Pact

Yukimura was slumped down against a building. Blood dripped down her forehead. Her vision was getting blurry. And she was reaching for a sword that wasn’t there. There was only one thing Yukimura could make out: the Kishin.

It approached her ruined body. She tried to struggle, but her body used too much mana and took too much damage. She couldn’t even move. At this sight, Nurarihyon smiled. “Yes, Kishin, kill her! Kill Yukimura and all the other Onmyoji in this country!”

She closed her eyes and looked down as it towered above her. I’m sorry, Shin, I couldn’t bring you back. That’s what she thought as the final blow came to her… But it never reached. The only things that reached her were a teardrop and his voice.

“I’m sorry for taking so long, Yukimura.” Yukimura opened her eyes, and she couldn’t believe what she saw. Shin was standing in front of her. He had no horns, his skin wasn’t red, and he had no sharp teeth either. The only thing he had was a smile.

While Yukimura smiled back at him, Nurarihyon backed up a few steps in surprise. “No. That shouldn’t have been possible. I broke the seal. How are you human again?” Shin was about to answer, but Nurarihyon already jumped to his own conclusion. “You killed him, didn’t you? That’s the only way you humans get things done. You monsters!”

“Incorrect,” Shin said as he calmly walked toward Nurarihyon. “You have two things wrong. One, I didn’t kill anyone. And I won’t ever kill. Whether it be a yokai, a person, or anything in between, I won’t kill a single soul.” Shin was now face-to-face with Nurarihyon.

“Second, I’m not human, but I’m not a yokai either. I’m only me!” Shin then grabbed Nurarihyon’s gourd-shaped head and headbutted it, causing the yokai to fall on his butt.

“Just what are you then?” Nurarihyon asked.

“I’m both a Kishin and a human. I’m the key to your new world, and that’s why I want to make a pact with you.”

“A pact?” Nurarihyon questioned curiously. “What are you offering?”

“I want you to not harm a single soul anymore, Nurarihyon, and I want you to refrain from interfering as well… In exchange, I will end this war myself without killing anyone.”

In a mix of curiosity and interest, Nurarihyon offered his hand to Shin. “If you can do that, I’ll become your servant for eternity. Deal?”

Shin took Nurarihyon’s hand as he answered, “Deal!” The two felt their mana exchange as the pact was made. After it was done, Shin turned back to Yukimura.

Yukimura was barely conscious as he knelt and patted her head. “Takeda…” she whispered as Shin stopped. “Don’t go…”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be back.”