I. Lurking Shadows
Fog had descended upon the ruins of Kurosen , enveloping every corner in a cold, heavy blanket. The whispers of the city seemed to fade, as if even the wind feared to disturb the silence.
Akihiko and the girl had taken refuge in an old, half-ruined warehouse, where the sap from the roots seeped through the cracks, emitting a faint glow.
But they were not alone.
II. The unexpected attack
Mizuki 's assassins , experts in exterminating without a trace.
Their leader, a scarred man named Kaito , advanced without hesitation.
"The Wounded One and his shadow must die tonight," he ordered in a cold voice.
Akihiko drew his katana with a swift, fluid motion. The girl, though unarmed, began to chant a deep, soulful voice that shook the roots beneath the ground.
III. The clash of steel and sap
The assassins attacked in unison. Akihiko dodged nimbly, his movements synchronized with the rhythm of the melody the girl was singing.
Each cut of his sought not only to wound, but to awaken memories buried in the flesh of his enemies .
The roots responded, emerging from the ground to immobilize one of the attackers.
Kaito, furious, drew a dagger wrapped in a black sap that seemed to corrode the air around him.
The battle became a deadly game between sharp blades and living roots , where the weakest not only died, but was erased from memory.
IV. The voice that breaks the silence
In the middle of the fight, the girl stopped singing and advanced towards Kaito.
With a gesture, the roots surrounded her, and she placed a hand on her chest.
A violet glow emerged from the mark they both shared, and Kaito fell to his knees, trembling, his memories fragmenting.
" Who are you?" he asked fearfully.
"I am the voice that never faded," she replied. "
And you are a name the Tree wants to forget."
With that, the roots completely enveloped him.
V. After the storm
The survivors fled. Akihiko, panting, approached the girl.
—You saved our lives.
She smiled, tired but firm.
—Not just ours.
—Who else's?
—From the memory of the Tree. From those who seek to extinguish it.
Ikari arrived with reinforcements, and the group scattered into the mist, aware that this was only the first of many battles.
VI. Mizuki's shadow stretches
In Valtoria, Mizuki received the report of the ambush.
"Impressive," he murmured. "But not enough."
He ordered further attacks to be prepared, but also to intensify the search for information about the girl.
—If she is the voice, then we must learn to silence her before she sings too loudly.
END OF CHAPTER 87