Near the border of two powerful countries rests a small camp that appears to be abandoned on first glance, but actually holds a handful of men going about their daily activities: fetching wood for fires, unpacking supplies from their supply line, and generally aiding in the upkeep of the camp. Although these men may look busy and preoccupied, a general air of restlessness grows between them all; an unspoken tension rising amongst them. Through their conversations and motions this tension can be felt. It spreads like an unsupervised flame, threatening to burn the whole operation to the ground if something else doesn't put it out or, for its intended purpose, use its heat productively.

The leader of the camp, Sir Kenzō Kimura; a High Commander, 1st Class; an astute yet aged, salt-and-pepper-haired man, roughly lumbers into a tent where most of the meetings between him and other lower rank commanding knights are carried out. The knights awaiting his arrival all turn towards the tent's opening as he makes his grand entrance. One of the knights makes note of the bottle of alcohol in the commander's right hand. Although the topic has been talked to death, he still feels the need to address it.

"Commander Kimura, sir…? I thought we talked about this. No more alcohol." As if on command, the old man sluggishly swats the air in front of him at the knight's words. He dismissively grunts at the mentioning of his alcoholic issue. He lazily rolls his eyes as he knows what is to follow. His dismissive grumble fills the limited air in the tent with an alcohol-laden scent. Coughs and mutters of disgust soon follow.

The commander utters a hearty laugh as he haphazardly sways around due to his drunken state.

"If just the scent of alcohol has you lot gasping for air, you are in the wrong line o' work!" Kimura lets out a few more chuckles before hobbling over to the desk centered on the furthest side of the tent.

"Our military needs some backbone." He plops onto the stool just aside the desk.

"It wouldn't be a problem if that wench back home wasn't choosing recruits!"

"How dare you, sir!" One of the knights speaks up. The air quickly becomes heated. All of the other knights uniformly stare at the one who shouted. He swiftly takes a step forward.

"With all due respect, sir, that wench, Mizuki Yasuda, is doing everything she can to protect the people of our country. You of all people should know that! She works day and night to keep this army afloat, especially with all of the knights that have deserted us, and this is how you show your respect?!" All of the other knights keep their heads down, knowing that this outburst was going to happen. The rebellious knight huffs angrily, almost in shock of his own defiance, like his conscience had taken over and he was there to witness it. After calming himself down, he lowers his head.

"I understand now. Why so many knights have walked out on our country; our mission; our purpose." The knight slowly lifts his hands up to his chest and removes his insignia from his shirt. The other knights lift their heads and stare at him in disbelief, stunned at his overt abandonment.

"I'm finished listening to you…" The knight speaks very quietly now.

"It's been an honor…" He places his insignia on the desk.

"…to serve this country." With his head down, the knight turns around and heads for the front of the tent.

"Stop right there." The knight stops in his tracks. The commander stands from his chair.

"If you walk out of here right now, you'll only prove me right." The rebellious knight quickly turns to face the commander, shocked at his quip.

"Spare me the theatrics. All this talk about serving the country. Upholding the purpose of the country, you make me sick." Even in his drunken state, wisdom emanates from him.

"Huh?" The knight responds, losing the confidence he had moments ago.

"If you really cared about this country and all of the work Yasuda does to protect it, why would you worry yourself over what some old man has to say?" The knight stays silent.

"No, it's something else. You, just like all o' them other yellow bellies gave up these past months, are tired of standing around and awaiting orders. If you really cared, you wouldn't let anything I say sway you from staying. It's like I said…" Commander Kimura sits back down.

"No. Backbone."

"T-That's not true!"

"Oh yeah? Then ask yourself this… why am I still here?" The commander begins making wild motions with his hands as he rants, spilling alcohol everywhere.

"Even after what happened at the bay? After all of this time? I may have some doubts about our country from time to time, or some doubts about how it's ran, but I do know one thing. I'm. Still. Here. And that's what matters." He takes a large sip of his drink.

"So, go ahead. Leave. Let's just hope someone with a little more faith in their country shows up to take your place." Before the knight can respond, a man abruptly enters the tent. It's one of the lower-ranked knights.

"Sir! Commander! I have a letter for you!"

"Bring it here." Commander Kimura stands from his desk and stretches his hand out.

"Ah, a knight from the capital, huh? One o' you defense recruits. Quite rare to see your folk around here… and making runs for correspondence no less. I suspect this must be urgent, then?" The commander reads the inscribed message on the cover. From Mizuki Yasuda.

