The night was colder than usual.
A chilling wind swept through the silent forest as Raizen walked down the narrow path, a small lantern flickering in his hand. Snow crunched beneath his feet, and his breath formed faint clouds in the air.
He sighed softly.
"I'm late… Mother is definitely going to scold me tonight."
A small smile appeared on his face.
Everything felt normal.
Too normal.
As he reached the edge of the village, something felt… wrong.
No lights.
No sounds.
No warmth.
Only silence.
Raizen's footsteps slowed.
His house stood ahead.
The door was slightly open… creaking as the wind pushed it back and forth.
Creeeak…
His heart started pounding.
"Maa…?"
No response.
He stepped inside.
And froze.
Blood.
Everywhere.
The wooden floor was soaked. The walls were scratched as if something monstrous had torn through the house.
His hands trembled.
"N-no… this can't be…"
Step by step, he moved forward.
And then—
He saw them.
His family.
Lying motionless.
Eyes empty.
Bodies cold.
Raizen's world shattered.
"NOOOOO!!!!"
His scream echoed through the empty house.
Tears streamed down his face as he fell to his knees, shaking uncontrollably.
"Wake up… please… someone… please wake up…"
A voice echoed from the darkness.
Calm.
Cold.
Terrifying.
"You finally arrived… Raizen."
His body froze.
Slowly, he turned.
From the shadows… something emerged.
A figure.
Tall.
Unnatural.
With glowing red eyes and a smile that didn't belong to any human.
Dark energy swirled around him like living smoke.
Raizen's voice cracked.
"You… did this…?"
The creature smiled wider.
"Your family was… necessary."
Rage exploded inside Raizen.
"YOU MONSTER!!!"
He rushed forward blindly, throwing a punch with everything he had.
The demon didn't move.
The punch landed—
But it felt like hitting stone.
In an instant—
The demon disappeared.
And reappeared behind him.
A hand grabbed Raizen's neck.
Lifting him off the ground.
"Weak… but interesting."
Raizen gasped, struggling to breathe.
His vision blurred.
His body grew cold.
And then—
Something changed.
His left eye… began to glow.
Darkness started spreading around him.
Like shadows were responding to his will.
The demon's expression shifted.
"Oh… so it's true…"
Suddenly—
SLASH!!!
A flash of steel cut through the air.
The demon's arm was severed instantly.
Raizen dropped to the ground, gasping.
A man stood in front of him.
A swordsman.
Calm.
Deadly.
"Step away from the boy."
The demon chuckled.
"Interesting… a hunter."
His eyes returned to Raizen.
"I'll come back for you…"
And just like that—
He vanished.
Silence returned.
Raizen's body gave up.
His vision faded.
Darkness consumed him.
The last thing he saw…
Was the swordsman looking down at him.
"You're not normal… are you?"