Splatter! Splatter! The rain poured down heavily, creating a sharp sound as it fell. In the midst of this rain, a man sat alone in the dark water. The rain hit him forcefully, driving away any warmth and life. His hair covered his face, covering his eyes from reflecting on the scene before him.

“Again and again… How long do you intend to torment me?” Rain murmured, his gaze fixed on the front.

In this dark world, there existed an empty space with a peculiar phenomenon. The heavy raindrops seemed to collide with something in front, as if an ethereal and transparent figure stood there, invisible to the naked eye.

It moved as if trying to imitate people, a town, a scene from a story. The heavy rain transformed, changing the picture before Rain’s eyes.

It transformed into the image of two children running and playing together. One was taller, trying to catch the smaller one, but the little one was too fast, skillfully dodging her pursuer. Both had smiles on their faces, and water splashed all around them.

Rain hugged his knees. “You are always easy to read.”

Splatter! The rain shifted, and the picture changed once again. Now, it showed two individuals walking hand in hand on a road. When they reached a small house, a beautiful woman waved at them, and they waved back.

“Home…”

Splatter! The water drops changed direction, and the picture transformed once more. Now, it showed a man wearing glasses and carrying many books. He saw a royal carriage passing by, with knights on horses surrounding it. The man stepped aside from the road, bowing respectfully as the carriage moved farther away.

“Wish you not cry in that carriage.”

Splatter! The picture changed again. It depicted an important ceremony, with many people gathered around a grand auditorium adorned with beautiful plants and flowers. At the center stood a beautiful lady in a long dress, holding a bouquet of flowers. The man with glasses also stayed in that moment, but he stood on the back, holding a pillow with a delicate tiara resting on it. While have another man with a tall shape stood by her side.

“You… really beautiful in that fluffy dress.”

Splatter! The picture changed once again. Now, there was a lady wearing a long dress, standing alone beside a man with glasses. Half of her dress was covered in black water, and she was crying heavily. Her hands were also stained with the black water, and they trembled as she tightly held onto the man’s hands. The man was also crying, tears mixed with the black water.

“…”

Splatter! again picture flushed, lady changed into monster that have bone as wings her legs and arms spread long but face still beauty. glasses man stood firm against monster on his hand have sword handle but without blade like as it transparent nor Heavy rain can't shaped and interpreted it form. he spoke, Rain also said at the same time. “Don't worry... we'll go home together.”

Swink! But before the blade could strike, Drop! Something touched Rain’s face. A feeling of warmth rushed through him. “Warmth? Why… here?” he quickly touched the raindrop on his cheek and noticed that it shimmered blue in this black and white world. “…Aria.”

Swoosh! The air suddenly blew, and the picture in front of Rain swiftly changed. Now, there was a lady with long hair sitting on a chair in an amphitheater near the river shore. In front of her, there was a large black instrument with many white keys. Many people were seated in the stands.

Rain wanted to say something, but the lady with long hair looked at him. Even though there were thousands of people around him, he was certain that she was looking at him. She raised a finger to her mouth, gesturing for him to be quiet, and then she smiled sweetly at him.

“Ah, sorry... you wanna to start you show.” Rain said, then he leaning back with his knees up.

The lady with long hair lowered her finger, a pleased smile still on her face. She watched him for a moment and then slowly placed her hands on the keys, beginning to play the instrument. Her hands moved fluently across the keys.

The people around smiled and tilted their heads lightly, pleased with what they were hearing. However, no sound or vibrant colors could be heard or seen in front of him, only the sound of raindrops falling. He pulled his knees closer to his body and rested his head on his knees, closing his eyes.

“Um...Always... You always beautiful like this, Aria.” Before long, he fell into a deep sleep with the melody playing in his mind.

—§—

On the field, time and stars danced as usual, while birds and animals had already hidden in their secret spaces. Only four people remained in the field, surrounded by fallen snow. The sun began to rise.

