Kou was in another world. A world of dreams. A world of hope.

  He was alive. He was breathing. He was happy.

  The air was fresh, carrying the scent of blooming flowers and warm sunlight. The sky stretched endlessly above—a floating island in a sea of clouds. When Kou peered over the edge, he saw layers of clouds drifting below, like stairways leading to nowhere. Above, a radiant rainbow arched across the sky, casting soft hues over the endless green fields.

  All around him, the animals watched with quiet adoration—a bunny, a cat, a wolf, a giraffe, an elephant, even a unicorn. Creatures that had no reason to exist together stood side by side, living in perfect harmony. They weren’t just animals; they were his family.

  Kou danced like a ballerina, spinning, weightless, floating like a free spirit. His laughter rang out, bright and full of life, echoing through the dreamscape.

  Then, a pair of arms caught him mid-spin, lifting him effortlessly.

  A figure stood bathed in a soft, ethereal glow—her flowing white gown draped like mist woven into fabric. She looked almost unreal—an angel, a dream, something too gentle for the world he once knew.

  Kou giggled in her arms, his joy uncontainable.

  “Aww, Kou, dancing in the rainbow again?” she teased, cradling him like an older sister figure. “You know it’s dangerous to jump that high!”

  She gently placed him down, but he couldn’t stop laughing. He tumbled onto the soft grass, his body light as air, his heart full of warmth.

  The woman smiled—a warm, knowing smile. A sisterly smile. Then, suddenly—

  She lunged.

  "Ahh—!!" Kou burst into uncontrollable laughter as she tickled his waist and arms, her fingers merciless.

  "R-Rena! S-Stop! Hahahaha—!"

  Rena grinned playfully, her giggles mixing with his. "Not until you tell me! If you don’t, I might have to tickle you to death, tehehe~!"

  Kou kicked and flailed, laughing so hard tears formed at the corners of his eyes.

  “It’s just… it’s just…” he gasped between giggles. “It’s been so long since I’ve felt this happy… this free…”

  The tickling stopped.

  Rena sat back, chuckling softly, her white-blue eyes shining. "Oh, silly Kou. You've always been here. You've always been safe. What makes you think anything has changed?"

  Kou blinked. "But… I had a bad dream last night."

  Rena's smile faded, replaced with quiet concern.

  "A bad dream?"

  The animals gathered closer, their eyes full of silent understanding, as if they, too, could feel the shift in the air.

  Kou swallowed. "It was strange… terrifying. A world without peace. A world without love. I was trapped in it. I thought… I thought I’d never escape."

  Rena’s grip on his shoulders tightened just slightly.

  She leaned in, her voice soft, reassuring. "Shh, shh… don’t think about that. It was just a nightmare. This is your home. This has always been your home. And it will always be your home. Nothing will change that."

  Kou hesitated.

  A familiar warmth surrounded him. Leon, the wolf, nuzzled against his face, licking his cheek affectionately.

  “Leon, stop~!” Kou laughed, wrapping his arms around the wolf’s neck, burying his face into his fur like a child hugging a beloved stuffed animal.

  A tear slipped down Kou’s cheek, but it wasn’t one of sadness. It was warm, pure—like water filled with life. As it dripped onto Leon’s fur, the wolf let out a howl, his energy seemingly renewed.

  This was happiness.

  This was where he belonged.

  Everything was right.

  Then—

  A voice.

  It cut through the world like a cold wind.

  "KOU!! WAKE UP!!"

  Kou froze.

  The voice. A woman’s voice.

  It rang in his skull, trembling with desperation.

  "PLEASE!!! WAKE UP!!!"

  A shudder ran through him. His body curled inward, his hands clutching his head as the voice grew louder, stronger.

  "I'M SO SORRY!!! PLEASE—WAKE UP!!!!"

  Pain.

  Memories.

  Darkness.

  The world around him cracked.

  The sky darkened.

  Kou screamed into the void.

  Flashes of another life tore through his mind.

  Bullying. Abandonment. Isolation. Pain. Despair. Loneliness. Nowhere to go. Hopelessness.

  Kou fell to his knees, clutching his head, shaking violently.

  The beautiful, perfect dream was falling apart.

  And then—

  Golden light.

  A hand reached for him.

