Ashii felt the adrenaline rush. She accidentally stepped on a trigger on the floor, and an opening appeared. She fell and rolled down the staircase made of stones. Her back hit sharp edges. She was sure bruises and wounds would be visible on her skin.
When she reached the bottom, there was no light. The floor was also wet. Then, her vision slowly blurred, but she could hear everything around her. People broke into her room, maybe three or four. The passage was already closed, so they could not find her.
The sound of someone scratching the walls made Ashii terrified, she was not expecting people to raid her home. Sounds of things being thrown could be heard from above, but no one noticed the secret chamber below. She did not know how much damage those people caused inside her home, but she realized how dangerous the neighborhood was.
What kind of place is this?
Ashii fell unconscious later on.
The moment she woke up. She was shocked to see herself drenched in blood. There were three dead bodies beside her. But those three did not look completely human in her eyes. Two people had sharp, wolf-like claws that could tear people and scratch the walls.
She could tell they had been killed not long ago. She stared at her hands, but they were clean. She suddenly had the impulse to touch one of the dead, but when she did, he burned into ashes and blue orbs left his body as the ashes completely disappeared. Due to fear, she also touched the other two, and they completely disappeared.
A butterfly mark suddenly appeared on her left hand, like a tattoo. The butterfly has several markings, like broken lines. But three lines were glowing, as if indicating the three dead bodies beside her earlier. But she had no idea who killed those creatures.
I suddenly want to explore this new place.
She did not know how she got out of the secret basement, but she had returned to her bedroom safely. She wanted to see the damage that the raiders did to her room, but it was spotless. The place looked just the same as before she fell into the basement.
A knock on the door stopped her thoughts from continuing.
"My Lady, dinner is ready."
"I will go down in a bit."
Ashii hurriedly took a shower and changed her clothes. She felt like the place was no ordinary place, and what if they found out she smelled like blood or worse, like death?
She couldn't trust anyone in her home yet. So she decided to pretend that nothing had ever happened. When she went down for dinner, she was all alone in the dining room, while the food was already served warm. She missed her home.
Ashii ate alone. The food was barely up to her liking. She grew up with her eldest brother cooking for the family, and even with a busy schedule, he would still find time to cook for them. Her second brother was busy with company affairs, while her third brother was in the military.
But with the absence of their mother, their father became occupied with other things. She even wondered if their father was busy looking and searching for the whereabouts of their mother. She was his world after all.
Why did my father choose this place? Is there something I need to discover while I'm here?
The following morning, Ashii noticed that one of the servants had been replaced.
Since everyone was busy and classes wouldn't start till three days later, she decided to venture into the neighborhood. It was a silent place, which made her think that everyone who lived here was either a workaholic or extremely rich.
Ashii walked into the park. No children were playing, and not even vendors could be seen. Parks normally have people walking with their pets, but she saw no one. The place felt more abandoned than usual. And it gave her a bad feeling.
When she sat on one of the benches, she found out that some trees had claw marks. She also found several shurikens in the area, covered by the grass. Yet, they don't look like toys. Upon closer observation, she noticed that the blades were covered in dried blood.
This place is dangerous! Very dangerous! I need to return home.
When Ashii was walking back, she met an old woman.
"Good morning!"
"Good morning, Madam."
"Are you new here? It's the first time I've seen your face."
"Well, I don't usually go out."
"Welcome to the neighborhood!"
"Thanks."
"What do you think about our small place?"
"Refreshing and peaceful."
Ashii smiled at the old woman, but she noticed that the woman's eyes were different. Her reflection inside her eyes was inverted. Ashii was upside down.
Ashii could remember her grandmother's stories well. If you look into someone's eyes and your reflection is inverted, the person you are talking to isn't human. Ashii did not feel any malice from the old woman, but the fact that she was not human scared her.
"Be careful, young lady."
Ashii replied with a smile, and she walked back home.
She went into the kitchen and searched for some salt. She suddenly realized the absence of garlic and salt in the kitchen.
Damn it! These people aren't humans, either!
Ashii called her third brother and asked if he could visit her.
Akihiro, hearing his sister's worried voice, changed his vacation plans and set out for her city immediately. But he was wondering why his sister asked him to bring salt and garlic. When he arrived before nightfall, Ashii felt relieved.
Ashii immediately arranged for him to occupy the room next to her. After dinner, Ashii brought him into the basement.
"Why are we here?"
"Brother, can you help me purchase some weapons?"
"What kind of weapons?"
"Knives, swords, guns, and things that I could use with ease."
"Why do you need so much?"
"I want to live well, but I don't feel safe in this community."
"We can purchase another house for you."
"No, that would be too troublesome."
"Is your life threatened?"
"Nope. But, problems might occur soon."