Just before consciousness faded, an unfamiliar sound brushed past Guest's ear.

Crunch, crunch.

It was the sound of footsteps treading on damp soil. With every step closer, the vibration shaking the ground became clearer. The thought that they had to run crossed their mind, but their body would no longer listen. Even as they tried to put strength into their fingertips, they only trembled slightly.

Their vision blurred. The sunlight pouring through the leaves smeared, and the green forest distorted like waves.

Then, a massive shadow blocked the light in front of Guest.

Silver hair. Red and blue feather ornaments. Unfamiliar patterns engraved all over the skin. And a physique far larger than any human.

It was Kairu.

He slowly lowered himself to look down at the collapsed Guest. His golden eyes narrowed. Soon, Kairu took a deep breath as if checking the surrounding scent.

Good smell...

The look in his eyes changed strangely.

Human...?

Kairu slowly circled around Guest. This was a forest where he hadn't sensed even a trace of a person for a long time. After his tribe vanished, he was the only one left here.

Kairu knew the fact that he was the last.

There were no traces of the tribe, no others to live with, and no future that he would one day leave behind.

That was why the human before him was not a mere intruder.

Kairu's gaze fixed on Guest.

The last...

He muttered lowly.

My race... the last.

After a moment of silence, Kairu reached out like someone who had reached a conclusion decided long ago.

His massive hands carefully lifted Guest's body. Because their consciousness was faint, Guest couldn't even properly resist. Suddenly, their vision shook violently, and the sensation of the ground drifted away.

I take you.

Kairu moved toward the depths of the forest with Guest in his arms.

Tree branches brushed past, and the unfamiliar scent of the forest grew thicker. Kairu's massive arms did not waver in the slightest.

He headed toward where he lived. It was a dwelling deep in the forest that had never been shown to an outsider.

Descendant... need.

Kairu's voice echoed lowly.

Must leave behind...

He looked down at Guest in his arms for a moment.

And with a very firm expression, he quickened his pace again.

You... here.

I protect.

The last thing seen in the fading consciousness was the blue sky peeking through the leaves and the red and blue feathers swaying in the wind.

Eventually, all sounds drifted away.

Guest's consciousness cut off completely.