Secrets

Kaito and Elara exchanged a wary glance. The boy in the doorway was clearly terrified, but was he a threat? Could he be connected to the attackers?

Elara lowered her dagger slightly, her voice softening. "It's alright," she said. "We're not going to hurt you. What's your name?"

The boy hesitated, his eyes darting between them. "T-Thomas," he stammered.

"Thomas," Elara repeated gently. "Do you know what happened here? Who attacked the village?"

Thomas shook his head, tears welling up in his eyes. "I... I don't know. I was hiding. I heard screaming, and then... then everyone was gone."

Kaito felt a surge of sympathy for the boy. He was all alone, his family and friends likely dead or captured. He remembered the loneliness of being ripped from his own world, the confusion and fear of being thrown into this chaotic new reality.

"It's okay, Thomas," Kaito said, his voice soft. "We're going to help you."

He knelt down, meeting the boy's gaze. "Do you know anything about this?" he asked, pulling the parchment from his pocket.

Thomas's eyes widened. "That's... that's Grandfather's," he whispered. "He said it was important, that it held the secrets of the village."

Kaito's heart skipped a beat. Secrets. Maybe this parchment held the answers they were looking for. Answers about the attack, about the loop, about his own purpose in this strange world.

"Do you know what it says?" Kaito asked.

Thomas shook his head. "Grandfather wouldn't teach me the old language. He said I was too young."

Kaito frowned. They needed someone who could read the parchment, someone who could unlock its secrets.

"Do you know anyone who can read this?" Elara asked.

Thomas thought for a moment. "Maybe... maybe Old Maggie. She lives in the woods, she knows all sorts of things."

Kaito and Elara exchanged a look. It was a long shot, but it was their only lead.

"Can you take us to her?" Kaito asked.

Thomas nodded slowly. "But... it's dangerous. The attackers are everywhere."

"We'll protect you," Elara assured him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Kaito felt a surge of determination.

They had a mission now, a purpose beyond just surviving. They had to find Old Maggie, decipher the parchment, and maybe, just maybe, find a way to break free from this looping nightmare.

They left the study, Thomas leading the way. As they moved through the burning village, Kaito couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. He glanced over his shoulder, his eyes scanning the shadows. He couldn't see anyone, but the feeling persisted.

They were not alone in this fight. But were the unseen eyes watching them friend or foe?