MTLNOVEL Chapter 10: "Whispers in the Dark"
The training ground was silent now, save for the soft rustling of leaves in the cool night breeze. Ryoshi sat on the wooden porch of the dojo, his sword resting beside him. His arms still ached from the fight, but his mind was restless.
That feeling… that connection to his power—what was it?
Footsteps approached.
Siren sat down next to him, the moonlight casting a soft glow on her silver hair. She didn't speak at first, simply gazing up at the sky.
"You fought well today," she finally said.
Ryoshi let out a dry laugh. "I barely survived."
"Survival is a victory too," she murmured.
They sat in silence for a moment.
Then, Siren's gaze shifted to him, her emerald eyes searching. "Ryoshi… do you regret it?"
He frowned. "Regret what?"
"Choosing this path. Fighting against the world. Fighting for… me."
The question lingered between them, heavy with meaning.
Ryoshi turned to face her fully, his expression serious. "Not for a second."
Siren's eyes widened slightly. She opened her mouth as if to say something but hesitated.
He exhaled and looked away. "I don't care if the world sees me as a traitor. I don't care if they call me a fool. I've seen too much to believe in the simple idea of 'good' and 'evil.'"
His hand clenched into a fist. "Not all demons are monsters. Not all humans are righteous."
Siren looked down, her fingers tracing small patterns on the wooden floor. "That's… rare to hear."
He glanced at her. "Even among demons?"
She nodded. "Most of my kind believe humans will never accept us. They think war is the only way. And after everything I've seen, I can't blame them."
Ryoshi remained silent, letting her words sink in.
Then she turned to him again. "But when I look at you… I start to believe that maybe, just maybe, we can change that."
A soft breeze passed between them, carrying the scent of blooming flowers.
Their hands rested inches apart on the porch.
Neither of them moved.
Neither of them needed to.
For now, the silence between them said enough.