Title Suggestions:
Eyes of Broken Lilies: Whispers of the Fukaki Rain Chapter 11: The Deep One's Breath Eyes of Broken Lilies: Melody of the Cursed Forest Chapter 11: Shadows
The morning mist lingered gently across the tiled roofs of the Yin Lan Clan. The rain had stopped, yet droplets still slid softly from above, tapping like whispers of warning. The petrichor clung to the air, earthy and thick. But Master Suiren could not enjoy its familiar comfort. His eyes gazed blankly beyond the open shoji screen, where clouds still hovered low and heavy.
Something was wrong.
The silence of the compound was unnatural, and Suiren's fingers curled slightly into his wide sleeves as worry settled deeper into his heart.
"Lan Suji," he called.
A figure appeared promptly. A tall man, likely over 26, with long black hair tied neatly and calm blue eyes, stepped forward and bowed with quiet grace. His white hanfu drifted softly as he bent in the formal Lan manner.
"Yes, Master?"
Suiren turned to face him fully. Though his tone remained even, there was a subtle tremble beneath it.
"Head north. To the rain forest bordering Bayakuya Village. Utsushi and Kairo have not returned. There has been no butterfly message, no sign... I fear something has happened."
Lan Suji's expression tightened subtly. "Should I also seek the melody or the garden it belongs to, Master?"
"No. That can wait. Just find those boys. Prioritize their lives. Report to me directly once you have news."
"As you wish, Master. I will lead the expedition."
"Choose your team carefully," Suiren warned, his voice lower now. "No more lives shall be lost."
Lan Suji bowed again, understanding the gravity in his master's voice. "They will return, Master. I will ensure it."
Ten trusted Lan disciples assembled shortly after. None too young. All experienced. The threat level was unknown, but potentially immense.
As they marched, Suji addressed them with calm authority.
"Our task is clear: find and recover Lan Utsushi and Kairo. Protect each other. Stay sharp. Once we enter Fukaki Rain Forest, we don't split unless commanded."
A few murmurs rose among them.
"They're really in that forest?"
"Why send only two of them? It's the most dangerous region we know."
Lan Suji responded.
"They were chosen for their mastery in swordplay, guqin, and flute techniques. But yes... it is no ordinary forest. It is called Fukaki Rain Forest..The Deep One. Many yokai dwell there. Some serve King Kuradome or King Kyoren... but others are unaffiliated, violent, and roam freely. And recently, Spacial-grade yokai have appeared near awakened Soul Gardens. We must tread with caution."
Lan Kansai, a younger man with ash-grey hair, murmured, "Fukaki... The Deep One. It sounds cursed."
"It is," Suji confirmed.
Someone behind asked, "Should we..contact King Kuradome or Kyoren? They know that forest best..atlist then others or us.."
Suji hesitated, then answered flatly. "No. Not now. Kyoren is recovering. He was attacked by a unique Spacial-grade yokai... something we haven't classified yet. And Kuradome...he's distancing himself from these affairs for now."
A chill ran down the team's spine at this. If even Kyoren was injured...what exactly were they walking into?
As they approached Bayakuya Village, the tension grew heavier. The air thickened with a revolting stench...a blend of rotting flesh, spoiled food, and foul waste. Some gagged. Others covered their faces.
Lan Kansai coughed, tears in his eyes. "That smell... it's unbearable."
Suji handed him his own handkerchief, voice soft. "Here. Use this. We go on."
Kansai's heart skipped a beat..he didbt expected lan suji would offer his own handkerchief to him..because he barely shares his things with others and also..because of being a spacial grade lan , he..shouldn't be this kind..just as others aren't.. He takes the handkerchief a bit hesitately..then bowed lightly before saying ,
" th..thank you , lan suji.."
" No need to thank me..keep it as lomg as you need..I'm fine with that "
Lan Kansai nods softly , suji also nods once in return . His excretion gently yet also serious for theor case .
They entered the village cautiously, splitting into two groups. Suji led four others deeper toward the forest while Kansai remained with five to assess the village's condition.
Meanwhile...
Far from the chaos, in a clearing drenched in the aftermath of the rain, Kirihito danced.
The sky is still a bit clouds, the wind is cold yet kirihito isn't bothered by the cold..too much happy to care..His hood half-fell, revealing glistening black hair with faint silver strands. His yukata was stained, but his covered eyes had shone with unbothered joy...which can be seen even without finding his eyes exposed for a moment .
"I did it! I did it !~ I'm the best ~ I solved their rice issues forever! Now they won't need to count food for those servants! They can REST , their heads are cut totally right . Just like they deserve!"
He twirled as a white snake appeared, dropping two vibrant dragon fruits.
"Snakie!! You're the best! I swear, one day I'll steal the old fox's breath while he sleeps. Can't let that fun end so soon~"
He skipped away, singing:
" I don't beg~
I don't search~
I'm a~ creature they wanna touch~
But what do they get?~
Only my cold hands to cut-off heads~ "
The snake watched him go before shifting into a pale woman with crimson eyes and snowy hair.
"You poetic snake," she murmured with a smirk, "Too caught in your dance to see me..."
In the depths of Fukaki Forest...
Kairo gasped awake...yet can't move.. can't react..like paralyzed...
His lips bled black. His body trembled violently. Utsushi held him close, fear in his usually composed eyes.
"Kairo! Wake up! Come on! Don't let it take you!"
Kairo's breath hitched. He clutched Utsushi's robes, eyes wide with panic.
"Your arm... it's fine now? But mine... I have the same injury you had. What's going on?!"
Voices whispered in his ears...desperate, dangerous..and really sharp whispers like it'll tear off the ears just by words .
" You will die here. Your body is mine now. You should never have sought the melody. "
" yeah yeah you'll die..no one is going to save you ~ "
" Your body will get rotten here ~ no one won't come to see you ~ "
" your nothing but bones will be left here ~ "
" I'll remove that name " kairo " from this world and everyone's memory ~ "
" them ~ no family ~ no care..everything will be end ~ like a pitiful life if a butterfly ~ "
He buried his face into Utsushi's neck, trembling. Utsushi tried to steady him..until he felt it...
Long, cold fingers touched his shoulder from behind...squeezing lightly..it was light yet felt like Enough to break his shoulder.. breath hitches..
He froze.
He dared not look. A low, breathy chuckle reached his ear. It sounded like broken glass being ground into silk.he tightened his eyes , bitting lower lip from making any sound of fear...then slowly opens one eye..
Utsushi reached for his guqin—but it was shattered...both of their guqins were now laying in a distance like broken memories..
Their powers were sealed.
The voice returned.
" You will do as I say... or you will lose what you crave most. "
Utsushi's heart pounded.
Something ancient was awake.
And it had chosen them...to continue their crule game..
[ End of Chapter 11 ]