"Yes, commander, sir. My orders were to arrive here in a day."

"A day? Hmph. Never has something been so important." At some realization, the commander's eyes widen at the letter. He quickly unfolds it and scans its contents.

"Could it be?" The commander whispers to himself. The messenger knight leaves to return to the capital.

"What is it, sir?" The rebellious knight asks inquisitively.

"Well, it's your lucky day, knight." He looks up from the letter with a quick, low chuckle.

"We got orders."

In the midst of a town, inside of a creaky, old house, in the middle of a dining room, a middle-aged woman bursts out laughing, smacking the table with her left hand as she holds a spoon in her right. Her hysterical motions nearly knock her plate off of the table and she just about chokes on her food. Her laughter brushes the end of a full minute before she calms down.

"Oh wow, that was funnier than I thought it'd be. Whew." She wipes the tears from her eyes. Another woman, sitting across from her, uses her spoon to emphasize her words.

"And that wasn't even the best part. She—" A knock at the door and the conversation is temporarily put on hold.

"Sorry, let me get that." The woman stands and cheerfully strolls over to the front door.

"Hello, yes?" She greets the figure with a sweet tune in her voice. A tall man with black hair and a body clad in armor stands powerfully at the door.

"Hi, Mrs. Katsumi." Despite his large stature, the man has a light, friendly voice. She recognizes who he is. Her eyes light up and her grin widens further.

"Oh, Atsushi! It's nice to see you!" Katsumi steps to the side opposite of the front door.

"Please, come in!" Atsushi hesitates for a moment.

"No, I—" Katsumi lightly takes his wrist.

"Don't be a stranger! You must be famished from walking over here. I'll make you some breakfast." She pulls him over to one of the vacant chairs at the table.

"And do please take that armor off. You must be hot with all that on in the heat we've been having lately." Even as she busily hustles around the kitchen, the kindness in her voice gives Atsushi no choice, and he slowly takes off his armor plates until he's only wearing his leather undergarments.

"Please, take a seat." Atsushi pulls the chair back and sits down.

"Thank you, Mrs. Katsumi."

"Please, you can call me Misaki." A moment of silence follows.

"So, how would you like your eggs, dear?" A hint of desperation corrupts her usual joyful tone.

"…Mrs. Katsumi." Her movements about the kitchen slow until her arms and legs come to a complete stop. She keeps her back facing the dining room.

"You… you know why I'm here." Another moment of silence.

"I… I knew this day would come… why does it hurt so bad…?" She breathes to herself. She tries to keep the thoughts away, the same thoughts that had been surrounding her this whole year, the same ones that had taken over her entire life; her relationships, her conversations, her mind…

"Your son…" She tightly grips the rag in her left hand, trying to hold back the tears that threaten to well up in her eyes. Her gaze lowers as she's unable, and closes her eyes as a last attempt to keep it in.

"…he is needed at the training site. I feel you know why." She takes a moment to regain her composure as best she can.

"…I… I understand." Her voice becomes raspy.

"I'll wake him as… as soon as possible." Atsushi stands from his chair. He grabs his armor and sets it back on.

"Thank you. That's all I came here for…" He stands for a moment in silence, unable to think of a way to console her.

"Have a good day, Mrs. Katsumi." He hurriedly and confidently marches out of the house. Misaki remains at the counter in her kitchen, with her head hanging low and her breaths shaky. The other woman stands from her chair and slowly walks over to her.

"Misaki, please." She places her hand on her shoulder.

"Don't get so worked up. We don't know if he'll be discharged…"

"Tomomi… do you know how important this is to him…? I mean…." She sniffles.

"He's been dreaming about this ever since he was little…"

…

Misaki slowly opens the door to a bedroom. It produces a loud creak and the child in the room turns to face the door. They're wearing a helmet that's many sizes too large for them.

"Hey, little guy…" She says in a teasing manner.

"What are you doing?"

"Oh, hi mommy!" The kid struggles to remove the helmet. Misaki quickly lunges forward and helps them take it off. As it comes off, it reveals a boy with large, brown eyes and a big grin wobbling on the edge of a giggle.

"I was pretending I was daddy." His gaze moves to the floor and his smile almost fades away.

