Makoto had begun to find his rhythm at the circus. Every morning started with feeding the animals alongside Lila, who had officially dubbed him her assistant. Afterward, he would join Lily for tightrope practice, though his "practice" usually ended with him hanging upside down from the safety net, much to Lily's amusement.
Afternoons were reserved for helping Mana repair props or working on his juggling skills, which had marginally improved since his initial attempt. Evenings brought the warmth of the campfire, where the performers' laughter echoed under the starry sky.
Though the threat of Akuma lingered in the back of his mind, Makoto found himself cherishing these simple moments of joy. For the first time in his life, he felt like he had a family—a place where he belonged.
The first sign of trouble came one quiet afternoon as Makoto was helping Lila clean the stables. The air, which had been warm and still, suddenly grew heavy, as though a storm were brewing.
Lila paused mid-sentence, her brow furrowing. "Do you feel that?"
Makoto looked up, his heart skipping a beat. "Feel what?"
Before she could answer, one of the horses let out a panicked whinny, stomping its hooves and rearing up. Lila moved to calm it, but the animal's fear was palpable, spreading to the others like wildfire.
Makoto backed away, his chest tightening as an icy chill settled over him. He couldn't explain it, but he felt it too—an oppressive presence that seemed to press down on the entire camp.
"Makoto!" Lily's voice rang out, startling him. She was running toward them, her usually bright face pale. "Mana wants everyone at the fire. Now."
The performers gathered quickly, their usual camaraderie replaced by uneasy silence. Mana stood at the center of the circle, his expression grave. Makoto had never seen him like this before.
"There have been reports of Akuma attacks in the nearby villages," Mana began, his voice steady but serious. "We don't know how close they are, but we can't take any chances."
Murmurs rippled through the group. Makoto's heart sank, his mind flashing back to the monstrous creature that had nearly destroyed the circus weeks ago.
"Are we leaving?" one of the acrobats asked, their voice tinged with fear.
"We'll move camp tomorrow," Mana said. "But for now, we stay alert. No one goes anywhere alone, and if you see or hear anything strange, you come to me immediately."
The group nodded, though the tension in the air remained thick. As the performers dispersed, Makoto lingered by the fire, his thoughts swirling.
"Makoto," Mana said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "A word?"
Makoto followed Mana to the edge of the camp, where the older man leaned against a tree, his expression softening.
"I know this is scary," Mana said gently. "But I need you to trust me. We'll keep everyone safe."
Makoto hesitated, his fists clenching at his sides. "What if... what if I can't do anything when it happens? What if I freeze again?"
Mana smiled, shaking his head. "Makoto, you've already proven that you're stronger than you think. That day with the Akuma—you didn't freeze. You acted."
"That was just luck," Makoto muttered, lowering his gaze.
"Maybe," Mana said. "But luck or not, you protected us. And that's what matters."
Makoto looked up at him, his chest tightening. Mana's confidence in him felt both comforting and overwhelming, like a weight he wasn't sure he could bear.
"I'll try," he said quietly.
"That's all I ask," Mana replied, ruffling his hair. "Now get some rest. Big day tomorrow."
The circus began packing up the next morning, their colorful tents and props carefully loaded onto wagons. The mood was subdued, but there was an undercurrent of determination—if danger was coming, they wouldn't sit around and wait for it.
Makoto threw himself into the work, carrying crates and helping the others with whatever they needed. His muscles ached, but the physical labor kept his mind from dwelling too much on the growing sense of dread.
By the time the sun set, the camp was ready to move at first light. The performers gathered for one last evening around the fire, their laughter a little louder than usual, as though trying to drown out their fears.
"Makoto!" Lily called, holding up a plate of roasted marshmallows. "Come on, have one before Lila steals them all!"
"I heard that," Lila said, though her small smile betrayed her amusement.
Makoto joined them, his heart feeling lighter as he listened to their playful banter. For a moment, it was easy to forget the shadows looming over them.
That night, Makoto dreamed of the Akuma.
He was standing in the middle of the circus tent, the audience screaming as the monster tore through the performers one by one. He tried to move, to do something, but his legs wouldn't obey.
"Makoto..." A voice echoed through the chaos, soft and mournful.
He turned to see Mana standing in the center of the destruction, his back to Makoto. The older man was holding something—a small, glowing object that pulsed with green light.
"Mana!" Makoto shouted, but his voice was swallowed by the roar of the Akuma. The glowing object in Mana's hands shattered, and he turned to face Makoto, his expression calm but filled with sorrow.
"You'll be okay," Mana said, his voice distant. "You'll find your way."
Before Makoto could respond, the dream dissolved into darkness.
Makoto woke with a start, his chest heaving. The dream lingered in his mind, vivid and unsettling, but he pushed it aside as he got ready for the day. There was too much to do to dwell on nightmares.
As the circus began their journey to a new location, Makoto found himself walking beside Mana, their conversation light but comforting. Though the dream gnawed at the back of his mind, Mana's presence was enough to keep the worst of his fears at bay.
"You're quiet today," Mana said, glancing at him.
"Just tired," Makoto lied, managing a small smile. "I'll be fine."
Mana didn't press him, but his knowing look made it clear he wasn't fooled.
As the sun set on their first day of travel, the circus stopped to make camp in a secluded clearing. The performers worked quickly to set up the tents, their movements efficient after years of practice.
Makoto was helping Lila feed the animals when he noticed it—a flicker of movement in the distance, just beyond the tree line. He froze, his pulse quickening.
"Did you see that?" he whispered.
Lila followed his gaze, her expression tightening. "Stay here. I'll get Mana."
Before Makoto could protest, she was gone, leaving him alone with the uneasy silence. He swallowed hard, his eyes darting back to the trees.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, a low, guttural growl broke the stillness, and Makoto's blood ran cold.
To Be Continued...