Part 3

They had finally arrived in Anclona. It was almost nightfall, and they had been walking all day. They stopped in what seemed like a small village to buy food before continuing on to Warners. Eucalyptus was determined to gain the support of the Angels' organization. However, halfway through their journey, they encountered a strange girl. She had blue horns and large wings and was clearly far more powerful than the three of them combined. Introducing herself as Shaya, she confessed to having overheard their plans to destroy the Cross and had decided to follow them. Sensing their fear, she quickly reassured them: she was on their side, sharing their goal of defeating the Cross.

Shaya then shared a story, revealing that she had awoken as a Soul five years ago and had been helped by another Soul named Moki to adjust to the drastically changed world. Eucalyptus, Zephyr, and Kumo believed her—Shaya seemed deeply affected by her experiences and genuinely committed to their cause. She offered to help them, explaining that Moki was the Boss of the Spiral organization and would join their efforts, even though he had no direct interest in the Cross. He was close to Shaya, and that was enough for him.

As the night passed, the four set off for Odarlan, the region where Moki resided. The road ahead would be long. The next morning, they began their journey. They talked a lot, growing closer with each passing day. Kumo started feeling much better, finally at ease with its new friends. Eucalyptus was, as always, talkative and hyperactive, while Zephyr struggled to understand his new companions, often teasing Kumo in a friendly way (Kumo teased him back, of course). Shaya explained that her wings and horns had appeared when she awoke as a Soul. The four friends grew closer each day as they traveled toward Odarlan.

But one night, everything changed. Kumo couldn't sleep. It was a spy, and it knew that its mission might require it to kill its new friends—its first friends. The thought made it feel terrible, truly awful. For the first time in its life, Kumo cried. Not wanting the others to see, it left the camp. But someone else was awake—Shaya. She followed Kumo outside, where it was gazing up at the stars in the dark blue sky. Shaya sat down next to Kumo, and they began to talk about what Kumo was feeling. However, as the conversation progressed, Shaya's demeanor grew increasingly strange. In one swift motion, Shaya tore off Kumo’s scarf and threatened it with a knife.

"I know who you are," she said, her voice cold. Kumo was devastated. Panic set in—it had never wanted any of this. It just wanted to be happy with its friends. At that moment, Eucalyptus and Zephyr emerged from the camp, drawn by the commotion. They saw Shaya holding Kumo at knifepoint, but more importantly, Eucalyptus noticed the cross-shaped scar on Kumo’s neck. Zephyr, blind, asked what was happening. Shocked, Eucalyptus described the scene. Zephyr was enraged, but Eucalyptus was filled with sadness. Kumo was a spy, a traitor.

Kumo looked at them, its eyes full of guilt and despair. It dropped to its knees, repeating the same phrase over and over: "I’m sorry." The words looped endlessly, filled with remorse. Shaya, Eucalyptus, and Zephyr were caught off guard. What was Kumo apologizing for? Did it truly care about them? Eucalyptus was sure of one thing: Kumo was her friend, and this wasn’t its fault. She smiled at it, ready to say something comforting, but before she could, a new presence made itself known.

A figure appeared, bearing a cross-shaped scar on his thigh. It was Eiji, one of the three Sub-Bosses of the Cross. He radiated power, and without uttering a word, he seized Kumo and disappeared into the night, moving too fast for anyone to follow. The three were left standing in the darkness, the weight of what had just happened pressing down on them.

From now on, you can follow Kumo’s story on her page or follow the main history here.

PART 4