Ichiro clenched his teeth, forcing his trembling arms to move. Every drag of his body across the dirt felt like fire under his skin. The jungle was endless—branches tore at his clothes, roots bit into his knees—but he didn't stop. He couldn't.
"Damn it…" he hissed between ragged breaths, sweat and blood mixing on his face. His legs screamed in agony, every step turning into a desperate stumble until finally—they gave out. He crashed face-first into the damp soil, the taste of iron and earth filling his mouth.
He lay there, panting, lungs burning, the echo of her voice still crawling through his head. She's coming.
With whatever strength he had left, Ichiro dragged himself toward the shadow of a massive tree looming ahead. Beneath its roots was a small, hollow opening—like the mouth of a cave. He didn't think, didn't care what hid inside.
Using his elbows, he shoved himself into the darkness, collapsing the moment his body crossed the threshold. The cold, damp air pressed against his wounds, but he barely felt it. His vision wavered between light and shadow.
His breath came heavy and uneven, chest rising and falling like a broken machine. Insects scurried over his hands; something brushed his leg. He didn't even flinch.
He stared blankly into the dark, his mind fading into a dull hum. The world outside disappeared—only his heartbeat and the sound of his breathing remained.
For the first time in what felt like forever, he let himself stop running.
Just for a while.
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As the night waned, silence cloaked the forest—broken only by the faint rhythm of a boy's uneven breathing. Ichiro had long since succumbed to exhaustion, his body limp beneath the shadow of the old tree, blood still caked on his arm and dust smeared across his pale face. The forest breathed around him, unaware that beneath those roots, the gears of fate had begun to shift.
The world beyond stirred. Dawn crept across the horizon, spreading its fiery hues over the treetops like a painter's stroke of war. The light pierced through the mist, spilling into the cave's mouth, touching Ichiro's skin with warmth that felt almost divine. Yet, in that same light, there lingered something else—an omen. The day didn't feel like renewal. It felt like a prelude to an age soaked in blood.
Ichiro's eyes fluttered open to the soft burn of sunlight on his face. His body ached, his throat dry, his vision hazy. He blinked, disoriented for a moment before realization struck—he had survived the night.
The warmth of the rising sun fell across his face as he whispered hoarsely to himself, "Morning already…"
He didn't know it yet, but the dawn that touched his skin was not one of peace. It was the dawn of an age of blood, and Ichiro… was destined to make it.
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Grahhh!! A sharp cry tore out of my throat as pain exploded through my legs. It felt like someone had jammed hot iron rods through my bones. "God… dammit!" I hissed, forcing myself upright—only for my strength to give way. My body collapsed face-first into the cold dirt, a dull thud echoing in the cave.
For a moment, I just lay there, breathing heavily. My lungs burned. My heartbeat pounded in my ears like a war drum. The smell of damp earth filled my nose.
"Come on…" I muttered under my breath, more to keep myself conscious than anything else. "You can't die here. Not yet."
I twisted, wincing as every movement sent fresh stabs of pain through my legs. I managed to roll onto my back, staring up at the jagged ceiling above. My breath came in short gasps. The bleeding had stopped, but the ache still pulsed deep in my bones. My legs felt heavy—like they didn't belong to me anymore.
I lifted my trembling hands and reached out, trying to grab onto something—anything—to help me up. My fingers brushed against the damp ground, rocks, air… nothing sturdy enough to pull myself with. I clenched my fists, frustration bubbling inside me.
"Why… why is it always like this?" I whispered. "No rest, no peace. Just one damn struggle after another."
My mind ran wild. Where even am I? How far did I fall? Did those people follow me here? The thought made my pulse spike. No… if they had, I'd already be dead.
I turned my head slightly, eyes catching the faint golden light spilling into the cave's mouth. The sunlight looked almost holy against the dark interior, illuminating the dust floating in the air. For a moment, I just stared at it—my only proof that the world outside was still there.
I took a deep breath, bracing myself. "Alright… one more time," I muttered, pushing my palms against the ground. My arms trembled, but I moved, dragging my broken body inch by inch toward the light. Every pull sent pain shooting up my legs, but I bit down hard, refusing to scream again.
As I crawled out of the shadow, the air changed—warmer, fresher, carrying the faint scent of trees and soil. The light hit my face, and for a second, I almost felt human again.
I didn't know where I would go. I didn't even know if I could walk again. But the thought that kept echoing in my mind wasn't of fear—it was a question.
Why am I still alive?
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