Chapter 1 - No regrets

Mary, Yumiko, and Lukas trudged onward, the weight of their exhaustion etched into every step. The Evergreen region had proven relentless, its rugged terrain a crucible for their resolve. Injuries, weariness, and the unyielding burden of their mission pressed heavily upon them. Yet, their determination remained unshaken, driven by purpose and a promise: Lukas had vowed to accompany Yumiko to her fallen brother’s grave in the long-abandoned town of Dryffn.

As the sun peered out from the horizon, its waning light cast long shadows over the landscape. The silhouette of a decaying city emerged in the distance, its skeletal remains standing as a silent testament to a forgotten tragedy.

The serpent staff slung across Mary’s back clanged softly against her hammer with each step, the sound cutting through the damp, oppressive air. Adjusting the straps, she squinted toward the outskirts of the ruins, her attention snagged by an unusual sight—a large granite boulder streaked with a rusty red patina.

“What’s that?” she asked, veering off the crumbling path toward the stone.

Yumiko followed closely, her curiosity piqued, while Lukas lagged behind, his gaze distant and heavy. “It’s a memorial,” he said after a moment, his voice subdued. “For the people who died here.”

Mary stopped in front of the stone, running her fingers over its cool, rough surface. At its base, a tarnished silver plaque caught the fading light, its inscription faint but legible. She knelt and read the words aloud, her tone reverent:

“Here lies the memorial for the people of Dryffn. May their lives, and all those lost in this region, be remembered. May their souls reach the heavens and be blessed with eternal happiness, or rebirth into a wondrous next life.”

The words lingered in the air like an unspoken prayer. Yumiko clasped her hands together, her lips moving in a silent benediction. When she finished, she straightened, her gaze fixed on the ruins ahead. The town loomed before them, a ghostly tableau of hollowed buildings and skeletal frames. Moss and creeping vines clung to the weathered structures, while some had collapsed entirely, reduced to piles of rubble that whispered of lost grandeur.

“This town…” Yumiko murmured, her voice soft with sorrow. “I can only imagine how beautiful it must have been. Why hasn’t anyone moved back?”

Lukas exhaled a weary sigh, his eyes scanning the shattered windows and swaying shutters. “Because they believe it’s cursed.”

“Cursed?” Yumiko tilted her head, her curiosity sharpening like a blade. “What kind of curse?”

Lukas nodded toward the ruins, his expression shadowed by something unspoken. “Some say a dragon destroyed this place. That’s what the guild claims, anyway. Others whisper of something worse—something nameless. Whatever it was, nine thousand people vanished without a trace. No one wants to rebuild where that kind of trauma lingers.”

Mary folded her arms, her stance skeptical. “You’d think the guild would’ve done something by now. If nothing else, they could restore it for its strategic value. A town like this could’ve been a valuable hub—better than trudging all the way to Braint, at any rate.”

Yumiko glanced at her red-haired companion, noting the sharp edge in her voice. “You really don’t like Braint, do you?”

Mary shrugged, her expression unreadable. “Let’s just say I have a history there. And before you ask, you’ll understand everything the moment you set foot in that godless town.”

Yumiko’s brows knit together, her unease evident. “Godless? Oh, I don’t think I like the sound of that already…”

Above them, gray clouds soon started to thicken, the sky darkening with the promise of rain. Lukas tilted his head skyward, his features distant and unreadable. “We’re here for one thing: to visit your brother’s grave. Let’s get it done before the rain starts.”

Yumiko nodded, her voice quieter now, tempered by the somber weight of the moment. “Alright. Lead the way.”

Lukas raised a hand, pointing toward a cluster of hills on the horizon. “Five miles to the left. If we follow the river, it’ll take us straight there.”

With that, the group set off, leaving Dryffn and its eerie stillness behind. Yumiko cast one last glance over her shoulder at the ghost town. Once home to nearly ten thousand souls, it now stood silent, its skeletal remains swallowed by time and neglect. The overgrown streets and crumbling facades seemed to exhale a quiet lament, the whisper of lives forgotten and stories left untold.

As she turned back to Lukas, who led the way with steady but tense strides, she noticed the set of his shoulders and the measured pace of his steps. Though his face betrayed little emotion, there was something in his posture that hinted at unease. Yumiko wondered what memories of this place—or perhaps of the journey itself—lingered in his mind. Was his silence a shield, or was he simply lost in a past too painful to share?

