Ryohei trembled as he found himself in the dead center of the monstrous pack, before he had time to think of what just happened or where he was, a powerful, domineering voice rang out, echoing through the crowd. It was an elderly voice, yet it carried immense might and pressure, sending shiver down his spine.
"Great. It seems everyone is here. In a short while, the Night Parade of 100 demons will begin, you young'uns will follow my lead." When the voice faded, the oppressive aura disappeared as well. 'Parade?' Ryohei thought, as his mind racing through.
*Dum Dum!
The deep, resonant beat of taiko drums roared, marking the start of the Hyakki Yagyo. A thick mist slowly crept up, blanketing the crowd. The group began to move forward, their forms obscured, appearing only as silhouette within the haze as a number of umbrellas dotted the mist like shadows.
Still in panic, Ryohei couldn't bear the thought of running away. How could he? he would have to get past countless terrifying monsters. If he were discovered, it would mean certain death. All he could do was blend in, follow the march and pray for a chance to escape.
Gripping the umbrella tightly, he lowered it to shield his head, hoping that any taller monsters wouldn't notice him. The rhythmic drumming intensified, joined by other instruments: the haunting melody of a bamboo flute, the sharp notes of a shamisen, and the jingling of bells. Together, they created a harmonious yet deeply unsettling tune.
Amid the eerie music, yokai sounds arose—groans, laughter, screeches, and howls. Ryohei glanced around nervously. The scenery blurred and shifted with every step he takes, as if he were inside a fast-moving train, even though the parade advanced at a snail's pace.
- - -
Tiny droplets began to fall, soon turning into a heavy downpour. The parade passed through a pitch-black tunnel devoid of any light, stretching endlessly. The only source of illumination came from a floating blue flame trailing the procession. Despite his disbelief in yokai until now, Ryohei recognized this phenomenon. That floating blue fire is an Onibi, or usually called demon fire, often depicted in movies and folklore. He vaguely recalled the saying that says, onibi were born from the corpses of humans and animals.
Finally, light appeared at the tunnel's end, emitting a blinding flash. "We're almost there," the old voice announced.
As the bright light faded, Ryohei saw a city bathed in a yellow-orange glow in the distance. Dragged along by the throng of yokai, he began to recognize the surroundings. Amid the surreal lantern glow and the bizarre procession, he noticed the distinct shapes of wooden machiya houses, their slatted facades and overhanging eaves familiar from photos and textbooks. Kyoto.
The realization struck him like lightning. Through the gaps in the yokai horde, he glimpsed stone torii gates standing solemnly and the silhouette of a pagoda on a distant hill. It confirmed his suspicion. He was in Kyoto, over 200 miles away from his home, yet he had arrived in less than five hours.
The parade moved away from the Kyoto city and started entering a forest. Ryohei's heart sank. He had hoped to escape into the city and find help, but alas, the night streets are desolate.
While the group slowly getting further and further away from the city, a figure emerged from behind a tree near the parade. It was a man, seemingly a drunk office worker that was strayed away from the city. The moment the yokai noticed him, the pack grew wild.
"It's a human! Looks tasty! Should we...?" The yokai began bickering, but none dared make the first move.
"Finally!" said one yokai, a humanoid creature with a sinuous, serpent-like neck and a grotesque face with a large nose. "I was getting bored of this parade. A snack has appeared!"
As the long-necked yokai, Mikoshi Nyudo lunged toward the man, another yokai interfered. Throwing its umbrella aside, it snarled viciously. "Back off! I saw him first! He's mine!"
The challenger was a wolf-like yokai, resembling a Western werewolf. They glared at each other, waiting for the other to strike.
*Aaaaaah!
The man screamed as another bird-like yokai dove in, tearing up flesh off his shoulder. The two rivals roared in outrage, realizing they had been tricked. They pounced on the bird yokai, trying to reclaim their prey. The chaos escalated as more yokai joined the fray, ripping the man apart. All that's left is just a hollowed scream of that man, struggling to escape while being eaten alive.
Ryohei who was trying to calm his breathing failed, after seeing that scene his heart rate jumps again, his breathing is uneven, and fear growing inside of him.
The Mikoshi Nyudo returned after the commotion, slithering through the air. Suddenly, it twitched as it passed near Ryohei.
"Wait a minute..." It sniffed the air. "I knew my nose wasn't playing trick on me! This smell... I smell fear."
