The temple seemed to darken as the woman stepped forward, her piercing gaze fixed on Kazuki. Her movements were deliberate, every step calculated to convey an aura of authority and menace. Ayaka shifted subtly behind Kazuki, her hand resting lightly on the hilt of her blade. She was ready for a fight, though she knew Kazuki would not take the first strike.
Kazuki held his ground, meeting the woman's gaze with unwavering resolve. "You said you want to test me," he said, his voice steady. "Then let's not waste time. What do you want?"
The woman's lips curled into a faint smile, though it held no warmth. "Impatient. I like that. But patience is a virtue in this game, Kazuki Yamael. And it is a game, whether you like it or not."
She gestured toward the shadows behind her, and two more figures emerged. One was a tall, gaunt man with sharp features and a predatory air. The other was a younger woman with an air of quiet confidence, her movements as fluid as water. Both radiated power, though it was the kind of power that came from years of honing their skills in the darkest of places.
"I am Linnea," the woman said, introducing herself with a slight bow of her head. "These are my associates, Malrick and Kaede. We are representatives of the Azure Serpent. And we have been watching you, Kazuki. Your potential. Your bloodline. But potential means nothing without proof."
Kazuki raised an eyebrow. "Proof? What kind of proof are you looking for?"
Linnea's smile widened, and this time there was a hint of something dangerous in her expression. "A simple task. A demonstration of your abilities—and your resolve. There is an intruder in these lands, someone who seeks to destabilize the balance of power. Eliminate them, and we will consider your request for our support."
Kazuki frowned, his mind racing. "An intruder? Who?"
"A rogue exorcist," Linnea said smoothly. "A hunter who has been targeting those affiliated with the Yamael and the Azure Serpent. They have already killed two of our allies and are moving closer to your territory. This is not just a test, Kazuki. It is an opportunity to protect what is yours."
Kazuki's jaw tightened. He didn't like being used as a pawn, but there was no denying the logic in her words. If this exorcist posed a threat to his clan, they needed to be dealt with. Still, something about Linnea's tone set him on edge.
"And how do I know this isn't just another game of yours?" Kazuki asked coldly.
Linnea chuckled softly, the sound echoing in the hollow temple. "Oh, it is a game, Kazuki. Everything is. But the question is whether you're willing to play—and whether you can win."
Kazuki glanced at Ayaka, who gave him a small nod. She trusted his judgment, but her posture told him she was ready to strike at a moment's notice.
"Fine," Kazuki said, his voice firm. "I'll handle the exorcist. But when it's done, we talk. No more tests."
Linnea inclined her head. "Agreed. Malrick and Kaede will provide you with the necessary information. But the execution is yours alone. Show us what it means to be Yamael."
The forest was deathly silent as Kazuki moved through the undergrowth, Ayaka at his side. Malrick had provided them with the exorcist's last known location—a small clearing near the border of the Yamael lands. The moonlight filtered through the trees, casting eerie shadows that danced with every step they took.
Kazuki's grip tightened on his sword hilt as they approached the clearing. His senses were on high alert, every fiber of his being attuned to the faintest sound or movement. Ayaka's presence beside him was a steadying force, her calm demeanor a reminder that he wasn't alone in this.
They reached the edge of the clearing and stopped. In the center stood a lone figure clad in a tattered cloak, their back turned to Kazuki and Ayaka. The faint glow of a purification circle shimmered at their feet, its energy humming in the air. The exorcist was muttering something under their breath, their voice low and rhythmic.
Kazuki took a step forward, his voice cutting through the silence. "You're trespassing."
The exorcist turned slowly, their face obscured by the hood of their cloak. "So, the Yamael sends its heir to greet me," they said, their voice calm but laced with an edge of defiance. "I was hoping for a challenge."
Kazuki drew his sword in one fluid motion, the blade gleaming in the moonlight. "If you wanted a challenge, you've found one. But you won't leave this place alive."
The exorcist laughed, a harsh, hollow sound. "Bold words for someone who doesn't know what they're up against."
Without warning, the exorcist raised their hand, and a burst of holy energy shot toward Kazuki. He dodged to the side, the force of the blast shaking the ground where he had stood. Ayaka darted forward, her blade flashing as she struck at the exorcist, but they moved with inhuman speed, evading her attack and countering with a strike of their own.
Kazuki joined the fray, his movements precise and calculated. The exorcist was fast, their strikes relentless, but Kazuki's training and instincts kept him one step ahead. Ayaka fought alongside him, their movements synchronized as if they had been battling together for years.
The fight raged on, the clearing becoming a blur of steel and light. Kazuki could feel the strain in his muscles, the weight of the battle pressing down on him. But he refused to yield. This was his trial, his chance to prove himself—not just to the Azure Serpent, but to himself.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Kazuki saw an opening. The exorcist overextended, their focus split between him and Ayaka. Seizing the opportunity, Kazuki surged forward, his blade slicing through the air with lethal precision. The exorcist's cry of pain echoed through the clearing as they fell to the ground, their weapon clattering beside them.
Kazuki stood over them, his sword poised for the final blow. The exorcist looked up at him, their face now visible—a young man, his eyes filled with a mixture of defiance and desperation.
"Do it," the exorcist spat. "Finish it."
Kazuki hesitated, his sword trembling slightly. He could feel Ayaka's gaze on him, waiting for his decision. This was his moment, his test. But as he looked into the exorcist's eyes, he felt a pang of something he couldn't quite name.
He lowered his sword.
"You're done," Kazuki said, his voice cold. "Leave this place and never return. If I see you again, I won't hesitate."
The exorcist's eyes widened in disbelief, but they didn't argue. They scrambled to their feet, clutching their wounded side, and vanished into the shadows.
Ayaka stepped beside Kazuki, her expression unreadable. "Mercy? That's a dangerous choice."
Kazuki sheathed his sword, his jaw tight. "It wasn't mercy. It was a warning."
They turned and walked back toward the temple, the weight of the night still heavy on their shoulders. Kazuki didn't know if he had made the right choice. But he knew one thing for certain—the game wasn't over.