Chapter 1:
A week or so earlier... A couple of days after Kiyoshi had left his little brother Hikaru.
Kiyoshi: [Thoughts] "Hikaru… I'm sorry! I shouldn't have left you behind… I've been gone for days… What if he thinks I'm dead?! Even if I tried to make my way back to him I couldn't... The weather is so brutal on my body. My bones and muscles ache with so much pain… and on top of all this... I'm lost... With the Sun setting soon, I have little hope of getting out of here... Seeing through the fog is going to be even harder!"
Kiyoshi continues to walk, however, showing signs of serious regret. Fearing he may never find his way back to the Cabin, never seeing his little brother Hikaru, again... Without any real plan to discover and reveal the reason for his parent's death, other than heading to the spot in the forest where his father often cut firewood. Kiyoshi's doubt increases day by day, losing hope in finding his way through the forest... His anger and frustration increase to the point where hatred is all Kiyoshi feels, as a result of his parents' death.
Kiyoshi's hatred drove him to continue moving through the forest, eventually leaving Kiyoshi on his last leg, having not eaten anything for nearly 2 days... his body was so weak, it was as if he had just learned to walk.
Kiyoshi: [Thoughts, speaking in an enraged tone] "Arhhh I can't stop! I can't! I am not dying in this forest! I need to find shelter and food soon, where I'll wait for this blizzard to pass over... or else I won't make it out of here!"
While walking Kiyoshi's body, sparks his fight or flight system. Seeing a vision of his past showing Kiyoshi with his father years earlier fishing at a lake they used to go to in the summer, near the outskirts of the forest where there was a small fishing hut that someone had built. Kiyoshi remembers the calm and atmosphere which came with his experiences with his father while fishing at this lake.
These are memories that Kiyoshi will cherish. His father was his idol, a man that Kiyoshi saw only greatness and true power in. He looked up greatly to his father.
Kiyoshi: [Thoughts]" Of course, The lake I used to with my father too! I can take shelter there! But how would I even find my way to the lake... I can't tell where I am!? All this fog... I can barely see 2 meters in front of me."
Kiyoshi's hope drew thin... Almost ready to accept his fate. Suddenly in the distance, Kiyoshi sees a bright light surrounding a figure. Kiyoshi walked towards the figure desperate for help, wanting to escape this forest more than anything. As Kiyoshi closed on the figure became more clear. A man standing in between two trees. Kiyoshi crept towards the man, who appeared to be staring directly at him. Out of desperation, Kiyoshi shouted at the man.
Kiyoshi: "Hey! Please Help! Please... I'm lost!"
The man stood there. His stance is unchanged. Seeing this moment as his only opportunity to survive, Kiyoshi continues to get closer despite his concern for this mysterious man.
A breeze blew by blowing the fog between Kiyoshi and the man. Kiyoshi's view of the man was crisp, noticing the clothes and scarf that the man wore were the same that his father had worn. Kiyoshi shouts towards the man. This time a lot louder, as he became skeptical of this man.
Kiyoshi: [Shouting] "Who are you!?"
The man responds in a calm welcoming voice while lifting his head and looking at Kiyoshi.
The man: "Kiyoshi it's me... your father."
Kiyoshi: "Father? Could it be?"
Kiyoshi: [Starting to cry] "No... My father is dead! You are just an image in my head!"
The man: [Speaking calmly] "Kiyoshi please stop crying... I may be dead. But I am here to help you, let me get you out of this forest and to our beloved fishing hut, where you'll be safe. We don't have much time, please trust me!"
Kiyoshi: [Thoughts while wiping his tears]"He knows of the fishing hut? But how? Is it really father? There isn't any possible way he'd know of the hut if it wasn't actually him?"
The Man: [Calm and caring voice] "Son. Listen. I know you've been through a lot, and I am so sorry to have left you so early on in your life... My path has come to an end, but yours is only just beginning have so much more to discover Kiyoshi. I have kept it hidden but you are a KozaKura son, you are capable of so much more than you can imagine. I wish I had more time to guide you on and discover your power but unfortunately, I can't... All I can do is help you get to this hut and I will do anything in my power to make sure this happens! So. Let me help you Kiyoshi, I can get you out of here!"
