CHAPTER 27 — "Mist Veiled Path"
The sea wind howled against the wooden docks as Ashura and his crew stepped off the boat. Before them lay Kagejima Island — a remote, mist-covered land said to be home to forgotten shrines and ancient power.
The villagers stared at them with cold, almost fearful eyes. No one welcomed strangers here.
Temari (softly): "Creepy… feels like they're expecting something bad."
Shoto (grinning): "Or maybe they just don't like your face."
Temari: "Say that again, and I'll stitch your mouth shut."
Even Ashura couldn't shake off the strange tension. It was different from cities they'd visited — the air here was thick, like it was watching them back.
---
They were met by a guide, a man in his late twenties with calm, almost rehearsed politeness.
Guide: "Welcome. You're here for the old shrine, aren't you? I'll take you there."
Ashura's eyes lingered on him for a second too long. His movements were smooth — too smooth, like someone used to wearing a role.
Ashura (thinking): "Something's… off about this guy."
---
The path to the shrine cut through a dense forest. Old torii gates stood crooked, some wrapped in black vines. The fog only grew thicker the deeper they went. It was like they were walking into another world.
Faint whispers floated through the air. At first Temari thought it was the wind. But then she realized the words were too deliberate, like voices chanting behind their backs.
Temari (nervous): "Ashura… tell me you hear that."
Ashura: "…Yeah. Keep moving."
Shoto (trying to lighten the mood): "Maybe it's just some creepy birds."
But even Shoto's usual jokes couldn't mask his unease. His hand hovered over his blade the entire time.
---
Halfway through the forest, their compass spun wildly, and their map started dripping ink as if something was eating it from the inside.
Temari (alarmed): "The map… it's ruined!"
Guide (smiling faintly): "Maps don't work here. The island doesn't like outsiders."
Ashura shot him a sharp look.
Ashura: "Funny how you didn't mention that before."
Guide: "You didn't ask."
That smile again. It was the kind of smile that made your spine crawl.
---
As they approached the outskirts of the shrine, the whispers stopped. Dead silence. Even the wind seemed to die.
Temari's heartbeat pounded in her ears. Shoto wiped sweat from his brow, trying to mask the fear crawling up his spine.
Ashura clenched his fists. He could feel a presence — something watching, something old.
Ashura (thinking): "This isn't just some artifact hunt. We've walked into someone's den."
Guide: "We've arrived… the shrine lies just ahead. Be careful. The forest doesn't take kindly to the uninvited."
The guide's eyes flickered for a split second — not human. But before Ashura could confront him, the man turned and disappeared back into the mist.
---
Temari (whispering): "Did you see his eyes—"
Shoto: "Yeah. I saw it too."
Ashura: "Keep moving. Whatever's waiting for us… knows we're here."
The group stepped forward toward the shrine, unaware that
someone — or something — was already waiting, smiling from the shadows.