Chimaru stepped into the swirling portal, his voice echoing behind him.
"I'll meet you on the other side..."
Haru turned back, meeting the eyes of his team—each gaze filled with confusion, concern, even betrayal. All but Hiro and the barely conscious Matsamaru. They understood, even if no one else did.
Without a word, Haru followed into the portal. It closed behind him with a deep ripple, vanishing like it was never there.
Shino gritted his teeth.
"Tch... I never knew he was such a fool. Trusting a fake Chimaru?"
Akira remained quiet for a moment, then turned.
"Let's go home. Haru isn't stupid. Whatever that was—he probably did something that made the beast cooperate. Maybe... he's in control."
A heavy silence fell on the group.
Hiro adjusted Matsamaru, carrying him over his shoulder. Matsamaru's eyes slowly opened—wide with fear and something deeper.
None of them said a word as they followed Akira, their footsteps soft against the earth.
They walked the road back home—quiet, uncertain, and heavy with the weight of what just happened.
Haru emerged before a towering fence, crackling with fire torches. The night was thick, quiet, almost sacred in its silence. Just as he stepped closer, a sudden flicker of torchlight caught his eye from the left. Instinctively, he ducked behind the fence, holding his breath.
A patrol of guards marched past—clad in heavy, clanking samurai armor. Each one held a burning torch and a massive machete strapped to their backs. Their eyes were sharp, movements rigid. Haru remained still, watching them fade into the distance until their firelight vanished into the dark.
Cautiously, he stepped out.
Scanning the area, his eyes searched for any sign of the possessed Chimaru—but nothing. No presence. No hint of energy. Just emptiness. Confusion settled on Haru's face as he moved in the direction the guards had gone.
Soon, he arrived at the edge of a hill. Below, a village sprawled out—lit by dim lanterns and moving shadows. It was unlike anything he'd seen before. People walked about dressed in garments from a forgotten era—lace cuffs, leather vests, wide skirts, and tall boots. It was a village frozen in time. The style… unmistakably 1400s, reminiscent of old English towns.
Haru descended slowly.
As he entered, the villagers paid him no attention, continuing their conversations in a language unfamiliar and ancient. Haru narrowed his eyes. He had crossed more than just space.
Chimaru suddenly appeared beside him, dressed just like the villagers—an aged, noble coat, leather boots, and a ruffled shirt. His smile was wide, almost theatrical.
"Hello, Iminaqo Haru... Welcome to the distinguished village of Evergreen," he said in the foreign tongue of the locals.
Haru narrowed his eyes, unfazed. He responded in his own language, flatly, "What's this? Where are we?"
Chimaru chuckled, switching to match him. "Shadow Prison, fool."
Without a shift in expression, Haru continued walking, his eyes scanning the strange, flickering world around them. "This is how you imagined a Shadow Prison?"
Chimaru shrugged, hands casually in his pockets as they moved deeper into the village. "It was the first image I saw the moment my soul crossed the veil. The Laki spirit... it just took it from my mind."
Haru glanced sideways, his voice low. "Then this place… it's built from your memory?"
"More like... the ruins of one," Chimaru replied, the smile fading. "Now it's a prison dressed in nostalgia."
Chimaru jumped in front of him, walking backwards. "If I had imagined the Shadow Prison as a ferocious, dark, and tightly secured dungeon, we'd be finished for sure."
He turned and walked forward again, moving slowly so Haru could catch up.
"This land is a future version of the world—your world—over one thousand, four hundred years from now. Isn't it beautiful? A world you can't live in, not in reality."
Haru didn't reply, walking casually. "If this is a prison, shouldn't we be hiding from someone? This is the worst place to be—everyone here looks like an enemy, maybe almost everyone."
Chimaru smiled. "Yes, they are—if you're not dressed like them".
Haru stared at him for a long moment.
Suddenly, he found himself facing a wooden door that led into a small room. Inside, there was a foamy bed with a blanket neatly folded on top. A candle flickered softly on a nearby table.
"Is this convincing enough?" Haru asked.
Chimaru sank onto the bed, leaning back and then straightening up. "Yes... it... is!" He paused, breathing heavily. "This is Kimi Blue. With you dressed like that, we're safe."
Haru turned to face him, now clad in a leader's hat, an eye patch, a long coat befitting a commander, and tall boots.
Chimaru smiled. "Shall we?"
They stepped out of the room upstairs and made their way down. The downstairs was a lively tavern filled with dancers, laughter, and the clinking of beers and whiskey glasses. Games were scattered around, and the air buzzed with noise and warmth.
Haru pushed open the double swinging doors, stepping outside into the cool night.
Chimaru followed, a sly smile on his face. He grabbed a bottle of whiskey from a nearby table before joining Haru, who stood quietly facing a poor kid sitting on the ground, his dog curled loyally by his side.
Chimaru glanced at the kid beside Haru, then turned and walked away. "He's more dangerous than you think."
Haru nodded, eyes sharp. "I can feel it. Such killing intent... Who is he?"
Chimaru closed his eyes, raising a hand in a shrug. "Beats me. Probably a fragment from this world's memory."
Haru shifted his gaze away from the kid and his dog, turning back to Chimaru as they walked. "So, where exactly is the Shadow Prison?"
Chimaru smiled, eyes closed. "Remember the fence you saw when you arrived?"
Haru's eyes narrowed. "That's where the Shadow Prison is?"
Chimaru shook his head, still smiling. "No, that's where the map is."
Haru didn't respond at first, his gaze fixed on Chimaru's back as they walked, then shifted forward again in silence.
Chimaru let out a low chuckle. "I was just joking… Don't take it so hard."
"I didn't," Haru replied flatly.
Chimaru glanced over his shoulder, smirking. "Yeah, you did."
Haru, eyes still forward, answered again. "No, I didn't."