Whispered promises

Chapter 56

Noshiko Yukimura enters the basement at Eichen House and makes her way to the wall where the body of Corporal Rhys is entombed. Stiles appears behind her and asks why she carved the kanji for "Self" into the wall. She says to signify that Rhys died as himself and not as a monster. It turns out that Noshiko called off the Oni at the loft. Stiles asks why and wants to know what happened to the woman who called out for chaos, strife, and pain to descend upon everyone and everything. Noshiko says she doesn't want that anymore. Stiles counters that he does and snatches away her dagger, her last "tail," and cuts into his own stomach.A swarm of flies comes boiling out, briefly surround Noshiko and then dissipate. "Chaos comes again " void stiles whispered before falling to the floor .

Me and my dad entered the apartment, feeling the weight of the day's events still lingering in the air. The tension was palpable as we both sought solace in the familiarity of our home. The exhaustion in my voice was evident as I mustered the courage to ask my dad the burning question that had been gnawing at me. "Dad, were you really gonna pull the trigger on Stiles?" I asked him, my voice quivering with a mix of anxiety and concern.

"To be honest, I'm not sure," he replied, his voice heavy with uncertainty. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily upon him as well.
"I'd check the firing pin advise you ," I informed him, I had taken precautionary measures, removing the firing pin to ensure that no harm would come from anyone's impulsive actions.
"You removed it?" he asked, a mixture of surprise and relief evident in his expression. "Me and Allison did yeah " I told him in response, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

"That's why the women are the leaders in the family. Get some sleep, trouble," he said, his words filled with a mix of admiration and amusement. I left the kitchen, making my way to my room, where I was greeted by Allison sitting on my bed .

As I entered the room, closing the door Allison wasted no time in expressing her concern. "Why didn't you tell me? You've been having nightmares about the Nogitsune?" she asked, her voice laced with worry. "Because I didn't know that was it at the time," I explained, my voice tinged with frustration at my own lack of understanding. The revelation had come too late, and it felt like an opportunity missed.

"And the marks on your neck?" she continued, her eyes searching my face for answers. I discarded my jacket onto the bed and turned to face her, meeting her gaze.

"I don't know. They're probably there because the Nogitsune tried to get into my head but couldn't," I replied, my words tinged with a mix of defiance and vulnerability. The battle with the Nogitsune had left its mark, both physically and emotionally. "So the headaches , and getting unfocused was him trying to control you " Allison enquired . " I think so yes " I informed her . " look We've got a lot more to deal with than me at the moment. We need to find Stiles," I said, shifting the focus away from myself and onto the pressing matters that awaited us. There was no time for self-pity or dwelling on personal fears.

"I just worry about you." Allison said, her voice filled with sincerity and love. Her concern for my well-being was evident in her every word. I looked at her for a moment, taking in the depth of her love and the genuine care in her eyes. With a gentle smile, I pulled her into a warm embrace, seeking comfort and reassurance in her presence.

"I just didn't want to worry you, that's all," I confessed, my voice filled with a mixture of gratitude and apology. I held her tightly, cherishing the warmth and love that enveloped us both.

"I love you, Allie, more than anything," I whispered, my voice barely above a breath. The weight of those words carried the depth of my feelings, the strength of my devotion.

"I love you too Kat ," Allison whispered back, her voice filled with equal measures of love and tenderness. She held me tighter, as if afraid that I would disappear if she let go, I always knew that together we could face whatever challenges lay ahead.