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Multiple sets of footsteps echoed through the woods, each step blending in with the surrounding rain. Strolling along the rear of the group, the river pillar confidently looked ahead; in the middle, the demon boy walked next to the student who held onto his shoulder as if it were about to fall off; and in the front was Kiyori, her cautious eyes scanning the perimeter for any threats.

For a while, not a word was spoken, and the only noise protruding through the rain were the strained breaths of the injured student. Wiping off some raindrops from her forehead, Kiyori peered into the distance, though her focus was split between the road ahead, and her back.

[color=998f86]“Your breathing is heavy. Does it hurt?”[/color] Kiyori softly asked.

“I’m fine, just keep your eyes on the road.” He spoke before releasing a painful cough.

[color=black]“I don’t buy it, all this rain is keeping your wounds from closing-”[/color]

“I said I’m fine.” The student harshly interrupted the demon. Looking at the hand that was supporting his shoulder, he observed the blood on it slowly being washed away by the rain.

[color=998f86]“Suit yourself,”[/color] Kiyori stated. [color=998f86]“Once you collapse, your friend can carry you.”[/color] As she continued to walk down the road, she rested her left hand on her blade. It hadn’t completely sunk in yet, but they were truly on the run. Even when she had to stay hidden in the estate, it never felt like a prison; if anything, it was a safe haven from the prejudice and hate that so many harbored against her. But now it caught up with her.

Releasing a deep sigh, her lungs filled the air with warm vapor that dissipated quickly into the rain as she followed it up until her eyes rested on the luminescent moon. As the sound of thunder loomed in the distance, she could only ponder on how pretty the night sky could be.