The journey back was quiet.
Too quiet.
Raizen walked ahead.
His steps steady—
But his mind wasn't.
Unstable Change
The shadow followed him.
But not like before.
It moved…
Differently.
Kagen Observes
Kagen kept his distance.
Watching closely.
"…It hasn't settled."
Raizen didn't reply.
He could feel it.
Something inside had shifted.
Return to Hunter Grounds
By night—
They arrived.
But the moment Raizen stepped inside—
Everyone felt it.
Reaction
Hunters stopped.
Turned.
"…What is that?"
"…That presence…"
Raizen froze.
"…They can feel it."
Unusual Aura
The air around him—
Was darker.
Heavier.
Council Summoned
Within minutes—
They were called.
Inside the Hall
Silence filled the room.
All eyes on Raizen.
"…Explain."
Kagen stepped forward.
"…A new entity appeared."
A pause.
"Not a demon."
"Not part of the Circle."
Tension
The council remained still.
"…And contact?"
Raizen answered.
"…Brief."
"…But enough."
Observation
One of them stood.
"…Step forward."
Raizen did.
Inspection
"…Release your power."
A pause.
"…Slowly."
Controlled Activation
Raizen closed his eyes.
Breathing steady.
The shadow emerged.
Calm.
Controlled.
Difference Noticed
But something was wrong.
The color—
Deeper.
Almost… distorted.
Mark Appears
Suddenly—
The mark spread.
Across his arm.
Faster than before.
Darker than before.
Shock
"…It evolved."
New Pattern
The mark was no longer unstable.
It was structured.
Defined.
Reaction of Council
Silence turned heavy.
"…This is dangerous."
"…No—"
"…This is unknown."
Raizen's Control
Raizen opened his eyes.
"…I can control it."
A pause.
"…For now."
Kagen's Concern
Kagen spoke quietly.
"…That's the problem."
Analysis
One of the council members stepped forward.
"…Your power has changed."
"…It's no longer just Shadow Breathing."
Naming the Change
A pause.
"…It's something else."
Raizen's Question
"…Then what is it?"
Silence.
No one answered.
Hidden Fear
Because no one knew.
New Risk
"…You may no longer fit within our system."
The words landed heavily.
Implication
Raizen understood.
"…You're saying I'm a threat."
No denial.
Decision Pending
"…We will observe."
A pause.
"…Closely."
After the Meeting
Outside—
The air felt colder.
Raizen stood still.
Looking at his hand.
Internal Thought
"…It changed…"
A pause.
"…But it's still mine."
Kagen's Warning
"…Don't be so sure."
Final Scene
Raizen's shadow moved slightly—
Without command.
Just for a second.
Then stopped.
Ending Line
When your power evolves beyond understanding—
Even allies begin to fear you.