The Black Fangs[1]
The Mystery Behind the Rumours
In the early days of the Lotus Continent, countless changes swept across the land. Among the most puzzling of them was the constant and mysterious replacement of rulers and officials. During this time, an anonymous rumour began spreading throughout the continent:
"Almost all of the Crimson Vows are turning into Black Fangs."
The rumour seemed aimed particularly at convincing the Shrouds, and after a certain incident, whoever had started it appeared to achieve considerable success.
The incident occurred when a group of Minoris and Takanos approached the Shrouds in the presence of Hoshika. They claimed that a particular branch of the Crimson Vows had not only looted them for two consecutive days but had also ravaged their homes and killed their people.
The Shrouds immediately denied these accusations. However, the Minoris and Takanos reminded them of the growing rumours and offered to provide proof. They stated that if the Shrouds were still unwilling to believe them, they only needed to lead them to the accused group of Crimson Vows.
The Shrouds refused once more, explaining that even they did not know the locations of the Crimson Vows' hideouts. Most exchanges between them were handled through the Central Group, whose own hideouts were even more difficult to locate due to how rarely its members were ever seen.
The Central Gang
Among all the groups of the Kages, the Central Group was the most mysterious and secretive. With a courier network that stretched across the entire Lotus Continent, they served as the primary link between the Shrouds and the Crimson Vows. Apart from acting as messengers and postmen, they personally tested gifted goods on their own bodies to protect the Crimson Vows from any possible threats.
Most of these goods were stored within hidden compartments deep inside the mountains where their primary hideouts were located. To keep both themselves and the stored items concealed, they used powerful mantra-invoked magic that sealed their presence from nearly everyone's sight.
Meanwhile, the Minoris and Takanos, having failed to obtain any information from the Shrouds, remained hidden near the village in search of new leads. By the end of the week, they finally spotted a wandering member of the Central Group moving through the forest near midnight, gliding along the treeline like a shadow.
Several high-ranking officials quietly followed him, but his speed soon overwhelmed them, causing them to lose track of him completely.
The Hoshika among them immediately suspected the use of magic. Realizing this, they summoned several highly skilled priests who were masters of divine spells and magical arts. Together, they conducted a large-scale tracing ritual to identify the source of the magic.
Their efforts yielded some results, but the magical trail abruptly ended near a particular area. Upon further investigation, the group discovered that the location lay on the outskirts of the village, near a mountainous region.
Several more days passed in trial and error. Despite their efforts, no further progress was made, and eventually even the head Hoshika began to lose hope.
The Hoshika
Among the group was 'Hijiri', a young and noble-hearted Hoshika who now served as their leader. After the passing of his father, a humble and kind-hearted Hoshika respected in his time, the leadership naturally fell into Hijiri's capable hands.
Though only twenty-five years old, Hijiri was known for his honesty, sharp judgment, and unwavering sense of duty. With the situation growing increasingly unusual and difficult for the higher ranks to handle, he had personally joined the investigation alongside several senior officials from the Takano and Minori clans.
The Village
On the very first day that the higher-ranking officials arrived at one of the Kage villages, Hijiri, as a Hoshika official, personally spoke with the villagers in search of clues or answers. Finding none, the group was eventually directed to the village chief, a capable middle-aged woman who guided the village with steady and able hands.
However, she agreed to meet them on one condition: only one member of the group would be allowed to speak with her.
As the leader, Hijiri naturally accepted the responsibility himself.
When he was led into the village's central hut, he found himself captivated by its beauty and decoration. Everything was remarkably well maintained, reflecting both care and discipline.
There, he met the woman.
She introduced no name, or perhaps simply chose not to reveal it. Though she appeared no older than her early thirties, her calm demeanor and gentle, humble voice stirred something within Hijiri's otherwise detached heart, perhaps the faint spark of a hidden desire.
Despite their conversation, however, Hijiri found no answers. The meeting ended with more questions than truths.
Several days of searching followed, eventually leading to the incident involving the shadow-like figures. Yet even after extensive investigation by many skilled Hoshikas, no meaningful lead was uncovered.
On the final night of their stay in the village, Hijiri sat quietly inside his tent, disappointed by the failure of the mission. As the forest remained silent around him, memories and stories from the past slowly resurfaced, clouding his mind once again.
The Flashback
At the very pinnacle of creation, among countless stories, exists one of great importance: the story regarded as the true beginning of the mortal race. Unlike many other races, they possessed neither divine nor altered powers. They became the rightful inhabitants of Midgard, the Middle Realm.
As the people of this land, they developed three vital systems to transform their pure will into something extraordinary.
The first system gave certain mortals the ability to connect with both the higher Divine Realm and the lower Demonic Realm, acting as a bridge between the two worlds. These individuals became known as the 'Hoshikas'. In later teachings, it was believed that they forged these connections for one purpose alone: to maintain balance.
In theory, the Hoshikas were meant to be as close to perfection as mortals could become. They were expected to remain free from negative influences, even while living in the most corrupt environments. To achieve this, they followed the Threefold Rule: to neither see, speak, nor listen to negativity.
Even intimacy was largely detached from their way of life. It existed only for the continuation of their lineage.
A true Hoshika was expected to master their senses completely. Only those who had conquered the six attributes were considered worthy of ritual marriage and permitted the restrained intimacy required to preserve their bloodline.
This system endured for centuries. However, the highest sect among them was eventually warned through dreams of the inevitable downfall of this seemingly perfect order.
Within every household, the eldest child, whether male or female, was appointed as the primary Hoshika. When divine will deemed two eldest children compatible, they were destined to marry regardless of age differences. Through divine foresight, some Hoshikas could even perceive the future gender of a child, allowing family bonds to be arranged from the very beginning.
As generations passed, however, the younger children of many households grew resentful. Denied the privileges granted to the primary Hoshika, they became increasingly drawn toward the negative aspects of life.
There was also a sacred law. If a family grew greedy and sought to produce more children in hopes of creating stronger or more capable Hoshikas, a divine curse would fall upon them.
From that moment onward, the family would bear no children at all.
Hijiri's Family
During Hijiri's birth, the family destined to become his future in-laws faced a tragic and unusual turn of events. The female child who had been foretold as his future spouse was born male instead. The child passed away during birth, and the child's mother died alongside him. Within a few days, the senior Hoshika of that family, the child's father, also passed away.
As a result, both that household and Hijiri's own family were left without any eligible female heirs.
The Present
When the whirlpool of memories and old stories finally faded from his mind, Hijiri decided to step away from the camp. Hoping to find a quiet place to meditate, he had barely left his tent when he overheard two of his maids speaking among themselves. They whispered about their master and how this failed mission might prove the ancient prophecy true.
Hearing their conversation, Hijiri paused.
Then, suddenly, a hauntingly enchanting melody drifted through the night.
The sound of a glass harmonium floated from somewhere beyond the dark tree line, gentle and nostalgic, like a forgotten lullaby carried by the wind.
Hijiri stood frozen.
For a moment, he simply listened.
Then, almost as though he had fallen under a spell, he left the camp behind and began following the distant tune into the darkness.
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TO BE CONTINUED.....
[1] Sub Title