"I found his helmet and it looked like fun." His gaze rises again and stops at a picture on the wall. It's a picture of his family together. His grin vanishes and his gaze lowers again.

"I'm sorry, mom. I know how you feel about dad… I just thought it would be… fun to…" The boy's voice becomes croaky, and he begins sobbing into his hands. Misaki quickly moves her arms around the boy and hugs him tightly.

"Shh… it's okay, honey. Don't worry about that." She lightly strokes the back of his head.

"You can be anything you want in life." The boy stifles his choked sobs.

"Anything?" She hesitates for a moment.

"…Anything."

…

"Mom, I have something I want to talk to you about." Misaki lowers her cup as her son enters the house after a day at school.

"Yes, honey. What is it?"

"I…" The boy brings his hands into fists, trying to search for the confidence to say what he wants to say.

"I have decided to join the military." He declares loudly. She gasps at her son's words.

"Oh, Jack…" She quickly stands up from her chair and runs over to hug her son.

"I am… so happy for you…" Tears roll down her eyes.

"So… happy…" So… happy…

…

"…I guess I better wake him…" The other lady returns to the table.

"I should get going then. It would be for the best." She hastily grabs her things and leaves through the front door, leaving Misaki in the silence of her kitchen.

On a bed in the corner of a bedroom, a young boy, of 17 years of age, sprawls out in all directions, sleeping peacefully. By the natural clock of his body, his eyes slowly open to the beaming sunlight passing through his window. He takes a moment to get his bearings; he slowly lifts his head and surveys his room. Satisfied, he plops his head back on the pillow, ready to fall back into a deep sleep. However, in a moment, he quickly shoots up out of his bed. Shit! He hurriedly moves over to a stack of armor plating at the foot of his bed. In just a couple seconds, he slips on his leather undergarments and affixes the plates to his body. With just a helmet to go, he surveys his room again and again, looking for it. Damn! He forgot that he left it downstairs. He slams the door open and nearly tumbles down the stairs. His eyes snap from table, to chair, to plant, to rug, to his mother—

"Hi, mom!" He quickly says. As she turns to face him, he spots his helmet to the right of the front door.

"Sorry, mom, can't eat breakfast, have to go, love you, 'bye!" He snatches up his helmet and leaps out the door. His mom hurries behind him.

"Jack, wait! …Jack!" By the time she gets to the door, Jack is nowhere to be seen. Oh… don't be too hard on my baby…

How could you forget to get up on a day like this?! You idiot! Of all the days you wake up late, just make an exception this one time! Jack sprints through town. He takes note of a bread store on his right. The man running the shop just opened. Jack looks to the sky. The sun; it's just above the horizon. Okay. If the goddesses favor me this day, I might be able to make it. His armor takes a toll on his gait and in just a couple moments, he slows to a walk, and he's absolutely out of breath. Stupid armor. Why's it so heavy?

Jack leaves the town by South Murky Gate. Immediately, he notices a large gathering of knights to his right. Storm Court. He sprints over to join them. He can hear someone vaguely announcing something.

"…We will reinforce our defenses and prepare for anything that may attack us." Jack takes his spot on the left side of the crowd near the front as he wheezes all over the place. He places his left arm backwards with the back of his left forearm placed on his lower back. His right arm extends over his chest and his right hand is squeezed to a fist and placed over his heart. Now, he matches the same pose of every other knight in the crowd.

"Remember, we need to be on guard. Now that the small camps on the borders have taken action, it is possible for them to be overwhelmed." Taken action? What is she talking about? A patrolling commander smacks Jack in the back with the flat side of a metal sword. A high-pitched ding rings out from the tap.

"Straighten your back, knight." Jack quickly fixes his posture.

"And raise that elbow. Show pride for your country." He lifts his right elbow as high as it can go. The commander gives a nod of acceptance and moves on. Jack returns his attention to the speech.

"That is all for now, valiant knights. Proceed with bravery and persistence." The knights in the crowd synchronously bring their left hands to their forehead and give a salute, uttering the rehearsed phrase Yes, ma'am at certain points in the motion. The crowd scatters to go about their duties. With the speech over, Jack moves forward to greet the speaker as they exit from the stage. Her hair is pitch black and comes down to her waist. It is parted to one side with an equally black hair clip holding it in place. Her eyes are a piercing dark brown, almost indistinguishable from her pupils, giving this wholly black void with an unknown and mysterious depth.

