A Cage of Threads and Blood
(Kujuro stands surrounded, his body already bearing the marks of battle—slashes from Ayane's threads. His breathing is heavy but steady. The forest behind them is unnaturally silent, as if holding its breath.)
Ayane (tilting her head, voice sickly sweet): "You always were sentimental."
(Her fingers twitch—the air hums as unseen threads tighten around him like a spider's web.)
Kujuro (grinning through bloodied teeth): "And you always were cruel."
(As Ayane steps forward to deliver what could be the final strike, Kujuro's words trigger something—a flicker in her eye. The scene distorts— memory intrudes.)
(A flashback begins as it shifts to a young Ayane, her strings coated in the blood of fallen Hunters. This is Ayane at the dawn of her madness. )
Narrator (voice ominous, echoing): "Ayane saw the world differently."
(As the sound of wind whistles through the trees the scene changes again...)
(Young Ayane's eyes shine with a twisted innocence—her face lit with glee as blood coats her hands. There's something about this child and the contrast between her appearance and the brutality she's capable of. )
Narrator (voice cold, like a whisper): "Blood made her smile."
(The wounded Hunter, blood and life running out, struggles to crawl away.)
Hunter (voice shaking, labored): "Mercy… please…"
(The hunter's pleas ring hollow in the bloody silence, and no mercy comes for him.)
(Young Ayane tilts her head curiously—like a child observing an insect struggling on a web.)
Ayane (giggling, sweetly): "Ohhh~ Are you trying to leave?"
(With a flick of her finger—the threads tighten. CRUNCH. The Hunter convulses once before going still—his spine severed mid-crawl.)
(She skips over the corpse, humming as she examines her work. The memory fades back to the present...)
(Kujuro's voice holds a fatherly tone of kindness and understanding.)
Kujuro (voice filled with sympathy, yet stern): "You had so much potential… you still do."
(Ayane snorts, her fingers twitching like a puppet's strings.)
Kujuro (voice taking on a softer tone, trying to reach her): "You could use your talent for good. I can offer you a chance to redeem yourself..."
(The scene shifts to a younger Ayane—her eyes still sharp with defiance, but not yet consumed by cruelty. Kujuro stands before her, his stance firm but not threatening.)
Kujuro (voice calm): "You don't have to be this way."
(Ayane scoffs, crossing her arms as she looks away—but there's hesitation in her glare.)
Kujuro (extending his hand): "Join the Hunters. I can help you find a better path."
(Young Ayane's eyes widen slightly—her fingers twitching unconsciously as she stares at the intricate insignia on Kujuro's sleeve, marking his rank. For the first time, her defiance wavers.)
Ayane (voice quieter, curiosity creeping in): "You… you're a Hoten?" (Her usual mocking tone is replaced by something resembling awe.)
(Kujuro notices the shift—his gaze softening ever so slightly. He kneels to her level, meeting her eyes directly.)
Kujuro (nodding slowly): "I am. And if you let me… I can teach you how to be more than just a killer."
(The sequence transitions—showing various scenes of Ayane's training under Kujuro's guidance. Her movements become more fluid and precise—a far cry from her earlier brutality. The training is harsh but effective.)
Narrator (voice echoing with the passage of time): "The girl trained, learning self-discipline, control... and a semblance of humanity."
(Kujuro is a diligent teacher—his stern expression tempered by occasional moments of tenderness.)
(The scene snaps back to the present—a stark contrast to the past scenes. Kujuro stands across from Ayane, both now changed by fate and circumstance.)
Kujuro (voice steady, gaze locked with Ayane): "It didn't have to be this way…"
Ayane (lips curled into a cold smirk): "This is more fun."
(Kujuro's breath hitches—his eyes widening slightly as the truth dawns on him.)
Kujuro (voice barely a whisper, shaken): "You… reminded me of—" (He cuts himself off, horrified by his own realization.)
(Ayane's smirk falters for just a second—her fingers twitching in an unfamiliar hesitation before her cruel mask snaps back into place.)
Ayane (mocking but with an edge): "Of what? Spit it out, old man."
(The air is thick with unspoken history—and for the first time in years, Ayane feels something uncomfortably close to fear. The truth lingers between them like a ghost neither wants to acknowledge yet.)
(The chapter cuts between Ayane's cruel sneer and Rumi's desperate escape—a sharp contrast of fates.)
Ayane (voice dripping with venom, eyes narrowed): "Don't tell me... you actually thought I'd end up like her?" (Her fingers twitch as if imagining strings around Rumi's throat.)
Rumi (panting, stumbling through the forest): "D-Daddy…" (Her small frame trembles—fear and determination are warring inside her.)
(Kujuro's fists clench—his jaw tightening in quiet rage. He realizes now how deep the betrayal runs.)
Ayane (voice cold, eyes fixed on Kujuro): "Go. I'll finish this. Make sure the child doesn't cause trouble." (Her tone leaves no room for argument.)
