There was a big man who loved ale and often spoke with a loud voice. Sometimes he would be reckless and cause trouble for those around him, but he loved and cared for everybody. He saw everyone as his friend and treated every child as if they were his own children. He had always dreamed of creating an ale tavern for those who loved drinking, but he had to put that dream aside. He had to take care of many lost children, so he picked up an axe and a bow and became a hunter instead. He did many good deeds, but now he sat in silence as the rain poured down. A black blade was stuck in his chest. With both hands, he firmly grasped the blade, refusing to let it go. Blood flowed down, dissolving into the floor.

Rain walked up to him and closed his eyes. He reached into his bag and pulled out a small wooden cube.

“She went that way.” a voice came from thin air.

“Thank you, mister Radnor.” Rain continued walking. Before long, he stopped in front of a tall man, closed his eyes again, and took out a windmill toy from his pocket.

“Rockman! she goes that way.”

Rain’s mouth trembled, “T—Thank you... Twain.” Not far away, there was a short figure lying on the ground. Rain approached and closed his eyes, taking a wooden horse out of his hand.

“Rockman! Don’t be sad, she still saves.”

His teardrop fall down, “T—thank you so much... Throy.”

“Father Rain, she went that way.”

“Thank you, uncle Josh.”

“Brother Rockman, she goes that way.”

“Thank you, Lucus.”

“That way...”

With only the sound of a young man murmuring to himself, he continued to walk alone in the alley. The sound of water droplets from the sky became his only friend. Finally, he reached his destination. A crowd of people awaited him, uncles who loved drinking their ale, aunties who helped him cook food, and many kids who always played with him. Everyone already stood there, help him in pointing out at one the single spot. Red hair man was sitting there at the front of the house.

Ripple, ripple. Tap, tap, tap, tap. Slowly, Rain walked towards the man with red hair. The man stood there, his hair messy and sloppy. The smirk on his face was still fresh in Rain’s mind. The sound of him calling Rain’s name, ‘Rockman!’ echoed in his ears.

Tap, tap. Rain walk closer, but suddenly, Rave grabbed his sword and slashed it in front of Rain. Rain quickly grabbed his hand.

His mouth trembling, his chin wrinkling. Tears began to fall. Rave’s eyes showed no signs of life. This was his final wish, purely driven by instinct, to protect what was precious to him inside.

“R-red Thug... I’m already here... Thank you. Thank you so much, Rave… Even though I’m from prison, you still took care of me like a brother... a real brother... please… Please get rest, my brother.”

As if he had heard Rain’s words, a small smile appeared at the corner of Rave’s mouth, then slowly faded away. His body slowly fell down to the left. Thud! Rain cached his body, Rain caught his body and gently moved him away from the door. Many blood stains on the door. He reached into Rave’s pocket and took out his comb. Rave’s lifeless eyes stared at him. “Um, I will protect her with my life.” Rain said, holding the comb, before closing Rave’s eyes.

Slowly, Rain stood up. In front of him was just a normal wooden door, but it felt incredibly difficult to open. His heart ached, burdened by sadness and anger that seemed to stretch endlessly. But inside, there was something he had to protect. He reached out and grasped the doorknob.

Click! The door slowly opened, revealing a small girl sitting on the floor. She looked smaller than usual, with a golden oval mana shroud covering her. Her tiny hands were covering her ears, her eyes distant and tear-stained. She continued to speak, “Golden coin 3113... golden coin 3114... golden coin 3115...”

Tap! Tap! Tap! Rain slowly approached, but the girl still hadn’t noticed.

“Golden coin 3117... golden coin 3118...”

Rain sat down on his knees and gently grabbed her hand, slowly pulling it away from her ear. “Ria, I’m here,” he said softly.

“golden... coin...” The girl, Ria, turned her head towards Rain, slowly shaking her head, unable to trust what she saw. Her trembling hand touched Rain’s face.

Rain smiled at her. “It’s me, your brother Rain.”

Tears fell down her face as she stammered, “B-b-brother, have you finally come? Is it really you?”

He wanted to wipe away her tears, but couldn’t. His tears also fell down. Instead, He swiftly hugged the girl in front. “Yes, brother really here for you,” Rain reassured her.

“Brooootheerr hig! Hig! everyone hig! Father told me have to count coin! He will comeback if I count a thousand, but no one comes! Brother, are you really back to me?” Ria cried.

“Y-Yes, Ria, I’m here,” Rain said

“Everyone is gone. Ravie is also gone. Waaaaaah! Hig! Hig! Waaaaaaaaaah!” Ria continued to cry.

