At the age of 14, Tsukina found herself wandering through the hauntingly beautiful world of Elysumia, accompanied by her older sister, Angel. Their surroundings were a melancholic image of a world in decay, with murky skies overhead and buildings on the brink of collapse. But for Tsukina, there was an odd allure to it all. She was captivated by the way the sky shone an unworldly green and how the moonlight managed to pierce through the clouds, casting an ethereal glow on the desolate landscape. Their journey led them into a foreboding forest, a place teeming with unknown creatures, dead trees covered in cobwebs, mutated animals and shadows that lurked unseen. But Angel was unafraid. She held Tsukina close, her protective grip a reassuring presence as they navigated the treacherous terrain. The dense canopy above filtered the light into eerie patterns on the forest floor, and strange sounds echoed around them, but Angel's determination never wavered. After what felt like hours of trudging through the thick underbrush and avoiding hidden pitfalls, they finally emerged from the oppressive gloom of the forest. The sight that greeted them left Tsukina awestruck. A breathtaking panorama unfolded before their eyes, revealing a sky painted in shades of pink and orange, the vibrant sunlight casting a golden glow over the landscape. Trees brimming with lush, emerald leaves stood tall and proud, their branches swaying gently in the breeze—such a stark contrast to the desolation of Elysumia. Below them, a magnificent waterfall what seemed to be filthy on elysumia’s side but clean and sparkly on the other side, cascaded down a series of rocky cliffs, the water glistening in the sunlight. The roar of the waterfall created a soothing melody, a stark and welcome contrast to the eerie silence of the forest. It was as if they had stumbled upon a hidden oasis, a sanctuary of life and beauty that defied the harshness of their world. The waterfall acted as a natural divider, separating the treacherous forest from this newfound haven. Tsukina's eyes sparkled with wonder as she took in the scene, a smile spreading across her face. Angel tightened her hold on the girl, feeling a surge of hope and relief. They had made it through the darkness and emerged into the light, finding a place where they could rest and regroup. "Look, Tsukina," Angel whispered, her voice filled with awe. "We've found our sanctuary." Tsukina nodded, her gaze never leaving the stunning vista before them. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, they allowed themselves to believe that maybe, just maybe, they had found a place where they could be safe, a place where they could begin to heal and rebuild.

Tsukina, her curiosity piqued, turned to Angel. "What is this place? Why are we here, Angel? How come our home doesn’t have that?" she questioned, pointing at the sun that bathed the area in a golden hue. Before Angel could respond, a girl with black hair, golden eyes, and attire that symbolized royalty emerged gracefully from the other side of the waterfall. Her presence was almost ethereal, the sunlight catching the intricate designs on her dress and making her seem to glow. "Is she a princess? She looks like a princess," Tsukina wondered aloud, her eyes wide with amazement. The girl sat in the lush grass, her movements elegant and deliberate, and waved at Angel. Angel returned the gesture, a warm smile on her face, and gently guided Tsukina to sit by her side. Using fluid and practiced sign language, Angel introduced Tsukina to the girl. The girl responded with a radiant smile, her eyes full of kindness as she looked at Tsukina. "Sign language? Is she deaf?" Tsukina asked, her brow furrowed in confusion. Angel shook her head. "That's Rose. She's, my friend. She can't hear us. It's like we're in a different realm or trying to talk to spirits. you need special equipment to talk to spirits clearly" she explained softly, her fingers dancing in the air as she translated her words into signs for Rose. Angel went on to explain that an unknown force prevented them from communicating verbally with Rose, hence the need for sign language. She recounted how she and Rose had discovered this strange barrier early in their friendship, leading them to learn sign language as a means to bridge the gap. Rose, watching the exchange, she then signed something to Angel, who translated. "Rose says she’s happy to meet you and that this place is a sanctuary, a haven hidden away from the troubles of our world." As they sat together, Tsukina marveled at the vivid surroundings. The trees were tall and ancient, their leaves whispering secrets as the wind rustled through them. Flowers of every color imaginable dotted the landscape, their petals shimmering as if dusted with stardust. The air was fragrant with their scent, and the sound of the waterfall provided a soothing backdrop. Angel continued, "This place is special. It’s where we come to escape, to find peace. Our world may lack the beauty and tranquility you see here, but this sanctuary gives us hope. It reminds us of what we’re fighting for." Tsukina looked around, absorbing the serene beauty of the place. "It's so beautiful," she whispered, her voice filled with wonder. "Why can't we make our home like this?" Angel sighed softly; her expression wistful. "Maybe one day, we can. For now, we cherish these moments and draw strength from them. This is our refuge, our reminder that there's more to life than the darkness we face." Rose, sensing the somber tone, signed something to Angel. Angel translated with a smile, "Rose says that as long as we have each other, we can bring a piece of this sanctuary back with us, no matter where we go." Tsukina smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her. She realized that the beauty of the place wasn’t just in its physical appearance but in the bonds, they shared and the hope they nurtured. As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the landscape, Tsukina felt a sense of belonging and purpose, knowing she was part of something greater, something worth protecting.

