The world is weakening. Everything we once knew as "Earth" will soon be long gone. The Divine Punishment that had taken place fifteen years ago has caused nothing more than destruction, and the slow cycle to an immutable world that can no longer be fixed.

If destruction has been the only answer since then, there's destined to be peace somewhere; there's always light in the darkest of times. And soon, paradise will call, begging to be set free to a desolate land once more.

To restore peace to the hands of the people, what would that take?

"Ahhh..."

Miku, who had just been recently staring off into space, snaps out of her thoughts as she is interrupted by Mayu toppling over, and dropping her head to the tealette's lap. She releases a sigh of relief with a satisfied smile stretching from ear to ear.

"That has to be the heftiest meal I've had in forever," she coos.

Miku giggles at that and pats her head. Regarding that the meal they'd eaten only consisted of bread made from Ia and mutton from Rin and Len's nurtured sheep, Mayu would muse about any meal that'd make her stuffed- that is, every single one of them.

"You do realize we haven't eaten a lot, right?" Gumi queries just across from the two.

"I know, I know, but the whole 'savoring-what-we-have' idea has grown onto me," she pushes herself off of Miku's lap and sits back up, straightening out her fuchsia dress. "Being a baker and all with my sis, you sorta get used to being grateful for the things you have. Not a lot of people have food, y'know, so it's something to be thankful for."

Gumi closes her book and smiles. "Well said."

Despite having an enormous appetite, Mayu had grown to be one of the bakers of their village (and their friends) alongside her elder sister, Ia. They'd taken their jobs seriously but would never pass up the opportunity to joke around with the group whenever the time was right.

The greenette returns her gaze to Miku. She's fiddling with her thumbs and is looking at the floorboards beside Gumi, not even realizing she's being stared at. Mayu notices Gumi's expression, cocks her head, and then shifts a glance over to the teal-haired girl; she's looking off into nothing like something's amiss.

"Miku, is something wrong? You were zoning out the same way just a couple minutes ago. What are you thinking about?" Gumi flattens out a grin.

Miku raises her head and spots the two of them awaiting an answer from her.

"Oh, um, I was thinking that..." About to make an excuse, instead she sighs and admits the truth, "The Divine Punishment, fifteen years ago, and what's happening to the world as we speak... if there's anything we can do to prevent any more destruction." She scratches the back of her neck and adds in an awkward laugh to try and shake off the uneasy atmosphere.

Mayu immediately butts in, placing a hand on her wrist. "Ah, c'mon, Miku, there'll be a way to fix it. I know something will happen that'll just make the whole incident fly right past us! It'll clear up in no time."

"She's right," Gumi agrees. "Whenever there's hopelessness, there's bound to be happiness."

The tealette's expression lightens and she nods. "Yeah... thanks, guys."

Out of nowhere, everyone hears the door blast open as they watch it sway on its hinges. Meiko enters the house, a hand pressed against her temple, and her face bearing bruises on her pale skin. She limps her way in and carelessly shuts the door behind her back. Kaito's seen rushing to Meiko's side; throwing an arm around her shoulder to help her in.

"Meiko, what happened?" Luka stands up from her crisscrossed position to assist supporting the brunette.

"I- ah- got in a fight with one of the guys down the village," Meiko presses her palm onto her forehead like it would make the pain subside.

"How'd that happen?"

"Ow, ow-" she hisses when Kaito and Luka lower her to the ground. "I don't know, I was talking to some other dude and I swear the guy just punched me out of nowhere. Probably drunk or something."

"I'll go get bandages," Luka says to Kaito.

The pink-haired female rises to her feet and dusts off her clothes, walking to another section of the house to retrieve the bandages she promised. Gakupo scoots over next to Kaito and rests a hand on the brunette's forehead.

"Ah, ouch..." She just about jumps at the action, but promptly relaxes.

"Where else did you get hit?" Gakupo inquires.

"Just my head and stomach."

"Did you punch the guy back?"

"I tried swinging, but missed."

Luka steps back into the room, this time with white bandages held in her hands. As expected from everyone else, she lowers herself down, already pushing Meiko's hair out of the way to swathe her head in bandages.

