The wind picks up again, colder than before, and I can feel it biting into my skin. My body's growing heavier with each step. The cold is creeping into my bones. I've been keeping it together, but it's getting harder to ignore. My body wants to freeze up, and my head's spinning. But I have to push myself. I can't back down now.
Hayato's walking ahead, his footsteps smooth and steady. "Maybe you should take a break."
I grunt, trying to push through the dizziness. "I'm fine, Hayato! No way I'm backing down now."
I force a smile, but it's shaky at best. The truth is, I feel like I could collapse any second. The cold's not something I can just ignore, especially when my flames aren't enough to keep it at bay.
His gaze sharpens slightly as he glances at me over his shoulder, his expression as neutral as always. "Don't overdo it. We need to focus. We're looking for clues, not fighting the cold."
He doesn't wait for a response, moving ahead again. I take a deep breath and follow, my feet dragging behind him. Damn it. I hate being so weak. This isn't even about the mission anymore—I'm just trying to keep it together.
We continue searching through the forest, eyes scanning for anything that seems out of place. The ground's soft beneath our boots, the trees thick and looming over us. There's an eerie stillness to the place now, the kind of quiet that makes everything feel like it's watching you.
"This doesn't feel right," I mutter, mostly to myself. The bear-turned-Oscuro was strange enough, but now... it's like the whole forest's holding its breath, waiting for something.
Hayato stays silent, his eyes scanning the area around us. He doesn't share my sense of unease, at least not outwardly. His attention stays sharp, focused—he's always in the zone, no matter the situation.
We reach a small clearing, and I spot something on the ground. My heart skips a beat. It's a piece of torn cloth, jagged and burnt along the edges. There's something strange about the smell here, almost metallic.
"Hayato, look at this," I say, bending down to pick up the cloth. My fingers are freezing, but I force myself to examine it closely. This... this doesn't look like just any random scrap.
Hayato steps up beside me, his eyes scanning the cloth for a moment. "It's from the same thing that turned into the Oscuro. Whatever did this isn't just leaving traces—it's marking its path."
I nod, my mind racing. "But what's causing it to leave these... signs? It's like it's trying to tell us something."
He doesn't respond immediately. Instead, he takes a deep breath, turning to look back at the direction we came from. "We're getting closer to something. Stay sharp."
I don't need to be told twice. My grip tightens around the cloth as I push forward. We keep moving through the forest, following the trail of clues—each one stranger than the last. My head's throbbing, the cold getting to me faster now, but I can't stop. Not now.
I can feel it—the pressure, the weight of something watching us, waiting.
The air, once crisp and cold, now feels heavy and thick, with a strange metallic smell that makes me feel sick. I stumble back, my eyes wide as a figure suddenly appears in front of us, shimmering out of a swirling mist.
It's—It's an Oscuro, but unlike any I've ever seen before. This one… this one is a horrible twisted version of a human corpse, a disgusting copy of our own shape. Its skin is a blackish color, with patches that look like dried blood. Its arms and legs are bent in unnatural ways, and its face is a mask of pain, with eyes that glow an eerie red.
"This… this can't be," I gasp, scared. "Even humans… turning into Oscuros?"
Hayato's face stays still, but his eyes, usually calm, show a hint of fear. "Things are getting much worse." he says, his voice calm but serious.
Is it an Asura? But...this thing isn't like any Oscuro we met before, or like Crimson, the Asura I fought against. Crimson, even though an Oscuro, still looked a bit human. But this creature… this is something different, something twisted.
The Asuras' Seishinsu is very powerful. But this creature's feels a bit weak… it's a twisted and ugly version of what an Oscuro's should be.
"This doesn't feel like an Asura, Hayato. Not in the usual way. Whatever is causing this… it's changing the creatures of earth itself, making them into something… something monstrous."
The Oscuro lets out a loud, deep roar, a sound that shakes everything around us. Its eyes, burning fiery red, focus on us with a chilling stare. This isn't just a human anymore.
This thing in front of us, it's not just an Oscuro—it was once a person, a human, just like us. How can we fight something like that?
My hands tremble slightly, not from fear but from the weight of the decision I know we have to make. I turn to Hayato, his expression doesn't change, but I know he's feeling the same thing. This is wrong. It shouldn't be like this. We're supposed to protect people, not fight them. But what should we do when they turn into some monsters?
