ã€ŠThe Light Spawns: The End of a Hundred-Year Peaceã€‹


 Chapter 1: Bial

    ¡°Help me¡­¡±

    Her weak plea shattered against the laughter of the four men holding her down with excessive force. As if this starving, frail girl could even escape the grip of just one of them¡­ With one hand, one man could pin her to the ground, and with the other, easily tear apart her threadbare clothes.

    One of the four men said, ¡°Come on now¡­¡± as he grasped her leg, which she shook desperately. ¡°Come on, show me how the lights heal their wounds.¡±

    He pulled his cigarette away from his lips and pressed it into her bare stomach. The scent of scorching flesh¡­ her piercing screams¡­ increased their laughter.

    But her skin did not stop bubbling. The dark reddish-brown burn still hissed, and the main man stared at it, puzzled. Why?

    Angrily, the man yelled, ¡°What¡¯s this? Why aren¡¯t you healing?!¡±

    He released her leg¡ªplenty of other hands were still holding her down. He took her face in both hands and shouted, ¡°How dare you scar the body that will be mine today! Why aren¡¯t you healing?!¡± His last words came as he struck her hard across the face.

    The slap stung. She wasn¡¯t surprised; her face knew this kind of pain all too well. But what did surprise her was the young man sitting on a nearby rock. Her ears rang, and her head throbbed, yet she could see him clearly¡ªthis black-haired boy with a scar on his face. He could see her? Maybe not? Still, if she screamed, he¡¯d come to her rescue. Wouldn¡¯t he?

    She yelled, ¡°Help me!¡±

    He still didn¡¯t move. She yelled harder, ¡°Please, help me!¡± using every bit of strength she had, thrashing beneath their many hands. Still, he didn¡¯t stir. Perhaps her voice was weaker than she realized, or maybe the ringing in her ears kept her from knowing how loud she really was. Maybe she was just whispering without knowing it. That had to be it.

    But... He was looking straight at her.

    Tears streamed down her cheeks as the man with the cigarette stood over her naked body, starting to unfasten his belt.

    He sneered, ¡°Hey, kid, looks like you want to learn how to be a real man.¡±

    The man turned to the boy on the rock, pants down. ¡°This is what a human man looks like!¡± His men burst into crude laughter at his horrible joke. None of them cared about anything but the girl beneath them. They nearly drooled with anticipation, waiting like obedient dogs for their leader to finish.

    She fixated her eyes on the boy on the rock; he was still looking at her. He didn¡¯t take his eyes away until both of them heard a sudden scream cutting through the air. Someone was coming.

    The man with the cigarette and his followers turned toward the source of that sudden shout. A blond boy raced toward them. Before they could speak, before the leader could rise off her, before he could pull up his pants, the blond boy¡¯s foot slammed into the leader¡¯s face.

    The cigarette fell from his mouth, extinguished by the blood dripping from his busted lip. Gasping for breath, the blond boy took a moment, leaning on his knees. The leader¡¯s face flushed red with rage as he snarled, ¡°How¡­ how dare you touch me, you filthy light-blooded! You cursed spawn!¡±

    His loyal followers sprang up as well. How dare this kid dishonor their leader? They advanced toward him in pure anger.

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    One growled, ¡°I¡¯ll tear out your heart.¡±

    The other, ¡°I¡¯ll carve your dirty flesh and feed it to this wretched town.¡±

    The blond boy looked at the shocked girl on the ground with a faint smile, hiding his anger behind gentle words: ¡°Don¡¯t you think this might be your chance to get up?¡±

    Exhausted from lying on the cold ground, she rose quickly, still sobbing, nearly screaming as she gathered every scrap of her torn clothes. She couldn¡¯t leave a single piece behind¡ªshe had no others. Even a ripped shirt could be sewn back together somehow. She wouldn¡¯t abandon it.

    The leader and his men surrounded the blond boy. In a deep voice, the leader growled, ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter if that whore got away. You, with that blond hair and green eyes, will be more than enough.¡±

    Another man cracked his knuckles. ¡°Yeah, Boss, to be honest, he¡¯s more my type than that skinny thing.¡±

    The blond boy kept a faint smile and stood firm at the center of their circle. Was he challenging them? Trying to act brave and strong?

    The leader¡¯s eyes burned with fury. Did this kid think a lucky kick could help him beat them all? He¡¯d show him who truly owned this city¡ªtheir blood! He lunged and seized the boy¡¯s throat with strong fingers. First, he¡¯d choke him until his face turned blue, until he couldn¡¯t breathe, until he pawed at his hands with pitiful eyes. Then he¡¯d make him do anything he pleased. Lastly, he¡¯d kill him and erase him from the world.

    But¡­ his vision blurred. He couldn¡¯t see well. His throat hurt. Had it always hurt like this? He couldn¡¯t remember. He couldn¡¯t breathe. The black-haired boy on the rock¡ªhow did he get here so fast? Why were his hands around his neck now?

    The last thing he heard before being flung into a nearby pile of rocks, his blood staining them red, was a frightening voice saying, ¡°Don¡¯t. Touch. Nier.¡±

    The men stared at the rocks wet with their leader¡¯s blood, at the scrawny black-haired boy who stood in front of the blonde boy, and at their unconscious leader. Then they looked at that bony boy¡¯s body again.

    Finally, one of them screamed, ¡°How dare you, you damned filthy blooded! I¡¯ll kill you with my own two hands!¡± He drew a small knife. If only he had his sword! That idiot squad leader had insisted they come without uniforms or swords. At least he had this knife.

    Before he could reach the black-haired boy, he found himself staring at the sky. Why was he looking at clouds? Suddenly, he was laying flat on the ground, and the skinny boy hovered over him. How was he that fast, that strong? Was this the power¡­ of the spawns of the lights?

    The skinny boy¡¯s fists rained down mercilessly, each punch erasing the man¡¯s thoughts, features, and even his will to resist. Punch after punch... The last two men watched in terror, frozen. One of them thought, We need to do something now, as another punch landed on his friend¡¯s face.

    Now¡­ another punch. Now¡¯s the time¡­ another punch. Each blow shook them to their cores.

    The blonde boy turned his face away from the gruesome scene. Finally, one man found the courage to speak. ¡°Don¡¯t you know who we are? We¡¯re humans! You¡¯ll be executed! You¡¯ll die, you bastard! You will die!¡±

    Another punch from the skinny boy now hit one of them, quicker than he could react! Even the skinny boy seemed surprised by his own strength. He thought as he continued beating on the other man, How were their bodies so fragile?

    The last man turned tail and fled toward the gates, screaming, ¡°What is this?! Damn you, spawn of the lights!¡±

    The blonde boy placed a hand on the skinny boy¡¯s shoulder, prompting him to stop beating the unconscious man beneath him. He paused, checking if the blonde boy was unharmed. Yes, he was fine.

    In an irritated, angry voice, the skinny boy said, ¡°Nier! Stop getting involved in shit that doesn¡¯t concern you!!¡±

    Nier flared up. ¡°You should¡¯ve been the one to intervene, Elir! Why didn¡¯t you help her?¡±

    Elir sat on the ground, as though baffled by the question. ¡°Why would I help her? Do you know her?¡±

    Nier¡¯s face burned with anger as he screamed, ¡°Do you need to know people to save them?!¡±

    As usual, those types of lines never work on Elir. No matter what Nier said, Elir never helped anyone.

    Nier collapsed on the ground next to Elir, looking at the sky and said in exhaustion, ¡°Oh my god, man, you¡¯re hopeless. How will you join the army if you can¡¯t even help one girl?¡± Elir didn¡¯t reply; he just stared at Nier in silence.

    Nier stared back at him, thinking, Still, by saving me, Elir saved the girl in the end. If that¡¯s what it takes for Elir to save others, he¡¯d force him to save him a thousand times.

 Chapter 2: Mother, Why Couldnâ€™t You Stay Silent?

    The sound of spoons clanging against plates seemed loud. It¡¯s not as if an empty plate with a meager amount of food could really produce such noise, but the silence magnified it. The older daughter always wondered, How could four people sit at a dinner table in such utter silence? Total silence¡­ except for the clinking of utensils.

    Every few seconds, after she chewed, the infant opened her mouth and sighed, signaling to her older sister that she was ready for another bite. The older sister, with her long brown hair and wide eyes, sat in front of a plate she hadn¡¯t touched. She fed the baby with a smile, watching her younger sister¡¯s chubby, rosy cheeks move as she chewed. That¡¯s how it had always been¡ªat least since her mother gave birth to the younger sister and she started taking care of her.

    And her mother? She had been like this: her own plate untouched, not eating, not sleeping, just staring.

    Staring at what, That what the girl asked herself every day.

    The only plate that was touched, the only one that got scraped by a spoon again and again, was her father¡¯s. But today, he hadn¡¯t touched his food either. Had the girl¡¯s cooking been bad?

    The baby sighed for another bite, and she obliged, feeding her another spoonful. From the corner of her eye, she noticed her father watching her. Why was he looking at her that way? Fear crept into her heart.

    Before she could question it¡ªwhy he hadn¡¯t touched his food, why he was looking at her¡ªhe opened his mouth and said, ¡°The time has come, Seeta. You have to go to Azar. He¡¯ll know what to do. Tonight! We¡¯ll go tonight.¡±

    The baby sighed again.

    But Seeta put down the spoon and stared at her father in fear. Her heart pounded as she said, ¡°Father¡­ I¡¯ll join the Frata army.¡±

    The ringing in her ears¡­ it was worse than anything else, worse than her father¡¯s slaps. If his hands weren¡¯t so large, maybe his slap wouldn¡¯t have reached her ears. He slammed his hand down on the table angrily after hitting her, sending the untouched plates clattering.

    In a loud voice, he said, ¡°You selfish girl! Who will pay for the house, your mother, and your sister?! How can you even think of something like this?! Leaving and joining the army!¡±

    Her cheek turned red, and her eyes followed suit, blood vessels bursting beneath the surface. In a furious outburst, she shouted, ¡°What about you?! Why don¡¯t you work father?!¡±

    She shouldn¡¯t have said that.

    Her father snarled, his voice turning terrifying. ¡°Your mother spoiled you too much, didn¡¯t she¡­¡±

    She squeezed her eyes shut. She really hated the ringing in her ears. And there it was¡ªshe could hear the air rustle around her, hear the slap, feel that hot sting on her face.

    But her ears didn¡¯t ring. The warmth she felt on her face was¡­ damp, almost comforting. Slowly, Seeta opened her eyes to find her mother hugging her. Her mother had taken the slap instead of her.

    Her father grabbed the mother¡¯s hair angrily. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing, you whore?¡±

    The mother clutched his hand, kissing it in supplication. ¡°Let me talk to her¡­ Leave her to me¡­¡±

    He didn¡¯t care. He didn¡¯t care that she hadn¡¯t spoken for  weeks, or months? He couldn¡¯t remember and didn¡¯t care. He just ground his teeth in anger and left. If she could convince Seeta, fine. If not, so be it.

    Seeta broke down, crying in her mother¡¯s embrace, while her mother gently patted her back. How she¡¯d missed her mother, missed her warmth, her smile, her voice. Through choked sobs, Seeta mumbled disjointed words. ¡°I don¡¯t want to¡­ I don¡¯t want this, Mom¡­ I want to join the Frata army. I don¡¯t want to stay here.¡±

    Her mother patted her back again. ¡°It¡¯s all right; your mama is here.¡±

    Seeta tightened her grip on her mother¡ªuntil her mother said, ¡°Seeta, beautiful girls shouldn¡¯t do men¡¯s work, and who is prettier than you?¡±

    At that moment, Seeta wished her mother had remained silent. Her face twisted with anger and pain as she looked at her mother¡¯s gentle, calm expression¡ªlike she hadn¡¯t just shattered her daughter¡¯s heart into pieces.

    Her mother went on, ¡°Our beautiful daughter, envied by everyone, wanted by everyone¡­ you would be the most beautiful of Azar¡¯s girls.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Seeta managed to say.

