After what felt like an endless period of silence and darkness, I finally opened my eyes. I struggled to focus on the blurry shapes around me, searching for signs of life in the room. I attempted to recall the events that led me to my current situation, but my efforts were hindered by the weight on my back, which made it impossible to sit up. The room was frigid, and I shivered as the chill spread from my chest to my legs. As I turned, I noticed several hospital beds behind me.

I asked, "Where am I?" There was no response except for the faint echo of my voice reverberating through the vacant corridors. I struggled as I tried to stand up, then a loud thump caught my attention. I shivered as I walked toward the source of the sound. The air was frigid and made it impossible to move through. My lungs felt like they were frozen. I tried to prevent myself from collapsing onto the ground but it was no use. 

As I stumbled once again to arise from my burden. I for once had felt comfortable in this strange location. As I scanned through the room, I spotted a tall slender figure approaching me. 

“Uhm, greetings! I’m looking for a way out, would you be so kind as to help me?” I asked. The room remained silent for a while. I stared at the slender figure as it had stopped moving. Is that a human or Hachisakusama? What if it is an actual person? Would I finally be free and escape this misery? I thought to myself as positively as I could. The slender figure continued to approach me. I tried to move continuously but it was as if a force prevented me from moving a single muscle. The figure had finally only been inches away from my face as its long claws grasped onto my bloody cheek. 

The figure commanded me to run, but I was too stunned to even speak. Suddenly, I found myself in a dark hall filled with shadows. I anticipated encountering figures there since I had lost my family, including Rin. I feared losing myself too. The walls seemed to be closing in on me as if trying to end my life. In an attempt to escape, I started running, but the floors moved along with me. Unfortunately, my kimono made it difficult to run.

“Run. Run. Run. Don’t- make- it- come- to- you. Sorrow is its power. You can try to run, but we are too strong. For the midnight skies command us to feast upon you humanoids. For you, you shall encounter the same fate as those who seek to slay us.” 

“What are you? Where is my family? Where am I?” I demanded. 

“For I am the commander of thee, the powerful three, our only weakness lays in the hands of the Tree. You can try to run, for this can not be undone, you will never encounter the sun, for our feast has begun.” Announced the figure. What does it mean by “our only weakness lays in the hands of the tree?” I wondered. Another figure appeared before me. The figure was yet again tall with black tentacles reaching for the sky. The tentacles slowly crept around my ankle and grabbed me as quickly as the speed of light. I tried to escape, but it was no use now. I closed my eyes, hoping I live.   

As I started to regain my consciousness I was found stranded on a boat. The seas were calm. I felt the urge to shut my eyes for a while, but I figured something was about to happen. The moon seemed unusually bright with a slender smile, along with black ink dropping to the sea. A black shadow emerged from the calm ocean waves and lighting stroke as I’d never seen before. The lighting sounded as if it was letting out a blood-curdling scream. The shadow was commonly sighted around these seas, and it was known as the Umi Bozu. Its eyes flickered as the lighting stroke relentlessly. 

“You lack the strength that is required to defeat us. You are a mockery of the human world. Present one reason why humanity is worth sparing. Why you are worth sparing.” roared the Umi Bozu. I stood quietly and stuttered as I tried to speak. I knew that anything I said would be pointless. Massive raging waves crashed as the boat I stood on moved perpetually. I blinked my eyes several times as I spotted an enormous wave crashing down on me. Will there ever be another chance I’d relive this life and correct the mistakes I’ve made?