The storm arrived without warning.
Thunder split the sky above the Mitsuyo estate. The once-peaceful gardens twisted under crimson light as alarms flared through the floating district.
Kyuroto awoke to his mother's voice.
> "Kyuroto, wake up—quickly!"
He blinked, confused, clutching his pillow. "Mama? What's—"
Before he could finish, the walls trembled. Energy cracked through the air like lightning, followed by the sharp hum of plasma blades.
Renzou appeared at the doorway, his eyes cold and focused — the same calm he used in every war.
> "Kyoko, take him to the lower chambers. Now."
> "But—"
"Now."
Kyoko grabbed Kyuroto's hand, running through corridors filled with glowing kanji wards. The sounds of battle grew louder — metal against metal, screams muffled by distortion fields.
Kyuroto looked back once. Through the broken glass he saw silhouettes — black armor, no insignias — moving like ghosts through smoke.
> "Father!" he cried.
Renzou turned just once, meeting his son's eyes. A faint smile — proud, gentle.
Then he vanished into the chaos.
Kyuroto and his mother reached the sanctum. The chamber shimmered with protective seals, glowing faint blue. She knelt beside him, brushing the tears from his face.
> "Kyuroto, listen to me." Her voice trembled, but her eyes were steady.
"Whatever happens, remember that we love you. You must live. You must see the next dawn."
He shook his head violently. "No! I'll fight! I can help Father!"
> "Not yet, my son." She kissed his forehead. "One day, you will protect others the way we protect you."
The walls shook again. The door burst open — a shadow stepped through, cloaked and faceless. His presence distorted light itself, like the void between stars. Kyuroto froze. He couldn't see the man's face — only two dim eyes, colorless, cold.
Renzou's voice echoed from the hall — a roar of defiance — and then silence.
Kyoko stood between the intruder and her son.
> "Run, Kyuroto!"
He didn't move. He saw light — then darkness — then his mother falling, her hair spreading like crimson petals upon the ground.
> "Mama!!"
Her hand reached toward him, trembling.
> "Live… Kyuroto…"
A surge of white light — a blast wave — threw him backward. The last thing he saw was the faceless shadow turning away, vanishing into distortion.
Then — nothing but rain.
---
When he woke, the estate was gone.
The sky wept, blackened by smoke. The once-brilliant cherry trees were burned to glass.
He stumbled through the wreckage until he found two bodies wrapped in silk — his father and mother, side by side beneath the remaining blossoms.
He dropped to his knees, voice breaking.
> "Mama… Papa… please wake up…"
No answer. Only the rain.
He clutched their hands, tears mixing with ash.
> "I'll be strong… I promise… I'll find who did this…"
The rain fell harder. The world blurred through his tears.
And in that moment — a child's promise became destiny.
---