    Her words caught in her throat. She pulled away from her mother¡¯s embrace. ¡°What are you saying¡­ You want me to work for Azar?¡±

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    The mother¡¯s calm face became frightening. In a voice close to a scream, she shouted, ¡°You want to leave me and go away?! Why do you want to leave me and join the army?! What did I ever do to you?! Krite!!!¡± She kept screaming, ¡°Kriiiite!!!¡±

    Seeta¡¯s father rushed in at the sound of his wife¡¯s cries. She called out, ¡°Take her, Krite! Don¡¯t let my daughter slip through my fingers!¡±

    Seeta watched as her mother began to weep, giving her that kind, pleading look. What did she want from her? Hadn¡¯t she fed her baby sister, bathed her, cooked lunch, cleaned the house? Wasn¡¯t that enough?

    Her father lifted Seeta and walked toward the door as she pounded her small fists against his back. Her mother yelled with all her strength, ¡°Seeta, do your best!¡±

    Seeta mumbled, ¡°Mother¡­ why¡­ why couldn¡¯t you stay silent¡­¡±

    It didn¡¯t matter how many times she hit her father¡¯s back, begging him to put her down. It was like a mosquito bite¡ªannoying, but hardly enough to make someone turn back just because a mosquito bit them on their way.

    She pleaded, ¡°Put me down, Father¡­ Aren¡¯t I your daughter? You¡¯d let men do whatever they want to me at Azar¡¯s? Don¡¯t you care about me, about my body?¡±

    He didn¡¯t answer.

    Disgust bubbled inside her. These words didn¡¯t affect him at all. Why was she groveling, begging him, trying to stir his sympathy? He had no heart. He wouldn¡¯t listen.

    Tears soaked her face and his shirt. ¡°Fine, then I won¡¯t go to the army. I¡¯ll stay here and clean the house and cook and take care of my sister. Mother is sick, right? If that¡¯s not enough, I¡¯ll work too. I can sew¡ªI¡¯ll sew shoes, sew clothes, I¡¯ll sell food.¡±

    Still not enough.

    She struck his back harder. ¡°Put me down, Father! Put me down! I¡¯ll kill myself if I have to go to Azar!¡±

    When he finally released her, he threw her so hard that her head smacked against the wall behind her. She clutched her head and saw her father¡¯s trembling face.

    He roared, ¡°If you kill yourself, I¡¯ll kill your sister and mother! Then I won¡¯t care about money and won¡¯t need a single kirto!¡±

    He grabbed her head in his fist and growled, ¡°Don¡¯t you move from here. I¡¯m going to get Azar.¡±

    As if she could move anyway. Her legs wouldn¡¯t support her. The smell of cigarettes and alcohol wafted from the first floor of that large five-story building. On the first floor, Azar¡¯s girls and boys served drinks at the most famous tavern in Bial. You could do anything you wanted with the first-floor workers¡ªthe ¡°ugly¡± ones not as valuable as the rest. A night with ¡°the first floor¡± cost 50 kirto.

    Her head still spun, her vision blurred. But¡­ was that a blond boy smiling at her? Was he Azar? He looked so young.

    He approached, still smiling gently. ¡°Are you all right?¡±

    Her eyes unfocused, drifting to the top of the gates surrounding the town. She shut them to stop her head from spinning and weakly replied, ¡°Just¡­ go.¡±

    He smiled. ¡°I¡¯m Nier. And you?¡±

    Seeta opened her eyes. He wasn¡¯t Azar, In a halting voice, she said, ¡°Seeta.¡±

    Nier¡¯s smile remained, though his face trembled slightly. ¡°Hello, Seeta. That man who carried you¡­ did he kidnap you?¡±

    For some reason, Seeta felt like she could say everything right then to this stranger. Tears streamed down her face. ¡°He¡¯s¡­ he¡¯s my father.¡± She buried her face in her hands. ¡°I don¡¯t want to work here¡­ I don¡¯t!¡±

    Nier tilted his head, confused. ¡°What?¡±

    Seeta sobbed, ¡°I don¡¯t want this. I want to join the Frata army.¡±

    He regarded her for a moment, then said softly, ¡°Seeta¡­¡±

    She pulled her hands away from her face. Why was he so close? He stood right in front of her, one hand braced against the wall behind her, a knife in his other hand. She felt foolish. He must be working for Azar. She should push him away. But that smile¡­ why did it still feel kind?

    Nier raised the knife to Seeta¡¯s face. She squeezed her eyes shut. She heard the blade slice through something, She opened her eyes, terrified, feeling something soft land on her bare feet.

    What had he done? Stabbed her? She felt no pain. She looked down at her feet in horror. Her hair¡ªher entire hair¡ªwas on the ground. With one swift motion, he had cut it all off.

    Her long locks, which her mother adored, which the girls of Bial envied¡ªgone. She¡¯d always been told by her mother, ¡°If you were at Azar¡¯s, you¡¯d be on the fifth floor,¡± where the prettiest girls and boys were kept. An hour with someone from the fifth floor cost 20,000 kirto.

    Seeta couldn¡¯t look him in the eyes anymore. She kept mumbling, wondering if he would kill her. Why couldn¡¯t she move? Was she that scared?

    Nier looked at her puzzled and said, ¡°what? You still look pretty.¡± Seeta looked at him, confused but before she can do anything, Nier took his knife to her face, slicing her cheeck.

    It stung, her tears mixed with her blood as they ran down her face. Nier smiled. ¡°Ah, look at you. Azar won¡¯t accept you now. He doesn¡¯t take ugly girls or scarred ones. Maybe he¡¯ll take you once everyone joins the army and there aren¡¯t many girls left. So¡­ join the army.¡±

    Seeta gasped, holding back her tears, her eyes brimming as she looked at Nier!

    ¡°What?¡± Seeta mumbled. What just happened?

    Elir emerged from the five-story building, his eye swollen and his lip bleeding. He noticed Nier standing next to Seeta. Before he approached, Nier gave Seeta a final smile and ran toward Elir. ¡°See you in the army, Seeta. Do your best.¡±

    She couldn¡¯t tell how much time passed before her father and Azar came out. She was still staring at Nier¡¯s fading silhouette.

    Azar stood there in a sleeveless shirt¡ªonce white but now covered in stains¡ªreeking of something foul. Counting his money, he looked up at the father¡¯s angry growl as he shook his daughter. ¡°What happened? Who did this to you?¡±

    Seeta trembled. ¡°Someone¡­ and he ran off when he heard you coming.¡±

    Azar eyed her, sneering. ¡°What¡¯s this, man? I won¡¯t buy a damaged good. No one will want her. Azar¡¯s place is already full of beauties before the enlisting. I¡¯m not paying you just so she can sit on her butt and eat!¡±

    Her father yanked Seeta¡¯s arm so hard it nearly popped out of place. ¡°Let¡¯s go home.¡±

    Seeta didn¡¯t pound on his back, didn¡¯t beg or plead.

 Chapter 3: â€œRun, Ininiâ€¦ You promised.â€

    <h2>¡°Run, Inini¡­ You promised.¡±</h2>

    ¡°Arlo, don¡¯t do it¡­ This time isn¡¯t like the others. He¡¯s never lost before!¡±

    Her green eyes darted between the young man whose hands she was desperately clutching and the thin, black-haired boy with the ugly scar on his face.

    The young man she held onto was Arlo¡ª His torso was covered in bruises, colored red and purple like her own dress. His blond hair was damp with sweat, and his gaunt face bore many wounds and streaks of dried blood. He studied her thin, fragile face, taking in her tear-filled green eyes, her wet blond lashes, and her blue-tinted lips that struggled to form words.

    What was she doing here, in the midst of these scumbags? That was why Arlo wanted to fight.

    In pain, Arlo said, ¡°Inini, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll win this match too. This will be the last fight. Then I¡¯ll get you out of here before that bastard Azar lays a hand on you.¡±

    She cried, resting her head on Arlo¡¯s hands. ¡°But¡­ I saw him.¡± She cast a trembling gaze toward Elir, who had stepped into the makeshift arena amid the cheers and shouts of grimy men clutching their money, eager to place bets.

    With terror, she tightened her grip on Arlo¡¯s hand. ¡°It¡¯s okay¡­ Let Azar do what he wants, right?¡± She cupped Arlo¡¯s face with her hands. ¡°Isn¡¯t what matters that I go to the army with you? Right? I¡¯ll go. Your efforts won¡¯t have been for nothing. It¡¯s fine¡ªI can endure¡­¡±

    She pleaded through tears, ¡°I¡¯ve endured so much already¡­ What¡¯s a little more? Ha, What do you say?¡±

    Arlo didn¡¯t answer. He couldn¡¯t. If he spoke, he would yell at her. Did she really want him to back down from the fight and let Azar do whatever he planned?

    Seeing how desperate she was only fueled his anger. Inini realized that and added, ¡°I can¡¯t¡­ I can¡¯t bear losing you.¡±

    Arlo squeezed her hands and gently patted them, feeling their coldness and trembling as the vile Azar approached.

    Azar placed a heavy hand on Arlo¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Well now, are you going to chat with my girl forever?¡± Azar drew closer to Inini and kissed her cheek, making her shudder in disgust.

    Arlo thought, I¡¯ll kill him. I¡¯ll kill him. Why bother with these trivial matches that entertain his clients? I¡¯ll kill him.

    Azar laughed, as though reading Arlo¡¯s thoughts. ¡°What, you want to hit me? Surrounded by my men?¡±

    Arlo shouted, ¡°Inini! Get out of here!¡±

    Inini screamed, ¡°No! Arlo!¡±

    Azar said, ¡°But Inini, you should go. What if your boyfriend loses today? Think of all those angry men who bet on him. And you¡¯ll be here while he¡¯s sprawled on the ground, unable to save you¡­¡±

    Arlo¡¯s eyes flared with rage. How could he say something like that? Azar truly enjoyed breaking him.

    Azar walked to the center of the ring, which was shaking from the roar of the crowd. Arlo begged Inini, ¡°Inini, please, get out of here! If I lose¡ª¡±

    Inini sobbed like a child. ¡°I¡¯ll run. I¡¯ll run fast if you lose and go to my room. But I can¡¯t stand waiting outside while you fight! I¡¯ll lose my mind, Arlo!¡±

    That was always Inini¡ªshe always wore him down.

    Azar shouted, ¡°Come on! Let¡¯s see which champion will win today!¡± He pointed to Arlo. ¡°The champion who hasn¡¯t lost a match in the past six months!¡±

    The crowd cheered wildly, some even spitting at Arlo. Their saliva dripped in anticipation of the money they might earn. They shouted his name, chanting, while others cursed him. He had never before been jeered and cheered by so many at once.

    Then Azar pointed at Elir, who stood in the center, eyes fixed on Arlo. ¡°Or will it be the champion who hasn¡¯t lost since he was nine years old?!¡±

    The filthy basement shook with the thunder of the men¡¯s applause. Elir was their hero, their lucky charm. He fought for them, and they had watched him grow for eight years. They knew his strength. One man swore he¡¯d seen Elir punch someone so hard that the victim¡¯s tongue flew out and hit his own forehead. The man had allegedly kept that tongue until it rotted. This bizarre familiarity, this bond they had with him, was worth the 350 kirto ticket price.

    They roared, ¡°Go, Elir! I bet all my money on you!¡± Another, gulping his drink, yelled, ¡°I¡¯ll kill you if you lose!¡±

    Arlo hesitated, hearing how they cheered for Elir.

    Azar smirked. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Chickening out? Don¡¯t you want to buy your girl¡¯s freedom?¡±

    Arlo looked at the skinny Elir, who seemed as if a puff of air could knock him down. He furrowed his brow and cracked his knuckles, muttering, ¡°Why did I get scared¡­? That boy is weak. They¡¯re all weak here. No one¡¯s beaten me yet, and he won¡¯t either.¡±

    He stepped to the center of the ring, locking eyes with Elir. That scar, those empty eyes¡­ why did a chill run down his spine?

    The bell rang, its sound drowned by the crowd¡¯s cries. No time to think. Arlo lunged, landing a punch on Elir¡¯s face. Blood dripped from Elir¡¯s nose, but he didn¡¯t move. He just stood there, blood trickling.

    Arlo thought, He¡¯s really weak.

    He landed another punch on Elir¡¯s face, causing Elir¡¯s eye to swell. I¡¯ll win this.

    Another punch! Followed by a scream from Inini, ¡°Arlo, watch out!¡±

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    Watch out for what? He was looking straight at Elir, right?

    What? Where did he go?

    Elir appeared right behind Arlo. His murmur cut sharply through the cheering. ¡°You¡¯ve already lost.¡± Then he slammed a punch into Arlo¡¯s head. The crowd screamed!! This is one of Elir special moves, punch straight to the head.

