Morning mist drifted slowly through the Wind Clan village.
The sun had barely risen above the mountains, yet the streets were already alive with murmurs.
Whispers moved faster than the wind itself.
Servants carried baskets of vegetables through the market paths, but their conversations kept drifting toward the same topic.
Villagers gathered near tea stalls.
Others stood in small clusters near wooden bridges and narrow streets.
Everywhere—
people were talking.
"Did you hear?"
"Of course I heard."
"They say another Guardian awakened."
"In the Kaze family again?"
"Yes. Hana-sama's daughter."
A man shook his head slowly in disbelief.
"First the boy… now the girl?"
"That family really is blessed by the wind."
Another villager lowered his voice slightly.
"Or cursed."
The others glanced at him.
He shrugged.
"Two Guardians in the same household… that's never happened before."
An older woman scoffed.
"Don't say nonsense. It's a blessing to the Wind Clan."
"Maybe," the man replied quietly.
"But power like that changes things."
Across the street, two young trainees whispered excitedly.
"Do you think she'll be like Kaito-sama?"
"I heard she will be trained by Toru-sama."
"No way…"
"Yes way!"
One of them leaned forward eagerly.
"If she's anything like him, the other clans are going to panic."
Laughter mixed with nervous curiosity.
The entire village buzzed with speculation.
Some were proud.
Some were excited.
Some were uneasy.
But one thing was certain—
the news had reached everyone.
A little further down the street, near a small stone path leading toward the training fields, a small girl stood quietly.
She wasn't speaking.
She wasn't whispering with the others.
She was simply listening.
Nana.
Her small hands clutched the straps of her bag.
Around her, older children and villagers continued talking loudly.
"Another Guardian!"
"The Wind Clan is unstoppable now!"
"I wonder what power she has."
"But Nana barely heard any of it.
Her mind was somewhere else.
She stared down at the ground quietly.
Then she looked toward the direction of the Kaze estate in the distance.
Her expression wasn't excited.
It wasn't impressed.
It was worried.
Very worried.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the strap of her bag.
"…Hina-chan…"
She whispered the name softly.
Almost like a prayer.
"I hope you're okay."
The wind passed gently through the street.
Lifting a few loose leaves into the air.
Nana continued looking toward the distant estate.
Waiting.
Hoping.
That her friend was safe.
Far from the mountains of the Wind Clan…
Beyond rivers that cut through deep valleys…
Beyond forests where mist clung to the trees like silk…
Lay the domain of the Water Clan.
Their village was different.
Where the Wind Clan built along cliffs and hills, the Water Clan rested around vast lakes and flowing canals. Bridges of polished wood crossed over shimmering water, and the constant sound of gentle currents filled the air.
Everything here moved calmly.
Steadily.
Like water itself.
Inside the main residence of the village leader—
a messenger hurried through the long corridor.
His footsteps echoed softly against the polished floor.
He stopped before a pair of tall sliding doors and knelt immediately.
A guard opened the door.
Inside the room sat a man dressed in deep blue robes.
Naoki.
Leader of the Water Clan.
He sat beside a low table, reviewing scrolls and documents, the morning light reflecting softly across the surface of the water garden outside the open wall.
He didn't even look up at first.
"Speak."
His voice was calm.
Controlled.
The messenger bowed deeply.
"My lord… a message from the Wind Clan."
Now Naoki looked up.
His sharp eyes settled on the messenger.
"…Go on."
The messenger swallowed slightly.
"A second Guardian has awakened."
Silence filled the room for a moment.
Then the messenger finished the report.
"It is the daughter of Hana-sama and Toru-sama."
Naoki leaned back slightly.
For several seconds he said nothing.
His expression didn't change much.
But his mind was already moving.
Hana and Toru…
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Toru never did know how to do things halfway."
The messenger blinked slightly, unsure if that was meant as a joke.
Naoki rested his elbow on the table.
