Chapter Ten:

"Welcome to Kagemura"

The Archway's protective wards dimmed behind them, their fading glow swallowed by the mist. The weight of the battle hung heavy on the group, though no one spoke of it. Early afternoon light filtered through gaps in the towering trees, casting fragmented shadows across the path. The air was thick with the scent of pine, damp earth, and faint traces of smoke—evidence of the nearby village.

John adjusted the grip on his katana, its weight unfamiliar but somehow now felt a little more natural. His breathing was steady now, though his mind churned with unease. “Anyone else feel like the forest is… watching us?” he asked, his voice breaking the silence.

Yumi’s ears flicked toward him, her emerald eyes scanning the trees. “It’s not just you,” she said softly. “There’s energy here, old and alive. The kind that remembers.”

“Hmph. Cute way to put it,” Akira muttered, his voice carrying an edge that didn’t quite match his usual calm. His katana rested against his shoulder, and his posture seemed more relaxed, but his eyes darted constantly, tracking every shift in the mist. With a sudden flick of his wrist, he spun the blade once before resting it back against his shoulder, the motion smooth and deliberate. “If it remembers, it’s probably pissed at us for being here.”

RW’s soft blue flames flickered at John’s side. “Technically, it’s more likely to be curious than angry. But hey, what’s curiosity if not a prelude to dissection?” Her tone was playful, though only John could hear it. He suppressed a smirk, earning a questioning glance from Yumi.

“Something funny?” she asked.

“Just… nerves, I guess,” John replied, deflecting.

Kinu, walking ahead with Taro, turned slightly, her tail flicking in excitement.

“That was amazing! All the stories were true! We’re getting closer to (Dragon Tree’s Name), notice how the Pyreflies are beginning to cluster?”

“Pyreflies?” John echoed.

“They’re harmless,” Taro interjected, his voice calm and measured. “But their presence means the eye of God Herself is watching from between the Realms. It’s said that the living and the dead can hear each other’s whispers in such places.”

“Great,” Akira drawled, his grin sharp and wild. “Let’s add ghosts to the mix. Why not? Maybe they’ll have some sake to share.”

Yumi shot him a look. “This isn’t a joke.”

Akira shrugged, unbothered. “You gotta laugh, or you go crazy. Trust me, I’ve seen enough to know.”

As they walked, the mist began to part, revealing a towering tree unlike any John had ever seen. Its bark shimmered faintly, like scales, and its massive roots twisted and sprawled across the ground, forming natural bridges and hollows. Pyreflies drifted around it, their light casting an ethereal glow.

“That’s…” John started, but his words faltered.

“The dragon-tree,” Kinu said, her voice reverent. “We call it Shinryu, the Divine Dragon. It’s more than just a tree. It’s a guardian.”

RW’s flames flickered brighter. “Now this is interesting. A tree born from a dragon? Talk about dedication to protecting life! ”

John ignored her interruption, and continued listening to Kinu’s explanation. “Long ago, during the Players’ war, the land was corrupted by their greed and destruction. Shinryu was a dragon then, and she saw the chaos tearing Eldoria apart. When a group of refugees fled to this forest, seeking sanctuary, it chose to protect them.”

John listened intently, his grip tightening on his katana. “It sacrificed itself?”

“Yup,” Kinu said. “Shinryu transformed, binding its essence to the land to purify the corruption and shield the village. Its roots run deep, anchoring the magic that protects Kagemura from what lies deep within The Spirit Wilds, that Archway we went through, for example, is powered by her magic.”

Yumi stepped closer to the tree, her tails swaying gently. “You can feel it,” she murmured. “The energy. It’s still alive.”

“Alive and watching,” Akira muttered. He leaned casually against a root but kept his hand on his sword hilt. “If this thing decides to wake up, I’m not sticking around to chat.”

Kinu glanced back at him, her expression unreadable. “Respect it, or you’ll find yourself unwelcome here.”

Akira smirked, his adrenaline still evident in the sharpness of his movements. “Relax. I’m all about respect—just ask anyone who’s lived long enough to answer.”

John shook his head, suppressing a laugh.