Miku anticipated this out of everyone. From growing up around her friends, she's learned that Meiko was typically the one to instigate fights. Often it was other people, but frequently she'd be the starter of many rough battles. It was a natural trait of hers to love a good one-on-one- it must've been the reason she was a fiery swordswoman. Yet whenever she wasn't fishing around for a competition, she's her strong, independent self, and one of the most mature of their friends.

Then there was Kaito. He was always concerned for everyone's safety, the "leader" of the group- as everyone would call him- who kept the rest in line. Miku had discovered how calm and collective he normally was- just like the ocean waves.

Now there was Luka and Gakupo. There wasn't much to the two of them, as she'd thought. Luka had a fondness for dancing and elegance, and was more of the type to go with the flow. Gakupo, on the other hand, was a monk and practically the supporter of them all. He was definitely informed on many topics and happened to be that person who kept the other nine of them going.

Knock!

Knock!

A couple knocks hit the door that catch everyone's attention but Luka's. She concentrates on fixing up Meiko's wounds that, without lifting her eyes, she instructs:

"Len, could you please get the door?"

"Got it," he complies.

Miku watches as Len opens the door by the handle. She can't quite make out who's on the other side, attempting to jerk her head to get a glimpse over Len's shoulder. She can see a man with short, light pink hair messily swept across their face, talking to the young blond. Miku inspects the man, who then takes out a scroll of parchment paper and unfurls it. He points to a section amongst the lines.

Len whips his head around, a hand to the doorframe, and has his eyes laid on the tealette.

"Miku, this man says he needs you over here."

She furrows her brow and cautiously saunters over to them.

"Ah, um, yes? You needed me?" She clasps both her hands close to her chest.

He states, "My name is Yuuma, an oracle from the kingdom, and I've come to deliver a prophecy to your village."

"A prophecy to the Village of Youth? What's it about?"

"Once every fifteen years, a Messiah is born. They're meant to save this world from destruction by going to the top of the Tower of AI to plead forgiveness from God and be bestowed nine blessings."

"All right, then why've you come here? And... for me specifically?"

"The next honorable Messiah has been chosen- you."

"M-me!?" Miku exclaims, her shout startling her friends inside.

"You're the seamstress, Miku, are you not?"

"I am... y-yes, I am."

"Then you're this world's next Messiah. This may be too much for you to take in, but please," Yuuma rolls up the parchment and extends it to her, "head to the Tower of AI."

"Wait, isn't the Tower of AI far from this village? That's a three day trip," Len chimes in.

"Yes, it is. That's why you should be on your way as soon as possible."

Miku blinks her eyes, unbelieving, and glances her left to Len. He's about to begin a sentence, but rather mouths the word "I" before he cuts himself off, and shrugs. She returns to the man and accepts the scroll.

"I'll... I'll consider," she breathes.

"Good. I wish you the best of luck on your journey."

She mutters a "thanks" and closes the door. She's left staring at an empty wall, clinging the parchment paper to her chest, and slowly turns around. The group's eyeing Miku with their curious expressions.

"What was that about?" Rin wonders.

"I... I was chosen to be the Messiah... the one who saves this world."

"Woah," Ia looks at the tealette agape. "So... what are you going to do?"

"I don't know!"

Miku buries her face in her free hand and ponders. She's wanted this world to be saved, but never thought she'd be the one to carry the weight of everyone on her shoulders.

She slips her hand down and for the first time in a while, the group is speechless.

A/N:

I wanted to pre-write a few chapters ahead, but finished this one and had to succumb to the temptation of publishing. Okay, I promise I will pre-write the next four chapters (or more if I'm lucky) then publish Chapter 2 after.

Ah, I love this song and am trying to memorize the lyrics. Hopefully I can remember it all like the back of my hand by the end of next week.

And that awkward moment when Len is asked to answer the door and you could (and was tempted to) make him say "got u fam."

(EDIT): Enjoy this new GIF I drew and disregard the app's watermark, please. (^-^)b