予期せぬ出会い
A bright morning enveloped the village. Ryu sat by a small stream, not far from the tent where his family was temporarily staying. His face was serious, weighed down by thoughts of everything that had happened since that terrifying night. The gentle sound of flowing water helped to soothe his restless mind.
Suddenly, he sensed someone approaching from behind. Before he could turn, a pair of soft hands wrapped around him. Ryu froze, startled but unable to move, as the unfamiliar yet comforting touch enveloped him.
"At last, I’ve found you," a gentle voice whispered into his ear.
The woman hugged Ryu tightly, her delicate hand brushing his cheek. Slowly, Ryu turned, his face filled with confusion. Standing before him was a strikingly beautiful woman, appearing to be in her twenties, with long, shimmering hair that caught the sunlight. Her blue eyes radiated warmth, but there was something mysterious in her gaze.
"W-who are you?" Ryu stammered, his cheeks flushing red.
The woman smiled softly, her lips curving perfectly. "My name is Lyra. I’ve been searching for you for a long time, Ryu Haze."
Ryu’s confusion deepened. "Searching for me? Why? I don’t even know you."
Lyra stepped closer, her gaze locking onto his with an intensity that made his heart race. "You may not know me yet, but I know you. You are the last descendant of King Toru. And I... am your protector."
Ryu stepped back slightly, struggling to process what he had just heard. "My protector? What does that mean? I don’t need a protector."
Lyra chuckled softly and then sat down beside him. "Ryu, you don’t realize it, but your enemies are growing in number. Draven was only the beginning. I’m here to make sure you survive, no matter what."
Ryu studied her, trying to discern the truth in her eyes. "Why do you care? You don’t even know me."
Lyra sighed gently. "Because it’s my destiny. I’ve been bound to your family for generations. Toru once saved my family long ago, and in return, I swore to protect his descendants."
Ryu fell silent, his thoughts racing. He wanted to reject Lyra’s help, but deep down, he knew the threat from King Shin still loomed. Finally, he said, "Alright. If you want to help, I won’t stop you. But I don’t want you sacrificing yourself for me."
Lyra’s warm smile returned. "I won’t sacrifice myself, Ryu. I’ll fight alongside you."
Just then, the sound of footsteps approached. Ryu’s parents emerged from the trees, relief and curiosity evident on their faces. His mother spoke first, "Ryu, who is this young lady?"
Ryu stood up, unsure how to explain his sudden encounter with Lyra. Before he could answer, Lyra stepped forward, bowing politely. "My name is Lyra. I’m a friend of Ryu."
His father nodded slowly, his gaze cautious, as if trying to assess who Lyra truly was. His mother, on the other hand, offered a warm smile. "It’s nice to meet you, Lyra. If you’re a friend of Ryu, you’re always welcome here."
Lyra returned the smile. "Thank you for your kindness."
That evening, Lyra stayed with Ryu’s family in their tent. She helped his mother with cooking and quickly became friendly with everyone. Ryu, who was usually quiet, felt a little awkward around Lyra. Yet, he couldn’t deny the sense of comfort her presence brought, as though she carried a warmth that was hard to explain.
As the night grew deeper, Lyra sat outside the tent, gazing up at the stars. Ryu joined her, sitting quietly by her side.
"Why are you so determined to protect me, Lyra?" Ryu asked, his tone more serious this time.
Lyra turned to him, her soft smile unwavering. "Because you’re the last hope of this world, Ryu. You may not realize it yet, but your destiny is far greater than you can imagine."
Ryu said nothing, his gaze fixed on the stars above. He knew his journey had only just begun, and with Lyra now by his side, he felt a little more prepared to face whatever lay ahead.
