Beyond Lives and Horizons

Later, when night fell and the campfire began to fade, Zack settled down beside Airi. He was tired, but a deep worry kept him awake. The future felt like a constant weight on his mind, and he couldn't stop thinking about what had happened to his family. The pain of loss still consumed him.

Airi, sensing his restlessness, slowly turned toward him, even though she couldn't see him.

— Zack… — she began, her voice soft but full of understanding. — Have you thought about what you will do when we manage to escape all this? When we find a safe place where we can live in peace?

Zack took a deep breath, feeling her question weigh heavily on his chest. He knew the future seemed distant and uncertain, but he couldn't help but think about what he truly wanted to do.

— I… — he hesitated, swallowing hard. — I want revenge. I want those who did this to my family to pay. But at the same time, I know I can't let that consume me. Airi, you… — he paused, trying to organize his thoughts. — I need strength to keep going for you too. Do you remember how you told me that you wanted to see again, right? I still don't know how to make that happen, but I will try. I will find a way to bring your sight back. I swear. No matter how long it takes or what I have to do, I won't give up on that.

Airi was silent for a moment, her fingers touching the stony ground as she reflected on his words. She knew how much he suffered from the loss, but she also felt that his pain was shared. It wasn't just Zack's dreams that were at stake; her own were too. She couldn't see, but the future was something she still believed she could reach, even if it was in a different way.

— I know you'll make it, Zack — she said, her voice filled with confidence. — I believe in you, even if you don't know exactly how you will do it. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be here now. I also want to give something back in some way. If the future depends on that… then I will fight with you, in my own way.

Zack turned to her, his eyes reflecting deep pain but also renewed determination. He didn't know exactly what the future held, but one thing was clear: he would do whatever it took to protect Airi and, in some way, find a path to honor his family.

Three weeks passed since Zack and Airi found the cave. Their routine had stabilized, even though difficulties still loomed. Over time, Zack had become a more skilled fisherman. He no longer spent blank days frustrated by the lack of food, and now he was able to bring fresh fish almost every day. He also started to feel more confident in his abilities, thanks to the teachings of his deceased father.

One morning, Zack returned from his fishing trip with a tired but satisfied smile. He carried an improvised basket full of fresh fish he had just caught. Upon arriving at the cave, he found Airi already awake, as always, feeling her way around to orient herself. She was once again trying to learn how to move better without depending too much on others. The training she had been doing every day was starting to pay off.

— Did you catch anything? — Airi asked, turning her head toward him, a smile in her voice, even though she couldn't see.

Zack squatted beside her, placing the basket on the ground carefully.

— Yes, I caught some fish today. Nothing too big, but I think it'll be enough for us. — He opened the basket to show her the fresh fish he had brought. — How about a nice lunch?

Airi smiled, still catching the scent of the food in the air.

— I knew you could do it. — She chuckled lightly, her laughter bringing a little light to the atmosphere.

Zack stood up and began preparing the fish, taking the knife he had found during his explorations and starting the work of cutting and cleaning. As he did that, his gaze turned to the corner of the cave where he had started working on an improvised project.

In recent days, Zack had decided to create something that could help Airi improve her spatial awareness, something she could practice without relying on sight. Remembering his father's teachings about wood and how he knew how to work with it, Zack began collecting pieces of wood he found in the surroundings. He spent hours organizing the pieces, building a simple game on the cave floor, a kind of maze with obstacles and shapes of different sizes.

The wooden game Zack created was simple but clever, designed carefully to help Airi improve her spatial awareness. He used wooden pieces he found nearby and arranged them in a maze on the cave floor, so Airi could interact with them even without seeing.

The structure of the game consisted of different wooden shapes, some small and others larger. The pieces were arranged to create a winding path with obstacles, some pieces in a straight line and others curved, forming an irregular route. Some parts of the path were narrower, requiring more precision to avoid bumping into the pieces. Others had larger pieces, like small wooden "walls," that Airi would have to carefully navigate around to avoid knocking over. The cave floor was clean, with the pieces well organized and positioned to challenge Airi's skills with every movement.

Among the pieces, there were also some "safe zones," or wider spaces, where Airi could rest for a moment before attempting the next segment of the maze. Each time she completed the path without making a mistake, Zack could add more layers of complexity, placing more pieces, changing the layout, or tightening the space so she would have to focus more on her tactile perception and the precision of her movements.

Zack was visibly excited as he explained how the game worked, his enthusiasm showing in his voice.

