The northern road stretched out before us like a ribbon of pale stone, winding between hills and clusters of whispering pines. Morning mist clung to the branches, and sunlight filtered through like shards of gold. I pulled my cloak tighter against the cool breeze, the sound of Aki humming behind me making the silence less heavy.
"Renji," I said, watching as he walked ahead, his sword resting on his shoulder. "What exactly does the posting mean by 'corrupted beasts'?"
He didn't turn, but his voice was steady. "Beasts that have absorbed unstable magic. It warps them, makes them aggressive. Sometimes they sprout extra limbs or develop unnatural abilities. They're dangerous because their mana is unpredictable."
I grimaced. "Great. So… nightmare fuel."
"Basically," Aki chimed in, balancing her bow across her shoulders. "But it's fine! We've got your magic threads and my arrows and Renji's wind slashes. What could go wrong?"
"Don't jinx it," I muttered.
---
The road wasn't empty. We passed traveling merchants hauling carts of spices and fabrics, guild hunters heading back to Hikarimura with fresh trophies, and the occasional shrine maiden walking barefoot to the next village. The northern region seemed quieter, though, the trees growing taller and denser as we went.
Somewhere between a line of cedar trees, I caught sight of faint glowing symbols carved into a standing stone. I slowed, tracing my fingers over the surface.
"What's this?" I asked.
Renji stopped and looked back. "A mana marker. They were left centuries ago by the First Weavers. They guide travelers along safe paths."
---
Something about the glowing runes made my chest tighten. I felt like I'd seen them before… maybe in my dream. No. I shook the thought off.
---
That evening, we made camp by a shallow stream. Aki built the fire while Renji sat cross-legged, sharpening his blade. Hikari hovered above me, its fox-shaped hologram glowing softly like a lantern.
"You need training," Renji said suddenly, looking at me with those sharp eyes.
"Training?" I blinked. "Didn't I just fight a fire-breathing pig?"
"You relied on instinct," he said. "That won't be enough against corrupted beasts. You need to understand this world's power system."
---
The Power System
Renji drew a small circle in the dirt with his finger. "Magic here is divided into layers. First, the basic elements—fire, water, wind, earth, and lightning. Most people can only control one."
"Okay," I said, nodding.
"The second layer is composite magic—combining elements. For example, mixing water and wind to create mist, or earth and fire to create magma. That requires more control."
"Got it. Like advanced cooking."
He raised an eyebrow. "...Sure."
"The third layer is null magic—things that don't belong to any element. Like illusions, teleportation, or your outfit-weaving."
"My… outfit-weaving is null magic?" I asked, pointing to myself.
"Yes. Null magic is rare and unpredictable. It doesn't follow normal elemental rules."
---
"And summoning?" I asked.
"That's its own branch. Summoning contracts bind a spirit, beast, or weapon to your mana signature. Your fox—Shirogitsune—is a high-tier summon. Most hunters can't even dream of controlling something like that."
I whistled softly. "I guess I'm special then."
"Don't let it go to your head," he said flatly.
---
"Wait," Aki said, leaning forward with interest. "What about those glowing circles you guys make when you attack? They look so cool!"
"Magic circles," Renji said. "They're the visual shape of a spell's construction. Think of them as seals made of pure mana. The more complex the circle, the stronger the spell. Enchant words—like the chants you've been using—help shape those circles faster."
"Enchants…" I repeated, thinking back to my 'I, Kanzaki Arisa, weave the—' lines.
"You've been using them instinctively," Renji noted. "But you need to learn precision. Not every fight can be won by throwing threads around."
---
I sighed. "So what, I have to sit here and chant until something explodes?"
"Yes," Renji said, dead serious.
Aki laughed so hard she nearly fell over.
---
First Training Attempt
Renji stood and drew his sword, pointing to a fallen log across the clearing. "Hit that log with your threads. No outfit magic. Just pure mana control."
"Okay… how?"
"Focus. Picture the shape you want. Visualize the threads cutting, binding, or piercing."
I took a deep breath, holding out my hand. Threads of light began to form, shimmering faintly in the dusk.
"I, Kanzaki Arisa, weave the strands of force—Thread Bind!"
The threads shot forward, but instead of wrapping the log, they tangled into a mess and fizzled out like broken shoelaces.
"...Impressive," Renji said, deadpan.
"Shut up," I muttered, trying again.
---
After a dozen failed attempts, I finally managed to wrap the log tightly in glowing threads. Aki clapped like I'd just won a tournament.