  Before he could sink into the void completely, something pulled him back.

  Kou gasped, his body jolting as warmth wrapped around him.

  Rena.

  She held him tightly, trembling.

  “Thank goodness, Kou…” she whispered, her voice shaky with relief. “You almost got sucked into the void… I thought I lost you.”

  Kou’s breathing was ragged. He turned his head—

  And saw the golden figure.

  At first, it took the form of a woman. Radiant, faceless, yet full of presence. Then—

  It shifted.

  The light shrank, condensing into a small, glowing child.

  A little boy.

  He looked straight at Kou.

  His voice was high-pitched, yet steady. Confident.

  “Don’t worry, Kou. We called for help. You won’t be pulled in again.” Rena said softly.

  The golden child extended his hand.

  Kou hesitated—then slowly reached out, their fingers barely touching.

  The golden boy gave a single nod. Then, he raised his hand high.

  Light exploded outward, flooding the dream world.

  A radiant barrier expanded around them, stretching over the landscape, the sky, the clouds.

  And the golden boy’s voice echoed:

  “None shall pass this barrier, or they will perish from the light.”

  Kou looked around at the golden sparkles surrounding the area. It stunned everyone—Rena, Leon, and the others stared in silent awe. The light wasn’t just bright; it was alive, radiating something deeper than mere energy. It was gentle yet powerful, like a presence that reassured yet commanded absolute authority.

  And in that moment, Kou understood.

  As long as he stayed inside this barrier, nothing could touch him. No one could take him away. No one could harm him. He was safe. Truly, completely safe. A feeling so rare, so foreign, it almost didn’t feel real.

  He wanted to stay here forever.

  3:00 PM – On the Train to Edinburgh

  Amy sat in the first-class car, cradling Kou in her arms. The compartment was quiet, almost empty, save for one or two distant passengers.

  Outside, the sky stretched in a heavy shroud of dark clouds, raindrops scattering against the window in soft, uneven streaks. A typical English afternoon—gray, cold, detached. It made the silence inside feel even deeper. More empty.

  She stared out at the passing landscape, but her eyes kept drifting back to Kou.

  He hadn’t moved. His blank, glassy gaze remained unfocused, his body limp, his spirit somewhere else entirely.

  Amy glanced down at her notepad. Writing had always helped her process things. Missions, intel, battle strategies—putting things into words made them tangible, made them something she could control.

  But this time, it wasn’t working.

  She tapped the pen against the page, her gaze flickering back to Kou every few minutes. His blank, empty stare hadn’t changed. No reaction. No movement.

  Amy exhaled sharply, setting the notepad aside. She reached for her thermos, poured warm water into the cap, and held it near Kou’s lips, tilting it slightly to help him drink.

  Nothing. No response.

  Her fingers tightened around the cup. Her jaw tightened. He hadn’t eaten either. He had no strength to chew. She was running out of time.

  How long can he survive like this?

  She was growing impatient. She needed to get him to Edinburgh as fast as possible. There was a doctor at Sanctuary’s Edinburgh base—a psychiatrist. She had dealt with trauma cases before, treated spies who had been broken down and tortured into unrecognizable states.

  But as Amy studied Kou’s lifeless expression, a flicker of doubt gnawed at her.

  This… wasn’t normal trauma.

  Amy had seen broken men before. She had seen operatives crack under pressure, seen them fall apart after too many years of bloodshed. But Kou? This was different. This wasn’t a breakdown.

  This was absence—almost like a vegetative state.

  Amy clenched her jaw. “Kou… please hang in there. I’ll get you to a psychiatrist soon.”

  “A psychiatrist won’t help that boy, lass.”

  Amy snapped her head to the right.

  An elderly man, likely in his seventies, sat across the aisle. His voice carried a thick Scottish accent, and he gripped a long wooden staff, the kind a pilgrim or an old traveler might carry.

  Amy’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”

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  The old man exhaled deeply, as if weighing his words carefully. “Sorry, lass. I don’t mean to intrude… but that boy’s spirit is long gone. A psychiatrist won’t do a thing.”

  Amy tensed. “Who are you? And what do you know about this?”

  The man chuckled lightly, tapping his staff against the floor.