— So, Airi, the idea is for you to navigate this path without knocking over the pieces. Feel the way with your hands, touching the pieces to understand where they are and how you should move. Here — he pointed to a longer piece of wood — this is a barrier. You'll need to steer clear of it. And there — he indicated a narrower area — you'll have to be very careful because the space is tight.

Zack picked up one of the pieces and moved it to a corner, as an example.

— The faster you can get through, the more difficult I'll make it. I want to see you get through this without touching the pieces, without knocking anything over. I know you've been working hard on sharpening your senses, Airi, and this will help you move more freely. The most important thing is that you concentrate on what you touch and how you feel each piece. As I said, it's all about perception, and I believe this game can help you train that.

Airi, feeling the path with her hands, paid attention to every word Zack said. She could feel the maze with her fingers, slowly navigating the irregular wooden shapes. She felt each obstacle, each turn, and despite the challenges, her heart filled with determination with each new move.

— I can try faster next time, right? — she asked, a light smile in her voice.

Zack nodded, proud of her progress.

— Of course! Let's see how much you can improve. And after you get through this one, I'll create a harder one for you, so you can challenge yourself even more.

The playful interaction was not only helping Airi move with more confidence but also strengthening the bond between them. Zack felt that even in the most difficult moments, he was able to give Airi something to believe in — a future where she could heal, become more independent, and rebuild her life.

When she finally navigated the path without touching the pieces, a sense of achievement lit up her voice.

— I did it, Zack! Look! I got through without making a mistake!

Zack turned, his genuine smile reflecting his satisfaction.

— I knew you could do it. You're doing great, Airi. Now, let's eat something before night falls.

After they ate, Zack watched Airi progress more in the "Wooden Maze" and couldn't help but chuckle to himself, thinking about the name he had given the game. His parents always said he wasn't very good with names.

But the smile faded as soon as Airi fell asleep. Zack, still with a restless mind, looked at the campfire and quietly got up. He went to the back of the forest, where he had been training, and approached a tree. On the trunk, there was a mark of a slightly sunken area, a spot he had been punching repeatedly as part of his improvised training. His fists were bruised and painful, but he kept hitting the tree, not stopping, as if he were trying to release all the pain he carried inside.

Zack continued to punch the trunk of the tree with an increasing rhythm, his knuckles already sore, but his determination even more resolute. With each blow, he felt the physical pain, but the release of tension from his body and mind seemed to compensate. It was an endless training, a way to exorcise the frustration he carried, but also to keep his mind clear for what was to come.

The tree, already marked from numerous blows, seemed almost to absorb his anger, his pain, and the weight of his journey. He couldn't stop; he wouldn't. Airi's words echoed in his mind, reminding him of the promise he had made. He wanted to believe that all this effort and suffering had a purpose. But at the same time, he felt the pressure of something bigger awaiting him, a fight he didn't know when would come, but which he sensed was inevitable.

When the sweat began to trickle down his face, he paused and looked at the mark on the tree trunk. His fists were even more bruised, fingers lightly bleeding. But Zack didn't care about the pain. He didn't care what would happen to him. What mattered was that he was trying, in some way, to protect Airi and keep alive the promise he made.

He took one last, stronger punch before finally stopping, breathing heavily, his muscles tense and his mind slightly clearer. Night had completely fallen, and the warmth of the fire now consuming the wood seemed to invite him to sit down, but he knew he couldn't. He still needed more, more strength, more training.

Turning around, he saw Airi still sleeping peacefully in the corner of the cave, a gentle smile on her face, as if she were living a serene dream, far from the shadows of the past. He approached quietly, and before returning to his makeshift bed beside her, he whispered softly:

— I will protect you. Until the end.

With a deep sigh, Zack lay down, trying to relax, although the weight of responsibility still lay heavy in his chest. The feeling of always preparing for the next step, the next battle, was a constant pressure, but he knew there was no other path to follow.

As the cave sank into the darkness of the night, the sound of the crackling fire in the background was the only sound accompanying the sleep of the two.

The next day, while Zack was training in the back of the forest, his hands already bleeding, he suddenly stopped, his fists still clenched and his breath heavy. A voice, coming from nowhere, cut through the tranquility of the night and echoed in his mind like a penetrating whisper. He turned instantly, his eyes adjusting to the darkness around him, searching for the source of the voice.

"Who's there?" he shouted, but his voice sounded lower and more insecure than he would have liked. His senses were on alert, but there was no sign of anyone nearby. He could see nothing but shadows stretching across the forest and the gentle sound of the breeze passing through the trees.