"Hayato…" My voice comes out shaky, but I push through it. "What do we do? It was human… I can't just—"
"I know," he interrupts, "But it's not human anymore. It's now an Oscuro. And if it's not stopped, it will hurt more people."
The creature glares at us, its red eyes flickering with an unsettling hunger. It growls, but it's weak—nothing like the force of an Asura. I can feel it, the dark energy swirling around it, but it's not nearly as strong. Still, we can't just leave it here. If we do, it could become a bigger problem later.
"But it used to be human… How can we just…"
"It's still an Oscuro," Hayato says, cutting me off again. "It may have been human, but it's not anymore. It's too dangerous to be left alive. Why don't you understand?"
I swallow hard. I hate this. I hate that we have to do this. But we don't have a choice. If we don't fight, more innocent people will get hurt. And the President would never forgive me if I just turned away from my mission.
"Right." I nod, trying to shake off the sinking feeling in my chest. "We will fight."
The creature lunges at us suddenly, its movements are jerky, almost as if it's still trying to remember what it was once capable of. This one's slow and clumsy, not like the powerful Oscuros we've faced before. But that doesn't make it any less dangerous.
We're not fighting a monster—it's something worse. It's a twisted shadow of a life that used to exist.
Hayato moves first, his speed unmatched as he steps forward in a flash. His sword cuts through the air, aiming straight for the Oscuro's Orca. But the creature, slow as it is, manages to dodge with a weird, jerky movement. It stumbles, but somehow it's quick enough to avoid the strike.
It retaliates, swinging its claws wide in an arc. I barely have time to react, but I know I can't just stand here. My body feels like it's slowing down with the cold, but I shake off the dizziness. I need to be here. I can't let Hayato take on everything by himself.
With a deep breath, I channel the fire inside me, pushing through the cold's grip. I step in, trying to land a blow before the Oscuro can strike again. But as I close in, I freeze mid-step. There's something—something inside the Oscuro's eyes. For a split second, I see a flicker of humanity, of pain. It's like a ghost of the person it used to be, trapped inside.
I hesitate. A stupid mistake. But it feels like I'm about to strike down something that might still be... someone.
The creature seizes the chance, its claws rakes across my side with a sickening speed. I grunt. My body recoils from the sharp pain. I stagger back, trying to focus through the pain, but it's hard when my mind keeps spinning around the thought of the human soul trapped inside this monster.
"Takumi!" Hayato's voice snaps me out of my thoughts just in time. The Oscuro is charging again, but I can't shake off the hesitation. My body doesn't want to hurt it.
I clench my fists, forcing myself to focus. No. I can't think like that. I have to protect people. This thing may have once been human, but now it's a danger. I can't be weak. I can't hesitate.
I'm shaking, but I stand tall, determined to fight—not just for myself, but for everyone else who could get hurt by this thing.
But there's still a doubt lingering at the back of my mind. What if there's still a way to save it? What if...
The Oscuro doesn't wait. It lunges forward. Its claws slash at me in rapid, erratic motions. I barely dodge in time, but its attack grazes across my chest, the cold air is biting at my skin as the wound stings. My legs wobble, the combination of the cold and the pain is making me feel weaker. Every strike from the Oscuro sends waves of agony through my body, and it feels like I'm being slowly pulled under.
I try to shake off the dizziness, but it's getting harder. I can't stay on my feet much longer if this keeps up.
Focus, Takumi. Focus.
But my thoughts are a mess, and before I can stop myself, the Oscuro strikes again, this time deeper, its claws tearing through my side. The pain is so intense that I stumble, falling to one knee. My breath is ragged, and the cold from Hokkaido gnaws at my insides, making everything feel heavier.
"Come on!" I mutter to myself, slapping my own face hard, trying to snap out of it. I have to finish this. I can't let the cold or the pain win. This is my mission.
I draw in a deep breath, forcing myself to focus despite the swirling dizziness. The fire within me burns brighter, pushing away the cold for just a moment. My hand bursts into flames as I get back on my feet. I have to steady my resolve.
I charge in. My hand outstretches, and before the Oscuro can react, I pierce my hand deep into its chest, feeling the warmth of its insides against my burning skin. My fingers curl around something—soft, yet solid.
