Kaede sat in the dark, her fingers trembling as they traced the smooth edge of her mother's amulet. The weight of her past seemed heavier than ever, pressing against her chest like a stone. She had fled so far, only for the empire's shadow to find her again.
Above her, muffled voices grew louder as the soldiers barked orders. She closed her eyes and forced herself to take deep breaths, steadying her racing heart. She couldn't allow fear to overwhelm her now.
Meanwhile, in the church's main hall, Ayame held her ground. The captain scanned the room with sharp eyes, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. Kaito stood behind Ayame, gripping Kagekiri tightly. The blade pulsed faintly, its whispers growing louder in his mind.
"They'll find her," Kagekiri murmured. "If you strike first, you can end this before it begins."
"No," Kaito whispered under his breath, shaking his head. "Not yet."
The captain turned to Ayame, his expression darkening. "You're hiding something. I can feel it."
"This is a place of peace," Ayame said firmly, her staff steady in her hands. "Your accusations are unfounded."
The captain's lip curled into a sneer. "Search the church."
Two soldiers moved forward, their boots echoing against the wooden floor as they began overturning furniture and inspecting every corner. Kaito's fingers twitched, his resolve wavering as he watched them approach the cellar door.
"Enough!" Ayame snapped, stepping forward. Her voice carried an authority that made even the captain pause. "You will not desecrate this sacred place any further. You have no proof, only suspicions. Leave, or face the wrath of the spirits who protect this land."
The captain hesitated, his hand tightening on his sword. "Your defiance borders on treason, priestess."
Kaito saw his chance. Before the soldiers could reach the cellar, he stepped forward. "We don't want trouble," he said, his voice steady. "But if you force our hand, you'll regret it."
The captain turned, his eyes narrowing as he studied Kaito. "And who are you to make threats, boy?"
Kaito didn't respond. Instead, he raised Kagekiri, its blade glowing brighter as if responding to his resolve. The captain stiffened, recognizing the sword's power.
"That blade..." the captain muttered, a hint of fear creeping into his voice.
"Leave," Kaito said, his tone cold. "Now."
The captain hesitated for a moment before signaling to his men. "Fall back. We'll return with reinforcements."
The soldiers filed out, their footsteps fading into the distance. Kaito exhaled deeply, lowering the katana.
"They'll come back," he said, turning to Ayame.
"I know," she replied. "But you bought us time."
In the Cellar
Kaede emerged from the cellar, her face pale but determined. "I heard everything," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "You shouldn't have risked yourselves for me."
Kaito turned to her, his expression unreadable. "I wasn't going to let them drag you back. Not after what you've been through."
"How much do you know?" Kaede asked, her tone cautious.
"Not enough," he admitted. "But enough to know you're running from something big."
Kaede looked away, guilt and gratitude warring in her eyes. "You've put your village in danger because of me."
"No," Ayame interjected. "The empire put us in danger. Their arrogance is what led them here, not you."
Kaede clenched her fists. "They'll come back. With more men. They won't stop until they find me."
"Then we need to leave," Kaito said firmly. "All of us. If we stay, we'll just make it easier for them to find you."
Ayame nodded reluctantly. "There's a path through the mountains. It leads to the abandoned temple where the monks once lived. It's remote, and the empire wouldn't expect us to go there."
Kaede hesitated, her gaze shifting between Kaito and Ayame. "I can't ask you to do this."
"Don't ask," Kaito said, gathering his katana. "This is my choice."
Meanwhile, in the Forest
The imperial soldiers regrouped at the edge of the forest, their captain fuming. "That boy," he snarled. "He wields Kagekiri. This changes everything."
One of his men stepped forward. "Should we send word to the capital?"
The captain nodded. "Yes. Inform the emperor that we've found the princess, and the Shadowcutter. The emperor will want them both alive."
As the messenger rode off into the night, the captain's gaze returned to the village in the distance.
"Prepare the troops," he ordered. "When we return, we'll burn that place to the ground."
The shadows of the past were closing in, but Kaito, Kaede, and Ayame were determined to stay one step ahead. With the empire closing in and the temple beckoning in the distance, their journey was just beginning.