When Kitamura wakes up, he realizes he is lying on Nagame's lap.

Kitamura: S-Sorry, Nagame, I was really tired.

Nagame: smiling shyly It's okay, Kitamura.

Kitamura: A-anyway, we need to get out of this cave. I think those criminals might have given up on us.

Nagame: Alright, let's go.

They leave the cave.

Kitamura: You know, Nagame, when I find a way, I'm going back home.

Suddenly, as they walk, a monster surrounds them.

Kitamura: What the...?

Kitamura: S-Stay behind me, Nagame.

Nagame runs behind Kitamura.

Then, suddenly, the monster begins to speak.

Monster: Here's the deal: one of you will get out of here alive. One of you will survive, and the other will die. Choose now!

Nagame: What kind of nonsense is this?

Kitamura: W-What do you mean?

Monster: Come on, make your choice.

Kitamura: I'm sorry, Nagame. I didn't want to leave you alone... begins to cry If that's how it is, I choose myself.

The monster attacks Kitamura, and he falls to the ground, bleeding heavily.

Kitamura lies on the ground, barely conscious, his body aching and bleeding.

Nagame: screaming desperately NO, KITAMURA! Runs to him and tries to shake his body. You can't die! Not now, please! I... I can't lose anyone else! I can't!

She begins to cry, holding Kitamura tightly. Her eyes were full of despair, but she didn't want to give up. She didn't want to believe everything was lost.

Nagame: sobbing You promised you'd go back home... you can't leave, Kitamura. Don't leave me alone, please...

Suddenly, a faint, almost imperceptible breath escaped from Kitamura. He was still alive. His body had no strength to move, but his heart was still beating.

With a small spark of hope in her chest, Nagame starts to shake him, calling his name urgently.

Nagame: with a trembling voice Kitamura! Kitamura, please, wake up! I don't know what to do alone! You promised to help me! Please, don't leave me now...!

Kitamura slowly moves a finger, still very weak. He was in critical condition, but something inside him pushed him to fight. His eyes open slowly, and he meets Nagame's anguished face.

Kitamura: in a weak voice Nagame... breathes deeply, trying to stay conscious. I... I won't leave you. I... I won't abandon you...

He tries to get up, but feels a sharp pain in his body. Even so, he manages to partially lean on Nagame, who is by his side, relieved to see him awake.

Nagame: in tears Kitamura, you... you're still with me... smiles, despite the fear and pain.

Kitamura: with difficulty I won't die here... No... breathes deeply, trying to focus. We need... we need to get out of here. We can't... stay still.

Nagame: helping him up I don't know what to do, but we won't stop, Kitamura. If you're still here, it's because there's a chance. No matter what happens, we'll get out of this place.

The two support each other, facing the pain and fear, but with a renewed determination. They continue walking, not knowing what lies ahead, but now with a stronger resolve to face whatever may come.

Kitamura, very weak, ends up fainting.

Nagame: K-Kitamura?? KITAMURA?? Wake up, please.

Nagame takes him back to the cave and begins to care for him.

Three days later

Kitamura opens his eyes: W-Where am I?

Nagame: K-Kitamura, you're awake!! You've been unconscious for the last three days. I thought you wouldn't wake up anymore. I used your cloth to clean your blood; you fainted because you were so weak after nearly dying to that monster.

Kitamura: Y-You know, Nagame... coughs If I ever return to my world, w-would you coughs come with me?

Nagame looks at Kitamura, surprised, with an expression mixed between happiness and apprehension. She holds his hand gently, trying to stay calm despite the situation.

Nagame: in a soft voice You... want me to go with you to your world? I... I never thought about that. I... I'm so scared of being alone again, but... looks into his eyes If you want me to go, maybe I should try. Maybe, there, I could find a new beginning... a place where I no longer have to live in fear.

Kitamura gives a weak smile, still very frail, but relieved to see that Nagame didn't reject him. He takes a deep breath, trying to sit up, but the pain is still intense.

