The mission began without delay.
No clear target.
No exact location.
Only a direction—
"Find them."
Into Unknown Territory
Raizen and Kagen moved through unfamiliar land.
No villages.
No signs of life.
Only open ground and distant ruins.
"…This place feels empty," Raizen said.
Kagen replied quietly.
"…That's why they chose it."
Absence of Presence
Raizen focused.
Breathing steady.
Searching.
But—
Nothing.
No demons.
No movement.
Not even a trace of shadow.
"…It's too quiet."
The Shift
Then—
The air changed.
Not violently.
Subtly.
Like something had just noticed them.
Formation
The ground darkened.
Not spreading.
Forming.
Circles.
Perfect shapes.
One.
Two.
Three.
Around them.
Encircled
Raizen stepped back.
"…We're surrounded."
Kagen didn't move.
"…No."
A pause.
"We're being invited."
Manifestation
From each circle—
Figures emerged.
Not fully human.
Not fully shadow.
Defined.
But incomplete.
The Circle Appears
Five figures stood around them.
Silent.
Still.
Watching.
First Words
One stepped forward.
"You arrived."
Its voice was layered.
Multiple tones at once.
No Hostility
Raizen held his blade.
"…You're the Circle."
The figure nodded slightly.
"We observe."
A pause.
"And now—we interact."
Tension Without Action
Kagen stepped forward.
"…State your purpose."
The figure tilted its head.
"You already know."
A pause.
"We are here because of him."
It looked at Raizen.
Direct Focus
Raizen didn't look away.
"…Then speak."
Statement
"You are an anomaly."
Silence.
Explanation
"You are not fully human."
"You are not fully demon."
A pause.
"You exist between states."
Reaction
Raizen's grip tightened.
"…I know."
Correction
The figure responded—
"No."
A pause.
"You do not understand."
Revealing Depth
Another figure stepped forward.
"…Your existence disrupts balance."
"Shadows respond to you."
"Systems shift around you."
Kagen Intervenes
"…Enough," Kagen said.
"…Say what you want."
Purpose Revealed
The first figure spoke again.
"We are not here to kill you."
A pause.
"Not yet."
Silence
The words lingered.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
Offer
"We are here to observe your growth."
"And decide."
Raizen's eyes sharpened.
"…Decide what?"
Answer
"…Whether you become a threat."
A pause.
"Or something worse."
Tension Peaks
Raizen stepped forward.
"…And if I do?"
The figure didn't hesitate.
"…Then we erase you."
Stillness
No movement.
No attack.
But the pressure—
Was real.
End of Contact
The figures began to fade.
"…Grow."
A final word.
"…So we can judge you properly."
Disappearance
The circles vanished.
The land returned to normal.
Empty again.
Aftermath
Raizen stood still.
Breathing steady.
But his mind—
Sharp.
Kagen's Words
"…This changes everything."
Raizen nodded.
"…I know."
Final Scene
They turned back.
The mission was complete.
But nothing was resolved.
Ending Line
When powerful enemies choose to wait—
It means your future has already become dangerous.