UNEXPECTED COMPANY

The journey was supposed to be simple. Just a few hours of walking, nothing too complicated. At least, that's what they thought.

"Was it really necessary for us to travel on foot?" Akihiro complained as he jumped over a rock, nearly losing his balance.

"Who would've thought that the prince of the yokai world would be stingy with transportation?" Kaito added, raising an eyebrow.

"Hey, you guys were the ones who said we needed to leave quickly," Naru shot back, walking ahead with Leyla.

Leyla cleared her throat. "Honestly, I don't mind walking a little, but… we could've at least taken horses or something."

"Oh? And now you're an expert in horseback riding?" Naru teased.

"No, but since you can turn into a giant wolf demon or whatever it is you do in your free time, we could've just made you carry us."

Akihiro and Kaito burst into laughter.

"Yeah, let's picture Naru carrying Leyla on his back like a pony."

"I'd rather die," Naru grumbled, rolling his eyes.

The landscape around them grew wilder. Low mountains surrounded them on all sides, and a thick mist rolled down the rocky paths.

"Watch your step," Kaito warned.

And of course, at that exact moment, Leyla stepped on a loose rock and lost her balance.

"Ahhh!"

Before she could hit the ground, Naru grabbed her by the waist and pulled her against him.

"Falling into my arms again, princess?"

Leyla looked up at him, still in shock. "Yes, yes, you saved my life. Can I stand on my own now?"

Naru held onto her a few seconds longer than necessary before finally letting her go.

And just then…

"WOAH!"

This time, it was Akihiro who spectacularly slipped down a small slope and landed face-first in the dirt.

Kaito and Leyla burst out laughing.

"Great, now we have our first flying yokai," Leyla chuckled.

"This isn't funny!" Akihiro mumbled, trying to get up.

"Maybe not for you, but for us, it is," Kaito replied.

"I'm just going to pretend I didn't see that," Naru added, running a hand over his face.

After several hours of walking—and a few more minor mishaps (including Kaito's battle with an aggressive boar and Leyla slipping into mud)—they finally reached their destination.

It wasn't a temple.

This time, in front of them stood a massive, abandoned mine, its dark, ominous entrance gaping at the base of the mountain. Wooden beams held up the structure, but they looked old and rotten. Somewhere in the distance, the sound of dripping water echoed.

"Okay, I have to ask…" Leyla said, glancing at Naru. "How did we go from magical temples to a mine?"

"Artifacts aren't only hidden in glamorous places, princess," Kaito replied.

"Yeah, but… this?"

"Looks like someone's already been here," Akihiro noted, pointing at fresh footprints in the dirt.

And before they had a chance to react…

"It's been a long time."

The voice was deep, calm, but had a hint of amusement.

Leyla felt her stomach tighten before she turned to face the source of the sound.

At the far end of the mine, under a shaft of light streaming in through an opening, stood Raizen.

Tall, imposing, with dark hair tied in a low ponytail, leaning casually against one of the wooden pillars. His eyes were fixed straight on Leyla.

And he didn't look away.

Leyla swallowed hard.

"Well, fantastic," she muttered.

Naru took a step forward, instinctively placing himself between her and Raizen.

Raizen simply smirked.

"I hope you had a pleasant journey," he said smoothly. "Because you're going to remember it for the rest of your lives."