His father's words greatly affected Kiyoshi. He was touched by them, saddened by the news, however, he also felt a sense of hope deep inside him. Kiyoshi began to feel a new drive, a new purpose to push on and escape this forest and discover the reason for his parent's passing, knowing the man he sees in front of him, his father, is of the supernatural. Curious as to what his father had meant by power and the significance of his family, Kiyoshi remembers the words of the mysterious farmer, after hearing the news of his parent's death at the cabin with Hikaru, who had also mentioned his bloodline.
Kiyoshi: [Wiping his tears as he talks] "Thank you, Father... But I don't understand. Why don't you have much time? Is something wrong?"
Father: "I am now a spirit Kiyoshi as I am sure you have already figured out. Your mother and I were killed by the Hoshina, a samurai clan. I have been granted some time to assist you by the Shinigami. They believe strongly in your destiny and have sent me as the one to spark it for you. Now follow me, let's get to this hut! So your legacy can begin."
Hatred and despair built up within Kiyoshi toward the Hinogami. His heart crushed and burnt within him, his emotions were let out in a burst! Now living with the sole purpose to take the Hinogami down!
Father: "Your little brother Hikaru, is destined for power too. Beware of him. He is to become a member of the Hinogami, persuade him to join forces with you, however, if he is to refuse. Show him no mercy!
Kiyoshi: "Yes Father, Hikaru will join my side! I will become a part of the Shinigami and make you proud father!"
Father: "It will not be easy son. But this is your destiny. Work hard and fulfill it! Your journey will soon begin. The Hut is just in the distance."
Kiyoshi's Father's body begins to fade and dissipate into the air itself. His spirit-like features became one with the air around him.
Father: "My time is up Kiyoshi. I know you'll do us proud, your mother and I are always with you son, you are never alone!
Kiyoshi: [Beginning to tear up] No! Not yet, Father, I am not ready to say goodbye! I don't know if I can do it!"
Father: [Fading away into the air] "Avenge us Kiyoshi! You are to become more powerful than I ever was. I hid it from you and your brother but I was a Samurai warrior myself. I fought in battle strongly but fled to the woods in hiding to leave that life behind so I could be a part of your life and witness you grow up. Kiyoshi you have always shown great potential. Go crush those Hinogami!"
Kiyoshi's father had disappeared into thin air, there was no sign of him at all. His last words drove Kiyoshi on toward the hut which he saw in the distance despite his being saddened he felt liberated and ready to conquer anything that stepped in his way no matter what!
Kiyoshi: [Thoughts] "The Hut, I can see it!"
Kiyoshi begins to run towards the hut... Now able to see the lake which was completely frozen over, which wasn't of any surprise to him due to the cold winter season. He ran to the door of the hut, opening it and diving inside to get out of the cold brutal weather...
Kiyoshi: [Thoughts] "Finally I made it! My body is so weak... I need to rest..."
Kiyoshi is so drained and weak from his many days out in the brutal forest, the cold weather affecting his body and mind, dehydrating him...
Kiyoshi lay on the ground of the hut where he fell asleep... He began to dream, dreaming of the times that he spent with his father in this hut, eating the fish they caught from the lake after cooking it over a fire. However, Kiyoshi's happy memories are quickly interrupted by his disturbed mind. His dream turns shifting to a nightmare, his mind is no longer at peace, where he envisions the cry of his mother moments before she is killed, waking him immediately. His face streaming with tears which he wipes away, his lungs struggling for air as he hyperventilates from the terror of such a troubling dream. He forced himself to stand up, trying his best to slow his breathing and calm himself knowing this is no time to be scared.
Looking around the hut, Kiyoshi remembers his father had once left his hatchet in the hut on top of a cupboard, which he used to carry around as a weapon in case of emergencies. Kiyoshi hoping the hatchet was still there, reaches up to the cupboard rummaging around with his hand on top of the cupboard. Standing on his tip toes trying to reach as far onto the cupboard as possible he feels the handle of the hatchet on top of the cupboard, grabbing it and pulling it down.
As Kiyoshi pulls the hatchet down, he looks at the Hatchet seeing a small symbol engraved on the hatchet... immediately triggering a vision.