Return.

Akira: “…”

Where was I?

I could hear the sound of something all around me. Something akin to wind, maybe…?

Holding my breath, I searched for something to see in the darkness.

There was no indication of anyone else nearby.

Perhaps my eyes were adjusting to the dark, or maybe a light had been lit somewhere nearby, but—

Regardless, my surroundings were gradually becoming visible.

There was a couch, and a table… And some flickering candles.

Where was I? I felt wracked with anxiety, the very ground beneath my feet rocking back and forth.

And, come to think of it, I…

Who was I?

Akira: “…!”

Suddenly, I felt something — damp air, huffing unsteadily behind my ear.

As if someone had sighed against my flesh.

Despite the lack of wind, I saw the candles flicker.

Terror shot through me, stiffening my spine. I could sense there was something there, directly behind me.

And yet I was too afraid to turn around.

Akira: “…Gh!”

Without looking back, I bolted from the room.

But it was pitch-black outside. Terrified, I stumbled backwards.

My only choices were absolute darkness, or a lit room where something might’ve been lurking.

Which was more frightening?

Akira: “A-Anyone…”

Akira: “Is there anyone there…?”

As if in response to my desperate plea, I heard the sound of several footsteps drawing closer from within the darkness.

???: “You’re still here…”

???: “You poor thing… Come, drown with us.”

???: “It’s alright, you’ll be at peace soon…"

???: “No one here ever survives, anyhow…”

The ground continued its incessant, unsteady swaying. Disoriented, I called out—

Akira: “Um… Sorry, did you say no one survives…?”

I could hear the faint sound of a music box coming from somewhere.

Soundlessly, the black clouds overhead began to part, and the cold, silver light of the moon lit up my surroundings.

The presence I’d been feeling only moments ago vanished.

Now I understood why the ground had been swaying. Apparently, I was on a ship.

…I was on a ship. I felt a wave of dread overtake me as the reality of my situation finally sunk in.

If I was on the sea, then there was nowhere for me to escape to. I had no way of getting home.

Akira: (…Home…? Where is— home, exactly…?)

Just then, someone spoke. Someone standing right in front of me.

??? (Nero): “Don’t move.”

The quiet voice belonged to a young-looking man with a clear gaze.

The atmosphere surrounding him was languid, almost despondent. And yet I still caught a spark of youthfulness in his eyes.

With his hands deep in his pockets, what he said wasn’t so much a threat as it was a gentle warning.

??? (Nero): “This boat is the boss's property now, y’got that? If y’don’t wanna die, y’won’t do anythin’ stupid.”

I felt unnerved. His terrifying words were a sharp contrast to his mild demeanour.

I backed away from the young man unconsciously. Indifferent, he easily closed the distance between us.

If I didn’t want to die… Did that mean he’d kill me if he caught me?

If I tried to run away now, directly in his line of sight, what would he do?

And what would I do? What options did I have, out here in the middle of this dark sea, no escape in sight?

??? (Faust): “Stop. Get away from them.”

Then came a new voice, one that was clear and direct.

The sound of it was reminiscent of a rooster announcing the arrival of the morning sun, sharp yet sincere enough to make a person want to stand to attention.

When I turned, I saw a slender young man with soft, curly hair.

He was looking at me with concern, and his earnest, austere gaze did nothing to hide his kindness nor his strong sense of justice.

??? (Faust): “Have no fear. We’ll protect you.”

??? (Faust): “Lennox!”

??? (Lennox): “Here.”

Summoned by the curly-haired youth, an immensely tall young man appeared.

He wasn’t just tall, either. His body was toned, muscular. Had his expression been aggressive or ferocious, I might’ve felt even more frightened than I already was.

But instead he just seemed calm, his gaze oozing with subtle intelligence and an unshakable level of patience.

And yet he also seemed surprised to see me, his mouth parting—

??? (Lennox): “Master Sage…”

‘Master Sage’.

Was that supposed to mean something to me?

Just then, the wind picked up.

The ship’s sails began to flap violently. And from that gust of wind a dark shape leapt towards us, supple and refined.

Even in the depths of night, I could see it — this beautiful black beast.

It darted between us, quick-witted and nimble.

??? (Faust): “A… Black panther…?”

The wind continued washing away those dark clouds, revealing more of the pallid moon as it shone its light down upon us.

Its radiance was so fierce it was almost blinding. Bathed in such bright moonlight, the ship itself almost seemed to be glowing.

That startlingly bright moon illuminated a boy I hadn’t noticed before, furiously chasing the black panther as it fled.

He was holding a surprisingly large scythe aloft, its blade gleaming with droplets of moonlight.

??? (Shino): “Get back here, you monster! I’ll skin you and present your pelt to Lady Blanchett!”

Each new arrival left me more disoriented than the last.

I felt myself become abruptly overwhelmed by terror, my feet moving of their own volition as if afraid I might not get another chance to flee.

So I ran headfirst into the dark.

??? (Lennox): “Master Sage…!”

I wanted to escape, just as that panther had.

And for a moment, I really felt that I was going to get away.

But…

??? (Oz): “…”

A man holding a large staff suddenly appeared before me.

His expression was utterly inscrutable.

Though he was looking directly at me, he seemed totally indifferent to my presence, as if I wasn’t there at all.

Slowly, he raised his staff—

And I immediately found myself falling.

Akira: “…Huh?!”

But— no, that wasn’t right.

I wasn’t falling, I was being cradled in someone’s arms.

He was a breathtakingly beautiful young man, with eyes that shone two very distinct colours: red and yellow.

Despite his good looks, however, he scowled at me like a sulking child.

??? (Owen): “Tch, what a joke. Why should I have to…”

I noticed then that my view from his arms was unusually high off the ground.

And when I realised why, I was left speechless.

I was flying. Or, more accurately, the young man holding me was flying.

On a broomstick.

What in the world was happening?

Far above, the moon cast its light upon the waves, forming an almost fantastical silver road on the darkened sea.

And from somewhere far below, I heard someone scream.

We wouldn’t be seeing the dawn anytime soon, it seemed.