Chapter 2

Sano didn't realize he had passed out until he opened his eyes to see a blurry figure in front of him. Once his vision came to focus, he saw Naka. His best friend pulled him out of the burning house, finally able to breathe fresh air. However, his image kept fading and coming, and the ringing in his head was obnoxiously loud. Naka held him up, "Are you alright!? Sano!" he yelled with a face full of tears. Sano could feel his best friend's hand shaking, "I'm alright.." he coughed out. He rubbed Naka's arm gently to get the other to calm down, "I'm okay, Naka..." he spoke quietly. However, the situation didn't hit him until the house in front of them crumbled down, and dust of debris flew at their face, forcing them to cover their eyes and mouths.

Sano waved the dust away from his face as he stood up, staring at that crumbled house. The pain in his chest grew by the second, "Mother... everyone..." his voice weakened and cracked as his nose began to sting. The reality now hit him as his eyes filled with water. He fell to his knees and slammed his fist against the ground, blaming himself for everything, "How could I let this happen...? They were innocent... It should have been me..." he mumbled, staring at the grass between his tightened fingers. His tears began to water the ground underneath him as all he could do was think about how he could have saved them. Anger and regret filled his heart as he questioned fate on this cruel choice it had made.

Naka rushed over to comfort Sano but gained an angry look full of tears, "It should have been me! Why did you save me!?" He shoved Naka back before grabbing his shirt tightly in his fist, "Why didn't you save them instead!?"

"I-I couldn't... I'm so sorry, Sano... I'm sorry," Naka sincerely apologized, but no matter how angry Sano seemed at Naka, he couldn't hold this grudge against him. His grip loosened as his head fell into Naka's chest, crying desperately, asking for someone to bring his family back to him. Naka tightly wrapped his arms around Sano, hugging him, "I'm sorry..." he whispered.

The images of his mother, father, Kaisai, and Mirua burned into his mind. The moments he shared with them, the years they had been together, were gone within one night. All that he worked hard for vanished into thin air, not giving him a chance to fight back or even say his goodbyes. He would never be able to help his mother in the kitchen to surprise his father with another burned meal because he was so bad at cooking. He would never get to spar with his father and challenge his old skills. He wouldn't be able to play dress up with Mirua or Tag with Kaisai. If he had known this would happen, maybe he would have played with his siblings a little before bed, even if it went against his mother's command. Perhaps he would have stayed up longer and been able to warn them and get them out of the house sooner.

Sano's memories were interrupted by a woman's scream, catching both of their attention. Sano had no time to sulk about what was already gone, even if it killed him to admit that. He hoped his family would walk towards him any minute now, but they didn't. His house wasn't the only thing that caught fire but his entire village. He whipped his eyes, trying to focus on the lives of the people his father swore to protect. However, Naka pulled him into a bush and covered his mouth. Angry, Sano prayed his friend's hand off his mouth, "Nak-!" he was interrupted by a hush from Naka, who then pointed to the woman screaming.

Men surrounded her, but these men wore uniforms that showed they worked under King Zaire. Confusion was written all over Sano's face. What were they doing here? Why would King Zaire send his men here? And for what? But his question was soon answered after witnessing one of the soldiers slit the woman's throat open, "I...I don't understand... why...? Why is King Zaire doing this to us...? After everything I've done for him," he clenched his fist, feeling his blood begin to boil. If it weren't for Naka holding him back, he probably would have fought the soldiers. Which would have been illogical, considering he had no weapon or armor.

"We need to leave before they catch us..." Naka whispered as he scanned the area before pointing in a direction, "I don't see any soldiers there. Let's go that way," he suggested. Sano shook his head, stopping his friend from running off, "We'll have to cross the open to reach it. They would easily notice us, even if we ran. Also, that direction is towards the entrance of the Ancient Forest. The one you forced me to promise never to enter."

Naka sighed softly, "Does it look like we have any other choice? They are everywhere. The Ancient Forest is known even by the King. They would never cross it because it isn't their territory. Those soldiers know that they are forbidden to enter that forest. If we go, yes, they'll chase us, but they will soon give up once we make it there. So we'll hide until they're gone," he explained.

Sano wanted to ask how Naka knew so much about this, but they didn't have time to sit and chat. They would be caught soon if they didn't hurry, "fine. I trust you," Sano agreed. They took each other's hand, and both stared at the other. They took a moment to brace themselves and prepare to run before they raced across the village toward the opening of a path that led into the woods. Behind them, they could hear one of the soldiers yell, "Hey! Stop! Get back here!"

The two didn't even look back as they had no intentions of stopping. Instead, they raced into the forest, their hands beginning to slip, but Sano held onto Naka tighter.

"Men, after them!" the soldier called out.

Before they knew it, they were being chased by the soldiers. Sano realized how much more robust and faster he was compared to his friend. Naka was getting slower as fatigue hit him, but he looked determined to continue, dashing through any branch that got in his way, "We're almost there!" Naka called out. With those words in his mind, Sano continued, ignoring the hollering of soldiers behind him. That was until Naka pulled him down.

He turned back to his friend on the ground, whimpering in pain. That's when Sano noticed the arrow in his leg. He gritted his teeth and began to pick up Naka by his arms and drag him further, although the soldiers were catching up, "Run, Sano! You have to leave me!" Naka cried out.

"Shut up! I'm doing that!" Sano argued before dropping Naka as a massive rush of pain ran through his arm. An arrow had hit him. He groaned as he pulled the arrow out and covered his wound with his other hand, "damn it..." despite this, Sano sucked it up and grabbed his friend again, beginning to pull him, but he was much weaker, barely able to move fast enough, and the pain was excruciating.

Another arrow flew by and grazed Sano's cheek. Finally, Naka had enough and shoved Sano off of him, "Go! Please, Sano! I beg you... I'll come to find you, I promise! So, stay alive for me, alright?" he asked, giving a forced smile. Sano saw right through the disguise, knowing how much fear and pain Naka must be going through but hid it just for him not to worry. The soldiers came closer as Naka continued to beg Sano. However, he grabbed Naka's hand holding it tightly, "I will save you... I'll do whatever I can. We'll meet again," Sano promised before he got up and ran off like Naka had wished, just as the soldiers approached them.

"We got one! Get the other," one man yelled.

As the other men were about to run after Sano, they halted in their path as a rush of fear set inside them, "Sir, he has crossed over to the forbidden forest."

The man who seemed to be the leader quickly responded, "Leave him then. He's already killed himself."