The voice, calm and deep, responded in an almost ethereal manner, as if it were part of the night itself. "No need to search. I am where you cannot see me, but I can see everything you do."

Zack felt a wave of distrust and nervousness settle in his stomach. He had spent so much time alone, but this presence, this voice... it didn't feel natural. He had faced many challenges, but something about this moment felt different.

"Who are you?" Zack asked more firmly, trying to maintain control. His hands were bleeding, but he didn't care anymore. Something more urgent was at stake now.

"It doesn't matter who I am," the voice replied with a light laugh, soft as the wind. "What matters is who you will become. You are already walking the path of pain and sacrifice, but are you ready for what comes next? Are you willing to face what lies ahead? Or will your strength be your downfall?"

Zack crouched slightly, alerting his muscles. He felt that he couldn't let his guard down, not for a second. Something wasn't right, and he needed to understand what it was.

"I am not weak," he replied, trying to keep his confidence. "I will protect Airi. No matter what happens."

The voice fell silent for a moment before manifesting again. "Do you think you can protect someone with blood-stained hands? Do you think you'll be able to move forward without losing something more important along the way?"

Zack closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. He knew what the voice was insinuating. He had already lost so much, and the pain, the rage... all of it was shaping his journey. But he wasn't going to give in to that. Not now. Not when the only thing left was his promise.

"I will do whatever it takes," Zack said firmly. "I will not lose anyone else. And no matter what you try to tell me, nothing will make me give up."

The voice chuckled softly. "We shall see, boy. We shall see. Your strength will be tested in ways you can't even imagine. But until then, keep preparing. The game is just beginning."

Zack felt a chilling wave when the kunai, thrown with precision, landed a few centimeters from his foot. He had no time to react, and the voice, sounding even more distant and inhuman, spoke calmly and enigmatically: "If you truly wish to protect that girl, take this kunai and drive it into your heart."

Those words struck his chest with an impossible weight to ignore. Doubt and fear mingled within him, but something much deeper, something he couldn't control, caused his body to freeze. The kunai glimmered before him, its fate traced as a cruel choice. The thought of losing Airi, of failing her... that was enough to make him ponder the gravity of the moment.

"How can I believe you?" Zack murmured, his voice breaking with anguish.

The voice, as if reveling in his despair, replied with a low laugh. "What if I told you that I can make you have what you desire most? How about you bring the girl here? I can show her what you are capable of."

Zack froze. His eyes widened with the terror of the implied threat, the image of Airi being dragged to a cruel fate flashing in his mind. He couldn't allow that. He couldn't risk her life for anything in this world.

"No!" He shouted, his voice choked with the tears beginning to fall. "You don't need to bring her here! I... I understand, just... please, promise you won't hurt Airi. Promise her a peaceful life. I will do anything, anything to keep her safe!"

The voice was silent for a moment, clearly surprised by how quickly Zack was willing to sacrifice himself. The tone, once calm, now seemed to have a shadow of curiosity. "So you'd rather die for her? You will give up your revenge so easily to give her the life you think she deserves?"

"My revenge means nothing if I can't fulfill my promises," Zack replied with unwavering firmness, tears streaming down his face as he prepared for what he felt was the only path. "I can't live knowing I was responsible for her pain. I don't want to do something if it means killing my convictions and losing my friends... I'd rather you take my life."

With a swift movement, without hesitation or fear, Zack grabbed the kunai. His fingers were weak and bleeding, but his heart pounded with an intensity even greater. He looked at the blade, the final choice, and with almost mechanical quickness, he drove it into his own chest. The impact felt like a blow in the air, and Zack felt his vision blur, everything around him slowing down as if time had decelerated.

He saw, in the distance, familiar figures starting to emerge from the shadows. His parents, with empty but welcoming smiles, knelt before him, gesturing as if inviting him to run to them. They looked so real, so close... and then, a younger figure appeared beside them. A girl he had never seen before, but somehow, she seemed to be Hana, older. She smiled at him, beckoning him to come to her, as if everything were perfect, as if he could finally find peace.

Zack smiled faintly, as if relieved, but as he took a step toward that vision, he failed to notice the ground beneath his feet. Suddenly, his body folded, the pain of the blade piercing his chest radiating through him as he fell, a sense of emptiness engulfing his mind. The visions of his parents and Hana faded into a whirlwind of shadows, and all that remained was the feeling of a profound and overwhelming silence.

He felt nothing more. What remained was emptiness.