The three of them sat together, watching the sky turn shades of pink and purple, the stars beginning to twinkle overhead. In that moment, Tsukina felt a profound connection to the world around her and to her companions, knowing that together, they could face whatever challenges lay ahead. Intrigued by their surroundings, Tsukina turned her gaze to the waterfall. The water was far from pristine, filled with an unidentifiable goo, and, upon closer inspection, what appeared to be human bones. The sight was macabre, yet strangely fascinating. Driven by her curiosity, Tsukina tried to cross over the river by jumping on the rocks that protruded from the water. Each step was cautious, the stones slippery underfoot. As she reached the middle, she prepared to leap to another rock, her mind solely focused on the thrill of exploration. However, as soon as she jumped, she was met with an invisible barrier. A shocking firewall struck her mid-air. The intensity of the shock was too much for her small body, rendering her unconscious instantly. She fell limply onto the nearest rock, her body lying precariously close to the water's edge. A surge of panic washed over Angel as she rushed to Tsukina's side. Her heart pounded in her chest as she knelt beside the girl, quickly checking for a heartbeat. To her immense relief, Tsukina was breathing, albeit faintly. Rose, who had been watching in silent horror from the bank, signed frantically, "Is she okay?" Angel, still shaken, nodded. She gently lifted Tsukina into her arms, her mind racing with concern and fear. "I'll see you later," Angel signed to Rose, her movements hurried. She turned and began the arduous trek back home, carrying Tsukina with a mix of determination and dread. The journey was fraught with anxiety, each step echoing the silent promise to keep Tsukina safe in this world that was as beautiful as it was dangerous. After what felt like an eternity, Angel and Tsukina finally arrived back at their home. Angel was frantic, trying everything she could think of to rouse Tsukina from the unconscious state she had fallen into. She laid her down gently on a soft bed, the room dimly lit by a single lantern. Angel's mind raced through the possible remedies, her hands trembling as she administered a few drops of a revitalizing elixir into Tsukina's mouth.

Minutes stretched into agonizingly long moments until finally, Tsukina's eyes fluttered open. The sight brought Angel an overwhelming sense of relief, tears welling up in her eyes. She quickly provided Tsukina with food and water, helping her sit up and guiding her hands to the cup. "Get some rest, okay?" Angel advised Tsukina, her voice thick with concern. She gently tucked Tsukina into bed, smoothing the blanket over her small form. Tsukina's eyelids were heavy, but she managed a weak smile, comforted by Angel's soothing presence and the familiarity of her surroundings. She drifted off to sleep, the day's harrowing events fading into the recesses of her mind. Angel watched over her, the soft glow of the lantern casting a warm light on Tsukina's peaceful face. Despite the dangers that lurked in their world, Angel vowed to protect Tsukina, her resolve stronger than ever. As the night deepened, Angel sat by the bed, her thoughts filled with plans to ensure that such an incident would never happen again, all while the comforting sound of Tsukina's steady breathing filled the room.However, Tsukina's peaceful slumber did not last long. In the middle of the night, a melodious singing echoed through her room, its ethereal sound like the call of a siren. The hauntingly beautiful melody pierced the stillness of the night, waking her from her sleep. Intrigued and slightly disoriented, Tsukina sat up in bed, her heart pounding with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. The room was bathed in the soft, silvery glow of moonlight streaming through the window. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, her bare feet touching the cool wooden floor. The singing continued, weaving its way through her senses, compelling her to find its source. She moved to the window and peered outside, scanning the moonlit landscape for any sign of the mysterious singer. The trees stood tall and silent, their leaves rustling gently in the night breeze. The river, now a ribbon of silver under the moonlight, looked peaceful, betraying no hint of the earlier danger. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, Tsukina glanced at the clock on her bedside table. The hands pointed to a little past midnight. She turned back to ensure that the others were still asleep, the soft sounds of their breathing providing a comforting background noise. Confident that she wouldn't be missed, she cautiously slipped out of her room, the old wooden door creaking softly as she opened it.