Like a serpent, slithers through and fly over the parade, searching for the source. However, it struggled to pinpoint its target, thanks to umbrella on Ryohei's hand, it's a spiritual treasure that could obscure a person's identity. While it can't completely hide you from being noticed, but it can prevent yourself from being recognized, as some Yokai have natural enemy or grudge on each other.
The Mikoshi Nyudo's shadow loomed over Ryohei, who was growing increasingly restless. While narrowing its eyes as grin slowly appeared on its face, "Hey, you there! take away your umbrella."
Ryohei remained silent, as if didn't notice him. But deep inside he grew restless, while clutching his umbrella tightly.
The yokai's voice grew angrier. "Hey! Didn't you hear me!? I said—"
Suddenly a powerful force erupted from the front of the parade, silencing everyone.
"Enough!" his voice thundered through the air, "how long are you going to disrupt this march huh!"
it was the voice of the old man from the start of the march, Mikoshi Nyudo cowered, he yielded as he lowers his head to the ground and apologize. "Yes Sir! I apologize for my previous behavior."
The elder's voice turned cold. "I've tolerated your petty snack session, but I won't allow you to waste any more of my time. If you have grievances, settle them at the festival!"
The old voice snicker, he pointed at Mikoshi Nyudo. "I don't care if you don't want to use your umbrella, but you shouldn't force others to remove theirs either. As long as I'm in charge of this parade, you must abide by my rules, otherwise... the Yokai elders won't mind of a few missing participants."
"Yes, sir..."Amid bowing, Mikoshi Nyudo trembled when he heard of that sentence.
- - -
The march continued for a few minutes until they reached a clear open space deep in forest. It was empty, devoid of any structures, tree nor landmarks.
When the entourage ended, the old man who was leading the march stepped forward. "The Hyakki Yagyo march is over. It's time to start the Parade!!"
Suddenly, eerie screams echoed from all directions. Yokai emerged from the forest, their forms illuminated by orange lanterns they've brought. Some floated through the air, while others trudged out of the shadows.
Most of the Yokai were strange and unrecognizable to Ryohei, but a few stood out—creatures he'd only heard of in stories. He spotted the Kitsune, a fox yokai with a sly, cunning gaze; the Tengu, with its fierce expression, long nose and red colored face; a dark-winged Yokai with crow like face, the Karasu, circling from above; hulking Oni with horns and menacing expressions; and Kappa with their odd, bowl-like heads and beak.
The elder yokai began to gather in a circle, pulling out jugs of sake and trays of food as if preparing for a festival. Their strange eyes glinted with amusement, clearly savoring the spectacle of the newcomers.
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Then, the old man who led them turned and walked toward the group of Young Yokai. As he got closer, Ryohei finally got a good look at him. Though he seemed to be an old man at first glance, there was something unmistakably inhuman about him. Unlike a human who have either round or oval shaped head, his was elongated, curving upward into a peculiar, gourd-like shape that gave him an air of both wisdom and eeriness.
Some elder Yokai from the corner shouted and call him to join, "Hey Nurarihyon! Come and drink with me!". He looks over and smile, "Yeah! I'll come later! save some for me."
'Nurarihyon? I have never heard of it before.' Ryohei who was still looking for a way to escape finally found his gap,
"Young'uns we have arrived; you may take your Umbrella."
One by one, closed their umbrella, revealing the Yokai beneath. The silhouette that Ryohei saw amid the mist and shade umbrella was revealed, showing many different kinds of Yokai in terms of size and appearance.
Only one umbrella remains, and it was the one he was holding. Feeling the intense stare from surrounding, he feels hesitant. Then he noticed there are several human figures within the group, and he's quite calm.
Ryohei close his eyes and takes a deep breath, he steels his resolve and convince himself.
*Sighed..
'Easy there Ryohei, you heard that previous Yokai, he smells your fear. If you have a cold feet now, he will recognize you again.'
He raised down his umbrella and closes it, many were staring at him, but Ryohei shows no sign of fear from his face, only a serious bold expression. Nurarihyon starts to talk again, and all attention are focused back to him.
"Great, you can take that Shade Umbrella. Consider it a present from me for you youngster, the rest of the parade will take place after midnight, so you're free to enjoy yourself until then."