The group walked in subdued quiet until the river came into view, its dark waters glinting faintly beneath the dimming sky. For a moment, the sound of flowing water brought a sense of reprieve from the oppressive atmosphere. But as they followed its winding path, Yumiko soon realized the journey was far from easy.

The terrain grew increasingly uneven, the ground sloping upward with each step. The river, once close enough to touch, now lay far below, its currents swirling against jagged rocks. As the incline steepened, a towering cliff flanked their path, its edge dropping sharply into the churning waters.

Yumiko paused, her stomach turning at the sight. She kept her distance from the edge and murmured, “That’s... a long way down.”

Lukas nodded, his gaze fixed ahead as he trudged forward. “I fell into it when Dryffn was destroyed.”

Mary stopped abruptly, her head whipping around to peer over the cliff’s edge. “You fell down there and survived?”

Lukas didn’t break stride, his voice calm but matter-of-fact. “I was shot in the stomach with an arrow. Lost my balance and tumbled down.”

Yumiko winced at the image, her voice soft with concern. “That must have been awful...”

Lukas shrugged, his tone detached, as though recounting someone else’s story. “I don’t remember much. I blacked out after I got hit. The last thing I saw before I fell was the jagged rocks below. I thought it was the end.”

Mary’s gaze darted between the cliff and Lukas, her usual teasing giving way to genuine surprise. “And yet here you are. That’s… something.” Her voice carried an uncharacteristic softness, as if she were trying to grasp the gravity of what he had survived.

The weight of the moment settled over the group like the clouds above, heavy and unyielding. Sensing the somber turn, Mary shifted gears, her tone lightening. “So,” she said, gesturing ahead, “you mentioned a friend you wanted us to meet after this?”

Lukas gave a short nod, his expression still distant. “Yes. You’ll understand better once you meet her. Explaining it won’t do her justice.”

Recognizing his reluctance to say more, Mary decided not to pry further. “Got it,” she replied, her voice easy and nonchalant, though her curiosity simmered beneath the surface.

The group continued their climb in silence, their focus drawn to the rugged path ahead. The crunch of boots on loose gravel and the distant roar of the river below were the only sounds accompanying their ascent. The hours dragged on, and the gray sky deepened as rain drew close.

Just as fatigue began to weigh heavily on them, Lukas came to an abrupt halt. He raised a hand, pointing toward the hillside ahead. “We’re here,” he said, his voice low but steady. “You can see some of the graves from here.”

Yumiko squinted through the dim light, her eyes catching the faint silhouettes of weathered stones jutting from the earth like silent sentinels. Her chest tightened, and her breath hitched, but she nodded resolutely, determination steeling her voice. “Okay. I’m ready.”

As they prepared to ascend the final stretch, Mary broke the silence, her voice calm yet firm. “You two go ahead,” she said, crossing her arms while leaning backwards onto a tree.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Yumiko tilted her head, concern flickering across her face. “Are you sure?”

Mary nodded, her usual playful demeanor replaced by a quiet sincerity. “Yeah. This feels personal. I’ll wait here at the base of the hill. When you’re done, just wave me up.”

Yumiko’s lips curved into a small, grateful smile. “Thanks, Mary.”

Mary returned the smile, her eyes warm. “Good luck.”

Yumiko and Lukas began the final climb, the air thick and cool, carrying the faint scent of rain. The first droplets began to fall, speckling the dirt path and darkening the fabric of their clothes. Yumiko’s heart raced with each step, her nerves tightening like a coiled spring.

Halfway up the hill, she paused, pressing a hand to her chest as she struggled to steady her breath.

Lukas stopped, turning back to her, his brow furrowed with concern. “What’s wrong?”

Yumiko forced a faint smile, though the weight in her chest remained. “Just… a little nervous,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lukas studied her for a moment, then nodded. His voice softened, carrying a rare note of reassurance. “Take your time. There’s no rush.”

Yumiko took a deep breath, grounding herself. She wasn’t sure if it was the weight of the journey, the gravity of the moment, or the presence of her brother’s memory that unnerved her most. Lukas stood and watched her. He didn’t speak, simply waited with quiet patience as Yumiko took a few deep breaths, steadying herself. The rain fell steadily now, the soft patter filling the silence between them.

As they crested the hill, the graves came into view. The small burial site was a solemn and serene place, thoughtfully arranged. Each marker stood spaced apart, as though the fallen were given room to rest undisturbed.

