"He looks... awful. Nothing more than a corpse… and less than someone truly alive."
Suji murmured as he gazed over Utsushi's unconscious body. His expression had darkened into something grave. Utsushi's skin was pale, his lips nearly blue. On his neck, rose-petal-shaped curse marks, laced with faint needle-thin etchings, pulsed softly—half-faded, but sinister.
Gently, Suji turned Utsushi's face to the side, revealing more of the cursed mark. His fingers hovered over the skin, brushing the ridges that felt unnaturally cold.
"He's… marked. Or am I mistaken? But this doesn't seem like the work of any known special-grade yōkai..."
He murmured to himself, brows drawn tightly, fingertips lightly brushing the mark again.
"Tragic, isn't it?"
A voice spoke from behind—calm, but laced with bitterness.
Suji flinched and turned sharply. "Good morning, Master."
Suiren had entered the room silently, closing and locking the door behind him. He nodded once in reply.
Suji bowed and stepped aside, giving space as Suiren walked to stand beside Utsushi's body.
"Why did you summon me so early, Master?" Suji asked respectfully. His eyes flicked briefly to Suiren's right hand, where a few aged, yellow talismans—three, maybe five—were gently clutched between two fingers.
"I called you because we need to speak. It's important."
Suji nodded. "Of course, Master. Please tell me."
Suiren's gaze was fixed on Utsushi. He exhaled, slow and quiet, as if weighed down by the words that followed.
"You may have noticed... the markings. He has been claimed—by something. Something powerful. Something... dangerous."
Suji's eyes widened slightly. There was a moment of hesitation, his thoughts flickering in uncomfortable directions. The word "claimed" brought strange, unspoken associations. He swallowed and spoke, his voice low.
"Claimed? Master... you mean, in that way? But how could that be possible?"
Suiren ran his fingers through Utsushi's hair gently, gaze distant.
"I know it sounds impossible, Suji. But whatever it is, it's not going to let him—or any of us—rest easily for some time."
Suji's eyes narrowed with concern. "Was it just him?"
"Yes," Suiren said gravely. "I examined both Utsushi and Kairo. Only Utsushi bears the mark."
Suji stared in disbelief. "You… you saw it directly? It's not just that petal-shaped curse on his neck, is it?"
Suiren's expression was unreadable. "No. It runs deeper. And now, his soul and body's protection rests with you. Take care of him. And also... watch over Kaito and Kansai. They're young. They need guidance."
Suji straightened and nodded firmly. "Yes, Master. But... what about you?"
Suiren closed his eyes for a long breath before opening them again. "I'll search for answers on my own. I need to find out what attacked them—what kind of creature marks someone like that, then just lets them go."
Suji frowned, his concern rising. "Alone, Master? That's dangerous! What's the point of being the Second Dao if I can't protect the First?"
A faint smile tugged at Suiren's lips, but it didn't reach his tired eyes.
"I understand your worry. But the boys' lives are in greater danger now. And this is my responsibility—I sent them into Fukaki to find that melody. I didn't expect them to return like this: wounded, shaken... Utsushi, nearly out of control. I had to use the Shen talisman on him."
"That weakens the user too…" Suji said, voice low with worry. "You must be—"
Suiren subtly adjusted his collar. Suji's eyes caught the faint discoloration on his neck—patches that looked slightly aged, worn.
Before he could speak, Suiren interrupted gently, "I'm fine, Suji. Focus on the others, not me. I'm far older than you all, and I've kept myself alive through strict practice and diet. My time will come, but theirs... theirs must not be cut short."
Suji's voice was barely a whisper. "But, Master, you—"
"No buts, my boy."
Suji fell silent, swallowing hard.
Then, softly, "Are you heading to Bayakuya and Fukaki?"
Suiren nodded. "Tonight. There are still things I must prepare before I go. In the meantime, the Yin Lan Clan is in your care."
Suji hesitated. "For… days?"
"Yes. For days," Suiren confirmed.
Suji sighed. The responsibility weighed heavy, pressing on his shoulders. He glanced down at Utsushi again. "Master... what really happened to him? Have you figured it out?"
Suiren's eyes flickered. "Would you rather I tell you... or will you find out with your own eyes?"
Then Silence....
Suji looked down. The answer wasn't hard—but the weight of it made him uncomfortable. Still, it was his duty. He had sworn to walk this path, even when it hurt.
"Suji?" Suiren prompted.
Suji looked up, meeting his Master's gaze. "I'll observe it myself. I don't want to look away from the truth. I'll understand it, no matter how dark."
Suiren's tired expression shifted—quiet pride softening the corners of his eyes.
"Then everything from now on is in your hands. I'll leave tonight. Here—take these."
He handed over the talismans. "They're called Jīn Hánchéng (金寒城)..the Golden Cold Fortress. Use them only in emergencies. We don't know when the next threat may come. Stay alert, always."
Suji bowed deeply, accepting the talismans with reverence. "Yes, Master."
Suiren gave a small smile and nodded once. Then, in a voice stronger than before, he said their vow.
"Always ready to bring justice."
Suji raised his head and repeated with equal resolve,
"Always ready to bring justice."