Eri gasped as a rush of fresh air filled her lungs. For a second, her breath caught in her chest.
The sharp sunlight stabbed straight into her eyes, forcing them shut as she threw a hand up to cover her face.
"Ahh…! Why is it so bright out here?!"
Still squinting, she stumbled a few steps forward, trying to adjust to the new sensations.
The ground felt strange beneath her.
She lowered her gaze, blinking through the sting in her eyes.
Her bare foot brushed against the soil, and she wiggled her toes in it, dazed.
"How's it so soft… yet tough enough to step on?"
She bent down toward the dirt and sniffed.
Not good, not bad—just… new.
Carefully, she cupped her hands and scooped up a mound of soil. A giggle slipped out as the tiny grains tickled through her fingers.
But then—her eyes caught something moving. Right there, in her palm.
"So cute!!" Eri whispered to the little black bug crawling straight toward her finger.
The moment didn't last, a sharp sting pricked her fingertip.
"Ah—!" She yanked her hands back, stumbling a few steps away.
Still reeling from the shock of that strange pain, she frowned at the insect—almost as if it had betrayed her.
Eri took another step back—only to bump into the rough trunk of a tree.
A few dry leaves fluttered down, landing softly at her feet.
She caught one in her hand and stared at it. Suddenly, a sharp throb spread through her head.
She blinked as a faint glow shimmered around the brittle leaf. Slowly—impossibly—it turned into a fresh, pure white one.
"I—I think this is normal… right?"
Still dazed, Eri pressed her hand against the tree's bark.
At once, the whole trunk stirred to life, its branches blooming, every leaf glowing white as though the tree had stepped out of heaven.
Her knees trembled, but her eyes sparkled with awe at the breathtaking sight.
From the dead soil, tall grass began to sprout, spreading around the tree and beneath Eri's feet.
The sudden tickle of soft blades brushing her bare skin made her flinch.
With a startled yelp, she jumped back a few steps—then stumbled and fell, landing right into the sea of grass.
Her breath hitched. She hurriedly pulled her hand out of the green, panic flickering in her eyes. But as the shock faded, she slowly reached back down, fingers sinking into the cool, tender blades.
A deep breath escaped her lips. "…It's so soft."
Eri stretched out on the ground, letting nature wrap around her.
Tiny flowers began to sprout all around her.
It felt amazing. A strange kind of feeling she had never known before.
The endless sky above her, the massive blazing sun, the soft smooth earth beneath her, the view of a heavenly tree blooming over her head, and the cool breeze of late winter days.
A path stretched out in front of her with no end in sight, and she didn't even know where it led.
So this… this was what freedom felt like.
The thought that she could do anything she wanted—even if she didn't know what she wanted. Even if she didn't know what she was supposed to do, or even what she could do.
To not be chained anymore… it was so strange.
But the peace shattered the moment she heard footsteps.
Soldiers!
With a sudden jump, she bolted toward the forest.
"What was I even thinking, lying down right outside the castle?"
Every step she took left a trail of green grass blooming behind her.
Just then, something sharp stabbed into her bare foot.
Pain shot up her leg and she fell hard to the ground. Tears almost spilled as she grabbed her foot.
Blood mixed with dirt and mud, a splinter buried deep in her flesh.
She clenched her jaw, squeezed her eyes shut, and yanked it out in one go. A muffled cry escaped through her pressed lips.
Using a tree for support, she forced herself up.
Limping, dragging her weight onto the other leg, she pushed forward into the forest—anywhere but here.
The deeper she went, the darker it grew.
Towering trees swallowed the light.
Her first night outside her prison… and it was the most terrifying night of her life.
Just like the dungeon's dark halls—but worse. At least there, she had walls.
"Why outside is scarier? Maybe if I find someone… anyone… it won't feel so bad." She whispered to herself, trying to push down her fear.
Strange animal cries echoed in the dark, the wind howled between the branches. Every step made her tremble harder, her eyes darting around at every tiny sound—until finally, she stopped.
Her head dropped. "What am I even doing…? Where am I going? Where should I go? The Light I'm supposed to follow… where is it?"
From the shadowy depths ahead, a sharp beam of light suddenly cut through the dark—thin like a laser, swinging back and forth.
"Light…?!" Her eyes went wide.
That single glow was enough to ignite her hope.
With all the speed her injured foot allowed, she ran toward it.
No thought. No hesitation. Not even wondering if this was the Light she was meant to follow.
Soon, the forest broke, and she froze.
High above, a glowing white orb hung in the sky.
Her eyes locked on it in awe. "T-That… must be the moon? But… how can it shine like that?!"
Then her gaze dropped from the sky—and from the hill she was standing on, she saw the streets below.
Houses. A dark city glowing against the night.
"This… is where people live?" she whispered, dazed.
She started toward it—followed the light that had caught her eye—only to hear footsteps thundering behind her.
"Over there!!" A soldier's shout made her flinch.
Eri spun around, eyes wide. "T-They're… after me?!"
Her heart pounded.
She turned and ran, limping, chasing the light that had already gone out. Breath ragged, she stumbled into the street corner where it had shone—only to find nothing.
Before she could panic further, a hand shot out from the darkness, clamping over her mouth. She let out a muffled scream as she was yanked into an alley.
Eyes squeezed shut, she felt her back slam against a wall.
Her captor pressed close, one gloved hand tight over her mouth, the other braced against the wall as he peeked out into the street.
