The moat of Princess Otohime's castle had no bridge. So Kazin stopped his sprint at rhe foot of the water and took in the breathtaking beauty of the structure. The front gate was strangely white and peace. The castle'a colour flickered between white and blue. How strange. Kazi sensed powerful magic emanating from the gate too. As well, the gate was the sole exception to the flickering colours, being a deep shade of black.
His left eye pulsed.
The water in the moat rippled with gentle grace and from it the Nure-onna stood and unfolded its full height. A black-haired woman with the body of a snake and bobbing on the moat like a guardian, it was a monster that did not seem like a monster. There was emotion in her eyes. Anger and agitation and passion. The Nure-onna's tongue lashed at him and Kazi would block it and skid back.
The Nure-onna hissed, her forked tongue flickering out. "Intruder... you shall not pass—"
This was the future.