    Arlo nearly blacked out. The pain was overwhelming, stealing his ability to fight back. He heard the crack of his own bones. Even though Elir hadn¡¯t struck his body directly, everything hurt.

    How did this happen? How could he move so fast?

    Amid the screams, he heard a familiar voice¡ªa sweet voice. Inini¡¯s voice, crying. I can¡¯t give up, he thought.

    Arlo opened his eyes to find Elir standing over him. Elir looked at Inini and said, ¡°Maybe if she wasn¡¯t here, you¡¯d win.¡±

    Inini¡­ He¡¯s talking about Inini?!

    Arlo struggled to stand, blood streaming down his face, words slurring. ¡°Who are you to talk about Inini?! Don¡¯t you dare speak about her or even look at her!¡±

    His legs would carry him, his fists would punch¡ªall for Inini. They have too! He growled as he tried to stand up but but his legs wouldn¡¯t move. His arms wouldn¡¯t rise. Before he could act, Elir slammed another blow into his stomach, knocking him to the ground. Arlo writhed in agony.

    The smells of sweat and iron-like blood in the basement faded, as did the men¡¯s voices. It was as if he wasn¡¯t there anymore, as if he had never come to this place, had never lost Inini when she was eleven, had never watched Azar take her away¡­ everything felt distant, except the searing pain coursing through his body and his struggle to breathe.

    Moments later, the stench returned, and he heard the crowd again. Azar finished counting. Arlo hadn¡¯t risen. Elir had won.

    Laughter and cheers erupted. Someone shouted, ¡°What? That wasn¡¯t even a fight! He fell in under a minute! Has that boy Arlo really never lost?!¡±

    Arlo pounded the ground with his fists, tears streaming down his cheeks. ¡°Damn it¡­ damn it¡­ why¡­ why didn¡¯t you lose?! Why didn¡¯t you lose?!¡±

    Elir regarded him briefly, then said, ¡°I won because you desperately wanted to win. That¡¯s always how it goes.¡±

    Then Elir walked away, leaving Arlo behind. Arlo looked at Inini and saw fear etched on her face. She stared at him with her usual eyes, but that look¡­ Don¡¯t look at me like that.

    ¡°Run, Inini¡­ you promised.¡±

    Arlo¡¯s ragged breathing grew quieter,

    Inini¡¯s cries and screams faded,

    The men¡¯s cheers diminished.

    Each step Elir took away from the cellar made those noises fade further.

    He hated that cellar.

    He glanced around, looking for Nier.

    Nier was always waiting for him in front of Azar¡¯s house¡ª For eight long years.

    He found Nier now standing in front of a girl whose face was bleeding. Elir started walking as Nier ran after him.

    He always enjoyed these moments after every fight¡ªthe fresh air after the cellar¡¯s suffocating smoke and sweat smell. Nier would be there, waiting for him.

    Nier finally reached him and saw Elir¡¯s face. Tears welled in Nier¡¯s eyes as he said, ¡°I can¡¯t wait for you to leave this wretched place.¡±

    Elir kept walking and said, ¡°You¡¯re still crying.¡±

    Nier wiped his tears angrily. ¡°I¡¯m not crying!¡±

    It had always been like that, for eight years¡ª The refreshing air, Nier waiting for him, And his failed attempts to hold back tears.

    They walked through the streets of Bial as they did every day. Nier turned at the sound of a lighter to see Elir lighting a cigarette.

    Nier asked, ¡°Where¡¯d you get that?¡±

    Elir, exhaling smoke, said, ¡°From that man¡¯s pocket this morning.¡±

    Anger flickered over Nier¡¯s face at the memory of what had happened. Elirraised the pack. ¡°Do you want one?¡±

    Nier¡¯s eyes gleamed, and he nodded. Elir took out a cigarette and lit it for him. As soon as Nier took a drag, he started coughing violently, blowing the smoke from his mouth.

    He looked at Elir with teary eyes. ¡°It burns!¡±

    Elir rolled his eyes mockingly. Nier shouted, ¡°It¡¯s my first time, you bastard!¡±

    They walked in selience for a while in the dark streets before Nier asked, ¡°Can I have another one?¡±

    Elir looked at him for a little before he took out two cigarettes, handed one to Nier, and said, ¡°You¡¯re puffing the entire thing at once. That¡¯s not how you smoke.¡±

    Nier took the cigarette and retorted, ¡°What¡¯s it to you?! And I¡¯m the one who hit that guy first, so the whole pack is technically mine!¡±

    Elir, lighting both cigarettes, said, ¡°Be careful not to get addicted. You don¡¯t have 50 kirto for a pack at Azar¡¯s.¡±

    Nier laughed, walking ahead and said. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I have a man inside¡ªI can convince him to steal cigarettes for me!¡±

    A faint smile appeared on Elir¡¯s face as they continued walking. Eventually they approached Bial¡¯s center, the liveliest area in town. Night had only just fallen, so a few shops were still open, their lights illuminating the dark streets. Children still played outside. Azar¡¯s first-floor girls roamed the roads, attracting customers.

    In the heart of Bial¡¯s center stood a statue¡ªa gray statue of a brave human soldier. He held one hand clenched in a fist, reaching toward the sky, and in his other hand, he grasped a bleeding wing. His face was proud, yet sadness marked its creases.

    Nier loved this statue. It wasn¡¯t because of the brave soldier or the broken wing symbolizing the light¡¯s downfall, but because of those behind the soldier¡ªthe gray statues of women and children clinging to his clothes. Their faces were streaked with tears, yet behind their weeping, they looked grateful. They appeared genuinely happy.

    Nier paused to contemplate the statue, as he did every night. Elir watched him, noticing the burning excitement in Nier¡¯s eyes.

    Elir sat down against a nearby wall. ¡°Why do you want to go to Frata? We could stay here. I¡¯ll work and earn money for us.¡±

    Nier kept his eyes on the statue, exhaling cigarette smoke. ¡°Stay here doing what?¡±

    Elir said, ¡°Live.¡±

    Nier turned to him, eyes alight with passion. ¡°I don¡¯t just want to live, Elir¡­ I want to do something!¡±

    Elir pointed at the statue of the human soldier. ¡°Like him?¡±

    Nier said immediately, ¡°Yes! I want to help them!¡± He clenched his fist. ¡°If there are more lights out there, I want to protect humans¡ª¡±

    Elir interrupted, ¡°Humans will never see you as a good person, Nier. They¡¯ll never see you as a human in the first place!

    Nier shouted, ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant!¡± His anger turned to worry as he went on. ¡°Elir, you¡¯re joining the army, right?¡±

    Elir smirked. ¡°It¡¯s not optional.¡±

    Nier stepped closer. ¡°You know what I mean! Are you planning to pass the training or not?¡±

    Elir exhaled smoke, and before he could answer, Nier spoke again. ¡°Elir, did you talk to your father? You¡¯ll join the army with me, right?¡±

    Elir replied, ¡°I don¡¯t think he wants me to join.¡±

    Nier shouted, ¡°No!¡±

    Elir glanced at him. ¡°Don¡¯t worry¡­ I¡¯ll come with you if that¡¯s what you¡¯re going to do.¡±

    Nier smiled, relieved. Before he could say another word, droplets of water touched their faces.

    Nier looked around in surprise¡±Is this¡­. rain?¡±

 Chapter 4: Speaking of Vile Men

    <h2>Speaking of Vile Men</h2>

    Earlier that day, before Elir left for Azar¡¯s house¡­

    She knocked on his door several times.

    Elir opened it slightly to find that woman standing there, trying to get inside. He closed the door further.

    She looked at him, annoyed. ¡°What are you doing? Let me in!¡±

    Elir said shortly, ¡°My father¡¯s not here.¡±

    She stepped back, puzzled. ¡°He¡¯s not here? But he promised¡­ we had an agreement.¡±

    Her face crumpled as she tried to hold back tears upon realizing the situation. If she didn¡¯t get the three kirto he gave her¡­

    She began, ¡°I have no¡ª¡±

    Elir interrupted her by closing the door. Tears flowed from her eyes. Dinner for her children¡­ in exchange for Elir¡¯s father¡¯s pleasure. She had accepted this unfair deal.

    She was about to leave when the door opened again. Elir handed her a few kirto coins. But the look in his eyes¡ªwhy did he look at her like that? Was he despising her?

    She pushed his hand away angrily. ¡°I don¡¯t want your pity!¡±

    Elir replied coldly, ¡°Would you rather sell your body than accept a bit of pity?¡±

    Her eyes widened in shock before she lowered her head in shame. She always hated coming here because of Elir. How could a child¡ªher son¡¯s best friend¡ªmade her feel like this?

    Elir threw the coins on the ground and said before slamming the door in her face, ¡°My father¡¯s not here. Don¡¯t come again unless he calls for you. Take these, and don¡¯t let Nier see you begging at people¡¯s homes, selling your body to feed them. Do whatever you want after he leaves!¡±

    Nier¡¯s mother screamed, ¡°Don¡¯t talk as if you know everything! You know nothing! You don¡¯t know what it¡¯s like when your children¡¯s stomachs ache from hunger¡ªwhen they can¡¯t even speak from hunger! I¡¯d do anything for them! So don¡¯t talk like you know everything! Don¡¯t look at me like that.¡±

    Elir said, ¡°You¡¯re right. How can you live like this¡­ Why not¡­ just die?¡±

    He closed the door. The last thing he saw was her wide eyes, tears streaming down them.

    She walked aimlessly through the streets until she entered the small bakery in town, where the owner baked her children¡¯s favorite bread. She was clutching the coins Elir had tossed at her, until she placed them weakly on the counter in front of the baker.

    The baker was a large woman with a red face and long black hair in two braids. The baker, Skiki, looked at Nier¡¯s mother¡ªher tearful, red face¡ªand said angrily, ¡°Rora¡­ you¡¯re still going to that fat pig?¡±

    Rora replied wearily, ¡°No¡­ a kind young man gave me these coins.¡±

    Skiki put pieces of bread into a plastic bag. ¡°That¡¯s why you¡¯re crying? Because of that young man¡¯s kindness?¡±

    Rora asked, ¡°What do you want me to say, Skiki?¡±

    Skiki added two more sweet pastries and said, ¡°I told you, you can always come here! I have enough bread for three small children! I don¡¯t want you going to him again!¡±

    Rora took the bag and moved away weakly. ¡°You already have enough problems, Skiki¡­ Thank you¡­¡±

    Skiki looked at her sadly. Then she turned to the young man covered in flour, who was arranging baked goods on the shelves. He looked at her and said, ¡°Why doesn¡¯t she ever listen?¡±

    Skiki turned to him. ¡°Because she has pride!¡±

    He looked puzzled, so Skiki continued, ¡°Listen, Ayk. These women sell their bodies to feed their children. They have nothing else to sell¡ªthey still have something to give. They don¡¯t grovel or beg for money¡­ they earn it with their bodies!¡±

    Her voice rose in anger. ¡°And the vile men who exploit these women whose husbands ran away!¡± She clenched her rolling pin. ¡°Don¡¯t ever become like them¡­ or else¡­¡±

    Ayk backed away, laughing. ¡°I know¡­ I know!¡±

    Skiki said, ¡°Speaking of vile men¡­ where¡¯s Mika?¡±

    Ayk¡¯s face paled. Skiki¡¯s face darkened, and in a frightening tone she asked, ¡°Where is Mika, Ayk?¡±

    Ayk answered helplessly, ¡°He¡¯s in the storeroom!¡±

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    Skiki¡¯s face turned red with anger. She rushed toward the storeroom, kicking doors open. Ayk sighed and followed her, shouting, ¡°Skiki, wait!¡±

    Skiki kicked the storeroom door, letting the bakery¡¯s light seep into the dark room. She saw him lying naked on sacks of flour, and beside him, a naked girl.

    Mika raised his hands to shield his eyes from the light, annoyed by the intrusion, until he noticed Skiki¡ªmassive and furious¡ªblocking the doorway. He got up fearfully and nudged the girl next to him to get up.

    The girl woke up and jumped in fear from the sight of Skiki and grabbed her clothes to cover herself.

