A few days passed. Life slowly slipped back into routine.
The streets were calm, the laughter of children echoed, and for a while, the shadows seemed far away.
But that silence… was only the breath before a storm.
That night, Gara slept soundly, her head resting against her pillow.
A faint sound broke the quiet—thatch…
Something creaked above.
Her eyes fluttered open. She listened, heart skipping once.
Then, with a soft murmur, she convinced herself,"Just the wind…"
She turned over, drifting back into slumber.
But Gaiku knew.
The shadow beast stirred restlessly, his body rising from the floor like smoke. His eyes glowed faintly, fixed on the ceiling.
On the rooftop, two silhouettes crouched in the moonlight—silent hunters cloaked in black.
Their voices were low, sharp as blades.
"Is this the house?" one whispered.
"Yes. Keep quiet. We don't want to wake anyone. The girl is no threat. It's the shadow hollow we came for," the other replied.
Steel flashed in the night.
With one swift motion, the first hunter drove his blade straight down—CRACK!—splintering wood as the sword pierced through the roof.
Gara jolted awake. Her eyes widened as she saw them: two men, swords gleaming, standing above her bed like executioners.
Her body shivered, but she forced herself to stand.
"W-Who are you?!" she demanded, voice trembling. "What are you doing in my house?"
The first hunter's eyes narrowed,"We're here to kill it. The shadow hollow."
Gara froze,"K-Kill… Gaiku?"
The second hunter stepped forward, tone cold,"So you've named it. Cute. Doesn't matter. It dies tonight."
"No!" Gara shouted, fear shifting into resolve. "I won't let you harm him!"
From the floor, darkness swelled.
Gaiku emerged like a storm, his massive hands clawing upward. He lunged at the intruders with a guttural roar that shook the walls.
"There!" the first hunter barked. "Kane, now!"
The other sprang forward, sword arcing down.
But Gaiku's shadowy grip lashed out, catching the blade midair. Sparks flew as steel ground against spectral claws.
Kane's eyes widened,"He caught it?! Impossible…"
"He's stronger than we thought," the first snarled.
"Then we cut deeper."
"STOP!" Gara screamed, throwing herself between them.
The hunters hesitated, blades poised.
At that instant, the ceiling groaned—splintering.
CRASH! Debris collapsed toward her.
Gara shut her eyes , but Gaiku moved first, sweeping her into his hands, shielding her body as rubble crashed harmlessly against his back.
The hunters faltered,"He… protected her?" Kane muttered, stunned.
Their hesitation didn't last. They surged forward again, blades flashing in a deadly rhythm.
But this time, Gara lifted her trembling hands. Green light crackled between her fingers, forming a fragile barrier.
It shimmered weakly, but it was enough to force the hunters back a step.
"What? A witch?" one growled.
" Not possible, then you die with him.", said Kane.
"Yes!" Gara cried, voice breaking but determined. "And I won't let you take him!"
The fight turned vicious. Gaiku swiped, shadows lashing like whips. The hunters darted like wolves, steel striking faster, sharper. Gara's barrier cracked, faltered, reformed.
Then—slash!
A blade slipped through. Gara gasped as it grazed her side, green tangles blooming across her clothes.
"GARA!"
Gaiku's roar split the night. Rage consumed him. Shadows burst outward, throwing the hunters across the room. The air stank of smoke and iron, the floor trembling beneath his fury.
Kane staggered to his feet, gripping his weapon,"Brother… look at them. They're protecting each other."
The first hunter lowered his blade, silent. His eyes flicked between the trembling girl, bleeding but unyielding, and the shadow shielding her like a guardian.
Finally, he exhaled,"…Enough. We're done here."
Kane blinked. "But—"
"No. This bond is… unnatural. Stronger than fear, stronger than hunger. If we kill him, she'll die with him."
He sheathed his sword,"You two are strange… but perhaps you're meant to stay together."
Before leaving, he cast one last glance at Gara,"Remember this, little witch: hollows are demons. If he ever hungers… he will devour even you."
And with that, they vanished into the night.
Silence fell again. Gara pressed her wound, breathing heavy, while Gaiku loomed protectively above her.
She whispered, voice trembling but soft, "Don't worry, Gaiku… I'll heal."
Green light flickered at her fingertips, closing the wound, though faint scars remained.
The next morning, Gara told Marine and Silvey everything.
"What? Really?!" Marine gasped, eyes wide.
"Yes," Gara nodded. "They were hollow hunters. Auntie… do you know about them?"
Silvey's expression faltered. For a moment, her eyes betrayed a flicker of recognition—then she smoothed it away.
"No," she said calmly, though her voice carried unease. "I don't know anything of that. Let's… forget it now."
But Marine wasn't convinced.
Silvey was hiding something.
Weeks passed.
The wounds faded.
The hunters did not return.
Life grew normal again.
Too normal.
And when silence returns after chaos… it's often the silence before another storm.