The sun hung high in the sky, its radiance interrupted by a hyper-thin, blindingly bright silver line cutting across its face. From the surface, this was how the lunar ring appeared: a razor-thin streak stretching across the heavens.
Five figures raced across an open field at astonishing speeds.
Leading them was an elderly man whose once-dark hair had long since turned white. He wore dark blue hakama, his hair tied back into a gently wavy ponytail. His movements were elegant and graceful as he cut through the field with ease, barely looking winded despite the incredible speed at which he travelled.
Four youths followed behind him.
The first was a fourteen-year-old boy with golden-blond hair and emerald-green eyes. His features possessed remarkable harmony, from the clean lines of his jaw to the straight bridge of his nose and the naturally well-shaped lips that completed his handsome face. His smooth skin and bright emerald eyes, framed by long lashes, lent his youthful features an unusual depth. His golden hair fell in soft, slightly tousled strands around his face, catching the sunlight as he ran.
There was something striking about him, a natural beauty that seemed almost unfair for someone so young. Even without trying, Takahiro possessed the sort of looks that would draw attention wherever he went. Yet beneath his exceptional appearance, there was still a softness to his face, a reminder that he was only fourteen.
He wore a sage-green top and brown trousers, his gaze fixed on the elderly man ahead as he pushed himself to keep pace.
Following closely behind him was a pretty girl with rose-pink hair tied back into a ponytail. Her vivid teal-green eyes were bright and focused, their sharp gaze fixed on the boy running ahead of her.
A faint smirk tugged at her rosy lips, reflecting the confidence of someone who firmly believed in her own abilities. Her chin was slightly raised, and she carried herself with the assurance of someone who considered falling behind a temporary inconvenience at best.
Her ponytail bounced behind her as she ran. She was close to catching up, and the subtle curve of her lips suggested she knew it. She wasn't merely trying to keep pace; she intended to overtake him, and she looked entirely confident in her chances.
Behind her ran a boy with vanilla-blond hair and sharp grey eyes. Unlike the two ahead of him, he was struggling to maintain their pace, his expression growing increasingly strained as he pushed himself to keep up.
Bringing up the rear was a girl with earthy brown hair and matching eyes. She wore a dark brown tunic and was barely managing to keep pace with the others.
Before they could reach the woods ahead, her legs suddenly gave out.
Her feet slowed, but the rest of her body continued hurtling forward at full speed.
The result was spectacular.
She tumbled violently, her body slamming into the earth before bouncing and rolling across the field. Each impact tore through the ground beneath her, uprooting grass and throwing clumps of soil into the air. By the time she finally came to a stop, the field behind her had been left badly scarred.
The four figures ahead halted.
"Yume!"
The blond boy immediately turned and raced back toward her.
Panting heavily, Yume struggled to push herself upright. Her hair had been thoroughly tousled by the tumble, several uneven strands sticking to her sweat-damp forehead. Her face was flushed from exertion as she fought to catch her breath.
Dirt smudged her skin, while bits of grass clung stubbornly to her hair, shoulders, and dark brown tunic.
She brushed her hands against the sides of her tunic, hurriedly removing the dirt before straightening the rumpled fabric. With a quick tug at the hem and a self-conscious adjustment around her neckline, she made certain that nothing remained exposed that ought to be covered.
Her movements were hurried and slightly clumsy, her exhaustion momentarily at odds with her determination to restore some semblance of dignity before anyone could comment on her condition.
Unfortunately, someone had already noticed.
The pink-haired girl watched her from a short distance away, a mocking smirk tugging at her lips.
Yume caught her gaze.
The girl's smirk widened.
Yume's expression tightened, but before she could respond, the blond boy reached her.
"Yume, are you okay?" he asked, his warm emerald eyes scanning her for injuries.
Yume's face flushed at how close he was. She quickly looked away.
"Yes, I'm fine, Taka."
Takahiro crouched beside her and brushed the dirt and grass from her hair and shoulders.
"You could've asked us to slow down for you," he said. "We're only doing this to get used to our Awakened physiques. There's no need to push yourself so hard."
Yume glanced back at him before reluctantly nodding.
Takahiro offered her a hand and helped her to her feet. Together, they made their way back to the others, where Master Ray stood watching them calmly, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Little fox, are you all right after that fall?"
"I'm fine, Papa," Yume replied, looking away from the older man.
Master Ray regarded her for a moment before giving a small nod.
"Good, good."
"Master Ray, can we continue?" Collin asked. "My mother must be getting worried by now. We've been gone for two months already."
The pink-haired girl turned toward him.
"The big, bad Collin bows to his mother's apron strings."
Collin flushed and shot her an irritated glare.
"What's that supposed to mean, Natalie?"