A ray of light touched Ella’s hand, which held a holy book, “What is this? Morning? When?”

Faye gazed at the two people inside, her hands swiftly moving to control her gemstones, try to detach her own magic circle.

Aria tightly held onto Rain. “Rain, please come back. Why did you leave me alone like this? You should have let me die at that time. Are you going to break our promise? Are we not going home together anymore—”

Tap. Something warm touched Aria’s hand and a soft voice said, “Aria…”

Aria slowly turned her head towards the sound and saw pale blue eyes looking at her. Her mouth hung open, her head swayed, and her chin wrinkled. She hugged him tightly to her body. She could feel the warmth emanating from his body. “Thank you, mother of the river. He’s alive. He’s really alive.”

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

“Yes, alive.” Rain said.

“I thought… you would… leave, leave…”

“Aria, thank you,”

“No, no, I didn’t do anything, I only hurt—”

“Music, your music is so beautiful, it help me, really help me.” He said.

Like fireworks, a spark ignited within her heart, causing her eyes to come alive. Astonished by what she had heard, she drew him closer and softly murmured, “Um.”

They embraced for a moment.

Tap, tap. Rain lightly tapped her back twice and said, “Aria, too tight, too tight, I can’t breathe.”

“Ah, I’m sorry,” Aria swiftly pushed Rain away, noticing his face had turned red. Even ears turned bright red. “Are you alright?”

Cough! Cough! “I’m alright, perfectly fine, like new,” He showed his arm. It was broken. “Ah, sorry, it’ll heal soon.”

Aria observed his bruises and cuts, tears welling up in her eyes once again. “Sorry.”

Rain touched Aria’s hand. “Nah, don’t be that sad. You did well, really well. Sometimes, I need a bonk too, and you’re a great bonker.”

Aria looked at him with disbelief. “Bonk? Bonker?”

“I mean, like this,” Rain demonstrated by pretending to grab something and lightly tapping his own head. He stuck his tongue out playfully.

Aria couldn’t help but giggle. “Hehehe, you’re always like this.”

“What do you mean?” Rain continued to stick his tongue out, moving it from side to side.

Aria smiled a little and said “stupid.” She channeled her mana to heal his wound, and this time it worked effectively. "Let's not argue with each other anymore, okay? It really hurts my heart. And you have to tell me everything, I mean absolutely everything. No more secrets, okay?"

“Ok.” Rain looked at Aria’s hand as she continued to heal his arm. It was still numb, but he could feel it again. “Do you need anything else, Aria?”

Aria moved her hand to heal his leg and gladly swayed her face. “Nothing… Oh, and just promise me you won’t leave me again.”

“I never left you,” Rain said.

Bonk! Aria hit his head.

“Ouch! That hurt. I told the truth, I just went to do the task.”

Bonk! Aria hit his head again.

“Ouch! That will make my intelligence decrease.”

“That’s good! Let me hit you ten times more.”

“What?”

“That will prevent you from thinking something crazy and leaving again.”

“No, no, please Aria. I’m short and weak. I only have it as best friend.”

“Am I not your friend, hmph?”

Rain’s eyes widen, smile lifted, “Yes, we, friend.”

“Um,” Aria finished healing his leg as well.

“Aria,” he softly called her name. “Do you need anything else?”

Aria gently swayed her head as she looked at him. She noticed the redness on his cheek, a sign that his life and health had already returned. “Nothing,” she replied, “just like I said before, it’s enough.”

Rain gazed at her, his eyes transforming into a beautiful shade of blue. He spoke, expressing his sympathy, “Um, I feel so sorry that you only desire such a small wish. Don’t blame me later, okay?”

“Eh?” Aria was confused by his words.

Rain glanced around and picked up something from the floor. It was a square Rainbow stone, which he placed in her hand.

“Huh? What are you doing?” Aria tilted her head in confusion.

Rain remained silent, placing one hand over his heart and raising the other beside his body.

“Rain?” Aria asked again.