    Skiki looked at the girl, who nearly cried from fear. Skiki spoke quietly but ominously, ¡°Didi¡­ what did I tell you¡­¡±

    Didi cried, ¡°No, Auntie Skiki, he didn¡¯t give me any money!¡±

    Skiki, trying to contain her anger, said, ¡°That¡¯s what you understood when I said don¡¯t give your body to men for money? You give it away for free? Did you hit your head, or were you born stupid?¡±

    Didi, sobbing as she held her clothes, said, ¡°I love him¡­¡±

    Mika laughed, but Skiki¡¯s glare cut it short.

    Skiki asked, ¡°Will you marry her?¡±

    Mika laughed nervously. ¡°What are you saying, Skiki?¡±

    The girl looked at him, tears streaming, and Mika said, ¡°Come on, Didi¡­ I thought we were just having fun.¡±

    Didi stood up and ran out of the storeroom!

    Skiki shouted without turning to her, ¡°Don¡¯t forget to wear your clothes before you go out, you idiot!¡±

    Her gaze remained on Mika, who moved slowly to pick up his clothes.

    Skiki demanded, ¡°What is your naked butt doing on the flour I use to bake bread?¡±

    Mika laughed. ¡°That¡¯s what gives it the flavor Bial¡¯s women love!¡±

    Ayk shook his head. ¡°Don¡¯t provoke her, Mika.¡±

    Skiki cracked her neck angrily and moved toward Mika. Fear crept over him, and he backed away. ¡° Skiki, come on! I¡¯m joking! I¡¯m sorry¡ªit¡¯s the last time¡­¡±

    Skiki clenched her fists. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Aren¡¯t you about to join the army? Come on, let¡¯s train. Show me if you remember what I taught you¡­¡±

    Ayk left as Mika shouted, ¡°Ayk, don¡¯t leave me alone with this giant woman!¡±

    Ayk closed the door and said, ¡°You should listen to Skiki, Mika¡­ You bring this on yourself every time.¡±

    The last thing he heard before the door shut was, ¡°Skiki, wait! I¡¯m not wearing any clothes¡ªlet me put on my pants first!¡±

    <hr>

    Ayk stepped outside and looked at Bial¡¯s streets before him and at the huge statue in the center. He sat on the stairs, gazing at the statue. He didn¡¯t know how much time had passed until the bakery door opened and Mika came out, shouting, ¡°You¡¯re insane, woman! I won¡¯t visit you after I leave here!¡±

    Skiki yelled from inside, before Mika slammed the door, ¡°You¡¯ll bring your scrawny butt back here to visit or I¡¯ll come to you myself!¡±

    Ayk let out a short laugh. Mika, furious, hit him with his shirt. ¡°What are you laughing at, idiot!¡±

    Mika sat beside him on the steps, putting on his shirt, still muttering under his breath.

    Ayk looked ahead again, at the statue.

    Mika looked where Ayk was looking and asked, ¡°What are you looking at?¡±

    Ayk pointed in front of him. ¡°That.¡±

    Mika said, ¡°Those guys? Oh man, where did they get cigarettes? I want one so bad!¡±

    Ayk answered, ¡°No, fool. The statue.¡±

    Mika asked, ¡°Why?¡±

    Ayk shrugged. ¡°No reason¡­ I just like looking at it.¡±

    Mika looked at him curiously, but before he could say anything, raindrops started falling on them.

    They both looked up. Mika said, ¡°It¡¯s raining? It hasn¡¯t rained in a long time¡­¡±

    A joyful smile spread across Mika¡¯s face as he raised his hands to the falling water. Ayk also raised his hand, letting the raindrops fall onto it. He felt a pang in his heart and said, ¡°For years, I never wanted anything other than joining the army and leaving this place. But today¡­¡±

    He looked at the children gathering in the street, splashing in puddles, clothes and bodies getting soaked. ¡°I feel like I¡¯ll miss Bial.¡±

    Mika stood up, arms still raised and face turned to the rain, shouting, ¡°Not me! I¡¯m so happy to leave this shit-hole!¡±

    Ayk chuckled, watching Mika spin under the rain, which now poured heavily.

    <hr>

    In Azar¡¯s house, a girl in a slightly worn white nightgown¡ªits edges muddy, her fair face tinted red on her cheeks and mouth¡ªran barefoot down the corridor. Someone chased her until they reached Inini¡¯s room.

    Inini crouched on her bed in a red nightgown, crying. She looked up in surprise at the girls standing at her door, smiling broadly.

    They said excitedly, ¡°Inini! It¡¯s raining!¡±

    Inini asked, astonished, ¡°What?¡±

    They rushed to Inini¡¯s window and opened it, letting in a few raindrops. They stuck their heads out happily, not caring that the stolen Frata makeup on their faces now dripped off.

    Inini also approached the window, leaning her upper body out. The rain poured over her face and hair¡ªcold, yes, but how wonderful it felt.

    Her eyes fell on someone crouching beneath her window, out in the cold. She recognized his swollen face and bruised arms beneath his ragged clothes.

    Inini shouted, ¡°Arlo!¡±

    Arlo raised his head to see her standing at the window, soaked with rainwater, a wide smile lighting up her face.

    Inini shouted excitedly, ¡°It¡¯s raining, Arlo!¡±

    At that moment, Inini didn¡¯t care about anything else¡ªnot Azar, not the army, not what would happen to them. She was truly happy.

    Unintentionally, a smile spread across Arlo¡¯s face. He looked up at Inini on the third floor. Normally, you¡¯d need 5,000 kirto to reach a third-floor girl in Azar¡¯s house. Today, Arlo had lost all his money. But he had to reach her anyway.

    Arlo moved, ignoring his aching body, climbing a rusty pipe along the house¡¯s side. The girls gasped, excitement dancing on their faces as they glanced at Inini.

    Inini screamed, worried for him when his feet slipped on the wet pipe. She and the girls reached out their arms when he drew close, pulling him inside the room.

    As soon as he entered, he looked at Inini¡¯s thin face and that wide smile, then pulled her into his arms. Amid the excited whispers and giggles from the other girls, Arlo and Inini stood hugging each other¡ªboth soaked by the rain.

 Chapter 5: He Always Terrified Me

    In front of the human soldier¡¯s statue, Elir looked annoyed at his rain-soaked cigarette. But Nier didn¡¯t care about his fallen cigarette. He too stood there, head raised, letting the rain wash over his face and body.

    Bial¡­ the air here was always heavy, as if he could never breathe.

    Now, this refreshing rain and the cool breeze made it feel as though he was breathing for the first time in his life.

    Nier¡¯s golden locks were soaked, clinging to his face. He looked around the street¡ªchildren were laughing and playing in the rain, and even Azar¡¯s girls, ignoring customers for a few moments, enjoyed the raindrops on their faces.

    Nier noticed an old woman holding a makeshift umbrella of plastic bags. The rain poured onto her, but she held the umbrella up in front of her, steadily advancing until she reached the statue in Bial¡¯s center. She raised the umbrella and placed it over the brave human soldier¡¯s statue.

    Nier¡¯s eyes widened as he watched this woman smile at the soldier¡¯s figure, now safe from the rain.

    The walk home that day was cold, and they didn¡¯t speak much because Nier liked the sound of the rain.

    Elir entered the small, dark house again. One room, a living area, and a bathroom. If they wanted to cook, they could light a fire outside. Elir¡¯s father could afford a bigger home, but why spend Elir¡¯s hard-earned money on something like that?

    Elir didn¡¯t bother turning on the lights. But since when did darkness carry such a foul stench? The smell of rotting flesh¡­ It didn¡¯t bother him, though. The stench of this decaying flesh was, to him, the smell of freedom.

    He heard a weak voice from the living area. ¡°You think you¡¯ll get away with this¡­¡±

    Elir moved closer. His father was on the couch in the small living area, facing a table cluttered with liquor. That was his father¡¯s favorite spot.

    Elir sat in front of him, just looking at him: that filthy beard soaked with alcohol (today, soaked with sweat), his father¡¯s fat body filling the couch, clothed in a dirty shirt and brown trousers, black shoes, the shirt stained with drinks and leftover food¡­

    Both trouser legs were caked with clotted blood, and white maggots squirmed in the wounds, feeding on his flesh. No space remained among the decaying tissue. Elir had smashed both legs hard with an iron pipe so his father could never walk again.

    Elir said, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you¡¯d break both my legs so I couldn¡¯t leave? I only did what you would have done. But you¡¯re weak¡ªthat¡¯s why you¡¯re the one with the broken legs.¡±

    His father spoke through labored breaths, ¡°You bastard¡­ I raised you, fed you, gave you a job¡­ is this how you repay me?¡± He lifted his hand, sweat beading on his face. ¡°Get me a doctor¡­¡±

    Elir didn¡¯t respond, so his father continued, ¡°Why¡­ why did they give me a child like you?!¡±

    Elir stood and walked away. ¡°No use crying to the gods now, Father.¡±

    Elir went into his father¡¯s room. Behind him, his father¡¯s scream echoed, ¡°Eliiiiiiir!¡±

    How many hours had he slept in his father¡¯s room? He used to sleep outside on the couch, but now he couldn¡¯t. He hated those white maggots¡ªthey were always swarming Azar¡¯s basement.

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    The room was cold, the bed somewhat comfortable, though a bit dirty¡­ Why couldn¡¯t he sleep? Was it the footsteps he heard outside? A man with two decaying legs couldn¡¯t possibly walk. He hadn¡¯t budged from that couch in three days.

    Did the white maggots seal his wounds so he could stand and walk now? Elir really hated those maggots.

    He moved quietly and picked up the iron pipe, still stained with his father¡¯s blood. He listened. Coughing¡ªhe¡¯d heard that cough countless times over eight years. Azar¡¯s coughs.

    Azar was sitting next to his father on the couch, laughing. ¡°You crazy boy, I knew you¡¯d do this one day!¡±

    Elir let the iron pipe slip from his hand. He said calmly, ¡°You can save him if you want¡ªafter I leave.¡±

    Azar replied, ¡°I couldn¡¯t care less about that fat old man. I¡¯ve come here to ask you something.¡±

    Elir didn¡¯t respond. He walked over to the faucet, filled a cup of water, drank, then filled another. Nothing seemed to quench his thirst. He hated Azar. He hated his father. He hated the white maggots.

    Azar watched him for a moment, then said, ¡°Don¡¯t join the army. Stay with me.¡±

    Elir kept drinking, and didn¡¯t answer.

    Azar continued, blowing cigarette smoke, ¡°Why not? I know you don¡¯t care about Frata or humans¡­ and you, following army rules and orders? Don¡¯t make me laugh. You won¡¯t last a week¡ªyou¡¯d be executed because you¡¯d decorate your room with your superiors¡¯ heads¡­¡±

    Azar stood, approaching Elir and placing a hand on his shoulder. ¡°Why not stay here and make money as you please? I know you made me and your fat father rich. After he dies, you¡¯ll take all the money. What do you say?¡±

    Elir replied, ¡°I don¡¯t care about money either.¡±

    Azar asked, ¡°Then why go?¡±

    Elir answered, ¡°I don¡¯t want to stay here.¡±

    Azar let out a loud laugh as he moved around the house. ¡°What, you think you¡¯re better than us, like that blond friend of yours? Why are you both so excited to become dogs for the humans? I never thought you could be this stupid.¡±

    Elir stepped closer. ¡°No¡­ I just don¡¯t want to see your face again.¡±

    Azar¡¯s laughter faded into disappointment. ¡°My God, is this how you talk to the man who taught you how to be a real man?¡± He stood and added, ¡°I just hope nothing happens to that blond boy¡­ it¡¯ll be very hard for you then.¡±

    Before Azar could take another step, a knife from the kitchen table touched his neck. Blood dripped onto Elir¡¯s hand and Azar¡¯s throat.

