Void (The Youngest, Book 3.B.)

Chapter 二十四 (B)

The snow was falling down even harder as they looked around this garden. Scott distantly remembered that Argent had told him that the first time he saw the Oni and a Nogitsune was in Japan in a place like this. He had Kylie close by his side, her small hand gripping his, her eyes darting around in confusion but with a determined look. She was scared, but she trusted Scott.

They then heard a thumping sound—footsteps heading toward them. They looked and saw the old bandaged form of the Nogitsune stepping out of the shadows. They moved to face it down as it stomped closer.

"Like I promised, Stiles, we're going to kill all of them," it called out, making Stiles tense up and glare at him. "One by one!"

Just then, an Oni appeared, and Kira just managed to block its attack with her sword. She stepped back, and they looked around to see that the other Oni were approaching, surrounding them.

Scott instinctively pulled Kylie closer, his body shielding hers. She looked up at him, her eyes wide, but she tried to look brave. "Stay with me, Ky," Scott whispered.

"What the hell is this? Where are we?" Scott demanded, his voice trembling as he took in the scene.

"Between life and death," the Nogitsune told them.

Lydia realized what that meant. "Bardo."

The Nogitsune's grin widened, his silver teeth gleaming. "Yes, but there are no peaceful deities here, Lydia." He then looked at Stiles. "You're dying, Stiles." Scott gave Stiles a worried look, seeing his friend trying hard to stay composed but with legs that were barely able to support him. "Now, everyone you care about is dying too."

Stiles lost his composure, his eyes widening in shock. Lydia moved to hold onto him, but he kept his gaze locked on the Nogitsune. "What? What do you mean?" he quickly asked.

"I've captured almost all the territories on the board, Stiles. The hospital. The Sheriff's station." He then looked over at Scott. "And now, the Animal Clinic."

Scott's eyes widened. "Deaton," he mumbled.

The Nogitsune smiled at Scott before looking back over at Stiles. "Do you know the ritual of Seppuku, Stiles?"

"No, and I don't want to," Stiles spat back at him.

The Nogitsune stepped closer. "A samurai disembowels himself with his own sword," he said, glancing at Kira. "To retain his honor, but that's not the cut that kills you. The killing stroke is made by his Kaishakunin, who beheads the samurai with his own katana. Scott," he said, pointing to him. "Scott is your Kaishakunin." Scott shook his head in disbelief as they understood what the Nogitsune was implying even before he said it. "I'm going to make your best friend kill you, Stiles, and you're going to let him." Stiles stared at him, his hands trembling. "You are going to let Scott kill you because you know that everyone else is going to die. Everyone touched by an Oni's blade—your father, his mother, Deaton, all your father's deputies, and the people at the hospital—will die, unless," he said, pointing his gauzed finger at Stiles, "Scott kills you first."

Scott, Lydia, and Kira all stared at the Nogitsune in horror, but Stiles was seething with anger.

"Why?" he spat at him. "Why are you doing this?"

"To win the game. I've already won, I told you that, Stiles. Check. Now, it's your final move. Make it, right now, and then... Checkmate," Void growled.

"No!" Scott roared, lunging toward the Nogitsune.

He narrowly avoided being cut by a sword swipe, and suddenly he and Kira were fully engaged in a fight with the Oni, while Lydia pulled herself and Stiles away. Kylie clung tightly to Scott's back, her small hands gripping the back of his shirt as she tried not to let fear overwhelm her.