Ginjiro & Rinze (nods): "Understood." (They bolt after Rumi without a second glance.)
(Kujuro watches them leave—his heart heavy with the knowledge of what's to come.)
(Kujuro lunges—only for Ayane's threads to snap taut in front of him, slicing deep into his chest as he barely avoids a fatal strike. Blood splatters the forest floor.)
Ayane (smirking, spinning a thread between her fingers): "Ah-ah~ No chasing after them." (Her voice is singsong—but her eyes are cold with purpose.)
(Kujuro grits his teeth, tasting copper as he watches Ginjiro and Rinze disappear into the trees after Rumi.)
(Kujuro gazes up at Ayane—his eyes ablaze with raw fury. The pain of his wound is ignored, overcome by the urgency of his purpose. )
Kujuro (voice low, seething with intensity): "You won't stop me from saving my daughter." (His words are a promise—one backed by the steel of parental love.)
(Ayane's smile stretches unnaturally wide, her eyes glinting with manic delight as she twirls a thread between her fingers. The forest seems to grow darker around them.)
Ayane (giggling, voice dripping with sadistic joy): "Ohhh~ That look on your face…! It's delicious!" (Her laughter echoes—a sound like breaking glass.)
(Kujuro watches in disgust and horror—this is no longer the girl he tried to save. This is something twisted, something broken beyond repair.)
(Kujuro's gaze hardens—aware of the disadvantage he's at. Yet his resolve doesn't waver—his hands clenching into fists.)
Kujuro (voice steady, eyes fixed on Ayane): "I don't need weapons to fight for my family." (His words carry the weight of a father's unwavering love, even when faced with impossible odds.)
(Ayane pouts, clearly disappointed.))
Ayane (voice mocking, fingers tapping her chin): "Oh, come on. Are you gonna make this boring?" (Her tone is mocking—but beneath the bravado, there's a hint of boredom at the thought of an uneven match.)
(Kujuro's eyes narrow—his voice firm and unshaking.)
Kujuro (voice firm, unwavering): "If it means saving my daughter, I'll fight you with my bare hands." (His determination is clear—nothing matters more than saving Rumi, not even his injured state or lack of weapons.)
(Kujuro's jaw clenches—the weight of his secrets heavy on him.)
Kujuro (voice quiet, conflicted): "Yes. It's better that way." (His hesitation is momentary—a split second of vulnerability in a face full of defiance.)
(Ayane's fingers jerk violently—threads slashing through the air with vicious intent. Her face twists in uncharacteristic fury.)
Ayane (voice a nearhiss, eyes blazing): "Damn you, Kujuro Kenzaki—your blade was supposed to be mine!" (Her attacks grow wilder, more desperate—as if cutting him down will erase his defiance.)
(Kujuro dodges as best he can, blood dripping from fresh wounds. But his eyes remain steady—his resolve unbroken by her rage.)
(Kujuro struggles as two threads pierce his body, draining his Seishu energy. His breathing becomes labored as he tries to keep his feet.))
Kujuro (gasping, eyes tightening in pain): "Damn it… what… is this…?" (He grits his teeth—trying to push on through the agony.)
(Ayane's smirk turns sinister as she raises a hand—her threads pulsing with stolen Seishu.)
Ayane (voice dripping with sadistic glee): "Fire Signet: Signet of the Burning Puppet."
(The air ignites—threads turning into searing wires of flame, wrapping around Kujuro in a horrific imitation of control. The agony is unbearable—his body seared from within and without.)
(His vision blurs… but through the pain, one thought remains clear: Rumi. Run.)
(The screen fades from Kujuro's searing torment to Rumi's desperate sprint through the darkened forest—her small frame trembling, tears streaming down her face.)
Rumi (voice choked with terror): "D-Daddy…!"
(Behind her, the distant echo of Ayane's manic laughter lingers—a haunting reminder that time is running out.)
(Rumi skids to a halt—her breath hitching as two figures step from the mist like specters. Ginjiro's tengu mask gleams coldly, while Rinze lazily twirls his dagger.)
Ginjiro (voice muffled behind the mask): "Nowhere left to run, little rabbit."
(Rumi takes a shaky step back—but her foot catches on a root. She stumbles… and fear turns to ice in her veins.)
(Ryo's footsteps falter—his heart dropping as Rumi's cry pierces the night. His face pales, eyes wide in horror as the scream lingers on the cold mountain air.)
Ryo (voice a whisper, trembling with fear): "NNo… Not Rumi."
(He doubles over—a wave of protective fury surging through him.)
Ryo (voice trembling with quiet rage): (""I swear I'll find her… and bring her back… or die trying.")
(His eyes narrow to slits—fury and love for his sister driving him to his very limits. The promise hangs heavy in the air as the wind whispers through the trees.) "Or die trying."
(The forest seems to be quiet—the very earth holding its breath to his vow. But the danger still lurks.)
⛓️💥🌌🪖End Of Chapter Sixty