A Few Weeks Earlier

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting an orange glow over Stormcradle, the capital of the Kaminari Clan. The city thrived even at dusk, lanterns illuminating the winding streets as merchants called out their final sales for the day. At the city’s heart stood the grand Kaminari Castle, its towering structure a testament to the clan’s legacy.

Footsteps echoed through the stone stairways of the castle. A beautiful young woman, dressed in a flowing gray-blue gown, ascended gracefully. Her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, catching the soft candlelight as she approached a set of massive wooden doors. Two guards stationed at the entrance immediately bowed and pushed them open for her.

Inside, the chamber was vast yet tastefully furnished. A luxurious bed lay neatly made in the corner, and a small ornate table bore a bowl of fresh fruit. A wide writing desk stood near the room’s center, where a young man sat on a mat, penning a document on pristine parchment. He was clad in a well-fitted gray robe, his dark hair framing a face marked by quiet authority.

The woman strode forward, seating herself on the wooden floor across from him. “Don’t you have anything else to do but stay locked up in your chambers?” she teased, her lips curving into a knowing smile.

He didn’t look up, his quill never pausing. “Well, there’s nothing to do out there, now is there? There are other matters that need attention, sister.”

She chuckled. “Speaking of matters that need attention, the Yami Clan has closed off their routes to all the clans.”

He finally set his quill down, eyes narrowing slightly as he met her gaze. “Why?”

“The grimoire was stolen, and they’re not sure if another clan is responsible or if one of their own took it. They have sealed their borders to prevent anyone from coming in or out while they investigate.”

He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair with a slight frown. “A stolen grimoire is worth sealing off an entire clan? Either the Yami Clan is paranoid, or this book is far more dangerous than we thought. If this drags on, trade routes will collapse. We need to handle this before things escalate… What does Father think about this?”

Aoi smirked, relaying the message with amusement. “His exact words were, ‘Inform Arashi. He will take care of it. We can’t let our people starve just because a book is missing.’ So here I am, informing you.”

Arashi stood, his tall frame casting a shadow over his seated sister. “I guess we’re traveling to the Kurai Abyss. It would be nice to see Tenshin too I suppose—we haven’t seen him in so long.”

Aoi raised a delicate eyebrow. “You want me to come along?”

“Yes, of course. This is no small matter. If only one of us goes, we may not be taken seriously. We need to resolve this problem as soon as possible. Both of us must go—as prince and princess. We will begin our journey in four days time. Prepare yourself until then, sister.”

Aoi sighed, shaking her head but smiling nonetheless. “Very well, brother. I suppose an adventure was long overdue.”

**

Present Time

The flames slowly faded, only smoking oozing from the weak body of the phantom laying on the ground. Cloud’s heartbeat began to settle down as he stepped forward, but Kai raised his hand up and shook his head.

He then walked next to the creature on the ground and exorcised it, much faster than the last time. With a slight sigh, he stood up and walked past Cloud.

“Come on, let’s keep going.”

But Cloud stood still… “Why are you still here?”

Kai halted and barely glanced at Cloud. “What do you mean by that?”

“You have already exorcised a phantom, you don’t need to stay here… So why are you here?”

Kai chuckled and continued to walk. “I guess, just like you, I’m also trying to get stronger… Now, hurry up. Let’s find a place to rest up, it’s been a long day.”

“Right,” Cloud said, his tone low and began to follow him once again.

Their journey through the Withering Fields was long and grueling—not a place for the weak. But somehow, Cloud made it out alongside Kai. Just as they did, one moon disappeared…

Now-Six Moons

The Withering Fields slowly transitioned into the woods, filled with dead, gray trees and black short grass, it felt ominous just seeing it.

‘This place looks terrifying.. Should we even be going through here?’

Even though Cloud was in doubt, Kai continued without hesitation.

‘I guess as long as he’s around I should be fine. Don’t like to think like that but that’s all I have for now…’

Cloud took another step forward and it instantly felt heavy, the air felt like it was going to crush him as he simply stood. His vision blurring slightly, his chest tightening…

Kai glanced back, seeing Cloud trembling in place, trying to move forward. “Did I forget to tell you?.. This area has a surplus of foxfire, has a certain heaviness to it but you’ll get used to it in time.”

Cloud’s legs felt as if they were chained to the ground, each step like walking under the pressure of the sea, but even much worse. It was a difficult walk but luckily they found a small hut where they decided to take shelter for a while. It was made with the dead tree branches all around them, it was empty inside except for a small burned out campfire in the center.

They sat on the ground, exhausted and full of fatigue. Cloud, in particular, was in terrible shape. The oppressive nature of the woods only worsened his already fragile state. He lied on the ground, his knees close to his chest…

“How is there a hut out here?”

Kai was sat with a straight posture, his legs crisscrossed and his hands on his knees.

“Well, it’s from another visitor I would presume.”

“A visitor??”

Kai nodded softly. “Yes… a visitor. Like us.”

He then raised out his hand a shot out a small fireball, lighting up the campfire once again...