Morning came quietly.
Soft light slipped through the cracks of the wooden window—
Landing gently on the still figure resting on the bed.
Alias did not move.
Bandages wrapped around his body—
Cleaner now.
Changed.
Treated.
Days had passed.
How many—
No one kept count.
Only that he was still breathing.
Barely.
The room smelled faintly of herbs.
And something stronger—
Alcohol.
At the corner, bottles rested carelessly beside dried leaves and tools.
A woman stood near the bed.
Arms crossed.
Eyes sharp.
"…Still not dead."
A quiet exhale escaped her.
"…Annoying kid."
Yet—
Her hands moved anyway.
Checking the bandages.
Adjusting them.
Ensuring they were clean.
Careful.
Precise.
Behind her—
Two figures lingered.
A boy.
A girl.
Watching.
Learning.
"…He looks our age…"
The girl's voice was soft.
Lina.
Her eyes stayed on the unmoving boy.
Kaito shrugged beside her.
"Yeah."
"But he's been through more than us."
Silence followed.
Broken only by the faint rustle of cloth.
"…Do you think he'll wake up?"
Lina asked.
Quiet.
Almost afraid of the answer.
Kaito didn't hesitate.
"If he doesn't, sensei wouldn't bother."
The doctor didn't respond.
But she didn't deny it either.
Her hands paused for a brief moment—
Then continued.
"Water."
The command was simple.
Immediate.
Kaito moved without question.
Lina stayed.
Holding the clean cloth.
Slowly—
She reached for Alias's arm.
Carefully—
As if he might break.
His skin was still rough.
Burned.
Healing.
But far from whole.
She gently wiped along the edge of the bandage—
Replacing it.
One layer at a time.
"…Hang in there…"
A whisper.
Barely audible.
Her fingers brushed his hand.
Then—
She froze.
"…Huh?"
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Focused.
On his fingers.
She thought she saw—
Something.
A twitch.
Small.
So small—
It could've been nothing.
She leaned closer.
"…Did that just—"
She held her breath.
Waiting.
Watching.
Nothing.
No movement.
No change.
Only stillness.
Kaito glanced over.
"What?"
Lina hesitated.
Her gaze lingered a moment longer—
Then she shook her head.
"…Nothing."
A small breath escaped her.
"…I think I just imagined it…"
Kaito shrugged.
"You're tired."
"…Yeah…"
She nodded.
But slowly.
Her eyes drifted back to the boy.
Just for a second longer.
Then she returned to her task.
Outside—
The village carried on.
Normal.
Unaware.
"Did you hear?"
"About the boy?"
"Yeah… the one the merchant brought."
"Where did he even come from?"
"No idea… they say he was found on the road."
"Bandits, maybe?"
"Or a fire…"
A pause.
"…No one survives burns like that."
The voices faded into the wind.
Leaving only questions.
No answers.
Back inside—
The doctor stood at the doorway.
Watching.
Her eyes rested on the boy.
Unmoving.
Silent.
For a moment—
She said nothing.
Did nothing.
"…Hm."
A quiet sound.
Barely noticeable.
Then she turned.
And walked away.
Night came once more.
Darkness filled the room.
A single candle flickered beside the bed.
Casting shadows that danced across the walls.
Alias remained.
Still.
Unresponsive.
The world moved.
Time passed.
But he did not.
Yet—
Somewhere deep—
Beyond the silence.
Beyond the darkness.
Something stirred.
Faint.
Uncertain.
Like an ember—
Hidden beneath ash.
Waiting.
Whether it was real—
Or imagined—
No one could tell.
And so—
The silence remained.