"First Kaito… and now Hina."
His gaze drifted toward the quiet water garden outside.
Ripples spread slowly across the pond.
"…Two Guardians in one household."
The political implications were obvious.
Power.
Influence.
Attention from every other clan.
But instead of concern—
Naoki chuckled softly.
"Toru, you troublesome man…"
His voice carried a hint of amusement.
"We were just starting to enjoy the quiet years."
He waved a hand lightly.
"Inform the council later."
The messenger bowed.
"Yes, my lord."
As the messenger turned to leave, Naoki added one more thing.
"And send word to the training grounds."
The messenger paused.
"Yes?"
Naoki smiled faintly.
"Ren will want to hear this."
The training grounds of the Water Clan were located near the edge of a massive lake.
Mist rose from the surface of the water, drifting slowly across the open field.
Dozens of trainees practiced their techniques.
But one area stood out.
Because someone there was training far harder than the rest.
A boy was doing push-ups in the dirt.
Again.
And again.
And again.
His arms trembled with strain, sweat dripping down onto the ground beneath him.
But he didn't stop.
Ren.
A pile of training weights rested nearby.
Judging by the marks in the dirt, he had already been there for hours.
One of the instructors approached carefully.
"Ren sama."
No response.
"Ren sama."
Still nothing.
The instructor sighed.
Then the messenger arrived.
He walked closer.
"…Ren sama."
This time, Ren finally stopped.
He held the push-up position for another second before slowly pushing himself up to his feet.
He grabbed a cloth from the ground and wiped the sweat from his face.
"What is it?"
The messenger spoke clearly.
"News from the Wind Clan."
Ren tilted his head slightly.
"And?"
The messenger continued.
"A second Guardian has awakened."
That made Ren pause.
Only slightly.
"…Who?"
"The daughter of Hana-sama and Toru-sama."
For a moment Ren said nothing.
He looked toward the lake.
The surface of the water reflected the gray sky above.
Then he exhaled slowly.
"…Lady Hina."
The messenger blinked.
"You know her?"
Ren shrugged lightly.
"She's Kaito's little sister."
He grabbed his training weights again.
The messenger waited for a bigger reaction.
Shock.
Concern.
Something.
But Ren simply set the weights onto his shoulders.
Then he smirked slightly.
"…Of course it happened."
The messenger tilted his head.
"What do you mean?"
Ren started walking back toward the training area.
"If anyone's family was going to produce another monster…"
His smirk widened slightly.
"…it would be his."
He dropped the weights onto the ground with a heavy thud.
Dust rose slightly into the air.
Ren returned to his push-up position.
Then he spoke again quietly.
"…Good."
The messenger blinked.
Ren lowered himself toward the ground again.
"I was starting to think I'd catch up to him too quickly."
He pushed himself back up.
His voice carried a quiet excitement.
"Now I'll have to train even harder."
And with that—
Ren resumed his push-ups.
One.
Two.
Three.
Training harder than before.
Higher than the mountains.
Higher than the highest peaks touched by snow.
Where even eagles rarely dared to fly—
Something floated in the sky.
A city.
Suspended above the clouds as if the heavens themselves had decided to cradle it.
The Light Clan.
White towers rose like spears of crystal toward the sky. Bridges made of pale stone connected floating platforms, and long banners shimmered gently in the sunlight. The entire city seemed to glow faintly, as if light itself lived inside its walls.
Soft golden wind drifted through the open courtyards.
Calm.
Beautiful.
Untouchable.
Inside the central palace—
a long hall stretched across polished floors that reflected the sky outside.
A messenger walked quickly down the corridor before stopping at a set of towering doors.
He bowed deeply.
"Report from the lower clans."
The doors opened.
Inside, sunlight poured through enormous windows that overlooked the clouds below.
Standing near one of those windows was a tall man in white robes trimmed with gold.
His hands were folded behind his back.