Both of them cried in their tiny house. Many people came close and hugged them, offering words of comfort in the hopes of consoling their tiny hearts. But the tears kept flowing...

Finally, they dried up.

Rain patted Ria’s back and asked, “Are you alright?”

Her eyes were red and stained with tears as she nodded and said, “Um.”

“We have to go... Can you walk?” Rain asked.

Ria nodded. “Um,” slowly stood up. Her legs trembled as she attempted to walk forward. Thud! but she couldn’t. She fell down to her knees, and the tears started flowing once again. “Sor—”

Rain patted her head and smiled. “It okay, don’t worry Ria. brother will be your horse,” he sat down on his knees and turned his back towards her.

Ria climbed up onto his back, and Rain used both hands to support her body. “Thank you, brother,” she said.

He stood up and walked towards the door. “Ria, is alright—”

“It’s okay, let me see everyone,” Ria said, though her tiny hand trembled.

“Okay,” he slowly walked out of the door.

Rain stood still in front of the house, feeling a small drop of warm water on his shirt, which contrasted with the coldness of the sky. A tiny voice spoke out, “Everyone... Ravie...” There was a moment of silence, and then the voice continued, “Brother, please.”

“Um,” Rain responded. And with that, they started running through the narrow alleyways, heading towards the south gate.

In the distance, “Argh!!” cries could be heard, “No, no, Captain! We were under the same holy order. Why were you, who were supposed to protect us, killing us like this?” Crash! Splash! A black-armored knight stood in front of a headless knight. In his hands, he held crimson red blood. His face was even more terrifying, with his right eye now empty and blood pouring out. Above his head, the words “Sinner” written in red.

Rain swiftly looked around and slowly walked in the opposite direction. They are all surrounding the area. He turned left, then right, before coming to a stop.

Thud, thud, splash, splash, a knight walked close to them.

Ria held her breath, afraid to make a sound.

Splash, splash, the knight passed by. They waited a moment before continuing their walk. Both of them played hide and seek, getting closer to the gate. Rain popped his head out and saw two silver plate knights standing by. To the left and right, there were the corpses of peasants and townsfolk.

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Rain’s face darkened as he tried to think of a plan. He grabbed his badge with one hand, wanting to spin it, but a deep voice interrupted from the main street.

“Found you, kid.” Rain dashed back into the alley, a cool sweat forming on his face. The black knight stood there, fresh blood dripping from his gauntlet.

Ria trembled, her hands shaking as her tiny voice out “He killed... father.”

Rain’s face darkened, and he started to run. “Wait, kid! I’m sane now,” the black knight called out.

Rain clenched his fist tightly, lowered his legs, ready to dash at any moment. “What do you want, Sir Damacus?” Rain asked.

Damacus lowered his hands, showing that he was not a threat. “Follower Rain, your head is still number zero. That’s good. And that girl has nothing on her head, that priestess knows something.”

“Where is mother!” Ria shouted

Damacus’s single eye widened, then returned to its normal stern expression. “Ah, after she shot my eye, I didn’t see her again.” There was a moment of silence. “Kid, what are you doing? Do you know how to end this matter?”

“No, sir. It’s a false negative. This testament can’t be closed until it completes its objective, removing all the sinners,” Rain explained.

“Ah... That, the effort we made, is... false.” silence moment. “So that means the last option is to run.” Damacus said.

Rain nodded. “Yes...”

Damacus nodded as well and said, “Good, that’s good... Leave this hell behind.” He looked at the gate, then back at Rain. “I will help you, kid.”

“Thank you,” Rain said.

“Don’t thank me. I’m already a dead man...” He glanced at the little girl on Rain’s back. “Sorry, little one... I will repay you with my life.”

“Follow me—”

Slash! Blade cut through the sky! The Black Knight instinctively raised his hand to block it, but couldn’t withstand its power. He deviated to the left, Splash! his right arm severed. Using all his force on his left hand punched that man. Bam! Attacker swiftly lifted his blade to block the blow.

Slosh! Sliding along the road, everyone’s attention turned to the man. He wore holy robes, his body pristine and clear. With golden eyes and shorn hair, he radiated beauty. Even raindrops couldn’t touch him. But the words above his head struck terror in everyone’s hearts: Saint of Holy Tower: 2875.

Ria trembled on Rain’s back as she held her breath in silence. Rain’s eyes darkened, and he clenched his fist, blood seeping out. Damn! he always hid in the sky.

