The evening light of the sun draped the entire city in its orange hue.

Lamps on the sidewalk flickered, their light illuminating the pathway for people to walk.

The marketplace was filled with banners and posters flying around, promoting the festival happening tonight.

"Are you alright?"

On the sidewalk beside the shops, a girl's concerned voice echoed. Her short brown hair was tied back, her eyes shut.

Her hands were gently looped around a boy's neck, as she comfortably settled on his back.

"I am fine," the boy with purple hair replied, quietly walking forward.

"I can walk on my own, Noah," she grumbled, her fingers tracing the soft spot between his jaw and ears.

"Don't be stubborn," the boy with purple hair replied, his hands supporting her. "It's hard for you to walk right now."

The girl quieted down, her head settling on his shoulder as she mumbled, "I am sorry for being a burden."

"Oh, come on, Ashlyn," he grumbled, shaking his head. "Don't say things like that."

The girl whispered softly, her voice filled with sadness, "Tiffany has to take care of me all the time, and whenever you come home, you always busy yourself helping me with my needs."

"And?" he replied, his voice cheerful. "I like helping you, and I always will."

"Why?" she asked softly, her fingers gently touching his face. "Why do you like taking care of a blind girl like me?"

"Hmm, that's a good question," he replied, nodding. "Maybe it's because of your mother's last wish, or maybe I've just come to like you."

"I see." She hid her face behind his back, her face heating up from his words.

"Oh, we have another ice cream shop," he said, looking to his side. "Do you want to eat?"

"Will you eat with me?" she asked meekly, her fingers tracing his face again.

She liked to touch his face, trying to remember his features by continuously touching them.

The boy didn't mind her touch as he replied, "No, you already know I can't taste anything."

Ashlyn could sense the slight sadness in his voice, and her hand gently patted his head as she replied, "You'll know how it feels, one day for sure."

"Yeah," he replied, continuing to walk forward.

The sound of people shouting, fireworks, and children laughing filled Ashlyn's ears.

Her sensitive ears twitched as she heard all of it clearly.

"Where are we, Noah?" Ashlyn finally asked, her curiosity clear in her voice. "You never told me where you're taking me."

"Festival," he replied, looking around the place. "We're at the festival."

"Festival?" she asked, her interest piqued. "The festival of the three Gods?"

"You know about it?" he asked, glancing back.

"Who doesn't?" Ashlyn asked in return, her breath tickling his face. "Thousands of years ago, the Gods sent their chief Angels to imprison the Fallen into Hell. They were chained forever, but one day every year, they try to break free."

"And we celebrate in the name of the three Gods to lower their chances of escaping," he continued, finishing her words.

Ashlyn's ears twitched again as the voices around her started to fade.

"Where are we going?" she asked, curiously.

"Well, I'm taking you to meet my friends," he replied, a smile adorning his face. "You'll love them."

Her grip around his neck tightened a little, her expression darkened as she asked, "You have other friends?"

"Yes," he replied, not noticing her darkened expression. "And a big brother as well."

She remained silent as he moved along an empty road, taking them toward a building at the end.

But as they moved, another person came into view.

He stood in front of the gate, a distressed look on his face as he stared at his phone.

"Brother?" he whispered, looking at him.

"Hmm? What happened?" Ashlyn asked, hearing him.

"Wait a minute," he replied, lowering his body for her to get down.

She hopped down.

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"I'll be right back," he said, patting her head before running toward that person.

The teenage boy finally noticed him. His gaze moved toward Ashlyn, confusion filling his mind.

"What are you doing, brother Shane?" Azariah asked, looking up at him.

"Who is she, Az?" Shane questioned back, his crimson eyes staring at her.

"My friend," he replied, looking around. "Where is Shyamal?"

"Right, Az." Shane looked at him as he gently asked, "Can you look after her? She isn't feeling well."

"Okay," he replied, nodding obediently. "She's inside, right?"

"Yes," Shane replied, dialing a number. "But, Az, why are you alone?"

Azariah blinked, tilting his head as he asked, "Isn't Aunt Belly with us?"

