Kanako stood tall, her eyes burning with fierce anger. She faced the bandit leader, whose face was twisted with terror, sweat pouring down in rivlets. Her glare cut deep, and cracks of fury echoed in her voice as she demanded answers. "Where are his belongings!?" Her hands trembled, not from fear, but from the rage that surged through her veins. The water around her responded, swirling and rising like a raging hurricane, crashing against the ground with relentless force. A glowing blue aura enveloped her sword, illuminating the greyed out surroundings with an eerie light. It grew brighter—more intense—as if fueled by her anger.
The bandit leader, trembling, tried to plead for mercy. "W-wait! We can talk about this," he stammered, voice trembling with fear. His eyes darted around, searching for an escape route, clutching a small bag of coins. "I-i have money! R-rare treasures! Just don't kill me, please!" His desperate cry was anything but convincing. To him, it sounded like the words of a dying man pleading for his life, but they fell on deaf ears. Kanako's fury was unshakable. Her expression was dead serious, her face a mask of pure anger because he had hurt Casimir—the only person that's truly given her hope in finding her lost siblings.
Her anger burst forth as the water around her churned violently, rising higher and higher. The furious currents seemed to mirror her inner storm, with tendrils of water spiraling like a cyclone, ready to strike. The blue glow around her sword shimmered brighter, flickering like a beacon of her wrath. She wasn't just angry—she was furious, driven by a need for justice. She could sense there was no way out for the bandit leader. Panic set in, and in a last-ditch effort, he reached for a nearby sword—an old, dull blade discarded by a fallen underling. With trembling hands, he gripped it, ready to fight for his life.
The storm raged on, the wind howling through the trees, rain pounding like a thousand drums. This chaos only heightened Kanako's power, fueling her strength. Without any warning, she lunged forward, her entire body moving like a rushing wave crashing against the shores. Her sword sliced through the air with deadly precision, aimed straight at her opponent. Her intent was clear—to end this fight quickly, to make him regret hurting Casimir. The bandit leader, surprised, managed to duck, raising his makeshift sword just in time to block her strike. His blade was weak, unable to withstand her force. His own weapon shattered, broken into fragments as her sword made contact.
Realizing the gravity of the situation and that he couldn't win, he turned to flee. He bolted, desperation in his eyes, trying to create some distance between himself and the furious woman. But luck was not on his side. Almost immediately, sharp droplets of rain caught him in the chest, puncturing him like tiny, stabbing needles. Pain shot through him, and he coughed as blood mixed with the rain. His body froze for a moment as he looked back, terror painted across his face. Kanako approached slowly, each step deliberate and heavy, her expression unreadable now that her fury was partially spent.
The bandit leader, panicked and exhausted, tried to crawl away, pushing himself backward. His hands scraped against the muddy ground, desperate to escape her wrath. He realized he had no chance against her fury, no matter how much he begged or tried to put distance between them. From above, Kanako raised her sword to deliver the final blow. Her finger curled around the hilt, muscles tense. The moment seemed inevitable, a terrible end for him—until, suddenly, Casimir appeared.
With a swift, practiced movement, Casimir leaped into the scene, slicing the bandit leader's head clean off with a deadly stroke. His blade, gleaming with a dark sheen, flashed through the air like a streak of midnight. The body of the bandit leader instantly burst into black flames, burning away into nothingness. Kanako froze, stunned by the sudden turn of events. Her eyes fixed on Casimir, her mind swirling with concern and awe. The wound, which had once been inflicted by the bandit's sword, had vanished entirely. His injuries healed as if by magic, leaving no scars behind.
Casimir's sword, once a shining blue, now looked different. Its entire surface was coated in a deep, shimmering black, bearing a striking feature—a red dragon eye nestled between the hilt and the broad, deadly blade. The eye seemed to pulse, almost alive, sensing everything around it. Kanako stared, puzzled and a bit confused. She looked at him closely, unsure of what had changed.
"Casimir? You're okay?" she asked hesitantly, concern evident in her voice. The rain, which had hammered down so fiercely, slowly began to lessen, eventually tapering off until only droplets dripped from the leaves above. The water she had swirling around her earlier fell to the ground, pooling once more in quiet ripples. Her clothes and hair dripped with rainwater, soaking her from head to toe. As the blue glow faded from her sword, it dimmed and disappeared entirely, leaving her gripping her normal jade green sword by the hilt.