Lukas gestured toward the graves as they approached. “I spaced them out,” he said quietly, his voice carrying a deep reverence. “I wanted to give each of them a spot I thought they’d like. Somewhere peaceful.”

Yumiko nodded, her gaze lingering on the graves. She could see the care in every detail, each placement a reflection of Lukas’s respect for the fallen. The rain gathered strength, tracing rivulets down the stones and soaking into the earth beneath their feet.

Lukas suddenly froze. His entire body tensed, his posture rigid like a bowstring drawn taut. His gaze locked onto a grave ahead, and his expression darkened in an instant. “What the hell?” he growled, breaking into a run.

Yumiko’s heart leaped as she hurried after him, her voice tight with alarm. “Lukas, what’s wrong?”

He came to a sudden stop in front of a shattered grave marker. The stone lay in jagged fragments, scattered haphazardly across the ground. Lukas stood over the desecrated site, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. The rain streamed down his face, though his rage burned undiminished. “Someone… someone broke one of my comrades’ graves,” he said through gritted teeth.

Yumiko slowed as she reached his side, her breath catching at the sight. The damage was glaring against the otherwise undisturbed scene. “Just this one?” she asked softly, her voice barely audible over the rain.

Lukas nodded, his jaw set in a hard line. “Looks that way…”

Yumiko hesitated before offering a suggestion, though her voice wavered. “Maybe it was lightning?”

“Maybe…” Lukas muttered, but the edge in his tone betrayed his doubt. His fists trembled at his sides, his anger barely contained. He stared at the broken pieces, his eyes haunted. “He saved my life, you know. When we were overrun, he stayed behind to cover our escape. I could hear his screams, but… I couldn’t do anything. I couldn’t save him.”

Yumiko averted her gaze, her chest tightening. The pain in Lukas’s voice was raw, cutting through the rain-soaked air. She struggled to process his words, overwhelmed by the weight of his memories. It was too much—more than she had ever faced—but she knew it was only a fraction of what he was feeling.

After a long moment, Lukas let out a heavy sigh. His voice was steadier now, though weariness crept into every word. “No matter… I’ll get George a new headstone when I can.”

“That was his name? George?” Yumiko asked softly, her gaze dropping to the shattered stone at her feet, the rain making it glisten like shards of glass.

Lukas nodded, “Yeah. George Maxime. He was a great archer—like you.”

The compliment caught Yumiko off guard, unexpected in the somber atmosphere. Praise from Lukas was rare, and though the moment was grim, his words stirred a small, bittersweet warmth within her. She glanced at Lukas, who stared at the grave with a quiet resolve. Even in his pain, his respect for the fallen shone through, unyielding.

The rain continued to fall, its rhythm steady, as if nature itself mourned alongside them.

Lukas closed his eyes for a moment, drawing in a deep, steadying breath. When he opened them, his expression was calm but somber. “Come on,” he said quietly, motioning toward another part of the clearing. “Your brother’s grave is over here.”

Yumiko followed Lukas, her heart pounding so fiercely it felt as if it might burst. Each step brought her closer to the moment she had both dreaded and longed for, and the knot in her stomach tightened with every passing second. By the time they reached Hiro’s grave, her legs felt like they might give way.

When her eyes fell on the gravestone, she froze. A wave of shock and raw emotion crashed over her, stealing her breath. The stone was simple yet striking, its elegance a testament to care and respect. The rainwater glided over its smooth surface, tracing the delicate engraving. At the top of the stone, a dragonfly had been carved with intricate detail, its wings spread wide as if ready to take flight.

“The dragonfly is a symbol of freedom, according to Hiro…” Lukas said, his voice barely audible over the rain. “I figured it was fitting. I had someone from Jinsoku translate the inscription for me. They also helped me perform the proper burial rites.”

Yumiko stepped closer, her trembling fingers reaching out to trace the smooth engraving. Her fingertips moved over the characters etched into the stone, each stroke carrying the weight of memory and loss. She read the words aloud in Jinso, her voice quivering and barely above a whisper:

“Fly free like a dragonfly, so that you may live a life of adventure and happiness. Hiro Hoshino, 21.”

Her breath hitched, and tears blurred her vision as the reality of her brother’s absence washed over her anew. Her legs buckled, and she sank to her knees before the grave. The cold, wet ground seeped through her clothes, but she didn’t care. 

