The streets of Wado Town were strangely still that night.A shiver ran through the back alleys, wrapping around burning street lamps that sent long, bent shadows across the ground. It was late, and only a handful of people moved through the concrete arteries of the city — street cleaners, nightwalkers, and the unfortunate few going home late.
On top of a crumbling roof, where neon lights couldn't penetrate, a figure stood still. Dressed in black robes adorned with peculiar designs, he gazed upon the town like a dark statue. His eyes softly glowed — not red, not blue, but something... unnatural.
A faint noise echoed from down below.Tap. Tap. Tap.A look had been cast upward.
At first, they saw nothing. Then came a whisper, just a little louder than the wind:"Hey, innocents. I am your god. Let me put you out of your misery."
A group of four on the sidewalk froze. One man — older, dressed in a work uniform — stepped forward hesitantly."H-Hey, who are you?"
The figure smiled — not kindly."I am your death."
Before they could scream, he jumped. A black shape dropped out of the sky. In his hand gleamed a long, cruel naginata, its curved edge glowing with a dark green light.
His voice returned — darker, deeper."Ashes to ashes. Screams to silence."
Steel hit flesh.The street was painted red.
In seconds, the strangers were cold on the pavement. One attempted to crawl away, shaking, but the assailant stepped daintily over and pulled his knife slowly across the cement.
"There is no god in Ryuki. Only me."
The Next Day — Headquarters of Ryuki Dojo
The sun had hardly kissed the tops of Ryuki City's buildings when fear spread.Word of the killings ran like wildfire. Six dead in Wado Town. Witnesses? None — or so it seemed.
In the magnificent Ryuki Dojo, Master Hoshin Maru sat silently at the conference table, drinking tea, eyes intense, still as stone. Only the distant ringing of courtyard bells broke the silence.
Then the heavy wooden doors swung open.
A youthful officer entered, pale and sweating, supporting an old man with faltering steps.
"He witnessed it, Master Maru," the officer breathed.
The old man collapsed to his knees before the dojo master."I didn't want to see it. I didn't want to," he stammered, trembling. "I saw it through the slit in my curtain. I live on that street. I— I saw everything."
Hoshin Maru set his cup down carefully."Tell me. What did you witness?"
The man's eyes widened, reliving the nightmare."He stood there... like a demon. Not human. Not even close. His face— scarred from forehead to cheek, right through the left eye. A huge cut. But... he didn't bleed."
"A scar?"
"Yes. It glowed when the streetlights hit it. And his eyes... dark green fire. I swear to the gods, Master, they burned like they were alive!"
The officer stood stiffly. Hoshin Maru rose to his feet.
"This is no common murderer," he muttered.
"What else did you observe?"
"A naginata," the man said. "Black, like ink. It sang when it moved. A sound I'll never forget."
Later that afternoon, city guards posted notices across the streets:WANTED – Unknown Wado Town attacker. Do not approach. Report sightings.
Gossip twisted through the city like vines — some whispered of a Yuzen assassin's return, others of a cursed offspring of Ryuki, exiled years before. But no one guessed the truth.
And somewhere distant from the noise, cloaked in shadow and wind, stood the man once more, observing the city he once knew.
"This is just the start," he murmured, then vanished into the darkness.
Hoshin Maru's eyes blazed with rage as he faced the quivering old man. His voice was calm but edged with steel.
"Worry not, elder. Whoever this butcher is, he won't walk this earth for long. I'll see to that."
He turned to the officer."Take this man home. Post a guard. I don't want another innocent dying under our care."
The officer saluted and quietly escorted the witness out.
When the doors closed, Hoshin Maru stepped to the center of the room and struck the ancient dragonbone bell — a summons that called only the most powerful mages of Ryuki.
In minutes, the room filled with the city's elite — warriors clad in spell-infused armor, staves humming with power, and elemental energies swirling like spirits around them. At the front stood Veon Ryuki, his red cloak fluttering slightly from the ambient tension. His gaze was unflinching.
Hoshin Maru addressed them.
"This is no ordinary killer. He's methodical, fearless, and deliberate. The Wado Town massacre was a declaration of war on our peace. Each of you will be assigned to a district. Patrol with all your senses. If you catch him—"
His voice darkened.
"—kill him."
Veon stepped forward, eager."Master, where am I to go?"
"Drake Town. Three days. You're young, Veon… but now is your time to become a true Ryuki."
"I won't disappoint," Veon said, saluting.
Later that evening, Veon opened the door to his home and set his staff down by the entrance.
Ryden sat at the low table, sipping tea. The room was dimly lit, but the air was warm with unspoken pride.
"Father," Veon said, bowing.
Ryden looked up, a subtle smile forming."What did Master Hoshin say?"
"I've got three days in Drake Town. I think it's my time to prove myself."
Ryden set his cup down with a quiet clink and stood. He placed a hand on Veon's shoulder.
"I believe in you, son. If you catch that bastard, make him pay. For Wado. For our people."
From the corridor, behind a slightly ajar sliding door, Auren watched the exchange in silence.
His heart ached. He was anxious for Veon.He quietly turned and returned to his room.
That night, the moon hung high over Drake Town, casting silver light across the rooftops.
Veon stood atop a watchtower, his black duster billowing. His gaze swept over the still town — shuttered stores, dim lights, silence. His staff leaned on his back, a glowing orb floating beside him to enhance his senses.
Then a voice — cold and eerie — broke the stillness.
"Oh, my dinner… It's a pleasure to meet you… Veon Ryuki."
Veon spun.
On a nearby rooftop stood a towering figure in blood-hued robes. His face was hidden behind a worn white mask shaped like a wolf's skull. At his side, a naginata thrummed with violet energy, humming an unnatural tune.
"Who are you?" Veon demanded.
The man replied,"Ashes to ashes. Screams to silence.Your lives were nothing but lightning in a storm — and I am the storm that ends it.No prayers will find your gods tonight. Only the ring of my blade… and your last breath."
He tapped the bottom of his naginata on the tiles, laughter echoing off the rooftops.
"Names are for the living. You won't need mine."
Without warning, he launched forward like a bolt of lightning, naginata gleaming.
Veon had just enough time to summon a barrier. Sparks flew as magic clashed with steel.