  “I’m just an old Scot heading to the Hebrides for a bit of a pilgrimage.” He paused, his eyes settling on Kou with a strange knowingness.

  “But I understand your angst. That boy means a lot to you, doesn’t he?”

  Amy’s throat tightened. She wanted to push back, deny it, but instead, a heavy sigh left her lips. “Yes… he does. And I didn’t realize it until now.” Her voice wavered slightly. “It might be too late… but I’ll do whatever it takes to bring him back.”

  The old man nodded solemnly.

  “Then you must tap into his soul, lass.”

  Amy frowned. “Tap… into his soul?”

  “Aye. Link your soul to his — become the bridge. That’s how you bring his spirit back to the vessel.”

  Amy stared at him, puzzled—but then, Kou’s voice echoed in her mind.

  “Dreams are important.”

  “Please, Amy, don’t run from them.”

  “They are made… just for you.”

  She closed her eyes, exhaling slowly. She didn’t fully understand what this man was saying—but she would try.

  Her gaze hardened with resolve. “How do I do that?”

  The old man leaned forward slightly. “Feel his energy. Feel his heart. Feel his spirit. Merge yours with his.”

  “His spirit may be gone now, but his vessel still acts as a portal to it. You will find him once you enter the portal.”

  Amy swallowed. This was beyond anything she had been trained for. But logic didn’t matter anymore—Kou was slipping away, and she couldn’t lose him.

  She took a deep breath and leaned down, pressing her forehead gently against Kou’s.

  Whispering straight into his heart.

  “Kou… I’m sorry.” Her voice trembled.

  “I’m sorry for leaving you. For treating you like just a mission. For lying to you.”

  Tears burned her eyes, but she refused to stop.

  “The truth is… you matter to me more than I ever allowed myself to admit. You made my world brighter, even though I am nothing but void. You made me smile. You made me remember parts of myself I thought were gone forever.”

  A tear slipped down her cheek.

  “You’ve restored my spirit. And now… I want to restore yours.”

  Amy’s voice broke.

  She hugged him tighter, holding him close like he might slip away if she let go.

  I promise. From now on, I will always be on your side—no matter what. So please…

  Her hands clenched into the fabric of his clothes.

  Wake up.

  It was at that moment Amy saw an enormous light flashing through her eyes—blinding, all-consuming.

  Then… a sudden pull.

  Her consciousness was being sucked into a spiraling light, like a white hole dragging her spirit into another dimension.

  When the light faded, she found herself floating in an unfamiliar realm.

  "Am I even on Earth?"

  Amy turned in place, scanning the vast space around her. Clouds drifted freely beneath her feet. Her body felt strange—light, untethered. She glanced down and froze.

  Her outfit had changed.

  She was dressed in the same casual attire from her vacation cover with Kou. And her feet—they weren’t touching the ground.

  Right… physics doesn’t apply in a dream world.

  But is this really a dream? Or am I just hallucinating? She thought. It was far beyond her comprehension.

  She hovered through the clouds as she spotted something in the distance—a floating island, suspended in the sky like a world of its own.

  Curious, she drifted toward it.

  As she approached, a magnificent rainbow became vibrantly visible, stretched across the sky, arching over the island like a celestial bridge.

  The air was different here—lighter, softer, humming with an unexplainable warmth.

  Tiny droplets of water floated through the air, reflecting light like shimmering mirrors.

  Amy caught one on her fingertip, and to her surprise, the reflection showed her own face, clearer than any glass.

  She hesitated. Then instinctively, brought the droplet to her lips.

  The moment it touched her tongue, a surge of energy coursed through her. It was so pure, so full of life—unlike anything she had ever tasted.

  Amy reached the edge of the floating island and landed lightly on the soft grass. The ground was impossibly lush, warm like a sunlit meadow.

  The island was surreal. A colossal tree stood at its center, its branches heavy with vibrant fruit, swaying gently in an unseen breeze.

  The entire scene resembled a paradise, a dreamlike Garden of Eden. Birds soared through the sky in perfect synchronization, moving as though performing an intricate dance. Bubbles drifted upward, scattering in the air like tiny bursts of stardust.

  And then, she saw him.

  Kou.

  Sitting beneath the great tree, his laughter rang through the air—A soft, genuine laugh untouched by sorrow. He sat while blowing bubbles into the wind, his joy pure and unfiltered.

