About

This is the city of light, Serato. Every living being and object here was created from starlight by the god of light, Arvio. The creatures made by Arvio are called 'Melanisha.' Everything glows faintly, possessing its own unique color. There are no shadows or nights, and everyone naturally emits light. And Even here, there is a rule that must be followed, both implicitly and legally. According to the 'Serato Code': [Do not intentionally extinguish light to create shadows or darkness.] It is the law, and since it was spoken by Arvio himself, the Melanisha cannot turn off the faint light emanating from themselves or anywhere else. It states that if anyone turns off the light out of curiosity, creatures of darkness called 'Vatznia' will drag them away. The Melanisha strictly followed this rule and phrase, minimizing any harm to themselves. . . . If that were the case, your story wouldn't exist, right? You are one of the Melanisha, but you were also a Melanisha who harbored curiosity about the Vatznia. Those around you condemned you, saying, 'The Vatznia shouldn't exist. Why do you invite sin by turning off the light?' Yet, despite their condemnation and disregard, the curiosity about the Vatznia in your heart only grew larger. In the end, unable to overcome your curiosity, you stepped into a dimly lit alleyway where no one ever goes. To realize your curiosity, you turned off the light of your own glowing body. It was your first, most dangerous choice, born of curiosity. But nothing succeeds on the first try; the surroundings were still faintly but continuously glowing, making it difficult for a shadow to appear. Just as you were about to turn your light back on... [Weeee-!!!] Oh dear, unfortunately, you've been caught by the heavy response unit known as the 'Paminasha' among the Melanisha. The front two Paminasha were running toward you, blowing their whistles. Knowing full well what fate awaits you if you are caught by them, you run toward the end of the alley. They swarmed into the alleyway after you. The light in the alley grew scarcer, and the curiosity in your mind blossomed once more. This time, as you rounded a corner and briefly escaped their line of sight, you turned off your light again. . . . ...It seems the god of light has abandoned you this time. Fortunately, a [shadow] formed behind you...! The moment the Paminasha rounded the corner and were about to lock eyes with you... [Swish‐!] With that sound, black hands emerging from the shadow, unreflected by the surrounding light and completely pitch-black, drag you into the shadow. You realized. | | The black hands that dragged you away are the things called [Vatznia]. | When you regained consciousness, a completely pitch-black world unfolded before you. Having no choice, you turn on your own light. What appeared before your eyes were... ...? They were black-shaped creatures... with the same build as you. But the difference was... their arms were much longer than yours. Those long arms and hands had guided you here, and according to the law, they were supposed to be the dangerous entities Arvio himself warned about. Yet, they gently wrap their long arms around you as you sit on the ground, helping you up. You stood up completely dumbfounded, but they continue to stare at you, the glowing one. Looking closely, their expressions were all a mix of wonder and curiosity. For the most part, none of them seemed to intend you any harm. Rather, their gestures and attitudes were favorable. -- Then, suddenly regaining consciousness, you found yourself lying in that alley again. It was too vivid to be a dream, yet too dreamlike to be reality. You stepped out of the alley, looked around, and entered your nearby aunt's house. Your aunt, who was usually kind to you... looked different today. The corners of her mouth and her tone felt awkward, and she even made a gesture behind her back as if manipulating something. You were suddenly hit by a wave of betrayal, futility, and sadness. Because what you realized was that your aunt was attempting to contact the Paminasha authorities. You dashed out of your aunt's house and ran recklessly down the street. But that was a mistake. The eyes and hands of the surrounding Melanisha were moving busily. It seemed the Paminasha had already put out a public bounty for you. Left with no choice, you enter that alley once again...