The Shadows That Speak
The forests of Myoukai were unlike any place Tsukihana had ever seen.
Twisting roots the size of buildings curved through the earth like petrified dragons. The trees towered high above the clouds, their leaves shimmering with Vein-light—soft blues, greens, and golds. The air pulsed with an ancient rhythm, as if the forest had a heartbeat of its own.
Tsukihana stepped carefully, her cloak pulled tight, Renjiro beside her with his arm in a sling. Though he was still injured, he refused to let her go alone.
"The Whispering Hermits won't welcome us," he muttered.
"They trust no one—not even each other."
Tsukihana kept walking. "Then I'll make them listen."
"And if they don't?"
"Then I'll make them fear me."
Whispers in the Trees
As they ventured deeper, the trees began to glow with strange markings—scripts carved in a language even Renjiro couldn't read. Every few steps, Tsukihana swore she heard voices. Not from the shadows, but from the trees themselves.
"The girl walks with fire."
"She carries a broken king."
"One spark… can light the world. Or burn it down."
She tried to ignore them.
But one whisper froze her in her tracks.
"The boy who bled for you… still watches."
She spun, heart racing. "Akarui?"
But no one answered.
Only leaves falling through sunlight.
The First Hermit
By nightfall, they reached the edge of a cliff. Below, a river of glowing blue water curled like a serpent.
That's where they found him.
An old man sitting cross-legged on a rock, bald, with a long beard and skin marked with golden Vein-tattoos. His eyes were closed, and yet… he spoke.
"You walk with echoes," he said calmly.
"And a storm in your chest."
Tsukihana bowed. "I'm Tsukihana. I carry the Infernal Vein."
The old man opened one eye.
"No, child," he whispered.
"The Infernal Vein carries you."
He stood slowly and turned to face her.
"I am Master Senzoku. Last voice of the Hermits. If you seek to control the flame… you must first burn with it."
The Trial of the Fire Path
Master Senzoku led them into the Shrine of Shattered Light — a place where the floor was made of broken glass, and the walls shimmered with moving shadows.
There, he lit a circle of flame and motioned for Tsukihana to enter.
"If your heart is weak," he warned,
"this fire will devour it."
Tsukihana stepped into the circle.
At once, her skin began to burn — not in pain, but in truth.
Every memory, every regret, every lie she ever told—rushed to the surface like molten lava.
She saw her mother's face.
Her village burning.
Kira crying alone in the rain.
Akarui reaching for her through the smoke.
"You ran," the voices whispered.
"You failed them."
Her knees hit the ground.
Tears scorched her cheeks.
"I'm not strong enough…"
But then—
She heard his voice.
"You were always strong," Akarui said.
"You just haven't stopped blaming yourself."
Awakening the Infernal Core
Tsukihana rose inside the flame.
Her eyes glowed — no longer purple.
But gold.
Flames danced from her fingertips, calm and controlled. Not wild. Not angry. Just hers.
Master Senzoku bowed his head.
"You are ready for the second path."
"But beware—your enemy already knows."
Meanwhile… In the Hollow King's Domain
In a cathedral carved from obsidian bone, the Hollow King sat upon his throne.
Before him knelt a boy — his face hidden by a mask of silver and ash. His posture was calm. Too calm.
"You served me once in silence," the Hollow King said.
"Now speak your vow."
The boy stood.
Removed the mask.
Revealing eyes that shimmered with crimson and sorrow.
Eyes Tsukihana had once known.
"I will bring her back," he said.
"Dead or alive."
The Hollow King smiled.
"Good. Then go, Harbinger."
"Show Tsukihana what becomes of those who defy fate."
Cliffhanger: The Harbinger in the Wind
Back in the forest, the wind shifted.
Tsukihana stopped mid-step.
"I felt something," she whispered.
Renjiro raised his hand.
From the shadows between the trees, a shape emerged.
Lean.
Tall.
Eyes glowing crimson beneath silver hair.
He smiled.
And Tsukihana's heart nearly stopped.
"Akarui…?"
But he said nothing.
Only drew a blackened blade from his back.
And vanished.