Akutomi Toshi walked between the houses, his steps heavy and deliberate, guided by a cold, predatory gaze.
The ritual requires almost five people. Two would be sacrificed. Three would serve as vessels for the energy.
He stopped in front of one house.
"Akutomi," he announced flatly.
The door opened immediately, as though the woman inside had been waiting.
"Is he ready?" His stare felt like it could swallow her whole.
"He is." She nodded and stepped aside.
A man emerged, dressed in polished white silk that gave him the eerie elegance of a pigeon. He said nothing.
"Follow me," Akutomi commanded.
The man obeyed without hesitation. Neither he nor the woman questioned the order.
Moments later, five figures trailed behind Akutomi, their white outfits perfectly synchronized.
"You should consider yourselves fortunate," Akutomi said without turning. "I have chosen you for Fate's ritual."
No one replied.
They arrived at a structure resembling a stadium. Cascades of purple energy poured down the empty seats like liquid light.
In the center stood Shishuki, gripping a sharp, mirror-polished sword. A handful of Darkens flanked her motionless, indifferent to the suffocating atmosphere.
"Sis." Akutomi raised a lazy hand in greeting.
Then he glanced back at the group.
"Get in position."
The five in white stepped forward and knelt in the center.
"Close your eyes," Shishuki said calmly.
They obeyed.
Shishuki gave the Darkens a single glance. No words were needed.
Blades rose in perfect unison and sliced cleanly through the right wrists of the kneeling figures.
The victims flinched, teeth clenched, swallowing screams as blood poured out in thick streams far too much, far too fast.
Shishuki lifted the Ghost Vault from behind her.
Two Darkens raised their blades again.
Two clean slashes.
Two heads rolled.
Shishuki pressed the Vault's portal against the chest of the remaining undead woman, ignoring the blood still gushing from her severed wrist.
The moment the portal touched her, she screamed eyes flying open in raw terror.
Her body convulsed as something vital was ripped from her core.
"What—?! This was supposed to be a sacrifice for Fate's ritual, not soul extraction!" Her voice cracked with fear. Her legs kicked uselessly, trying to drag her backward.
The other survivors bolted.
Akutomi sighed.
"This happens every time."
Ice spikes formed in the air around him, red blood pulsing visibly through his veins.
He flicked his wrist almost lazily.
The spikes shot forward, faster than thought, piercing cleanly through calves and thighs. The runners collapsed mid-stride, screaming.
"Now go collect their soul energy," he said, brushing his hand through the air as though dismissing a minor annoyance. He turned away.
Shishuki walked forward without expression and pressed the Vault to each writhing body in turn. Their screams rose and then abruptly stopped.
When it was done, three corpses lay motionless. She tossed the Vault lightly toward Akutomi. He caught it one-handed.
"I'm teleporting to Heaven," she said. "There's an issue with Limson."
She vanished.
Inside the fort, Liyoku sat on the throne, head resting on his fist, eyes closed, breathing slow and even.
"My Lord." Shishuki stopped a respectful distance away.
He didn't open his eyes.
"Lady Nao must be sent to Aeni now," she continued. "She's inside the walls. Somewhere here."
His eyes opened calm, unreadable.
"Go."
Shishuki found Nao on a high branch, red gown catching faint sunlight.
"My Lady." Her tone carried deference.
Nao turned her head.
Her pupils were vertical slits. Serpent-like. Perfect.
"As you've returned, if you wish… I can take you to Aeni. Your daughter."
Nao stood slowly.
"Let's go then."
Shishuki took her hand.
They reappeared among trees.
"Go forward," Shishuki said. "You'll find Heavenly Kaatoumo. Aeni will be there… with Akarum."
"Who's that?" Nao asked.
"Sinu's child," Shishuki answered quietly.
"Is that so?" A slow, sadistic smile curled Nao's lips.
She stepped toward the structure. Shishuki vanished behind her.
A short while later, Nao reached the gates of Heavenly Kaatoumo.
She knocked.
The gate opened.
Akarum stood there, visibly irritated at being disturbed.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
Then his eyes focused on her face.
Unease flashed across his features.
A Rot-Human.
He clenched his fist, ready to strike.
"I'm not here to harm anyone," Nao said softly. "I am Aeni's mother."
"You're supposed to be Akarum Tatsuo," she added.
"No longer Tatsuo. It's Konose now."
Nao reached out and gently patted his head.
Akarum froze.
What the hell is she doing?
"Who's there, Akarum?" Bluesy's voice drifted from inside. She lay on the ground, still tied with rope, a cat curled asleep on her stomach.
"I don't know yet," Akarum muttered, stepping aside so Bluesy could see.
"Nao Limson," Nao answered, stepping past the threshold.
Why is Aeni's mother a Rot-Human?
Akarum stared hard at her.
Nao walked toward Aeni, who sat curled in a chair, fast asleep.
"She looks so innocent," Nao murmured, bending close to study her daughter's face.
Akarum's suspicion sharpened.
"Tell me, who are you really?" His voice cut like a blade.
Suddenly a faint, impossibly delicious smell drifted through the air.
Akarum inhaled deeply.
"Is Kashime cooking something good?" He bolted toward the kitchen without another thought.
Nao watched him go, chuckling softly.
"He's… surprisingly carefree."
She turned to Bluesy.
"And who are you?"
"Bluesy. Just Bluesy." Bluesy answered innocently, staring up with wide eyes.
"You're the Divine that Shishuki had mentioned… and yet you're tied up." Nao raised an eyebrow.
"That's interesting."
"Akarum did it," Bluesy explained. "He said I'm a fox now, so I have to stay tied up and eat berries."
She pointed at the small pile of berries beside her.