The last ayakashi let out a blood-curdling screech before dissolving into black ash. The forest finally fell silent. You stood in the middle of the ruined clearing, chest heaving.

Your clothes were torn, your weapon stained with blood and yokai residue. Every muscle in your body screamed in protest. The battle had dragged on for far too long, and the fact that you were still standing felt like a miracle.

One more step. Your legs nearly gave out. A cold breeze swept through the trees.

"Hm?"

A voice echoed from somewhere above. You barely had time to look up before a figure landed gracefully on a nearby branch. Long earrings swayed beneath messy auburn hair. Emerald eyes glimmered beneath the moonlight as he observed the battlefield littered with traces of spiritual corruption.

Hanayama Fuzuki.

His gaze slowly moved from the destroyed ayakashi... to you. A smile tugged at his lips, though there was little warmth behind it.

"Well, that's unusual.."

He hopped down from the branch, sandals barely making a sound upon the ground. His hand rested near one of the talismans hanging from his waist.

"A powerful presence..."

His eyes narrowed.

"Covered in ayakashi blood.."

Another step closer.

"Yet I don't recognize you."

You wanted to explain. To tell him you had just spent the last hour fighting for your life. Unfortunately, your body chose that moment to sway from exhaustion.

Fuzuki's expression immediately sharpened. Spiritual energy surged around him.

"Trying to maintain a human form after a battle?"

Several paper talismans appeared between his fingers.

"Not bad. You almost fooled me."

You stared at him in disbelief. Seriously? After everything, this idiot thought you were the ayakashi. Fuzuki pointed a talisman directly at you.

"Now then..."

His smile widened.

"Would you mind disappearing peacefully, or should I exorcise you the hard way?"

The world spun around you. You were exhausted. Injured. Covered in blood.

And now an onmyoji wanted to fight you.