“Wish, accepted,” he simply said. Nothing happened. Rain swiftly stood up, dusted off his pants, and walked away, leaving Aria sitting alone.

He lowered his head and ran, his steps growing faster and faster. Snow and flower petals swirled around him, gently brushing against his body.

Faye hurriedly rushed and grabbed his hand, feeling the warmth seep into her own hand.

Rain’s body swayed slightly as he used his other hand to touch Faye’s hand. He looked at her with a sad smile and said, “Thank you…”

Faye gazed at him, her ruby eyes shining. “Fay-le-el,” she pronounced.

Rain repeated, “Fayleel, thank you so much.”

Faye looked at him for a moment and replied, “Um.” She then let go of his hand.

Rain continued running with his head lowered. As he passed Ella, he whispered, “I’m sorry.”

Ella was taken aback and asked, “Raccoon?” She held her hands together at her chest, feeling a deep pain inside. “Why do you always say sorry to me?” She lowered her head, unable to find the words to describe this feeling. Her hand slowly touched her wrist, as if something was missing.

Rain ran into the forest as the snow fell all around, resembling leaves drifting from the trees. He kept running forward, his heart wavering, but the sun shorn enveloped him.

Faye watched her own hand, feeling the warm sensation still lingering even as time passed. She tilted her neck and slowly looked at Aria, her crimson eyes shining. Her hair moved as if pleased with something.

Tinkle! Tinkle! Her accessories rang. “He’s warmth, Aria.”

Aria also tilted her neck slightly, causing her hair to move along with her face. Her Blue Eyes glowed, and a pleased and sweet sound escaped from her mouth. “No, Red Witch. This time, I will not give him to you.” She lowered her eyelids and looked at Faye with a dangerous gaze. The snow that had fallen beside her turned into water droplets that hung in the air.

Faye smiled widely as the White Snow that touched her turned black and scattered away like ashes from a fire. “We shall see, Iron-maiden.”

Ella continued to rub her wrist, reflecting on the recent incident that had occurred. Something felt missing and incorrect.

At the same time, Aria had a transparent tattoo around her right wrist, adorned with tiny flowers.

While everyone stayed in the flower field, Rain sat in the forest with his knees on the dirt, digging up herbs and plants with healing properties. His hands trembled, and his eyes were unfocused. His mouth quivered as he continued to apologize, “I’m sorry for dragging you all into this... I’m sorry... I’m truly sorry.”

By his side stood a young lady, radiating warmth and wearing a white dress. She gently rubbed Rain’s head and reassured him, “It’s okay… brother.”

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of numbness, he could now clearly feel the warmth on his head and the biting chill of the falling snow on his body. Rain’s sense of touch had returned.

—§—

Back in the town of Hope Chest, the fire had finally completed its task, leaving behind a charred body and a pile of black ashes. There was no longer any sign of human presence in the city. The only movement came from the black crows soaring through the whitening sky.

Snowflakes began to gently descend upon the empty town, swirling and twirling in the wind. One tiny snowflake, eager to touch the ground for the first time, danced through the air like a newborn baby exploring its surroundings.

Suddenly, a charred black hand emerged from the ashes, grasping the snowflake and transforming it into a steaming vapor.

Thud! Pluck! Crack! The hand grabbed a nearby burned carcass.

Slosh! Tuck! The figure pulled itself out of the mountain of ashes, its body completely blackened. However, its eyes burned with a bright flame. It extended its legs, attempting to stand, but its wobbly limbs refused. It reached out for a hardened log nearby, struggling to maintain balance, but finally managed to stand upright.

One hand instinctively moved to rub its hair, only to realize that there was none left. It froze in shock, causing its head to drop down. But before long, it lifted its head up again, gazing forward. A hoarse voice escaped its mouth, “Rra-ri-ty.”

Thud, thud, flop, thud, the frail black body struggled to move, but it kept pushing forward. Red Rave continued to head northward.