Morning sun lit the training grounds behind the Colosseum. The dirt arena was empty save for two figures moving in a practiced rhythm.

  Haru swept his spear in a wide arc, the wooden haft whistling through the air. Twenty paces away stood Saki, staff raised and eyes locked in focus. She muttered a quick incantation, causing a dozen small stones to levitate from the earth and hover before her.

  "Ready?" she called out.

  Haru planted his feet and nodded, a grin tugging at his lips. "Bring it on."

  The stones shot forward. Haru sidestepped the first volley before bringing his spear up to parry the rest with practiced ease. He spun the weapon, the momentum knocking the projectiles backward.

  "Too slow, Saki!" he laughed.

  She huffed and crossed her arms. "You're getting cocky. Let's see how you handle this." She raised her staff high. This time, six massive boulders lifted into the air. They orbited her once before launching in rapid succession.

  Haru moved faster, his spear blurring as he deflected and redirected the assault. His balance was perfect, his movements fluid and sure. He parried the first three, stepped into the attack, and shattered the remaining three boulders with a series of precise strikes.

  He lowered his spear and wiped sweat from his brow. Saki lowered her staff, trying to look annoyed, but a small smile betrayed her and tugged at the corner of her mouth. "Fine. You win this round."

  They paused to catch their breath. The training ground was quiet, though the distant sounds of the waking city were beginning to drift in; the calls of vendors and the rumble of cart wheels over cobblestones.

  Saki propped her staff against a wooden post and reached into her bag. She pulled out a small, wrapped bundle and held it for a moment, cheeks flushing a faint pink. She shoved it toward him without meeting his gaze. "Here. Happy birthday."

  Haru blinked in surprise, his face lighting up. "Saki! You got me something?"

  "Don't make a big deal out of it," she mumbled, looking away. "Just open it."

  He took the package with both hands, his excitement palpable. He carefully undid the wrapping and pulled back the cloth to reveal a pair of training gloves made of sturdy leather with reinforced palms and fingers. The stitching was neat and masterful.

  "These are perfect." He pulled them on immediately, flexing his fingers to test the fit. "Thank you, Saki."

  She scratched the back of her head, still avoiding his eyes. "Yeah, well... I thought you needed a new pair. Your old ones were falling apart."

  Haru admired the gloves, turning his hands over to see them from every angle. He looked at her with a broad smile. "I love them. Really."

  Saki shifted her weight from one foot to the other, fighting back a wide grin. "Good. Stop staring at them and let's go to the city. We've got things to do." She paused, her tone turning cautious. "Um, Haru. Do you want to visit your parents today? Spend some time with them? It's your birthday, after all."

  Haru’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second. His eyes darted away, a shadow of discomfort crossing his face before he masked it with another grin. "Ah, I'm busy today! Besides..." He nudged her playfully with his elbow. "Don't forget, you promised me cherry cake. Remember?"

  Saki studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then she took a quiet breath and smiled. "A thousand cherry cakes."

  "Exactly," Haru said, his voice bright again. "Let's go get them now."

  They left the training grounds and headed toward the main street. Before entering the busy district, Saki stopped and pulled two items from her bag: a wide-brimmed hat and dark glasses. She handed the hat to Haru. "Put this on."

  He took it, confused. "Why?"

  "Because if people recognize you, we'll never get anywhere," she said, adjusting her own hood. "You're the Hero, remember?"

  Haru laughed and donned the hat, pulling it low over his face. "You think this will work?"

  "It better work," Saki muttered, walking ahead of him.

  They entered the crowded street together. The morning market was at its peak. Vendors shouted their prices, people haggled over vegetables, and children darted between stalls in a game of chase. Haru kept his head down, following close behind Saki.

  For a while, the plan held up. No one paid them any mind as they wove through the throng without incident. Haru began to relax, falling into his usual energetic stride.

  Suddenly, a small boy burst out from behind a fruit stall, sprinting without looking where he was going. He slammed straight into Haru's chest. The impact was hard enough to knock the hat from Haru’s head, sending it tumbling through the air to land in the dust.

  The boy stumbled back, rubbing his forehead. He looked up, and his eyes went wide.

  "Haru!" he screamed at the top of his lungs, his voice echoing down the entire street. "It's Haru! The Hero is here!"

  Heads turned. Dozens of them. People stopped what they were doing and stared. Then they began to move toward him.

  "Is that really him?"

  "Haru! Can I have your autograph?"

