RYUSATSUGA

The dawn struggled to break through the leaves, heavy and silent, as if the world was holding its breath.

Kaien woke with an uneasy feeling, a tight knot in his chest. Something was wrong.

Shiro wasn't in his bed.

The group rushed out to search for him, urgency growing. Hanzo stopped abruptly when he saw strange footprints in the damp earth.

—This isn't normal —he murmured gravely—. These marks... they aren't human. Nor are they from a common monster.

Akari nervously stepped closer:

—What do you mean?

Hanzo crouched to examine the torn earth, broken branches, and a dark streak of blood.

—Ancient legends speak of cursed beings... humans with the essence of various creatures, chimeras. Half beast, half many other things. Strength, speed, sharpened senses... but with a fractured soul.

He looked toward the horizon, frowning:

—I thought they were just stories. But now... I fear Shiro might be one of them.

Kaien swallowed hard.

—What if that's true?

—It's not just a transformation. It was a total loss of control. If Shiro fully transforms... he will never be himself again.

Hanzo pulled out a small rolled parchment covered in glowing runes:

—That's why today we will place these containment seals. Not only on him but on you as well. This will protect you from turning into uncontrolled monsters due to the fusion of cursed weapons.

With steady hands, he placed the seal first on Kaien, then on Akari. Both felt a brief burning that turned into comforting warmth.

Kaien closed his eyes and felt Ryusatsuga vibrate softly, as if recognizing the symbol.

The group ventured deeper into the forest, the thick mist and palpable tension making every shadow seem alive.

—Here! —Akari shouted, pointing to a hidden entrance behind moss- and lichen-covered rocks.

Inside, Shiro trembled, his human body soaked in cold sweat. His red eyes reflected inner torment, black veins pulsing beneath his skin.

—Shiro! —Kaien exclaimed, approaching cautiously.

—Stay away... please... I don't want to hurt you... —Shiro gasped, voice broken, barely human.

Hanzo knelt before him, holding the talisman.

—This will hurt, little one, but it's the only way to save you.

He pressed the seal to Shiro's chest. A bright glow enveloped them, absorbing a darkness that seemed alive, a vortex dripping shadow.

Shiro collapsed, breathing heavily. Kaien caught him, relieved.

—We did it. You're okay now.

But relief was short-lived.

A whistle cut through the air. A bolt struck near the cave with a sharp thud.

—GET AWAY FROM THE BEAST! —a deep voice roared.

From the trees, six figures emerged, armed with blessed spears, crossbows, and spirit swords. Their eyes shone with determination and fear.

—That creature is a monster! Kill it before it wakes again! —their leader demanded coldly.

Kaien stepped forward, firm:

—No! He's just a child! He doesn't understand what he is!

One of the hunters, scarred and hard-eyed, replied:

—And does that justify the lives he's destroyed?

His voice trembled, not with anger, but with memories.

—My daughter was five years old. Her only crime was sleeping in the wrong village. All I found was her arm... and an eye that wouldn't close.

He looked at Shiro with tearful eyes.

—And you tell me to let him live?

Kaien hesitated. The pain in that gaze was too human. Too real. Silence fell over the forest.

Akari clenched her fists, voice tense but determined:

—He didn't choose this! It's not fair to judge him for what he can't control.

Hanzo stepped forward slowly, voice firm as a vow:

—Judgment without understanding is just revenge. It won't bring justice, only more pain. And this boy hasn't hurt anyone.

Some hunters wavered, lowering their weapons slowly. But not all.

Then the ground began to tremble with an ominous force. A wind charged with dark energy tore through the air.

From the shadows emerged an imposing figure, clad in black and purple armor radiating a cursed aura. He dragged a headless corpse.

Raiko.

Hanzo's face grew serious.

—...So you found her —he said in a low voice, almost a sigh.

Kaien looked at him confused.

—You know him?

—He's my son.

Akari fixed her gaze on Raiko. His aura was overwhelming, almost tangible.

—What is he?

Hanzo lowered his eyes, weighed down by an invisible burden.

Raiko lifted his gaze, hollow eyes like bottomless pits.

On his back hung the Oni helmet like a dark trophy. In his hand gleamed the black katana Raijin no Kiba, whose purple lightning slowly danced over the blade.

—The Oni Armor... and the Fang of the Thunder God. Two of the six cursed weapons.

—Two? —Akari whispered, voice trembling.

Hanzo clenched his teeth, holding back deep emotions.

A hunter shouted:

—Who the hell are you to interrupt?! Step back!

Raiko gave a small, cold, calculating smile.

—Me?

In a blink, all the hunters fell, without a single visible move. Only the dull sound of bodies dropping and blood flowing.

—I am the only one with the power to fix this broken world —he said emotionlessly.

Akari recoiled in horror. Kaien stood firm between Raiko and Shiro.

Raiko took a step forward, then another. With a slight gesture, he measured an invisible presence.

Hanzo placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

—Not another step. If you touch that child...

Raiko smiled, a mixture of bitterness and challenge:

—Are you going to kill me, father?

Silence.

—Raijin no Kiba... it not only grants speed and destruction. Its curse is worse...

—What is it? —Kaien asked, not looking away.

Hanzo replied with sorrow:

—It consumes the feelings of whoever wields it.

Raiko spoke with an almost superhuman calm:

—I haven't taken his yet because his weapons are still too weak.

You are disappointing. Power without control.

[...more slowly...]

—Do you have the courage to kill your own son?

And then:

—Not yet.

You are not worthy of being destroyed yet.

Raiko turned around, the katana crackling as he walked away. But just before vanishing into the mist, he murmured, almost to himself but loud enough to hear:

—Curious... how much Ryusatsuga has grown since that day at the temple...

Hanzo frowned. Kaien looked up, confused.

Raiko paused for just a second longer.

—I suppose the village's sacrifice was worth it.

Complete silence.

Then, like a distant thunder, his figure disappeared entirely.

| Author's Note |

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