything, he still feared a rejection. As a response, Barok brought his lips to Kazuma’s arm, kissing those scars while Kazuma could do nothing but watch. When he was satisfied, Barok leaned forward, placing a light kiss on Kazuma’s lips.

“You are lovely.”

Those words were nothing but honest, and Kazuma would be a fool to doubt that Barok meant them. Still, Barok’s low voice made his face quickly grow warm, so he hid his sudden bashfulness with a playful grin.

“This must mean a lot coming from the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen.”

Barok smiled, and Kazuma took that chance to return the kiss, part of him still struggling to believe he could finally do it whenever he wished to. Kazuma only moved away when a cold wind made him shiver.

“It’s getting cold here,” he said.

Which wasn’t surprising, with all those broken windows. Barok glanced around, then stood up, offering Kazuma a hand to help him do the same.

“We should sleep in our bedrooms,” he said.

“Bedrooms?” Kazuma pouted as he grabbed a thick blanket from the floor, throwing it around his shoulders. “And I thought you wouldn’t let me sleep alone…”

A light flush covered Barok’s face, and he turned away with a small cough, suddenly invested in finding and wearing his clothes as quickly as possible. Kazuma grinned, satisfied—at least he wasn’t the only one embarrassed. Instead of teasing him any longer, however, Kazuma held his hand, giving its back a light kiss before intertwining their fingers.

They went downstairs, and after fetching some clothes from his bedroom, Kazuma followed Barok inside his, where they lay together again, sharing his bed. Despite the sweet proximity, this time, the two of them fell asleep almost as soon as they got comfortable under the covers, exhausted after that long night.

It was almost noon when Kazuma finally woke up. Barok wasn’t there with him, and for a single instant, panic threatened to sprout inside him. But it didn’t last long—there was no way that man would leave him behind.

Kazuma left the bedroom, soon realizing that something was different about that castle. It was no longer that perfect and magical place, but also not the cold ruins from when they first arrived; an old and abandoned castle half reclaimed by nature, and nothing more—the soul trapped within it for countless centuries finally free.

Kazuma couldn’t say he didn’t resent that dragon for the pain he had unwillingly caused, but couldn’t deny that he was also relieved that his torment had come to its end.

With his heart light, he walked to the kitchen. As he thought, Barok was there, struggling to prepare a meal on his own.

“Need some help?” asked Kazuma.

Barok sighed. “I would appreciate it.”

Kazuma joined him, though Barok seemed to have done most of the work already: diced fruit and scrambled eggs with vegetables… Good choice, it would be hard to mess up something that simple. He boiled some water for the tea, then finished dicing the fruits while Barok took care of the eggs.

“How are you feeling?” asked Barok.

“Much better after sleeping.”

“I hope my cooking doesn’t ruin your good mood.”

Kazuma shrugged. “I survived becoming a giant lizard, I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

“Indeed… It would be a tragic thing to survive such an extreme transformation only to die from my horrible cooking.”

Kazuma stared at him, taken aback. “I thought you hated my dark sense of humor…”

“I do.” Barok sighed. “But I missed even this about you.”

That was so sudden that Kazuma couldn’t hold back a laugh. “Aren’t you a romantic one?”

Barok considered it for a moment. “Perhaps I am… This is new to me, still.”

Part of Kazuma wanted to tease him a little more. Instead, he moved closer to Barok, hugging his waist. Barok paused his work, placing one arm around Kazuma to bring him closer, kissing his head. It all felt so natural that it was hard to believe it hadn’t even been one entire day since Barok confessed his feelings for him. Maybe because of the intimacy they had slowly cultivated during those months living together… Thinking about it was enough to fill his chest with a sweet feeling.

They finished preparing and eating their simple meal—surprisingly good, considering Barok’s previous efforts. There was a brief silence once they were done, and before Barok could say anything, Kazuma finally asked the one question that had been in his mind since he woke up.