"Hi, Grand Commander Yasuda, ma'am." Jack brings his left hand to his forehead. She gives a comforting chuckle.

"At ease, Knight Jack. No need to be so serious." Even as she says that, Jack can feel his nerves twisting and bending. Jack gives his salute.

"You… wanted to talk, ma'am." His voice wavers with nervousness and he becomes as stiff as a board.

"Yes." She leans in and emphasizes her next words.

"And call me Mizuki, Jack. I thought I said at ease." Mizuki lets out another chuckle.

"Sorry. It's just that…" Jack looks away from her.

"You're a grand commander now and you were so serious the other day…" Mizuki sighs.

"Please, Jack. Just because I'm a grand commander doesn't mean we're not friends anymore. And I am serious about this… but you're getting too worked up about it." Jack's gaze returns to Mizuki's.

"What, you thought that a serious talk meant… me discharging you from the ranks?" Jack swallows. He can feel his breath and his heartbeat quicken. His tongue and his throat dry up. He can't bring himself to answer. Oh, Jack… why are you so unconfident about your own ability?

"Well, it's not about that, so calm down." Jack lets out a sigh. At least make it less obvious.

"I wanted to talk to you about something else… Follow me." She turns to face the training grounds and walks in its direction. Her gait is seemingly perfect; her legs and feet move in perfect cyclical motions and her body posture never bobs up or down, as if she hovers forward. Overall, she gives of an air of superiority, making it apparent that she's a great fit for grand commander despite her friendly attitude with Jack.

Now in the training grounds, just across the road from the Storm Court where she gave that speech moments ago, Mizuki asks Jack a question.

"How sharp are your knight skills?" Taken aback by her random question, Jack hesitates before answering. Does she know?

"Uh…"

"Don't answer. I know you've been skipping training. I can tell by the way you move with your armor." Jack stiffens up again.

"Don't worry, you're not in any trouble." Jack eases up a bit. A moment of silence.

"You skip your knight training… yet you still show up to my training… why is that?" Jack remains sheepish.

"There's no need to answer, Jack. Even though you've only been my pupil for some time, I understand just what kind of person you are." She turns around to face him.

"I can see it in the way you move, the way you talk and think, and the way you train." Another moment of silence. Jack notes how weird it feels to have someone analyze you. She turns around to face away from him again.

"I didn't see you show up until late in the speech. I take it you didn't catch much?"

"No, sorry."

"Then, I'll cut to the chase…" She takes a long inhale and exhale.

Ever since the beginning of time, it seems, the Kingdom of Ruenasia to our south had requested our country's help in their wars. We'd offer training, guidance, and even our own military. In return? We get to live. Of course, there was much mutual tension. It started with Ruenasia lining their side of the border with military camps and bases. Then, we followed suit. And now, up until about a few years ago, I'm sure you're aware, they ceased communication with us. They've rejected all kinds of correspondence since. We've been in a constant stalemate, awaiting their next move.

As of late, though, we have a different tactic. Instead of waiting around, the council of grand commanders, myself included, have decided to go on the offensive. We strike them first. It's rather clear that our numbers are low, especially with the deserters increasing day by day, so the only way we can hope to end this deadlock with our country intact is if we attack them.

"Jack, I apologize for telling you all of this at once. I hope it's not too much." Mizuki faces Jack.

"It would be best if you weren't confused. Do you have any questions?" Jack thinks for a moment.

"…We can't negotiate a peaceful end, and we would absolutely lose in a defensive position, so we… have to attack." It's not the greatest thing for Jack to realize. It's a hard notion for him to accept. This country… it goes against everything this country stands for. Why must it be like this?

"I know you of all people would have a hard time learning this truth, but please realize that you are integral to this mission." What?! Jack's eyes widen at her words. Me? Why me specifically?

"Yes, Jack. I believe it is time." Now that he's become the main point of the conversation, Jack becomes quicker to respond.

"Time for what?" A subtle fear can be heard in his voice, as if he knows that this would happen someday, and that he would never be prepared enough for it. No matter what.

"For you to be deployed." She lowers her head, knowing that Jack would protest to such a command.

"Deployed? I… I can't do that! I'm a defense knight, Mizuki! I can't become a knight on the front lines, at least not yet, I—"

"Jack! You and I both know there's no other way!" A moment of silence. She moves closer to Jack. She places her hand on his shoulder.

