The cold winds swept over the desolate sand, whispering in eerie tones as the two figures lay motionless upon the golden grains. The moons above shone brilliantly, casting an ethereal glow upon the wasteland.

“Well, that was pretty lucky, huh?” Kai chuckled, his voice laced with exhaustion. He let his body fall onto the sand, arms splayed out as he gazed at the endless sky.

“Pretty lucky indeed. I thought we were dead…” Cloud murmured, collapsing beside him. His silver-white hair was illuminated under the moonlight as his eyes remained fixed on the twin celestial bodies above.

“It’s already two moons… I guess I’ll be exorcising my first phantom soon.”

Kai let out a small exhale before speaking. “It shouldn’t be too hard. Phantoms during one moon are weak and stupid, but their numbers can be troubling. I’m sure you can get through it.”

Cloud turned his head to look at him, eyes flickering with curiosity. “Will you not be here?”

Kai shook his head, pushing himself up despite the obvious strain in his movements. “I’m going to bleed out if I stay here much longer. I have to go back home and get it healed. I wouldn’t do you much good like this anyway. Hell, you’re probably stronger than I am right now. I’m tired, injured, and quite honestly, sick of seeing this place.” His gaze lingered on the moons, reflecting an unspoken longing. “Who knows how long I’ve been away from home…”

Cloud sat up, brushing sand off his clothes before extending a hand toward Kai.

Kai hesitated for a moment before accepting it, pulling himself to his feet with a weary grunt.

“I understand, Kai… Thank you for everything. You saved me—well, many times.”

Kai smiled under his mask. “There’s no need to bring that up now. Seeing you fight through all this, in your state… Your determination is something I admire. I’m glad I met you, Cloud.”

Cloud chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. “Right… I’m glad I met you too, Kai.”

Kai took a few steps back, placing a hand over his mask. “Wait out this moon and find a lone phantom on the next one if you can. But do it fast… You know what happens to you if the one moon passes by?”

Cloud nodded solemnly. “I do. Don’t worry, I’ll act fast… Goodbye, Kai.”

“I hope we meet again, Cloud.”

Kai gave a slight bow of his head, and just as he barely lifted his mask, his form disintegrated into a swirling mass of crimson dust, scattering into the wind.

...

Cloud sighed, dropping his head in quiet disappointment before trudging forward. The desert stretched endlessly before him, its sands shifting beneath his feet as a harsh wind howled across the barren expanse. Each step was slow, the journey uneventful.

After what felt like an eternity, his tired gaze fell upon a rocky outcrop jutting out from the sands. A small, shadowed entrance yawned before him—a cave.

Without hesitation, he stepped inside. The cave was crude, jagged stone walls enclosing him in a narrow space. It was damp, cold, and utterly lifeless—but it was shelter. Cloud collapsed onto the rocky ground, leaning against the rough walls. It was by no means comfortable, but comfort was the least of his concerns.

Reaching for the small bag slung over his shoulder, he unbuckled it and peered inside. A single piece of stale bread greeted him. He frowned, but hunger didn’t allow for hesitation. Tearing off a chunk, he chewed slowly, his mind preoccupied as he scanned his surroundings.

His eyes landed on something unusual.

Symbols—etched into the cave walls. Strange, indecipherable markings stretched across the stone, weathered but still visible under the dim moonlight filtering through the entrance.

Curious, he pushed himself to his feet and traced a finger over the engravings. The grooves were deep, methodically carved.

‘Another language maybe?’ he thought, frowning. The markings were alien to him, yet strangely captivating.

With nothing else to occupy his time, he studied them intently. Over and over, his eyes followed their patterns, memorizing every detail. The symbols, once meaningless, now burned themselves into his mind, just as much as they were on walls.

...

Boredom eventually won over curiosity. Cloud sighed and slumped onto the ground once more, staring up at the cave ceiling. The stillness around him allowed his thoughts to drift—back to the world before Yokai Realm. Back to a particular night.

A Few Weeks Earlier - The Night Before Takahiros Departure

The glow of the fire flickered within the small wooden cabin, casting long shadows as Cloud and Takahiro sat opposite each other, a simple low table between them. The rich aroma of rabbit stew filled the space, a welcome warmth amidst the cold night air.

Takahiro stirred his pot absently before glancing up. “How’s the stew?”

Cloud, lost in thought, blinked. “What?” He shook his head as if shaking off a haze. “Oh, it’s good.”

Takahiro arched a brow. “Is something on your mind, Cloud?”

Cloud hesitated, his fingers tightening around the edge of his bowl. “I suppose… You said that when I go to the Yokai Realm, I could find myself there during any number of moons… What if I visit, and it’s on the thirteenth moon?”

Takahiro let out a deep sigh, setting down his pot. “I’d be lying if I said that wouldn’t be a problem. But there’s no use in worrying about it. Worry never did anyone any good. You can prepare for it, accept it, maybe even forget about it—but never worry. If I were to give you any advice on how to handle it, it would be to run and hide.”

Cloud furrowed his brow. “Isn’t that the same advice you gave me for the lower moons?”

Takahiro nodded. “Yes. Because you can’t fight a phantom and win until at least the second moon. I’m not trying to discourage you—it’s simply the truth, and you know it too. Anyone on their first visit to the Yokai Realm can’t take on a phantom during four or more moons. But once you return, you’ll be a Lucent. You’ll be able to perform Kitsunojutsu, your foxfire will increase, and so will your strength and speed. You'll be able to fight better after that has come to be.”

Cloud let out a quiet huff as he finished the last of his stew. Setting his bowl aside, he wiped his mouth before sighing.

“So just hide and let time pass… should be easy enough.”