—and wondered why there was so much fog. In all my years I hadn’t seen such thick fog early in the morning. I could hardly see through some of it as I patrolled the streets. Farmers were eager to start tending to their fields and yet the long white patches clung to the greenery. Some had come to me soon after dawn speaking of strange noises in the night, screams and howls of a raging beast. They shut themselves away, unwilling to leave until the summer fog lifted. I’d promised them I’d search the whole town, it was my duty after all. There had also been more people reporting unrest lately, of ronin taking chances at our prosperous town, and I needed to keep everyone safe as best as I could.

At my side I carried an uchigatana, a blade passed down our family for three generations. It wasn’t the best quality, but it made me feel better when patrolling. My grandfather named it Hogomaru—Protective Circle—to surround the family in its protection. It had worked so far; my grandfather and father both lived long lives before old age took them. I hoped to pass it on to my eldest son when I grew too old to wield it. I had already decided that I wanted to move to a coastal town for my final years. It was a dream, mostly. My duty kept me here.

The empty streets seemed smaller in the early morning, the houses towering higher, looming over me. Any danger could be hiding in the deceptive fog. I stopped my sandals from pattered loud against the wooden bridge as I crossed over the deep stream which cut through the town. It gurgled away crashing over rocks, and any other morning I would be soothed by the noise. But not today.

Continuing down the long street, I passed closed shops and quiet houses. Few dared to walk out in this weather, fear keeping them locked away. I wasn’t afraid, however. I’d fought off ronin and wild beasts before, and neither would be a match for Hogomaru. They’d ambushed me on the way to the temple posing as travellers and failed to hide their weapons well enough. I didn’t know what they had been planning, but Hogomaru had spilt blood on the street that day.

I took the first left now to check towards the shrine. The priest would be awake now, starting to pray. Had he heard anything?

I made it as far as the great torii gate before I stopped. It peeked through the low hanging fog, proving the gods stronger than any weather. It was reminders such as these that kept my faith strong.
A deep voice called out to me. “Iga-san?”

“Yes?”

“Thank goodness.” A male figure scurried out of a nearby house bowing. “I need to report something. My wife was awake last night, she couldn’t sleep. Said there was a beast out there or some kind of yokai. Horrible sounds she said. Screaming, wailing.”

I nodded and smiled to try and calm him. “Thank you. I have heard the same from others. The fog is frightening many. I will go and investigate and find the source. Perhaps it was kitsune and foxes playing tricks on us, they’ve done it before. Remember the kitsunebi that floated through the town. It was as bright as lanterns, deep red flames which frightened so many.”

He calmed a little and let out a short breath. “Yes, you’re right. The other farmers never forgave them for that. Some even gave Inari more food to make them stop. Thank you, Iga-san. I will let you continue.”

I bowed to him once more before he slipped back home. I didn’t think it was kitsune trickery, but I’d never let him know that. Nobody had spoke of lights or fire and the priest had assured me the kitsune had moved far away from us now. It had to be something else.

From here I could normally look out over the fields thick with green leaves of various crops. My favourite was the rows of sesame with their strong smell. Another was full of indigo plants, owned by the Sakata family who supplied the town with rich dye. The brother, Takayuki, always harvested in the late morning, before the sun reached its highest point. All our fields surrounded the town so workers didn’t have to travel too far. It made patrolling easier too. Now they were all smothered in a cottony whiteness.

I frowned. A flash of light, though brief, penetrated through the fog. Had some braved the weather after all? Or perhaps a glint against a blade. I watched a little longer, hoping my eyes or the fog had tricked me. Again it came, this time two rapid flashes.
Time to check it out.

Retracing my steps, I joined the main street until it branched off the side street that led to the fields. I kept my sandals as quiet as I could, hurrying along. If more ronin were around trying to attack, I would stop them. Hogomaru would taste blood again.

I scanned the area for more flashes, eyes running over the fields and down the path for any sign. Nothing. Away from the indigo fields, I started in the direction of a small copse of trees. The stream worked its way out here and fed a patch of oak trees; farmers used the shade for breaks and children came out to play in the water.

The water could, however, mute the sounds of movement. I knew all the tricks.

As I approached quietly, the fog thickened until I could barely see the tree trunks around me. A chill ran down my spine. The water crashed noisily here, more than it usually did. Or was it my imagination? I was only relying on my ears now, every normal sound echoing louder. I had to calm my own breathing to keep it quiet.

Giggling.

The air grew colder.

I drew Hogomaru and reached for a trunk to steady myself. Pressing my back to it, I was ready for anything. Silence. I stopped only to listen for any sound out of place. To the next trunk. I kept my steps slow, keeping to the driest earth. A cloying stench of rotting and burning clung to the heavy fog and I opened my mouth to try and avoid the smell. Instead it coated my throat.

Flash.

Too bright. I jammed my eyes shut. A step back and I slipped sideways. Crunch. A twig snapped under my weight. I steadied myself and took a shaky breath. The forest was just trying to frighten me. I looked down. Beneath my foot lay fingers, pale and almost ghostly.

Flash.

I clamped my mouth shut. This had to be the work of ronin. Bending quick to check the body, I saw no wounds, no blood. His skin wrinkled dry and taut. What?

The air turned icy; my breath billowed out of my nose. It was more than just the cool air from the water. I stood and took another step forward. What if the light was someone hurt? It was too bright to be the warmth of a lantern or fire but…

Another light, and another again. This time behind me, lighting the fog wildly. Fear gripped my insides, I wanted to run. Blue. There was no mistaking it now, the light was blue. I tried to calm my racing heart but I knew.

A dead body. Blue light… the source would be flames no doubt. Onibi. Flames that rose from the dead, luring in new victims. I sheathed Hogomaru, he couldn’t help me here.

I needed to find the stream, follow it back out far from here. Hand out in front, I quickened my steps, hurrying far from the body. The stream echoed from every side, water bubbling and crashing. Branches hung low, pulling at my kimono. And still the blue light flashed behind me, giggles ringing in the air.

A drop. The stream. My sandal splashed in the cool water. I picked a direction, upstream, and followed. Over slick wet rocks, avoiding the water as much as I could. It would lead me back to safety.

I froze as another form unveiled in the fog. Pink yukata, sodden, black hair running along in the water. I knew her, the young daughter of a friend.

“M-Mikumo-san?”

I hardened myself and looked away. She was dead.

Giggling.

Blue fire rose from Mikumo-san’s mud-stained yukata, blooming with renewed power. Splitting into smaller flames, they broke away from the body. I spun, clambering back onto the earth and ran. The fire shot around me quicker. Spinning, dancing. I threw myself though a gap between flames, knees hitting the ground hard. A buzzing, burning sound filled my ears. They would not stop until I was far away. I scrambled to my feet and ran.

I cried out, a force shoving me back down. I crawled, dragged myself. Anything to keep moving.

From my hand burst a blue flame. A gurgling cry escaped my lips and the flames grew brighter. Another darted towards me, burying deep in my throat. Pain seared through my veins. Nerves on fire. More circled me, giggling, blinding.

I don’t want to die.

It was my duty to protect and—