[You dishonor us.]

  Alfie walks alongside the horse, feeding an apple to the animal.

  [It is because we do these acts that we must continue to oblige.]

  [Now’s not the time, Alfie.]

  Alice’s voice reaches his ears, resulting in a deep sigh from him.

  The sun casts long shadows around as it sinks behind the mountains, few trees scattered around the nearly flat expanse of grass. Hooves kick tiny rocks from the road.

  A light breeze sweeps through.

  [It may be too late if we don’t address this at this moment.]

  Tossing the apple’s core on the ground, he continues speaking.

  [Firstly, you naively brought the remainder of a human being into the operation, sacrificing your only weapon on the way. And now, you dare speak of leaving the Order.]

  Kanell stares ahead, an uneasy expression on his face.

  [Many people have left before you. Those who have then polluted the lands—]

  [Are you saying I’m going to do the same thing as them? Come on, Alfie. Alfred. Sometimes… I also think and hope about living a simple life.]

  [Impossible. Utterly impossible. How will you be able to look into your child’s eyes, as if you had not—]

  A soft, whistled tune silences him, followed by the horse’s neighing, stopped short by Kanell. The man turns, meeting Hinozu’s gaze.

  [Stay silent.]

  The singing tune continues, soothing to the ears. It seems to come from nowhere at all.

  The group moves, though slowly, gazes set ahead adamantly.

  Hinozu rocks back and forth, smiling widely as he hears it. Just as a groan escapes him, Alfie muffles it, pressing his hand fiercely on the boy’s face.

  A loud screeching pierces their ears as the wind lifts abruptly.

  Far above in the sky, a gigantic creature soars, flapping its three pairs of wings simultaneously. Pure white in color, it laps around the entirety of the place, engulfing everything in shadow.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  Its long, feathered tail sways by the wing before lifting the creature in the sky, where it disappears through the clouds, its silhouette present somewhere above.

  Alice shudders.

  [What’s that thing doing here?!]

  She says between clenched teeth.

  [Migration. End of the summer, right?]

  [Correct.]

  Alfie releases Hinozu’s face.

  [Ouch.]

  He mutters.

  [As I was saying…]

  Alice: [Leave it be. I don’t think anyone wants to discuss that right now, Alfie.]

  Kanell: [Why are you this reluctant to the idea? I get it. You have your own set of ideals, and whatnot. I have mine, too, alright?]

  [I did bad things. Okay. I get it.]

  [We all did, sure. It doesn’t mean, not even for a single second, that I’ll do something like that again.]

  The man’s voice rises.

  [I didn’t even want to do them when there was every single justification you could’ve mustered up!]

  [I do not—]

  [And now, you’re telling me I can’t leave it behind, even after I intend to fix things? Have I ever said I was leaving without doing what needed to be done? Listen, Alfred. I won’t do any of the things you expect me to do… when I leave. And I’m sorry for you, trying to live with that mangled face of yo—]

  The horse stumbles, throwing Kanell and Hinozu to the ground. Clutching his head, he tries to calm the horse down, giving up as it runs off ahead.

  A frustrated grunt escapes from Alfie, lowering his head at Alice’s bewildered expression.

  [Why did you do that, Alfie?]

  She asks. Alfie reaches for his sword, gripping tightly at the sheath.

  [I-I’m sorry. I cannot stand the staining of my being. I understand the act I have done, and I apologize.]

  With ragged breaths, he approaches the two, helping them stand. A muscle moves in Kanell’s jaw, though he focuses on patting dust off himself.

  [Don’t…]

  Hinozu starts a sentence, falling short of words before he closes his mouth. Alfie and Kanell run towards the anxious horse, leaving Hinozu and Alice behind.

  [Wrath really is the end of any person.]

  She meets Hinozu’s gaze.

  [Wouldn’t have happened if they were mindful of the light. Come on, we have to catch up.]

  She starts walking towards them, with the young man following closely.

  [You’re going to recover soon, right?]

  [You’re pretty much a liability right now.]

  [Not to say, really useless.]

  Hinozu keeps walking, gaze jumping from one rock to another.

  [Who were you, before… this? What happened?]

  Silence.

  [Sorry. It must be hard.]

  Approaching the men, she helps Hinozu mount the horse. Kanell grabs the reins tightly, distancing himself from the group.

  [Hey, uh, Hinochu. I’m sorry for what happened there.]

  [You did nothing, and still got hit. Sorry.]

  [So, um… have you decided yet? The—]

  [I…]

  He whispers.

  [Can I accept, Ayumu?]

  [Uh… who are yo—]

  [Is it too late? It was worthless…]

  [Please…]

  Kanell stays silent, too confused to respond. He feels the young man’s head pressing on his back.

  Night falls in agonizing silence. The road ahead still stretches far, now impossible to see in the midst of the darkness.

  Tiny pebbles light up, flashing bright yellow before dimming to a stable, warm light through the whole dirt path.

  And tired, though tirelessly, they continue on it.

  A few hours pass.

  Kanell’s eyelids feel heavy, ears ringing through the chirping of nearby crickets.

  Alice quickens her pace, approaching the man. Kanell slows the horse down to match her stride.

  [Kanell.]

  [Hm?]

  [We can’t afford to rest. Not today, at least.]

  [I know.]

  He groans.

  [How’s Alfie doing?]

  [As always.]

  [… Alright.]

  [Are you scared of something, Kanell?]

  Kanell ponders for a short while, feeling the cold wind on his skin.

  [Not really. If you’re asking my motivation for leaving, now of all times… It’s nothing I haven’t said already.]

  [You’ve always been confusing. Morals so high for someone so uncommitted.]

  She chuckles.

  [I don’t need a high-ranking official or someone living within the universe’s light to tell me how I should behave.]

  [Though they are wiser and more powerful than we are.]

  [That may be right. But they let bad things happen. If it’s up to us to solve the world’s problems, it’s up to us to determine which ones we should. And for me, it’s all of it, instead of what benefits me.]

  Something cuts his skin, blood dripping down his cheekbone. The blade rests in Alice’s hand.

  [Say, if I cut every single person on these lands, does it make me guilty of violence, or the indecent use of a weapon?]

  Kanell retrieves his water skin, washing the stinging cut.

  [Both.]

  Alice smiles.

  [Foolish. Doesn’t that worldview make you ignorant, instead of the philosopher you believe you are?]

  [I never said I consider myself wise. Just enough to leave false honor and duty behind.]

  He says, scratching his head. Alice falls back, further slowing her pace.

  [I agree. Though that isn’t enough for me to leave.]

  Kanell focuses ahead, eyes set on the glowing way.