The next morning brought with it a heavy fog. The academy grounds felt eerily quiet, like the air itself was holding its breath.
Kaito walked the halls, still disturbed by the strange dream.
"That girl… who was she?"
As he passed a mirror, a sudden flicker caught his eye. For a split second, he saw himself — not as he was, but with glowing red eyes and ash covering his skin.
He blinked. The image vanished.
---
In Professor Saigen's private office, a tense meeting was underway.
"The creature you encountered," the professor said, pacing slowly, "was a Shade Fiend. They haven't appeared in over fifty years."
Rena frowned. "Then why now?"
Saigen's gaze hardened.
"Because something... is calling them. And I believe that something is linked to Kaito's curse."
Kaito looked away. He didn't want to be anyone's cause. He just wanted answers.
---
That night, Kaito stood alone in the training field. He dug his claws into the dirt, trying to trigger his transformation — to control it, bend it to his will.
Nothing.
But then — a voice behind him.
"You won't master it like that."
He turned sharply. A girl stood in the mist. The same girl from his dream.
"Who... who are you?!"
She stepped forward, calm and graceful.
"I'm the one who shared your curse... long before you were born."
Kaito froze.
"What do you mean shared?"
Her eyes glowed faintly. "You carry the blood of the first Shadowfang. And that means you're not the only one."
The mist thickened. When Kaito blinked, she was gone.
---
In the shadow realm, something stirred. And it had just opened one eye.
---
End of Chapter 8