He turns back and leave, the group of Yokai starts to split, few go back to their kin, some join drinking with other elder Yokai and some was eating, what's left were those who remain standing, confused on what to do.
But Ryohei isn't one of them, because he was waiting this chance to escape since the start. He casually walks past the circling yokai who got stupefied by drinking too much and slowly head back to the forest...
- - -
"Slow and steady... don't panic... you're almost there..." Ryohei murmured to himself, walking away from the chaotic crowd of monster. His eyes darted around, wary of any sudden movements.
The forest was suffocatingly dark, but the faint glow of Onibi floating nearby illuminated his path. Ahead, a worn-out stone staircase loomed, stretching ominously into the forest canopy. Just as he focused on his footing, a faint sound pricked his ears—footsteps behind him. Someone—or something—was following him.
Ryohei's chest tightened. Was it that Yokai? Mikoshi Nyudo? The thought made his blood run cold. Quickening his pace, he tried to shake off the growing fear.
The footsteps grew louder. Before he could react, a hand clamped onto his shoulder.
Ryohei jolted, twisting around to face his pursuer. His breath hitched.
"Hey, are you okay? the parade is in that direction, where are you going?" a voice asked.
At first, the darkness obscured the figure. But as the Onibi light flickered closer, Ryohei could see the hand on his shoulder—it was human. The man standing before him had brown hair, slanted eyes, and a calm demeanor. He appeared to be around Ryohei's age, maybe slightly taller than him.
In that instant, Ryohei felt a sense of relief, he sighed and loosened all his tensed-up muscle. "Haaah, don't scare me like that. I thought you were one of them."
'Them? who's he talking about?' he ponders, "Aah I'm sorry, that was rude of me. I'm Shun?"
"I'm Ryohei, nice to meet you."
Shun smiled, giving him a firm handshake. "Nice to meet you too. So, what are you doing here?"
"Well," Ryohei hesitated before giving a sheepish laugh, "what does it look like? I'm trying to escape."
Shun raised an eyebrow, his tone almost amused. "Escape? From what, exactly?"
"From… them." Ryohei shivered slightly, glancing over his shoulder as though he half-expected to see another lurking yokai. "I got caught up in shithole somehow. It's terrifying—I didn't even know if I'd make it out alive."
He sighed, finally feeling some of the tension leave his body. "Honestly, it's just… calming, knowing there's another human here with me," he added with a genuine smile.
Shun's expression shifted, his friendly demeanor fading as his eyes narrowed. "Eh? You're a... human?"
Ryohei's eyes widened upon hearing that answer, his blood went cold, the words hitting him like a splash of ice water. How could he be so naive to blurt that out without reckon him as a shape-shifting Yokai.
Without hesitation, Ryohei lashed out, launching a swift kick at his stomach, the man's eyes widened in shock, but he raised both arms, blocking the blow effortlessly. Upon contact Ryohei was astonished, the impact didn't even make him flinch, it's as if he was kicking an unmovable boulder. As he thought... Shun is a Yokai.
Wasting no time, he used Shun's arm as a springboard, launching himself backward with a powerful kick. Catching a nearby tree branch, he swung away and bolted through the forest.
"Wait!" Shun called out, but Ryohei didn't stop. He immediately chase after Ryohei.
'I messed up. I messed up big time!! I didn't take into account that he was a shape shifting Yokai. I thought he was on the weaker side and was planning to knock him out, there's no way a human like me can out strength a Yokai in a brawl fight, the best chance I've got is to out speed him!'
Drawing on years of mountain training, Ryohei pushed his body to its limits, weaving through the dense forest. Behind him, the shadowy figure of Shun grew smaller. A flicker of hope surged in his chest. 'I can do this!'
Suddenly a black flash streaked past him, slamming into a tree ahead.
*CRACK! BOOM!
That attack hit directly at the tree trunk, and the tree splintered and collapsed, blocking Ryohei's way. Startled, Ryohei veered off course, only to hear another blast to detonate behind him.
*Boom! another explosion rounded; this time it was behind him.
"Shit!" he hissed, dodging debris. He spotted a large tree by the riverbank and made a desperate leap and managed to grab it. Then he swi-
*CRACK!
Another attack came and bullseye, it hit exactly the base of the branch Ryohei was holding, the branch snapped, Ryohei eyes widened, he lost all the momentum of his swing and fall into the river.