"Listen. You have the ability to become a great knight. I can feel it from within you. You just need the opportunity." I've never seen her believe in someone like this before. If she believes in me this much, maybe I can be a great knight.

"Be brave and be strong. I know it's your first time doing something like this, but you can do it, Jack. I know you can." She turns to face the practice dummies on the left side of the training ground.

"Now, for the matter of knight skills." Jack swallows. He already has a good idea of what she wants him to do.

"Come on, Jack. You can do it! Side slash followed by an undercut, remember this basic combination!"

"Keep this pace! You need this level of endurance when you're chasing your enemy or when you're retreating to safety! Jack! Jack? Oh, I didn't realize you fell. Now is no time for rest. Get up, let's keep going!"

"Your shield placement needs to be higher! Remember to cover your essentials: your head and torso are the most important."

"You need to ready your sword and shield faster than that! Imagine if you were ambushed! Fast, fluid motions!"

"Okay, I suppose that's enough for today." Jack plops onto a chair, panting from the intense training from the day. His arms and calves are burning and his heartbeat pounds like a drum in his ears.

"You'll do more training when you get to camp. Remember that this won't be like what you're used to: training happens every single day, rather than every week." Mizuki sits next to Jack.

"I forgot to tell you this, but…" She looks down.

"You're leaving tonight, Jack."

"Tonight?!" Jack immediately leans forward.

"Yes, I apologize for not telling you earlier. I suppose you'll want to say goodbye to your family before you depart. Then you'll leave immediately after." She stands up.

"It's all arranged. You are leaving with a new shipment of knights to the southeastern front. Your primary objective: reinforce the numbers there. We've been losing a lot of knights particularly from this region. The most likely reason? The pressure from Leruromale." Jack stands up, ready to return home and say goodbye to his mother.

"Let's walk back into town together." The walk mostly happens in silence. It's almost evening now, and the town is eerily empty, or at least the townsfolk are more sparse than usual.

"…The winds today, Jack. Have you noticed?" Jack looks at Mizuki. She's facing the sky.

"They are unusually calm. And I can't help but feel it's about… you." She glances at Jack.

"When I was younger, I remember hearing from my elders that bad things follow calm winds. I would hear it every time we'd get a day like this. Tranquil. Peaceful. Serene." She takes a deep breath.

"They say that a calm day preceded the day when the communications with Ruenasia broke down. Maybe… maybe it was just a coincidence… but Jack, promise me you won't lose your head out there?"

After parting ways with Mizuki, Jack just has one more thing to face: his mother. He already suspects she'll have a negative reaction to his departure. I just hope she'll let me go, even if it's against her wishes. Jack opens the front door. It slowly creaks open until it comes to a stop. He can barely distinguish a lone figure sitting at the dining room table.

"Oh, Jack! You're home!" She hops up from the chair and hugs Jack.

"Mom?!" Has she been waiting this whole time?

"So, what happened? Were you…?" She eagerly waits for his response.

"I got promoted." Jack says with a lack of emotion in his voice.

"What?! That's great news! My boy, promoted to a defense knight! I'm so proud of you!"

"No, mom." Jack pushes her arms off of him.

"What? Jack, honey, what is it?"

"I… I didn't get promoted to a defensive knight."

"…I don't understand."

"Mom, I'm… I'm an attacking knight!" He yells due to her feigned confusion.

"I'm going to the front lines near Leruromale tonight!" Her confusion turns to sorrow. Misaki reels back in distress.

"No, I… that can't… you shouldn't…" Her back hits the wall and she collapses to the ground.

"Mom, please." She begins weeping into her hands.

"Mom…" The conversation falls silent with the intermittent sounds of Misaki's sobbing.

"Do you remember what you said when I was little…? You said that I can be anything I want… Well, I want to be a knight!" Immediately, Misaki's sobs cease.

"So… you want to end up just like your father?!" She yells suddenly. Jack is taken aback by her shouting.

"I may have said that I'll support you no matter what, but I can't just let you put your life on the line! I already lost someone I loved to this, I don't want to lose you, too!" Jack knew this was brewing all along. A hidden tension between him and his mother. He's been bottling anger as well, and it all comes bursting forth.

"If you really cared about me, you'd want me to be happy! And I love being a knight! Why can't you just accept that? I'm not your little boy anymore. I can take care of myself."

