The hills around Nyatora looked desolate at first glance—scorched soil, snapped trees, crumbling paths—but when Ryle and his group crested the final ridge, what they saw made their steps slow.
The village of Nyatora stood intact.
Thriving, even.
Children ran through the dirt paths, their laughter floating on the breeze. Market stalls bustled, elders meditated under shaded porches, and warriors practiced kata beneath flowering trees. There was no ash, no char, no signs of the blood-ridden massacre Kessia had witnessed.
Yet Kessia's expression twisted in horror. She dropped to one knee, inhaling sharply.
"…Blood," she whispered. "I still smell it. It's old, but thick. It's everywhere, like a perfume trying to cover something rotten."
Thea's eyes narrowed. "Something's off. No one's noticed us."
She extended her hands, fingertips glowing white. "Let me try something. Lumen Visio."
Light danced across her palms and vanished in a shimmer. A moment later, her eyes glossed over—pupils glowing faint gold as she tuned into the minds of the villagers.
She spoke, echoing their thoughts aloud.
"The vampires are hiding here…"
"From the noble clans…"
"We pretend we're gone. If word spreads, others will come. More death… more fire…"
Thea staggered back, breathing heavily.
"They're not possessed or lying. They're scared. Rogue vampires from noble families are using Nyatora as a refuge. The village plays dead to avoid extermination."
Ryle nodded. "Smart. Cruel, but smart. They fake destruction, deter visitors, and the nobles can pretend the problem's solved."
"But the smell…" Kessia said, trembling. "The blood… I smelled my father's blood."
"It was real," Ryle said quietly. "Which means they must've made an example of someone. Enough to scare the rest into silence."
Tobin gritted his teeth. "Cowards."
Ryle sighed. "For now, we stay here. Blend in. Observe."
"And where exactly are we staying?" Thea asked.
That Evening – Nyatora Blossom Onsen Hotel
"So," Tobin muttered, staring at the massive red torii gate framed by hot steam and sakura trees, "you got us into a luxury onsen?"
"It's covered," Ryle said smugly. "The World's Strongest Journalist discount."
"You just flashed your badge, didn't you?"
"Basically."
Inside, the atmosphere was calming—wooden panels, incense, gentle music. Maids guided them to their rooms, offering towels and robes.
"Let's split up," Ryle suggested. "Girls in one bath, guys in the other. Keep ears open, just in case."
Later – Women's Onsen
Kessia dipped cautiously into the steaming pool. Her ears twitched as the warmth soaked into her skin. Thea entered behind her, shoulders hunched and cheeks red.
"You okay?" Kessia asked.
Thea nodded quickly. "It's just… I've never been in one with others before."
Kessia rolled her eyes. "It's just a bath. Not a warzone."
She sank deeper into the water, letting her stress float away. But as her body relaxed, something she'd kept tightly hidden began to loosen.
From behind her, a second tail unfurled, rising like a lazy snake from the water before falling gently behind her with a splash.
Thea blinked. "You… you never mentioned you had two."
Kessia froze.
And then—
The sliding door to the women's bath cracked open.
"Whoa, two tails?"
Tobin stood there, stunned and holding a tray of snacks meant for delivery.
Kessia's face went red instantly.
"GET OUT!" she roared, spinning with her claws flaring.
Tobin barely ducked under a flying sandal as he slammed the door shut. "I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING! I SWEAR!"
Kessia groaned and sank lower, steam hissing around her.
"He's so dead."
Moments later, another voice called from behind the bamboo fence separating the baths.
"This onsen is amazing!" Ryle declared, splashing around on the men's side. "Even better than the one in Durnath!"
Thea, now trying to vanish under the water, peeked over the rocks. "Why are you shouting?!"
"Sound travels in good architecture!" Ryle shouted back.
Suddenly, he stood up on his side of the fence—shirtless, towel around his head. "Hey, Kessia! Your tail grew another one! Evolution?"
"GET OUT OF MY LIFE!"
"Calm down, I didn't see anything."
"YOU DON'T NEED TO COMMENT ON MY BIOLOGY!"
From behind Ryle, Tobin slunk in with a bruised forehead. "She hits harder with the tail."
"I think she's still in denial about being adorable," Ryle mused.
On the women's side, Thea was now completely submerged up to her nose. "This is chaos…"
Kessia glared at everyone—real, imagined, or future offenders.
"What the hell is this mess?!" she shouted, slapping the water so hard it splashed both sides.