Koji stepped out of the mansion with General Abuto at his side, the moon disappearing behind a wall of dark clouds. At the front gate, a group of guards stood in place, waiting for orders. Their chest plates covered in blood and slashes from a recent battle. At least this is what he presumed from just looking at them.
"Hey, Abuto. Did you see Riko at the farm or not?"
General Abuto lit a cigarette and exhaled the smoke.
"Riko? No. I was just at the farm. Now, for the real reason I brought you here. I don't know if you know this but I called in more guards from Kyoto yesterday due to the rise of cursed spirits in this area and as you can see It's gotten worse."
General Abuto threw his cigarette away in frustration and stomped on it.
"Look, I know your brother, calls the shots here, but we need new orders. We're losing too many men because of this bullshit. You understand?"
Koji closed his eyes and sighed.
"Alright, look, don't go too deep in the forest, only protect the main gate. Okay? That should ease some of the pressure. In any case, my brother should be arriving soon. At least, I hope so."
General Abuto tapped him on the shoulder, muttering a quick thanks before walking off. But something didn't sit right with Koji. The same thought kept bothering him, why was Nicholas lying to him? Not just lying, but being so obvious about it. He knew Nicholas had never been much of a liar.
Could he be in danger? Maybe he couldn't say Riko's name, because someone has his life in the palm of their hand and could kill him remotely.
He shook his head and narrowed his eyes.
No, that can't be it. Only a demon would have that kind of power, and I haven't felt the presence of any demons since I arrived here. So, it can't be that.
The fact still remained, he lied about his niece's whereabouts, and now that he thinks about it, his earlier conversation in the dining hall felt odd. He remembered how worried Nicholas was about his 'future death' happening to him by the hands of Yuki Ayano. He suspected Nicholas could have tried to handle this situation himself by taking Riko hostage or something.
Koji smacked the front door with his fist in anger.
"I'm such an idiot, I got blindsided by my friendship with him."
Koji pulled out his relic crystal shard and fed mana into it. This time, he focused on Riko. The vision hit immediately. Chains shot across the room, blood on the floor, Nicholas collapsing, everything unfolding through Riko's eyes. However, once again the entire event was blurred.
Koji clacked his tongue and pointed at the general.
"Hey, Abuto, bring me two cigarettes."
General Abuto rushed over, handing it over to him. Koji placed one between his lips and tapped the other into his pocket, then gestured for Abuto to light it. Once the flame touched the tip, Koji gave Abuto a firm pat on the back and leaned against the main door of the mansion.
"What a pain… I've known him for over a decade. I was the one who recommended that bastard to work as a butler in my brother's mansion, and this is the thanks I get?"
He took a few long puffs and kept his eyes forward, watching the guards and General Abuto form their lines. After a moment, he flicked the cigarette to the ground. Then, clicked his tongue in frustration.
"Tsk..i'm gonna have to confront him about it."
***
A bright light yanked Yuki from her deep sleep, jerking her awake. She blinked a few times, then looked around to find herself back in her house, specifically the living room. The walls had cracks in it. It leaked dark liquid, pooling across the floor and within that same liquid, a figure emerged. He towered over her, at least ten feet tall, his body drenched. His eyes glowed white, their shape circular.
Yuki watched the figure in fear, her body unwilling to move. However, at that moment, the figure dropped to his knees and got as close to her ear as possible, whispering.
"Trust no words from Sasaki Shin. He will lead your life to its end."
The dark figure then got up and started walking towards the front door.
Yuki's eyes widened at the figure's words. She placed a hand on her face, trying to process whatever he said. Then, at that moment, her memories flooded back all at once.
"Hey! Wait…is that you Kenji?"
The figure glanced back before opening the door.
"Your identity will be completely changed if Sasaki gets his way. You won't be the Yuki Ayano I knew from school anymore."
Yuki rushed at him, sending the dark liquid splashing as she wrapped her arms around the figure.
"What does that even mean? Explain yourself. You're telling me my life is in danger and that I could lose my identity? But haven't I already? Huh? Tell me Kenji, what should I do?"
The tall, dark figure pulled Yuki away, closing the door behind her.
"My time here is up, but remember this. Even if you change, even if you're no longer the Yuki I knew, I'll still protect you."
The voice continued.
"Yuki, wake up."
***
She opened her eyes raising herself up from the bed with her hands up
"Kenji! Wait…wait…"
Rubbing her eyes, Yuki felt an overwhelming sense of dread. Kenji had turned into a cursed spirit, and it was all her fault. The only explanation she could come up with for his transformation was that he had been without a body for so long.
Yuki exhaled, pushing herself out of bed. Then, she reached for one of the broken mirror shards on the floor, her fingers trembling as she lifted it to her face.
"Who will I become if his plan succeeds?"