Shingo and his team had been wandering the Tsurugi Forest for hours, and they were exhausted. They had been searching for Tsubaki Temple when they were ambushed by the kamaitachis. The wind spirits were furious, spinning around them and cutting them with their sharp blades.

Shingo tightened his grip on his katana, his eyes fixed on the kamaitachis. Gale was moving swiftly, dodging their attacks and counterattacking with his bare hands. Mariko was chanting healing spells to mend the wounds they had already received, and Chiyo was unleashing her lightning magic, zapping the kamaitachis with Lightning Bolts.

The wind spirits were not relenting, and Shingo knew that they had to work together to defeat them. He shouted to his team, “We need to focus! Chiyo, can you use Chain Lightning?”

Chiyo nodded, and with a swift motion, she sent a bolt of lightning toward the nearest kamaitachi. The lightning struck the wind spirit, and it spread to the others around it, connecting them with bolts of electricity.

Gale took advantage of the distraction and landed a powerful punch on one of the kamaitachis, knocking it back. Shingo followed up with a swift strike of his katana, slicing through the wind spirit and dispersing it.

Mariko continued her healing spells, mending the injuries they had received from the kamaitachis’ attacks. Chiyo kept unleashing her lightning magic and chaining the lightning force to the kamaitachis, weakening them.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the kamaitachis began to fade away, defeated. Shingo and his team stood, panting and sweating, in the forest clearing.

Gale looked at Shingo and nodded. “Nice work, man. You’re a true warrior with that katana of yours.”

Shingo smiled, wiping the sweat from his brow. “Thanks, Gale. You’re pretty quick with your kung-fu moves as well.”

Mariko approached them, her eyes shining with light magic. “We should continue on our quest for Tsubaki. The kamaitachis were just the beginning of the challenges we will face.”

Chiyo nodded in agreement. “And I’m ready for whatever comes our way. My lightning magic will help us defeat any enemy we face.”

Shingo looked at his team, feeling grateful to have them by his side. He knew that with their combined skills and determination, they would overcome any obstacle in their way.

Shingo’s heart pounded hard as they reached the entrance of Tsubaki Temple. It was a serene yet eerie place, with overgrown trees and weathered stones leading up to the entrance gate.

Mariko, the Tsubaki Temple Priestess, looked pale with worry as she led them inside.

“Ahh, here we are at last. Now, I need to know that the old temple helper is okay before…” Mariko trailed off as she peered ahead.

But Shingo’s attention was drawn to a figure stumbling towards them. “Look, there’s one coming towards us!” he exclaimed.

Mariko’s eyes widened as she recognized the person. “Ukyo! What happened to you?!”

The old temple helper, Ukyo, was battered and bruised, his breaths ragged and labored. “Mariko…! Shinra be praised, you are back with help! Now old Ukyo can go to rest…!” With that, Ukyo’s body slumped to the ground, motionless.

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Mariko checked on the old man and found that his body was cold. So, she wailed in anguish. “Old Ukyo! Ukyoo!! No, no, he’s gone…! I came back too late, it’s my fault!”

Chiyo didn’t hold her judgment back. “You bet it is. Serves you right, fleeing the temple without evacuating your old helper. His life force was drained like a cow being milked and starved at the same time. Some priestess you are!”

Mariko snapped at Chiyo, her voice cracking. “You know nothing of what happened! I did evacuate all people from the temple, but the monsters chased us!”

“In that hopeless situation, the brave old Ukyo volunteered to hold them back so the rest of us finally escaped. I swear to you, Ukyo! I’ll avenge your torment to the undead sevenfold!” Mariko’s eyes blazed with determination.

Shingo was proud of Mariko’s courage and vowed to join her in the fight. “That’s my girl! We’ll avenge Ukyo’s death too!”

Gale, another member of their group, stepped forward. “And I think someone owes you an apology, Mariko.”

Chiyo lowered her head in apology. “But I…! Oh, okay. I’m sorry, guess it’s too premature for me to judge anyone I just met, relying too much on my observation skill.”

Mariko shook her head, understanding the unusual and bizarre nature of their situation. “That’s okay. This situation is too bizarre to be perceived by logic alone. Come, let’s fight together! The Wind Priest must pay!” Her voice was firm and determined as they marched forward, ready to face the sinister foe ahead.

Shingo and his group of friends had finally reached the ancient, yet well-preserved Shimanese Tsubaki Temple, hoping to put an end to the crisis that occurred in the place.

Shingo stood in front of the worship hall, feeling the chilly breeze that carried the faint rustling of leaves. He held his katana tightly, prepared for the fight ahead. He could feel the power of the wind spirits surrounding them, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Gale stood by his side, his bare hands ready to strike. Mariko and Chiyo stood behind them, their magical energies pulsating with each breath.

The four warriors stepped into the worship hall. The room was dark, lit only by the flickering candles scattered around the room.

Mariko, a Shinran priestess, had sensed something amiss and had called for their help. Upon arriving in the worship hall, they found an old man, a priest, who claimed to be Mariko’s grandpa, the Head Priest, Junko Chime.

But as Mariko pointed out, he had made two critical mistakes that revealed his true identity.

“You drained Old Ukyo’s life force dry and he died in my arms. You, Kamaitachi, are still here,” Mariko had said, her frown deepening. “The crisis is still here, and I’ve brought in some help to get you out from Gramps and seal you up for good.”

The old man, who had called himself Junko, scoffed at Mariko’s words, belittling the priestess’ ability to see a different spirit than the original in one’s body. But Shingo knew he was a fake for sure because Junko didn’t recognize him.

“Let me see you try!” Junko challenged.