    Azar laughed nervously. ¡°Careful now¡­ we don¡¯t want you waking up to two corpses in this house.¡±

    Elir spoke in a heavy, ominous voice with two terrifying wide eyes, ¡°You¡¯ve seen what I can do to a body. Eight years, watching me crush heads with my bare hands until they turn into lumps of flesh. I never spare the bones. If your audience wants it, I¡¯ll keep punching until their teeth crumble too¡­ Remember how much money you made when there wasn¡¯t a single piece of a man¡¯s head left?¡±

    Elir continued, ¡°Remember the sounds? Remember how their bodies shook? Remember how they pissed and shit themselves in terror?¡±

    Fear crept over Azar¡¯s face. His breathing grew heavier as Elir went on, ¡°If you remember all that, how do you find space in your tiny mind to remember Nier¡¯s name?¡±

    Azar¡¯s breath and heartbeat pounded louder than Elir¡¯s words. Elir stepped back slightly. Azar¡¯s body trembled as he forced a shaky laugh. ¡°My God, all this for a joke¡­ Aren¡¯t you going to joke with this old man before leaving? And here I thought we¡¯d share a drink and a chat for our farewell¡­ My God¡­¡±

    Azar still trembled as he looked at Elir, who stood unmoving, eyes locked on him. Azar said before turning toward the door, ¡°Ah, youth¡¯s passion¡­ I¡¯ll miss it. Make sure you come back and visit, agreed?¡±

    His face shifted from a forced smile to a hardened look as he touched his neck and closed the door behind him. The cut on his throat was shallow; he hadn¡¯t bled much. So why did he feel so cold, so full of chills?

    His eyes widened in terror, recalling Elir¡¯s gaze. Would he really have killed me? That boy¡­ he always terrified me.

 Chapter 6: What Have You Done?

    A week later at dawn, Frata¡¯s carriages spread throughout Bial.

    Some people were already awake, carrying their tattered bags and waiting for the army personnel¡¯s knock on their doors.

    Perhaps no one woke up with as much heaviness as Azar did before he opened his door. He truly hated these training months.

    A soldier wearing an Iron Hand emblem stood before Azar, holding his ground, while Azar glared at him with undisguised hatred.

    The soldier said, ¡°Bring out everyone between fifteen and eighteen years old.¡±

    Azar replied mockingly, ¡°Good soldier, why do you want our children tainted by the blood of the Lights? Don¡¯t you have your own human children?¡±

    The soldier pulled out a sword-like weapon, resembling a white bone, and said, ¡°I won¡¯t repeat myself.¡±

    Azar sucked his teeth in anger and signaled his men to bring out the girls and boys from the house.

    When the soldier saw them, he said in a voice trembling with anger, ¡°What have you done?¡±

    Azar lit his cigarette. ¡°What, soldier? This is how we punish our children in Bial when they misbehave. We can¡¯t let the spawn of Lights get too unruly, or what happened before could happen again, you know.¡±

    The soldier looked at them in horror. The some bore shallow but painful wounds¡ªburns and cuts on their faces, bodies, and heads. Others were in worse shape; some were missing fingers or even limbs. All were so emaciated that their bones stuck out beneath bruised, dull skin.

    This was Azar¡¯s method before the compulsory draft: ensuring none of his slaves were fit for the army so they would return to Bial eventually. The severity and depth of their wounds varied by their perceived ¡°value.¡± If a girl or a boy was pretty, Azar would starve and exhaust their body but leave only minor wounds that healed easily once they were discharged. If they were ¡°ugly,¡± the wounds and burns cut deeper, even reaching a limb.

    The soldier signaled them to enter one of the carriages without looking at them again. Then he turned to Azar, fury in his eyes. Azar smiled cruelly. ¡°Don¡¯t keep them for long.¡±

    The soldier left and climbed back into the carriage, seething, while Azar let out a nasty, sputtering laugh tainted by cigarette smoke and went back inside.

    <hr>

    The army¡¯s carriages moved from house to house in Bial, collecting children ages fifteen to eighteen. There were few laws in Bial¡ªyou can do what ever you want in Bial, But one rule was absolute: every child of a Light descent had to be registered at birth, along with their place of residence. If, during a Frata army patrol, an unregistered child was discovered, the parents would be executed on the spot.

    That was what Nier¡¯s mother was thinking as she sat on the couch, weeping. Which was worse? To be executed, or to watch her eldest son depart for Frata, possibly never seeing him again?

    Nier smiled gently. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Mom? Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll come visit you often.¡±

    He looked at his two younger siblings, who were still sleeping, and said, ¡°I¡¯ll bring them the tastiest foods from Frata too!¡±

    She hugged him tightly. ¡°You¡¯ll really come visit?!¡±

    Nier hugged her back. ¡°Of course, Mom!¡±

    They heard the carriage stop at their door, followed by a knock. Nier opened it, and his heart nearly jumped from his chest¡ªnot out of excitement or worry, but anger. There stood the man with the cigarette who had assaulted that girl, now in his official blue uniform bearing the Iron Hand emblem¡ªa human soldier of Frata¡¯s army.

    Nier¡¯s anger matched the soldier¡¯s. For a moment, Officer Ashi forgot who he was supposed to be and recalled that humiliating day¡ªwhen that boy kicked him in the jaw and knocked out his friend. Consumed by rage, Ashi grabbed Nier by the collar.

    ¡°You bastard!¡± Ashi hissed.

    Nier¡¯s mother called out in alarm, ¡°Nier, what¡¯s going on?¡±

    Nier answered calmly, concealing his simmering fury, ¡°Nothing, Mom.¡±

    He still remembered that girl¡¯s screams¡ªher hideous cries. How could this be a soldier of Frata¡¯s army¡­?

    Ashi¡¯s anger flared; he was about to strike Nier. ¡°Where¡¯s your friend to save you now, you bastard?¡±

    Nier spoke quietly, visibly annoyed. ¡°Ha? My friend? Have you forgotten where you got that bruise on your jaw?¡±

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    The soldier who had visited Azar¡¯s house poked his head out of the carriage. ¡°Ashi! What¡¯s taking so long? What¡¯s going on?¡±

    Ashi stared at his hand clutching Nier¡¯s collar, suddenly remembering who he was in that moment. He released Nier and said to the other soldier, ¡°Nothing. I¡¯m bringing him.¡±

    The soldier nodded and got back into the carriage. Ashi looked at Nier, blood boiling in his veins.

    Nier said, ¡°See you in the army, Ashi.¡±

    How is it that I¡¯m still so angry? Ashi wondered. I wanted to see that boy and his friend again for revenge, yet after seeing him, I¡¯m even more enraged! Maybe it was the look in that boy¡¯s eyes¡ªinfuriating!

    He shoved Nier into the carriage, which was already crowded with other boys and girls. Nier heard someone call his name eagerly, as if waiting for him.

    It was Seeta. A relieved smile appeared on Nier¡¯s face. ¡°You made it! That¡¯s good¡­¡± He scratched his head, embarrassed. ¡°Sorry, what was your name again?¡±

    He forgot my name?

    ¡°Seeta!¡± she said.

    ¡°Ah, Seeta!¡± Nier replied. Then his smile faded into shock. ¡°Your face! I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t know the wound would look like that¡­¡±

    Seeta quickly said, ¡°No, not you! I¡ªI¡­¡± She fell silent, embarrassed.

    Nier gently touched the wound. ¡°That¡¯s quite a wound¡­ it must hurt. You¡¯re a strong girl.¡±

    Seeta stared at him. What? strong? No one had ever called her ¡°strong¡± before.

    A voice came from the back of the carriage: ¡°Did you do that to her, blondie?¡±

    Nier blinked, letting his eyes adjust to the darkness, and saw the speaker¡ªa boy with long brown hair and narrow eyes, staring sharply, as though cutting through the darkness. He pulled out a knife, clearly angry. ¡°Are you some kind of bad guy?¡±

    Nier waved his hands. ¡°No, no! It¡¯s not like that. Or maybe it is, but¡ª¡±

    Seeta jumped in. ¡°No, you misunderstood! I asked him to do it!¡±

    The boy burst into laughter. ¡°What?! You¡¯re into that kind of thing?¡± He grabbed her waist. ¡°I prefer girls with long hair, but if you like that sort of stuff, you might interest me too!¡±

    Seeta looked at him in disgust. Another voice behind him shouted, ¡°Mika! Sit down!¡±

    Still holding Seeta, Mika replied without looking back, ¡°Ayk, don¡¯t interfere! I¡¯ve found my dream girl!¡±

    Seeta kicked Mika¡¯s leg and shoved him away. ¡°Don¡¯t touch me!¡±

    Mika laughed loudly. ¡°I already like you, girl! I¡¯ve decided¡ªI¡¯ll marry you! What¡¯s your name?¡±

    Ayk stood up, grabbed Mika by the shirt, and forced him to sit. ¡°I said sit down!¡±, he said to seeta quietly, ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡±

    Mika grumbled, ¡°Don¡¯t interfere in my love life, brother!¡±

    He watched Seeta return to her seat¡ªher unevenly cut short hair, her wound, her mismatched clothes¡­ She really was beautiful, he thought.

    Just then, the carriage door opened again, admitting another group of children. One particular face ignited fury in someone sitting quietly at the back.

    There he was¡ªElir, the reason Inini suffered Azar¡¯s ''army-prevention treatment,'' as Azar called it. If not for him¡­ If not for his victory¡­ Inini would¡¯ve been fine. Arlo would have freed her!

    Arlo sprang to his feet, standing before Elir, his voice trembling with rage. ¡°Because of you, Inini got hurt! Because of you!¡±

    Elir lifted his head, and asked ¡°Who are you?¡±

    He forgot me, Arlo thought. He forgot my crying and screaming. He forgot Inini, He forgot her so easily.

    Arlo¡¯s eyes burned with anger. He grabbed Elir and shoved him against the carriage¡¯s side. ¡°I¡¯ll kill you!¡±

    Nier stood up, trying to calm Arlo and said, ¡°Hey! I don¡¯t know what happened, but we don¡¯t want anyone getting hurt in a carriage full of Frata¡¯s soldiers, right?¡±

    Arlo didn¡¯t look at Nier. His gaze was locked on Elir. He wouldn¡¯t let him go this time. He¡¯d restore Inini¡¯s proud look! He would definitely win this time!

    Arlo screamed, ¡°Stay out of it! He deserves to be hurt¡ªthis bastard!¡±

    Nier said calmly, ¡°I¡¯m not talking about Elir.¡±

    Arlo glared at Nier in pure anger, but then he saw her behind him¡ªInini. She was looking at him with that same fearful gaze. She used to feel protected and safe with him. All because of Elir¡­ all because of him!

    Inini interrupted and shouted, ¡°Arlo!¡±

    Mika murmured in surprise, ¡°Girl¡­ I thought you were a ghost. You scared me.¡±

    Arlo looked at Inini¡¯s trembling voice and wounded face. She said, ¡°It¡¯s not his fault!¡±

    She couldn¡¯t look Elir in the eye. Even though it wasn¡¯t Elir¡¯s fault Arlo lost, she still felt fear and dread whenever she saw him.

    Inini cupped Arlo¡¯s face. ¡°He is not the one who hurt me.¡±

    Arlo looked at her face but quickly looked away, struggling with immense sorrow. Inini¡¯s once round, lovely face was now pale, bruised, and covered with painful (if shallow) wounds. This was why he had fought in Azar¡¯s rings for six months, hoping to buy her freedom before her ¡°treatment.¡±

    Because of him! Because of Elir, I lost¡­ Arlo thought. Now look at her¡ªthin, hungry, her face full of wounds.

    Nier pulled Elir¡¯s hand off Arlo and moved him away.

    Arlo had wanted to fight him for Inini. But Inini stood there looking at him with that gaze. I wouldn¡¯t have won, would I? he thought. She led him back to their seat, and he couldn¡¯t meet her eyes. He stared at the scarred boy, as though the answer to restoring Inini¡¯s proud, old gaze lay within him.

 Chapter 7: If Half of You Is Light..

    ¡°We¡¯ve arrived!¡± the soldier said as he opened the carriage door. Then the sound of other carriage doors opening echoed around them.

    Nier and Elir stepped out, followed by the children of Bial, into what seemed like an enormous fortress. They blinked, letting their eyes adjust to the bright sunlight.

    Nier stood in the courtyard where the carriages had gathered, looking up at the tall buildings. He had never seen anything like it. At the front of the courtyard, before the main building, stood a statue: the same brave human soldier holding a bloody wing in his hand, lifting it high, with women and children behind him¡ªonly this statue was golden, and their joyful tears sparkled in the sunlight. The soldier¡¯s raised fist held a blue flag, with a golden-beaked bird at its center.

    Nier¡¯s heart pounded as he gazed at the statue. Though the colors are different, it¡¯s the same statue¡­ The one that made him want to join the army.