- - -
After he managed to block Ryohei's surprise attack, Shun was in the middle of chasing him, but...
"Haah haah, why is he so fast!? is he really a human!?" Shun who was trying to catch up, was left behind in the dust, panting as if he has been doing a nonstop marathon for the first time. He needs to change his approach.
"I hope this works." with a stone in his hand, he took a deep breath and then throw it with fraction of his strength, as if a canon was shot. The projectile rocketed through the air, obliterating a tree in its path. Fortunately, the tree collapsed and block his way, exalted by the result of his throw he took another one while chasing it.
His third throw land and he fell into a river, he saw his figure on the riverbank, slowly crawling out of water. He seems to notice me getting closer, "Wait! please don't run! I mean no harm!"
*Cough cough
"Says the one who launch all that attack just now." Ryohei said with sarcastic remark, while coughing-up river water. His eyes clearly showing no sign of trust.
"I'm serious, I'm trying to help you." Shun pleaded
"Help me?" Ryohei spat the rest of the water he accidentally drank, "Great, you can help me by letting me leave." said Ryohei, but he doubts that Shun will let him leave.
Shun winced, "As much as I'd love to... I can't," His expression darkened. "You've been marked by the Hyakki Yagyo. It's not something you can just walk away from."
Ryohei's breath hitched. "What do you mean... marked?"
Shun pointed at him. "Try checking your body, a tattoo like mark should be appearing on random part of your body."
Feeling a bit skeptical, Ryohei took his wet clothes and scanned his body, and found a ring like tattoo on his foot. He was shocked but remain silent.
"That is a mark of Hyakki Yagyo, it means you are one of its participants. Hyakki Yagyo, The Night Parade of 100 Demons, it is a parade for us Yokai to celebrate the coming-of-age for a young Yokai, this Parade happened all over Japan, some region has the center meeting of the parade."
His explanation continues, Hyakki Yagyo happened at 4 different location all across Japan. In the far north region lies Tohoku and Hokkaido region, the center of it was Noboribetsu Onsen, or more known as Hell Valley, is a famous hot spring area surrounded by rugged volcanic landscapes. On the far south, the center of Kyushu and Shikoku region are located in the Ryukyu archipelago, Okinawa. Then the center of Kanto region is in the middle of Tokyo. And the last one, the biggest and has most of the strongest Yokai clan gathered, attracting yokai from Chugoku, Chubu and Kansai. Centered in Kyoto. Each respective Hyakki Yagyo has distinct or different Yokai that participate, and each parade was led by a Supreme elder Yokai called Nurarihyon.
Ryohei eyes widened, but he remains quiet, but he understands all the things he said, and carefully paying attention to the last part he said. 'So that old man is one of the strongest yokai? his appearance doesn't show that much... appearance sure can be deceiving.' First is that old man, and then the guy Infront of him, their appearance is far from what you call strong, but they hide their power well, and it makes Ryohei more careful as to be more perceptive to measuring Yokai power.
"After the parade, a festival of blood will be held, all 100 young Yokais will battle each other in a life-or-death battle, if you win... you will gain fame and treasure, if you lose, you'll become Yokai's food."
Ryohei froze, trying to find a loophole out of it. "And what happens if I don't participate?"
"Each round, you will be assigned to an opponent, if you don't participate, you will be labeled as a deserter and will lose by default. The moment you lose a match, you will be regarded as the property of the winner, in other word... food."
Ryohei eyes narrow, he somewhat understood what Shun was about to say next. "As the property of the winner, your location can be tracked by the winner via that mark. That means if you were to return now, you will not only endanger yourself, but also your family."
Ryohei's heart skipped a beat the moment he heard his family, "And that is not the only consequences, during your escape, the mark will release a strong spiritual energy that attract other yokai to your location, so I doubt that you will reach your home with all that yokai's on your tail.
*Sighed, "So? what are you suggesting? that I remain here and become Yokai food?"
"No, not necessarily. I've got a plan, but I need to hear your side of story. Will you trust me?"
Deep down Ryohei had a hard time believing this slanted eye dude, he looks anything but trustworthy...
But... Beggar can't be choosers, so he had no other choice but to agree.
"Hahaha, what a fun things you guys are discussing, fill me in too would ya?"
An echoing voice came from the tree besides them, up in the tree there's a Tengu casually sitting on one of its branches while drinking alcohol from a cup.