Chapter 8: Death?

As Kazuki lay in his father's arms, he could feel the tension in the air, the weight of the decision that had been made. His tiny fists clutched at the fabric of his father's shirt, a small but desperate gesture. Inside, his thoughts raced—disjointed, panicked, but also filled with a surprising clarity. Unlucky star… that's what they called me. The words of the High Priest haunted him, filling him with a cold dread. It wasn't supposed to be like this. He was just a baby, barely starting to exist in this world. How could he be condemned already, labeled as the harbinger of chaos and destruction?

This isn't fair, Kazuki thought, a deep, ancient sorrow welling up inside him. He hadn't asked for any of this. He didn't choose to be reborn, to carry this curse. Yet, here he was, sentenced to die for something he had no control over. Why do I have to die just because they think I'll bring bad luck?

His father's grip tightened as he handed Kazuki over to the guard, the finality of the act causing a silent, invisible tear in the fabric of their bond. The guard, a stern man with years of service under his belt, took the child with a grim expression. He was loyal to the King, but the command he had been given weighed heavily on his conscience.

As the guard trudged through the dense forest, Kazuki's small form cradled in his arms, the silence of the night was only broken by the occasional rustle of leaves. Every step felt heavier than the last, the weight of his duty pressing down on him like a boulder. The trees seemed to close in around them, their shadows long and menacing, as if the forest itself was mourning what was about to happen.

The guard's thoughts were a chaotic mix of duty and guilt. I've slain men in battle, executed traitors, and silenced those who dared oppose the King, he thought, his grip tightening around the hilt of his sword. But this… this is different. This is a child…

Just as they neared the river, the boundary of the kingdom where the guard intended to carry out his grim task, a rustling sound made him freeze. His senses, honed from years of battle, sharpened instantly. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted movement in the underbrush. Before he could react, a figure burst forth—a bandit, wild-eyed and desperate, brandishing a rusted dagger.

"Hand over the gold, or I'll gut ya like a pig!" the bandit snarled, his breath reeking of something foul enough to strip paint.

Kazuki, cradled in the guard's arms, squinted up at the bandit. Really? he thought, his infant mind struggling to process the absurdity of the situation. Of all the people to ambush, this guy picks the one carrying a baby. Great strategy, genius.

The guard, too stunned by the sheer audacity of the bandit, hesitated for just a moment. But that moment was all it took for instinct to kick in. He quickly shifted Kazuki to his left arm, freeing his right to draw his sword.

The bandit, seeing the gleaming blade, took a step back. "Whoa, whoa, easy there!" he stammered, his bravado faltering. "I didn't sign up for no sword fight! I'm just lookin' to make an honest steal, ya know?"

An honest steal? Kazuki mused, his tiny face scrunching up in what could only be described as a baby's version of incredulity. This guy's logic is about as sharp as his dagger… which, by the way, looks like it's seen better days.

"Honest or not, you picked the wrong target," the guard growled, his sword flashing in the moonlight. "Step aside, or I'll make sure you never pick anything again."

The bandit glanced nervously between the guard and the sword, his resolve crumbling faster than a stale biscuit. "Alright, alright, no need to get stabby!" he muttered, raising his hands in surrender. "I'm outta here!"

But just as the bandit turned to flee, the guard's patience snapped. With a swift, practiced motion, he struck, his blade cutting through the air with a deadly whisper. The bandit didn't even have time to react before he crumpled to the ground, lifeless, a pool of blood spreading beneath him.

As the guard stood over the fallen bandit, his sword dripping with blood, Kazuki's mind raced. Well, that escalated quickly. One minute, we're getting mugged by the world's least intimidating bandit, and now there's blood everywhere. Lovely.

The guard looked down at the bloodstains on his clothes, his face hardening. He knew what had to be done next, but his resolve was wavering. He glanced at Kazuki, who was staring up at him with wide, innocent eyes. Eyes that seemed to hold a wisdom far beyond their years.

With a heavy sigh, the guard knelt by the riverbank, placing Kazuki gently on the soft grass. "I can't do it," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the sound of the flowing water. "Even for the King… I can't kill a child."

Kazuki's tiny body shivered as the cool night air brushed against him, but inside, his thoughts were a whirl of fear and dark humor. Great, now I'm alone in the woods with a dead bandit for company. If this is what being a harbinger of chaos is like, it's off to a fantastic start.

The guard took one last look at Kazuki, guilt and sorrow etched into his features. "If you're lucky, you'll survive," he murmured, before turning and disappearing into the forest, leaving Kazuki alone by the riverbank.

As the night deepened, Kazuki lay there, feeling both the chill of the air and the weight of his supposed destiny pressing down on him. Bad luck, huh? he thought, the fear slowly giving way to a grim determination. Well, I guess we'll see about that.