“Are you going back home?”

Barok met his gaze, slowly nodding. “I intend to.”

“Of course…”

Another moment of silence, followed by Barok’s anxious voice.

“You are… coming with me, aren’t you?”

It would be a lie to say he didn’t want to, but…

“I don’t think your family will be happy with the idea of an Asogi joining them.”

To his surprise, the answer was immediate and full of confidence. “I am certain they will be delighted to meet the man I love regardless of his name.”

Kazuma blinked. “You know that’s not—”

“I told them about you,” Barok quickly added. “And all my sister-in-law said was that she could tell from my words how deeply I love you… Just like she once loved my brother.” He lowered his eyes with a faint smile. “It is embarrassing how I needed her to spell it out to me before I finally realized it myself.”

Kazuma didn’t know what else to say. Noting his perplexity, Barok reached for his hand, holding it over the table.

“Come with me, Kazuma.” He caressed Kazuma’s hand with his thumb. “Because I would rather live as a cursed beast than leave this place without you.”

After hearing those words, how was he supposed to even hesitate?

“If this is what you want, then…” He offered Barok a slight smile. “Alright.”

Barok’s face brightened. Kazuma wouldn’t say it out loud, but he would follow Barok anywhere if he asked him to. Instead, he stood from his chair, approaching Barok to hug his head close to his chest. He never thought he was a clingy man… It was like there was a whole new side of him he didn’t even know existed before he met Barok.

“When are we leaving?” he asked.

“As soon as you are ready.”

“Then, we better go before I lose my courage…”

Barok looked up at him, smiling sweetly. “Everything will be fine. Trust me.”

Kazuma nodded. Soon, they moved to their bedrooms; Kazuma returned the pillows and blankets to the wardrobe, placing his few belongings inside his bag. He hesitated, then left the knife on the bedside table, not wanting to carry those painful memories with him as he started anew.

He fixed the bed’s covers and closed the windows, giving that now familiar room one final look before walking out of it. Barok was already outside his own bedroom, waiting for him. From there, instead of going down, they first went upstairs, going through the rooms one by one in a final goodbye.

“Do you really think your family will like me?” asked Kazuma, not for the first time.

And Barok responded in his same, patient tone. “I am sure of it.”

Kazuma nodded. He was still uncertain, but when Barok said it with so much confidence, it made Kazuma want to believe him. They moved to the music room, and following a sudden wish, Kazuma requested one song before they left, to which Barok was quick to comply. Kazuma listened, allowing the pleasant rhythm to calm his heart.

“I’ll never get tired of hearing you play,” he commented.

Barok raised his eyes, his hands still moving. “Do you have any interest in learning to play?”

Kazuma blinked, surprised. “Why do you ask?”

“It simply crossed my mind.” Barok paused, as if looking for the right words. “I might have rediscovered my passion for music during the past few months… I want to start practicing again when I return home, and if you have any interest in it, I could teach you as well.” He smiled at the thought. “We could even play together someday, if you’d like.”

Kazuma dismissed the idea with a shake of his head. “I don’t think I’m any good at this.”

“Why not give it a try?”

“And embarrass myself again?” He chuckled. “No, I’m pretty sure I’ll be horrible at it.”

“It can’t possibly be worse than your dancing.”

Kazuma scowled. “Did you need to mention that again?”

He wasn’t that cheeky when they first met… Maybe Kazuma’s influence had been stronger than he thought. Not that he hated the change, of course—if anything, it only made him love that man even more.

“My apologies…” said Barok with a barely concealed smile. “But your reaction to these comments is quite endearing…”

Before Kazuma could complain, Barok continued, offering him an encouraging smile.

“I just thought that, now that we have time again, we should give new things a chance. And if it is something we can share, then I’d be even happier.”

The answer caught Kazuma by surprise. He was right… After so long believing he had no more than a year to live, it was easy to forget that both of them still had an entire lifetime ahead of them. There was no reason to rush, no need to fear starting something new just because it wouldn’t last. He would need some time to fully understand what that meant for him going forward.