  "Wait, let me get a closer look!"

  The crowd surged forward. Haru’s eyes widened. "Uh, Saki..."

  Saki grabbed his arm, her grip like iron. Her face was a mix of frustration and resignation. She raised her staff with her free hand and muttered a quick spell. Thick gray smoke poured from the staff, filling the street in seconds and obscuring vision completely. "Run!" she hissed.

  They bolted. Saki dragged Haru through the smoke, weaving between confused vendors and disoriented shoppers. They didn’t stop until they reached a quiet alley two blocks away. Saki finally released his arm and spun to face him, her face flushed with anger.

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  "Are you serious?!" she shouted, poking him in the chest. "I told you to keep your head down! You had one job, Haru. One!"

  Haru rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "I didn't see the kid coming..."

  "You never see anything coming!" She crossed her arms and glared at him. "Next time, I'm tying the hat to your head."

  He tried not to smile, but the expression crept onto his face anyway. "Sorry, Saki."

  She exhaled sharply and turned away, muttering under her breath. "Idiot. Absolute idiot."

  They waited in the alley for a few minutes until they were sure the crowd had dispersed. Then they continued toward the bakery, sticking to quieter backstreets this time.

  When they arrived at the shop, a sign hung on the front door.

  Closed for Repairs. Reopening Next Week.

  Saki froze. Slowly, her shoulders slumped. Her head dropped. It looked as though her entire body had deflated.

  "Um... Saki?" Haru said cautiously. "How about we—"

  Saki collapsed to the ground, her face entirely pale. "No cake... No... cake..."

  Haru stepped closer. "We can go to another shop. It doesn't have to be cherry cake. There are other kinds."

  Color rushed back into Saki’s face as she shot up, scowling. She grabbed Haru by the collar and began to shake him violently.

  "Other kinds?!" Her voice was fast and frantic. "I WAS BORN FROM CHERRY CAKE. CHERRY CAKE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN AIR AND WATER. I CAN'T LIVE A SINGLE DAY WITHOUT IT!"

  "Okay, okay," Haru said quickly. "I'll figure something out. Just calm down."

  Saki took a deep breath. She stared at him for a long moment, then sighed and started walking. "Fine. Let's go."

  They spent the rest of the day wandering the city. By evening, they returned together to the training grounds just as the sun began to set. They trained again, though more relaxed this time. Haru practiced his footwork while Saki worked on her spell control, lifting small objects and moving them in intricate patterns.

  After an hour, Saki lowered her staff and stretched her arms. "I'm done for the day. My arms are killing me."

  Haru nodded, breathing hard. "Yeah, me too." He took off the new gloves Saki had given him and set them on the ground next to the wooden post. He grabbed his spear and jogged to catch up with her.

  They walked across the empty arena and out onto the street. The city was quieter now, evening lamps flickering to life one by one. They reached the corner where they usually parted ways. Saki stopped and turned to face him. "See you tomorrow."

  "Goodnight, Saki," Haru said with a smile.

  "Goodnight." She turned and walked down the narrow street until he couldn't see her anymore. Haru watched her go, then headed toward his own home.

  Haru lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The house was quiet. He could hear faint sounds from the street, but inside, everything was still. He closed his eyes and tried to sleep, but his mind wouldn't settle. Saki's question kept echoing. Do you want to visit your parents?

  He rolled onto his side and pulled the blanket tight, trying to force sleep to come.

  Some time later, Haru woke with a start. He sat up in bed, eyes wide. The room was dark. Moonlight came through the curtains. He looked at the window; it was deep into the night. Then it hit him. The gloves. He had left them at the training grounds. The gloves Saki had just given him. He couldn't leave them there all night.

  He threw off the covers and sprang out of bed. He dressed, pulled on his boots, and grabbed his spear from where it leaned against the wall. He opened the door carefully, slipped out of the house, and closed it without a sound.

  The streets were empty and dark. Only a few dim lamps lit the way. The air was cold. He walked quickly, spear resting on his shoulder, his footsteps echoing softly against the cobblestones.

  He reached the Colosseum and headed around the back toward the training grounds. The arena was pitch black save for the faint moonlight. He narrowed his eyes, scanning the ground. There. Near the wooden post. His gloves. He walked over and picked them up, inspecting them carefully. They were unharmed. He exhaled in relief and tucked them into his belt.

  He turned and started back the way he came, retracing his steps through the empty streets. The city was silent. Too silent. He cut through a narrow alley between two buildings, a shortcut he'd used dozens of times before.