"It's not like that, Jack. Your father was one of the most powerful knights and he still died out there! There are things beyond your control!"

"Well, I'm not like my father! I'll… prove it! I'll prove you and him wrong! You'll see!" Jack angrily storms out of the house. Misaki stands and runs after him.

"Jack, wait! Please, honey, think about this!" But, once again, he's nowhere to be seen.

Sitting beneath an awning, against the wall of a shop in town, Jack angrily relives the last few minutes of his life. He aggressively rubs his hands through his hair. He tries his best not to process his emotions at this moment, as he'd rather remain angry than become sad that his mother doesn't support him. He hears faint footsteps approaching him. He looks up. It's Mizuki.

She moves closer and sits next to him, with her back against the wall. She stares into the dusky red sky.

"The sun… as the day moves forward, the sun always sets on the horizon. No matter what the day may bring, the sun continues moving anyway. With its reddish fury, you'd think a sunset wouldn't be so calming, but… perhaps such a conclusion is peaceful in its promise of a new beginning." Mizuki turns to Jack.

"Jack… although you might have troubled feelings at the moment, don't let them cloud your thoughts. Keep in mind what you want the most, and let that guide you to tomorrow. Promise yourself that…" Her gaze returns to the sun.

"And let your sun set." Jack looks out at the sun as well, processing Mizuki's words of guidance.

Running through town now, Jack plans to return home to give a proper goodbye to his mother. He opens the front door of the house.

"Mom?! Mom!" He surveys the first floor of the house but doesn't see signs of her anywhere. Someone on the street behind him grabs his attention.

"Hey kid. I saw your mom." Jack turns around.

"Really?!"

"Yeah. Katsumi? She went that way." The man points to a certain direction. Mom… you also wanted to say goodbye…

"Thank you, sir!" Jack heads to the southeast part of town. As he reaches the South Murky Gate, he notices a crowd gathered at the entrance.

"Mom?! Mom!" He can't spot his mother amongst the crowd.

"Jack?" Someone comes up to Jack from behind and gives him a hug.

"Mom!" Jack embraces her in return.

"Oh, honey. I felt so guilty that I was going to let you go out into the world all by yourself without saying goodbye, or I love you, oh it was awful, and I—"

"Mom, shh… it's okay. I understand." They hug in silence for a moment.

"I've decided that… you should do whatever makes you happy. I know I'll never be able to fully accept it, but that doesn't mean I should keep you from your life's dream." Jack eyes widen at her support. A genuine smile spreads across his face. His breath quickens for a moment only as he can't believe she would allow him to do this and as he fully grasps her words, he hugs her tighter.

"I love you, mom." He whispers lightly into her ear. They let go of each other.

"You know, I'll always be worried about you."

"I know, mom. I wouldn't want it any other way." Jack gives her a wide smile. It reminds Misaki of something. A memory from many years ago. She can't help but smile back.

"Jack, it's time to leave." Jack turns for a moment to face the crowd. It's the shipment of knights for the southeastern front. Mizuki is standing with them as well. Jack returns to his mother.

"Well, I guess the time has come. Just promise me one thing, Jack. Please, don't do anything dangerous."

"I promise, mom."

"Oh, and one more thing." Misaki unveils a helmet and a sword.

"Your father… would have wanted you to have these." The sword is a thin, longsword with an average-looking hilt and handle. Meanwhile, the helmet has a mask-like structure covering the mouth and cheeks with a diamond-shaped plating over the center of the eyes. Just above and behind the ears are a collection of feathers spewing out of a metallic opening of sorts.

"It's your father's equipment. Well, the rest of it, anyways." Jack removes his standard issue helmet and slips on his father's helmet. He immediately notices the comfortable lining of the helmet, but that pales in comparison to his overwhelming feeling of pride as he wears it. He grabs the sword from his mother. It's surprisingly lighter than it would seem just by looking at it. It's on the short side for a usual longsword but Jack has always preferred a lighter blade: it's easier to swing.

"Now, go and make your father and I proud!" Jack is speechless. He can't believe his mother would have been so willing to allow him to go.

"…Thanks, mom. See you…" Jack turns to leave. He hops onto the wagon carrying the other knights. As they pull out of town, Jack waves goodbye to his mother and Mizuki.

As they move along, the sunset fades away and the moon is bright and full this night. Jack recollects over the day and wonders how much his life will change in the coming weeks. A new beginning.