Rin followed Aiko through the shrine courtyard. The air was still; even the wind dared not disturb the sacred ground. Beneath the stone lanterns, moss glowed faintly with foxfire, casting pale light on weathered statues of forgotten gods.
"You walk with death," Aiko said as they entered the main hall. "The curse you bear is not mortal—it is bound to your soul. If left untouched, it will consume you before the next full moon."
Rin bowed slightly, his voice low. "Then tell me what must be done."
Aiko turned to face him, her expression unreadable. "The fox spirit bound you with a Kitsune no Keiyaku—a blood pact. To break it, you must return what was taken."
Rin's eyes darkened. "Her priestess."
"Yes," Aiko replied softly. "The spirit's vessel. You took her life during the war at Izu Pass. Her soul wanders between realms, unable to return to the spirit world. Until she finds peace, your curse will grow."
Rin exhaled slowly, his breath trembling. "Then I must find her spirit."
Aiko nodded, though her eyes held sorrow. "But to enter the twilight realm, you must survive its guardians—the yokai who dwell there do not suffer mortals lightly."
As dusk settled, Aiko led Rin to a purification spring behind the shrine. The water shimmered with moonlight, its surface rippling like silver glass.
"Wash your blade," she instructed. "The foxfire clings to it—it is both curse and key."
Rin knelt and dipped Kagerō into the water. The blade hissed as steam rose. For a moment, he glimpsed faint images reflected in the ripples—faces twisted by rage, eyes burning red.
"The souls you've slain," Aiko said quietly. "They will follow you into the realm beyond. The fox's curse binds not only you—but every drop of blood you've spilled."
Rin clenched his jaw. "Then I will face them."
Aiko's expression softened, though she seemed to hesitate. "There is something else. The Moonlight Shrine does not merely guide spirits—it imprisons one. A being of power, bound here long before I was born."
Rin looked up sharply. "A god?"
"A fallen one," she whispered. "The Wolf of the East, protector of balance. Long ago, the fox tricked him and sealed his power. If you would survive the twilight realm, you will need his blessing."
Rin rose slowly. "Then release him."
Aiko's gaze flickered. "To free him means defying the gods. It means breaking the vow of my bloodline."
Rin stepped closer. The curse mark on his neck glowed faintly. "You said I walk with death. Then let me bear that sin for you."
She looked