They went to Uzu’s place to gather fruit for the road.

  Along the way, Ku walked in silence, her eyes lost in the void her parents had left behind. The light was fading, and they realized they were far too deep in the wild to turn back to the village. They would have to spend the night there, surrounded by low shrubs and whispering leaves.

  Leborgne prepared a place for her to rest.

  “Stay here. I’ll find something to eat.”

  He disappeared into the trees and returned later with a hare in his hand. Ku was half-asleep, so he gently shook her and gestured toward the bag for firewood.

  Minutes later, the meat was cooked.

  Leborgne offered her a piece. She shook her head politely.

  “We don’t know how long the road will be once the sun rises,” he said. “You should regain your strength.”

  She stared at the meat for a moment, then accepted. Soon, she finished eating.

  Leborgne studied her quietly.

  “Do you have family? Other than your parents?”

  She turned her gaze away, hiding whatever flickered in her eyes.

  “I do… But my parents forbade me from staying with them. They believed I attracted misfortune.”

  “I see,” he replied. “We should sleep.”

  They lay down with the dying embers between them.

  At dawn, Ku woke to find Leborgne gone.

  She walked a few steps and found him near a river. He was training.

  That morning, she discovered the true extent of his ability.

  Any weapon he touched became bound to him.

  He could command it from a distance, lifting it effortlessly into the air as though it weighed nothing at all.

  And no blade he had previously laid a hand on could ever wound him.

  It would turn away at the final instant, refusing to strike its master.

  He could even reduce his own blade, splitting it into smaller fragments should he ever face multiple enemies at once.

  The longer Ku watched him train, the more her admiration deepened.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  Leborgne noticed her and stopped immediately. He walked back toward their camp.

  “You can use magic!” Ku said.

  He didn’t even look at her.

  “Pack your things. We’re leaving.”

  She obeyed.

  ---

  They had been walking for three hours when they encountered a young man.

  Upon seeing them, he smirked.

  “Don’t Akumas usually have wings? Or is it the weight of your crimes that keeps you grounded?”

  Leborgne ignored him.

  Ku didn’t have nerves of steel. A sob escaped her.

  Leborgne almost turned back. Almost.

  Then the young man said something that forced him to act.

  Leborgne turned and attacked without magic.

  Though the stranger had implied he had murdered his own parents, Leborgne felt nothing.

  He struck with the hilt of his blade, aiming for the man’s face.

  Steel flashed.

  Another blade intercepted the strike.

  Leborgne stepped back, feigned a blow to the stomach meant to knock him unconscious. The same result.

  Then, with unsettling flexibility, the young man twisted and exchanged places with him.

  In a blink, he stood beside Ku.

  Leborgne now stood where the stranger had been.

  The man halted.

  “For a devil’s envoy, you don’t seem all that cruel.”

  Before their eyes, he transformed into an old man.

  Ku froze.

  Leborgne remained calm.

  The old man bowed slightly.

  “My apologies. My name is Uzu. More commonly known as Uzu the Tandem. A traveling merchant informed me this morning that an Akuma named Leborgne, accompanied by his demonic daughter, was coming to kill me.”

  He smiled.

  “I was curious to see if it was true. Because of my reputation, I rarely receive visitors. So I decided to meet you myself. I recognized you the moment I saw this charming lady’s eyes.”

  He turned to Ku.

  “How rude of me. I forgot to ask your name.”

  “Ku,” she answered.

  “Remarkable. I’ve known Kus before, but all of them were men. You… magnificent, mysterious… Yes. I like that. I like it very much. But tell me, dear friends, why would you want me dead?”

  “We never intended to kill anyone,” Leborgne replied calmly. “We were told you possess extensive knowledge of the country’s water sources.”

  “Ah… of course. Villagers can never resist meddling.” He gestured ahead. “My home is just nearby. For once that I have guests, I would not insult them by speaking outside my domain.”

  Leborgne signaled Ku to follow.

  ---

  Inside, Uzu asked them to sit while he fetched a map.

  Alone, Ku examined the walls.

  Her breath caught.

  On one of the photographs stood Uzu… in the exact form he had taken when they met.

  She showed it to Leborgne.

  He studied it briefly, sighed, and closed his eyes.

  Moments later, Uzu returned carrying a box. From it, he unfolded a map so large that furniture had to be moved aside.

  He removed his wooden sandals and stepped onto the map.

  “Shoes off,” he instructed cheerfully.

  They joined him.

  “Where shall we begin? Oh, I forgot to mention. I’m coming with you. I would never miss an opportunity to bathe again.”

  He laughed lightly.

  “Surely bathing isn’t the only reason you seek these waters?”

  Ku glanced awkwardly at Leborgne.

  “Of course,” Uzu continued. “You’re engaged! Seeking something exquisite for your young love. How wonderful.”

  Leborgne was about to object, but Ku subtly stopped him.

  Uzu’s tone softened.

  “I once loved deeply. She died not long ago… in that chair. The one Ku is sitting in.”

  “My condolences,” Ku said.

  Uzu blinked in surprise. Most women would have paled or changed seats. She simply offered sympathy.

  They spoke at length. It felt more like a friendly interrogation.

  Leborgne rarely spoke.

  ---

  That night, the sky shimmered with stars as if demanding all attention.

  Leborgne stepped outside to admire them.

  Uzu followed.

  Soon, Ku joined and sat between them.

  Suddenly, she began to cry.

  “I shouldn’t be here. I should have died. I caused my sisters’ deaths. I disobeyed my parents… and they died because of me.”

  “Don’t say that,” Uzu replied gently. “There are things in life beyond our control.”

  He looked toward the sky.

  “I once had a brother. We both loved the same woman. But we loved each other enough not to go to war. He could change others’ appearances, but never his own. I could take any form I desired.”

  He paused.

  “The villagers feared me. They mistook me for the Akuma of legend and sought to kill me.”

  Leborgne remained silent.

  “One day, when it was my turn to try to win her heart, my brother went in my place without telling me. I caught up to him and we went together. The villagers set an ambush for me. They captured him instead. They tortured him… and killed him.”

  Silence stretched.

  “Sometimes,” Uzu continued, lighter now, “I take his appearance. When I miss him. Or when I wish to frighten those murderers.”

  He clapped his hands softly.

  “But that’s the past. Let’s see what the future holds. Uzu, Leborgne, and Ku. Quite the trio, wouldn’t you say?”

  Ku listened.

  And for the first time in a long while… she felt normal.

  At peace.