  It was not what she expected to see and… he wasn’t alone.

  A wolf, a cat, and a giraffe rested at his side, as if guarding him. But Amy’s gaze locked onto the figure sitting beside him—a woman draped in flowing white, her presence glowing with an ethereal softness.

  Amy’s chest tightened.

  "Who is she…?"

  For the first time in years, Amy felt something unfamiliar crawl through her heart. Jealousy? No. Fear.

  Fear of losing...

  The Void cannot be jealous.

  But he looked… so happy.

  Amy forced herself forward, moving closer to Kou’s direction. But as she did, something changed.

  The very air around her shifted.

  A warmth, a light—an overwhelming embrace of pure love and peace wrapped around her, almost smothering.

  Her breath hitched. Why… Why was she crying?

  Tears fell before she even realized. The emotions flooding this place weren’t just Kou’s—they were seeping into her. They pulled at something deep inside her, a part of her she had long forgotten.

  A memory.

  A distant shore. A vast, endless sky—The Isle of Skye in Scotland.

  She had been so young then, too young to remember. But the feeling—this overwhelming sense of warmth was the same.

  Something cracked inside her.

  "What… is this…?"

  She had never felt anything like this before. Not since her mother, whom she had only recently begun to believe was real.

  Who am I…?

  Amy questioned as she tried to understand her emotions.

  Joy, warmth, kindness, and even love. Emotions she had learned to imitate so convincingly that even she had begun to forget what was real.

  But this place… this wasn’t fake.

  The Void was no longer empty.

  Amy clutched her chest as something inside her was suddenly filled.

  Her wounds, both physical and unseen, healed in an instant. The dark stain of her past began to dissolve.

  For the first time in her life, she felt whole.

  And then—

  "KOU!!!"

  Amy yelled as tears flowed from her eyes. She sprinted toward him.

  But before she could reach him—

  CRACK.

  A lightning bolt struck down in front of her, sending her tumbling backward.

  Amy hit the ground hard, a sharp jolt of electricity rippling through her body. Pain shot through her, raw and unfamiliar.

  Her breath trembled as she forced herself up.

  "Did I just… feel pain…?"

  This world wasn’t supposed to have pain.

  Her fingers dug into the grass as she pushed herself up, eyes narrowing at the figure standing before her.

  Golden. Radiant. Unyielding.

  A boy—or rather, something in the form of a boy—stood before her, his body composed entirely of golden energy, glowing with divine intensity. He had no real expression—just a strong unwavering presence.

  Amy's muscles tensed instinctively, her mind shifting into combat readiness. But when she reached for the Void within her, there was nothing.

  Her most lethal weapon was useless here.

  And anytime she tried to shift into cold deadly eyes, she was immediately forced to revert back to her original state.

  There was no pretending here—no masks.

  The golden boy's voice rang out—steady, powerful, absolute.

  “You shall not pass any further. You are not welcome here. Leave, now.”

  Amy responded while clenching her fists. "I came for Kou."

  The golden figure did not move, but his voice continued.

  “Or else, you will perish by the light.” A deep masculine voice rang through the entire island as wind slashed through Amy violently and her hair blew backwards.

  Amy stood her ground. She did not yield.

  Her body was battered, but her will was absolute.

  She wasn’t leaving without Kou.

  “Who are you?” Her voice rang back, her eyes facing directly at the golden boy. “I need to talk to Kou. I have something important to confess.”

  She took a step forward. “Please. Let me talk to him.”

  The golden figure remained motionless. His tone also remained the same.

  “The Divine One does not wish to speak with anyone.”

  Amy's eyes narrowed. "The Divine One...? You mean Kou?"

  “He is the creator of this realm and the rightful master.”

  Her heart clenched. "Then who are you?"

  “I am the rightful guardian spirit. I will keep the Divine One safe at all times.”

  ”And at all costs.” He glared as he spoke.

  A sudden chill sent down to Amy’s spine, as she found her body shivering, not truly understanding why.

  This was foreign territory.

  Dream realms. Divine energy. Nothing she had ever been trained to navigate.

  Her entire life had been built on logic, tactics, control. None of it applied here.