“What’s gotten into you man?”

Despite Akira’s cavalier attitude, there was a tension in his stance, a readiness to act if needed. The group’s shared unease was palpable, but so was their growing bond—a fragile but unspoken trust forming between them.

A sharp edge crept into Akira's grin. "Combat high," he said, fingers drumming restlessly on his katana hilt. "One of Gameweaver's little jokes - making some of us ride the line between control and chaos." His hand drifted briefly toward his tanto before he forced it back to the katana. "Best to let it burn through naturally. Fighting it only makes it worse."

Before John could ask more, a voice cut through their conversation. "That's far enough."

Two figures emerged from the forest - scouts in worn gear that marked them as veterans of these paths. The taller one's hand rested on his blade hilt, eyes sharp as he studied each member of their group.

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"Kinu!" Relief and something harder mingled in his voice. "The village searched all night. Elder Kurohane will want---" His words cut off as he saw her new companions, tension drawing his frame taut. "Who are they?"

"Their Players Masashi!" Kinu said enthusiastically.

"Players? Get real Kinu, Players are just stories. They're not-" Masashi stopped mid-sentence when he finally noticed RW. His eyes opened wide as understanding and disbelief washed over him. "And you brought them here!"

The second scout - Hideo -a young Kitsune male moved quickly, positioning himself to keep them all in view. His hand never left his blade.

"They need to speak with the Elders," Kinu said, her tail lifting slightly - a subtle challenge.

"The Elders?" Hideo’s laugh held no warmth. "After what Players did to this realm? After what they forced Shinryu to become?"

"You can't just leave them to wander the Spirit Wilds," Kinu said, stepping closer to Masashi. Her tail swayed with a confidence John hadn't seen from her before.

"That's exactly what we should do." Hideo kept his stance ready, fingers tight on his blade. "These aren't travelers lost in the woods, Masashi. They're Players. The stories say-"

"The village will see them now whether we guide them or not," Masashi cut in, his gaze lingering on RW before shifting to each Player in turn.

"Then it's your neck." Hideo's tone carried a clear warning. "When the Elders hear-"

"It's done." Masashi's voice left no room for argument.

Hideo's jaw clenched, but he fell into position behind the group, his eyes never leaving them as they started forward. The Pyreflies gathered thicker as they approached Kagemura, their deep blue, emerald, and gold light weaving through the air in ways John hadn’t seen them do before.

"Keep up," Masashi called over his shoulder, leading them down a path that curved between Shinryu's massive roots.

"Or don't," Hideo added from behind, his tail swishing with clear irritation. "I'm sure the Spirit Wilds would welcome you back with open mouths."

Yumi's ears flattened. "Someone's friendly."

"Can't blame him," Akira said, that wild energy still dancing in his eyes, but fading. "We did just crash their nice, quiet afternoon." He spun his katana again, the motion drawing a sharp look from Hideo.

"You want to maybe not antagonize the guy watching our backs?" John muttered, though he couldn't help smirking at Akira's antics.

A young girl practicing with a wooden sword froze mid-strike as they passed. Cautious hands pulled her inside their home, but not before John caught her whispered question: "Mama, who are they?"

The village opened before them - buildings of wood and stone nestled between Shinryu's massive roots that breached the ground. Some roots towered higher than the structures themselves, creating natural walls that the village had built around.

"The afternoon practice should be starting soon," Masashi said, guiding them past a training yard where wooden posts bore countless strike marks. "The Sleeping Fox is just ahead. Mistress Tsubaki's family has watched over the tavern for three generations. Her kindness keeps the peace between all who enter."

"A tavern?" Akira perked up noticeably. "Now you're speaking my language."

"Don't get too excited," Hideo said coldly. "This isn't some common drinking house."

RW bounded ahead of the group. "The energy readings from this building are fascinating! The foundations seem to be reinforced with-"

"The Sleeping Fox," Masashi announced, cutting through John's amusement at RW's enthusiasm.

The building rose two stories, its wooden walls weathered but well-maintained. Blue flames lit the lanterns flanking its entrance, and a worn sign swayed gently - a sleeping fox curled around a sword. The entire structure seemed to rest against one of Shinryu's smaller roots, as if the great tree had grown specifically to shelter it.