Kitamura: with difficulty If... if I manage to go back, I promise I'll try... to bring you with me. No matter what happens, you won't be alone. I... I won't let you go through all of this alone.

A tear slides down Nagame's face. She gets closer to him, trying to hold him, and whispers:

Nagame: I don't know what the future holds for us, Kitamura... but, for now, I'll be here with you. We'll go through this together, okay?

Kitamura tries to smile, but the pain is strong. Even so, he nods, knowing that, for now, the only thing they can do is move forward.

Kitamura: with a tired smile Thank you, Nagame... you... you're very strong.

Nagame smiles back, though fear and uncertainty still linger. But, for that moment, she felt she had found something worth fighting for: Kitamura's friendship and the promise that, together, they could face whatever came next.

Both look toward the cave's entrance, not knowing what the future held for them, but with a renewed determination, ready to move forward together, as the world around them seemed to crumble.

As Kitamura and Nagame continue their journey, the darkness of the forest starts giving way to a faint light. In the distance, they see something that looks like a village. A sense of relief washes over them; after so much time alone, the simple fact of finding some sign of civilization brings renewed hope.

Nagame: looking at the village Do you think we can rest there? I think... we need help.

Kitamura: trying to smile, but visibly weak I... hope so too. Let's go, maybe we can find something good.

But as they approach, something feels off. The smell of smoke fills the air, mixed with a heavy silence, a feeling of despair that seems to pervade the environment. As they enter the village, they encounter a horrific scene: burned houses, people screaming and running in panic. In the center of the destruction, a colossal monster, with black scales and red eyes, ravages everything in its path, killing anyone in its way.

Kitamura and Nagame hide behind a pile of debris, watching the scene in horror.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Nagame: with eyes wide with fear What... what is that? Who would do something like this?

Kitamura feels a growing anger inside him, but also the excruciating pain throughout his body. His wounds are still unhealed, and he knows he's far from his best form. But seeing that destruction, that monster killing innocents, makes his blood boil. He can't just stand by.

Kitamura: with a muffled shout I... can't let this happen!

Nagame looks at him, desperate, wanting to stop him, but knowing the decision is already made. Kitamura begins to stand, his steps wobbly and painful, but his determination stronger than his physical weakness. He grabs a piece of metal he finds on the ground, improvising a makeshift weapon.

Nagame: yelling Kitamura, no! You can't fight like this; you're too hurt!

Kitamura: with a resolute look I know I'm not in shape, but if we don't do something now, more people will die. I can't... pauses, breathing heavily I can't let this happen as long as I'm alive.

Despite Nagame's words, Kitamura starts walking towards the monster. Every step is painful, but his desire to protect others, to do something good amid the chaos, keeps him moving. He feels the pain in every muscle, but he doesn't stop. When the monster sees him, it lets out a menacing roar, turning towards Kitamura with its eyes blazing with fury.

Monster: in a cavernous voice You want to face this? A mere human?

Kitamura: yelling angrily Yes! I'll face you! I won't let you destroy everything!

Kitamura runs with the piece of metal in his hand, doing his best to dodge the monster's attacks. He knows he's at a disadvantage, but his will to protect the village and Nagame keeps him moving.

Each blow from the monster is a deadly risk, but Kitamura manages to dodge, lightly wounding the beast in the process.

Nagame watches with wide eyes, unable to move, fear consuming her body. She knows Kitamura can't keep fighting for much longer; he's almost out of strength. But she can't do anything except hope for him.

The monster, enraged by the attacks, shoots an energy blast from its claws. Kitamura barely manages to dodge, getting hit in his left shoulder. He falls to the ground, his body trembling with pain. But his eyes still shine with determination.

Kitamura: breathing heavily I... won't... stop now...

Nagame, her eyes filled with tears, watches as Kitamura falls, and for the first time, she feels a deep despair. She doesn't want to lose him, not now. Her heart racing, she runs to his side, throwing herself next to him.

Nagame: desperate Kitamura, please, don't give up! You can't die here!