Casimir looked at her calmly with a steady gaze. "I am fine, Kanako," he said softly, voice steady and reassuring. His expression was peaceful, yet there was an underlying strength in his eyes. Then, with genuine gratitude, he added, "Thank you. Thank you for helping me." His words carried sincerity, a quiet acknowledgment of how much her presence meant.
Kanako's cheeks warmed slightly at his words. She looked away, trying to hide her blush, and shifted the subject hurriedly. "What happened to your sword?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity. The scene around them was turning peaceful now, the chaos settling into calm. Casimir explained, "When the bandit leader stabbed me, I felt a terrible pain. But after a moment, it was as if the sword absorbed my blood. It pulled itself out of my wound, sealed it completely. And then... it changed. The sword turned black, and in between the blade and the hilt, there's now this red eye."
The rain completely stopped, and distant sunlight peeked through the dark clouds, casting a warm glow on the scene. Kanako's voice was soft, almost in awe, as she said, "Wow... I thought you were going to die." Her words betrayed her concern and relief all at once. Casimir reached out, gently patting her head—like a mentor.
"You worry too much," he said calmly, a faint smile on his face. With that, he turned and headed toward the cave entrance—where the remnants of the bandit group lay in ruins, the remnants of their threat dissipating into the air. Kanako followed, her mind still racing. She called out, "Huh?" feeling confused at what just happened. "Hey! It's not my fault I care!" Her voice was playful, but her heart was still pounding from the chaos.
Casimir's response was calm and easy. "Well, it kinda is," he replied, stepping ahead. Kanako rolled her eyes but didn't bother to hide her smile. "Shut it," she muttered softly, her voice low, knowing deep down that he was right. The storm was over, but the storm—and their feelings—had only begun to settle.
The duo steps cautiously into large cave, their eyes adjusting to the dim, flickering light that seeps from the cracks in the ceiling. As they venture further inside, the realization hits them like a punch to the stomach—the cave isn't just a hideout filled with odds and ends. It has the feel of a home, albeit a rough one. The walls are lined with makeshift shelves, old crates, and broken furniture, all surprisingly arranged in a way that suggests some effort went into making this space livable. It's not a cozy or welcoming place, but it's enough to keep bandits hidden and safe from prying eyes. Looking around, one can see scrap cloth acting as curtains, makeshift beds made from worn-out blankets, and a small, rickety table cluttered with bits of stolen loot and discarded trinkets. It's clear the bandits have been living here for some time, establishing a small, if disorderly, community within the shadows of the mountain.
Casimir's gaze sharpens as he scans the room, determined to find any trace of what might still belong to him. His heart pounds with a mix of hope and dread. His eyes catch sight of the remnants of his own carriage—a wreckage strewn about, splintered wood, torn fabric hanging from broken panels, and the unmistakable scorch marks where fire had been set. A sinking feeling tightens in his chest as he steps closer, walking slowly past broken furniture and scattered belongings, alarmed that his most precious possessions might be destroyed beyond repair. Kanako moves with him, her brow furrowed in concern, but their search yields little more than dust and the scent of decay. They both kneel down, brushing aside debris, moving from corner to corner, desperately wishing to find something—anything—that had belonged to Casimir. Minutes stretch into what feels like an eternity as they comb through the dark corners and hidden compartments, their hope flickering like a dying candle.
Suddenly, Kanako's voice breaks the silence. Her voice is bright but muffled with excitement. "Hey! I've found something," she calls out, her fingers trembling slightly as she points toward a small, concealed object. Casimir wheels around swiftly, heart pounding faster. His eyes lock onto her outstretched hand, and he rushes over, practically lunging across the uneven floor. There, hidden beneath a dusty, stained bedcloth, is an old, weathered chest, its wood scratched and battered. With trembling hands, they lift the lid, revealing its contents. Inside, everything Casimir thought he'd lost is laid out before him—his clothes, jewelry, a few precious trinkets, and some other valuables like a Tristal, but most importantly, the small, sturdy box that holds his most cherished memories. Among them, his gaze locks onto a simple photograph, a snapshot of his family camping beneath some tall trees, their faces full of happiness and innocence. The moment feels frozen in time.