"Woo! Our little weaver's growing up!"
Renji nodded slightly. "Not bad. But you still lack control. Your mana flow is uneven."
"Gee, thanks for the encouragement," I grumbled, but I couldn't help the small smile on my face.
---
That night, as the fire crackled and Aki snored softly, I sat awake, staring at my hand. My threads glowed faintly, like strings of starlight.
"Call my name."
The voice from the dream echoed again, so faint I almost thought I imagined it. I clenched my hand, hiding the glow.
No one could know. Not yet.
---
The forest around us was quiet… too quiet. I turned slightly, scanning the shadows between the trees.
Was that… movement?
A faint crunch of leaves came from the darkness beyond the firelight.
The sound of leaves crunching snapped me out of my thoughts. I held my breath, straining my ears. The forest was dark, but not silent—crickets sang faintly, the stream bubbled softly—but this was different. Something heavier, deliberate.
"Renji," I whispered.
His eyes opened instantly. He hadn't really been sleeping, I realized. His hand was already on the hilt of his sword as he sat up. "Where?"
"There," I said, pointing toward the darker patch between the cedars.
Aki stirred, ears twitching, and reached for her bow without a word.
---
A low growl rumbled through the trees. Then, glowing eyes emerged from the shadows—two, four… six of them. Wolves. But these weren't like the ones I'd seen before. Their fur was pitch black, and their bodies shimmered with a strange greenish aura, as if veins of sickly light pulsed beneath their skin.
"Corrupted beasts," Renji muttered, standing. "Stay sharp."
---
The first wolf lunged with unnatural speed, its claws glowing faintly with that same eerie green energy. Renji stepped forward, blade flashing as he chanted:
"By the storm's edge, cut through—Gale Fang!"
A magic circle flared beneath his boots, wind gathering around his sword like a spiraling vortex. He slashed upward, the arc of compressed air cleaving through the wolf mid-jump.
"Whoa," I breathed.
---
"Arisa, focus!" Aki called as she pulled her bowstring, runes flaring along the shaft of her arrow.
"Silver moon, guide my aim—Lunar Pierce!"
The arrow shot forward, glowing silver, and struck another wolf square in the chest. The creature yelped, collapsing into a shimmer of dark mist that scattered on the breeze.
---
The remaining wolves circled us, growling. My pulse hammered in my ears.
"Threads," I muttered, raising my hands. "I can do this."
I pictured the mana flowing from my chest, down my arms, and into the glowing strands of magic weaving at my fingertips.
"I, Kanzaki Arisa, weave the radiant chains—Thread Bind!"
Threads of golden light snapped forward, coiling around the nearest wolf's legs. It snarled, thrashing, but I tightened the weave, hearing the faint hum of energy vibrating like plucked strings.
"Ha! Got one!"
"Don't celebrate yet," Renji barked. "Two more, coming left!"
---
I spun, seeing one of the corrupted wolves leap for Aki. Without thinking, I shouted another chant:
"I, Kanzaki Arisa, weave the burning path—Flare Lash!"
This time, the threads turned a fiery orange, crackling with sparks. I whipped them across the wolf's flank, the force sending it tumbling sideways with a burst of glowing embers.
"New move!" I shouted, grinning.
---
"Good," Renji said, slicing through another wolf with a flash of wind magic. "But don't lose control—those threads burn mana fast."
"Noted!" I said, already feeling the drain in my chest.
The last wolf snarled, crouching low as green mana flared around its mouth. Was it… charging a spell?
"Renji!"
---
"On it," he said, stepping forward. His sword glowed brighter than before, the wind magic wrapping around the blade like a small storm.
"Winds of the rising gale—Cyclone Rend!"
The compressed air exploded outward, tearing through the wolf's attack and splitting the corrupted beast in two. The forest went silent except for the crackle of our campfire.
---
I exhaled, my threads fading into faint sparks. My hands trembled, but I couldn't help smiling. "Did you see that? I actually hit something!"
"You're improving," Renji said, sheathing his sword. "But you still lack focus. Your second spell was sloppy."
"I literally saved Aki's tail," I argued.
"Hey, I appreciate it," Aki said, patting my shoulder with a grin.
---
As we cleaned up the mess, I felt that prickle again—the feeling of being watched. I turned sharply toward the trees, but saw nothing.
Still… the shadows felt too deep. Too still.
---
Not far away, a figure in a dark cloak crouched on a branch, watching us. The hood hid their face, but the faint glimmer of green light reflected in their eyes.
