I opened my eyes and surveyed my surroundings, realizing that I had awoken in an unfamiliar place. The room was filled with flickering candles, casting an eerie glow on the floor. My attention was drawn to the talisman papers or ofuda, inscribed with blood, scattered all around. As I attempted to stand up, I discovered my body covered in these talismans, rendering me immobile. A sudden wave of excruciating pain shot through my head, causing me to groan in agony.

Memories of the events leading up to my loss of consciousness flooded my mind, causing my face to pale and beads of sweat to form on my forehead. I struggled to calm myself down and closed my eyes, seeking solace.

"Leviathan, are you there?" I called out to my inner voice, hoping for a response. However, there was only silence, no sign of Leviathan's presence. Growing more anxious, I posed another question, "Leviathan, what did you do after I lost consciousness?" The memories of the previous night flooded back, revealing the actions taken by Leviathan when he took control of my body.

After Leviathan, who had possessed Noctis' body, mercilessly killed Victor, a sinister smile crept across his face. His laughter soon faded, and he became aware of the numerous onlookers in the vicinity. His gaze fixated on a woman who observed him from a distance before she turned and walked away, instantly losing his interest.

"You can come out now," Leviathan called out, his voice laced with arrogance. With measured steps, a man approached, holding a fan with a regal air about him. Donned in a flowing dark blue haori, his silver hair cascaded like liquid moonlight, framing his captivating face. His piercing turquoise eyes seemed to hold the secrets of the universe, captivating all who dared to meet his gaze. In a word, he was breathtaking.

The man approached Leviathan with measured steps, his fan held aloft. With a flick of his wrist, he struck his own face, the fan connecting with a resounding crack. The wind stirred, causing his silver locks to dance in the gusts of his own power. As the wind subsided, he spoke with an ethereal voice, "My... he really is dead." A smile played upon his lips, an enigmatic expression that hinted at a deeper understanding of the situation. His turquoise eyes locked with Leviathan's, their gaze revealing a silent battle of wills.

Sensing danger, Leviathan lunged forward, his intent to seize the man evident. But the man was prepared, his movements deft and swift. With a flourish of his fan, he summoned a powerful gust of wind, sending Leviathan hurtling backward. As Leviathan struggled to regain his footing, the man seized the opportunity and swiftly threw a talisman paper in his direction. The air crackled with an otherworldly energy, and the word "Neru (sleep)" left the man's lips.

The talisman paper glowed with an intense light, forming a star-shaped emblem. Leviathan's body convulsed, his eyes fluttering shut as he succumbed to the enchantment. In that moment, he fell into a deep slumber, relinquishing his control over Noctis' body.

As Leviathan revealed the events of the previous night, I couldn't conceal my shock and fear at the realization that Leviathan had used my body to take another person's life, and that someone possessed the ability to wield magic. Just as I was about to address Leviathan, the door swung open, and before me stood a man holding a fan and clad in a haori. Strangely enough, he bore a striking resemblance to the man who had defeated Leviathan, except for the difference in eye color. The man in my memory had possessed turquoise eyes, whereas this man standing before me had deep brown eyes.

"Yo! How are you?" he greeted me casually. "And who might you be?" I inquired, my curiosity piqued. With a nonchalant expression, he replied, "Hmm? Before that..." As he removed the talisman from my body, he continued, "I'm Haruki Seimi, and I am your savior. Now, bow down before me!" His words were delivered in a pompous tone, leaving me utterly dumbfounded.

Slowly, I sat up on the bed, regaining control of my own body. "Thank you, I’m Noctis Duskvale" I murmured hesitantly, introducing myself, avoiding eye contact with this self-proclaimed savior. "Hmm? Your gratitude seems insincere Noctis, but I'll accept it," he remarked, noticing my avoidance. "No, it's because you claimed to be my savior, yet your eyes are different from the person who saved me yesterday," I explained. At that, Seimi raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a small smile. "Oh? I see. Your dweller must have shown you what transpired last night," he mused. Closing his eyes momentarily, he then uttered, "Abe no Seimei, look at me." His aura shifted, and as he reopened his eyes, his dark brown irises transformed into a captivating shade of turquoise. "Are you referring to this?" Seimi asked, his smile widening. His carefree demeanor had now been replaced by the presence of someone with authority.

My eyes widened in astonishment as Seimi revealed his transformation, changing his eyes from dark brown to a mesmerizing turquoise. "Abe no Seimei?" I whispered, and he nodded in confirmation. "You don't think you're the only one who has accepted an entity, do you? In this state we are one. Seimi and I share the same mind" he remarked, walking towards the door. "Come, I will explain everything to you."

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I rose from my seat and followed him, stepping through the door into a breathtaking sight. The floor, crafted from polished hardwood, showcased the intricate grains of the wood, exuding elegance. Adorning the walls were traditional Japanese shoji screens, allowing soft, diffused light to permeate and creating a serene ambiance.

