“I think that’s enough for today.”
“...I’m not... done yet...” I tried to sound tough as I lay face up on the ground. I wasn’t even sure how much more I could swing the brand new star armament in my right hand.
We were in the laboratory where my parents worked. This was one of the rooms where they tested new star armaments.
“We could keep going, but remember, we have a party to attend. Towa might get mad if you show up looking like a wet noodle.”
“Hmm... Okay, let’s stop here.”
“Yeah.”
“...Hey, Dad.”
“What?”
I lifted up my worn out body and stared at my sword. “Will I really be able to become a star sorcerer like you?”
“...Sure. I bet you’ll even be able to surpass me.”
“Really?”
“I wouldn’t lie to you. I’m sure of it,” Dad said with a smile. “It won’t happen for a while yet, though.” And with that, he stood up and left the room. He had done just as much exercise as I, yet he didn’t look tired at all.
“Hey, wait!” I shouted, as I chased after his long shadow.
✦ ✦ ✦
“That should do it. Now for the cake.”
“...Can I just eat one piece?” I extended my hand toward a big piece of fried chicken that was lined up with the rest of the food.
“Just hold on a bit longer. I’ll go call Towa and your mother.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“They should be nearby...” he said, as we traversed the lab together.
No one else was inside. My parents were in charge of this block and usually worked here with their subordinates, but since it was a holiday, we were the only ones present.
“...That’s strange.” Dad suddenly stopped.
“What is?”
“Kokuya, wait here for a minute.”
“...Huh? Why? What’s going on?”
“Just wait here! I’ll be right back!” he said, as he ran down the hallway.
He ran so fast, there was no way I’d be able to catch up. What made him panic all of a sudden? I stood there for a bit, racked with helplessness and fear.
Towa and Mom were supposed to be in the room where I had gotten my star power measured earlier. I figured that must be where Dad had gone, so I decided to go after him – but before I did, I turned and went back to get my brand new sword. I was starting to get a bad feeling, so I wanted a weapon just in case.
I grabbed my sword and ran... and ran... And... then, I saw her.
My mother was on the ground, covered in blood. Standing in the room were two men I had never seen before. They both had swords, one of which was covered in deep red blood – my mother’s blood.
Dad was brandishing his own sword toward the two men, but he was already covered in wounds. Towa cowered on the floor behind him. The room was dim, and the only source of illumination was the moonlight that slipped in through the skylight.
It was all so sudden, I couldn’t even process it. All I knew was that the men Dad was fighting were bad, and I needed to protect him and Towa.
Suddenly, I dashed toward the men with my sword raised high.
“Get back, you idiot!” Dad shouted.
The other man stepped in front of the one I was heading for and swung down his blade, which was enough to send me flying to the other side of the room. My back slammed into something hard, and I let out a pained moan. Simultaneously, I heard a hollow ‘clink’ as my sword fell to the ground.
...But that wasn’t the only thing to hit the ground. Next to my sword, I saw a severed right arm. That arm... The moment I realized it was mine, intense pain enveloped my right shoulder. Then, before I could scream, something even more shocking happened.
A sword skewered my father.
I couldn’t understand what was happening in front of me. Just... what is this?
The man pulled his sword out from Dad’s body. There was a splatter of freshly drawn blood, followed by an impossibly thick river of red. Dad fell down into a pool of red, right next to Mom.
Then, the man turned his eyes to Towa. Without giving it a second thought, I picked up my sword with my left hand and tried to run in front of him. But I soon lost my balance and fell back to the ground with a pathetic thud.
“B-big brother...” Towa’s shaky voice trailed out from behind me.
“It’s okay. It’s okay...” I said, without any conviction in my voice.
Towa touched my left arm – and suddenly, I felt an immense power behind me.
Huh? What’s happening? I could feel a far greater amount of star power than Dad had ever displayed rising up behind me. I turned around and saw nothing but Towa – and a silver prosthetic arm that had materialized in place of the one I had lost.
I stared at my new right arm and tried to move my hand. It worked. When I clenched my right hand into a fist, I could feel incredible power rushing through me.
It’ll do. I can kill them with this. The moment that thought occurred to me, I heard a voice echo through my head.
Kill.
It kept getting louder, until I could think of nothing else. I stared at the man who had just killed my father. I have two enemies. Did the man who killed Dad also kill Mom? Maybe it doesn’t matter. I’m going to kill them both regardless. But I’m going to start with the one who killed Dad, since he’s right in front of me.
The bloodlust consumed everything.