"So, the girl has both threads and a summon," the figure murmured. "And now… something else is stirring in her aura. How fascinating."
The figure vanished into the mist like a breath of smoke.
---
Back at camp, Aki and Renji were already settling back down, as if the fight had never happened. I sat by the fire, staring into the flames. My magic threads still glowed faintly around my fingertips, trembling like they were alive.
And deep inside, I felt it—that second presence. Watching. Waiting.
"When the time comes, call my name," the voice whispered again, so faint it was almost like a memory.
I clenched my fists.
Not yet.
The path to the Northern Hollow was narrow and overgrown, lined with ancient wooden torii gates wrapped in faded prayer talismans. Some were torn, others burned, as though something had clawed or scorched them. I slowed, running my fingers over the blackened wood. It felt wrong—like touching old scars.
Renji noticed and frowned. "Something's been feeding on the mana in this area. Those talismans used to suppress the Hollow's corruption."
Aki sniffed the air, ears twitching. "Smells… strange. Like wet ashes and iron."
I glanced toward the dark tree line, feeling that crawling sensation again—the same one from the village. Like someone's gaze was threading through my spine.
---
We walked in tense silence until Renji suddenly stopped. "Arisa. Aki. Look ahead."
Through the mist, a shape was moving between the trees. At first, I thought it was just a deer, but then its head turned—twice. Once forward, and then an unnatural twist sideways, revealing a second, smaller head growing from its neck, both with glowing green eyes. Its antlers dripped with some black tar-like substance, and its hooves burned faintly with pale fire.
"What the hell is that?!" I whispered.
"Corruption," Renji said, his voice tight. "Stay back."
---
The creature let out a guttural shriek, lowering its heads before charging. Renji drew his sword with a single fluid motion, chanting as his boots lit with a pale wind circle.
"Cut the breath of night—Wind Fang!"
The slash of compressed air grazed one of its antlers, but the beast didn't slow. Aki stepped forward, her bow already glowing silver.
"Guide my aim—Lunar Pierce!"
The arrow struck true, but instead of falling, the beast howled and split its skin open like tearing cloth, more black ooze spilling as new spikes erupted along its spine.
"This is not normal!" Aki yelled.
---
I snapped my threads to life, golden strands crackling like live wires.
"I, Kanzaki Arisa, weave the burning path—Ignis Thread!"
The fiery threads lashed at the creature, searing deep into its legs. It stumbled but didn't fall. It felt like trying to bind something that wasn't entirely alive. My hands shook as I tried to hold it, the mana thrumming violently through the weave.
"Renji, now!" I shouted.
---
He moved like a gust of wind, his blade glowing as another circle flared at his feet.
"Storm's edge—Cyclone Rend!"
The air erupted into a spiral of cutting winds, ripping through the corrupted flesh and sending the beast crashing into the dirt with a final, hollow shriek.
---
I exhaled sharply, my threads fading to faint sparks. "That… was disgusting."
"Stay alert," Renji said, wiping his blade clean. "If this is what's spilling from the Hollow, there'll be worse inside."
"Worse than that?" Aki's voice cracked. "What's next? A wolf with six mouths and spider legs?"
I made a face. "Don't give the Hollow ideas."
---
We didn't realize someone was watching from the edge of the path until I saw a glint of movement—like moonlight against a blade. I spun, threads ready, but there was nothing. Just mist and trees.
"Arisa?" Renji asked.
"Nothing," I said quickly, though I wasn't sure. The prickling sensation hadn't stopped since we left the village. Whoever—or whatever—it was, it was close. Too close.
---
We camped that night near a broken shrine, its stone fox statues cracked and overgrown with moss. I sat by the fire, watching the way the flames danced along the golden thread I'd been practicing with. My control was getting better—steady now, not sputtering—but my mind kept drifting to the dream.
The sigil. The woman of light. The way her gaze had burned through me as if she knew every secret I'd ever tried to hide.
Call my name.
I clenched my fist, letting the threads fade. Not yet. Not until I understood what she was.
---
Aki leaned against her bedroll, watching me with sleepy eyes. "You've been quiet."
"Just tired," I said.
"Liar," she said softly, but she didn't push. She just smiled and curled up by the fire.
---
The wind shifted then, carrying a faint whisper through the trees. I stood, scanning the darkness. I thought I saw a shape—a figure standing among the broken torii gates, too still to be human. My breath caught.
"Renji," I said. But when I blinked, it was gone.