Enzo carried Marai’s body on his back before dawn.
The road was not long,
yet every step felt heavy, as if the earth itself resisted his movement.
When the city finally appeared, it was still asleep.
A small, quiet place—wooden houses standing close together, narrow streets where everyone knew one another by name.
It was not a city of warriors or merchants.
It was a place built on simplicity… and memories.
Enzo did not speak.
He did not ask for help.
The weight on his back was nothing compared to the weight pressing against his chest.
At the edge of the city, he stopped.
A small graveyard lay before him.
No walls.
Simple rows of graves.
Rough stone markers carved by trembling human hands.
He laid the body down.
Then he began to dig.
With his bare hands.
He did not feel the cold.
He did not feel the pain.
He did not feel his skin splitting open.
When the hole was deep enough, he placed Marai inside gently—
as if a single careless movement might wake him.
Enzo stood there for a long time.
He said nothing.
He did not cry.
Then he covered the grave with soil.
He went straight to Marai’s home.
Marai’s mother opened the door.
The moment she saw Enzo’s face, she understood.
She did not scream.
She did not collapse.
She covered her mouth with her hand and slowly sank to the ground.
Marai’s father came out moments later.
He looked at Enzo.
Then into his eyes.
“Where is he?” he asked quietly.
Enzo bowed.
A deep bow.
Not a greeting—
an apology.
“I’m… sorry.”
Marai’s mother needed no more words.
She walked toward the graveyard with unsteady steps.
Enzo followed in silence.
Marai’s father stood before the grave for a long time.
Then he placed his hand on the stone marker and said softly,
“He dreamed too much.”
He turned to Enzo.
“Don’t let this world break you.”
It was not an accusation.
It was a plea.
That night, Enzo left the city.
He entered the forest alone.
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He lit a small fire and sat beside it as darkness swallowed the land.
The stars above were countless…
yet distant.
Enzo lay down near an old tree and closed his eyes.
And he remembered.
He and Marai were lying like this once before,
staring up at the sky.
“I’m going to change this world,” Enzo said quietly—
his voice filled with anger.
Marai turned toward him, surprised.
“Change it? How?”
Enzo clenched his fist.
“I’ll break the curse of war.”
“I’ll destroy these powers…”
“These elements…”
“I’ll erase them from existence.”
Silence followed.
Then Marai spoke hesitantly,
“That’s dangerous.”
Enzo looked at him.
“But it’s necessary.”
Marai stared at him for a long moment.
Then he smiled.
“If that’s your path…”
“I’ll walk it with you.”
Enzo was taken aback.
“Really?”
Marai laughed.
“We’ll become the strongest.”
“For peace… together.”
Enzo extended his hand.
And they made a vow—
to move forward together.
Enzo’s past was cut short by a sound from the forest.
A laugh.
Cold.
Unfamiliar.
The air shifted.
A dark red aura crept between the trees, and the forest trembled.
A voice echoed through the darkness:
“Those who stand in my way… die.”
Then—
A red light tore through the sky.
A sword descended.
Its blade was distinct, glowing with a terrifying crimson aura that illuminated the forest for a brief moment.
Then the voice vanished.
Enzo stood before the sword.
He hesitated.
Then he grasped it.
A monstrous power surged through his body.
His knees nearly gave way.
But he did not let go.
His anger was stronger than fear.
His desire for revenge burned brighter than pain.
He believed—
that this sword was the key to everything.
Suddenly—
The crimson aura vanished.
The sword grew silent.
Only a faint light remained, glowing from the center of its blade.
Enzo stood in the darkness.
The sword in his hand.
Unsure whether he had grasped salvation…
or the beginning of a calamity.
And thus…
Chapter Two came to an end.