Kitamura, too weak to get up, still holds the piece of metal in his trembling hand. He looks at Nagame and, with a weak smile, tries to calm her down.

Kitamura: in a hoarse voice I... won't leave... you alone... coughing But... you need to... run... or the monster will...

Before he can finish, the monster approaches, about to deliver the final blow. Fear takes over Nagame, but she feels a wave of determination rising inside her. Without thinking, she grabs the piece of metal from Kitamura's hand and runs toward the monster.

Nagame: shouting No! It’s not going to end like this!

She throws herself at the monster, trying to grab its attention, distracting it long enough to give Kitamura time. The monster looks at her with disdain and charges forward, but just before the impact hits, Kitamura, with one last effort, grabs a stone from the ground and throws it with all his might at the monster's head. The stone hits the creature’s weak spot, making it stagger back momentarily.

The monster, enraged and wounded, lets out a terrifying roar, but the distraction gives Kitamura and Nagame the opening they need. Kitamura, with great effort, gets up, using all his strength to move closer to the creature.

Kitamura: shouting Nagame, now!

In a combined effort, Kitamura and Nagame attack the monster in unison, doing everything they can to defeat it. After a brutal battle, the monster finally falls to the ground, defeated, with a final roar echoing throughout the village.

Both, exhausted and wounded, collapse to the ground, but the sense of victory, even if partial, surrounds them. The monster is defeated, but they know the price was high.

Nagame approaches Kitamura, her heart still racing.

Nagame: tears in her eyes You... you did it... you made it...

Kitamura, almost out of strength, just smiles, exhausted, knowing that, for now, they’ve managed to protect the village. But the future is still uncertain, and their journey continues.

The villagers, who had hidden in fear during the attack, slowly begin to emerge from their hiding places, watching the scene with eyes full of surprise and gratitude. The monster, now defeated, lies on the ground, while Kitamura and Nagame, both exhausted and wounded, are still trying to recover. The few survivors, some still frightened, approach cautiously.

An elderly woman, with gray hair and a tired expression, is the first to step forward. She looks at Kitamura and Nagame with a mix of disbelief and admiration.

Elderly woman: in a trembling voice You... you really managed to... defeat that thing? I can't believe it...

A strong man, with torn clothes and a face covered in dirt, approaches, still with a tense expression, but visibly relieved.

Man: with a hesitant smile I don't know how to thank you two... it seemed like all was lost, but you... you did it. That was... impressive.

Other villagers begin to approach, some with expressions of relief, others with eyes full of tears. Despite the fear and pain that still haunted them, a new spark of hope began to light up in their hearts.

Young woman: with shining eyes You... really saved us. We... we don't know how to thank you.

Nagame, still with tears in her eyes, looks at Kitamura, who can barely stand. She feels a lump in her throat, the pain and fear of everything they had been through still very present. Still, she takes a deep breath and approaches the villagers.

Nagame: in a hoarse voice We don’t need thanks. We only did what needed to be done. What matters is that... everyone is alive.

Kitamura, struggling, lifts himself a little, feeling the pain from his injuries. He looks at the villagers, and despite his exhaustion, manages to give a faint smile.

Kitamura: breathing heavily We... we only did what had to be done... You... you need to rebuild, rise again. The fight isn’t over yet...

The strong man looks at Kitamura, visibly moved, and shakes his head in gratitude.

Man: with a sincere smile You have no idea what this means to us. We’ll... we’ll rebuild what was destroyed. And you two... you can count on us.

Nagame looks at Kitamura, her face still worried but also filled with respect for his courage. She knows that, despite everything they’ve been through, that moment of victory brought something new for both of them – a bond of friendship and a new reason to move forward.

Nagame: looking at Kitamura, with a weak smile Let’s do whatever we can to help, right? We can’t stop now.

Kitamura, still stumbling, nods, knowing that, even amid pain and exhaustion, something much bigger awaited them. They had defeated the monster, but their world was still full of challenges, and now, more than ever, they needed to stick together to move forward.

