PART 1: WHITE
Chapter 8 - A Relentless Struggle
After the Raid...
The two of them kept walking deeper into the forest, their steps heavy…
It had been two days since they left the town.
After the ruins of shattered homes and devastated streets, they had turned to the forest in search of a safe shelter. The sky loomed overhead like a gray shroud, and the branches above hung like slender fingers. Pale beams of light filtered through, casting an eerie glow on the narrow path they walked.
The trees surrounding them resembled oak trees on Earth, but not quite. Their leaves looked like green-tinted glass—translucent, shimmering like broken shards when touched by light. When the wind blew, the leaves trembled and collided softly, producing chime-like sounds, akin to glass bells ringing in harmony.
Occasional bird calls and the rustling of small animals could be heard. But these were familiar, harmless sounds—not unsettling, more like nature's monotonous background music.
As time passed, the silence between Mahey and Inou began to ease, if only slightly. Mahey could sense the deep, complicated emotions in Inou's eyes. There was a trauma inside him, one he couldn't suppress—and Mahey could understand that. But understanding, sometimes, wasn't enough.
"There's nothing we can do... life is merciless," Mahey muttered to himself at one point.
...
After a while, they stopped by a stream. The water was crystal clear, and the sound of it flowing between the stones was almost soothing to the soul. Their stomachs growled from hunger, and Inou looked around, then pointed at a tree in the distance:
— We can eat the fruit from that one.
— Are you sure?
Mahey hesitated briefly. But then remembered that Inou was native to this world, and nodded.
— Yes.
Without a second thought, Inou headed toward the tree. He climbed swiftly among the branches like a nimble monkey. Mahey watched him in awe—his graceful and sudden movements made him look like someone who had lived in the forest for years.
He picked fruit the size of walnuts, smooth and translucent, as if made from wax. After gathering two handfuls, he descended just as effortlessly. The fruit shimmered in pastel tones under the daylight.
— Got them...
— You're like a monkey.
— …
Inou didn't respond. Mahey, considering his emotional state, let the comment go.
They ate the fruits silently. They were mildly sweet and refreshing, leaving a cool sensation in the mouth.
Then they resumed their journey...
...
By evening, they reached a moss-covered cave hollow. The inside was narrow and damp. Moss hung from the ceiling like natural curtains. As they stepped in, the stones beneath their feet crunched faintly.
They had no means to start a fire. As darkness fell, it felt as if the forest's heart had swallowed them. They sat back-to-back. The silence that settled over them wasn't suffocating, but it was heavy.
After a while, Mahey broke the silence:
— Inou?
— Hm.
— Do you have any living relatives?
— One.
Mahey paused a few seconds, then carefully chose his words:
— If you want, we can go to them. This kind of life must be hard for you. I'll accompany you on the way. Okay?
Inou's face suddenly darkened, but he still gave a short answer:
— Okay.
— Good then.
Mahey felt a bit relieved by that answer. He could fulfill the promise he made to himself—to protect Inou. For someone his age, that promise was a heavy burden. He had the strength of a child in his own body, and now faced a dangerous world alone. So taking Inou to his relatives seemed like the most logical option.
"At least," he thought, "I can repay the kindness shown to me by that old woman—Inou's grandmother."
Even though she was no longer alive, the debt of kindness still lived within Mahey.
"In this life, at the very least, I'm a person with a conscience..."
But then he wondered:
How good is conscience, really?
Was it just a burden that limited a person's actions?
Or was it one of the fundamental virtues that made someone truly human?
In his previous life, those limits had vanished. His conscience had dulled. He felt no remorse for his actions, carried no weight of the past.
"How can someone who doesn't regret their cruelty be a good person?"
But now, in this new life, his conscience still lived. That was a chance. This time, he had to choose the right path.
With these thoughts, his eyes grew heavy, and he drifted into a deep sleep...
...
By morning, they were on the move again. The area was covered in thickets, and they had to watch their steps carefully. After a few more paces, a large lake emerged between the trees.
Its surface was nearly flawless—like it was made of glass. The bottom was clearly visible. Colorful fish glided slowly through the water.
"I guess the Blue Flame calculated a lot of things before sending me here," Mahey thought.
Then, he started searching for a sharp stick to catch some fish. After finding a suitable branch, he turned to Inou:
— I'll try to catch some fish.
Inou gave a small nod, silently watching him.
Mahey approached the lake. As he stepped into the water, he felt its chill through his entire body. His first attempts failed—the fish were fast, but Mahey was determined.
Finally, after several tries, he caught his first fish. He turned to look at Inou with a smile...
But then, a piercing scream shattered the lake's calm.
— No!
He whipped his head around and saw Inou on the shore, facing a wild dog with matted fur, looking sick and aggressive. Its eyes were bloodshot, drool dripping from its mouth, growling with bared teeth. It was crouched back, ears flat against its head.
Inou, terrified, covered his face with his hands:
— No! I don't want to die!
SHRKK!
Without a moment's hesitation, Mahey lunged forward with the sharp stick. He drove it into the dog's belly with all his strength. The animal twisted and clamped its jaws onto Mahey's arm.
A deadly struggle began. Mahey tried to pull the stick out, while the dog leapt at him, forcing him to the ground. Mahey's arms shielded his neck as the dog continued its assault, its teeth tearing into bare flesh.
The pain from the stick slowed the beast. Seizing a moment's opening, Mahey rolled to the side, yanked the stick out, and struck again. Over and over—wild, furious stabs...
The sand around them scattered with each blow, and their thrashing bodies flung blood across the shore.
Inou was frozen in terror. His body was rooted in place, like a stone.
As the dog writhed in its final moments, it bit into Mahey's leg. Mahey cried out in pain but didn't let go of the stick. His teeth clenched tight. At last, the creature slowed... and went still.
Exhausted, Mahey collapsed onto the sand beside the dog. His blood flowed toward the lake's edge...
Inou screamed and ran toward him:
— Mahey!
End of Chapter 8