Prologue

A cold harsh wind blows in this moonless night. Rain poured heavily making a 'tip-tap' sound over the roof. Just then there was a rumbling in the skies, twisted lightning crawled across the gloomy clouds flashing white and blue; illuminating the darkroom inside. 

A child couldn't even scream on what she had seen, she just knew there's a crimson warm liquid spurting out from her mother's chest. “Ma…” the only word came out from her trembling mouth. 

Her mother leaned at her shoulders while looking at her “I'm sorry… I couldn't keep my promise,” she said while fighting the excruciating pain in her wound but still she remained calm. She tilted her head and gently wiped the tears falling on her daughter's round eyes. “Don't cry, darling.”

When the child heard it, she held her tears and repeatedly bowed her head as a symbol of yes. Her mother smiled seeing the cute reaction of her daughter. 

“L-let me see your smile, once again darling,” she said while brushing softly the long raven hair of her daughter. Even though she can't feel it, her tiny lips curved upward exposing her white shiny teeth.

“That's right, always smile. You must never forget to smile...” she wrapped her arms around the child's body. Feeling the warmth emitting from her daughter, the tears that she's been holding on, crazily falls down on her eyes, making her vision blurry.

 “Be strong... Andrea—!” Suddenly, dark warm blood came out from her mouth. “So, this is it. The only regret I've had in my life...” she murmured. Then in her last breath, she said her farewell word, “I love you.” A gentle smile like a spring flower can be seen at her face. 

Her daughter felt the lessen of her Mother's hugged; her heart skip a beat when she felt the slowly disappearing of her Mother's heartbeat. “Ma…” terrified, she shook her mother leaning on her shoulder to wake her up, but she didn't receive any response. It was then a horrifying idea pop out on her head. She can't accept it. Her breathing became heavy. The pain she felt was like a thousand needles piercing her heart deeply. She felt her world was cracking. 

Embracing her lifeless Mother, she let out an ear-piercing scream. At the same time, the whitish lightning flashed and a loud sound of thunder could be heard echoing around the starless night. As if heaven were infuriated.

_____

A person resting under the shade of the tree wakes up with sweat all over her face. “Tsk, nightmare again.” She wiped it with her hand. When she tilted her head from left to right, a cracking sound can be heard. 

As soon as she stands up, a gust of cold wind passed over her entire person. She smiled, “Ma, I'm sorry, your daughter died long ago.” Her bloodshed eyes and demonic like smile form an eerie aura. She then shouted, “I am… your Son! ZITREY d' NIGHTROAD!”