The journey back to the headquarters was somber, the weight of their failure pressing down on their shoulders. The headquarters of the Demon Hunter Guild, a sprawling complex hidden beneath the city, bustled with activity as hunters moved about, weapons in hand, and determination in their eyes.
Ichiro and Kenji made their way through the labyrinthine corridors, their expressions grim. They reached the boardroom, where the council of senior hunters awaited their report. The room was dimly lit, the atmosphere tense with the weight of unspoken concerns.
At the head of the table sat Master Takeda, a venerable figure whose wisdom and power were unmatched. His piercing gaze swept over Ichiro and Kenji as they entered, his expression unreadable.
"Report," Master Takeda commanded, his voice steady.
Ichiro stepped forward, his posture rigid with tension. "Master Takeda, the mission was going good and steady till my carelessness caused… Akane, she is possessed. We attempted the ritual, but the demon's hold was too strong. She escaped after summoning a horde of low-class demons to cover her retreat."
Murmurs of concern rippled through the council. Master Takeda's expression remained stoic, but his eyes held a glint of worry. "And what of her condition? Was there any sign of her fighting the possession?"
Ichiro hesitated, the memory of Akane's eyes flickering between red and green haunting him. "There were moments where it seemed she was fighting, but the demon's influence is overpowering. We injured her during the confrontation, but she managed to escape."
Master Takeda nodded slowly, his fingers steepled. "The situation is dire. Akane's possession poses a significant threat, not only to our guild but to all of humanity. We must find a way to free her, or..."
His voice trailed off, the unspoken alternative hanging heavily in the air. The council members exchanged uneasy glances, the gravity of the situation sinking in.
"We will convene and discuss our next course of action," Master Takeda concluded. "You may leave."
Ichiro and Kenji bowed and exited the room, the tension between them palpable. As they made their way to the quarters, the silence between them grew heavy with unspoken words. Finally, Ichiro could hold back no longer.
"What were you trying to do to your sister?" Ichiro demanded, his voice low but filled with anger. "You were supposed to help save her, not..."
Kenji's expression hardened, his eyes meeting Ichiro's with a steely resolve. "I was trying to do what needed to be done. The demon inside her is dangerous, and if we can't save her, we have to consider the alternative."
Ichiro's fists clenched at his sides, his body trembling with barely restrained fury. "She's still in there, Kenji. I saw it. We can't just give up on her."
Kenji's eyes softened slightly, but his resolve remained firm. "I don't want to give up on her, Ichiro. But we have to be realistic. If we can't free her from the demon's grasp, we might have no choice."
Ichiro turned away, the pain in his heart nearly overwhelming. "We will find a way. We have to."
The two walked in silence the rest of the way to their quarters, the weight of their mission hanging heavily between them. The future was uncertain, and the path ahead fraught with danger and difficult choices. But one thing was clear: they both have different resolves and would not give up, no matter the cost.