The clearing felt too quiet.
Makoto stood frozen by the stables, his heart pounding in his chest. The growl he'd heard moments ago still echoed in his ears. Every instinct told him to move, to run, but his legs wouldn't obey.
"Makoto!" Lily's voice jolted him out of his trance.
He turned to see her sprinting toward him, Mana and Lila close behind. Mana's expression was calm but serious, while Lila's gaze scanned the trees, her hand resting on a dagger strapped to her belt.
"What happened?" Mana asked, his voice steady.
"I—I saw something," Makoto stammered. "Out there. It was fast, but I heard... something growling."
Mana nodded, placing a reassuring hand on Makoto's shoulder. "You did the right thing calling for us. Stay with Lily and Lila while I check it out."
Makoto's eyes widened. "Wait, you're going alone? What if it's—"
"It's probably just an animal," Mana said, though there was a note of caution in his tone. "I'll be fine. Stay here."
Before Makoto could protest further, Mana disappeared into the trees, his movements quick and purposeful. Lily grabbed Makoto's arm, her grip firm.
"Don't worry," she said with a forced smile. "Mana knows what he's doing."
But Makoto couldn't shake the knot of fear tightening in his chest.
Minutes felt like hours as they waited for Mana to return. Makoto sat on a nearby log, his hands clenched tightly in his lap. Lily tried to keep the mood light, cracking jokes and teasing him about his "imagination," but even she seemed tense.
When Mana finally emerged from the trees, his face was unreadable. He walked straight to Lila and murmured something too quiet for Makoto or Lily to hear. Lila's expression darkened, and she nodded before hurrying off to speak with the other performers.
"What is it?" Makoto asked, his voice shaky. "What did you see?"
Mana crouched in front of him, his usual smile softer, almost strained. "There's no need to panic, but I saw signs of something... unusual."
"Unusual?" Makoto echoed. "Like an Akuma?"
Mana hesitated for a fraction of a second before answering. "Maybe. But we're prepared. Lila and the others will keep watch tonight. You'll be safe."
Makoto wanted to believe him, but the look in Mana's eyes told him this was more serious than he was letting on.
The circus camp was unusually quiet that night. The performers moved with practiced efficiency, setting up a perimeter of lanterns and weapons just in case. Lila organized a watch rotation, and Makoto noticed how even the youngest acrobats carried small blades or clubs.
Lily stayed close to him, her usual cheer replaced by a quiet determination. "It's probably nothing," she said, trying to reassure him. "We've dealt with wild animals before. This won't be any different."
Makoto nodded, though he could feel the weight of fear pressing down on him. He couldn't stop thinking about the Akuma he'd faced weeks ago—the twisted grin, the overwhelming malice. If something like that came here again...
"You okay?" Lily asked, nudging him lightly.
"Yeah," Makoto lied. "Just tired."
"Well, get some sleep," she said. "You'll need your energy if we're moving again tomorrow."
Makoto nodded, but sleep felt like an impossibility.
Makoto didn't go to his tent right away. Instead, he wandered to the edge of the camp, where Mana was sitting by the fire, staring into the flames. The older man looked up as Makoto approached, his expression softening.
"Couldn't sleep?" Mana asked.
Makoto shook his head, sitting down beside him. "I keep thinking about the Akuma. What if it's back?"
Mana was quiet for a moment before answering. "If it is, we'll handle it. You're not alone in this, Makoto. We'll protect each other."
"But what if I freeze?" Makoto said, his voice trembling. "What if I can't do anything?"
Mana smiled, reaching out to ruffle Makoto's hair. "Makoto, bravery isn't about not being afraid. It's about doing what you can, even when you're scared. And you've already shown me that you can do that."
Makoto swallowed hard, his chest tightening. "I just... I don't want to lose anyone."
Mana's smile faltered for a brief moment before returning. "Neither do I. That's why we'll do everything we can to stay together. But Makoto... no matter what happens, you have to promise me one thing."
Makoto looked at him, his heart pounding. "What?"
"Promise me you'll keep going. No matter how hard it gets, no matter what you lose, you have to keep moving forward."
Makoto nodded, though his throat felt too tight to speak. Mana's words were heavy with an unspoken meaning, and they filled him with both comfort and dread.
Makoto didn't know how long he'd been asleep when the first scream shattered the night.
He bolted upright, his heart hammering in his chest. Outside, the camp was chaos—shadows flickered in the firelight, and the air was thick with shouts and the sound of clashing metal.
"Makoto!" Lily burst into his tent, her face pale and her breath ragged. "It's Akuma! We have to go!"
For a moment, Makoto couldn't move. The word echoed in his mind, freezing him in place. Then Lily grabbed his arm, pulling him to his feet.
"Come on!" she shouted. "Mana's waiting for us!"
The two of them ran into the fray, the scene before them a nightmare. Level One Akuma swarmed the camp, their grotesque forms illuminated by the flickering firelight. The performers fought back with everything they had, but the creatures were relentless.
Makoto's eyes searched desperately for Mana, his chest tightening with panic. "Where is he?!"
"Over there!" Lily pointed toward the center of the camp, where Mana stood with Lila and a group of other performers. He was shouting orders, his face calm but focused.
Makoto took a step toward him, but Lily grabbed his arm. "Wait! We have to stick together!"
"But—" Makoto's words were cut off by an earsplitting roar as one of the Akuma turned toward them.
The creature lunged, its claws slicing through the air. Makoto threw himself in front of Lily without thinking, his hands glowing with the familiar green light of his Innocence.
"Stop!" he shouted.
The light formed into the wheel-like weapon he'd seen before, spinning rapidly as it collided with the Akuma. The creature screeched, its body disintegrating into ash.
Lily stared at him, wide-eyed. "Makoto..."
Makoto didn't have time to respond. Another roar shook the air, and he turned to see more Akuma closing in on the camp.
"Lily, go!" he shouted. "Get to Mana!"
"What about you?!" she cried.
"I'll catch up!" Makoto said, his voice trembling but firm. "Just go!"
Lily hesitated for a moment before nodding, her expression torn. "Be careful."
As she ran toward Mana, Makoto turned back to face the Akuma, his hands shaking. He didn't know if he was ready for this, but he didn't have a choice.
To Be Continued...