The morning was cloaked in shades of grey, the air thick with an unsettling stillness. The entire household slumbered, unaware of my resolve. It was the perfect time to slip away unnoticed. Somewhere beyond this suffocating home lay the answers I had been searching for.
I shed my cumbersome twelve hitoes stripping it down to three practical layers. My long hair, once flowing freely, was tied back, its silky loops secured with a white ribbon that now framed my shoulders. It felt liberating lighter and freer. I tucked the three delicate petals of the Edohigan into a small pouch, their faint glow a reminder of my sister, Nikushimi no Sakiya. She had been the guardian of the ancient Edohigan tree, a symbol of great power and terrible consequence.
Before I could leave, there was one place I had to go. A forbidden chamber where my brother, Nikushimi no Homura, had hidden his most treasured possession: the Kogarasu-maru sword.
The path to the chamber was treacherous. It lay far from the shrine, concealed within the depths of a narrow, shadowy cave. The entrance loomed like the gaping maw of a beast, and the air within was cold and damp, as if time itself refused to linger there. My brother had woven intricate spells of protection, ensuring no ordinary being could breach its sanctum.
With each step deeper into the cave, the darkness grew heavier, pressing against my skin like an unseen weight. My heartbeat quickened, not from fear, but from anticipation. The Kogarasu-maru was more than a weapon; it was a key to a truth long buried. A truth that could change everything.
After several minutes of steady steps, I noticed a tall gate looming ahead, its iron surface weathered by centuries of wear. The eerie silence surrounding it only heightened the tension in the air. I placed both hands on the cold holders and pushed the gate open. It groaned under my touch, revealing a small, dark room within.
There, on a small black table, rested the Kogarasu-maru, its blade shimmering faintly as if alive. The room was saturated with an unnatural energy, the mystical aura of the sword pulsating like a heartbeat. I hesitated for only a moment before reaching out and seizing it. My fingers tingled as I wrapped them around the hilt, the weight of the blade far heavier than I expected. Without a second thought, I turned and ran.
The cold air of the underworld burned against my face as I sprinted toward the ghostly stables. Rows of spectral horses shifted restlessly in their pens, their translucent forms glowing faintly. My gaze landed on one. A proud steed with a brown body and a striking white mark across its face.
With fumbling hands, I tied the Kogarasu-maru securely, wrapping it across my back from my right shoulder to my left hip. Mounting the horse was another matter. It was my first attempt, and my inexperience showed. I clung desperately to its mane, my legs trembling as I tried to find balance. Startled by my movements, the horse neighed and bolted, its gallop wild and uncontrollable.
The wind roared past me, the rhythm of hooves pounding against the earth. My heart raced as I gripped its mane tightly, struggling to steady myself. In my panic, I didn't notice we had passed through the torii gate, leaving the underworld behind.

The dense forest stretched endlessly, its canopy breaking only in patches to let molten rays of sunlight spill onto the ground. Dead leaves beneath the horse's hooves glowed faintly, their hues golden and fiery in the sunlight. The stillness of the forest was punctuated by the occasional rustle of leaves and distant birdcalls.
Eventually, the horse slowed to a gentle walk. Exhausted, I decided to rest. Sliding off the horse, I leaned against a tall tree, gasping for breath. The horse turned to me, its calm, intelligent eyes watching as it folded its hind legs and rested on the ground before me.
I couldn't help but smile. Despite the chaos of our flight, the horse seemed to trust me now. Its unexpected gentleness felt like a small victory.
As the sun began to set, we resumed our journey, weaving through the forest. Riding became easier with each attempt, and by the second day, I found myself more confident in the saddle. The horse responded to my guidance, its gallop smooth and steady.
Three days passed. The forest finally broke, revealing the shoreline of an island. A wooden signboard ahead read: "Enoshima." Relief washed over me, but it was fleeting.
As I approached the island, a small village came into view. Smoke rose from chimneys, and faint laughter echoed in the distance. My brother's words rang in my ears: "Humans are our enemies."
Panic overtook me. Pulling the reins sharply, I tried to turn the horse away, but the sudden movement sent me tumbling to the ground. My thick twelve toes cushioned the fall, sparing me from injury, but the horse galloped away without hesitation, disappearing into the distance.
"Wait!" I hissed, my voice barely above a whisper. But it was too late.
I was alone.
The shoreline stretched out before me, the rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the rocks steadying my nerves. A dark silhouette emerged in the distance — a ship anchored at the island. Its skull-and-crossbones flag fluttered in the wind, unmistakably marking it as a pirate vessel.
Cautiously, I approached, wading through the shallow waters and hiding behind a large tree near the ship. It was eerily quiet. No guards, no crew bustling about. Something felt wrong.
"Hey, you!"
The shout came from behind me, sharp and commanding.
My body froze. My heart thundered in my chest, the grip of fear tightening around me.
I knew, in that instant, that my life would never be the same.