The city felt colder now.
Even though it was summer, the night had a bite to it—like the shadows themselves were alive, watching, waiting.
Kazuki walked ahead of me, fast, like he was afraid if he slowed down, something would catch up to him.
Or maybe he would catch up to himself.
I couldn't tell.
I didn't ask.
I just followed him through alley after alley until the world blurred into darkness and brick.
Finally, he stopped.
"We're close," he said. His voice was low, grating. "They're not far."
I looked around. "How do you know?"
He didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he raised his hand and pressed it to a rusted iron gate. It swung open with a shriek that made the hairs on my arms rise.
"This is one of their feeding holes," he muttered. "I've been here before."
I swallowed. "Why?"
His jaw clenched. "Because I used to be one of them."
We stepped inside.
The tunnel smelled like rot and regret. Mold crept up the walls like veins, and something thick clung to the air—something metallic.
Kazuki moved with purpose. Like the pain of the past didn't matter. Like the fear of what we'd find wasn't allowed to reach him.
But I saw the tremble in his fingers when he touched the wall.
"Are you sure they took her here?" I asked.
He didn't look at me.
"They wouldn't risk going far. Not with someone like Kyouko. She's valuable to them."
"Why?"
He paused.
Then turned slowly to face me.
"Because she's not just your sister. She's a threat. And she's bait."
"Bait for who?"
He stared at me.
"You."
I should've felt scared.
I should've turned around.
But something inside me wouldn't move. Not away from him.
Kazuki stepped closer.
"You don't understand what they're planning," he said. "This isn't about feeding. It's about power. Control. The hidden clan doesn't just want blood—they want extinction. Of anyone who doesn't kneel."
"And you were part of that?"
He didn't flinch.
"Yes."
"Then why did you leave?"
His eyes burned.
"Because I met someone I didn't want to kill."
Silence stretched between us.
My heart thundered.
"I'm still not sure," he added, voice cracking, "if that makes me stronger… or weaker."
Suddenly, a scream echoed down the tunnel. Short. Muffled.
I didn't think—I just ran.
Kazuki cursed and followed, his coat sweeping the ground like a shadow. We turned corner after corner until we reached a chamber lit by flickering candles.
There—chained to the far wall—was Kyouko.
Her lip was bleeding. Her eyes wild with fury.
And in front of her…
A tall, hooded figure.
Thin. Pale.
Wearing a mask made of bone.
Kazuki froze.
"That's not possible…"
I stepped forward.
"Who is that?"
His voice was hoarse.
"…Someone I buried a long time ago."