The Whisper of Dawn

Haruto tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword as the woman's words lingered in the air. The weight of her statement—"The world is about to change"—hung heavily over the group. Aiko's sharp gaze fixated on the stranger, her cautious curiosity breaking the uneasy silence.

"Who are you? And what do you mean by 'Moon Blessed'?" Aiko asked, her tone steady but probing.

The woman's faint smile didn't waver, her presence an unsettling mix of serenity and authority. "You may call me Kaede. As for what I mean… you'll understand in time. But for now, know this: the Moon has chosen you. Each of you carries a fragment of its power, a gift—or a curse—that binds you to the battle ahead."

Rei let out a scoff, stepping forward with his usual defiance. "Gift or curse? You sound like one of those doomsayers back in Kure. Enough riddles. If you know something, spill it. What's coming, and why are we involved?"

Kaede's calm demeanor remained intact as her eyes rested on Rei, as if sizing him up. "Boldness," she said softly, almost to herself. "You remind me of someone I once knew. But boldness alone won't see you through this storm."

Rei's eyes narrowed. "Try me."

"Enough," Yoru interjected, stepping between Rei and Kaede. His commanding voice cut through the tension like a blade. "If you have information, share it. We've wasted enough time already."

Kaede inclined her head slightly, her smile fading. "Very well," she said. "Follow me. There's something you need to see."

---

The group followed Kaede as she led them deeper into the forest. The air grew colder with every step, an unnatural chill seeping into their bones. Shadows seemed to stretch and coil around the trees, and an eerie silence blanketed the area.

Aiko exchanged a glance with Haruto, her unease clear. "This doesn't feel right," she murmured.

Haruto nodded, his hand never straying far from his blade. "Stay on guard," he whispered back.

Finally, Kaede stopped in a clearing. At the center stood a large stone altar, its surface covered in ancient carvings that glowed faintly in the darkness. The symbols were unlike anything Haruto had seen before, their shapes twisting and shifting as if alive.

"What is this place?" Yoru asked, his voice low.

"This," Kaede said, gesturing to the altar, "is where it all began. The Moon's power first touched the Earth here. It's the heart of the change—the nexus where the Moon Blessed were born."

Aiko stepped closer to the altar, her eyes scanning the glowing symbols. "These markings… they look like a language, but I can't read them."

"They're the language of the Moon," Kaede explained. "Only those who are deeply attuned to their Blessing can understand them."

Rei crossed his arms, his skepticism clear. "So, what? You brought us here to look at some glowing rocks? How is this supposed to help us?"

Kaede turned to Rei, her expression serious. "This is more than just an altar. It's a conduit—a way to connect with the Moon's power and uncover the truth about what's coming. But it requires a sacrifice."

Haruto frowned. "Sacrifice? What kind of sacrifice?"

Kaede's gaze shifted to the altar, her voice soft. "A fragment of your Blessing. It will weaken you temporarily, but in return, the altar will reveal a glimpse of what lies ahead."

The group exchanged uneasy glances. The idea of weakening themselves, even temporarily, was a dangerous gamble.

Rei was the first to break the silence. "If it's so important, why don't you do it?"

Kaede's eyes darkened, a flicker of sadness crossing her face. "Because I've already given all I can. My connection to the Moon is fading. But yours… yours are still strong. If we're to survive what's coming, we need to know what we're up against."

Haruto stepped forward, his resolve firm. "I'll do it."

"Haruto, wait—" Aiko began, but he shook his head.

"We need answers," Haruto said, his voice steady. "If this is the only way to get them, then so be it."

Kaede nodded approvingly. "Place your hand on the altar and focus on your Blessing. Let the power flow into the stone."

Haruto approached the altar, his heart pounding. He placed his hand on the cold, glowing surface and closed his eyes, reaching deep within himself to summon his power. The ground beneath him trembled as his connection to the Earth surged through him, channeling into the altar.

The glowing symbols flared brightly, and Haruto felt a sharp pain in his chest as a fragment of his power was torn away. He gritted his teeth, refusing to cry out as the altar absorbed the energy.

Then, the light from the symbols coalesced into a single, vivid image that hovered above the altar. The group watched in stunned silence as the vision unfolded before them.

They saw a figure—a towering, shadowy being with glowing eyes that radiated malice and power. Around it, the Earth crumbled, entire landscapes reduced to dust in its wake. The figure raised a hand, and the skies turned black as countless Moon Cursed emerged from the shadows, their monstrous forms marching toward destruction.

A voice echoed through the vision, deep and resonant, filled with an otherworldly authority:

"Free him, and the cycle will end. Resist, and all will perish."

The vision faded, leaving the group in stunned silence. Haruto stumbled back from the altar, his breathing labored. Aiko was at his side in an instant, steadying him.

"Are you okay?" she asked, concern etched on her face.

Haruto nodded weakly. "I'm fine. But… that vision… what was that?"

Kaede's expression was grim. "That was the future. Or one possible future, depending on the choices you make."

Rei shook his head, his skepticism giving way to unease. "This is insane. How are we supposed to fight something like that?"

Kaede met his gaze, her voice firm. "By working together. The Moon Blessed were chosen for a reason. Each of you has a role to play in what's to come. But you must be prepared to make sacrifices. The path ahead will not be easy."

Haruto straightened, his resolve hardening. "Then we'll do whatever it takes. We can't let that future come to pass."

Kaede nodded, a faint smile returning to her face. "Good. Because the first step of your journey begins now."

As the group prepared to leave the clearing, Haruto couldn't shake the feeling that the vision was only the beginning. The shadowy figure's words echoed in his mind, a chilling reminder of the stakes they faced.

And so, with the weight of the future pressing heavily on their shoulders, the group took their first steps into the unknown, unaware of the trials and tribulations that awaited them.

---