Axel woke up with a start, his heart racing as he gazed around the familiar yet foreign surroundings of his bedroom. The sunlight streaming through the window highlighted the dust particles dancing in the air, and for a moment, he thought it was all just a terrible dream. He rubbed his eyes, hoping to shake off the lingering fogginess.
But as his gaze fell upon the destroyed state of their home, his heart sank. The walls were cracked, the windows shattered, and the door hung limply from its hinges. Axel's eyes widened as he took in the devastation. His thoughts were a jumbled mess, and he struggled to piece together what had happened.
As he looked down at his body, he noticed the bandages wrapped around his torso, arms, and legs. The memories began to flood back, like a dam breaking. Takeru's determination, Vespera's serene voice, the feeling of being thrown into a tree... it all came rushing back.
Axel's eyes drifted toward the window, where Hana knelt before a heap of sand, her small frame shaking with sobs. He recognized the makeshift grave, and his heart ached. Takeru's final moments replayed in his mind, and Axel's eyes welled up with tears.
The pain and grief overwhelmed him, and Axel buried his face in his hands, letting out a silent scream. He remembered the sound of Vespera's scythe slicing through the air, the feeling of helplessness as he watched his brother fall. The memories were like a knife to his heart, twisting and turning with each recollection.
As the tears streamed down his face, Axel's emotions shifted from grief to anger. A burning desire for revenge ignited within him, consuming his every thought. He wanted Vespera to pay for what it had done, for taking Takeru away from him.
Axel wiped away his tears, his face set in a determined expression. He looked at Hana, and his resolve strengthened. She was all he had left, and he would protect her at all costs. He knew he had to be strong for her, to keep her safe.
He approached Hana slowly, not wanting to startle her. She looked up, her eyes red-rimmed and puffy. Axel knelt beside her, taking her small hand in his. "Hana, I'm here for you. I'll always be here for you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
As he explained that they would leave their home behind, Axel's determination grew. He picked up a match and a short cloak, enough to cover his neck. "Don't worry, Hana. I'll take care of you. We'll face whatever comes next together," he said, his voice firm.
Hana's eyes looked up at him, filled with trust and fear. Axel smiled weakly, trying to reassure her. Together, they stood up, and Axel led her out of their destroyed home, into an uncertain future.
The anger in his soul fueled his determination. He would not rest until he had his revenge. The memory of Takeru's sacrifice would drive him forward, and he would make sure that Vespera paid for its cruelty.
As they walked away from their home, Axel's grip on Hana's hand tightened. He would protect her, no matter what it took. The journey ahead would be treacherous, but Axel was ready. He would face whatever came next, with Hana by his side.