    A man walked through the crowd until he stood on a platform in front of the statue. He spoke: ¡°When you stand in the presence of the president, you will line up and prepare to salute!¡±

    He shouted, ¡°Line up!¡±

    The children of Bial formed orderly rows. The commander, who appeared to be in his thirties, wore a gray uniform with a winged insignia on his chest. He stepped aside, allowing the President to climb onto the platform. The President wore a blue uniform decorated with multiple Iron Hand emblems and other medals. He stood patiently before them¡ªfirm, strong, yet kind. Then he began to speak:

    ¡°Welcome to the army fortress of Frata. I am President Arni. I know that none of you came here of your own accord. You did not come willingly. But I cannot help wondering: why do I see enthusiasm and passion on so many of your faces?¡±

    The children¡¯s tense features eased as they listened to Arni¡¯s words.

    He continued, ¡°Why do I see a burning desire to rid yourselves of the shame that has befallen you? You can purify your hearts of your lineage and your blood. You were not born with the wings of the Lights. You were not born with their hatred, their malice, nor their Light. If half of you is Light, then the other half is human! Your other half belongs to Frata!¡±

    Arni¡¯s voice grew stronger. ¡°We were born on this land, and the god sent his soldiers to destroy us! Yet we remained! And we shall stay¡ªwith your help! This is our land!¡± He stomped his foot hard on the platform. ¡°And here we will stay!¡±

    He raised his right hand, forming a straight line from arm to elbow to cover his right eye, and said, ¡°The Lights tried to blind us, but we looked them straight in the eye!¡±

    His words ignited their spirits; excitement danced on their faces. Elir saw the sparks grow brighter in Nier¡¯s eyes. Arni finished his speech with, ¡°I will leave you with Captain Boja of the Black Wings, who will oversee your training. I look forward to seeing the victors among you wearing Frata¡¯s wings upon your chests.¡±

    Captain Boja, bearing the winged insignia, saluted Arni. Once Arni departed, Boja watched the children, listening to their whispers.

    His eyes fell on the blond boy in the center, whose eyes still blazed with passion. Boja took the platform and said, ¡°Don¡¯t let President Arni¡¯s words fool you. That¡¯s how the Iron Hands usually are¡ªoptimistic.¡±

    He walked among the rows of children, and their bright expressions turned grim. ¡°I don¡¯t know what he saw. I don¡¯t see Frata¡¯s protectors. What I see is what humanity saw when it defeated the Lights: dark, twisted souls¡­ broken.¡±

    He approached the rows that included Azar¡¯s children. ¡°Don¡¯t think your lives will be better by joining Frata¡¯s army. You¡¯re fleeing one hell only to enter another. Whatever you suffered in Bial won¡¯t compare to what you¡¯ll suffer here. Humans harbor hatred, resentment, and anger toward us, yet you risk your lives to save them from your kind.¡±

    Nier¡¯s eyes lit up when Boja said ¡°us.¡± He murmured, ¡°Us? Is Captain Boja¡­?¡±

    Elir rarely saw Nier this way. Boja was crushing all of Nier¡¯s dreams, yet Nier seemed unconcerned¡ªhis eyes still burned with excitement.

    Boja continued, glancing at Azar¡¯s children, ¡°Why are you here?¡±

    One of them shouted angrily, ¡°We were forced! It¡¯s not as if we¡ª¡±

    Boja cut him off. ¡°No. Why are you still alive? Why haven¡¯t you killed yourselves by now?¡±

    Their eyes widened in shock, tears forming. Arlo shouted, ¡°What are you saying, man?! Haven¡¯t they suffered enough?!¡±

    Boja fixed Arlo with a piercing gaze. ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I¡¯m saying. I know what life in Bial was like, so why didn¡¯t you end your lives?¡±

    Arlo stared in disbelief. Does nobody care? Will no one give them a chance? Sadness crept onto the children¡¯s faces. All the hope they had carried for years began to wither.

    From the moment they were old enough to understand, they had heard adults complain: ¡°The army¡­ The army will take our children¡­ They¡¯ll take them far away from here, away from Bial¡­¡± Even though their parents said it with sadness, they seemed excited at the thought of escaping Bial. Some had prepared their bags days ago, barely sleeping, excited by the idea of Frata. But now¡­

    Some still stood firm, unaffected by Arni¡¯s or Boja¡¯s words, but most of them felt their hopes crumble. Boja¡¯s voice broke through their thoughts:

    ¡°If you haven¡¯t ended your lives yet, then you haven¡¯t given up, right? You won¡¯t give up, no matter how harsh the training is¡ªeven if some of you die, right? You won¡¯t give up if humans mistreat and hate you, right? You won¡¯t give up because you¡¯re still alive, right?¡±

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    He focused on Azar¡¯s children. ¡°You will not return to that pit of hell, even if you lose more limbs or your wounds and burns multiply. Even if you lose your lives¡ªyou will not go back to that pit of hell!¡±

    A girl with a bandage over her left eye shouted, ¡°Yes!!¡±

    Boja looked at her briefly, then continued, ¡°If you want humans to look at you as though you deserve life, do your job. Protect them from your kind. Let them sleep well, feeling safe.¡±

    Nier¡¯s eyes shone with renewed passion.

    Boja added, ¡°In the coming months, some of you will die, some will go back, and some will become soldiers of Frata. You will decide which group you fall into. Finish this training and join Frata¡¯s army!¡±

    <hr>

    They moved through the corridors of the building a soldier led them to. It was isolated from the other tall structures. Carrying their small bags, they walked along halls bathed in white light.

    One soldier with an Iron Hand emblem on his chest pointed to another female soldier and said, ¡°Commander Ghida will guide the girls to their rooms. As for the boys¡­ follow me.¡±

    A girl with an eye patch muttered as she passed Inini, ¡°I wonder how they¡¯ll divide us into floors here.¡±

    Inini asked, puzzled, ¡°What? Are you talking to me?¡±

    The girl didn¡¯t respond and kept walking, following Commander Ghida. Inini stared after her until Arlo called, ¡°Inini¡­¡± She turned to him, smiling. ¡°I¡¯ll see you tomorrow!¡±

    Inini smiled again, then turned left with the other girls behind Commander Ghida. The boys followed the soldier to the right, climbing stairs leading to the boys¡¯ rooms. The soldier began assigning them to rooms across six floors, each floor containing six rooms.

    Nier and Elir entered their room on the sixth floor with eight other people. It was a long room with ten iron beds lined up against the walls¡ªfive on the right and five on the left. Nier placed his belongings on a nearby bed. Another boy set his things on the bed next to Nier¡¯s but froze when Elir loomed over him, holding his own belongings and glaring. The young man, intimidated by Elir¡¯s cold stare, quickly grabbed his things and moved to a bed on the far side, leaving Elir to place his belongings beside Nier.

    The soldier said, ¡°Put your things down, change into your uniform, and then go out for breakfast.¡±

    Mika flopped onto a bed and said, ¡°Hey, soldier¡­ can I skip breakfast? I want to sleep.¡±

    The soldier replied sharply, stepping toward Mika, ¡°Don¡¯t address a human soldier so casually¡ªyou call me ¡®Commander.¡¯ And never argue an order given by a commander. Did you hear me?¡±

    Mika, wearing an angry but sarcastic grin, remained on the bed. ¡°Tell me, human commander¡­ do the girls call you that too when you¡¯re with them? Is that what helps you perform?¡±

    The soldier¡¯s face flared with anger. He drew his white bone-like weapon and aimed it at Mika. Tension spread across the boys¡¯ faces.

    Ayk quickly stepped in front of Mika, bowing to the soldier. ¡°Please accept my apology, Commander! Forgive him¡­ he didn¡¯t mean it¡­¡±

    But these words only angered the soldier further. He waved his weapon above Ayk¡¯s head. ¡°Are you telling me what to do, you filthy light-blooded?!¡±

    Panic flashed across Mika¡¯s face. He stood and grabbed the soldier¡¯s hand. ¡°Listen, man, your problem isn¡¯t with him! Don¡¯t touch him!¡±

    Ayk looked at Mika, pleading silently. Stop¡ªthis is only making things worse. Every time someone spoke, the situation got more intense. Mika, you idiot¡­

    Nier quickly stepped forward, breaking the tension. ¡°Commander, don¡¯t touch this boy.¡±

    The soldier glared at Nier, shifting his anger to a malicious grin. ¡°It seems you all need some discipline.¡±

    Mika and Ayk glanced at Nier in confusion. Nier gestured to Elir, signaling him to stay put. Even without looking at Elir, Nier could sense his rising fury¡ªElir was about to move.

    Feigning alarm, Nier clutched his chest. ¡°Ah¡­ good thing you didn¡¯t touch him! He¡¯s the boy all the men in Bial go to, you know, for¡­ well, you know what I mean. He¡¯s infected with who-knows-what diseases. No one dares to touch him! Actually¡­ can you find him another room?¡±

    The soldier¡¯s angry look shifted into horror. He stepped back, wiping his hand furiously. ¡°Really??¡±

    Mika¡¯s eyes went wide. ¡°HAAAA??¡±

    Nier, still pretending to fret, said, ¡°If you touched him, you¡¯d better wash your hands immediately. Who knows what you might catch?¡±

    Mika shouted again, ¡°What???!¡±

    Ayk stifled laughter while still bowed before the commander. The soldier, visibly panicked, stared at the hand Mika had gripped, then hurried to exit the room.

    Nier called after him, ¡°You should change your pants, too, if he touched them!¡±

    The moment the soldier left, everyone burst into laughter. Ayk finally straightened, laughing, while Mika¡¯s face turned red with rage.

    Nier grinned like a fool. Mika marched over to him, clutching his shirt. ¡°What did you say, you filthy bastard?! Men come to me?? Oh, I¡¯ll enjoy killing you, blondie!¡±

    The others roared louder, and Mika¡¯s embarrassed face grew more flushed. Ayk patted him on the head. ¡°You idiot! He saved you. And me. You should thank him.¡±

    Ayk nodded at Nier in gratitude. Mika stormed off to sit on a bed, still fuming. ¡°You couldn¡¯t have said something else?!¡±

    Nier wore a satisfied smile as he returned to his bed. Meanwhile, Elir¡¯s face was clouded by anger¡ªan anger that always arose whenever Nier got involved in things that didn¡¯t concern him. He always brings trouble to himself! Elir thought.

    Mika shouted, ¡°If any of you spread that rumor outside this room, I¡¯ll kill you!¡±

    Ayk grabbed his belongings and moved away, teasing, ¡°I don¡¯t want to catch any diseases!¡±

    Mika yelled, ¡°Ayk, you bastard, shut up! I¡¯ll kick you in the head!¡±

    A few minutes later, they were all dressed in uniform, ready to head downstairs. While talking among themselves, Mika¡ªstill seated with his arms folded¡ªlooked at Nier.

    ¡°You, blondie!¡±

    Nier asked, ¡°Me?¡±

    Mika, faking anger, said, ¡°Yes, you! What¡¯s your name?¡±

    Nier smiled. ¡°I¡¯m Nier. And you?¡±

    Ignoring the question, Mika said curtly, ¡°That girl in the carriage with short hair¡ªdo you know her?¡±

    ¡°Seeta?¡± Nier replied. ¡°Yes, we met a few days ago.¡±

    Mika nodded. ¡°Do you like her?¡±

    Nier was taken aback. ¡°What?¡±

    He waved his hands, nervously laughing, ¡°No, no, we¡¯re just friends!¡±

    Mika nodded. ¡°Good, because I¡¯m going to marry her, so stay away from her.¡±

    Nier laughed, scratching his head. ¡°All right!¡±

    Mika kept eyeing Nier, who stood awkwardly. He continued in the same gruff tone, ¡°What are you waiting for, me to thank you? Fine¡ªthank you!!¡±

    Standing up, he muttered under his breath, ¡°You bastard,¡± as he finished dressing. Nier looked at Elir, chuckling, and everyone headed out of the room.

 Chapter 8: Do You Know Who Walked Those Hills Before You?

    The sound of sirens echoed through the building where Frata¡¯s children were sleeping at one in the morning. On this day, the soldiers¡¯ knocks on the room doors merged with the sirens. The children had spent a long day familiarizing themselves with the buildings and army bases before finally going to sleep at 10:00 PM. But now, here they were, forced awake by soldiers shouting at them to get dressed and head out to the square.

    Commander Boja stood before the seven hundred boys and girls from Bial, all of them half-asleep in the castle¡¯s square. They muttered among themselves, eyes half-closed.

