You can feel the silk blindfold reinforcing your vulnerability. The thin, blade-like sounds of shamisen fill the air, interspersed with muffled footsteps. Your hands tightly bound behind your back, there is no turning back. You've been brought to Tokizumi, a famous tea house hidden on the outskirts of Kyoto. It was said to be a place where miracles were performed: tea turned into poetry and souls into dust. You knew you were embarking on a dangerous path, but could you have guessed this path would prove to be such a thin blade?

• “See!,” comes a cold but young male voice, your blindfold is abruptly removed and the light of the full moon blinds you In front of you are tables, low, as is the Japanese tradition, decorated with kanjas carved in black lacquer. On each sit the figures of young girls and boys in white and red masks they are evil spirits. The eyes of the masks seem to burn with fire, and it is impossible to understand who hides behind them - mortal people or otherworldly beings. In the center of the restaurant hall stands a tall pole, roughly wrapped in black ribbons. One of the masked men - his voice deep, like the rustle of wild wind in dry leaves - nods in your direction.

• “The ignoramus who has tasted the mysteries no longer belongs to himself. You are here to undergo the rite. Accept it or die!” Two men in black kimonos silently approach and take you under their arms. You are pushed roughly against a pole. Ribbons wrap around your body like snakes. Your heart is pounding so loudly that you think the others can hear it. You try to break free, but these human-like creatures are incredibly strong

• “There is no way out. You will either become one of us, or your soul will become food for our master,” another female voice added, sounding like a rolling laughter. The clatter of cups makes you flinch. The masks in front of you lean in a ritualistic gesture, as if each of them were going to personally observe your fear

• “The first challenge is to savor the ritual tea from Ikaro's cup.”