Chapter VI: The Disappearance Of The Dassou Clan

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The wind whipped through the empty space where the Dassou estate had once stood, carrying with it a strange, hollow sound. Zento remained on his knees at the edge of the crater, his eyes wide and unblinking, as if trying to will the scene before him into some semblance of reality. His mind was racing, struggling to process what he was seeing, but the sight before him defied comprehension. A vast square hole, impossibly precise, stretched before him like a wound carved into the earth. There was no sign of rubble or destruction—just a perfect, clean cut, as if the ground itself had been erased.

Shin stood beside him, his usually placid expression clouded with concern. "What... what could have done this?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly.

Zento didn't answer immediately. He was frozen, his mind clawing for an explanation. His father, his family, the clan members who trained in the courtyard, the servants who prepared meals in the kitchens, all gone without a trace. No fire, no smoke, no sound of battle. Just... nothingness.

"Father...!" Zento finally whispered, his voice breaking. "Father!" He scrambled to his feet and took a few steps toward the crater, as if hoping that calling out might somehow reverse the reality in front of him. "Mother! Everyone... where are you?"

His voice echoed back at him from the emptiness, swallowed by the wind. He felt his heart hammering in his chest, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He had always feared the weight of the future, the burden of leadership, but now that future seemed to have collapsed in on itself, leaving him standing alone on the precipice.

"Zento," Shin said quietly, putting a hand on his shoulder. "We need to find out what happened. Standing here won't help."

Zento shook his head, unable to tear his eyes away from the vast, empty hole. "But... how? There's nothing left. Nothing to investigate... it's just... gone." His voice trembled, each word caught in his throat like a jagged stone.

Shin looked around, his eyes scanning the edges of the crater, looking for any clue, any hint that could explain what had happened. "Maybe... maybe someone saw something," he suggested. "There must be other people nearby. We should ask around."

Zento clenched his fists, trying to regain some semblance of control. "Yes... yes, you're right," he murmured, his voice steadier now. "We can't stay here. We need to find someone who knows what happened."

The two of them turned and began to move away from the crater, Zento's steps slow and hesitant, like a man waking from a nightmare but unsure if he was still dreaming. They made their way toward the nearest village, a small cluster of homes on the outskirts of Shinsenchou, where farmers and tradespeople lived, people who might have seen something. Anything.

The village was quiet, too quiet. Normally, there would be the sound of children playing in the fields, the rhythmic thud of hammers against wood, and the chatter of villagers going about their daily lives. But today, it felt as if the entire world had paused, holding its breath. Zento could feel his pulse quickening again, a cold dread settling into his bones.

He approached the first house, a small, thatched-roof dwelling with smoke curling from a chimney. He knocked on the door, hard and urgent. For a moment, there was no response, but then a middle-aged woman with a weary expression opened the door just a crack, peering out cautiously.

"Excuse me," Zento began, trying to keep his voice calm despite the anxiety boiling inside him. "Did you see... did you see anything unusual today? Anything at all?"

The woman's eyes darted between Zento and Shin, lingering on Zento's clan emblem embroidered on his robe. Her face paled, and she quickly glanced around as if checking for unseen watchers. "I... I don't know anything," she stammered, her voice low and fearful. "Please, leave us alone. We don't want any trouble."

Zento's brow furrowed. "We're not here to cause trouble," he insisted. "My family... the Dassou clan... they've disappeared. All of them. We need to know if you've seen or heard anything."

At the mention of the Dassou clan, the woman's eyes widened, and she made a quick sign with her hands, a protective gesture against evil. "The gods," she whispered, barely audible. "They're angry... they're taking back what they gave."

Before Zento could ask anything more, the woman shut the door with a frightened slam, the sound echoing down the empty street. Zento turned to Shin, confusion and frustration etched on his face. "The gods?" he muttered. "What does she mean by that?"

Shin shook his head. "I don't know, but we need more information. Let's try another house."

They moved to the next dwelling, a larger, two-story home with a wooden sign hanging over the door. Zento knocked again, this time more forcefully. A man opened the door, his face grim and tired. He wore a blacksmith's apron, soot and sweat staining his clothes.

"What do you want?" the man asked bluntly, crossing his arms over his chest.

Zento took a deep breath. "We're looking for answers," he said. "The Dassou clan estate has vanished—"

"I know," the blacksmith cut in, his tone clipped. "We all know. The whole village felt it. A rumbling, like the ground was splitting open. Then... silence. When we went to look, the estate was gone. Just gone."

"Did you see anything?" Shin asked, stepping forward. "Anyone unusual around, any signs?"

The blacksmith shook his head. "Nothing. One moment it was there, the next... it was like it never existed. People are saying it's the gods, punishing us for our hubris. For our abilities."

Zento's heart sank. "But why? Why would the gods take the entire estate? What could they want?"

The blacksmith shrugged, his expression dark. "I don't know, and I don't want to know. It's not for us to question the will of the gods. If they're angry, maybe it's time we all prayed for forgiveness."

He turned away, shutting the door firmly, leaving Zento and Shin standing in the middle of the street, surrounded by the silence of a fearful village.

As they continued their search, they heard the same whispers over and over: "The gods are angry... The gods are taking back their gifts... Pray for mercy." The words seemed to hang in the air, an oppressive weight pressing down on them with each step.

Zento felt a growing sense of desperation. He had been prepared to face a thousand enemies, to fight for his clan's honor, but this... this was something beyond his understanding. How do you fight against the gods themselves? How do you protect your people from a force that could make them vanish without a trace?

He stopped, his fists trembling at his sides. "This is pointless," he muttered. "They're all too afraid to talk. And who can blame them? If the gods are truly behind this, then what can we do?"

Shin looked at him, his expression thoughtful. "Maybe the answer isn't here," he suggested. "We need to find someone who knows more about these disappearances. If this has happened to other clans, then there must be others investigating it."

Zento nodded slowly, realizing Shin was right. "Raito," he said suddenly. "The Kasetsu clan—they have knowledge of many things. If anyone knows what's happening, it would be them. I should have listened to my sister when she tried to warn me."

Shin raised an eyebrow. "Raito Kasetsu? I've heard of him. A man who sees through every lie. But isn't he... a recluse?"

Zento nodded. "He is, but his clan might know something. We have to try."

Without another word, the two of them turned and began to make their way toward the Kasetsu clan's estate, a plan forming in Zento's mind. As they moved, Zento felt a flicker of determination rise within him. He had always feared the future, always doubted his ability to lead. But now, with his clan gone and the gods themselves possibly to blame, he realized he had no choice. He had to confront this unknown force, whatever it was, and find out the truth.

The road ahead felt darker, more uncertain than ever, but he knew he couldn't turn back. The gods might be against them, but Zento would find a way. He would find his clan, his father, his people, and he would demand answers. He would not rest until he uncovered the truth, even if it meant facing the gods themselves.

And as they walked, the sun dipped below the horizon, leaving only the shadowed path ahead—a path that would lead them deeper into the mysteries of a world where abilities had always been blessings, but were now becoming curses. 

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