Promise: CONTINUED

CONTINUED

And so, Lyra and Hoshi made their way back to Barek's house to rest for the day ahead. Hoshi set his blanket and pillow on the floor while Lyra took the bed.

[Lyra]: "Hey, I have something else to give you. It's not really gonna help in the fight itself but it might help your nerves."

Hoshi turned his head to Lyra, his curiosity piqued. Anything to calm his nerves for the road ahead was welcome; Lyra rummaged through the closet and pulled a dark coat.

It looked visibly worn-down and rugged, a little on the thicker side and contained small patches where it was visibly repaired from damage. 

Lyra handed the coat over to Hoshi, he peered inside to see scorch marks where the material was burned. The material was heavy and smelled of smoke.

[Hoshi]: "This is Barek's, isn't it?"

[Lyra]: "You don't have to wear it if you don't want to, but I think it might remind you who you're fighting for if things get rough."

Hoshi's finger trailed the small insignia woven into the arm of the jacket. It was the symbol of Barek's forge that was engraved in Lyra's clothing as well. To fight in this would honor everything Barek's done for him, and what he sacrificed to protect Hoshi.

[Hoshi]: "This works just fine, I'll definitely wear it tomorrow."

[Lyra]: "Great, try to get some rest…you'll need it."

Hoshi folded the jacket neatly and placed it on the side of his blanket, setting his head onto the pillow soon after. He calmed his breathing and let the air slowly out of his lungs. 

The boy gasped—his eyesight was plunged with a blinding light that settled moments later. An endless void with a floor of water and stars covering the night sky…

The dream, why am I here again…?

There she was, the woman clad in flames had her hand outstretched toward Hoshi. The soothing warmth that emanated off her skin was tempting, but he took a step back. He tried to speak but no words came out, the woman stepped forward.

[???]: Save—

Not this again, please don't do this to me.

[???]: Save them.

What? Save—?

He flew up from bed, drenched in a cold sweat. Hoshi put a hand to his pulse point and confirmed the racing rhythm. The woman's words lingered in his mind, 

Save them? Who's 'them?' Right now only Barek is in danger, what does she mean?

The watchtower outside booted up and cast its morning glow all throughout Floor 1. A sound whirred from the speakers as a message was broadcast.

ATTENTION ALL FLOOR DWELLERS, PREPARE FOR THE COUNCIL'S ARRIVAL.

Hoshi rose off the ground and scurried onto his feet, he picked the coat off the ground and threw it over the worn down jumpsuit he always wore. 

Lyra was already putting her boots on and looked at Hoshi, she looked up and down at his figure.

[Lyra]: "It…suits you."

[Hoshi]: "I have a good stylist."

Lyra chuckled for the first time in a while, her laughter a stark contrast to the environment outside the house. Doors could be heard flying open, people from all over the city were gathering in the same spot as before.

[Hoshi]: "We should go, come on."

He exited the house and Lyra followed suit, the pair looked forward and a beam of light instantly filled their vision. Small yelps were heard from the crowd, everyone covered their eyes.

[Hoshi]: "It's lasting longer than last time…"

[Lyra]: "I know, they're probably transporting something big, so the beam is going to take longer to materialize whatever's being sent."

A hand clasped onto both Lyra and Hoshi's shoulders.

[Alkia]: "They're here."

Hoshi opened his eyes and blinked a few times to make sure he wasn't hallucinating. Where the beam struck stood a newly formed arena that looked pristine compared to all the buildings in Floor 1.

The crowd looked back at Hoshi and split to make a path for the trio to walk through. 

[Hoshi]: "This is it, come on."

Hoshi took a deep breath and walked forward. Once he reached the crowd's path, an unexpected noise was filling his ears.

The Crowd: "Yeah come on kid! Save Barek, You can do it! We're counting on you!"

Multiple voices were saying different things but carried the same message. Just this once, Floor 1 would allow themselves to gather behind Hoshi for a common cause, to save Barek and prove that they weren't done believing.

Hoshi alone walked up the steps of the arena, the reassuring hands of Lyra and Alkia touched his back as he marched forward.

[Alkia]: "We believe in you, Hoshi. All of us…"

[Lyra]: "Bring him back for me…"

Hoshi continued to walk up and extended a thumbs-up to the crowd and his 2 friends behind him, a sign that everything will be okay. Even if Hoshi had doubts himself, he couldn't let it show now—not when everyone was counting on him.

Hoshi finally reached the edge of the arena—and there his enemy stood, on the opposite side. His scarf was elegantly wrapped around his neck and he adjusted the armor on his shoulder.

Valtros: "It seems like you've gained quite a bit of popularity since we last met, and you look a little different too."

[Hoshi]: "Where is Barek?"

Valtros scoffed at Hoshi's blank reply, he hid his annoyance behind a facade of grandness and ego.

Valtros: "Barek, Barek…that doesn't ring a bell…"

[Hoshi]: "Tell me where he is!"

Hoshi was already fed up with his antics, though deep down he knew this was only to throw Hoshi off his game.

Valtros: "Ohh—you mean the dog I've had chained up for the past week! Why didn't you just say so…"

He reached down onto the steps behind him and pulled Barek out with one hand. Barek looked terrible—sunken and darkened eyes, his frame was visibly skinnier and the wrinkles on his face were only enhanced by the worry etched deep in his brain.

[Hoshi]: "HAND HIM OVER BEFORE I START THIS DUEL EARLY!"

He drew the sword off his back and pointed it at Valtros with his arm outstretched.

[Valtros]: "Getting a little hasty now aren't we? Fine, take your little friend back." 

He effortlessly threw Barek across the arena, Hoshi swiftly slid his blade onto his back and caught Barek in his arms.

[Hoshi]: "Barek! Say something, come on!"

[Barek]: "Hoshi…"

The voice that escaped Barek's lips was faint and unsteady, Hoshi turned and lowered Barek off the arena and to Alkia's arms.

[Lyra]: "Dad! Oh my god, what did he do to you…!?"

Hoshi watched as the crowd gave Alkia space to work her magic, she put Barek on the floor and pressed a hand to his chest. The faint hum of mana filled the silence, Alkia's hand shimmered with healing magic.

Lyra was at her side, watching as Barek's breath steadied and his body noticeably relaxed. She looked to Hoshi with pleading eyes.

[Hoshi]: "I've got it, just keep an eye on Barek."

He turned himself back to Valtros, relieved that Barek was now in good hands but furious at the torture he suffered for a week. To Hoshi, Valtros wasn't a human capable of sympathy or real human emotion—he was a true monster whose only goal was to destroy life.

[Valtros]: "Are you done with your family reunion yet? I'll just take him back if you're taking so long."

The two gripped their weapons at the same time, the tension grew thick.

[Valtros]: "Only one person knows how to really fight down here, let's see just how much Alkia taught you…!"

Hoshi's fingers curled around his weapon tighter, the mention of Alkia reminded him that the two indeed had a past. But it didn't matter right now, this was the present and Hoshi vowed to create a better future no matter what happened to him.

Alkia looked forward to the arena, her eyes glistened as she looked at what was sure to be her students' fall. Though she didn't admit it, Alkia felt a bond toward Hoshi as his mentor, to see him fail even with all his belief would destroy her.

[Lyra]: "He fights for you too.."

Alkia's eyes widened a bit as the statement sunk in. Hope had found its way into Floor 1 after many years, in the form of Hoshi Saito. The crowd chanted his name as the duelists took their stance. The watchtower's speakers activated and readied their announcement.

[Watchtowers]: LET THE DUEL…

Hoshi drew his blade.

Valtros drew his spear.

[Watchtowers]: BEGINNNN!