And so, with the villagers gathering and beginning to rebuild, Kitamura and Nagame, still wounded and tired, knew their journey was far from over. But for now, they had made a difference.

Kitamura: People, can we take shelter in this village?

A villager responds

Of course, you saved us. We'll let you stay here. Wouldn’t mind telling me your names?

Kitamura: My name? My name is Kitamura Naguyo, and hers is Nagame Shioka. We’re both 13 years old. Nice to meet you.

Kitamura is still a bit weak.

Kitamura: I was wondering, could we know where we'll stay?

Villager: Of course, Kitamura and Nagame. You two can stay in one of the houses that are still standing. It’s not much, but it will serve as shelter while you recover.

Kitamura: Thank you... smiles weakly Anything is better than the cave. I really appreciate it.

The man leads them to a small house that, though simple and partially damaged, provides a cozy space. Inside, there are some blankets and makeshift pillows, and a small fireplace still burning, giving off a soft light and warmth.

Nagame: looking around with a sigh of relief It’s too good... After everything, this feels like a real home.

Kitamura carefully sits down, his muscles and wounds still aching. Nagame helps him, adjusting one of the blankets to cover him better.

Nagame: playfully Now you can rest without worrying about being attacked by monsters.

Kitamura: weak smile That’s a good start. But... he looks at Nagame seriously We can’t stay here for too long. What happened to this village could happen to others. We need to get stronger.

Nagame: nodding You’re right. But for now, let’s focus on recovering. We’ll need all our strength for what’s to come.

As Kitamura closes his eyes to rest, Nagame stays by his side, determined to protect him, just as he did for her. In that small village, they found a new chance to regain their strength and, little by little, rebuild the trust needed to continue the journey that awaited them.

Both knew that greater challenges lay ahead. But for now, they had something invaluable: safety and each other’s company.

In the following days, Kitamura and Nagame take advantage of the village's safe shelter to recover. The villagers offer help whenever possible, bringing food, medicinal herbs, and even teaching them some survival skills. The villagers’ gratitude is evident, and they do what they can to show it.

One morning, Kitamura finally manages to walk without pain. He approaches Nagame, who is sitting at the entrance of the house, watching the village being rebuilt.

Kitamura: with a slight smile I think I’m almost ready to leave. Our wounds are healing pretty fast, and the village seems safer now.

Nagame: nodding Yes, it seems like the worst is over. But... looks at him, hesitating Where do we go from here, Kitamura?

Kitamura: thoughtfully I’m not exactly sure. But I know we need to grow stronger. That battle showed me that we’re too weak to handle everything this world has in store for us. We need to train, learn to fight... and also understand more about this place.

Nagame: determined If you’re ready, I’m ready too. We promised to stay together, and I won’t leave you alone.

At that moment, the man who offered them shelter approaches, having overheard the conversation.

Man: seriously If you’re planning to continue your journey, I need to give you a warning. This world is in constant war. Creatures like that one are not rare... and what you fought was just a sample of what’s to come.

Kitamura: looking directly at the man I figured as much... But then, how can we prepare ourselves? Is there a place where we can learn more or improve our skills?

Man: sighing There’s a city called Galdoria, known for training warriors. There, you can find masters in combat and even allies. But it’s a long and dangerous journey. You’ll have to cross forests, mountains, and face unknown beasts.

Nagame: with eyes shining with determination If it’s about getting stronger, we’ll go to Galdoria. No matter how dangerous it is, we’re ready to face whatever comes.

Kitamura: smiling, excited Exactly. We’ve faced worse. Thank you for everything. We won’t forget the help you gave us.

Man: smiling Take care of yourselves. You’re still very young, but you have a strong spirit. May luck be on your side.

With makeshift backpacks and some supplies, Kitamura and Nagame prepare to leave. As they say goodbye to the village and the villagers, both feel a new spark of courage and determination. This new challenge would be the next step in their journey, an opportunity to become stronger.

They begin their walk toward the city of Galdoria, hearts full of hope and a silent promise that, together, they would face whatever this world placed in their path.