  Then he heard it. A scream. A man's voice, sharp and desperate, cutting through the night.

  Haru froze for half a heartbeat. Then he ran.

  His boots pounded against the cobblestones. He gripped his spear tight, the weapon bouncing against his shoulder as he sprinted toward the sound. He rounded a corner, ducked under a low archway, and burst into a small courtyard.

  Three figures stood in the dim light. Tall. Hunched. Their bodies distorted, limbs too long, heads tilted at unnatural angles. Their eyes were black, empty hollows. They circled around a fourth figure—a man with a sword, his back pressed against the wall. He was breathing hard, blade raised in a defensive stance. Blood ran down his arm.

  Haru recognized him immediately. A fighter from the Colosseum. They'd never spoken, but Haru had seen him compete. A swordsman with quick footwork and precise strikes.

  The man's eyes flicked toward Haru. For a moment, their gazes locked. Relief flashed across his face, followed quickly by fear.

  Haru didn't hesitate. He stepped forward and slammed the butt of his spear against the ground. The sound rang out like a hammer strike.

  "Hey!" Haru shouted, his voice echoing off the walls. "Over here!"

  All three creatures turned their heads toward him in unison. Slowly. Mechanically. Their hollow eyes fixed on him.

  Haru pointed his spear at the man. "Run. Now."

  The man hesitated for only a second. Then he bolted, clutching his wounded arm. He stumbled past Haru and disappeared into the alley behind him. His footsteps faded quickly into the distance.

  The creatures didn't follow. They stayed focused on Haru, swaying slightly as they began to close in.

  Haru planted his feet and raised his spear, a grin spreading across his face. "Finally, something interesting!" His grip tightened, eager. "Alright, let's see what you've got!"

  The first creature lunged. Haru sidestepped and thrust his spear forward, aiming for the chest. The blade sank deep into the flesh with a sickening sound. But the creature didn't stop. It didn't scream. It didn't bleed. It just kept moving, grabbing the shaft of the spear with both hands and shoving it aside.

  Haru's eyes narrowed. "What?" He yanked the weapon back and swung it in a wide arc, catching the creature across the neck. The strike was clean. The blade bit through. But still, nothing. No blood. No reaction. The creature lunged again. Haru sidestepped smoothly. "Interesting." A sharp grin crossed his face. "So you don't die that easily. Good—I was getting bored anyway."

  The second creature attacked from the side. Haru spun and thrust the spear through its torso. The blade went straight through and out the other side. The creature grabbed the shaft with one hand and swiped at him with the other. Claws raked across his shoulder, tearing through cloth and skin. Pain shot through him, sharp and burning. Haru hissed through his teeth and leapt back, pressing a hand against the wound. Blood seeped between his fingers. He glanced at the wound, then back at the creatures. His grin didn't fade. "Alright. Now you've made it personal."

  The third creature circled around, cutting off his escape.

  Haru shifted his stance, keeping all three in his line of sight. His shoulder throbbed, but he ignored it. He spun the spear once, testing his grip. "Three on one, huh?" His eyes gleamed. "Not exactly fair... for you." He lunged forward, striking at the first creature's legs. The blade connected. The creature stumbled but didn't fall.

  But this time, the others didn't wait. They moved in unison, a blur of distorted limbs and silent aggression. Haru was forced to give ground, his spear moving in a whirlwind of deflections and parries. He blocked a claw to his left, dodged a heavy strike from the right, and kicked the center creature back—but they were relentless. They absorbed his blows like water absorbing a stone, flowing around his defense without a pause.

  He took a step back. Then another.

  His boot hit solid stone.

  Haru stiffened. He risked a quick glance over his shoulder. The courtyard wall loomed behind him.

  He looked back forward. The creatures had stopped their advance. They stood in a tight semi-circle, cutting off every angle of escape. Their hollow eyes bore into him, unblinking.

  Haru's breath came harsh and heavy. Blood dripped from his shoulder onto the cobblestones. His grip on the spear was slick with sweat and crimson.

  Three unkillable enemies. One wounded man. A wall at his back.

  No way out.

  He shifted his stance anyway, raising his spear. The pain screamed through his shoulder, but he ignored it.

  "Well..." His voice was rough, but steady. A defiant grin tugged at his lips. "Guess we're doing this the hard way."

  The creatures began to move forward.

  Haru's grip tightened on his spear.

  (To be continued)