Chapter 2: The Scarlet Sea

The sea around Kagetsu was normally a peaceful blue.

But the farther the ships traveled east, the more the ocean changed.

The water darkened.

Turned heavy.

Turned still.

By the second day of the journey, it had shifted to a deep crimson shade—

as though the waves themselves had bled.

The prisoners murmured in fear as they stared down at the red surface.

“Is it… dyed with blood?”

“No. It’s glowing from below…”

“Oi, oi… this ain’t normal.”

Ren leaned against the ship’s wooden railing, observing silently.

The breeze carried a faint metallic smell—iron mixed with something sweet. Almost floral.

The scent of Crimson Eden.

Behind him, his assigned executioner stood like a vertical shadow.

Yamibito Yoruha.

A woman dressed in black armor with a short blade strapped to her thigh.

Her long, ink-colored hair was tied into a high tail, swaying gently with the wind.

She hadn’t spoken a single word to him since they left the capital.

Ren didn’t mind.

Silence was comfortable.

But Yoruha finally spoke as they entered the scarlet mist.

“Prisoner Number One,” she said quietly, “stay within two steps of me at all times. Any sudden movement and I will sever your spine.”

Ren nodded.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

She frowned.

“You don’t seem afraid.”

“I’ve been running from fear my whole life.”

He turned, meeting her cold eyes.

“Besides… nothing on this ship is scarier than what’s waiting on that island.”

Yoruha studied him for a moment.

“…You truly believe your brother survived there?”

Ren looked out across the red sea.

“I don’t believe it.”

His voice dropped.

“I know it.”

The ship creaked as it cut through thickening mist.

Prisoners clustered together on the deck, clutching their chains as Yamibito guards patrolled around them.

Suddenly—

A deep rumble vibrated beneath their feet.

The deck shuddered.

Planks groaned.

The crimson water below them began to ripple violently.

“What was that?!”

“Something’s under us!”

“This wasn’t in the briefing!”

The captain shouted, “ALL HANDS STAND READY! EXECUTIONERS, GUARD YOUR PRISONERS!”

Yoruha immediately placed a hand on her blade.

Ren narrowed his eyes.

The crimson water directly under the ship began to swirl, as if being pulled by something massive.

Then—

a giant shadow moved beneath the surface.

A low, guttural moan drifted upward from the deep.

The prisoners panicked.

“NO, NO—WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!”

“IT’S FOLLOWING THE SHIP!”

“GET US OUT OF HERE!”

Ren stepped forward calmly, peering over the side.

The shadow was enormous… easily bigger than the ship.

“Don’t lean so close!” Yoruha snapped.

“That thing could be hostile.”

Ren smirked.

“Everything here is hostile.”

A massive eye slowly surfaced.

Dark red.

Unblinking.

Reflecting the entire ship in its glassy surface.

The sea creature was studying them.

Judging them.

Its eye drifted from prisoner to prisoner—until it reached Ren.

The creature froze.

The air stiffened.

The ship slowed.

Even the mist grew quiet.

Ren’s crimson eyes stared back at the monster with equal intensity.

For a moment, it felt like two predators locked gazes.

Then—

SPLAAASH!

The creature dove deep, sending a tidal wave splashing across the deck. Water sprayed everywhere, drenching prisoners and executioners alike.

The ship rocked violently but did not capsize.

The shadow disappeared.

Only the crimson sea remained.

Ren brushed water from his face.

“…Not friendly. But not hungry either.”

Yoruha blinked.

“How can you tell?”

“It looked at me like I ruined its nap.”

The executioner stared at him.

Then she sighed.

“A monster ignores a ship full of prey… just to stare at you…”

Her eyes narrowed.

“What exactly are you, Akuma Ren?”

Ren didn’t answer.

Because at that exact moment—

The mist parted.

And far ahead, rising from the ocean like a bleeding wound in the world, stood the island.

A giant mass of red trees swaying like they breathed.

Ruins floating in the air like broken memories.

A blood-colored sun hanging unnaturally above it, casting a crimson halo across the sea.

Crimson Eden.

The island that devours souls.

The deck went silent.

Even the bravest prisoners felt the weight of that land pressing on their hearts.

Yoruha’s voice sliced through the tension.

“All units—prepare to anchor. Prepare for landing.”

Ren stared at the island with emotion he had not shown in years—

something between dread and hope.

He whispered:

“Akairo Rakuen…

Give my brother back.”

And as the ships approached, the red trees swayed gently—

as if welcoming them home.

Or inviting them to their graves.