The sky was grey — the kind of grey that sat heavy on your chest, not just in the clouds but in your soul.
Kaito stood at the edge of the rooftop, hands gripping the rusted railing, knuckles white. Below, the world bustled with people who didn't know him, didn't care. Just like every other day. Just like every other person.
"Oi, weakling!"
The voice shot through him like ice. Kaito didn't need to turn — he already knew. Riku and his crew, the wolves in this school of sheep. The ones who'd made sure every scar on his body had a name, every bruise a purpose.
He turned anyway. His face was calm, but inside he was a storm.
"Didn't think you'd run off without saying goodbye," Riku sneered, stepping closer, the others laughing behind him.
"I wasn't running," Kaito replied, voice low.
Riku grabbed his collar. "Then what? Trying to fly? Too bad losers like you can't even do that right."
The rooftop's door burst open — a teacher, finally. For once.
Riku's grip faltered, and in that moment, a wrong step.
He stumbled.
Time slowed.
Kaito saw it all — Riku's eyes wide with fear, the wind catching his fall, the edge of the building rushing up to meet him.
Kaito moved.
He didn't think.
His hand caught Riku's, weight yanking him forward, feet slipping.
"No!" someone screamed.
Their eyes locked. Riku's fear. Kaito's peace.
And then — blackness.
When Kaito opened his eyes, he expected pain. Instead, there was nothing but… stars. A sky he didn't know, colored in purples and deep blues, with two moons watching over him.
"Where…?"
A voice echoed in his head. "You have been chosen. Blood of night, fire of ancients. Rise."
His body felt light, but something inside — something burned.
Then, the growl.
Figures surrounded him. Bigger, meaner. Not human.
"Fresh meat," one snarled.
Kaito stood slowly, fists clenched.
He didn't know where he was.
He didn't know why he was here.
But something was different.
This time, he wouldn't be the one broken.