The lake was black glass under a silver sky.
Mist curled along its edges as Ishikawa, Yumi, Asaki, and Sayaka approached the old wooden dock hidden in the reeds. A single flat-bottomed boat waited, roped loosely to a weather-worn post, its oars already resting inside.
They were close to the sacred isles, where they hoped to find sanctuary. But Ishikawa's instincts tensed like coiled steel. He paused before stepping into the boat.
"Something's wrong," he muttered.
The wind shifted.
Petals.
Black petals drifted across the lake's surface like an omen.
Kagura appeared without sound, emerging from the reeds like a phantom. She stood on the opposite bank, flanked by Kurohana rebels in ash-colored armor. Her mask was off—her face gaunt, eyes cold as winter light.
"Going somewhere, Ishikawa?"
Sayaka moved protectively in front of Yumi.
"Kagura," she said through clenched teeth. "Still hiding behind poetry and blades?"
Kagura smiled faintly. "Still hiding from yourself, Sayaka? Or is your loyalty now to the Phoenix girl?"
Steel rasped free as Sayaka drew her blade. Kagura matched it.
The two women stepped forward—and met in the middle of the dock.
Their swords clashed with the sound of glass breaking. Every strike between them was history: shared, tangled, painful. Kagura's technique was refined, angular—a dance of precise cruelty. Sayaka's was heavy, emotional, full of heart and raw intent.
"You never understood Tomoie," Kagura hissed as they broke apart. "She was more than a blade."
"And you loved a shadow of her!" Sayaka shouted.
On the shore, Asaki turned to Yumi. "Get in the boat—now!"
Yumi hesitated. Her eyes were wide, lips trembling. The air around her shimmered faintly.
But before they could move, the lake itself rippled.
The 99-Eyed Monk appeared, gliding atop the water like a nightmare untethered by gravity. His chains slithered behind him like iron serpents, glowing with ancient seals.
His eyes—blank and milky—seemed to pierce them all.
"The vessel must be sealed," he whispered.
The chains shot forward with terrifying speed. Ishikawa swung Kurayami and deflected two, but the third wrapped around his shoulder and slammed him into the ground.
Yumi screamed.
The chains curled around her legs and arms, binding her in midair. She convulsed, glowing, flames beginning to flicker around her hair.
The Monk raised a hand. "Ash. Return to ash."
Then Asaki stepped between them.
Her eyes were glowing crimson. Her breath came in ragged gasps. The vial of cursed blood burned within her veins like molten iron.
Shikkiri: Akatsuki Enjin (執切り・暁焼き英介) — Crimson Dawn's Edge.
Her blade tore through the air, severing one of the Monk's chains. He staggered for the first time.
"Asaki!" Ishikawa gasped. "Stop—the blood will—"
She turned, half-smiling, half-burning. "I can still feel myself."
And then she was gone, a blur of fire and steel as she slashed through the circle of chains. Kurohana rebels rushed forward, but Ishikawa rose, bloody and limping, to intercept them.
Kagura disengaged from Sayaka, eyes locking onto Asaki.
"You're using his blood," she said flatly.
"Better than drowning in yours," Asaki snapped, leaping forward.
Their blades met with explosive force.
But in the heart of the storm, Yumi floated above the dock.
Her flames had turned white-gold.
Tears streamed down her face.
"Please," she sobbed, straining against the chains. "Don't kill him."
The Monk paused.
Her voice echoed.
Not with wrath.
But with sorrow.
"He doesn't want to hurt me," she whispered. "He was just... made to."
Her hands ignited, not with fire, but light.
She reached for the chains.
They burned away like frost in the sun.
The Monk fell to his knees.
Silence.
The rebels faltered.
Kagura's blade lowered. Her mask slid back into place. "This isn't over."
She vanished into the smoke as more Kurohana scattered.
Sayaka dropped to her knees. Ishikawa coughed blood, leaning on his sword.
But it was the Monk who spoke first.
"Your fire... is not wrath," he whispered, bowing his head to Yumi. "It is grief."
She floated down, trembling, into Ishikawa's arms.
And the lake rippled again.
The boat waited.
The flames had passed.
But the war was far from over.
To be continued...