The Black Knight’s eyes burned with fire as he furiously shouted, “Bastard! That is all the people in this town! Are You Really a Saint!?”

Eeon slowly stood up, touching his book, and a monotonous sound emanated from it, “Sinners are at the designated spot. 7 sinners remaining.”

Eeon confirmed, “Task confirmed. Unit will exterminate the sinners at the spot.”

“May the Holy Tower shine upon you,” monotonous sound out.

“Kid! Run now!” Damacus yelled.

Rain ran fast, and the two knights at the gate also noticed, rushing towards Rain. Rain shouted, “Make way! I’m a follower of the saint! I’m also from the Holy Tower—”

“6 sinners remaining,” the monotonous voice interrupted.

Suddenly, in a blink of an eye, Eeon appeared beside Rain and spoke in a cold voice, “Where are you going, follower? Our task is not yet finished.” His blade was still stained with Damacus’s blood.

Everyone froze in their tracks.

Rain’s eyes widened, held Ria tighten. Tap! Tap! walking back. But Eeon followed step by step.

“5 sinners remaining,”

“Everyone is obligated to fulfill the mission.” His eyes stared intently at Rain. “Why do you still have zero, follower?”

“2 sinners remaining.”

Rain took a step back. Thud! Something had hit him on the leg, but he didn’t dare to look down. Still stared at Eeon’s eyes.

“1 sinners remaining.”

Cold voice continue, “and why did you... carry a Sinner on your back?”

Ramble! Flash! The sky suddenly lit up with lightning, turning everything into a black and white world.

“Let her go. She’s just a child, and she possesses holy power. With proper training, she can be a saint, even she could become the core of the tower.” Rain continued to stare at Eeon without blinking.

“Negative, she is a sinner. We must cut off the evil bud before it grows into an evil tree.” Slowly reached out to grab the girl.

“Evil! Get away from my daughter!” A holy arrow flew towards Eeon, who swiftly blocked it with his sword.

Rain seized the opportunity. Rain ran fast. Two arrows were shot at the silver plate knights, instantly killing them.

“Go! Son!” Madam Iva shouted. she held a shining golden bow in her hand. Her body has many cuts and wounds, on her stomach have large blade stabbed wound, but radiated a golden mana covered and protect it.

“Corrupted Priestess,” Eeon said. “You still dare to use our holy power.” Eeon dashed towards Madam Iva as numerous arrows were shot at him, but he easily deflected them.

Thud! Thud! Thud! Rain ran as fast as he could towards the Gate town. But fate had other plans. Suddenly, a black leopard emerged from the shadows, aiming to bite the girl on Rain’s back. Rain quickly turned his body, and the leopard sank its teeth into his arm, causing fresh blood to spray out. The force of the attack sent them both flew.

Slosh! Both slide along the road, Ria unable to maintain her grip. She threw further away, Slosh! sliding out of the gate. Finally, she had made it, but only her. The leopard remained on top of Rain, relentlessly attacking.

Chomp! Chomp! Chomp! Chomp! leopard fiercely struck left and right, Rain swiftly dodged vital part. His eyes turned dark, and blood veins appeared on his neck. With a forceful grip, Rain grabbed the leopard’s head.

Ria swiftly stood up and shouted, “Brother!”

“Go! Ria Go!” Rain shouted.

Chomp! The leopard bit down on Rain’s shoulder, causing fresh blood to flow.

“Noooooooo!” Ria screamed in horror.

Suddenly, the leopard stopped biting as Eeon descended from the sky, holding Madam Iva by her neck. Blood dripped from her mouth, and her golden mana had vanished. Left only blood dripped down to the floor.

Thud! Eeon threw her body next to Rain and scornfully said, “Follower, why are you so useless? Even a beast is better than you.”

“Grrh! Go away!” Rain pushed the leopard, but its body didn’t budge an inch.

“What can I do to you, follower?” Eeon said.

Rain continue struggle doesn’t listen Eeon’s words.

Eeon raised his hand towards the sky, causing Rain’s eyes to widen.

Slash! In one swift motion, Eeon severed the leopard’s head, causing blood to splatter across Rain’s face. He kicked the leopard’s body away.

“I talked to you, but why aren’t you listening? Cursed child,” he said slowly, placing a sword against his neck. “What trick did you use? Why does the Holy tower recognize you as a follower?”

Rain simply smiled at him.

“Okay, I will cut off your head and find out myself,” Eeon threatened.

“You, not, dare” Rain smiled back, but suddenly he noticed something, his eyes widened, His body fell zero cold. “Ria! No!”

