A Few Weeks Earlier

Cloud stood alone in the dense woods, his breathing ragged as he drilled his exorcism techniques into the unyielding bark of the surrounding trees. The air smelled of damp earth and freshly splintered wood. The trunks bore the scars of his relentless strikes, riddled with holes—some precise, others veering off-target, evidence of both progress and fatigue. Sweat trickled from his brow, soaking into the leaf-strewn ground beneath his feet. His knuckles throbbed with pain, his muscles ached, but he gritted his teeth and pushed through, determined to grow stronger.

Takahiro watched from a short distance, his presence concealed by the shifting shadows of the trees. He remained silent as Cloud hammered his bruised fists against the bark, his sharp eyes studying the boy’s form, his endurance, his will. The training dragged on for another grueling hour before Cloud, utterly drained, staggered back toward the house. Takahiro followed, his footsteps silent against the forest floor.

Cloud barely managed to reach the house, pushing the door open before collapsing onto the floor, his limbs too weak to support him. "Food," he muttered, his voice barely audible.

Takahiro, somehow already seated in the living room, gently set his tea cup down on the low wooden table. The warm, earthy aroma of green tea lingered in the air. "Come, have some green tea with me. It will help you recover."

Cloud groaned, his body protesting as he slowly crawled forward, dragging himself toward the table. His hands, raw and shaking, left faint smudges of sweat on the floor.

Takahiro sighed as he poured tea into another small wooden cup, watching Cloud’s struggle with mild amusement. "You’re overexerting yourself... It’s admirable, but not effective for training. You’ll rest the whole day tomorrow."

Cloud furrowed his brows, his lips pressing into a thin line before he scoffed and looked away.

Takahiro chuckled. "You’re barely moving right now, and you’re angry that you won’t be training tomorrow? You ought to learn patience, Cloud. There’s no need to rush your training. Have you not trusted me to teach you?"

Cloud huffed but reluctantly sat in front of the table. Takahiro slid the cup toward him.

"You’re right. Forgive me," Cloud murmured, wrapping his bruised fingers around the warm cup. "I just don’t want to feel weak any longer. I want to be able to hold my own when I go into the Yokai Realm."

Takahiro sipped his tea and then stood up, his movements calm and deliberate. "You’re stronger than you think, Cloud. Don’t worry."

He briefly disappeared into the next room and returned carrying a plain wooden mask. Sitting back down, he placed it gently on the table.

Cloud eyed it curiously. "What’s this?"

Takahiro took another slow sip before answering. "That’s an oni mask—or at least it will be once you visit the Yokai Realm. In order for anyone to enter, they need a mask carved from the Spiritwood tree. Right now, it’s just a plain wooden mask, but once you step into the realm, it will change shape and color, becoming unique to you. It serves as the only bridge between our two worlds."

Cloud reached out, pressing his fingers against the mask. Instantly, a deep chill raced down his spine, his eyes widening as an unsettling sensation clawed at his senses. He quickly withdrew his hand, glancing at Takahiro for an explanation.

Takahiro smirked knowingly. "You felt it, didn’t you? The pull of the Yokai Realm. Like I said, the mask is a gate... A bit unnerving, I’m guessing?"

Cloud swallowed hard and nodded. "Yes, a bit."

"Well, it will feel a lot weirder when you’re actually there." Takahiro leaned back slightly. "Anyway, I’ll be leaving early the day after tomorrow. I won’t be here when you decide to visit the realm, so I’ll tell you a few things tomorrow to prepare yourself."

"You’re going to Stormcradle, right?"

Takahiro nodded slightly. "That’s right. There’s someone I know there who likely has more information about the Yami Clan. Unfortunately, it’s a few days’ travel to the capital, and gathering intel will take time, so I may not return for a while. I hope you can manage."

Cloud scoffed, averting his gaze, his expression softer now. "Don't worry, I can manage. Maybe I’ll even have some time to visit the orphanage too."

"Yes, that would be nice... Now drink your tea. It’s getting cold."

Present Time

Kai hurtled from the trees, his body twisting through the air before he crashed into the sand with a harsh thud. He rolled, coughing as he fought to shake off the impact.

Cloud sprinted to his side and grabbed his arm, pulling him to his feet. "Are you alright?"

Kai shook the sand from his hair and brushed off his clothes. "I think so..." His breath hitched as a sharp pain shot through his shoulder. He grimaced and clutched the wound, blood seeping between his fingers.

Cloud clenched his jaw, guilt gnawing at him, but he forced the feeling aside. There was no time for doubt.

"What do we do now?"

Kai scanned their surroundings, his gaze shifting toward the trees. "I don’t know. We’ll have to fight."

"Fight? You can’t use your arm. How are you going to fight?"

Kai didn’t respond. He simply straightened his posture, taking slow, measured breaths. His eyes never left the darkened forest.

The trees rustled ominously. Then, a chilling sound—a series of guttural screeches—pierced the night air.

"They’re coming... Get ready."

Cloud’s muscles tensed. He shifted into a defensive stance, his breath steadying as adrenaline surged through him.

The trees shook violently, and then, all at once, a horde of phantoms lunged forward, sprinting toward them on all fours. Their elongated limbs twisted unnaturally, their dark eyes burning with relentless hunger.

Electric-blue flames erupted around Cloud’s hands, crackling with raw energy. Beside him, Kai’s hands ignited in crimson fire, casting eerie shadows across his determined face.

The phantoms leapt through the air, their razor-sharp limbs poised to strike—

Then, mid-air... they vanished.

Cloud blinked, confusion washing over him as the creatures disintegrated into black dust, swept away by the wind.

His head snapped left and right, searching for an explanation.

Kai tapped his shoulder and pointed to the sky.

Cloud followed his gaze. His breath caught in his throat.

The sky had changed.

The moons were now only two.