Slowly, trembling, Eri cracked her eyes open.
In the shadows, a pair of glowing red eyes stared back at her.
Neither moved.
Only their breaths filled the silence.
Soldiers' voices echoed down the street:
"…Didn't look like a knight to me. More like… a girl?"
"A girl? At this hour?"
"Hah, you're seeing things. Too much night duty?"
"Man, your eyes are fried from no sleep. Go pop some vitamins."
Their laughter echoed as they passed.
He finally pulled his hand from her mouth, pressing a finger to his lips to keep her silent.
"A… stranger?" Eri whispered, her wide eyes still locked on him.
Noah ignored her, stepping to the alley's mouth to check the streets.
When he turned back, Eri panicked, stumbling backward on her injured foot, nearly falling over.
Noah's expression darkened.
"Are you insane?! Didn't anyone ever tell you don't walk outside like this?" His voice was sharp, scolding.
"Why is this stranger yelling at me?" Eri flinched at his harsh tone.
"And mumbling to yourself won't help either!" Noah snapped.
She shut her eyes tight, trembling.
Noah frowned when he saw her—small, wounded, dirty, shaking like a scared cat.
He sighed, but before he could say anything more, voices grew louder.
Soldiers were circling back. "Pretty sure I heard something down this alley!"
In an instant, Noah shoved her into a corner, his hands gripping her shoulders. "Stay hidden. Don't come out."
Her hand instinctively went to her neck, searching for her necklace—and her chest tightened with panic when she found nothing.
Noah stepped into the street. Calmly, he raised his hands.
The soldiers rushed him.
"You're an idiot for giving yourself away with all that light," one soldier spat, gripping his arm.
"Bad night to get caught. The king's in a foul mood—you won't last long," another sneered.
Eri froze, could only watch as Noah was dragged away.
'Stay hidden. Don't move.' The words echoed in her mind—just like Eric used to tell her.
"Stay hidden... Stay hidden..." She whispered it to herself again and again.
But after a while she stopped it.
"But he… got caught for saving me..."
Warmth filled her chest—stronger than the Lights. This time, it was the darkest thing. It was him.
"How long do I have to keep hiding? That Human is not… bad. I… I have to save him too." Her voice trembled, but she stepped out.
"I have to help him." said louder this time. "Anyway, the lights showed him to me."
-
Noah sat in a prison cell, two guards stationed nearby.
'Just as planned. Got myself caught…' He thought. 'now I just need to make it down to the dungeons. If that Nameless really exists beneath this castle…'
Once the guards finally left, it was his chance to go...
...even though he still had no idea how he was supposed to open his cell.
He stood—only to freeze when the prison iron doors creaked open again.
No footsteps. Just silence.
From the shadows, Eri stepped forward.
'…That girl?' Noah blinked, stunned.
For a moment, he thought he was imagining it.
'Is she seriously that stupid?'
The first rays of dawn spilled through the doorway, illuminating her hair—pure white.
Noah's red eyes widened as he looked at her hand.
If a girl is born, her parents have to report it to the Scribes. The Scribes register the girl's name and put a bracelet called a Code on her right wrist. This Code shows that the girl has permission to live.
If there's no Code, then she's a Nameless, someone who was never registered. A Nameless isn't allowed to live.
And Eri has no Code.
No doubt. This was her. The one he was supposed to find.
Eri just smiled innocently, pulling a tiny pin from her pocket. "Don't worry, Human. I'll help you!"
Noah still stared at her, completely in disbelief.
This wasn't part of the plan. The girl… she's saving him? He wasn't expecting this at all.
Something invisible flickered between them for just a heartbeat—then snapped away into darkness.
The cell door creaked open.
She stepped aside for him. "Hurry, before my dad and brother get here."
"You?" he asked coldly.
Eri tilted her head, confused.
Noah sighed. "You freed me. That's the law you just broke. Think your father will forgive that?"
She blinked, her gaze unknowing.
Noah pinched the bridge of his nose. "Unbelievable. What now? You can't stay here."
"…What should I do?" she asked softly.
"…Come... with me?" he tested, cautious. Almost planned in his mind to trap Eri.
"Can I really?" Her big eyes shone.
"…If I said it, then you can."
Her face lit up with the brightest smile. "Then I'll come!!"
'She... agreed? Just like that? No fear? What kind of king raises a girl like this…' Noah blinked, caught off guard.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice, eyes sharp. "You're really not scared or something?"
"Why would I be? You're human, just like me. Besides…" She smiled softly. "Being alone is scarier."
He nodded, turned toward the exit. "Then come on. What, waiting for me to give you orders?"
"Ah—right!" Eri hurried after him… limping.
Outside, Noah paused at a tree blooming with pale blossoms.
He plucked one between his fingers. His eyes narrowed. "…You did this?"
"How'd you know?! Are you Master of Nature?!" she asked, baffled.
He didn't answer. Just sighed, watching the blossom blacken and crumble to dust between his fingers.
This girl gets impressed so easily. And she even asks such childish questions.
As they walked on, he glanced back at the girl trailing after him. Small. Innocent. Limping. Still smiling.
He couldn't believe it was that easy. The girl he was supposed to capture just started following him. When Noah barely did anything, it was almost like fate—after entering the city, the first person he met was Eri.
"…You shouldn't have followed me, little girl." He whispered.