新しい始まり
The village slowly returned to calm after a harrowing night. The frightened villagers began emerging from their hiding places. Some looked toward the damaged houses, including Ryu’s, which was now nothing more than a pile of rubble.
Under the fading moonlight, several villagers gathered to help one another. The men worked on repairing roofs, while the women salvaged what belongings they could. The children, who had been terrified, slowly resumed their play, though the shadows of the previous night’s events still lingered over them.
Ryu and his parents stood in front of their ruined home, staring at the remnants of walls that were barely standing. His father let out a deep sigh. “Our house... there’s nothing left.”
His mother held his father’s hand, trying to comfort him. “We’re alive, and that’s what matters. We can rebuild.”
Ryu felt guilt welling up inside him as he surveyed the destruction. Though he knew it wasn’t entirely his fault, he couldn’t ignore the fact that it had all happened because of him. “Father, Mother... I’m sorry,” he said softly.
His mother knelt down, placing her hands on his shoulders. “No, Ryu. You have nothing to apologize for. You protected us, and you did your best.”
His father managed a faint smile, patting Ryu on the head. “That’s right, son. We’re proud of you. Now, we just have to focus on surviving.”
A neighbor, an elderly man named Thomas, approached them. “Haze family, you can sleep under the tent we’ve set up for now. It’s not much, but at least you can rest there.”
Ryu and his family thanked him and made their way to the tent in the center of the village. The tent was simple, made of plain cloth with straw mats for bedding, enough to accommodate the three of them. Other families were also gathered in similar tents, sharing stories of what had just happened.
Once inside, Ryu lay in a corner, staring at the sky through a small gap in the tent. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts—Draven, the sudden power that had awakened within him, and Toru’s voice that continued to guide him.
“I just wanted a normal life,” he thought to himself. “Why does everything have to be so complicated?”
Toru’s voice gently echoed in his mind. “Your life may never be normal again, Ryu. But trust me, you have the strength to protect the ones you love. Don’t give up.”
Ryu closed his eyes, trying to fall asleep. However, the memory of Draven and the dark energy he had faced haunted him. He felt as though he was being watched, even though he knew Draven was gone.
The next morning, as the sun rose, the village came alive with activity. The villagers worked hard to rebuild their damaged homes. Ryu’s father joined in, even though his body was still recovering from the previous night’s strain.
Ryu, still exhausted, decided to help as well. He carried wooden planks, stacked bricks, and did whatever he could. Every time he felt the fatigue creeping in, he remembered Toru’s words: “To protect means to fight, even for the smallest things.”
Meanwhile, his mother cooked in a makeshift kitchen alongside other village women. Though visibly tired, she smiled, trying to lift everyone’s spirits.
By nightfall, the village looked more orderly. Several houses had been repaired, while others were still in progress. The tent where Ryu’s family stayed now felt warmer, with extra blankets and an oil lamp provided by their neighbors.
Before going to bed, Ryu sat outside the tent, gazing at the starry sky. In his heart, he felt stronger than before, even though the weight of his responsibilities had grown heavier.
“I’ll protect them,” he thought. “No matter what, I won’t let anyone harm my family again.”
With that resolve, Ryu went back inside and lay down between his father and mother. Though the night was still cold, he felt a warmth that came from the love and support of his family. His journey was only just beginning, but he knew he wasn’t alone.
