Anito Anarchy

According to folklore, obscure forces secretly live among us, shaping the natural world and influencing human affairs. Some call them spirits, others refer to them as guardians, and some even worship them as gods. But to the old and wise, those who understand what lies beyond this world, they are simply called "Anito."

If you were to tell this tale to Makisig "Maki" Kagiwa, a 15-year-old high school student, he would dismiss it as nothing more than a silly superstition. Living in a bustling modern city, Maki views old beliefs as outdated stories with no place in reality. But his skepticism will be put to the test when he encounters the paranormal firsthand.

What will he do when he realizes that the creatures and monsters from long-forgotten legends truly exist in the modern world?

Will he become a believer before it's too late? Or will his doubts cost him dearly when he and his older brother find themselves hunted by otherworldly beings---creatures whose motives remain a deadly mystery?

***

Mayari's right eye ignited with a burning scarlet glow, cutting through the night like an ember born of hell. The playfulness vanished, replaced by a predator's hunger.

She advanced in a slow, deliberate stride.

Every instinct in me screamed to run, but my legs betrayed me, buckling until I crashed hard onto the ground.

When she drew close, she leaned down, her clawed finger hooking beneath my chin to lift my face toward hers. Trapped beneath her stare, I felt both powerless and spellbound. That crimson eye pulled me in, dazzling and terrifying, as though its very light sought to strip away the layers of my soul.

"What... what are you?" I stammered.

Her smile deepened, sharp and amused.

"Some call us heroes. Others, demons in human form. To some we bring salvation. To others, we are death incarnate. But in the end, what we are is for you to decide. The real question is... can you trust a monster with your life?"

***

Note: This story is written in English.