Gorou was walking the path towards Sanctuary, the moon shining overhead, and his thoughts full of plans for his and Tsukiko’s wedding. They agreed that they would have a ceremony that combined both of their people’s traditions; however, while the idea was well-intentioned, the logistics of carrying out this plan were proving to be complex. He did not look forward to spending the next few hours discussing wedding plans and the rituals that would need to be carried out for them to be married, but at the very least, he thought, he would get to spend the rest of the night in the company of his Tsuki.

When that last thought crossed his mind, Gorou picked up the pace, humming a tune to himself; a song they were both fond of. He approached the entrance to Sanctuary and waited for Tsukiko to come and let him through. One thing he was looking forward to about being married to Tsuki(other than the obvious) would be not having to wait at the door of Sanctuary for someone to allow him in.

He waited. The time that they agreed upon for Tsukiko to come and meet him came and went. Gorou began to grow uneasy. Had Tsukiko forgotten that they had decided to meet tonight? Was she sick and unable to come let him through? Perhaps he should leave now and go to her tea shop in the morning to ask for an explanation.

Resolving to do just this, Gorou turned to leave, when suddenly, someone comes through the entrance. “Tsukiko,” Gorou says in relief, turning back to face his betrothed. “Finally. I was starting to worry that something had happ-” Gorou stopped. Because the person standing before him was not Tsukiko. He thought perhaps it was not even a person at all. It had skin that looked like talc, with eyes that reminded Gorou of pictures he had seen in books as a child of the Sun up close. Boiling, burning, red. It clutched at a gash in its chest that was oozing liquid as thin and black as oil, breathing heavily. They stood there for a moment, the creature pinning Gorou in place with its gaze. It took a shambling step forward, Gorou took a cautious step back, ready to bolt. Then, with one last rattling breath, the creature collapsed onto its knees and crumpled to the ground.

Gorou stood there, gazing at it, heart in his throat, unsure of what to do next. Fortunately, the decision was made for him, when the entrance opened up again; this time, to reveal Tsukiko. And she was not alone. “Tsukiko! What, what is-”

“I’m sorry my love, but there’s no time. Here, take them.” Tsukiko passed off the two white slings that she had been carrying on her shoulders, each of them contained two infants each. Once the children were secure, Tsukiko said “Take them and get as far away from here as you can! Take them out of the city, out of the country if you have to. As far as need be for the Anmal not to find them.”

“So it is an Anmal.” Gorou said, his throat drying up at the revelation. Tsukiko had told him of the evil creatures that sought to enslave her race, of the Luminescent soldiers who went to secret places to fight them off, how they had a way of finding civilian Luminescents and snatching them off the streets, never to be seen again. After Tsukiko had told him of the threat to her people he had prayed to any and all deities that would listen that Tsukiko would never be one of the ones that were taken. Evidently, they had had other plans in mind.

“Wait!” Gorou protested. “Where are you going?” After unloading her burden, Tsukiko had turned back towards the entrance to Sanctuary. She looked at him despondently.

“I have to go back in and see if there are others that need my help.”

“Certainly not!” Gorou said, taking in her haggard appearance. There was a stripe of dried blood on her cheek and her clothes were ripped in various places.

“I have to. It’s my duty.” Gorou looked at her and saw the grim, solemn expression in her eyes. He nodded.

“I understand. But if you have to go, then I’m coming with you.” She shook her head.

“No Gorou. Someone has to protect these children.” Gorou looked down at the infants, sleeping peacefully in the soft makeshift sling. Sleeping as if there was nothing wrong. As if their world wasn’t crashing down around them. “Take them and go. Please. I’ll find you after all this is over, I promise.” She gave him a weak smile that was probably meant to be reassuring, but just made a hard knot of dread settle in Gorou’s stomach. He looked at the children again. So weak and fragile. He looked at Tsukiko. Even if he refused she most likely would not let him in, and if she wouldn’t let him in, then there was no way for him to help her. In which case, there was only one decision that could be made.

“Ok.” He said, and fearing that if he said goodbye it would be their last, he simply turned, and walked away into the night.