Chapter 8: Blood and Bones

Shiro’s world spun in a whirl of pain and fury. Darkness clawed at the edges of his vision, but he forced himself upright, ripping against the silver manacles that bit into his wrists. His teeth ground together as he fought the binds, the beast within roaring for blood and vengeance.

Aiko lay crumpled on the rain-slick stones, her uniform torn and soaked in scarlet. Villain X knelt beside her, claws glinting under the flickering streetlights. The plaza was littered with overturned carts and the bodies of civilians and bound werewolves alike, all stained with fresh blood.

“Aiko!” Shiro’s voice cracked like a whip. He broke free of the manacles with a sickening snap—bones rebelling against the motion—and staggered forward, katana in hand. Each step was agony, but rage propelled him.

Villain X looked up, crimson eyes narrowing. He pressed a clawed finger to Aiko’s temple, twisting it until her head rolled to the side. A gurgled sob escaped her lips, and her eyes fluttered once—then stilled.

Shiro’s knees buckled. The world went silent but for the pounding of his heart. Aiko’s lifeless gaze haunted him as Villain X straightened, blood dripping from his claws.

“Hunter,” Villain X taunted, voice low and guttural. “This is your mercy.” He raised his free hand, dripping with gore.

Shiro roared—a sound torn from his soul—and charged.

He lunged with the katana, blade slicing through rain and air. Villain X blocked with his forearm, silver blood spraying from the impact. Shiro followed with a flurry of strikes—horizontal, vertical, thrust—each powered by grief. The beast parried effortlessly, taunting him with growls.

“You couldn't save her” Villain X snarled. “You're nothing, just a lump of meat.”

Shiro ignored the words. He swung again, but the beast caught his wrist and twisted. Shiro cried out as his arm bent unnaturally. He stabbed at Villain X’s chest, but the blade glanced off ribs like steel.

Villain X seized the moment. He rammed Shiro’s chest with his shoulder, driving him backward. Shiro crashed into a food cart, wood splintering under his weight. He coughed, blood spitting from his lips.

Through the haze of pain, he saw Villain X advance. He tried to raise his katana, but a kick to his kneecap sent a shock of agony through his leg. He fell to one knee, vision darkening.

Villain X loomed over him, claws raised for the kill. Shiro’s breaths came ragged, each one a battle. He squeezed his eyes shut, summoning every ounce of will.

A sudden flash of silver light—Aoi’s crossbow bolt—struck Villain X in the shoulder. The beast howled, claws pausing mid-air. Shiro’s eyes snapped open.

Kenta and Aoi burst into the plaza, weapons ready. Aoi loosed another bolt; Kenta charged with his pike, driving the tip into Villain X’s thigh. The beast roared and ripped the pike free, hurling Kenta aside.

Shiro seized the opening. With trembling hands, he slashed at Villain X’s arm, silver blade carving a deep gash. The beast howled in fury, blood spraying, and backed away.

But the advantage was fleeting. Villain X shook off the pain and locked eyes with Shiro. With a roar, he sprang forward, delivering a brutal blow to Shiro’s ribs. Shiro heard the sickening crack of bone and was sent flying across the plaza, crashing into a concrete pillar. He crumpled to the ground, breath gone from his lungs.

Everything went black.

When Shiro came to, the cold sting of rain woke him. His body lay sprawled on the plaza floor, bones aching with every heartbeat. He groaned, eyelids heavy. Pain bloomed in his ribs, his shoulder, his leg—each breath a knife.

He tried to sit up. The world tilted. He blinked and saw Aoi kneeling beside him, bandaging his wounds with trembling hands. Kenta hovered close, crossbow aimed at the shadows where Villain X had vanished.

Shiro’s vision blurred. “Aiko…” His voice was a whisper.

Aoi’s tears fell onto his cheek. “She’s gone, Shiro.” Her voice cracked. “I’m sorry.”

Shiro closed his eyes, grief and guilt warring in his chest. “I couldn’t—” He choked on a sob. “I failed her.”

Aoi shook her head. “No one could’ve saved her from him.”

He opened his eyes, meeting hers. “We need to find him.”

She steadied herself. “He’s gone. We’ve sealed off the area. Reinforcements are coming.”

In the distance, sirens wailed and the pounding of boots grew louder. Shiro tried to rise but fell back, pain ripping through his side.

Kenta placed a hand on his shoulder. “Let the medics handle you.”

Shiro’s gaze drifted to the dark alley where Villain X had fled. Shadows pooled there, silent and empty. He closed his eyes, swallowing bile. The beast had escaped—but Shiro’s humanity had been ripped away with Aiko’s death.

Later, in the temporary medical tent set up by the Corps, Shiro lay on a cot. Aiko’s body had been taken to the morgue, and the plaza was cordoned off for investigation. He felt hollow, bones held together by bandages and sedatives.

Master Takeda entered, face grim. He sat beside Shiro, placing a hand on his good shoulder. “She was brave,” he said quietly. “And so are you.”

Shiro’s voice was distant. “I lost her.”

Takeda nodded. “We all lose someone. But you mustn’t lose yourself.”

Shiro turned his head away. “I almost became the monster.”

Takeda’s eyes softened. “Your blood runs with power. Let it fuel you, not consume you. Aiko believed in you.”

Shiro clenched his fists, pain lancing through his broken bones. “I will avenge her.”

Takeda rose, placing a data pad on the cot. “Intel recovered from the plaza. We have a lead on Villain X’s next move. He’s retreating to the old subway tunnels beneath Ginza.”

Shiro’s eyes flickered with ice. “Then I’ll hunt him there.”

Takeda hesitated. “You’re wounded.”

Shiro sat up, ignoring the pain. “I’ll manage.”

Takeda met his gaze and nodded. “Very well. But you won’t go alone.”

Shiro’s breath hitched. “Who—”

Before Takeda could answer, the tent flap burst open and Aoi rushed in. Her eyes were red, but her stance was resolute.

“I’m coming with you,” she said.

Shiro’s heart clenched at the sight of her—his friend, his comrade, the one who had tried to save him moments ago. “No,” he rasped. “This is my fight.”

Aoi stepped forward. “Your fight is ours, too.”

Kenta appeared at her side. “We started this together. We’ll finish it together.”

Shiro closed his eyes, the weight of their loyalty pressing on him. He opened them, meeting each of their gazes.

“Then let’s end this,” he whispered.

Outside, the storm clouds parted to reveal a sliver of moon. Beneath the city, in the winding subway tunnels, Villain X paused, claws dripping with new blood. He snarled at the darkness, sensing the hunters coming for him.

And somewhere above, Shiro’s broken bones and bleeding heart steeled themselves for the final hunt.