The cry was faint... so faint that the world outside remained silent.
Inside a decaying wooden wardrobe, nestled in a weathered hut near a sleeping lake surrounded by trees, a baby girl screamed with all her might. It was unclear—was it fear? Pain? Or just the crushing weight of loneliness?
Outside, a man wrestled a soldier hand-to-hand, his eyes burning with fury, their blows shaking the fragile structure. Nearby, a woman sat on the floor, murmuring incomprehensible words of magic, her eyes locked on the door. Moments later, another soldier burst in, wielding a heavy metal staff glowing with dense mana. He let out a roar, gathered all his power, and slammed it into the man's head. The man collapsed, blood pouring like a river from his skull.
The second soldier turned to the woman, his eyes filled with accusation. He didn't wait for a reply—instead, he struck her twice. She fell beside the man. One of the soldiers spat and muttered with contempt, "Shame on you... both of you."
Only the child in the wardrobe continued to cry... and no one heard.
...
"What's your name, girl? Are you deaf?" Rose asked, wiping sweat from her brow. She smiled despite her exhaustion, as if trying to ease the tension.
The girl with blue eyes shrugged uncertainly, then whispered with more innocence than Rose could bear in that moment: "Will you heal your wounds?"
Rose's voice was soft: "Don't worry about me... I'll be fine. We need to find shelter before darkness falls."
They descended the hill into the dense forest, worry slowly creeping into Rose's chest.
She kept wondering: Where am I going? Why is this girl with me? I'm looking for my mother... and this child might be a burden. But she waited for me—didn't run. If she could, she would've. I feel no threat from her—just a strange innocence.
Hours, or maybe just minutes passed—Rose couldn't tell. All she knew was that her body was giving out. Her wounds, despite her efforts, wouldn't stop bleeding.
She collapsed.
The little girl tried to catch her, but they both tumbled under Rose's weight. The girl cried out through her sobs: "Don't leave me again! Don't go!"
In a moment that defied reason, a soft blue aura emanated from the child. A gentle light enveloped Rose's body, and slowly... her wounds began to close.
The girl rubbed her eyes, crying hard, unaware of what was happening...
...
Rose awoke to a small, tear-streaked face hovering over her. She smiled, slowly lifting her hand to wipe the girl's cheeks.
"You're so sweet... I don't know how, but I feel better."
She looked into the distance. "I see fire... maybe a camp."
They headed toward it. The camp was deserted—four tents arranged in a half-circle around a dying fire still radiating warmth.
Rose left the girl in one of the tents, took a burning stick, and searched for supplies. She found a first-aid kit, some dry food, and two dusty bottles labeled "Saki," along with a blood-stained military trouser and a decent tunic.
She looked down at her tattered, bloodied clothes and decided to change. She put on the new clothes, leaving the tunic open in the heat, then returned to the tent.
She cleaned and dressed her wounds, then tore into the food like a wild beast.
The girl stared wide-eyed at the meal.
Rose chuckled. "Want some?"
The girl nodded, and Rose gave her a piece of bread with thin slices of meat.
The child ate as if she'd never tasted food before.
Soon after, Rose opened a bottle of Saki and took a long gulp.
She caught the girl's gaze.
"Thirsty? This isn't for kids! Even I—at twenty—feel like I'm breaking a rule."
The girl looked at her with pleading eyes.
Rose laughed and said, "Alright... just a little."
The girl drank despite the bitterness and slowly drifted off.
...
Rose looked at her. "She fell asleep so fast... just like my little sister..."
The word sister hit like a slap.
...
(Flashback)
Rose, age 12, in her old wooden home on the edge of the city, played with her younger sister Flora using tiny stones. Their mother sat in the corner counting gold coins.
A violent knock at the door.
A man's voice: "Open the door, woman! I miss you!"
The mother hid the coin pouch and told the girls: "Go to the room. Don't come out until I'm done."
Rose knew what was coming. She had seen it before. Too many times.
She pulled Flora into the room. They hid under the bed.
Rose pulled out a small Saki bottle—she always kept some hidden here to help her sleep—and took a sip. She even gave some to her sister.
Both girls eventually drifted off. But not everything went as usual.
The mother entered, naked, pushed in by a half-dressed soldier. Flora woke up and peeked out from under the bed.
She saw their mother... bruised, trembling.
The soldier noticed her, laughed. "Who's this little one? Didn't know you had kids this young! Excellent deal—I want her."
He grabbed both girls.
Rose screamed: "You're the reason! I wish you were dead!"
The mother said nothing. Her face was blank.
...
(Back to Present)
Rose whispered, watching the sleeping child: "I want to find my mother... say sorry... live the rest of my life with her. You remind me of my sister... the innocence... even the Saki."
She whispered: "From now on, your name is Saki... yes, Saki."
Then she fell asleep beside her.
...
Noon arrived.
A noise outside the tent.
Rose carefully opened the flap and spotted a limping soldier with a sword, scanning the area, his expression dazed—but his aura was fierce.
He approached the tent.
Rose grabbed a stick, stood in front of Saki, ready...
For whatever came next.