Bureau of Etheric Harmony (BEH)

In the capital, the rain stopped and started without rhythm.

It slid down blackened glass in uneven trails, distorting the skyline beyond the towering structure. From afar, the building resembled a shrine carved from steel and concrete—tiered, symmetrical, severe. Talismans were etched directly into its surface, glowing faintly.

This was the headquarters of the Bureau of Etheric Harmony. A place where Kishin anomalies were monitored, catalogued and suppressed. The Bureau was both government and spiritual authority – equal parts science, exorcism and surveillance.

On the upper floor was a circular chamber. Paper charms and thin metallic rings floated in precise orbits around a central holographic projection—Japan rendered in layers of light and data. Certain regions pulsed faintly.

Director Marcus Hayate stood with his hands clasped behind his back, facing a panoramic view of the city. The holographs behind him pulsed with spiritual readings gathered from Kishin Wells and roots across the country.

“Status report,” he commanded.

A woman stepped forward, tapping her tablet.

“An A-rank Yokai was apprehended last night in Saitama by Suppression Division. Minor civilian exposure. Memory seals deployed successfully.”

Marcus did not turn. “Next.”

“The Karasuba clan neutralized a rogue Hijiri in the northern districts.”

Marcus’s fingers tightened.

“So they still refuse Bureau oversight.”

Asa hesitated. “It was Ryusei who confirmed the kill.”

“Hm.” Marcus looked displeased. “Continue.”

She swallowed. “Flairs were recorded across multiple areas in Kyushu, Nikko and Nara simultaneously. Various units have been deployed and are containing the event.”

Marcus did not look at her. “Continue.”

“The shrine incident in Kyoto has been classified as an unresolved breach. Yokai involvement confirmed.”

“That was Toshinori’s unit?” Marcus asked.

“Yes.”

“Tell me more.”

Asa nodded. “Um, two high-ranking Yokai. One neutralized. One escaped.” She hesitated. And, uh…the Akashi clan was involved.”

Marcus turned.

“Akashi?”

“Yes.”

His eyes narrowed slightly. “Interesting. Have Research look into that. Quietly.”

Asa exhaled, relief flickering across her face. “If there is nothing else, sir…”

Marcus cleared his throat.

She froze.

“Isn’t there anything else?” he asked.

Asa bit her lip. “…Sayo escaped.”

The chamber stilled.

“With a Hijiri,” she added.

Marcus’s gaze returned to the window. “Which unit pursued?”

“Most were already deployed,” Asa replied quickly. “A shinobi was dispatched.....Shion Kuroda. She sustained multiple injuries. Healing Division is treating her.”

“Hm.”

Asa stepped forward despite herself. “Sir, I know how this looks, but Sayo isn’t dangerous. She’s just....going through something. I can bring her back.”

Marcus turned fully now.

His expression was calm.

“Asa,” he said, “your sister has violated a major Bureau accord. We cannot allow her.....or the Hidden Order......to gain access to classified assets.”

“I understand, sir but…”

He raised a hand.

“This matter is settled,” Marcus said. “Summon Ryokan to my office. He will oversee this operation moving forward.”

Asa lowered her gaze. “Yes, Director.”

She disappeared back into the elevator. Marcus stared at the holographs, his eyes drifting to the faint red pulses.

Flair events.

They began after the First Mythic Awakening.

The year was 2080

They called it a flair—a rupture where unstable Kishin energy escaped into the world, saturating the surrounding land. Flairs densified Kishin in the environment, drawing Yokai like mosquitoes to blood.

But the effects on humans were worse.

The first recorded flair tore through central Honshu decades ago, shattering the illusion that the world would ever return to normal. Martial law followed. Media blackouts. Entire districts were affected.

At the heart of the chaos stood the legendary trio:

Seijuro Akashi

Azasahiro Seimei

Takeru Hayate.

But they soon realized their enemies were not Yokai.

They were humans.

With the dense Kishin came about corruption. The human turned bloated and driven by a singular hunger; they were named Gaki.

Their minds erased, replaced by an insatiable craving for anything touched by Kishin.

It was bitter work.

Necessary work.

Seijuro reinforced his muscles and bones with raw Kishin flow, cutting down friend and stranger alike.

Takeru imposed structure through mental constructs, forcing the chaos to obey the law.
And Azasahiro sealed the battlefield, trapping the Gaki long enough for the flair to collapse.

Together, they saved Japan.

Again.

And together, they laid the foundation for the Bureau.

At first, it was cooperation—research into Kishin harmonization and corruption alike.

But as flairs became more frequent, the BEH expanded.

Kishin regulators became mandatory, worn by every civilian under the banner of public safety.

Since Kishin could exist in everyone, mediation and suppression training were introduced in public schools to ensure civilians would never awaken accidentally.

Knowledge of Kishin itself was sealed away.

Most of Japan remained ignorant of Yokai even now—an illusion maintained through memory wards embedded in shrines, transit hubs, and city centers. Entire encounters erased.

Parallel to this, the BEH established formal Onmyōji academies, where Kishin manipulation was taught under strict doctrine. Only those trained could manipulate Kishin.

Then, they went even further.

Experimenting on captured Yokai —dissecting and weaponizing them.

That was when Seijuro drew the line.

He saw how easily control became obsession.

He left the Bureau, continuing with his dojo, teaching Kishin as a discipline of survival. His style emphasized Body and Mind arts grounding power in physical reality.

Azasahiro and Takeru continued with the Bureau, believing structure was the only way forward.

That was not the end of the legendary trio.

Unbeknownst to them, the age of Samurai was already stirring.

Presently…….

Night had fallen by the time Asa stepped out of the train.

Rain had washed the streets clean, neon reflections trembling in every puddle. She walked without direction for a while, letting the city’s noise dull the pressure behind her eyes.

By the time she reached her apartment, exhaustion had sunk deep into her bones.

Inside, she locked the door and rested her forehead against it for a moment.

Her glasses came off first.

Then her shoes.

She collapsed onto the couch, staring at the ceiling, breathing out slowly.

“Long day?”

Asa jolted upright.

A figure stood near the window, half-swallowed by shadow. Moonlight filtered through, catching on a familiar face.

“Sayo…?”

Her sister smiled faintly.

“I didn’t break anything,” Sayo said. “Relax.”

Asa’s heart hammered in her chest.

“How did you....” she began, then stopped. “…You shouldn’t be here.”

“I know,” Sayo replied softly. “That’s why I came.”

A second figure stepped forward—clothes damp, long red hair spilled loosely down his back. His skin was pale, flawless save for dark markings carved across his cheeks.

Asa’s eyes blinked with fury.

She reached for the vase behind the couch, fingers tightening around it.

“Don’t,” Sayo said stepping between them. “Just…just listen first. I’ll explain everything, okay?”

Meanwhile……

The bell sounded. Asahi heard it while practicing forms in the courtyard.

The sound pulled at him, deep in his bones like a command issued by Mother Earth herself. It was not because it was loud but because of what it meant.

The Akashi had not had other clan members in three years.

Not since the funeral.

A second later, his vision fractured into flashes.

He saw a forest, roots wrapping around a torii gate and a pair of cold blue eyes staring from the dark.

Asahi gasped and dropped to one knee.

What was that?

By the time Reiji reached him, sweat had pooled into a small puddle on the ground.

“Are you alright?” he asked.

Asahi forced a smile and gave a thumbs up —one of those easy lies he’d learned to wear quickly.

“Get up,” Reiji said, unconvinced. “Father has called for a summoning."