The sky was tinged with a muted red as the group moved through the mist-covered hills. The wind blew as if trying to carry away unspoken thoughts.
Kaien walked at the front. His gaze down, his steps mechanical.
—What if… I used to be someone horrible?
Akari and Shiro stopped. Kumo too, pausing his inspection of a turtle-shaped rock.
—What do you mean? —Akari asked cautiously.
Kaien gripped Ryusatsuga’s hilt. The blade trembled faintly.
—I don’t remember who I was. But… what if I was cruel? What if that’s why I was alone? Maybe… I deserved it.
Shiro scratched his head with his usual “loading slowly” expression.
—I don’t remember much either. Sometimes I feel sad for no reason. Once I thought: “What if my parents left me because I was unbearable?” —he paused—. But then I saw myself playing with Kumo, making Akari laugh, caring for the kids… and I thought: What if this is who I am now?
Kaien looked at him, confused. Shiro smiled with confidence.
—Maybe it doesn’t matter who we were… if today we choose to be better.
Kaien let out a soft laugh.
—You’re wiser than you look.
—And more handsome too! —Shiro added.
Kumo let out a meow of approval. Or maybe resignation.

Village of the Ancient Spirits

Guided by rumors, they arrived at a village suspended among crystal trees and floating stones, as if the world breathed in slow motion. A stone figure with an engraving greeted them:
—Here sleep the Elemental Oni. Guardians of ancient paths. They are not defeated with strength… but with truth.

As night fell, silence was replaced by ancestral murmurs. Four figures emerged: Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. They weren’t monsters. They were echoes of inner worlds.

Fire Oni (Kaien)

Kaien was surrounded by flames. Before him, a vision: himself, stronger than ever, hailed as a hero… but alone. Akari, Shiro, his master, the children—all gone.
—Conquer the world without ties —whispered the Oni—. No pain. Only power.
At his feet, cities surrendered. On his back, Ryusatsuga glowed like a sun of destruction. He was feared. Revered.
He was alone.
Laughter, voices, cries… had all gone silent.
Akari wasn’t there. Shiro wasn’t there. Kumo wasn’t either. Only hollow echoes.
A deep voice rose from the flames. It didn’t shout. It didn’t need to.
—Give up the burden of bonds. Win the world without scars. Power without pain. Command without love.
Kaien trembled. Part of him wanted to believe it. That it would be easier.
But then he thought of Akari’s hands, strong even in doubt. Of Shiro’s silly jokes. Of Kumo purring on his chest on silent days. Of Hanzo’s teachings and the children’s games.
He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth.
—And what’s left… if there’s no one to share it with?
The mountain cracked. The throne crumbled.
—I’d rather not be the strongest… if it means being alone again. My family is the most important thing. And fighting for them makes me stronger than I ever was.
The flames burst and gently let him fall to the ground.

Water Oni (Akari)

Akari fell into a liquid, silent abyss. She wasn’t drowning. She floated.
Around her, scenes as soft as dreams. Her, as a child, running through lily fields. Her mother, healthy, no trace of the curse, brushing her hair between laughs. A warm house. No mission. No danger. No friends.
A liquid voice, maternal and melancholic, surrounded her.
—Stay. There’s no pain here. Only love. Only her. Forget the rest.
Akari felt the tears mixing with the water. Her heart truly ached.
—What if… this is all I’ve ever wanted? —she whispered.
But then she thought of Kaien, of how he held her hand during hard days. Of Shiro, clumsy and kind. Of the children at the shelter. Of Kumo sleeping on her bread. Of the warmth of her teacher, who taught her to help others.
And of the promise she made herself: to protect those she loved. Even if it hurt. Even if she lost.
—I can’t… —she whispered—. I won’t change the past if it means erasing what we’ve built. She taught me not to give up.
The vision dissolved into thousands of droplets. And the water pushed her back.

Air Oni (Shiro)

Shiro was lifted by invisible currents into a world of floating crystals. Everything was symmetrical, orderly, silent.
Before him stood an adult Shiro: combed, elegant, with a calm, precise voice. He lived alone in a perfect castle. No mistakes. No stains. No joy.
The Oni spoke with his own voice, duplicated and flawless.
—This is you… without chaos. Without clumsiness. Without unnecessary emotions. You will be respected. Untouchable. Invulnerable.
The real Shiro looked at him, serious for the first time in days.
—And who would I laugh with?
—You don’t need laughter. Only success.
—Wouldn’t I be alone?
—You won’t. Not with this version of you.
Shiro looked at his hands. Thought of the crooked drawings he made with the kids. Of how Kaien pushed him to train. Of Akari’s advice when he was scared. Of how Kumo slept on his head. Of his teacher trying not to laugh.
—I’d rather be clumsy. And happy. I’d rather laugh. Even if it hurts sometimes.
The wind stopped. And then gently set him down… on his own feet.

Earth Oni (Kumo)

Kumo was transported to a vast plain. A single rock at the center. Silence. Stillness.
In front of him, a massive Earth Oni, stone-like and imposing… holding a dried fish. He placed it in front of Kumo.
Kumo blinked. Jumped slowly. Got tangled. Slipped. Launched himself. Bit the rock. Jumped again. Got caught in one of his tails. Rolled. Fell on the Oni’s back… and purred.
The Oni looked at him. Very slowly. Unmoving.
And simply… accepted him.
—Wise you are, little spirit —he murmured, without moving.

Meanwhile, at Hanzo’s house…

The children were plotting their umpteenth prank: salt in the tea, paint on the sandals, a water balloon above the door…
Nothing worked.
Hanzo was always one step ahead. Always trying to hide a smile, but never angry. He looked at them with a mix of wisdom and tenderness.
—To win a war… you have to think like the enemy.
One of the kids, Haru, hugged him without warning.
—Now we’re all family, right…?
Hanzo didn’t answer. He simply closed his eyes and let the moment pass like a warm breeze.

Back with the Oni…

The trials ended. One by one, the children emerged from their visions.
The Oni faded into particles of light.
—To remember is not to be chained.
—Strength is choosing love again and again.
—Weakness is forgetting why you fight.
And one last voice echoed, ancient as the world:
—Those who forget their pain… forget their purpose —whispered the Earth Oni before fading.
In the distance, through blue mists, the lake shimmered.
—The Lake of Lost Voices —Akari whispered. That’s where the last ingredient must be…
Kaien looked up.
—Then… let’s go.

| Author's Note |

If you enjoyed this chapter, don't forget to leave a vote or drop a quick comment!
Even a few words help me know you're enjoying the story—and help it reach more readers.
Your support means everything and makes you a part of this journey.
Let's write this story together.

– Janoshki