Natalie merely smirked.
"Nothing. Nothing at all."
Collin looked as though he wanted to argue, but Master Ray spoke before he could.
"Of course, Collin. Let us continue. However, we'll maintain a jogging pace from here on out."
He turned toward Yume.
"Little fox, try not to trip again, all right?"
Yume stared at him in indignation.
"PAPA!"
Takahiro smiled at her reaction. Collin looked thoroughly unimpressed, while Natalie rolled her eyes.
Master Ray chuckled before setting off again, the four youths falling in behind him.
Their pace had slowed to a jog, but even so, their movements remained extraordinarily fast. To an ordinary person, their speed would have seemed almost impossible.
Collin glanced sideways at Natalie.
"Why are you looking at me like that? You're just like her, Natalie."
Natalie turned toward him, her face flushing with fury.
"What did you just say?"
Collin faced forward without answering.
Natalie glared at the side of his head, clearly considering whether he was worth the effort of arguing with.
Meanwhile, Yume had already recovered her enthusiasm.
"I can't wait to see Selena's reaction when she sees that I'm an Awakened!" she exclaimed. "Do you think she's prepared something nice?"
Takahiro, jogging alongside her, smiled at her excitement.
"Of course. Tomorrow marks the beginning of the village tournament. If we arrive in time, we might even get to celebrate the harvest feast tonight."
"We'll make it at this rate! Look how fast we're moving!" Yume said with a happy smile, glancing at the scenery rushing past them.
Takahiro watched her enthusiasm with an amused expression.
After a moment, however, his thoughts drifted elsewhere.
"I wonder how Kenji is doing. It's been a while."
Natalie and Collin, jogging ahead of them, glanced back.
Both wore expressions of contempt and anger.
"Yeah, I hope he's doing okay," Collin replied, turning his gaze forward again.
"I hope so as well," Natalie added.
Yume, however, looked irritated.
Without saying anything, she increased her speed, overtaking both Natalie and Collin before moving alongside Master Ray.
She kept her gaze forward, her expression growing increasingly sour.
After a while, the group finally reached the top of one of the hills surrounding the village.
Below them lay the settlement, its modest houses gathered together amid the surrounding landscape. The sun had begun to set, casting long shadows across the hills.
From where they stood, the lunar ring stretched across the sky like a razor-thin silver thread.
As the sun descended toward the horizon, it sank directly behind the western end of the line. Where the two appeared to meet, the silver streak seemed to ignite, becoming a golden beacon.
The western section of the lunar ring glowed with vibrant hues of deep crimson, fiery orange, and gold. Across the heavens, the sky transformed into a canvas of deep twilight blue, split by a luminous, multicolored ribbon.
Meanwhile, the moon rose in the east.
It caught the fading rays of the sun, appearing enormous and golden against the darkening sky. Like a massive, glowing pearl, it seemed to rest upon the razor-thin line of the lunar ring.
Together, the sun, moon, and lunar ring illuminated the world in a breathtaking display.
For a brief moment, the five travelers stood still, taking in the sight.
Then Master Ray began moving again.
The youths followed, racing down the hillside toward the village.
By the time they reached the entrance, the news had already spread.
"THEY'RE BACK!"
Someone shouted, drawing the attention of the nearby villagers.
People abandoned their preparations and hurried toward the entrance, eager to welcome the returning group.
The village had been transformed for the harvest feast.
Lanterns illuminated the settlement, their surfaces engraved with the image of a lady kneeling in prayer. Yet the lanterns were not tied to ropes or suspended from wooden frames. Instead, they floated freely above the village, bobbing gently up and down at roughly the height of the rooftops.
Their warm light spilled across the houses and streets, lending the village a festive glow.
The villagers continued gathering at the entrance, their voices rising with excitement as the five travelers returned home.
Collin's mother hurried toward him and wrapped him in a tight embrace. He stiffened immediately, whining that she was embarrassing him. She ignored his complaints and continued hugging him tightly before finally pulling back just enough to inspect him from head to toe, checking him carefully as though making certain he had returned unharmed.
Selena approached Takahiro and Yume, tears welling in her eyes at the sight of them after their two-month absence. She pulled them both into a warm embrace, and Yume immediately hugged her back. Tears welled in Yume's eyes, too.
"Selena, I've awakened! I've really awakened!" Yume repeated excitedly, her voice breaking as she clung to her older sister.
Selena nodded, tears slipping down her cheeks as she held Yume close. She was overjoyed for her younger sister, who had finally achieved something she had undoubtedly dreamed of.
Natalie, too, was welcomed by her father, a broad, muscular man with a thick beard. He pulled her into an affectionate hug, his imposing build doing little to conceal his relief at having his daughter home.