But it was a pleasant thought. Kazuma wasn’t sure about the piano yet, but maybe that was just him still stuck in that old mentality. Besides, it wasn’t like the piano was his only option when it came to musical instruments… Maybe he would have to try a few before he found the right one. And that also meant he could teach Barok new things as well… Maybe starting in the kitchen—his cooking had improved, but still could use some guidance. And then…

There he was, rushing things again. Suppressing an amused laugh, he gave Barok his answer.

“I think I’ll give it a try, then.”

Barok seemed pleased with the response. He finished that song, closing the piano. From there they walked toward that black door, only to realize that it had completely vanished. Barok was surprised, but Kazuma couldn’t say the same about himself.

“Maybe it’s a sign that it’s really over now,” he said.

Barok looked at him, and then back at that now empty wall. “Over, you say…”

It was still a strange thought… Instead of thinking too hard about it, however, Kazuma turned his gaze to Barok.

“How does it feel to break an ancient curse?”

Barok met his gaze, seeming slightly amused. “Quite good.” He paused, continuing in a lower voice. “I wonder…”

His words trailed off. Kazuma creased his brow, slightly curious.

“You wonder…?”

Barok let out a small sigh. “I wonder if Klint and Genshin are finally at peace now.”

His words made Kazuma’s heart ache—sadness, but also relief at the thought that no one else would meet the same fate as those two men, whose memories they so deeply cherished. Kazuma reached for Barok’s hand, giving it a light, gentle squeeze.

“I’m sure they are,” he said.

Barok squeezed his hand back. They stayed in place for a moment longer—their grief would never fade for good, but now it was more bittersweet than painful. They had finished what those two had started a decade before, and Kazuma wanted to believe there was no greater way to honor the bond their father and brother had formed in that same place.

Yes… It was finally over.

“We should go,” said Kazuma after a while.

Barok agreed. From there, they went to the only place left on the top floor: the ballroom. That place was so filled with memories, both wonderful and terrible, that even stepping inside was enough to make his chest tighten. Barok moved closer, placing an arm around Kazuma’s shoulders. Neither of them said a word for a long time, until they finally stepped away, closing those heavy doors.

They moved downstairs, repeating that process, saving their beloved library for last. Kazuma examined those lines of books, lightly touching the spine of his favorite ones. How weird… He hadn’t even left yet, and his heart was already aching from nostalgia.

“You know…” said Kazuma. “I will miss this place.”

Barok looked at him, his expression serious. “Would you rather stay here?”

Kazuma knew that, if he said he wanted to, Barok would stay there with him. But…

“No…” Kazuma smiled at him. “You talked so much about your family that now I’m curious to meet them.” He couldn’t hold back a small giggle. “Your niece must be as cute as you are.”

Barok creased his brow. “How is a man my age cute in any way?”

“Do you want me to answer?”

He turned his face away. “No.”

Kazuma laughed at how he accidentally proved his point. He observed Barok’s reddened face for a moment—if he had anything to thank that curse for, it was for bringing the two of them together.

“I love you so much.”

The words simply escaped his lips. Barok looked at him, his expression softening as he extended his arm toward Kazuma, who moved closer, allowing Barok to give his forehead a light kiss.

“I love you too.”

No matter how many times he heard those words, it never felt like enough. They stayed a while longer in that place, until Barok finally broke the silence.

“Come… Let’s go home.”

Kazuma agreed. They walked to the entrance, then finally stepped out of that castle. The day was warm and pleasant, perfect for a long walk. After looking back for the last time, Kazuma held Barok’s hand, and his warmth flowed through his entire body—the same warmth that had saved him, which now gave him hope for a future he had once given up on.

Instead of anxiousness, a sweet and bright excitement grew inside him, and he caught himself thinking that, yes, he was looking forward to living in their new home.