Echoes of the Cursed

Unmei felt a dark presence inside him. This presence, called Shinwatekin, was powerful and full of malice. It shadowed his heart, watching him, yet it seemed protective at times. Unmei struggled to control this curse. At moments, it felt like an unwanted guest living in his soul.

Lately, though, he noticed a change. It seemed like Shinwatekin was beginning to accept him like a brother.

During training, Unmei often heard the curse's voice in his mind. It was a mix of sarcasm and mild amusement as he tried to improve his moves.

"You're too slow, Unmei. If you keep moving like that, the Yokai will crush you before you can swing," Shinwatekin said, sounding sharp but oddly encouraging.

Unmei rolled his eyes. "Well, not all of us are ancient beings with unlimited power," he replied with a grin.

He could sense Shinwatekin's frustration turning into pride whenever he succeeded. The curse had a strange loyalty to Unmei, protective like brothers.

One evening, Unmei sat alone in his room and spoke directly to the curse. "Why do you look out for me? Aren't you supposed to be evil?"

Shinwatekin answered softly in his mind, "Evil? Maybe. But you are my vessel, Unmei. If you fail, I fail. And…" He paused, softening his tone. "You're not entirely intolerable."

Unmei chuckled. "Thanks. That's the nicest thing you've said to me."

Shinwatekin huffed, but Unmei sensed some amusement in the darkness. The curse seemed to have developed a soft spot for him, creating an unexpected bond that provided comfort in moments of doubt.

The following morning, Yankai received an urgent report: a Yokai had been sighted near a residential area, attacking civilians and causing chaos. Atama Kaku quickly organized a team, selecting Unmei, Aoi, Michael, and Daichi for the mission. Shiro, who had other responsibilities that day, gave Unmei a serious look before they departed.

"Be careful," he said quietly, his gaze lingering. Unmei nodded, feeling a strange surge of determination. For some reason, he didn't want to let Shiro down.

When they arrived at the scene, the Yokai was unlike anything they had faced before. It was massive, with scaled skin and long, twisted limbs that oozed darkness. The beast seemed to sense their presence immediately, roaring and charging toward them with a frenzy that sent waves of energy rippling through the ground.

Aoi and Michael were the first to engage in the battle. Aoi summoned swirling torrents of water to strike the Yokai, while Michael darted in and out with blinding speed, launching quick, disorienting attacks. For a moment, it seemed they had the upper hand.

However, the Yokai swung its massive arm, hitting Michael with brutal force and sending him crashing into a nearby building. Aoi gasped, momentarily distracted, allowing the Yokai to unleash a wave of dark energy in her direction, knocking her to the ground.

Daichi immediately rushed to their side, kneeling beside Michael and Aoi, who were struggling to breathe. Placing his hands over their injuries, he closed his eyes and summoned his healing power. His hands glowed with a soft, warm light, and gradually, the bruises and cuts on Michael and Aoi's bodies began to heal.

"Just hang in there," Daichi whispered, his voice calm and steady. "You're going to be okay."

Meanwhile, Unmei clenched his fists, feeling a surge of anger rise within him as he watched his friends suffer. The Yokai snarled, turning its attention toward him, its eyes gleaming with malice. But Unmei wasn't afraid. This time, he felt Shinwatekin stirring within him, a cold, fierce power simmering just beneath the surface.

"Let me out," Shinwatekin's voice growled in his mind, eager and filled with darkness. "You want to save them? Then use me."

Unmei took a deep breath, focusing on the curse's energy and allowing it to flow through him. His vision blurred, the world shifting into shades of red and black as Shinwatekin's power merged with his own. A dark aura surrounded him, amplifying his strength and sharpening his senses as the curse took partial control.

The Yokai lunged at him, but Unmei was faster, evading the attack with newfound agility. He lashed out, summoning dark tendrils of energy that wrapped around the Yokai, binding it in place. The beast struggled, roaring as it tried to break free, but Unmei's grip was unyielding.

With a fierce shout, he unleashed a surge of dark energy, sending a wave of destruction through the Yokai's body. The creature convulsed, its form disintegrating under the sheer force of the attack. In a final, ear-splitting roar, it collapsed into ashes, defeated.

Breathing heavily, Unmei felt the power recede as Shinwatekin retreated, his presence fading back into the depths of Unmei's mind.

"You did well," Shinwatekin murmured, his voice laced with pride.

Unmei managed a small smile, feeling an odd sense of gratitude toward the curse. "Thanks. I couldn't have done it without you."

As the dust settled, Daichi approached with a relieved smile on his face. "Nice work, Unmei. That was impressive."

Unmei shrugged, glancing at the remnants of the Yokai with a mix of pride and exhaustion. "Just doing what I had to."

Michael and Aoi, who had regained their strength thanks to Daichi's healing, came over and gave Unmei a thumbs-up.

"You're a lifesaver, man," Michael grinned. "Literally."

Aoi nodded, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you, Unmei. That was… incredible."

Unmei felt a wave of warmth wash over him at her words. He realized he wasn't just the vessel of a curse; he was part of this team, fighting alongside his friends to protect those who couldn't protect themselves.

Back at the Yankai headquarters, Unmei returned to his dorm, exhausted but satisfied. Shiro was there, waiting for him, his expression as unreadable as usual. However, there was something different in his gaze—a flicker of relief.

"Glad to see you made it back in one piece," Shiro said quietly, his tone soft.

Unmei grinned, feeling a surge of confidence. "Thanks. It was a close call, but we made it through."

Shiro nodded, studying him for a moment before speaking again. "You… were amazing out there. I didn't know you had that in you."

Unmei felt his cheeks warm at the unexpected compliment. "Well, I had a little help," he admitted, glancing away. "Shinwatekin's power can be useful when I let him out a bit."

Shiro's gaze softened, and for the first time, he placed a hand on Unmei's shoulder. "Just… be careful with that. I don't want you to lose yourself to the curse."

Unmei looked up, meeting Shiro's eyes and feeling the weight of his concern. "I won't. As long as I have people like you and the others to remind me who I am."

Shiro gave a faint smile, and Unmei felt a warmth spread through his chest—a sense of belonging he hadn't felt in a long time. With his friends by his side, along with the unpredictable yet fiercely loyal Shinwatekin, Unmei knew he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.