Too Early to Understand

Maybe I've been walking for hours but still haven't come across any people around. Maybe this is an abandoned place.

I felt my throat begin to dry.

If this place is deserted there should be no problem getting in.

I opened the door of the ruined building I was standing in front of. It was dark and dusty because there was not much sunlight inside.

I decided to explore the inside of the building in the hope that I could find something.

The dining table was messy and covered with a layer of dust. I made my way to the kitchen side and started fiddling with the drawers.

But it was not what I expected at all, the structure was completely emptied.

I was planning to leave the building when I heard the voice of a group of people outside. It was clear from the loudness of their voices that they were approaching here.

I hid in a closet because something inside me told me to hide. Since some points on the outer surface of the cabinet are rotten and broken, I can clearly see the people entering the ruined building.

"Oii... Weren't we supposed to save the people there?"

"Huh?! Don't be ridiculous, it was obvious they were going to die. Why should we risk our lives?"

These are the same black dresses that that long-haired girl I saw earlier was wearing. Who exactly are these people?

"Anyway, we need to write a proper report before we come back. If they find out there's an error in our report, they'll screw us over."

"Maybe we should tell the captain the truth?"

"Do you want to die, idiot! If we tell the captain the truth, she'll kill us right away."

"But, you know, so our captain is beautiful... Big breasted hehehe..."

"Wipe your mouth watering asshole. We don't have time to listen to your perverted thoughts."

I don't know what they're talking about, and I don't want to know either. But get out of here as soon as possible, and I'll go too.

I wanted to quietly correct my sitting position, but the cabinet was so worn out that it made a big creaking noise.

'No...'

"You heard that voice, didn't you?"

"I heard this place was already abandoned."

"Could it be one of them?"

"Maybe, but there's no way there's anyone else around here."

"Perhaps there is someone who cannot escape."

They immediately opened the closet door and they were both looking at me with an angry face. The fat man grabbed my hair and pulled me to the other side.

"Hey, Oshashi-kun. He's just a kid!"

"Enough of you being silly, man! This stupid brat heard everything we said."

"But, okay, who would believe a kid?"

"Do you think it's safe to take that risk?"

The two of them were silent for a moment, looking at each other, shaking their heads slightly, then slowly pulling their katanas out of their holsters.

"Don't blame us for what happened, kid. We have to do this because you're in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"Wait, wait... I really don't know what you're talking about. I swear."

It was clear that they wouldn't believe what I was saying. They did not hesitate to put their swords at my throat.

It's like I have to lubricate the heels again. I stood up slowly and took a deep breath, blowing hard into the dust on the dining table.

The interior of the ruined building was completely covered with dust. Those two men must have been impressed, as he was using their clothes to wipe the dust from his eyes.

Taking advantage of this, I immediately left the structure and started running towards the wooded area nearby.

"Oshashi-kun, that boy started running towards the wooded side. If we hurry, we'll be in time."

"Don't worry, it's not a good place at all. It's headed for the Hollow area. So we're done here."

I don't know how long I've been wandering around the woods, but at least I could stop now that I'm not being chased.

'Damn, I didn't eat or drink and had to run until I got tired. I feel like I'm going to die again.'

I sat down leaning against a tree and started thinking about what had happened all along.

Whoever the people wearing that black dress seem to be is not a good person. Then why did that girl help me?

Puff... I'm confused.

[Please...]

What was that sound?

It was like someone was talking inside my head.

[Please, come closer to me.]

He looked like someone who needed help. His voice was tired and weary.

[Please...]

I slowly got up from my seat and watched if anyone was around before I moved. It looked clean.

I don't know exactly where it is as I heard the voice inside my head. But a feeling was telling me that I should go straight.

As ı continued to advance, the smell of iron prevailed in the air.

As I progressed a little further, I began to see intense blood stains at the bottom of the trees and on the grass.

Whatever happened here, it is clear that there was a great massacre.

I wonder if it's something those guys who tried to kill me did?

Anyway, I have to focus on the sound.

[This way.]

I can feel myself getting closer to the sound.

The sunlight was not reaching the ground as the trees were getting thicker now. I can see someone leaning forward under a tree.

I started getting close to him, the clothes he was wearing at the time were remarkable.

He was wearing a black dress just like the others.

His whole body was scarred, and one of his arms looked like it had been severed, but his breathing was evident from the slight swelling and heaving of his chest.

"I called out, sensing someone was nearby. But I didn't expect a kid like you to hear my voice."

"Who exactly are you?"

"Ahhemm..."

He was coughing up blood. Looks like he's going to die soon.

"Can I ask you a favor?"

He continued speaking, not caring what answer I would give.

"Reach the Seireitei, pass the guard with this seal, and tell Captain Marahiba that there are traitors among us."

"How do you know they'll believe me?"

"If you personally talk to Captain Marahiba, he will believe it."

His eyes closed before he could give me the seal he held out to me. He explained a lot of things but I didn't understand a thing.

Where is the Seireitei? Who is Captain Marahiba? Traitors?

Day by day, I will learn more and more things that I did not know. And I still don't even know who these people are.

Standing next to this dead man was a bloody sword. It was quite similar to the sword of the men who tried to kill me.

Whatever is killing these people might try to kill me too. So I'd better take the sword with me. As I stretched out my hand to pick it up, I felt something cut my hand.

'It hurts!'

I screamed inside, I had small cuts on the inside of my hand.

[How dare you try to touch me?!]

Again I hear a strange voice echoing from the depths of my head.

"I don't care who you are?! I'm just taking this sword with me!"

When I reached out my hand for the sword again, I began to feel that my hands were cutting more. There was no turning back now that it was too late. After I somehow grabbed the hilt of the sword, the pressure on me disappeared in an instant.

All I feel is blood and pain dripping from the hilt of the sword.