As Kai burst forth from the underwater cavern, the phosphorescent glow still lingering around him, he leaped into the sea with a grace that defied his human form. The waters, once tumultuous, now caressed him gently as he emerged on the shores. Onlookers, drawn to the spectacle, gasped in disbelief at the sight of a man emerging from the ocean depths.
**Villager 1:** *(pointing in shock)* Look, what in the world?!
**Villager 2:** *(whispering to another)* Is he a ghost?
As Kai approached the astonished crowd, murmurs rippled through the gathering.
**Villager 3:** Who is he? And where did he come from?
**Villager 4:** *(squinting)* Look at his eyes. They seem... otherworldly.
Kai, now standing among the bewildered villagers, approached them with a calm demeanor.
**Kai:** Excuse me, where am I, and what year is it?
**Villager 5:** You're in Maru Village, far to the west of Namiwaka. And, uh, it's the year 10 AG (After Guardians).
**Kai:** *(muttering to himself)* Ten years...
With a determined stride, Kai marched towards the dense forest, his eyes fixed on the horizon. An old man, weathered by time and caution, shouted a warning.
**Old Man:** Boy, that forest is haunted by monsters! You'd best turn back!
Kai, without sparing a glance, continued into the looming shadows of the woods. As he ventured deeper, a wolf-like monster emerged from the shadows, its eyes gleaming with hunger.
**Wolf Monster:** *(growling)* You seem like a perfect meal, little human.
In a heartbeat, the creature lunged at Kai, jaws snapping. But Kai, unmoved, stood still as stone. The wolf's attack fell futile, its teeth unable to pierce Kai's skin.
**Wolf Monster:** *(shocked)* Who... what are you?
**Kai:** I am an onmyoji.
Before the wolf could react, Kai blurred into motion, delivering a swift strike that sent the creature sprawling. Stunned, the wolf tried to flee, but Kai conjured an ethereal wolf-like entity with an incantation, a manifestation of his newfound powers.
As the ethereal wolf chased the injured monster, the creature recognized a technique from a distant past.
**Wolf Monster:** *(panicking)* You're a descendant of Van, aren't you?
Kai, now standing over the fallen monster, suddenly commanded it to speak.
**Kai:** Talk.
The wolf, now cornered, shared the tales passed down through monster clans. It spoke of Van, the onmyoji who brought chaos during the great war. The wolf pleaded for mercy, explaining its escape from high-ranking monsters rampaging to the east.
**Wolf Monster:** I haven't eaten for days. Please spare me.
Kai, moved by a surge of compassion, released the wolf monster, telling it to follow. Fearful of both Kai and the looming threat to the east, the injured wolf limped becouse of the injury earlier then kai stop and put his hand on the leg of the wolf monster and suddenly word of incantation flowing from kai hand then it moves to the wolf monster leg healing the injuries that was visible and now it looks like nothing has happen to the wolf. Together, they embarked on a cautious journey toward the east, where shadows of Kai's past awaited discovery.