The higher they climbed, the more the forest seemed to close in around them. The moonlight flickered through the canopy as if nervous to shine too brightly, and even the stars hid behind passing clouds. The mountain path was narrow and steep, barely more than a series of stone steps carved centuries ago by monks long dead.
Hiroto carried Yui on his back now. She had fallen asleep sometime during the climb, her small arms draped around his shoulders, her cheek resting against his neck. Her breathing was slow, soft, steady one of the few sounds Hiroto took comfort in.
Goro walked ahead, silent for once.
Which was… unsettling.
Hiroto adjusted his grip under Yui's legs and quickened his pace. "How far is this shrine?"
"Not far," Goro said. "When you see the torii gate, you'll know we're close."
"How do you know it's safe?"
Goro lifted an eyebrow. "I didn't say it was safe."
Hiroto nearly tripped. "Then why are we going there?"
"Because," Goro said, scratching his messy hair, "it's the only place left that might hide you from the Black Daimyo's trackers."
"Might?"
"Kid, if you want guarantees, you're living in the wrong century."
Hiroto grumbled under his breath. "You're impossible."
Goro smirked. "And yet you're following me."
Hiroto had no response to that.
They continued upward, the path growing steeper, the trees thicker. Roots like twisted claws jutted from the soil. Moss covered every stone. Strange shrines, barely large enough to hold a candle, dotted the edges of the trail each one carved with worn symbols Hiroto didn't recognize.
After nearly an hour, the forest suddenly opened into a clearing.
Hiroto stopped.
For a moment, he forgot to breathe.
A massive red torii gate towered before them, its wooden frame scarred by age but still standing strong. Vines wrapped around its pillars, and a faint breeze rustled hanging paper charms.
Beyond the gate, stairs climbed toward a cluster of buildings barely visible through drifting fog.
Goro placed a hand on the torii's pillar. "The Shrine of the Silent Moon," he said. "Built long before any of the clans existed."
Hiroto stared. "It looks abandoned."
"Oh, it is," Goro said. "Mostly."
"Mostly?"
Goro didn't explain.
Instead, he ducked under the gate and started up the stairs.
Hiroto tightened his grip on Yui and followed. His legs screamed in protest; the steps were steep, uneven, and slick with moisture. His breath came in steady bursts.
Halfway up, Yui stirred.
"Hiroto…?" she murmured sleepily.
"It's okay," he whispered. "We're almost somewhere safe."
She closed her eyes again, trusting him completely.
He wished he trusted himself that much.
The mist thickened as they climbed, curling around their legs like living things. The air grew colder, tinged with the faint scent of incense.
Finally, after what felt like forever, they reached the top.
The shrine grounds stretched before them ancient, quiet, bathed in silver moonlight.
A wooden hall, its roof sagging with age. Two smaller side buildings. A central courtyard with weeds growing through cracked stone tiles.
And a massive bell tower overlooking it all.
Hiroto exhaled. "It… really is abandoned."
"Good," Goro said. "That makes it less likely anyone will look for you here."
He walked across the courtyard, boots crunching against loose gravel. Hiroto followed, adjusting Yui on his back.
"Put her down inside," Goro said, nodding toward the main hall. "There should be old mats. Dusty, but better than dirt."
Hiroto carried Yui into the hall. The door slid open with a loud groan. Inside, moonlight filtered through broken panels, illuminating rows of prayer stands and faded scrolls. Cobwebs clung to the corners. The air smelled of old wood and forgotten years.
He found a corner with a worn sleeping mat, shook it out, and gently laid Yui down.
She curled instinctively into the blanket he draped over her.
Hiroto brushed her hair, his chest tightening with worry.
I'll keep you safe. I have to.
When he stepped back outside, he found Goro standing near the bell tower, staring toward the forest below.
Hiroto walked up beside him. "Are they… following us?"
Goro didn't look away from the dark tree line. "Probably. But this place has something special."
"Special how?"
"It's protected," Goro said. "By old magic. Ancient shrines like this were built to house spirits powerful ones. This one, well… let's just say the Silent Moon doesn't take kindly to uninvited guests."
Hiroto felt a chill. "Spirits? Like… the kind in stories?"
Goro finally turned to face him. "Kid, you awakened a shadow. You saw men possessed by darkness. You think spirits are just stories?"
Hiroto had no answer.
Goro sighed, leaning on his sword like it was a walking stick. "Look, don't panic. I'm not talking about the kind that eat souls or whatever kids imagine. Some spirits protect places like this."
Hiroto raised a brow. "And you're sure this one is friendly?"
"Nope," Goro said cheerfully. "But it hates the Black Daimyo more than us, so that's good enough."