  For the first time, she understood what it felt like to be Kou—thrown into a world she could barely comprehend.

  Amy took a steady breath. In the spy world, one mistake meant death. This was no different.

  She turned back to the golden figure, her voice firm.

  “Kou’s body isn’t well. He’s not eating, not drinking. His breathing is shallow, and his heart is weakening.”

  “If he stays here, he will die."

  "The only way to save him is to bring his spirit back.”

  She stepped forward. “I need to talk to him.”

  The guardian remained silent.

  A quiet breeze drifted between them.

  Then, the golden figure finally spoke.

  “He does not wish to return to his vessel. His decision is final.”

  Amy clenched her fists. A deep, sinking sadness settled in her chest.

  "So this is really his choice…?"

  Her voice was quieter now. “I’m going to talk to him.”

  "No. You will not. Leave."

  Amy didn't hesitate—she ran straight toward Kou’s direction.

  BANG!

  An invisible golden force slammed into her, sending her flying backward.

  Electricity surged through her skin as she crashed onto the grass, her hands immediately recoiling from the burn.

  Amy gritted her teeth. Even the shield itself was electrified.

  She pushed herself back up, her eyes locked on the figure.

  Alright, so brute force is useless.

  But before she could react—

  FLASH!

  The golden figure teleported directly in front of her, his body radiating raw energy.

  “I have warned you.”

  A streak of yellow lightning shot toward her—

  Amy barely twisted in time, the bolt grazing her right foot as she rolled across the grass, gasping.

  The strike vanished into the horizon behind her.

  Her leg seized from the aftershock, electricity crackling across her skin. Her right shoe disintegrated into ash.

  She kicked off the other one.

  I’m not losing him again.

  Amy stood back up.

  Then, she screamed.

  “KOU!!! KOU!!!!!”

  Her voice tore through the dream world.

  The golden figure didn’t flinch.

  “It’s futile. He does not hear you, nor does he see you.”

  She charged again. The shield repelled her outward as brutal shockwaves sent her flying back.

  Black burns marred her hands, her outfit torn from the energy surging through her body.

  A sharp metallic taste filled her mouth as her nerves screamed in pain.

  But still—she forced herself back up.

  Again.

  She dashed forward—her vision already flickering.

  With her fist, she surged forward, throwing the punch as hard as she could.

  BANG!

  The barrier threw her back harder than before.

  She hit the ground, coughing, her entire body shaking.

  The golden figure moved forward, his energy rising suddenly.

  "You have defiled the Divine One’s space. For that, you shall perish by the light."

  Above, the sky split open, thunder roared.

  A massive bolt of divine energy hurtled toward her, glowing with finality.

  Amy barely had time to react—the sheer force of the attack sent her crashing into the earth, a surge of electricity engulfing her.

  She screamed.

  Every muscle burned. Every nerve fried.

  But she still tried to crawl forward—through the pain—through the light.

  Her voice broke, her body shuddering—she called.

  “KOU…! Kou…!!!”

  "AAAAHHHHH!”

  The sound of her suffering echoed across the entire realm.

  -

  Inside the shield—Kou flinched immediately.

  A shiver ran through him. He felt it.

  A crack—small, nearly imperceptible—split across the sky.

  And Kou… heard something.

  A voice.

  A voice full of pain. A voice full of desperation.

  His eyes flickered.

  ‘Who...?’

  Then—

  Kou turned toward the sound.

  A wave of memories rushed through him.

  The rescue. Amy’s nightmares. The warmth of her embrace.

  The train ride. The miniature farmhouse she bought for him.

  The restaurant in the garden. The apple pie in the meadow.

  A thousand moments, brief but bright, flickered in his mind like candlelight.

  He remembered the moments of joy, of laughter—of belonging.

  He remembered Amy.

  His steps were slow at first... Then, with a deep, unshakable pull in his chest, he sprinted.

  The barrier did not resist him.

  He simply stepped through like it was nothing.

  And then, he saw Amy screaming.

  Kou's breath caught in his throat.

  As he witnessed a bolt of divine lightning striking her down, her body collapsing in flames and agony.

  “STOP!!!!” He screamed.

  The golden figure froze. The sky itself seemed to hold its breath.

  Amy lay on the ground, her body burned, her breath faint.