    Elir knew that if he looked at Nier now, he would see his clenched fists and sleepy eyes blazing with enthusiasm. This is what he¡¯s wanted all along¡­

    Boja continued to pace among the children. Mika murmured to Ayk, ¡°What¡¯s with his energy? It¡¯s one in the morning¡­¡±

    Boja said, ¡°Today, you will begin your first test to join Frata!¡±

    Some of them shouted in protest. Mika exclaimed, ¡°Now?! Couldn¡¯t this wait till morning?!¡±

    Boja turned to him with a frightening look, and silence fell over the square. This was the presence of Commander Boja¡ªwhom all the Black Wings in the army feared.

    Boja went on, ¡°Move your weak bodies. Put everything you have into this exercise¡­¡± He began to lead them but paused to add, ¡°Because if you fall now¡­ there is no second chance!¡±

    <hr>

    One of Azar¡¯s girls, suffering from severe burns, collapsed on her left side on the rough plateau. Those around her stood in shock as Inini shouted, ¡°Tariya!¡±

    They never imagined Boja¡¯s ¡°training¡± would be a march across the hills surrounding the castle. It was deadly out there, beyond the castle walls, high in the hills. Bial was no different from Frata when it came to the cold night air. Some Bial children were used to climbing the town¡¯s hills at night to drink and stay away from adults; they knew how to maneuver the slopes. But two hours had passed, and some had already fallen from exhaustion.

    Arlo stopped to find Tariya¡ªInini¡¯s friend¡ªunconscious at his feet. Inini murmured worriedly, ¡°Arlo¡­¡±

    Arlo gently touched her face. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll carry her until she wakes up. I won¡¯t let her last two hours of effort go to waste.¡±

    Inini looked at him for a moment before saying gratefully, ¡°Thank you, Arlo.¡±

    Arlo hoisted Tariya onto his back and said, ¡°Tariya¡ªand you¡ªwon¡¯t ever return to that place again.¡±

    The number of fallen increased as the sun began to rise on their path. Most of these were Azar¡¯s children, with burned, wounded, and underfed bodies.

    Three hours had passed. The sun rose at four in the morning in Frata, just like Bial. Nier panted, walking behind Elir at the front of the group following Boja. Catching his breath, Nier laughed and said, ¡°I don¡¯t know what this training is, man¡­ but I can¡¯t¡ª¡±

    Elir cut him off angrily, ¡°Can¡¯t what? You¡¯re the one who brought me here! Are you giving up now?¡±

    Nier smiled at him, slapped his own knees as he stood up straighter, and said, ¡°Of course not, you idiot! Man, you get angry so easily.¡±

    Elir¡¯s voice still carried anger. ¡°This is what you wanted, so I won¡¯t let anyone stop you¡ªnot even you!¡±

    Nier laughed as he panted, trying to keep up with Elir, who strode ahead. Elir¡¯s voice always sounded furious, as if anger was the only emotion he could express. It was comical to Nier¡ªuntil a heavy thud cut his laughter short. Someone had fallen.

    He might have heard that noise several times in the past three hours, but he had told himself it was just a tree falling, or maybe a soldier at the distant castle dropping a heavy box. Again and again, he tried to convince himself it wasn¡¯t a person. Then he saw it with his own eyes¡ªsomeone¡¯s body, too weak to take another step.

    Nier stared at that face for several long seconds. He¡­ his dream¡­ it¡¯s over. Nier felt a pang in his heart. Elir, noticing Nier¡¯s horror, prepared to repeat his earlier warning: ¡°I won¡¯t let anyone stop you¡ªnot even you!¡±

    They stood there, frozen, until Boja¡¯s voice called from ahead. Boja looked at the group¡¯s exhausted faces and asked, ¡°Do you know who walked those hills before you?¡±

    Everyone turned to look at him¡ªElir and Nier in front, Mika and Ayk behind them, and so on.

    Boja continued, ¡°Humans who lived here three hundred years ago were led through these hills by Nieth¡¯s Light soldiers. They carried their belongings and their children¡ªeverything they had¡ªbelieving those soldiers were guiding them to safety. Soldiers of the god they all worshipped. No matter how far, no matter how many hours, no matter how weary their legs, no matter how their children screamed, they kept walking. They walked¡­ until they reached the end of their march at their final resting place.¡±

    Shock rippled through the group, fear etched on their faces. Mika asked, trembling, ¡°What do you mean¡­?¡±

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    Boja¡¯s voice was thick with anger. ¡°Everyone in that village followed those flying Lights on bare feet¡ªuntil the Lights killed them, right at the spot where they thought they¡¯d finally be safe.¡±

    Then, in a terrifying voice, he added, ¡°Will completing this march atone for your ancestors¡¯ sins? Will suffering humans¡¯ hardships make it right? No. But if you want to join the army that protects humans¡­¡± He raised his voice. ¡°¡­you must honor them¡ªhonor the hours they marched, honor the ones who fell!¡±

    Boja knew his words would break their hearts, not inspire them. He moved on, continuing the march alone. The rest stood there, paralyzed by despair. They had no will to move.

    Elir got to his feet and said, ¡°Nier¡­ let¡¯s go.¡±

    But Nier stood still, head bowed. Elir called him again, ¡°Nier!¡±

    Nier said, ¡°Commander Boja¡­ he¡¯s marched this path many times. Every training, he leads at the front¡­ and he still hasn¡¯t atoned for any sins.¡±

    Mika and Ayk looked at Nier, confused. Elir demanded, ¡°What do you mean, Nier?¡±

    Nier dropped to his knees, grabbing the small pocket flap on the fallen boy¡¯s uniform and tearing it free. Each uniform¡¯s chest pocket held a paper name tag. Nier took the tag, then turned in the opposite direction of the march.

    Elir shouted, ¡°Nier! Where are you going?¡±

    Ayk said, ¡°Nier, what are you doing?¡±

    Without turning around, Nier said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I can¡¯t just pretend it was a falling tree or a dropped box anymore.¡±

    Elir yelled angrily, ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear me before?! I said I won¡¯t let anyone stop you¡ªeven if it¡¯s you!¡±

    Nier stopped and turned to him calmly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll finish this training. I¡¯ll finish everything. But there¡¯s something I have to do. Go on if you want.¡±

    Elir growled, seething, but followed Nier in the opposite direction. Mika glanced at his brother, then said, ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±

    Nier and Elir retraced their steps in silence, except for the sounds of Nier¡¯s knees scraping the ground and the tearing of fabric. Then footsteps again. Each time, Elir paused so Nier could collect another name tag from someone who had collapsed.

    Eventually, they reached Arlo, Inini, and Tariya. Arlo¡¯s legs had given out; he was on his knees, Tariya still on his shoulders, unconscious. Inini cried out, ¡°Arlo! Are you all right?¡±

    Arlo, panting and drenched in sweat, replied, ¡°Don¡¯t worry¡­¡±

    Nier looked from Arlo to Tariya, trying to understand. He asked quietly, ¡°What are you doing?¡±

    Arlo said, ¡°I couldn¡¯t leave her.¡±

    Nier glanced at the pile of fabric in his hand. ¡°Why?¡±

    Arlo was puzzled. ¡°What?¡±

    Inini explained quickly, ¡°I asked him to help her. She¡¯s my friend.¡±

    Nier sighed, ¡°Ah¡­ so¡­ they weren¡¯t your friends, then.¡±

    Inini and Arlo stared at him in surprise. Arlo, annoyed, grabbed Nier by the collar. ¡°Wait¡ªif you have something to say, say it to me!¡±

    Elir gripped Arlo¡¯s arm, fury contorting his face. He glanced at Nier¡¯s sad expression. Arlo, carrying that girl on his shoulders, was as if telling Nier, It¡¯s not enough¡­ All your sorrow isn¡¯t enough.

    Nier¡¯s legs still hurt from going back and forth to gather name tags. But with Tariya on his shoulders, Arlo seemed to say, It¡¯s not enough.

    Elir snarled at Arlo, anger in every syllable, ¡°Get your hands off Nier!¡±

    Arlo shouted, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you two? What did I do to both of you?!¡±

    Nier pulled away and kept walking. ¡°You did nothing. I¡¯m sorry. But¡­¡± He paused, turning back to Arlo. ¡°You can¡¯t carry her the whole way. So when you leave her behind, can you bring me her name tag?¡±

    Arlo and Inini stared at him in confusion and dread. His words were ordinary, his tone and face calm, yet they inspired such fear. Why does it feel like he hates us more and more? they both wondered.

    Elir and Nier continued on, leaving Arlo and Inini with Tariya, stunned.

    <hr>

    Mika, his lips cracked and face sunken, leaned against a tree. ¡°What is this, Ayk? Seven hours already¡­ they¡¯re trying to kill us all! How long did those humans walk?¡±

    Ayk, who was hiding his own fatigue, said, ¡°Don¡¯t disrespect them, Mika!¡±

    Mika groaned, ¡°I¡¯m not! I¡¯m just tired¡­¡±

    Ayk extended a hand to Mika. ¡°I know. But let¡¯s go.¡±

    Mika frowned, took his brother¡¯s hand, and kept moving. The others slowed, the scorching sun burning their heads.

    Seeta fell to her knees¡ªalready bruised from multiple falls. Her hands trembled, then she pounded them on the ground in frustration and tears. ¡°My body won¡¯t move! I¡¯m weak! I can¡¯t catch up to him. Stand up! Stand up, you weakling! Why did he cut your hair? Why did he help you, if you¡¯re just going to fail now? Stand up!¡±

    She heard a voice from the other side of the road. A girl with an eye patch leaned against a tree, gasping as if a fire blazed in her lungs. She tried to step forward again, but her vision blurred¡ªshe began seeing apparitions.

    She muttered, ¡°Azar¡­ what are you doing¡­ no¡­ go away¡­¡± She envisioned Azar standing there with a hot iron rod, sneering, ¡°Oh, what a shame. You¡¯re such an obedient girl. Why couldn¡¯t you have been born beautiful?¡±

    The girl screamed and backed away. ¡°No, no, go away!¡± Her legs nearly gave out over a small plateau, but a weak, cracked hand caught hers in time.

    Dazed, the girl looked up to see Seeta standing there, tears threatening to spill but a determined look in her eyes. ¡°Come on!¡± Seeta said.

    The girl clung to Seeta¡¯s hand, rising to her feet. ¡°Thank you.¡±

    Seeta wiped her tears. ¡°We¡¯re still far behind everyone, but let¡¯s go.¡±

    The girl stared at Seeta¡¯s face for a moment. ¡°You¡¯re very beautiful.¡±

    Seeta blinked, confused. ¡°What?¡±

    Still watching Seeta, the girl, Fojta¡ªsaid, ¡°I haven¡¯t seen you at Azar¡¯s before.¡±

    Seeta¡¯s face darkened. ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m here. I¡¯ll never work for that filthy man!¡±

    Fojta murmured, ¡°Ah¡­¡± and resumed walking, Seeta following close behind.

    <hr>

    Nier¡¯s legs kept buckling, and Elir stayed by his side. Nier clutched the bundle of name tags in one hand and leaned on Elir with the other. They hadn¡¯t spoken in hours. Not a word about the extra distance they traveled, not a word about the rising count of bodies, not a word about Arlo or Nier¡¯s own exhaustion. What was there to say?

    At the twelfth hour¡ªone in the afternoon¡ªwhen the children whose name tags were clutched in Nier¡¯s arms would ordinarily be waking up in Bial, Commander Boja announced the end of the first training.

 Chapter 9: No Need for Rotten Flesh on the Battlefield

    The recruits assembled in the courtyard the next day, most of them exhausted and frightened. The courtyard had held seven hundred children from Bial, but now only three hundred remained.

    What weighed most heavily on their hearts was the fate of those who didn¡¯t make it. Did they return to Bial? Did they return at all? They thought about it for a few hours at most¡ªthen forgot. Exhaustion and fear do that.

    Their grim, angry faces turned to Boja, who stood before them once again, saying, ¡°You made it. You completed the first training¡­ you proved that no matter how tired or sleep-deprived you are, you can defend Frata for as long as it takes when danger arrives.¡±

    Mika, weary-faced, muttered, ¡°Spare us your speeches. We¡¯re not in the mood, as you can see.¡±

    Even Ayk, usually so quick to reprimand Mika, was too drained to bother this time.

