Flames Beneath the Surface

Chapter 1: The Omen of Horns

Mitsuri POV

The air felt heavy, like something was waiting. Every time I walk through the village, I catch whispers. It's been the same everywhere: rumors of a divine creature, something with horns. A lot of people said it's an omen, and whenever it shows up, something terrible happens right after. It's unsettling, to say the least. But I can't help but feel... curious. What kind of creature would have horns like that?

And why does it only appear before disasters?

I tighten my grip on my sword as I walk through the dimly lit forest. The other Hashira are nearby, each of us searching for any sign of this creature. If what the villagers said was true, something bad might be coming. I don't want to believe it, but every time we hear these stories, another tragedy follows.

"Stay alert, Mitsuri," I whisper to myself, scanning the treeline. My heart pounds with anticipation, but deep down, I wonder-what if it's not a threat? What if it needs help?

Sanemi POV

Tch. These damn rumors are driving me insane. Every time we get close, the thing vanishes. Some divine creature with horns, my ass. It's probably just some demon trying to mess with us, but the villagers seem convinced it's more than that. They're scared out of their minds, and when people are scared, they do stupid things.

We've been chasing this thing for weeks now. Just when we think we've caught a lead, it disappears like smoke. It's enough to piss anyone off, but I'm not one to give up so easily. Not when people's lives are on the line.

I grip my sword tightly, scanning the area for any sign of movement. The other Hashira are around, doing their own searches. I hear Mitsuri humming softly in the distance, probably trying to stay calm. Meanwhile, I'm itching for a fight. If this thing shows itself, I'll make sure it knows who it's dealing with.

Horned creature or not, it better be ready for me.

Kyojuro POV

"HAHA! What a beautiful night for a hunt!" I declare, feeling the cool breeze against my face. I love the thrill of chasing something unknown, something mysterious. This horned creature... it intrigues me. A divine beast, they say! What a fantastic challenge this will be.

But then, there's the other side of it. The part where disasters strike after it appears. That part makes my heart ache. People suffer, and it's up to us to stop that. No matter what.

I leap from tree to tree, my eyes sharp, trying to catch any glimpse of this creature. The moonlight guides me, and the stars are my witnesses. I believe we will find it soon, and when we do, I'll do everything in my power to protect those in need.

"Let's give it our all!" I shout into the night, knowing the others can hear me. No matter how tough this mission gets, we'll face it together. That's the power of the Hashira.

Muichiro POV

Horns... I wonder if it's real.

I feel the night breeze rustling through the trees as I walk silently through the forest. My thoughts drift like the wind. The villagers' stories don't make sense. If it's divine, why would it bring disasters? Maybe they're just confused. People tend to mistake things they don't understand for something more than it is.

But I still feel uneasy. Something about the way the creature keeps disappearing... It feels intentional. Almost like it's avoiding us on purpose.

I glance at the sky, the stars barely visible through the thick canopy of trees. I don't feel fear, just curiosity. Whatever this creature is, it has a purpose, and I need to know what that is.

The others are close. I can hear Kyojuro shouting encouragement, as usual. Mitsuri is probably nearby, and Sanemi is grumbling, no doubt. We're all moving together, but separately. And we'll find it, eventually.

Shinobu POV

Divine, you say? I smile to myself, amused by the rumors. A horned creature that appears before disasters? How curious. It sounds like something straight out of a fairy tale, but there's always some truth to these stories, isn't there?

I crouch near a cluster of flowers, examining them absentmindedly while keeping an ear open for any movement. I've heard the villagers' accounts, and while they seem exaggerated, I can't ignore the patterns. Wherever this creature appears, something terrible follows.

But why? That's the question, isn't it?

"Poor thing," I murmur, standing up. "If it's divine, maybe it doesn't even realize what it's causing." I walk through the forest, the sounds of the night surrounding me. The Hashira are all nearby, and I wonder if any of them are as curious about this creature's motives as I am.

If I find it first, I'll ask. Maybe it just needs someone to listen.

Tengen POV

Flashy. That's what it better be. A divine creature with horns, huh? I expect something grand. Something... worthy of my attention.

As I dash through the trees, keeping my movements silent, I wonder what this thing looks like. Divine, they say. I want to see it for myself. If it's truly something out of this world, then it better be as flamboyant as the stories make it out to be.

But I can't ignore the fact that disaster follows it. That's not something I can let slide. Even if it's divine, it's causing problems. And problems need solutions.

I smirk to myself, tightening my grip on my blades. This'll be interesting.

Obanai POV

I don't trust it.

Divine or not, there's something off about this whole situation. I move through the forest, keeping my steps quiet. The others are nearby, and I know they'll act if anything happens. But this creature... I don't believe in coincidences. If it keeps disappearing, it's doing it on purpose. And if disasters follow it, there's no way it's harmless.

I adjust Kaburamaru on my shoulder, the snake slithering calmly. We're ready. If this thing shows up, we'll end it before it causes any more trouble.

There's no room for doubt. If it's dangerous, we eliminate it.

Gyomei POV

I can feel it.

There's something out there, something old. The earth trembles underfoot, just faintly. This creature, whatever it is, is not ordinary. I raise my head to the sky, listening, feeling the world around me.

The others are searching, and I can sense their determination. They all approach this hunt in different ways, but we share the same goal: protect the people.

I clasp my prayer beads, my heart heavy with the knowledge that this creature brings misfortune. Is it doing so intentionally, or is it simply part of its nature? Either way, we must stop it.

The wind shifts, and I know something is coming.

I only pray we are prepared for what we find.