Lukas crouched beside her, his brow furrowed, his voice laced with concern. “Hey, are you alright?”

Yumiko nodded weakly, though her trembling hands betrayed her. She hastily wiped at her face, but the tears continued to flow. “Yes… it’s just that… it’s just…” Her voice faltered, her words failing to capture the storm of grief and love that churned within her.

Lukas averted his gaze, his discomfort with her tears were shown, yet he didn’t move away. After a hesitant pause, he reached out and rested a hand gently on her shoulder. His voice, awkward but earnest, broke through the rain. “You know… he wouldn’t want this. You crying, I mean.”

Yumiko froze, lifting her tear-streaked face to meet his gaze. His expression was solemn, his eyes fixed on Hiro’s grave. The sadness within them mirrored her own, a quiet understanding that bridged the gulf of their pain.

For a long moment, the rain was the only sound between them. Finally, Yumiko wiped at her face again, her sobs subsiding into soft sniffles. She nodded, her voice trembling but steadier. “You’re right… Hiro wouldn’t want me to cry.”

Lukas gave her a faint nod and stood, removing his hand from her shoulder. He stepped back, giving her space, but his presence remained solid and grounding.

Yumiko stayed kneeling before the grave, her hand resting lightly on the stone as the rain fell around her. She stared at the dragonfly carving, her thoughts drifting to memories of her brother. Finally, she broke the silence, her voice soft but laden with a quiet determination. “Is his body here… in the ground?”

Lukas hesitated, his shoulders tensing as the rain filled the silence between Yumiko’s question and his answer. Finally, his voice came, quiet and heavy. “No,” he said. “Everyone’s bodies were turned to ash because of a curse… Your brother’s body was no different. When I came back here, after I recovered from my injuries, all I found were his clothes and some of his equipment. That’s what I buried here.”

Yumiko absorbed his words slowly, the weight of them pressing against her chest. Her hands came together, fingers trembling slightly as she bowed her head. Her lips moved in silent prayer, her form steady despite the torrent of emotions roiling within. A quiet strength radiated from her, even in the depths of her grief.

After a long moment, Yumiko’s voice broke the stillness, low and tinged with uncertainty. “Do you think my brother would be proud of me right now?”

Lukas turned to her, his brows knitting together. “What kind of question is that?” he asked, a hint of incredulity in his tone.

Yumiko lifted her head, her gaze steady but uncertain as it met his. “My older brother, my father, even my mother… they all disapprove of what I’m doing. They want me to go back home—each for their own reasons. So, I can’t help but wonder… Would Hiro think the same?”

Lukas frowned, turning his eyes back to the grave. The rain rolled down his face, mingling with the somber shadows in his expression. “Do you honestly think Hiro would say something like that?”

Yumiko hesitated, then shook her head, though her doubt lingered in the downturn of her lips.

“And if he did?” Lukas pressed, his tone sharpening. “Would you go back?”

Her eyes widened slightly, but then she shook her head again, this time with conviction. “No… I wouldn’t.”

“Then why ask the question?” Lukas said flatly. His gaze hardened, narrowing slightly as if sifting through memories. “First thing Hiro taught me was to live your life with no regrets. That’s all I can say to you.”

Yumiko inhaled sharply, his words cutting through the haze of doubt clouding her heart. She turned back to her brother’s grave, the lingering uncertainty in her posture giving way to quiet determination. Her voice, when it came, was steady. “Yes… You’re right.”

Lukas nodded once, his movements deliberate. He glanced toward the other graves scattered across the hillside, the rain blurring their outlines. “I’m going to check on the rest of the gang. Take your time.” Without waiting for a response, he turned and began walking away, his footsteps muffled by the rain.

Left alone, Yumiko remained kneeling by her brother’s grave. Her fingers reached out, brushing against the engraved dragonfly, its delicate wings glistening under the rain like fragile glass. A faint smile touched her lips, bittersweet and fleeting, though tears still brimmed in her eyes.

“No regrets, huh,” she whispered to herself, her voice soft yet resolute. The rain traced cold lines down her cheeks, but she felt something shift within her. For the first time since arriving, the tight knot in her chest began to loosen. She closed her eyes, tilting her face upward as the rain washed over her.

In that moment, she resolved to honor her brother—not through mourning, but by living her life fully. The way Hiro would have wanted.