A hand presses hard on his shoulder, a confused expression meeting a stunned one.

  [You alright?]

  [...?]

  Hinozu's gaze travels to the man's, blinking slowly as his mind tries to piece everything together.

  [Uh... Are you okay?]

  The boy exhales sharply, gripping his side. A grunt escapes him, followed by a sob.

  Followed by laughter.

  Mirthless, hopeless laughter.

  The man’s garments sway as he reaches for the handle of his sword.

  The metal tip hovers inches away from the boy's eye.

  Hinozu stops laughing, face buried between his hands.

  Desperately, he taps his fingers, feeling them.

  As the sword brings itself closer, he parts his lips.

  [You won't do a thing with that sword, Kanell.]

  Kanell's eyes widen, stepping back as he takes a stance.

  [Who are you?! How do you know my name?!]

  Hinozu's mind races, threatening to overcome him. Then, a soft smile draws on his lips.

  [I...]

  [I know all about the Order.]

  [I know you'll burn the nearby village.]

  [I know Alice. Alfie.]

  [Even your next mission, after this one.]

  Kanell holds his sword with shaky hands, knuckles white as he grips tightly.

  [You'll go to Leisa.]

  [Maybe even meet your daughter, Helma?]

  [But... but right.]

  A step forward. Then, back.

  He stands inches apart from him, a vicious gaze meeting the man's horrified one. The sword falls to the ground with a loud, metallic clang.

  [You abandoned her.]

  A step back.

  [I'm on the Order's side.]

  [Or, at least, I want to.]

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  [All I want is to be a part of it.]

  [Take me with you.]

  [And not only will you be able to complete your mission...]

  [Maybe I'll help you escape from the hell you've lived these years.]

  Kanell shuts his eyes, shaking his head.

  [It's not a matter of escaping.]

  [It's a path I myself have to choose and pursue.]

  [You wouldn't understand.]

  Hinozu's heart pounds in his chest. Cold sweat courses down his forehead.

  Will I...

  Clutching his abdomen, he retches dryly.

  Fail?

  Again?

  Forcing himself to stand straight, he wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.

  [I would. I would, trust me.]

  [Hey, doesn't a part of you...]

  [Doesn't a part of you believe you should kill anyone who's evil?]

  [Huh?]

  [What about that, eh, Kanell?]

  [The Blutfresser? The good man?]

  [You are neither.]

  His voice rises, bordering on shouting. The man turns, leaving hurriedly for his horse.

  [No.]

  [No. No. No... don't even think about it.]

  [If you leave...]

  [I'll track you down.]

  Kanell freezes.

  [You...]

  [It only takes a few arrows to kill you.]

  [And I can get many of those.]

  [I'll help you, Kanell. If you help me.]

  [I'll save you from killing others.]

  [And most of all...]

  [Killing yourself.]

  Silence reigns for a short while, met only with the troubled stamping of hooves.

  A cloud casts a shadow over the swaying fields.

  Kanell parts his lips.

  [I-Is there even anything you're afraid of?]

  [Of course.]

  Hinozu walks past the man, mounting the horse.

  [I'm terrified of failing.]

  Stretching a hand out, he helps Kanell get on the saddle.

  After a long while of doubtful glances, the horse trots, traveling through the grassland.

  Without a single word muttered.

  Hinozu ponders, masking heavy breaths.

  Ignoring an uncomfortable sensation clinging to his heart.

  The village is seen after a few minutes of galloping.

  The tower glimmers at the top from afar, though intensely, now.

  Kanell pulls on the reins, halting the horse.

  [I'm not sure I can introduce you.]

  [Don't worry. I know how to handle them.]

  Jumping off the horse, he makes way to the wooden home, listening attentively to the soft sounds from inside.

  He approaches.

  Knocking at the door while Kanell ties his horse to a post.

  After sliding the door open, he steps in, eyes adjusting to the dim lighting.

  Dust stings his nostrils.

  Alfie sits on a chest.

  Alice stands near the table, looking at a map.

