The land returned to silence.
No trace of the Circle remained.
But the pressure—
Still lingered.
After the Encounter
Raizen and Kagen walked back without speaking.
No need for words.
Both understood the weight of what had happened.
"…They weren't testing us," Raizen said.
Kagen replied quietly.
"No."
A pause.
"They were confirming."
Understanding the Situation
Raizen looked ahead.
"…I'm their target."
Kagen didn't deny it.
"…Yes."
A pause.
"But not in the way you think."
Difference in Intent
Raizen stopped.
"…What do you mean?"
Kagen turned slightly.
"They don't hunt like demons."
A pause.
"They decide."
Return to the Hunter Grounds
By night—
They arrived.
The atmosphere was tense again.
More guards.
More movement.
More caution.
Council Briefing
Inside the hall—
The council waited.
"…Report."
Kagen stepped forward.
"…We made contact."
Silence.
"…Five entities."
"…Confirmed as members of the Circle."
Reaction
The room remained quiet.
But the tension increased.
"…Did they engage?"
"No."
A pause.
"They observed."
Focus on Raizen
All eyes turned to him.
"…And you?"
Raizen stepped forward.
"…They're not interested in killing me."
A pause.
"…Not yet."
Council Realization
Silence filled the room.
One of them spoke—
"…Then we are running out of time."
New Directive
Another voice followed.
"We cannot wait for their judgment."
A pause.
"We must act first."
Division of Opinion
Some agreed.
Others hesitated.
"…We don't understand them."
"…Acting blindly could be worse."
Kagen's Position
Kagen spoke.
"…Rushing will get people killed."
A pause.
"We need information."
Decision
Silence.
Then—
"…Approved."
A new order was given.
"Gather intelligence."
"Track all anomalies."
"Prepare for conflict."
Outside the Hall
Raizen stepped out.
The air felt heavier than before.
"…They're preparing for war."
Kagen stood beside him.
"…Yes."
A pause.
"And you're at the center of it."
Internal Conflict
Raizen looked at his hand.
The shadow flickered briefly.
"…If I'm the reason…"
He stopped.
Kagen's Response
"…You're not the reason."
A pause.
"You're the trigger."
Meaning
Raizen understood.
This was bigger than him.
But he was part of it.
Whether he wanted to be—
Or not.
Final Scene
That night—
Raizen stood alone again.
Looking into the distance.
No enemies appeared.
No movement.
But the silence—
Felt like waiting.
Ending Line
When judgment is delayed—
It doesn't mean safety.
It means preparation.