Chapter Fourteen:

  “Paths at Dawn”

  Dawn crept over Kagemura. The dragon-tree, Shinryu, stirred in the breeze. Beneath its canopy, people moved briskly, focused quietly on their tasks. Herbalists plucked roots from blessed gardens, blacksmiths stirred embers to life, and guides whispered old prayers beneath charms that shimmered quietly in the dawn.

  Outside the Sleeping Fox, two groups had already begun to gather in the pale morning air. Warriors checked weapons. Scouts adjusted packs. The crisp air did little to cool the tension clinging to everyone.

  At the center stood Elder Kurohane, every part of him composed. Beside him, Masashi stepped from the tavern, a sealed scroll in hand. His eyes swept the gathering.

  The Yama-Okami twins stood nearby. Takeshi, rust-coated and broad as the mountains he came from, moved with the kind of stillness that came from surviving worse things than weather. Kaori, just as tall but leaner, paced the square’s edge. Her dark blue eyes scanned the village—echoes of that same deep color threaded through her fur. They would travel the mountain route.

  Not far from them, the Nekomijin scouts, Haru and Kei, worked with a quiet rhythm long practiced, Haru muttered over a faded map while Kei tested the weight of his blades, one eye always on the trees.

  Rai leaned against the low stone railing beside the garden wall, arms folded, her war fan shut for now. RW waited near her, silent and alert, her flame dimmed. Akira hadn’t spoken yet, but his gaze tracked every face in the crowd with that calculating stillness of his.

  "The mountain paths should hold until midday," Masashi announced, his voice firm but laced with unease. "Though the Spirit Wilds have grown restless."

  "Every path holds its own challenges now," Takeshi said. "I just hope the Players are ready for what’s coming."

  Kaori gave a curt nod. "Let’s hope they don’t slow us down."

  Rai opened her war fan with a snap. "Then let’s make something clear—no one here’s slowing anyone down."

  Akira merely flicked a blossom petal from his sleeve.

  A stillness settled across Kagemura as the last of the preparations were made. Morning rituals gave way to sharpened focus. The village was ready, or as ready as it could be.

  From within the Sleeping Fox, footsteps approached the door.

  John stepped out first, his armor freshly buckled, the plating catching faint glints of morning light. Yumi followed a heartbeat later, her hand slipping into his like it belonged there. Her new bracelet caught the light, scattering soft blue reflections across her skin and the stones beneath her feet.

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  The small crowd quieted as the two appeared. A few heads turned. One merchant gave a polite nod.

  RW padded up beside them, flame low and ears forward. "Took you long enough," she said, not unkindly.

  John smirked. "Had to make sure I looked heroic."

  Yumi’s grip didn’t loosen as they stepped from the inn, her hand still in his as they crossed the square and turned down the narrow path that curved behind the Sleeping Fox. Cherry petals drifted from above, brushing their shoulders as they passed into the quiet of the garden.

  The noise of the village faded.

  John glanced at her, but she was already looking at him.

  "I hate this part," he said.

  She nodded once, just enough to say she understood. Then she stopped walking and tugged him to a halt.

  "You don’t have to say anything." Her voice was soft, but it didn’t waver. "Just don’t look at me like it’s the last time."

  John hesitated. "Then don’t look at me like you’re going somewhere I can’t follow."

  Yumi leaned forward and pressed her forehead to his. "We’re not breaking. Just pulling in different directions for a while."

  They stood like that for a moment, foreheads touching, eyes closed.

  Then she kissed him. Quick. Fierce. Honest.

  When they pulled apart, her voice was steadier.

  "You better be waiting."

  "I’m not going anywhere you can’t find me."

  John and Yumi returned from the garden in silence. As they stepped back into the square, the final preparations were already underway.

  Supplies were being loaded. Straps tightened. Words kept short.

  Takeshi stood by the gate, speaking in low tones with Kaori. Rai tightened the wrappings around her gloves, flexing her fingers once. Haru rolled up his map and tucked it into his satchel, while Kei spun one of his blades once before sliding it home. Akira leaned against the edge of the carriage, arms crossed, eyes half-lidded like he’d been ready hours ago.

  Elder Kurohane moved to the center. "Two groups. One path to the mountains. One to the sea. Keep watch for each other when you can. Don’t linger when you can’t."

  Rai turned to Yumi. "Ready?"

  Yumi gave John’s hand one last squeeze before letting go. "Yeah. Let’s go before I start thinking too hard about it."

  Takeshi nodded once, then took the lead. Kaori and Rai followed. Yumi was the last to turn, her tails brushing softly over the stone as she walked away.

  John watched them go until they were gone.

  "Let’s move, Loverboy," Akira said. He wasn't trying to hide the smirk.

  RW stretched. "Finally. Thought we’d never get started."

  John adjusted the strap on his shoulder and followed. "You keep calling me that, people might start thinking you like me."

  Their carriage creaked as it rolled away from Kagemura, wheels catching over old stone and root. Morning mist clung low along the forest floor, stretching between the trees.

  John didn’t look back. He’d already said what he needed to say.

  RW hopped in behind him and found a spot near the rear, her flame dim and tail curled around her paws. Haru had already claimed a corner, unrolling a fresh map with a theatrical sigh and a flick of his tail, mumbling something about cursed elevation lines and bad cartography. Kei sat across from John, one boot braced on the edge of a crate, his blade resting across his knees.

  Akira sat on one of the crates near the front, one leg drawn up, arms resting loose across his knee. His sword leaned beside him, untouched. He hadn’t spoken since they rolled out, just watched the trees pass like they owed him nothing.

  John glanced across the wagon, his hands resting loosely on his knees. The weight of the road ahead pressed on him, and for the first time since this journey started, he felt it, the real burden of not knowing enough, not being enough. "I want to get better," he finally said. "Stronger. Not just survive on luck. You have experience I don't. I’m tired of relying on chance. So... can you teach me?"

  Akira didn’t turn around. "Lesson one. Don’t wait for permission to survive."

  Haru snorted quietly. Kei chuckled without looking up.

  John leaned back against the wooden panel, exhaling through his nose. "Great. So this is gonna be fun."

  Outside, the trees thickened. Somewhere far off, a crow called once and didn’t echo.