eclipsed Fate

Kaito's breaths came in ragged gasps as he clutched his side, his mind still reeling from the sensation of cold steel slicing into his flesh. But he was alive—again. The fluorescent hum of the convenience store lights felt almost mocking now, the weight of the plastic bag in his hand grounding him in a reality that refused to stay linear.

His fingers trembled as he exhaled, forcing himself to think. He had changed something. The girl had escaped. That was proof that the cycle wasn't absolute, that he wasn't merely reliving the same doomed fate over and over.

But what now?

If he had saved her, what had become of her after he died? Did she still die anyway? Had he only delayed the inevitable? He had no answers, only more questions, and a creeping fear that the cycle was far crueler than he first imagined.

He couldn't stand still.

Clenching his jaw, he turned and walked away from the store, determined to try again. The same chill gripped his body, the world distorting once more. The neon lights twisted and bent, and in the span of a breath, darkness consumed him.

———

This time, Kaito hit the ground running.

He knew where he was. He knew what was coming. The village stretched out before him, a familiar scene of peace moments from being shattered. His pulse thundered in his ears as he scanned the crowd, his gaze locking onto the girl he had tried to save.

She was alive. That much he was sure of.

But she was also looking around in alarm, as if searching for something—or someone.

Kaito hesitated. Had she remembered? Was she somehow aware of what had happened?

The thought sent a shiver down his spine, but there was no time to dwell on it. The black-armored soldiers were here. The first screams rang out, and the world moved forward as it had before.

Not this time.

Kaito sprinted through the chaos, but instead of heading straight for the girl, he veered left, toward the nearest market stall. His hands closed around a wooden staff used for holding up the canopy, and he ripped it free. It wasn't much, but it was better than fighting with his bare hands.

The first soldier turned toward him, sword gleaming.

Kaito swung.

The staff struck against metal, the impact jarring his arms. The soldier staggered back, clearly not expecting resistance. Kaito pressed forward, ducking under a retaliatory strike and aiming low, sweeping the soldier's legs out from under him. The armored figure crashed to the ground with a grunt.

Kaito had no time to savor the moment. More were coming.

His eyes flickered back to the girl. She was watching him now, wide-eyed, frozen in place.

Move, dammit!

He didn't know if she could hear his thoughts, but something in her seemed to snap. She turned and bolted in the opposite direction, weaving through the panicked crowd.

Kaito allowed himself a small breath of relief—just before another sword came swinging for his head.