"Everie!" The boy called out softly.
"Father said I'll be able to join the knights!"
I smiled gently at him—the boy with golden hair.
"That's wonderful. Looks like you won't need my protection anymore."
"Mhm! I'll protect you this time, brother."
I chuckled. 'What is this pleasant dream? Another memory, perhaps?'
I wished it could last a little longer.
But then—
Darkness swallowed everything.
A man stood before me—blond hair, eyes cold. His sword pressed under my chin.
"There, there. That expression suits you. That helpless, pathetic face."
He snapped my blade in half like it was nothing, then smirked.
"Goodnight, Everie," he whispered.
I jolted awake, heart pounding. That blade…!
Without thinking, I tore open the drawer and pulled out the sword I'd hidden away. My hands trembled as I turned it in the moonlight.
"It's the same blade…" I whispered.
A sharp, pulsing pain slammed into my skull.
"Urgh—!" I clutched my head, teeth gritted.
Slowly, I focused on the handle.
"Everie,"—my name, carved deep into the hilt. But beneath it… the rest had been violently scratched out.
Like someone wanted to erase the person I used to be.
'Just who was I…?'
—
I wandered through town, my thoughts tangled with fragments of memory.
Each step felt heavier. Anger stirred every time that golden-haired figure flashed in my mind.
I never saw his face clearly in the visions—just his blade.
But my memories screamed his name.
I was just about to head home—
Until I stumbled across a terrifying sight.
In a narrow alley, barely lit by flickering lamp posts, I froze.
A man was tied up, bound by glowing magic. Another figure loomed over him—hooded, cloaked in black.
"I warned you to stop tailing me—"
He suddenly paused.
My breath hitched.
Did he see me?
I ducked behind the wall just in time.
That voice, that aura—there was no mistaking it.
The Black Hood.
Flames erupted from his hand.
The man's muffled screams didn't stop him.
He burned him to ash.
I clamped my mouth shut, crawling backward quietly—
Boop.
I froze. I'd bumped into someone.
'I'm doomed.'
"Master?"
I looked up—and nearly collapsed in relief.
"Why are you crawling—?"
"Shush. Let's get out of here first."
I grabbed his hand and ran, dragging Ciel with me before the killer could notice.
—
I sprinted as fast as I could, not even realizing how tightly I held Ciel's hand.
He trotted beside me, sucking on a lollipop like it was just another sunny afternoon.
Not a single question.
Just… happy to be there.
Eventually, I slumped down at a table outside a small bread shop, breath heavy.
Blending into a crowd was my only hope.
Ciel blinked and tilted his head.
"Master, I've been wondering… have you been working out?"
'What now…?'
"What's wrong with you? Did you not see—"
I paused. The less he knew about the real Black Hood, the better.
"Ahem—never mind. What were you even doing in that alley?"
"Huh? Are you that clueless, Master?"
'Coming from you…'
"Vampires can't stand the bright sun," he said, kicking his legs lazily. "So I always stay somewhere dark."
Then he lit up.
"Ah! Speaking of dark places—look what I found!"
He pulled out a crumpled poster and shoved it in my face.
A town… foggy skies, eerie buildings, dim light.
It sent a chill down my back.
"I used to live here! The skies were so different compared to…" he looked around, "this place. I have to stay inside most of the time here…"
That town… something about it made my blood freeze.
"Then why are you here? Go back to your home, or whatever."
"I wish," he said softly.
"I got into an argument with my parents and ran away. Flew away, actually. Broke my wings… they never healed. I grew up here after that. Alone. I can barely remember their faces anymore."
I didn't say anything. I just stared at the poster while he slurped at his candy, eyes a little dimmer now.
'This town…' my thoughts echoed.
And then—
Darkness.
My head slammed forward onto the table, and everything faded.
"—M-Master?!"