The wind was screaming through the grass plains.

One strike was all it took; his brother was lying in the dirt. The mountains beyond were silent, grim.

Yone's face was white under the full moon, freckled with drops of blood. His grip on Yasuo's wrist left bloody smears.

"Did you…" he started, then looked at Yasuo, as if for the first time. There was something in his look that he didn't expect. Triumph. "Did you kill me?"

"Yone, why," he sobbed. "Why does it have to be you?"

Yone looked at him with those blue eyes, and laughed. Blood flowed in rivers from his mouth. Yasuo pulled his wrist free, blood-stained fingers touching his face.

"Don't." His hands cupped Yone's cheek. "Just don't talk anymore."

Yone closed his eyes. "You didn't kill Elder Asura, did you?"

"No." His shoulders shook. "If you know of my innocence, then why? W-Why this?"

Yone tried to form a smile. "To be honest, I set out alone. I disobeyed superior commands- and engaged you- I can't come back now. It looks like our fates are intertwined, brother mine."

"B-but why? Why fight me? You knew it was over the moment we drew our blades."

"Always humble. You know the Council is testing my loyalty. They would punish me for simply being your brother," he said bitterly. "I couldn't go back empty handed- that was simply not an option. But if I can end my life here, I w-will carry all responsibility with me."

"Stop acting noble, like you're sacrificing yourself for me! As if I'll let you do that."

Yone was bleeding enough for both of them.

"Yasuo, promise me. That you won't ever stop. That this means something." With the last of his energy, he shook Yasuo. His eyes held his gaze intensely. "Promise me!"

"I promise you Yone," he sobbed. "Promise me you'll live."

He buried his face, shaking, in Yone's chest. His tears fell, mixed with lifeblood.

Apparently satisfied, he closed his eyes. "Blood… brother."

A faint glimmer of light, yet so much brighter than those cold stars. It rent through the horizon. It set the sky afire with its brilliance. Clouds like orange tongues of fire were suddenly visible, and they raced past them as if they were in slow motion.

"No…No, you can't. It's selfish." he whispered. "Look Yone, it's the sunrise. We'll be alright, it's morning now. Remember?

"It's bright, Yasuo. It's so beautiful…"

He knew.

The sun had now risen in earnest. It lit up the sky as stars wheeled from the sky, as if orchestrated by some higher being. The midnight blue evaporated like mist; rays scattered delicately to the ends of the earth. Everything was in hazy clarity; long shadows across the grass plain dancing, light mixing to the mountains beyond in vivid hues. It was liquid fire, it was pure feeling, pure feeling the sunrise igniting.

The whole scene was reflected in Yone's eyes. A faint smile was on his face.

The wind was no longer screaming; it had stilled.

Instead, Yasuo was.