From afar! golden shorn bright. her hair covering her face. She murmured to herself, “First father... Twain, Throy... Ravie... mother... and now even brother Rain will go too.”

She posed an archery stance, tears streaming down her face.

“I am Ria, daughter of the sun and light.” A golden bow slowly materialized in her hand. “I wished to the Lord Father to give me a strong hand that can hold on to hope,” one single arrow shorn.

Rain exclaimed, “Don’t, Ria, please! You are already free!” But a small voice emerged from thin air, saying, “But brother not.”

“Lead us into a new day within this nighttime. Initial sun,” Ria released the arrow.

Swoosh! The golden arrow flew fast, but Eeon was faster. It cut only the tip of his hair. In the blink of an eye, He Suddenly appearing in front of Ria. Thrust!

Rain’s dark eyes cracked, reached a hand out. “Mother Earth of the Green planet, I am Rain Ter Astra, son of the third line. Please help this little stone reach the sun.”

Rain and sound suddenly paused for a moment, then continued.

Thud! Eeon’s blade hit the floor, but there was no girl or cursed child. Only a bloodstain on his blade and a trail of blood leading into the forest. Eeon wanted to search for them. But a monotonous voice echoed through the sky.

“Holy tower shines upon you. The land cleansing process is complete. The Grand Testament written. Lord Saint, please send a divine message back to the tower.”

All the magic circles merged into one and formed a tiny cube, slowly descending from the sky into the church at the center of town.

Not far away, two people were in the forest.

Cough! Cough! Blood was pouring out of his mouth, and every part of his body was covered in cracked skin, oozing blood.

“Ria, it’s already OK. He’s gone. No one will hurt you. Brother is also here.” Rain reassured her.

“Um, brother,” Ria replied.

“So please, please stay with me, okay? I won’t leave you,” Rain pleaded.

“Yes, brother,” Ria agreed.

Rain tried to close her chest wound, but it continued to bleed. No matter how many bandages he applied, it instantly soaked through.

“Please, please, Earth Mother, please help her. She is a good child.” Rain said, but there was no response.

Ria said, “It’s okay, brother.”

Rain swayed his face. “No, no, it’s not okay, Ria. You should grow up to be a beautiful lady, smiling like sunshine so that everyone will love you—”

Ria smiled and asked, “Brother, can I make a wish?”

Rain nodded his head swiftly. “Y-Yes, you can make as many wishes as you want. I will grant them.”

“Can you give me a speech, your death speech?” Ria said.

Rain’s eyes widened, and his head slowly shook. “No, no, no, Ria. We still have a chance. Brother can—”

Ria touched Rain’s face, but the warmth of sunshine on her hand was already gone. It felt cold like winter. “Please, brother, I want to hear it while I’m still alive.”

Rain’s mouth trembled, his chin wrinkled, and his face darkened. “Um.”

Ria smiled.

The surrounding sounds fell silent. The trees and animals lowered their voices, only listening to this young man’s speech.

“Life and time glide by. The sun and moon never meet.” Light and warm particles of mana floated up from the earth.

“But fate and destiny bring us together, little by little. The light on the stars shines and connects us. Finally, we meet.” Mana flew around the two of them.

“In the darkest time, we were together, cooking, eating, dancing, and sleeping, as if we were a season that had never met.”

“... But, eventually, time also brings to an end, bidding us goodbye... farewell, my sister.”

Two eyes met, looking at each other.

“Please, brother, give me your second phase.”

Rain’s eyes widened, and crystal tears fell down his face. Ria touched them, feeling their warmth. “Hehe, finally, I know one of brother’s secrets.” With a pale, bloodless face, but smiled warmly.

Rain’s trembling hand touched her face, and said, “are you wishing to go to the next cycle of life, or would you wish to stay with me to the eternity end?”

The mana shone brightly like the sun! covered hugged them both.

“Ria... Wherever place. Ria will go with brother.”

Ria gathered all her life force and slowly pulled something out from inside her shirt. It was a small candy sachet decorated with flowers, but now it had sewing patterns of smiley faces. “Please, brother, for the last time.”

Tears covered his face as he slowly took out one candy. Many pictures rushed at him, the sound of Ria calling him ‘brother Rain’ ‘brother knows nothing’ ‘what is this brother’ ‘wow brother’ ‘I like brother the most’ Then he slowly put the candy in her mouth.

Ria smiled at him for the last time and said, “Sweet...”

Rain took one for himself and said, “Um... really sweet...”

The mana slowly faded and scattered into small particles, and in the silence of the forest, one young man cried out loudly.