As we continued down the hallway, I couldn't help but admire the intricate wooden panels on each side. Elaborate carvings depicted scenes from nature, such as cherry blossoms, bamboo forests, and tranquil landscapes. These panels not only showcased artistry but also provided a sense of privacy and seclusion.

Further along, I noticed a series of low, wooden platforms, each adorned with a meticulously placed bonsai tree or a Zen garden, adding a touch of tranquility to the atmosphere.

The ceiling boasted exposed wooden beams, lending a rustic charm and enhancing the warmth of the hallway. Soft, ambient lighting hung from these beams, casting a gentle glow throughout the space.

Lost in the beauty of the surroundings, Seimei interrupted my thoughts. "It's beautiful, isn't it? This is Yūgen Garden. I built this place—a dormitory for people like us."

He led me to an open area, where a majestic cherry blossom tree stood. Seimi gazed at it for a moment before turning to me and saying, "Before I explain everything, I want to hear your questions first." Taking the opportunity, I inquired about his actions the previous night during the attack, whether he was involved, and the meaning of the word "vessel."

"To answer your first question, it was merely a coincidence," he replied, noticing my perplexed expression. Seimei sighed and continued, "Seimi has always been blessed with good luck, loved by the stars. Even when I was once the most powerful onmyoji, such fortune eluded me. That night, Seimi was wandering around as usual when I sensed a spirit. It was then that I witnessed your body being possessed by your entity." He looked at me intently and asked, "Does that answer your first question?" I let out a sigh, acknowledging his response. "Though it's not entirely satisfying, I appreciate your efforts in saving me," I replied. A smile appeared on his face before he proceeded, "Now, regarding your second question, I will explain what a vessel truly means."

"Have you heard of spirit possession?" he asked, and I nodded in response. "Possession is an extraordinary state of consciousness where a human body is purportedly controlled by spirits, ghosts, demons, or other spiritual entities. Normally, our bodies reject them, leading to battles akin to a tug of war. Sometimes we prevail, and other times we succumb. In my past, I have encountered numerous cases like this, where I had to perform exorcisms. I managed to save most, but not all." Seimi paused briefly before continuing, "However, there are special cases where we willingly accept and coexist with these entities, allowing them to dwell within us. We become one being, yet with two distinct souls—an existence known as a vessel."

Vessel," I murmured, addressing Seimi, or rather Abe no Seimei, who now inhabited Seimi's body. "Yesterday, the battle priest also referred to me as that. But how did he know about the entity within me?" A chill ran down my spine as I recalled the events of the previous night.

"Yes, that's because they possess a sixth sense," Seimei explained calmly. "They have the ability to perceive the auras and souls of others. And now that your entity has taken the life of a battle priest, they will come after you. But it's not just them you should be concerned about." I inquired further, seeking clarification.

"Battle priests, individuals with enhanced physical abilities and a heightened sixth sense, are blessed by their commander, the heroes," Seimei continued. "Unlike you or Seimi, who are vessels, forced to borrow power from the entity residing within, heroes are born with innate superhuman abilities and are beloved by the spirits." Seimei locked eyes with me and offered a solution.

"Noctis, what you need now is a safe haven. A place where you can master and control the power within you. You may have accepted it, but the entity within you does not acknowledge you. Yūgen Garden is the sanctuary where we can help you harness and channel the power of your entity. In the name of Abe no Seimei, I vow to protect you at any cost. What say you, Noctis?"

As he spoke those words, a surge of gratitude and happiness washed over me. With a smile, I responded,

"No."

"Eh?"

"Eh?"

Seimei's surprise was evident as he blinked twice, his turquoise eyes reverting to their original dark brown color.

"No, no, no! Can't you see the opportunity right in front of you? This is the moment you say yes and embark on an epic training arc! Where you will unlock your powers! And at the end of it all, we gather around and sing kumbaya!" Seimi exclaimed, shaking my shoulders. He continued, "Why would you decline Seimei's invitation? Look, he was so shocked that he returned my body to me!"

“No, no, no. There won't be any training arc or singing of Kumbaya. I appreciate your help in saving me, but I can't simply trust you so easily. I still have a home to return to," I responded firmly.

Seimi released his grip on my shoulders and let out a sigh. “I understand, but you need to be cautious. The heroes and battle priests have their eyes on you.”

“I promise I'll be careful,” I said assuring him.

He nodded at me. Seimi then led me out through the majestic Torii gate. As I glanced back, the once beautiful gate transformed into a plain and neglected structure, and the place I had just left disappeared entirely.

"This was an illusion, concealing Yūgen Garden. Seimei created it to protect us," Seimi explained when I asked about the disappearing place. I nodded in understanding and said, "Thank you for helping me. I will always remember this."

He then asked, "Are you absolutely sure you don't want to come to this place?"

"Yes, I'm sorry," I replied, bowing to him and bidding farewell. He waved goodbye and returned to the other side of the Torii gate.