Shane frowned. "Huh? No, she isn'—."

His words abruptly stopped as his gaze moved to the end, where a lady in a maid's dress stood.

Shane quietly looked at her, feeling creeped out by her presence.

"Anyway," ignoring her, he looked at Azariah. "Go look after Shyamal."

Azariah nodded before running back toward Ashlyn.

Grabbing her hand, he smiled. "Let's go, the silver cat is already here."

Though confused by his words, she quickly followed him.

"Noah," she whispered.

"Yeah?" he replied, glancing back at her.

"Can you tell me how everything looks?" she asked. "Like you always do."

He smiled as he replied cheerfully, "Of course."

***

***

[Ashlyn's POV]

'This doesn't make sense!'

I screamed in my mind as I looked around the place.

This place...

...Why does it look exactly like how Noah described?

I remember hearing about those benches hanging on the side, that oak tree, the seesaw placed in the middle.

I remember all of that.

"What are you talking about?" I looked back at him as Azariah asked, frowning.

'...Wait.'

My expression hardened, his words ringing in my mind.

...This was his kindergarten, he used to study here.

My body shook uncontrollably as I stared at him.

I had already ignored this possibility for a long time.

"....Az," I whispered, my throat felt thick, "why do you like my food?"

He stared at me without replying to my question.

Finally, he whispered, "I've already answered that."

I shook my head in response.

"That was a lie. I'm sure that was all just a lie," I replied, glaring at him. "You don't like me, Az."

"Not now, Ashly—"

"Can you not taste food?" I asked, interjecting.

He kept staring at me before turning around. "We'll talk about that later."

"No!" I yelled, walking closer. "Don't try to run away."

"I am not running!" he yelled back, turning around.

'I've wasted enough time!'

Taking a deep breath, I asked, "Then, do you know anyone named Noah?"

'...Ahhh.'

His expression crumbled, eyes staring at me in disbelief and anger before turning normal.

"I don't," he replied, but even a dumb girl like me could tell he was lying.

"Azariah Noah Aljanah," I whispered, calling his full name.

'...Stupid, how utterly stupid I am.'

Am I too much of an idiot not to consider it?

Or was I expecting better than him just using his middle name all this time?

How could that smart boy I knew make such a stupid choice for his allies?

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"Your sister is in danger, you idiot!" he shouted, his eyes crucifying me. "So shut up and keep your eyes open for enemies. Do you understand?"

I didn't understand, so I shook my head.

A tear ran down my cheek, sadness lumped in my throat as my blurry eyes stared at him.

"Am I interrupting something?" My entire body flinched, gaze turning to my side abruptly.

A tall, sturdy dark-skinned man with amber-colored hair sat comfortably on one of the broken benches. Right behind him stood a tall tree.

His dark amber eyes glowed softly within the empty garden as he stared at us.

"Why did you guys get so stiff?" he asked casually. "Relax, will you?"

"Where is Tiffany?" Az asked calmly, walking in front to shield my body.

"Are you talking about her?" he replied, grinning and waving his hand.

A pedestal appeared beside him, with a girl strapped to it.

"Tiffany," I whispered, feeling a sense of relief washing over me.

I tried to move toward her, but the man moved his fingers, and the pedestal rose, hanging higher on the tree.

'...Is he using strings?' I wondered, keeping my eyes on him.

"What do you want?" Azariah asked, staring at the man.

"Hmm, let's see." His casual demeanor remained, a smile slowly creeping onto his face. "Waiting for you guys made me quite bored."

"What do you want?" I asked, my concern clear in my voice.

His smile turned into a grin as he nodded his head.

"You want to save your sister, right?" he asked sweetly, looking at me.

Having no choice, I nodded in response.

Extending his hand, he pointed at Az as he ordered, "Then kill him."

My mind went blank as I stared at him.

"No!" I yelled subconsciously, my heart sinking. "No, I can't."

He frowned, looking at me, but it soon turned into a smile. Taking out a blade, he threw it at me.

I caught it, still staring at him.

"If you can't kill him," he said, smiling, "then kill yourself, and both of them will be safe."