Bride of the End Volume 1 – Prologue

Kaguro Kou opened his eyes.

Immediately, crimson blood seeped into his purple eyes.

His lungs were ruptured, and his skull cracked. His abdomen was ripped wide open, exposing his organs, and his legs were twisted. There were very few parts of Kou’s body left  intact. That wasn’t surprising.

Until a few seconds ago, he was surely dead.

However, Kou was resurrected. His wounds began to heal, but he didn’t notice it. A trickle of blood dripped from the tip of his black hair. All the while, Kou was staring blankly at the scene before him.

Surrounding him was a cluster of machines, indistinguishable to his knowledge, that had long succumbed to the wrath of nature.

Originally, this place was said to have been a dome that resembled that of a birdcage. It was a rather ornate structure, built from a black unfamiliar metal frame with tempered glass. In the center of it, a glass casket had been miraculously preserved.

From inside the casket-like object, a young girl rose. Her lips were stained bright red.

They were stained by the blood of Kaguro Kou, which spilled out during his fall.

Gingerly, the girl swallows the blood.

With a bang, the wings on her back snapped open. They didn’t match her white skin in any way, rather they were strangely mechanical. They pierced the girl’s flesh and spread swiftly, filling the space around her. Blue lights flashed, deafening operating sounds rang out, and ferocious metal parts gleamed. However, this was only for a moment, and the wings folded once more, retracting into the girl’s body as if it had all been a lie.

She blinked gently and stared at Kou.

Her eyes were as blue as the sky, and her hair was as crystal clear as snow.

Her hands and feet were soft and delicate, and her thin but well-honed body was like a steel sword.

The beautiful maiden extended her hand. In response, Kou unconsciously extended his hand as well. Instantly, severe pain erupted throughout his whole body. Even so, he kept his hand out against its will. However, it was too far for the girl to reach.

Witnessing this, the girl blinked, disconnected the cable connected to her body, and took a step forward. When she arrived in front of him, she held Kou’s palm, and then, once again, her mechanical wings snapped open.

The surrounding plants were cut down, and a large number of petals scattered, snow-white flowers dancing in the air.

They stood still in the air for a moment, and then gently fell to the ground.

In a scene that was somewhat of a blessing, she kneeled down on one knee.

Then, the girl kissed Kou’s fingers.

“From now on, you shall be my master, and my wings shall be yours. Greetings, my beloved, my long-awaited lover—my name is Shirahime. Commonly known as Curtain Call.”

Like a knight in a story,

Like a princess in a fairy tale,

The awakened maiden vows,

“From here on, no matter how broken, ruined, or dead you are, I shall be with you forever.”

At that moment, he was married to the end of the world.

It was a long time ago—far and distant.