Hiroto groaned. "I'm starting to think you just enjoy throwing us into danger."
"Do I look like someone who plans anything?" Goro asked.
"Yes."
Goro blinked. "Really?"
Hiroto nodded. "You act drunk and careless, but you see things before anyone else. You knew about the possession. You knew where to run. You're hiding something."
Goro stared at him for a long moment.
Then he laughed a deep, raspy sound echoing through the shrine.
"Kid, if you keep noticing things like that, you're going to be a lot more trouble than you're worth."
Hiroto crossed his arms. "You avoided the question."
"Of course I did," Goro said with a grin. "Life's more interesting with mysteries."
Hiroto opened his mouth to argue but something moved.
A flicker of white at the edge of his vision.
He turned sharply. "Did you see that?"
Goro's grin faded. "Ah. She's awake."
"She?" Hiroto whispered.
Footsteps light, soft, barely disturbing the gravel moved behind them. Hiroto spun around.
A woman stood at the entrance of the main hall.
She looked about twenty. Her hair was long and pale, shimmering like moonlight. She wore an old shrine maiden's outfit, white top, crimson hakama, but the fabric glowed faintly, as if woven from starlight rather than thread.
Her eyes were silver.
Not gray.
Silver.
And when she looked at Hiroto, something cold and ancient touched his spine.
"Goro," she said softly. "You brought trouble to my shrine again."
Hiroto stared. "She's a…."
"Spirit," Goro finished. "A very old one."
The shrine maiden walked forward without a sound. Her feet didn't fully touch the ground.
She circled Hiroto once, observing him with curiosity tinged with caution.
Then she spoke:
"You carry darkness."
Hiroto stiffened. "I….I didn't ask for it."
"No one ever does." She stopped in front of him. "Tell me… do you know what sleeps inside you?"
Hiroto hesitated.
Goro answered for him. "He awakened a Shadowforge."
The shrine maiden's eyes widened slightly. "Impossible. That power vanished ages ago."
"Well," Goro said casually, "it's back."
The spirit stepped closer to Hiroto, leaning in just enough that he could see the faint shimmering light within her irises.
"Show me," she said.
Hiroto's heart hammered. "Show… what?"
"Your shadow," she said. "Call it."
Hiroto swallowed hard. "I don't know how."
"You did it once," she replied.
"That wasn't me," Hiroto said quietly. "It just… happened."
Goro scratched his head. "Kid, try calling it. Focus."
Hiroto shook his head. "I don't know what to focus on."
The shrine maiden's voice softened. "Close your eyes."
He did.
"Now," she said, "listen. Not with your ears. With your shadow."
With my shadow…?
He tried.
He breathed slowly.
The world faded.
Darkness pooled at the edges of his thoughts.
And then a whisper.
"You summoned me once in fear. Summon me again in purpose."
Hiroto's eyes shot open.
The shrine maiden nodded. "Good. You hear it."
He took a slow, trembling breath.
Focused.
And called.
A ripple passed along the ground.
Hiroto's shadow stretched unnaturally long, sharp, alive.
Black mist coiled upward, swirling around his arm like a living serpent. The air crackled. His hand tingled painfully.
Then…
shhhhk.
A blade of shadow extended from his palm, pulsing faintly with dark energy.
The shrine maiden stepped back, eyes narrowing.
Goro whistled. "Still rough, but not bad."
The spirit circled the blade, studying it closely.
"Unstable," she murmured. "Still bound by fear. Raw. Untamed." She looked up at Hiroto. "But strong. Very strong."
Hiroto struggled to keep the blade from trembling. "I… I don't want this power."
The shrine maiden raised an eyebrow. "It chose you. That is no longer your choice."
Her gaze turned cold.
"Now tell me, boy. Why has the Shadowforge awakened in you? After centuries of silence?"
Hiroto opened his mouth but before he could answer, the shrine bell rang.
Not softly.
Not gently.
It boomed like thunder.
Hiroto flinched. Yui screamed inside the hall.
Goro grabbed his sword instantly. "That's not normal."
The shrine maiden's expression hardened. "We are not alone."
The bell rang again, shaking dust from the rafters.
This time, a distant roar followed deep, inhuman, echoing through the forest.
Hiroto's blood went cold.
Goro exhaled slowly. "Well. Looks like the Black Daimyo's hounds found us faster than I hoped."
The shrine maiden spread her arms. Silver light gathered around her.
"Prepare yourselves," she said. "Something powerful approaches."
Goro cracked his neck. "Kid."
Hiroto turned.
Goro's grin was sharp, dangerous.
"You're about to see why you need to get stronger."