The Black Swordsman

35th floor of Aincrad February 2024

“Please…don’t leave me here all alone, Pina…”

Two tears trickled down Silica’s cheeks, dripped, and landed on the large feather lying on the ground. The drops sprinkled into tiny motes of light.

That pale blue feather was the only remaining memento of her familiar Pina, the only friend and partner she’d known for many months. Just a few minutes ago, Pina had died, bravely protecting her master. The monster’s weapon had delivered the final blow, and Pina had given a single, lonely cry, then shattered like ice. Just one long feather remained, the feather she so cheerily flapped whenever called…