  Kou ran to her, falling to his knees beside her.

  But the moment his fingers brushed her skin—

  ZZT!

  A surge of static shock repelled him, forcing him back.

  Kou’s hands trembled as he stared at her.

  Her spirit was starting to fade, but somehow, she was still conscious.

  She lifted her head slightly, her eyes barely open.

  She smiled softly.

  “Kou…” she whispered.

  “I’m… sorry… for leaving you behind.”

  Kou was speechless. Horror froze his body, but inside, his heart wept, aching with every word she spoke.

  Amy’s fingers twitched, as if trying to reach for him.

  “Spending… time with… you… I really… enjoyed… those moments.”

  “Thank… you...”

  Tears pooled in Kou’s eyes.

  “Amy…”

  Her voice was fading. “I promise… from now on…”

  Her breath shuddered.

  “I will always be… on your side.”

  Kou shook his head violently.

  “No, stop, don’t—”

  “No matter… what.”

  Her eyes slowly closed.

  Her body began to fade.

  Kou’s heart shattered.

  "NO—WAIT!! AMY!! DON’T GO YET!!!”

  His hands desperately reached for her—

  A surge of light burst from Kou’s hands, and in a single movement, he pulled Amy inside the barrier.

  The golden light did not reject her this time.

  Kou held her close, his tears spilling over her fading spirit.

  "Amy, please—wake up!"

  His voice was breaking.

  He clutched her so desperately—as if holding her in his arms would keep her in this world.

  Tears dripped down his face onto her burns.

  The wounds began to heal.

  Kou didn’t notice at first—he was too lost in his grief.

  But Rena did.

  The animals gathered, watching silently.

  Even the golden guardian stood still.

  A spark of light flashed across the sky, spiraling into waves of shimmering stars. The realm shifted—day turning to night, night to day, a kaleidoscope of time folding upon itself.

  Amy stirred.

  She woke to find herself lying on Kou’s lap. His face was wet with tears, but he smiled—one last time—before a flash of light swallowed her vision.

  The world rushed past her. Reality folded at immense speed.

  Amy shut her eyes—

  And opened them again.

  She was back.

  The rhythmic hum of the train, the soft fabric of the first-class seat beneath her.

  The old man was gone.

  She turned toward the window. The rain still drizzled, but the sky was clearing. A bright rainbow arched above the horizon.

  Kou was sleeping peacefully on her lap.

  The strap of the front-carry harness was undone.

  Amy froze.

  Then—

  “Amy…” Kou murmured softly.

  A slow breath left her lips, her heart finally settling.

  She smiled genuinely, full of relief.

  Her hand drifted to his hair, stroking it gently.

  “Thank goodness… Kou.”

  -

  Meanwhile, in the abandoned railway of Birmingham, stood Jack, waiting.

  He stared at the empty tracks that should have led him to his prey.

  He had planned everything—down to the finest detail.

  The railway was one of Sanctuary’s top-secret bases, known only to high-ranking operatives.

  He’d positioned his men here two days in advance, setting up the perfect ambush.

  Amy should have taken the straight course from London to Birmingham.

  But she didn’t.

  Instead, she had delayed the trip by an entire day—stopping at Stow-on-the-Wold of all places.

  Why?

  Jack’s jaw tightened. Amy wasn’t reckless. She was practical, efficient, and always ahead of the game.

  The Amy he knew wouldn’t waste time on detours or sentiment.

  The Amy he respected—feared—calculated her every move with ruthless precision.

  But she hesitated.

  Jack’s fingers curled into a fist, slamming against the cold concrete wall. The realization was infuriating.

  She changed.

  Jack exhaled sharply, forcing himself back into control. Tactical pride burned in his chest—this wasn’t just a failed plan. This was an upset in the game.

  His phone crackled with static as he switched it on. A voice came through the encrypted line.

  "What do we do, Colonel Jack?"

  Jack’s grip tightened around the device. He didn’t hesitate.

  "Edinburgh."

  The call cut.

  Jack stood in the dimly lit tunnel, phone still clenched in his hand. His golden eyes flickered with something dangerous—a calculated fire beneath his calm exterior.

  They won’t run away from us this time.

  From me.

  Jack ‘O Lantern.