The Night Of Sealing

The shrine had never been this silent.

No cicadas. No rustling leaves. Even the air felt like it was holding its breath.

Ayaka knelt inside the purification hall, wrists bound loosely by paper talismans glowing faint gold. Around her, six elders formed a circle, chanting in unison. Their voices rose and fell like waves against her skin, each syllable pressing down harder.

Yukino stood at the edge of the ritual ring, head bowed. Her hands trembled—just barely—but Ayaka noticed.

Kitsura sat near the entrance, tail curled tightly around himself. For once, he said nothing.

Ayaka forced a shaky smile. “You guys could’ve just asked me to sit still, you know. No need for all the glowstick bracelets.”

No one laughed.

The head elder’s voice rumbled like thunder. “Ayaka of the Kisaragi line. You are bound to a malevolent force. Do you deny it?”

Ayaka swallowed. “I didn’t ask for it.”

“Denial is not the same as innocence,” he replied coldly. “You’ve brought impurity into sacred ground.”

Yukino flinched. Ayaka saw it.

The talismans around her wrists tightened, glowing brighter. Pain lanced up her arms, hot and searing.

“Wait—! It’s not what you think!” Ayaka gasped. “He’s not controlling me, he’s—”

A sudden gust of wind tore through the hall, blowing out half the candles. The chanting faltered.

Everyone froze.

A low laugh echoed through the rafters.

Soft. Mocking. Familiar.

“Is this what passes for exorcism these days?”

Kitsura’s fur bristled. “He’s here.”

The temperature dropped. The talismans on Ayaka’s wrists sparked wildly. The elders’ chants quickened, but the light dimmed faster.

From the far side of the hall, a shape began to form—a figure built from shadow, taller than any human, with faint crimson eyes flickering beneath his hood.

“You call me malevolent,” he murmured. “Yet it’s your fear that feeds me.”

Ayaka’s breath hitched. “Don’t—don’t hurt them!”

“Hurt them?” the demon said, amused. “I came to see you.”

He stepped closer, every movement soundless. The elders tried to strengthen the barrier, but the paper seals crumbled like dust in the air.

“Stop it!” Yukino shouted. “You will not touch her!”

The demon’s gaze shifted to her, calm but cold. “Ah. The dutiful sister. You always look so pure. I wonder—how far would you go to stay that way?”

“Don’t you dare talk to her!” Ayaka shouted, her bindings flaring red.

In that instant, something inside her broke.

The demon’s energy pulsed through her veins, answering her anger. The talismans burned away in a flash of crimson light.

The elders cried out as the circle shattered. Wind and heat swirled violently, scattering papers and prayer charms across the floor.

Ayaka stood slowly, trembling. Her eyes glowed faintly red-gold—the same hue that had haunted her dreams.

Kitsura’s voice cracked with alarm. “Ayaka, no—don’t use it!”

“I’m not—trying to!” she cried. “It’s just—”

The demon reached out a hand, his voice suddenly soft. “Let it breathe. You’ve denied it long enough.”

Ayaka’s heartbeat thundered in her ears. The air around her shimmered, crimson threads spiraling from her arms. For a moment, she felt powerful—like the world had stopped spinning just for her.

Then, just as quickly, it hurt.

She screamed, falling to her knees as the light burned brighter. Kitsura leapt forward, glowing fiercely. “Enough!”

He slammed a paw to the floor, releasing a burst of blue-white energy that cut through the crimson storm. The light fractured like glass, fading into mist.

When it cleared, the demon was gone.

Ayaka collapsed against Kitsura, breathing hard. Her wrists were raw, her hair damp with sweat.

Yukino ran to her side, gripping her shoulders. “Ayaka! Are you—”

“I’m fine,” she whispered. “Mostly.”

Yukino shook her head, voice trembling. “You broke the seal. The elders will—”

“I don’t care,” Ayaka said, forcing a weak laugh. “I didn’t even mean to break it. He just—shows up and ruins everything, doesn’t he?”

Kitsura’s tail flicked nervously. “You can’t stay here tonight. The elders won’t let this go.”

Yukino looked between them, torn. “If they think you’re corrupted…”

Ayaka stood shakily, determination flickering through her exhaustion. “Then I’ll prove them wrong.”

Her sister frowned. “How?”

Ayaka looked out the open doors of the hall, where the forest loomed dark and endless.

“I’ll find him,” she said. “And make him break this link himself.”

Kitsura groaned. “That’s not a plan. That’s a death wish.”

“Then it’s a wish I’m making anyway.”

She turned back to Yukino, forcing a grin that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Take care of the shrine for me, okay? I’ll come back before they can hang up my ‘Missing’ flyers.”

Before anyone could stop her, Ayaka stepped out into the night—barefoot, exhausted, but burning with resolve.

The last bell of the shrine tolled faintly behind her.

And in the forest ahead, the demon’s laughter echoed again—closer this time.