LM0077 Forbidden

As if to prove himself, Kagerou released a wave of his aura. It surged through the air like a tidal wave—powerful and unrelenting. The atmosphere thickened, and for a moment, Roderik and Iori were frozen, their bodies stiffening under its weight. The sensation was terrifying, not just the force of his presence but the nature of it—an overwhelming, oppressive force that seemed to consume everything in its path.

Roderik felt a cold sweat break out across his brow. His heartbeat quickened, each beat louder and faster, as if his body was trying to escape the storm surrounding him. The feeling was primal—a deep, instinctual warning. It was as if they were baby sharks in the presence of a megalodon, or a house lizard before a T-Rex. That was how the balance of power felt—an ancient force, dwarfing them with its sheer magnitude.

The air hummed with Kagerou's presence, warping reality itself. Roderik's breath caught in his throat as his instincts screamed for him to flee, but his body refused to obey. He stood helpless, caught in the grip of Kagerou's ancient power.

Iori, too, felt the weight of it. His normally composed features tightened, his hands unconsciously clenching. For the first time, even he felt the ancient gravity of Kagerou's presence. His breath was shallow, his body tense, as if time itself had stopped, leaving only the suffocating pressure.

The silence deepened, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Kagerou stood before them, his bi-colored eyes gleaming with the unspoken understanding of his true nature. He was not just a figure from the past—he was the embodiment of something far older, far more terrifying. The very air around him vibrated with power, a force that could crush them with a mere thought.

It lasted only a few seconds, but to Roderik and Iori, it felt like an eternity. The aura suffocated them, pressing down like a vice, and every muscle in Roderik's body screamed for release. His mind, usually quick and sharp, felt sluggish under the weight of Kagerou's power. His heart pounded, but it felt muffled, as if the world around him had been silenced.

Finally, Kagerou released the pressure. The room seemed to return to normal, though the lingering feeling of his aura didn't fade immediately. It was as if the very air had been altered, leaving a thick, lingering presence. Roderik's head spun as the gravity of what had just happened sank in. Hizuki's wolf was the progenitor? He was standing before the source of everything—the true heart of the Shadow Wolf Pack.

"Ancestor, you didn't have to do that," Iori complained, wiping sweat from his brow. His voice shook slightly, though he masked it with sarcasm. "It's not like he won't believe you."

Roderik, still recovering, leaned forward onto the table, his arms pressing into it as if the weight of Kagerou's presence had physically melted him into it. His body felt heavy, like stone sinking in water. His thoughts scattered, struggling to process what had just transpired. The man—the wolf—he was facing was not just a figure from history; he was the embodiment of power itself. His aura was that of the primordial, the source from which everything flowed. Hizuki's wolf was this ancient wolf.

"Sorry," Kagerou said, though he sounded anything but apologetic. His voice was smooth, calm, and almost indifferent, as if the display of power had been a casual gesture. There was a glimmer of amusement in his eyes, as though he found their reaction almost entertaining.

Roderik finally straightened up, wiping his brow with the back of his hand. The sensation still lingered, a dull throb in his chest, but he focused on the matter at hand. His thoughts were scrambled, but his curiosity sharpened, overriding the dread that had clouded his mind moments before.

After a few more minutes, both men recovered, though Roderik's head still felt dizzy from the intensity of Kagerou's presence. He shook his head, trying to clear the fog.

"Why did you summon me?" he asked, his voice steady but tinged with curiosity. It was clear now—it wasn't Iori who had asked for his presence. It was Kagerou, the primordial wolf, the source of Hizuki's power, and the heart of the Shadow Wolf Pack's legacy.

Kagerou, still standing tall with effortless authority, regarded him with those piercing eyes. His gaze was both intense and calculating, as though he were sizing up the very soul of the man before him. "Because it will be bad if you stay in the Wind Pack," he said simply. His voice carried the weight of someone who had seen the future unfold over centuries. "You might be strong, but those insects are too cunning and greedy."

Roderik was taken aback. The words cut through him. "Insects?" he echoed, looking to Iori for clarification. His mind was still catching up, struggling to understand the deeper meaning behind Kagerou's statement.

Kagerou's lips curled into a faint smile as he gestured toward Iori. The Delta, ever obedient, handed over a small device to Roderik. He took it with growing concern. Iori pressed a few buttons, and the screen flickered to life, showing footage from inside the manor.

Roderik leaned forward, eyes narrowing as he watched. The footage revealed three figures—one unmistakably Rei Ookaze. Her face was set with determination as she entered the manor, moving with purpose. Roderik recognized the surroundings, but the situation unfolding before him was completely foreign.

Rei moved toward Hizuki, who was lying unconscious, and with practiced precision, she placed her hands on his chest. Her lips moved, but the words were too faint to make out. The atmosphere in the room shifted—Roderik could feel it even through the screen. The tension was palpable.

"What is this?" Roderik muttered, confusion creeping into his voice. He replayed the moment, trying to make sense of it. Rei was casting something—some kind of spell or influence—but why?

Iori sighed, leaning against the wall. "She used the Moonlight Palm technique," he explained, frustration evident in his voice. "It's a technique passed down from the Shinrei Mikazuki clan. It's meant to control someone—bend them to your will. But it's forbidden for a reason."

Roderik's eyes widened, his gaze snapping back to the screen. "Moonlight Palm… How is that possible? Only the Shaman and the heir of the Shinrei Mikazuki could use it."

Kagerou shrugged, offering a knowing look. "It's not like you don't know why the healer clan vanished."

Roderik's expression darkened as the weight of Kagerou's words sank in. "Then this just proves how rotten and greedy the Ookazes are…"