The battle in the ruined village ended in victory, but the toll weighed heavily on the Shadow Hunters. Kana lay unconscious, her wounds grave but not fatal. The high-grade demon was vanquished, but the lingering corruption of its presence remained in the air.
Kaede sat on the outskirts of the village, staring at the demon's charred remains. Ryoji approached, holding a blackened object—the demon's heart. It pulsed faintly, exuding an eerie, dark glow.
"What are you doing with that?" Kaede asked, her voice wary.
Ryoji knelt beside her, his expression grim. "This is where Blood Art comes from. A demon's heart holds the essence of its power. Consume it, and you gain abilities beyond human comprehension."
Kaede's stomach turned. "That's… barbaric."
Ryoji smirked bitterly. "You think I enjoy this? Nobody does. But when you're faced with enemies that can tear through steel and shrug off mortal wounds, you'll take every advantage you can get."
He stood, holding the heart aloft. "The power comes at a price, though. It's dangerous. Corrupting. And many Shadow Hunters refuse it outright. They hate demons too much to stomach this."
Kaede looked at him, her eyes narrowing. "And you? Have you…?"
Ryoji's gaze met hers, cold and unyielding. "I've done what I had to survive. You'll have to make the same choice eventually."
Kaede didn't respond, but the thought of consuming a demon's heart left a bitter taste in her mouth.
---
Later that night, Kaede wandered the outpost, her mind restless. She stopped outside the infirmary, where Kana rested. Whispers from within caught her attention.
"She's lucky to be alive," one of the healers said. "If she hadn't used Blood Art, that demon would've killed her."
Kaede's heart sank. Even Kana, one of the strongest and most disciplined hunters, had resorted to such a grim measure. Was it truly the only way to survive in this brutal war?
---
The following morning, Ryoji summoned Kaede to the meditation hall. When she arrived, he wasn't alone. An older man stood beside him, his presence commanding. His long cloak bore the insignia of the Shadow Hunters, but Kaede had never seen him before.
"This is Master Tenzou," Ryoji said. "He's from the real Order of Shadow Hunters."
Kaede blinked, confused. "The real Order? What do you mean?"
Tenzou stepped forward, his sharp eyes studying her. "You weren't supposed to be here, girl. Ryoji recruited you without permission. The Order exists in a hidden realm, far from this world. Only the strongest and most disciplined are brought into our ranks."
Kaede felt a surge of anger. "So what? I wasn't good enough for your secret club? People are dying out here, and you're hiding in some 'hidden realm'?"
Tenzou's expression didn't waver. "The Order must remain hidden to protect its secrets. If the demons discover its location, the war is over. And you… you're a risk. An outsider, untrained, and ignorant of our ways."
Ryoji cut in, his voice firm. "She's already proven herself. She fought a high-grade demon and lived. That's more than most recruits can say."
Tenzou's gaze shifted back to Kaede. "You may have potential, but you've broken the rules by being here. That cannot be ignored."
Kaede clenched her fists. "If you're so worried about rules, maybe you should spend less time hiding and more time helping people."
Tenzou's eyes narrowed. "Bold words for someone who knows nothing of the sacrifices we've made. If you truly want to prove yourself, you'll face a trial. Survive it, and perhaps you'll earn a place in the Order."
Ryoji's expression darkened. "A trial? She's not ready for that."
Tenzou's voice was cold. "She doesn't have a choice. If she fails, she'll be sent back to the ordinary world. We cannot afford weak links."
Kaede stepped forward, determination blazing in her eyes. "I'll do it. Whatever the trial is, I'll face it."
Tenzou nodded. "Very well. Prepare yourself. You'll need more than courage to survive what's ahead."
---
As Kaede left the hall, Ryoji caught up to her. "You don't have to do this," he said, his voice low. "The trial is brutal. Many don't come back."
Kaede looked at him, her resolve unshaken. "I'm not afraid. If this is what it takes to become a true Shadow Hunter, I'll do it."
Ryoji sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "You're stubborn, I'll give you that. Just… be careful. The Order plays by its own rules. And they're not always fair."
Kaede nodded. "I'll be ready."
As she walked away, the faint pulse of her sword's light guided her steps. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear—she would face whatever lay ahead, even if it meant confronting the darkness within herself.