His gaze was fixed on the horizon.
Asashi.
Leader of the Light Clan.
The messenger stepped forward and knelt.
"My lord… news from the Wind Clan."
Asashi did not turn around immediately.
"…Speak."
His voice was calm.
Smooth.
Almost gentle.
"The daughter of Hana and Toru has awakened as a Guardian."
For a moment—
there was only silence.
Then Asashi slowly turned.
His eyes sharpened with interest.
"…Another one?"
The messenger nodded.
"Yes, my lord."
Asashi walked slowly toward the center of the room.
His footsteps echoed softly against the marble floor.
"Hm."
He tapped his fingers lightly against his arm as if thinking through a puzzle.
"First the son…"
"…now the daughter."
His lips curved slightly.
Not in worry.
Not in frustration.
But curiosity.
Deep curiosity.
"How fascinating."
The messenger lowered his head.
"Should we send observers, my lord?"
Asashi waved his hand dismissively.
"No."
He stopped walking and looked out toward the sea of clouds again.
"That would be rude."
His smile grew slightly.
"And unnecessary."
He tilted his head slightly.
"The wind is becoming… lively again."
Behind him, sitting quietly near one of the wide open balconies—
was a little girl.
She had been there the entire time.
Listening.
Watching.
Her small legs dangled slightly off the edge of a marble bench as she gazed out toward the clouds below.
She looked no older than Kaito.
Her hair moved gently in the soft breeze.
"…Guardians."
Her voice was soft.
Curious.
Asashi glanced toward her.
She turned to look at him.
"Are they special?"
For a moment Asashi studied her quietly.
Then he smiled.
A knowing smile.
"Yes."
He walked over and placed a hand lightly on the balcony railing.
"They are very special."
The girl looked back out at the endless sky.
Clouds drifted slowly beneath the floating city.
"…Will we meet them someday?"
Asashi's eyes gleamed slightly.
"Oh, I'm sure we will."
His voice carried quiet amusement.
"Eventually."
The girl nodded slowly.
She lifted one small hand toward the sunlight drifting across the balcony.
For just a brief moment—
the light around her fingertips shimmered strangely.
Almost as if it were responding to her.
Bending.
Ever so slightly.
Then the moment passed.
The wind blew gently through the palace again.
And the floating city above the clouds remained calm.
Watching.
Waiting.
Scene 4 — The Chase
Morning sunlight spilled across the courtyards of the Kaze Estate.
The winter air was still cold, but the sky was bright and clear. A light wind drifted through the training grounds, carrying the faint sound of birds and distant village chatter.
It should have been a peaceful morning.
Instead—
someone was running.
Fast.
Small footsteps slapped across the wooden walkway.
"NOOO!"
A tiny voice echoed across the courtyard.
"I don't want to train!"
A blur dashed around the corner of the garden path.
Hina.
Her hair bounced wildly behind her as she sprinted across the yard like a small tornado of chaos.
Behind her—
heavy footsteps followed.
"Hina!"
Toru's voice echoed through the estate.
"Get back here!"
Servants quickly stepped aside as Hina zipped past them.
One maid barely managed to lift a tray out of the way in time.
"Oh my—!"
Hina slid behind a stone lantern, ducking low.
Her tiny hands pressed over her mouth.
"…Hehe…"
She peeked around the corner carefully.
Silence.
No Toru.
Her shoulders relaxed slightly.
"Safe."
Then—
a large shadow slowly stretched across the ground behind her.
"…Found you."
Hina's eyes widened.
"AH!"
She bolted again.
---
Toru stood in the courtyard with his hands on his hips.
He watched the tiny blur disappear around another corner.
For a moment he said nothing.
Then he sighed.
A very long sigh.
"…I haven't even started training her."
He rubbed his temple.
"…and she's already giving me this much trouble."
He stared at the direction she ran.
This child…
Across the yard—
Hina had now climbed halfway up a small tree.
