Chapter 8: Dead
The morning sun filtered weakly through the heavy clouds over Gage Village, but the air remained thick with grief and tension. Kazuki sat quietly near the village square, the bandages still wrapped around his eyes and mouth. He seemed calm, almost detached — a stark contrast to the turmoil that churned inside Kaze and Atlas.
Kaze paced back and forth, fists clenched, his mind racing with questions. Atlas, ever the voice of reason, stood beside him, arms crossed, observing the stranger carefully.
Finally, Kaze stopped and looked Kazuki straight in the eyes — or where his eyes should be.
"Who are you? Why did you come here? And how the hell did you fight like that last night?"
Kazuki's expression didn't change. He spoke slowly, voice quiet but steady, "I'm… not from here."
Atlas stepped forward. "You're a swordsman — a damn good one. But why wear those bandages? What happened to you?"
Kaze's tone grew sharper, "Yeah, what kind of monster blinds himself and silences his own mouth?"
Kazuki's hands clenched into fists. For a moment, the silence stretched uncomfortably. Then he said, almost bitterly, "You want to know why? Fine."
Flashback Begins
The memory came crashing down like a violent storm.
Kazuki was thirteen. His home was small and humble, but it was all he had — a refuge with Mimi, his little sister, full of life and laughter.
One night, everything changed.
He had stolen a small knife from a noble — a foolish thing, but it was for Mimi. She loved to cook, even though their pockets were empty.
When the nobles found out, five of them stormed his home.
Kazuki fought desperately, lunging and screaming, trying to protect Mimi with all his strength.
But the nobles were cruel beyond belief.
They dragged Mimi away, ignoring Kazuki's screams.
He watched helplessly as they severed her limbs with the very knife he had taken.
Her cries echoed in his mind forever.
Then they turned to him.
"The thief's next," one noble snarled.
Kazuki tried to run — but they caught him.
Their knives cut his eyes, blinding him in an instant.
He fought, wild and desperate, but another slash tore across his mouth.
Bloodied and broken, they left him to die.
Yet somehow, he survived.
Back to Present
Kazuki's voice was low, almost a whisper. "That's why I am like this."