The pain was cold.
The smell of rust — blood — ran down his body as Kaito, lying in an alley, stared at the gray sky about to rain for the last time.
But it wasn't the end.
It was the beginning.
When he opened his eyes, there was the warmth of a blanket and a ceiling full of silver decorations. And beside him, a tall man with dark hair tied in a high bun, wearing a robe of living fabric that seemed to shift colors under the light.
"You've awakened... master." His voice was low, almost reverent.
"What? Where… Who are you?"
"I am Ryong. I am your guardian," he said, bowing his head. "Welcome back."
Kaito tried to sit up, but something burned in his chest. Not pain — power. As if something lay dormant inside him… something that wanted to awaken but couldn't.
TO BE CONTINUED...