The air grew heavier as they approached the old shrine.
Renji could feel it—a pulse beneath his feet, as if the earth itself was alive.
Aoi wrapped her arms around herself. "It feels… wrong."
Kaito nodded. "Like something is waiting for us."
The shrine loomed ahead—an ancient structure, partially consumed by overgrown roots and cracked stone.
Renji's breath caught as he saw the spiral carvings.
They covered the wooden pillars.
The stone steps.
Even the altar.
Aoi shivered. "It's worse here."
Renji ran a hand over one of the spirals. The moment his fingers brushed the carving—
A sharp pain shot through his palm.
He yanked his hand back.
Kaito cursed. "Your mark—it's getting darker."
Renji looked down.
The spiral bruise on his palm had deepened, the lines more defined.
Almost like it was spreading.
Aoi's voice was tight. "We have to hurry."
Renji nodded. "Let's go inside."
---
The Whispering Shadows
The shrine's doors groaned open.
Inside, the air was thick with dust and incense.
The walls were lined with old paintings—portraits of the town's ancestors.
Renji's eyes narrowed.
Some of the faces were… familiar.
Too familiar.
His stomach twisted. "These are—"
Aoi stepped closer. Her voice shook.
"They look like us."
Renji's pulse pounded.
The paintings depicted three people.
A young man with Kaito's face.
A girl identical to Aoi.
And a third—Renji's own reflection staring back at him.
Kaito took a step back. "That's not possible."
Aoi's fingers curled into her sleeves. "They're from over a century ago…"
Renji's voice was barely a whisper. "Then why do they look exactly like us?"
A soft rustling echoed through the shrine.
Renji froze.
The sound of movement.
Something was here.
Watching them.
Kaito clenched his fists. "Who's there?"
Silence.
Then—
A whisper.
> "You have returned."
Renji's breath hitched.
The voice came from everywhere.
And as the candlelight flickered—
The paintings blinked.
---
The Keeper of the Shrine
Aoi staggered back. "They moved."
Renji's heartbeat thundered. "We're not alone."
A figure stepped out from the shadows.
An elderly woman.
Her robes were worn, her hair long and gray.
But her eyes—
They were pure black.
Like the night sky without stars.
She gazed at them with a knowing smile.
> "You have come to the heart of Fujikawa."
Renji's voice was dry. "…Who are you?"
The woman tilted her head.
> "I am the Keeper."
Her eyes flickered to Renji's spiral-marked hand.
> "And you… are almost claimed."
Renji felt a chill shoot through his spine.
Aoi stepped forward. "Claimed? What does that mean?"
The Keeper's smile widened.
> "You already know."
Renji's fingers curled into his palm.
The spirals.
The replacements.
The town that breathes.
His voice came out hoarse. "How do we stop it?"
The Keeper's gaze darkened.
> "You don't."
> "You choose."
Kaito tensed. "Choose what?"
The Keeper stepped closer.
The candles flickered.
> "Who stays."
> And who gets to leave.
Silence fell.
Aoi's breath came shaky. "We're not leaving anyone behind."
The Keeper chuckled. Soft. Amused.
> "Then you will all remain."
The shrine shuddered.
The spirals pulsed.
Renji clenched his fists.
They weren't leaving without a fight.
---
End of Chapter 30
---
To Be Continue