The Way Forward

The group walked in silence, their steps slow and careful on the forest path. The air was still, but the weight of the earlier fight clung to them like a shadow that wouldn't lift. Ahead of them, Sensei moved steadily, the faint glow of the blue crystal in his hand lighting their way.

Mono finally broke the quiet. "Sensei," he said hesitantly, his voice low. "That glow… the orange light… what was it?"

Sensei didn't turn as he replied, his tone calm and even. "It was Samurai energy," he said simply.

That was all he said, and the group didn't press further. They walked quietly for a while longer, their thoughts spinning as they tried to process what they had seen.

Raiba rubbed the back of his neck, frowning. "That beast," he muttered. "What even was it? It wasn't like the Kiba-hound."

Josei nodded slowly. "It felt… different," she said. "Stronger. Faster. Like it was thinking more than the others we've fought."

"It was terrifying," Hito admitted, though he quickly added, "Not that I was scared or anything."

Tokira spoke softly, his usual calm voice steady as he said, "It wasn't just the beast. The air felt… wrong. Heavy. Like the forest itself was watching."

Sensei's pace didn't falter as he answered, "It was a higher-tier beast. A **Kurayami Ravager**." He said the name clearly, his tone carrying the weight of experience. "Stronger, smarter, and far more dangerous than anything you've faced so far."

The group exchanged uneasy glances.

Josei frowned, gripping her sword tightly. "If it was that dangerous," she asked quietly, "why didn't it attack us immediately?"

"It wasn't after you," Sensei replied. "Its attention was on me from the start. Beasts like the Kurayami Ravager can sense energy. It felt my energy and came for me."

Mono's stomach turned as he thought about it. "So… it was drawn to you?" he asked.

"Yes," Sensei said. "That's why I told you not to move. It didn't see you as a threat—only me. But if you had attacked, it would have turned its focus on you."

The group fell silent again. The thought of something as powerful as the Ravager being attracted to energy sent a shiver through them.

As they walked, the forest began to shift. The trees grew thinner, and light from the setting sun pierced through the canopy in narrow beams. The air felt lighter, and the distant sound of voices began to reach their ears.

Raiba squinted ahead, tilting his head slightly. "What's that sound?" he asked.

The group followed Sensei to the edge of the forest, stepping into a wide clearing. Before them stretched a bustling town.

The streets were alive with movement. Market stalls lined the roads, selling everything from fresh fruit to hand-forged tools. Traders called out to customers, their voices rising above the sound of carts rolling over cobblestones. Children darted between the stalls, laughing as they chased one another.

"This is… our town," Mono said softly, his eyes scanning the familiar streets.

Hito grinned faintly. "Zeni'i no Machi," he said. "Feels like it's been forever since we were back."

Josei smiled slightly, her gaze moving over the market stalls. "I didn't realize how much I missed it," she admitted.

"Don't get too comfortable," Sensei said firmly, his voice pulling their focus back. "We're not stopping. The dojo isn't far now."

The group followed him through the town, sticking close as they weaved between the stalls and busy streets. A few familiar faces glanced at them, nodding in quiet acknowledgment, but no one stopped to talk.

As they moved through Zeni'i no Machi, the disciples couldn't help but feel a strange mix of relief and unease. The town was lively and full of energy, but the memory of the Kurayami Ravager was still fresh in their minds.

Raiba leaned toward Mono, speaking in a low voice. "Do you think something like that could ever show up here?" he asked.

Mono shook his head slightly. "I don't know," he said honestly. "I hope not."

After passing through the crowded streets, the group left the town behind. The noise of the market faded, replaced by the quiet rustle of leaves as they entered the forest again. This part of the woods felt different—less dense, more open. The path ahead was clear, and the air felt calmer.

Sensei glanced back at the group. "The dojo is close now," he said.

Hito raised an eyebrow, his voice tinged with nervous curiosity. "What's waiting for us there?" he asked.

Sensei didn't answer right away. He turned his gaze forward, his expression unreadable. "Lessons," he said simply. "And challenges."

The disciples exchanged brief glances but didn't ask more. They trusted Sensei, even if his answers always seemed to raise more questions.

After a while, the tall wooden gates of the dojo came into view. The sight of the familiar building brought a faint sense of relief to the group.

As they stepped through the gates, the training grounds stretched out before them. The space was quiet, bathed in the warm light of the setting sun. The blue crystal in Sensei's hand glowed softly, casting faint shadows on the ground.

Sensei stopped just inside the gates, his eyes scanning the grounds briefly before turning back to the group. He didn't say anything, but the look in his eyes was clear—the journey was far from over.