The rain continued to pour, the cold seeping into his bones, but he stayed by her side, the pink heart on the umbrella standing with solace. Time passed, the world around them darkening as night settled in. He stood, motionless, an invisible guardian in the storm.

After what felt like an eternity, she finally stopped crying. She looked up at him with glassy eyes, her face puffy and red. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the rain creating a curtain of isolation around them.

“Why?” she croaked, her voice hoarse from crying.

He swallowed, his throat tight. “No one should be alone in the rain,” he said quietly, his voice barely more than a whisper. “Especially when they feel so helpless…”

“Who are you?”

He hesitated, then took a deep breath. “I’ll tell you,” he said slowly, “if you promise to head home and remember something important.” He paused, searching for the right words. “Remember that rainbows only come after the downpour.”

She looked at him, a mix of confusion and fear in her eyes. “But… it’s dangerous around here at night. Crime is heavy in these parts.”

He nodded, understanding her fear. “I know. That’s why you should hurry home,” he said gently. Seeing her still hesitant, he added, “I’ll walk with you until you’re safe. Then I’ll disappear from your life, and we can both forget this ever happened.”

She seemed very scared, her eyes darting around nervously.

“Come on, it’s better to be safe. I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.”

She hesitated for a moment longer before finally taking a few steps. Together, they walked through the rain-soaked streets, the umbrella sheltering them from the downpour. He kept a careful eye on their surroundings, his senses on high alert for any potential danger.

They walked in silence, the only sound the steady patter of rain against the umbrella. As they neared her home, she began to relax, her steps becoming less hurried. He could see the lights of her house up ahead, a small beacon in the darkness.

When they reached her doorstep, she turned to him, her expression a mixture of relief and gratitude.

He offered her a small, sad smile. “Take care of yourself,” he replied. “Remember what I said. Things can get better.”

She nodded, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “I won’t forget.”

Truly, he didn't believe a single word that he said. But still, a small smile extended across his face. That was the last piece of compassion he had to give away. Now, he could take the abuse in peace, not fearful of what he would become. He put away the umbrella because the downpour had settled to a light drizzle.

He turned and started to walk home, the drizzle lightly tapping against his hood. The streets were quiet, the only sound the occasional splash of water under his feet. He felt a strange sense of calm, as if the world had momentarily paused.

But just as he was about to cross an intersection, a car’s headlights flared into view, the engine roaring. He barely had time to react before the car swerved towards him, tires screeching against the wet pavement. He froze, eyes wide, as the vehicle barreled straight at him, its intent unmistakable.

In that split second, everything slowed down. He saw the driver’s face, twisted in anger, and recognized him as one of the bullies from school. Panic surged through him, but his feet felt like they were glued to the ground.

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The car came to a sudden stop just inches from him, the force of the brakes sending a spray of water in all directions. The driver leaned out the window, a sneer on his face. “Watch where you’re going, freak,” he spat, his voice dripping with malice.

He turned to run, his heart pounding in his chest, but as he took his first step, he realized he was surrounded. Shadows emerged from the mist, figures stepping out from alleyways and doorways, encircling him. His classmates, the ones who tormented him daily, closed in with predatory grins.

One of them, a tall boy with a scar across his cheek, stepped forward, cracking his knuckles menacingly. “Thought you could get away, huh?”

Another voice chimed in, a girl with icy blue eyes and a cold smile. “You’ve got nowhere to run.”

He backed up, his breathing ragged, his mind racing for a way out. But the circle tightened, and the air grew thick with their hostility. He felt the weight of their hatred bearing down on him, each step they took erasing any chance of escape.

The last one, the leader of the group, stepped out of the car, his eyes burning with contempt. “This is what you get for your crimes, murderer,” he said, his voice low and filled with venom.

He shook his head, backing up until his back hit a wall. “I didn’t do anything,” he yelled, but the words felt hollow even to him.

The leader sneered, grabbing him by the collar and slamming him against the wall. “You deserve everything that’s coming to you,” he hissed.

As he faded away from the constant kicks and punches, his mind drifted to a memory that felt like a lifetime ago. He was standing under a beautiful sakura tree, petals falling like gentle snowflakes around them. He reached out, almost instinctively, and found himself touching the figure of his master, warm and solid in his arms.

Tears welled in his eyes as he hugged him tight, clinging to the last semblance of comfort he had left. “I…” he whispered, his voice choked with emotion.

The man patted his back gently, his touch soothing. “Every kind action you take, every act of compassion and kindness, will come back to you,” he said softly. “Remember that.”

He looked up, his eyes searching for answers. “Why? Why?” he asked, his voice trembling with uncertainty.

His master smiled, a sad and knowing expression. “A few years ago, magic was all we knew,” he said. “But now, with the advent of new technology and the blending of magic and science, society has changed. Embrace this new world, but never forget where you came from. Protect the weak, but never become the weak. Why do you never stand up for yourself?”

His master’s words struck him like a blow to the chest, the truth of them ringing loud and clear in his mind. He lowered his gaze, unable to meet his master’s eyes. “I… I don’t know,” he whispered, the words heavy with shame.

His master sighed, a mixture of disappointment and understanding in his expression. He reached into a nearby chest and pulled out a bracelet, handing it to him. The metal gleamed in the dim light, intricate runes etched into its surface.

“You have lost all of your skill due to your cowardice,” his master said, his voice stern. “These years of teaching have been wasted on you.”

He took the bracelet, his fingers trembling as he held it.

“Now. Raise your chin up, because no one will do it for you.”

Those words brought him back,body aching and blood pooling beneath him on the cold pavement. Through blurred vision, he saw a shadow approaching, and before he could call out, he raised a trembling hand and spoke a single sentence. “What a fool I've been.” And he collapsed.

When he awake, he found himself in the familiar surroundings of his home. The emptiness of the place echoed in his ears, a stark reminder of the solitude he had grown accustomed to. He pushed himself up from the floor, wincing at the residual ache that lingered in his body.

Slowly, he made his way into the living room, his steps faltering as he took in the sight before him. Hanging on the wall was a sword, its blade gleaming in the soft light filtering through the window. Beside it, a scabbard lay waiting, as if beckoning to him.

He reached out, his fingers tracing the intricate patterns etched into the hilt of the sword. Memories flooded his mind, fragments of a past he had tried to forget. But now, faced with the reality of his own weaknesses, he couldn’t ignore the call to action any longer.

It had been two years since he had touched it. Two years since the incident. He had just risen in a prominent guild, taking on many tasks, earning riches for himself. But it had all crashed on top of him in the most unexpected way. He moved into the slums, but he was still well known. At least he wasn’t hunted by magic, but fists. That was something he could handle.

A sharp pain shot through his body, and he grimaced, forcing himself to lie down on the bed. As he did, he noticed the bracelet on his arm, its runes faintly glowing. He touched it lightly, and it shimmered, becoming invisible once more.