  Gazes snap to him.

  [Who are you?]

  [Hinozu. Your companion, Kanell, brought me here.]

  The girl glances over Hinozu's shoulder, spotting the approaching man.

  [What for?]

  [Because I know. Everything.]

  Hinozu fidgets, stopping shortly after. Alice's hand moves to her belt, fingers grasping a dagger.

  [What's everything, exactly?]

  [This mission. The burning of the village. The other, urgent mission you need to complete.]

  Alfie stands, confused.

  Hinozu: [Does Leisa ring a bell?]

  Alice: [It does. It all does, in fact.]

  She lets go of the dagger, gaze unwavering.

  [It'll be an inconvenience to be against someone who knows everything you do. Wouldn't it, Alice?]

  [I know more than you, even. But don't get me wrong.]

  [I want to help. You. The Order.]

  [Would that be convenient to you, Alice?]

  The young woman smiles, then folds the map. Kanell pushes Hinozu aside, growing nervous.

  [What a thing you've brought, Kanell.]

  [Do not mistake me for a piece on your board.]

  Hinozu approaches her, offering a hand.

  [You can only manage what you can see.]

  [You're right.]

  Alice takes it, her smile vanishing.

  [But I'd rather sin than rely on someone that's not myself.]

  [We'll see how that turns out. Sooner than you think.]

  Glancing at Kanell, a ghost of a smile appears on Hinozu's face. Stepping to the side, he shakes hands with a reluctant Alfie, though the tall man doesn't say a word.

  [We should leave now.]

  Alice nods in agreement, taking the folded map before exiting from the back. Kanell shakes his head, snapping back to reality before leaving to get his horse.

  Alfie stays still, glancing around the room.

  Hinozu: [What are you waiting for?]

  Kanell: [I'm unsure of what to do.]

  Hinozu: [You already know.]

  Quickly fixing his hair, Hinozu makes his way outside. Kanell spurs his horse forward, the animal's hooves stepping hesitantly through the dirt road.

  A short while after, Alice's horse appears from the back, the girl on it. Shooting a curious glance at Hinozu, she stops in front.

  A dagger zips past his head, nearly slicing his ear off.

  [How can I be sure you mean what you know?]

  Hinozu's lips quiver, attempting to speak.

  [Because my life is in your hands. You already know it'd be easy to kill me if I were a liar. But something tells me, you're not unsure of me, you're just probing.]

  Hinozu walks up to Kanell's horse, exhaling sharply as he jumps onto the saddle.

  [Isn't that right?]

  A short sigh escapes Alice's lips.

  [Sharp.]

  [Let's just go already.]

  Kanell sighs wearily, rubbing his forehead. Tugging on the reins, he guides the horse. Alice follows closely, halting her animal near the tower.

  She clasps her hands together, pressing them hard against her forehead. Shakily, she continues, a tear falling down her cheek.

  [May the Zenith’s Divine guide us.]

  Kanell parts his lips, concerned.

  [What's the matter, Alice?]

  [Nothing at all.]

  She says, staring at the tower's glimmer.

  [I feel as if the light shines more beautifully than ever. If only we are lucky, the Zenith's Divine will bless us with its presence. After all these millennia.]

  [You should pray, too, Kanell. It will light your way.]

  The man shakes his head.

  [I don't believe in—]

  Cutting himself short, he lets his mind wander. His eyes meet the blinding glare of the tower.

  Slowly closing his eyes, he breathes in before muttering something under his breath.

  Alice smiles in satisfaction, spurring her horse further along the road.

  [Don't stray too much.]

  Hinozu kicks the horse lightly, forcing Kanell to calm the animal. Glancing back in irritation, the man decides to stay silent, approaching Alice.

  The horses rest for a short while. Then, with a single breath, they trot through the grasslands.

  Crumbling buildings and raging fires are left behind, with Alfie galloping swiftly towards them.

  A few screams echo. Jarring, desperate for life.

  Kanell flinches, eyes shut.

  This time, the cost won't be the same.