— "Look down, Arata!" — Archie's voice trembled.
Arata took a step forward, reaching the edge of the cold concrete.
He looked down.
In the depths of the night, the headlights of distant cars flickered,
the streets were silent — as if the world continued living, unaware of him.
— "Cars…" — he said quietly.
His voice was so weak the wind carried it away.
Archie shook his head.
— "No, Arata. There are no cars down there.
Below… is the place where hope dies.
If you go there, everything — everything will be destroyed.
Not you. We can do this.
You will have the life you want in this world,
just endure a little longer…"
Archie stepped closer.
A single drop of light shimmered in his eyes, as if he too were about to cry.
— "I promise," — he said in a trembling voice.
— "I'll give you the life you want, Arata."
Arata closed his eyes.
The tear sliding down his cheek felt frozen,
yet within him, a warmth was born.
— "Archie…" — he whispered.
— "I'm glad you're here."
In that moment, it felt as if the night grew slightly brighter.
The wind calmed.
And in the depths of the void, for the first time,
a spark of hope began to appear.