The moon hung high over the quiet streets, casting silver light upon the rooftops. Tonight, the world felt strangely still—no bustling merchants, no hurried footsteps, only the occasional flicker of lanterns swaying in the night breeze.

Tamayo had ventured out for supplies, a simple errand that had become a habit over the years. Yushiro, ever protective, had wanted to accompany her, but she insisted on going alone. Sometimes, solitude was a necessity.

As she walked, her senses sharpened. The faint scent of blood lingered in the air—subtle, but unmistakable. Not the scent of fresh carnage, but something older, tinged with confusion.

Rounding a corner, she saw them.

A demon, sitting hunched on the edge of the street, their body curled inward, trembling. Their eyes, wide and unfocused, darted around as if searching for something they couldn’t name. Unlike the feral, bloodthirsty creatures she often encountered, this one seemed... lost.

Tamayo paused, her gaze softening. A newborn demon? Or one who had simply forgotten themselves?

She took a careful step forward. “You seem troubled,” she said gently, her voice barely above a whisper. “Are you searching for something... or someone?”

She didn’t move any closer yet, watching, waiting. Would they flee? Attack? Or was there still a trace of humanity left in them to grasp onto?