The sun had almost disappeared behind the mountains, casting an orange glow across the village. The lanterns lining the walkways lit up, and a faint smell of cooked rice floated through the cool evening air.
Sumiyoshi and Shintarō stood at the foot of a large wooden house — easily the biggest in the village.
Shintarō whistled softly, folding his arms.
"Quite the mansion."
Sumiyoshi smirked. "Well, what do you expect? He is the village head."
They walked up the stone steps and slid open the door.
Inside, the hallway was warm and well-lit. The floors were clean, polished, and lined with scrolls on the walls — old writings, maps, and diagrams of weapons and creatures unknown to them.
They followed a servant to a large room where Kuroda Renji sat cross-legged on a tatami mat. Beside him were:
Kuroda Taiken (his elder son, 25)
Kuroda Isao (his younger son, 20)
Captain Rikuya (the 22-year-old Divine Weapon Captain)
And an older man, around 40, with a stern yet calm presence: Tamahiko-san
Kuroda looked up and smiled. "Come in. Sit down."
The brothers bowed slightly and sat across from them.
🧭 The Truth About the Village
Kuroda's voice was gentle but steady.
"Welcome to Tenshigakure Village — The Village Hidden by Heaven's Will," he said. "For sixteen years, we've built this place from scratch. Quietly. Secretly. Only those with the bloodline can live here — because only we can see the spirit... and its six deadly forms."
Sumiyoshi's eyes widened.
"There are over 350 of us here now," Kuroda continued. "Most are descendants of spirit-seers like your father. But our existence is threatened — because the Spirit fears us. We are the only ones who can reveal its presence to the world."
He turned toward the window.
"That's why... it began hunting our bloodline."
A silence fell.
Sumiyoshi shifted uncomfortably. "So... we're basically targets?"
Kuroda nodded.
"Leaving the village requires my permission. Only traders and Divine Weapon owners are allowed outside regularly — to bring supplies or scout enemy movement."
He gestured to the man sitting beside him.
"This is Tamahiko, my old friend and fellow survivor of the last war. He helps manage communication with the outside world. Without him, we'd be blind."
Tamahiko bowed gently. "It's an honor to meet the sons of Takashi."
Shintarō bowed back, his expression serious.
Kuroda turned next to his sons.
"This is my elder son, Taiken. Calm, disciplined, and third-ranked among the Divine Weapon Trainers. The younger one is Isao — skilled but... reckless."
Isao rolled his eyes. "Hey. I get results."
Kuroda chuckled faintly and then gestured to the last man — the one radiating quiet authority.
"And this is Rikuya, the Captain of the Divine Weapon squad. He leads the training of all new recruits and currently ranks first among our fighters."
Rikuya looked at the brothers. His voice was cool and measured.
"Only three others besides me are allowed to train Divine Weapon wielders: Taiken, Isao, and one more... but he doesn't listen to anyone. So we don't count him."
Sumiyoshi glanced at his brother, then back at Kuroda.
"So... we're supposed to...?"
"Yes," Kuroda interrupted gently. "Tomorrow, you will leave for the sacred site. You'll be tested. And if chosen... you'll receive your Divine Weapon."
Tension Builds
Sumiyoshi blinked slowly.
"Wait... no one's even asked me if I want this!"
He looked at Shintarō. "Where the hell did we end up..."
Rikuya smirked and stood, walking to him.
He leaned down.
"You don't look like much. If I had to guess... you'll take more than a month just to finish your training — if you even last that long."
Sumiyoshi stared at him, stunned.
His heart sank.
Kuroda noticed the change in his expression.
But before he could say anything, Sumiyoshi looked up.
"...How long do we have to stay here?"
Kuroda sighed. "Until the Spirit and its Seven Forms are destroyed."
Sumiyoshi's face fell.
"Don't even think about running," Rikuya said with a grin. "We'll find you. And drag you back. Or worse."
Shintarō narrowed his eyes. "And if we do manage to kill those forms? Then we can leave?"
Isao leaned forward, arms crossed.
"Killed them? Which ones?"
He chuckled darkly.
"We haven't even managed to kill one in sixteen years."
That hit hard.
Sumiyoshi swallowed. Shintarō stared at the floor.
Rikuya stood again, serious now.
"I've been on three missions. Lost friends each time. Watched them die... while I ran back alive. So don't expect this to be a hero's journey. It's war."
🍱 Dinner Scene
Kuroda stood.
"...Let's continue this over dinner."
The brothers followed them to a large dining hall where a low table had already been set.
As they took their seats, a soft voice called from the side.
"Excuse me..."
A young girl entered, holding a tray. Her eyes were warm, and her hair tied back in a ribbon.
"This is my daughter," Kuroda said with a proud smile.
"Akari. She's fifteen. Our youngest."
Akari bowed sweetly.
"It's nice to meet you both."
Sumiyoshi smiled faintly and nodded.
Shintarō, meanwhile, looked completely caught off guard.
She smiled at him shyly, and he instinctively smiled back.
They all sat, shared food, and laughter finally returned for a short while. Tamahiko told an old tale about Kuroda falling into a river once.
It was the first time that night the brothers felt... something like peace.
After dinner, Kuroda placed a hand on both their shoulders.
"Rest well tonight. Tomorrow will change everything."
🌙 Nighttime
Later, back at their assigned home, Sumiyoshi lay beside his brother.
The lights were out.
Outside, the wind howled faintly.
He whispered, "I'm scared, nii-san..."
Shintarō turned to him.
"I know."
There was silence.
"...You'll be okay," Shintarō finally said. "We both will."
Sumiyoshi curled closer, gripping the blanket.
As always — he only slept peacefully with his brother nearby.
🌄 Next Morning – Departure
The next morning, the sky was still pale when they stepped outside with their packs.
Kuroda stood waiting with Isao and Akari.
"Prepare yourselves," Kuroda said. "The sacred grounds are far. You'll reach there by nightfall."
He placed a hand on their backs.
"Return only when your weapons accept you."
Shintarō nodded. Sumiyoshi looked unsure — but determined.
"Akari," Kuroda said gently, "please guide them there."
She bowed with a smile. "Yes, Father."
Shintarō, trying to hide it, looked quietly thrilled.
Akari turned to the two brothers.
"Shall we go?"
Sumiyoshi gave a quiet groan.
"...Here we go again."
And they set off —toward the sacred forest.
Toward destiny.