As Kitamura and Nagame follow the trail out of the village, a tense silence surrounds them. The shadow of a creature looms between the trees, blocking the path ahead. With yellowed eyes and scaly, greenish skin, the monster watches them, as if waiting for a movement to attack.

Kitamura: raising the iron shaft Nagame, stay behind me...

Nagame obeys, but her face shows a mix of fear and determination. She watches Kitamura, realizing the weight of responsibility on him. The monster takes a step toward them, making a deep, threatening sound.

Kitamura: breathing deeply I won’t let you hurt us! If that’s what you want, come!

Kitamura advances with the iron shaft, now acting like a spear, trying to hit the monster’s legs. The creature reacts quickly, dodging and launching its sharp claws at him. Kitamura barely manages to dodge, feeling the weight of the blow shake his makeshift weapon. The pain from the previous battle’s injuries still limits him, and he knows he can't fight for long.

Nagame, seeing Kitamura in danger, feels an unexpected courage rising within her. Crouching behind him, she looks for a stone on the ground and grabs it tightly, ready to throw.

Kitamura: shouting Nagame, be careful!

She waits for the monster to get distracted by Kitamura, then throws the stone with all her might, hitting the creature’s head. The monster stumbles for a moment, making an angry sound, and turns to face Nagame. Kitamura, seeing the chance, uses the distraction to land a precise blow with the iron shaft on the creature’s back.

The monster cries out in pain and retreats, but seems even angrier. It tries to counterattack, launching a barrage of claws at the two of them. Kitamura manages to block part of the blow, but the force pushes him back, nearly knocking him down.

Nagame: worried, with tears in her eyes Kitamura, are you okay?

Kitamura: gasping, but with a determined smile I’ve been through worse... We just have to hold on a little longer, right?

The duo continues to face the creature, fighting with everything they have. In a moment of carelessness from the monster, Kitamura manages to strike a blow on its weak spot on the neck, causing the creature to fall, finally defeated. They stand panting, exhausted, but relieved.

Nagame: sighing, relieved We did it...

Kitamura: smiling, exhausted Yeah... we did it, together.

They continue walking, and along the way, Kitamura finds a book about people from another world.

Kitamura: N-Nagame, look at this.

Nagame: K-Kitamura? What’s this book? Does it talk about people from another world?

Nagame: It can have any hint about your old world, how you can get back!

Kitamura reads the book and comes across a way to maybe return home, but he sees that he would need a magical crystal.

Kitamura: Nagame, is there a way for me to go back home?

Nagame: Seriously, Kitamura?

Kitamura: But I need this shows her the crystal.

Nagame: ...Kitamura, this crystal is extremely rare, like really rare. It belongs to an ancient monster that’s here in this world. It was sealed because it was so powerful that the ancient warriors couldn’t kill it, and it protects this crystal. We won’t be able to get it on our own.

Kitamura furrows his brow, feeling the weight of Nagame’s words. He looks at the book again, trying to grasp the magnitude of the challenge they would face. Kitamura: with a mix of frustration and determination So you're saying the only way I can get back home is... by defeating this legendary monster? Nagame: shaking her head, apprehensive Yes, but Kitamura... this monster isn’t like the others we’ve faced. It’s a force of nature, sealed because no one here was able to defeat it. Kitamura sighs, knowing that this made everything more complicated, but he couldn’t let the chance to return home slip away. Kitamura: thinking aloud Alright... if this is the only way, then I have to try. But I don’t want to put you in danger. I’ve already risked too much by dragging you into all of this. Nagame: with a brave smile Kitamura, I’m with you on this. If that’s what you want, I’ll help you, no matter the cost. This monster might be powerful, but we’ve already been through so much together, right? Kitamura: smiles at her, a mix of gratitude and surprise Thank you, Nagame. That means a lot to me. --- And so, the two of them begin to plan what to do next. The idea of facing a legendary monster seemed like an impossible mission, but they knew that with preparation and the help of allies, there might be a chance.

And now Kitamura And Nagame have a objective