The forest lay shrouded in an unsettling silence, the wind weaving through the trees like a whispering ghost. Unmei, Hanzo, and Daichi pushed through the dense underbrush, their hearts heavy with worry as they followed the faint trail left by their missing friend, Kazu. Hours had passed since they began their search, and with each step, their anxiety deepened.
"Kazu wouldn't just vanish without a reason," Unmei asserted, his voice taut with concern. He brushed aside a low-hanging branch, revealing a glimpse of the darkening sky above.
Hanzo's sharp gaze darted about, scanning the shadows that danced between the trunks. "You're right, but something feels off. It's too quiet," he replied, his instincts honed from years of training alerting him to the unnatural stillness.
Daichi halted abruptly, his senses tingling. "Do you smell that?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Unmei frowned and inhaled deeply. "Blood," he confirmed, dread pooling in his stomach.
They sprinted, urgency propelling them forward until they burst into a clearing that stole their breath away. The scene before them was horrific—a battlefield marred by chaos and violence. Fallen trees lay strewn across the ground like broken toys, scorched earth bore witness to fierce flames, and deep claw marks were etched into the soil like some monstrous beast had claimed dominion over this place.
At the centre of this devastation was a massive pool of blood glistening under the moonlight, its crimson hue stark against the dark earth. Nearby lay the dismembered corpse of a yokai, its grotesque form torn apart with a precision that spoke of both power and rage.
Daichi knelt beside the bloodstains, trembling as he reached out to touch the crimson splatter. "This is Kazu's," he whispered, horror lacing his voice as he pulled back his hand stained with blood.
Unmei clenched his fists in frustration. "Where is he? He couldn't have just disappeared!" His mind raced with thoughts of their friend's well-being.
Hanzo's usually calm demeanour faltered as he surveyed the area. "There's no sign of him leaving. This much blood... he must be badly hurt." His voice was grave as he considered the implications of such a loss.
Daichi closed his eyes, summoning his healing energy to probe the remnants of Kazu's power lingering in the air. "I can feel traces of his energy. He was fighting hard—pushing himself to his limits." His brow furrowed in concentration.
Hanzo cursed under his breath. "Why would he take on something this powerful alone?" The question hung heavy in the air.
Unmei's jaw tightened as realization dawned on him. "Because he didn't feel like he had anyone to rely on." The weight of those words settled over them like a shroud.
Daichi rose to his feet, determination igniting in his eyes. "We need to find him. Now."
As they fanned out to search for more clues, Hanzo discovered a trail leading deeper into the forest—drops of blood staining the foliage like breadcrumbs guiding them toward Kazu's fate.
The trail abruptly ended at a riverbank where the rushing water seemed to mock their desperate search. Unmei slammed his fist against a nearby tree in frustration. "Damn it! He's hurt, and we're wasting time!"
Hanzo placed a steadying hand on Unmei's shoulder. "We'll find him. He's too stubborn to give up now." His voice was firm, instilling a flicker of hope in their hearts.
Daichi's gaze remained fixed on the riverbank as despair threatened to overwhelm him. "He's alive," he said softly but with conviction.
Unmei and Hanzo turned toward him, hope rekindling in their eyes. "How do you know?" Hanzo asked urgently.
Daichi pointed toward bloodstains that trailed into the water. "This much blood should've killed anyone else. But not Kazu. He's strong—he wouldn't leave without a reason." His faith in their friend shone through even amidst uncertainty.
Unmei nodded resolutely, determination hardening his features. "Then let's keep moving. We'll find him, no matter what."
As they pressed onward through the thickening shadows of the forest, an ominous presence lurked nearby—a shadowy figure hidden among the trees watched them intently before retreating silently into darkness, carrying news to an unseen master.
Kazu was out there somewhere in perilous danger, and whatever threat loomed over him was far from over yet. The trio's resolve solidified; they would not rest until they uncovered the truth behind Kazu's disappearance and brought him home safely from whatever horrors awaited in the depths of the forest.