"Finally," Yumi breathed, her tails drooping slightly with exhaustion. "A real bed sounds amazing right now."

"Assuming they let us stay," John said quietly, earning a gentle bump from her shoulder.

"Always so optimistic."

The door opened before they reached it. A Kitsune woman emerged, her three tails marking significant power. Her robes were simple but elegant, and her eyes held both warmth and sharp intelligence.

"Welcome to The Sleeping Fox," she said, her voice carrying natural authority. "I am Mistress Tsubaki." Her gaze moved over the group, lingering briefly on RW before settling on John. "You look like you could use a proper meal and rest."

"Enter and rest," Mistress Tsubaki stepped aside, gesturing them in. "I'll have food ready shortly."

Hideo's tail twitched. "Masashi, we should report-"

"Go," Masashi cut in. "I'll handle the Elders." He turned to the group. "Rest well. Someone will come for you when the Elders are ready."

The tavern's interior wrapped around them like a warm blanket. Worn wooden tables filled the common room, their surfaces polished smooth by years of use. Lantern light cast a gentle orange blue glow, and the scent of cooking meat and fresh bread filled the air.

"This way," Mistress Tsubaki guided them to a corner table. "The sake is particularly good today."

"Now that's what I needed to hear," Akira said, the wild edge finally leaving his voice as he settled onto a cushion. His hand moved from his katana for the first time since they'd entered the village.

Rai chose a seat that let her watch both the door and windows, but her shoulders relaxed slightly as Mistress Tsubaki set cups before them. "Thank you for your hospitality."

John found himself between Yumi and RW, the mechanical fox settling beside his cushion. Her she studied everything with keen interest.

"The convergence of magical energies here is remarkable," she said, "Though I suspect you're more interested in other things at the moment."

He followed her gaze to where Yumi's tail had unconsciously rested against his leg. When he caught her eye, she quickly looked away, her whiskers twitching slightly.

Mistress Tsubaki returned with steaming bowls of soup, the rich aroma making John's mouth water. "Eat," she said simply. "Everything else can wait."

The first few bites passed in comfortable silence, everyone too focused on their food to speak. Then Akira laughed suddenly, the sound startling them all.

"Sorry," he said, taking another sip of sake. "Just thinking - a few hours ago we were fighting for our lives. Now here we are, eating soup like it's the most normal thing in the world."

"Better than fighting," Rai said, but her lips curved slightly.

"The soup helps, it’s yummy!" Yumi added, her tails swaying contentedly.

More dishes appeared - grilled fish, steamed vegetables, rice that seemed to glisten in the lantern light. Mistress Tsubaki moved among them like a gentle breeze, refilling cups and replacing empty plates without drawing attention to herself.

As the meal continued, the tension that had gripped them since entering Kagemura began to fade. Rai shared stories of training in her dojos growing up. Akira, mellowed by food and sake, spoke of his master Miyuki's teachings - though his hand still strayed to his tanto when he mentioned her name.

John felt Yumi's tail brush his arm again, but this time she didn't pull away. The contact was warm, comforting.

"What do you keep smiling at?" she asked.

"Just... grateful, I guess," he replied. "For this moment." He looked at his new companions relaxing, enjoying themselves, even after everything they had been through and still must face. “For new friends.”

The afternoon light had faded to evening when Mistress Tsubaki finally showed them to their rooms. The upper floor held a quiet stillness, broken only by their footsteps on well-worn boards.

"Rest well," she said, leaving them to sort out their arrangements.

Rai took the first room, disappearing with a quiet nod. Akira paused at his door, studying them all one last time before entering without a word.

John found himself lingering as Yumi reached for her door handle. Their eyes met, and something unspoken passed between them.

"Sleep well," she said softly, her whiskers twitching.

"You too."

He watched her door close before entering his own room. Leaning back against it, he let out a long breath.

"You know," RW's voice carried distinct amusement, "the mechanics of attraction are quite fascinating-"

"Don't start."

RW’s quiet laughter followed him into sleep.