    Arlo didn¡¯t think about the four hundred children who were gone, nor Tariya, but only Inini¡¯s gaze. He had disappointed her again. He left her friend on the ground¡­ He¡¯d failed again. And once more, it was Elir who changed how Inini looked at him. He would never forgive that man¡ªnever.

    If looks could kill, Elir¡¯s head¡ªhe was standing beside Nier in the front row¡ªwould have burst into flames. But Elir was looking at Nier. Is Nier still thinking about the four hundred names in the cloth bag under his bed?

    Boja walked among the thinned ranks until he stopped in front of Nier, saying, ¡°But battle isn¡¯t just about fighting tired and sleep-deprived. A soldier must also endure pain.¡±

    He pulled a knife from his pocket and plunged it into Nier¡¯s abdomen.

    A sharp agony flooded Nier¡¯s entire body. He clutched his stomach with one hand, vision blurring, mind reeling. A familiar, frightened voice pulled him back¡ªElir was screaming his name.

    ¡°Niiiiiir!¡±

    He saw Elir lunge for Boja, but before Elir could reach him, Nier grabbed Elir¡¯s arm with his left hand, his right hand still pressed against the bleeding wound. Elir¡¯s face twisted in horror¡ªteeth clenched, eyes dark, fixed on Nier and his bloodstained abdomen.

    Nier said in a weak voice, ¡°God, you¡¯re always so hasty¡­ I¡¯m sure the commander doesn¡¯t want to kill me.¡±

    Boja watched them intently. Nier glanced at him and continued, ¡°Calm down, Elir¡­ this is just another training, right, Commander Boja?¡±

    Elir never took his gaze off Nier, but Boja could sense the fiery hatred directed at him. Even without looking at Elir, he felt its heat.

    All around, soldiers with Black Wings on their chests appeared. The new recruits panicked; some began to cry like children, pleading with the soldiers.

    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    Boja said, ¡°The people of Frata believe the offspring of Lights are terrifying monsters with spiked wings, fangs, huge bodies¡­ that they can heal themselves with the power of Light.¡±

    One by one, the soldiers stabbed the new recruits in the stomach. Elir took a blade himself, dark red blood soaking his clothes. Yet he neither moved nor flinched¡ªhis eyes remained on Nier.

    Boja continued, ¡°But I know you cannot heal your wounds. Your weak bodies are already scarred. This is no different from the battlefield¡ªyou¡¯ll have to fight with mortal wounds and defeat the enemy. If you survive this¡­¡±

    Before he could finish, more of the frail-bodied recruits collapsed from blood loss.

    ¡°¡­you will prevail on the battlefield!¡±

    Arlo wrapped strips of his own clothing around Inini¡¯s wound and his own. He cried out in terror, ¡°You¡¯re bleeding a lot! What is this?! We might die here!¡±

    Boja said, ¡°Complete this training, overcome every obstacle, and then you¡¯ll receive treatment in the infirmary. If you don¡¯t finish¡­¡± His eyes darkened as his voice deepened. ¡°¡­then you can die and rot here. We have no need for rotten flesh on the battlefield!¡±

    Arlo tied a strip around Inini¡¯s torso. ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    Inini nearly fainted, but he caught her. She whispered, ¡°I can¡¯t¡­¡±

    Tears welled in Arlo¡¯s eyes. ¡°It¡¯s okay. I¡¯m with you¡­ I¡¯m with you.¡±

    Elsewhere, Seeta wobbled, clutching her stomach. She was close to losing consciousness too. But she planted her feet, sweat pouring down her forehead, staring at the blood dripping onto the ground. Every sound blurred into a dull ringing, her eyes fought not to close. A voice drew near, and she struggled to identify the figure.

    It was the narrow-eyed, long-haired boy. She¡¯s seen him before¡­ who is he? Where am I? Her vision flickered between him and the world around her. She was just here a moment ago, right?

    Her knees buckled, but Mika caught her. He let out a shaky laugh. ¡°Hey, hey¡­ you okay? Or did you just want a hug?¡± His body was cold. Despite the indifferent look on his face, he was sweating and pale. He trembled from exhaustion, but somehow, leaning on him felt comforting.

    She looked at him weakly. ¡°Can I sleep now, Mom?¡±

    Mika¡¯s heart sank. This girl¡­ A grimace twisted his features as he held her hands. ¡°Come on¡­ let¡¯s go together.¡±

    Seeta pulled free and staggered forward on her own. ¡°No¡­ I can go alone.¡±

    Mika followed close behind, with Ayk beside him.

    Elir tore a strip of his shirt to wrap around Nier¡¯s abdomen, yelling¡ªhis face full of rage, teeth clenched. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±

    Nier pressed the bandage, leaning on Elir¡¯s arm. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    They ran. Everyone moved on, their weakened bodies pressed to the limit. It was standard army training¡ªrunning, leaping obstacles, climbing walls, crawling under wires¡ªbut now with serious, bleeding wounds.

    Blood soon covered the training ground, and the cries of the fallen echoed in the heat as hours passed. Inini and Arlo reached the finish and collapsed. Nearby lay others who managed to survive, including Nier, who was already asleep from sheer exhaustion, his face calm.

    Inini gazed at his peaceful expression. She wished she could rest like that, feel even a moment of relief with her body on the cold ground. If I close my eyes now, I might never open them again. Yet she tried, letting her lids droop.

    Just before sleep overtook her, she saw someone moving among those who hadn¡¯t finished, taking something from their pockets. A thief? A ghost? It was that young man with the ugly scar¡ªthe one from Azar¡¯s basement she always feared. He always seemed surrounded by fallen bodies. So it doesn¡¯t matter. Nothing strange here.

    Now, I¡¯ll close my eyes.

 Chapter 10: You Look Hungrier Than Me

    Nier moved slowly through the food line, his empty container in hand. Five days had passed since the stabbing training, and they were finally discharged from the hospital that day. Everyone still had bandages wrapped around their stomachs under their uniforms. Moving carefully at six in the morning, they tried not to strain their injuries.

    Nier held out his tray as the man serving food placed a piece of bread and some bean paste on it.

    Mika came up behind him, stared at his own piece of bread and bean paste, then at the server.

    Mika¡¯s pale face showed intense anger. He said, ¡°What is this?¡±

    The man, irritated, replied, ¡°Your food¡­ Move.¡±

    Mika flicked his tray onto the counter. ¡°Is this how you feed an injured soldier?!¡±

    The man, losing patience, said, ¡°You¡¯re not soldiers yet, you Light descendants! You expect us to waste our scarce resources on a group of Black Wing trainees?¡±

    A dark look crossed Mika¡¯s eyes, intensified by the circles under them. He stepped closer, voice low and menacing. ¡°Really? Your resources are scarce? Then why do you look like a fat pig, you filthy bag of lard?!¡±

    Mika¡¯s shouts drew everyone¡¯s attention in the cafeteria. ¡°Give me something to eat, or I¡¯ll eat your face!¡±

    Ayk grabbed him before he could advance. ¡°Mika!¡±

    Mika shouted, ¡°What, Ayk?! What do you want from me?! What is this, anyway? Are they trying to kill us? Is this really an army, or did they gather us here to dispose of Bial¡¯s garbage?!¡±

    Ayk raised his eyebrows. ¡°Are you screaming and crying because Frata isn¡¯t what you expected, Mika? Because you can¡¯t eat and drink whatever you want? Did you think we came here for a picnic?¡±

    Silence filled the cafeteria, all eyes on them. Mika pushed Ayk away and collapsed into a chair at a nearby table, burying his head in his hands, trying to calm his angry heart. Ayk sat beside him. He understood Mika¡¯s frustration. He felt that anger too, and the same exhaustion, but what could they do?

    The line began moving again as people with trays found places to sit, and the commotion quieted. Nier approached Mika¡¯s table, bringing over the tray Mika had left behind. He set it down and left without a word. Mika kept his head down, not looking at him. Nier headed out of the cafeteria.

    Only when Ayk asked, ¡°What?¡± did Mika lift his head. They both noticed the tray now held two pieces of bread and two servings of bean paste. Mika quickly glanced toward the door, but Nier was already gone.

    Mika started to stand, but Ayk said, ¡°No! You can¡¯t give the food back; don¡¯t be rude. He won¡¯t take it anyway. Honor his gesture. Remember it. Make sure you repay him someday.¡±

    Mika said helplessly, ¡°It wasn¡¯t about the food¡­¡±

    Ayk, taking a bite of his own meal, asked, ¡°Then why¡¯d you act like a child when you saw your portion?¡±

    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    Mika scowled and muttered, ¡°Just shut up!¡± even as he kept eyeing the door.

    Seeta had watched what happened and noticed Nier¡¯s action. She was distracted by a sob from one of the girls at her table. The girl sat before an empty tray, tears streaming down her cheeks. Fojta, at another table, kept eating.

    Seeta asked worriedly, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± The girl just cried, eyes on her empty tray. Seeta gently grabbed her arm. ¡°Does your stomach hurt?¡±

    Between gasping sobs, the girl said, ¡°I¡¯m still¡­ still hungry!¡±

    Seeta¡¯s eyes filled with tears. She¡¯s crying because she¡¯s hungry? Seeta forced a smile and slid her own tray in front of the girl. The girl stared, tears on her cheeks. ¡°No, I can¡¯t¡­¡±

    Seeta looked at the girl¡¯s thin face. She could recognize Azar¡¯s children by how frail they were; that girl had been hungry for a long time. Seeta spoke softly, ¡°I¡¯m not really hungry, and I don¡¯t like beans.¡±

    The girl picked up the bread and offered it back to Seeta. ¡°Then at least eat the bread!¡±

    Seeta laughed. ¡°I don¡¯t like bread either.¡±

    The girl, still crying, said, ¡°Then I won¡¯t eat!¡±

    Seeta took the bread, broke it in half, and handed one piece to the girl. ¡°I¡¯ll eat half, then!¡± The girl smiled through her tears and ate. Seeta glanced at the cafeteria door and smiled as well.

    <hr>

    Elir followed Nier outside, where he stood with his food tray. ¡°Nier!¡±

    Nier heard the anger building in Elir¡¯s voice. He turned slowly, forcing a smile. ¡°What, Elir? Did you need something?¡±

    Elir barked, ¡°Why did you give him your food?!¡±

    Nier shrugged. ¡°I can¡¯t eat right now. My stomach still hurts.¡±

    Elir¡¯s tone grew sharper. ¡°Why do you always interfere in things that don¡¯t concern you?!¡±

    Nier laughed. ¡°You always say that.¡±

    Elir shoved his own food tray at Nier in anger. Nier looked surprised. ¡°No¡ªI¡¯m not eating your food!¡±

    Elir shouted, ¡°If you don¡¯t eat, I¡¯ll go back in there, gather everyone¡¯s trays, and throw them in the trash! No one eats if you don¡¯t eat!¡±

    Nier shouted back, ¡°No! This was my decision! I¡¯m not taking your food!¡±

    Elir, eyes aflame, turned to stomp back into the cafeteria, but Nier grabbed him. ¡°Stop, you maniac!¡±

    Elir shot him a furious look, waiting for his answer. Nier sighed, sat on the ground, and put the container in his lap. ¡°What are you waiting for? Sit down.¡±

    Elir grumpily sat beside him, still furious. Nier offered him a piece of bread.

    Elir refused. Nier said, ¡°At least take this.¡±

    Elir snapped, ¡°No!¡±

    Nier asked, ¡°Are you trying to punish me, Elir? I didn¡¯t do this to anger you!¡±

    Elir yelled, ¡°Then why did you do it?!¡±

    Nier yelled back, ¡°Because he looked hungry!¡±

    Elir roared, ¡°And you¡¯re hungry too!¡±

    Nier, still yelling, ¡°He looked hungrier than me!¡±

    Elir¡¯s voice rose, ¡°And you look hungrier than me!¡±

    They fell silent for a moment before Nier spoke weakly, ¡°I can¡¯t eat alone. Why don¡¯t we share?¡±

    Elir studied him, then tore the bread into two uneven pieces, giving Nier the larger portion. Nier took it with a laugh. Sitting there in the courtyard, they ate together.

    Nier said, ¡°There really isn¡¯t much difference between Bial and Frata, huh?¡±

    Elir replied, ¡°I told you.¡±

    Nier chuckled and kept eating. Elir watched to make sure he was actually eating. He sensed a certain sadness in Nier¡¯s laughter. Is he still thinking about them?