She hugged the branch like a squirrel.
"…He can't see me here…"
Toru slowly walked into the garden.
He didn't look up immediately.
He simply stood there quietly.
"…Hina."
No response.
"…I know where you are."
The branch above him trembled slightly.
Hina froze.
Her small eyes slowly peeked downward.
Toru looked up.
They made eye contact.
"…Hi."
She smiled nervously.
Toru stared at her.
"…Get down."
"No."
Toru crossed his arms.
"Hina."
"No!"
She hugged the branch tighter.
"I don't want to train!"
Toru raised an eyebrow.
"…You haven't even tried yet."
"I don't need to try!"
She shook her head stubbornly.
"I already know I won't like it!"
Toru blinked slowly.
"…That's not how that works."
"Yes it is!"
"No it isn't."
"Yes it is!"
"No it isn't."
"Yes it—"
The branch suddenly cracked slightly.
Both of them froze.
Hina slowly looked down.
"…Uh oh."
The branch bent.
Toru's eyes widened slightly.
"Hina—"
SNAP.
Hina dropped.
But before she could hit the ground—
Toru moved.
In a blur of motion he stepped forward and caught her effortlessly in his arms.
The courtyard fell silent again.
Hina blinked.
"…Oh."
Toru looked down at her.
She looked up at him.
For a moment—
neither spoke.
Then Toru sighed again.
"…Got you."
Hina puffed her cheeks.
"That doesn't count!"
Toru raised an eyebrow.
"…You fell out of a tree."
"You cheated!"
"I didn't cheat."
"You scared the branch!"
Toru stared at her.
"…Branches don't get scared."
"Well this one did!"
Toru slowly rubbed his forehead.
This is going to be a long day.
He looked down at her again.
"…Training."
"No."
"Hina."
"No."
"Hina."
"No!"
Toru held her under one arm like a stubborn kitten as he started walking toward the training field.
She kicked the air dramatically.
"I refuse!"
"You don't have that authority."
"I do!"
"No you don't."
"Yes I—HEY!"
He set her down in the center of the training field.
Hina crossed her arms immediately.
Her cheeks puffed out again.
"I'm not moving."
Toru looked down at her.
Then he crouched slightly so their eyes were level.
For a moment he simply stared at her.
Hina stared back.
Both of them had the same green eyes.
Sharp.
Stubborn.
Unyielding.
Toru suddenly sighed.
"…You're exactly like me."
Hina blinked.
"…Huh?"
Toru pointed at her accusingly.
"That stubborn face."
Then he pointed at himself.
"That's mine."
Hina puffed her cheeks.
"It is not!"
"It absolutely is."
"No!"
"Yes."
"No!"
"Yes!"
She crossed her arms harder.
"I'm not stubborn!"
Toru stared at her.
"…You climbed a tree to avoid training."
"That was strategy."
"That was stubbornness."
"That was genius!"
Toru slowly rubbed his forehead.
This child…
Then he looked at her again.
"…You know, your brother was never this difficult."
Hina immediately frowned.
"Well I'm not Kaito!"
Toru smirked.
"Clearly."
Before she could react—
he suddenly scooped her up under his arm again.
Hina gasped loudly.
"HEY—!"
She kicked the air dramatically.
"THIS IS KIDNAPPING!"
Toru walked toward the training field without slowing down.
"You live here."
"IT'S STILL KIDNAPPING!"
He dropped her gently in the center of the training circle.
Hina crossed her arms again.
Her cheeks puffed up.
"I refuse to cooperate."
Toru stood there quietly for a moment.
Then he cracked his knuckles.
A mischievous grin slowly appeared on his face.
"…Alright."
His voice lowered slightly.
"If that's how you want to do this…"
Hina narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"…Do what?"
Toru suddenly lunged forward.
Hina screamed.
"AAAAH—!"
And the chase immediately started again.
Across the entire training field.