Sei

Beginnings

Kasai stumbled through the forest, the cool night air biting at his skin. His small legs pumped furiously as he raced home, the thick scent of pine mingling with an acrid hint of smoke. He skidded to a halt, heart pounding, as he saw it—a massive shadow-like demon towering over his shack. Terror seized him. "Grandma Kawa!" he screamed, his voice echoing through the trees. She was inside. He had to save her.

Without thinking, he sprinted toward the shack, each heartbeat like a drum in his ears. Flames burst from his hands, searing through the air as he hurled them at the demon. The fiery projectiles struck the beast's back, but the shadows merely rippled, absorbing the heat without flinching. Desperation clawed at him.

"Someone help!" he screamed, voice breaking. "It's a Kagemono! Please, someone!"

He scanned the area for the gang who had promised to protect him in exchange for his help in their petty crimes, but they were nowhere to be seen. Fear twisted his gut. Was Grandma Kawa okay? Hurt? Alive? The questions battered his mind as he drew closer to the Kagemono.

He fired more flames in desperation just as the Kagemono braced to release an attack. The flames hit the beast, causing very little damage. The Kagemono opened its maw, releasing a beam of dark, pulsating energy that obliterated half the shack and felled many surrounding trees. The air filled with the scent of charred wood and blood, and the oppressive heat of the attack contrasted sharply with the cool night.

Among the wreckage, Kasai spotted Grandma Kawa, her frail body pinned under a beam. Changing course, he sprinted toward her, his eyes catching the demon's form. It was a massive, shifting mass of darkness, its red eyes smoldering like embers, leaking an eerie glow. The Kagemono's body seemed barely solid, composed of swirling shadows that fought to break free. The moonlight struggled to pierce the thick canopy of trees, casting a dim, ghostly light over the scene.

Kasai's foot caught on a large piece of debris, hurtling him through the air. He rolled across the ground, pain shooting through his arm as he landed on sharp splinters. Crying out, he scrambled to his feet and staggered toward Grandma Kawa. The Kagemono, distracted by the wildlife, gave him a brief respite.

Tears streamed down his cheeks as he reached her side. The shack, once a humble but cozy structure, was now a shattered ruin. A large piece of wood had pierced her side, and she was bleeding heavily, holding the wound. Her face was pale, her breaths shallow.

"Hold on, Granny. I'll heal you, and we'll get out of here," Kasai's voice trembled as he fought back tears. His hands glowed with a blinding white light as he tried to heal her, applying his hands to the wound. The bleeding began to lessen.

"Kasai... is that you?" Grandma Kawa's voice was faint but tender.

"Yes, Granny, it's me. Just stay with me. I'll heal this wound, and we'll be out of here," Kasai reassured, his voice wavering.

Grandma Kawa's eyes widened in dread. She grabbed his shirt, pulling him close. "You have to run, Kasai. Your Noryoku isn't strong enough to heal this. If you stay, the demon will kill you!"

"No, Granny, I can't leave you! This will work, I promise!" Kasai cried, his desperation palpable.

"Always so stubborn," she tried to smile, but the pain in her eyes was clear. "Listen to me, child. My time has come. You must respect that."

"No! Don't say that!" Kasai shook his head, tears streaming down his face. "You're all I have, Granny. I promise I'll stay away from those gangs, I'll help more. We can rebuild the shack together. Please, don't leave me. I can't lose you!" He wailed, his voice breaking with sorrow.

The Kagemono, noticing Kasai again, roared and advanced. Kasai threw himself over Grandma Kawa, his heart racing with fear. The demon's red eyes glowed brighter, and it swiped at Kasai with a massive, shadowy claw. Kasai rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack, the ground where he had been lying splintering under the force of the blow.