Casimir's fingertips trace the edges of the picture as he gently lifts it out of the chest. His breath catches, and he pulls the photo close, pressing it against his chest as if to keep it safe from harm. Kanako watches quietly, her curiosity evident as she examines the picture too. "Are those your parents? And… your little sister?" she asks softly. Casimir's voice, usually steady and calm, wavers slightly as he responds. "Yeah, that's them. I miss my sister so much," he says quietly, fighting to keep his emotions in check. The pain behind those words is almost tangible. Kanako's eyes soften as she studies the picture, her voice gentle. "She's so cute, and your mother looks so kind," she whispers. "It's clear your parents loved each other. They really seemed like an ideal couple." She glances back at Casimir, noting the distant look in his eyes, sensing the weight he carries. The silence between them thickens as Casimir tries his best to compose himself, but his trembling hands tell a different story.
Suddenly, Kanako notices the flicker of emotion shadowing Casimir's face—confusion, sorrow, determination—all fighting for control. She reaches out, her voice filled with sympathy. "I'm… I'm really sorry, Casimir," she whispers. Her eyes shimmer with empathy as she grips his hand gently, as if to offer reassurance. "I know I've said it before, but I can't imagine how hard this all must be for y–" Before she can finish her thought, Casimir quickly pulls his hand away, cutting her off sharply. His voice is firm, almost cold. "Enough of the sentiment," he says. "I need to gather my things and then we can get out of here quickly." Without hesitation, he carefully places the photo along with everything else into his void bag. Then, he turns away abruptly, stepping out of the cave with purpose. Kanako watches him go, disappointment shadowing her face. She tenses briefly, feeling the divide growing between them, but she simply follows, her steps slower, reluctant but accepting.
They emerge from the dark enclosure and move back through the trees into an open area bathed in daylight. The fresh air hits them hard after the confined space, a stark reminder of the world outside. Casimir pulls out the official bounty notice, the letter detailing the target they'd been assigned to capture or eliminate. His eyes narrow as he studies it. The once vibrant paper is now blackened and faded, almost like a shadow of itself. The image of the bandit leader is barely visible, only a dark silhouette remaining, proof that the hunt has come to an end. The bounty's color change holds meaning—black signifies the target has been taken down, and indeed, the bandit leader is dead. His body has been claimed by bounty hunters, which is why the bounty is now just a dark mark on the paper, while white means the target has died from other means. Kanako's copy of the bounty is white, symbolizing the latter.
"What now?" Kanako asks softly, breaking the silence. Her voice is cautious, almost uncertain. "Where are you headed next?" she presses, her eyes searching his face for answers. Casimir's response is calm but firm. "My next stop is Delavar. I plan to turn in the bounty and settle things there." The words sound final, but Kanako looks disappointed, as if she wanted something different, perhaps more immediate. She hesitates before asking, "And what about me?" Her voice wavers. Casimir pauses before responding, "Where are you going?" He asked. "My brother and sister were last near Kenkanai. I'm heading east, to find them," Kanako explains, her tone uncertain, revealing her cautious hope of reconnecting with her family.
A long stretch of silence follows. The weight of unspoken feelings hangs thick in the air. Then, suddenly, Kanako surprises him. She steps closer and wraps her arms around Casimir, pulling him into a tight embrace. Her voice, muffled against his shoulder, trembles with emotion. "I'll miss you," she whispers softly. Her words strike Casimir like a thunderbolt—shock, confusion, a rush of warmth, and ultimately, a sense of connection. His mind races, unsure whether to push her away or accept her gesture. After a moment of hesitation, he finds himself responding, wrapping his arms around her waist, holding her close. "I'll miss you too," he replies quietly, his voice thick with emotion.
They stay like that for a few moments, lingering in each other's embrace, sharing a quiet farewell. When they finally pull apart, the silence stretches again. Casimir's voice breaks through, gentle but resolute. "We will meet again. I'm sure of it." Kanako nods, her eyes bright with unshed tears. "I won't forget about you," she promises softly. Casimir offers a faint, genuine smile for the first time in what feels like ages. They exchange a final look, a silent bond formed between two lost souls. She steps back and begins walking away, her figure gradually diminishing into the distance, while Casimir waves goodbye one last time. He watches her until she's just a tiny dot on the horizon, then turns around, heading towards the distant city of Delavar, his mind already filled with thoughts of what's to come. As he walks away, he whispers softly beneath his breath, "Until we meet again, Kanako." Casimir feels like he's just gotten more hallow without Kanako but pushes the feeling aside and continues on with his journey.