I pull out the core, its sickening, pulsating glow reflecting in my eyes. It's the Orca, the heart of the Oscuro. I hold it for a moment, watching it twitch in my grasp, before crushing it in my hand, turning the creature into nothing more than a twisted shell of its former self.
The pain in my body feels dull now, but the emptiness inside doesn't go away. I collapse onto the ground, my breathing ragged and vision blurry.
Hayato stands silently beside me, his expression as unreadable as ever, but I can see the hint of respect in his gaze. We've done what we had to do. We both know it.
I take a deep breath, feeling the exhaustion hit me full force. The cold's grip on me loosens, but not enough to ease the ache in my bones. My hand still burns from the battle, but it's nothing compared to the weight in my chest.
"We can't leave it like this." I murmur, more to myself than anyone else.
Hayato nods once, his gaze distant. I know what he's thinking.
I stand with difficulty, and together, we carry the Oscuro's remains to a small clearing in the snow. I place it gently on the ground, offering a small prayer. It may have been a monster now, but once, it was human. It deserves to be rested with respect.
"We mourn the lost," I say quietly. The words feel heavy, like a weight I can't shake off. But it's the least we can do.
We stand there for a moment in silence, honoring the thing that once was.
I take a deep breath, dusting the snow off my clothes as I stand up, wincing from the pain in my side. "We should head back. The others might be wondering where we are."
Hayato doesn't reply right away. He just gives me that usual calm look. "You're in no condition to be showing yourself to them like this." His tone is as cold as always.
"Come on, it's nothing," I try to brush it off, but he raises an eyebrow, then rummages through his bag. I'm about to protest when I see him pull out a first aid kit.
"Sit down. Now." He commands, and though I don't like it, I don't have the strength to argue.
I sigh, sitting down on the snow. Hayato kneels in front of me, unrolling the kit with quick, practiced movements. I wince slightly as he cleans my wound, but I can't help but feel... oddly grateful. Despite how cold and distant Hayato usually seems, he's actually taking care of me like this. He's not just a fighter—he's showing that he's more than capable of being… well, kind.
"You're surprisingly gentle for someone who barely speaks," I mutter, trying to break the silence, with a small grin.
He doesn't look up, just focuses on wrapping my side carefully. "I can be whatever I need to be." He says it so simply, so coldly, but I can tell there's a little more to it. The way he treats me now... it's like a side of him I never expected.
"You're saying I'm not worth talking to?" I tease, but my voice comes out a little weaker than I intended. I feel the exhaustion starting to settle in, my vision getting fuzzier with every passing second.
Hayato finishes the bandage and stands up, offering me his hand. "No. Just not much of a talker."
I take his hand, using it to pull myself up, but my legs feel like they're made of stone. The cold is still gnawing at me, and everything feels off balance. And before I know it, my vision goes completely dark.
...
...
...
When I wake up, it's not to the freezing air or the heavy snow beneath me. Instead, I feel warmth surrounding me and a steady, rhythmic movement. I blink a few times, confused, and look around—only to find myself on Hayato's back, his strong arms supporting me as he carries me.
"Uh...Hey—what happened?" I mumble, still trying to clear the fog from my head.
Hayato's voice comes from above me, steady as always. "You passed out. You weren't in any condition to walk. Figured I'd take care of you since you clearly don't know when to quit."
I chuckle weakly, feeling a flush creep up my neck. "Well, thanks for that, I guess. Guess I underestimated how tired I was."
"That's why you should've listened to me," Hayato says, his tone as serious as ever. "Next time, I won't carry you."
"Yeah, yeah, I get it," I reply, letting out a breath, feeling more at ease than I expected. "But hey, I never thought I'd see the day you'd be my personal carrier. You must be soft on me, huh?"
Hayato doesn't answer immediately, and for a moment, it feels like the usual silence. But then, I hear him mutter, "Sometimes, helping people is its own kind of training."
I blink, surprised by his words, but before I can respond, he adds, "Now, try not to fall asleep again. I'm not carrying you the whole way."
I laugh softly, despite the pain still lingering in my body. "Don't worry, I'll try to stay awake. You know, you really don't talk much, but when you do... it actually makes sense."
Hayato doesn't say anything to that. He just keeps walking, his footsteps firm and steady as he carries me back towards the group.
---
As soon as Hayato and I reappear, the group's chatter comes to an abrupt halt. Everyone stares at us, their eyes bouncing between Hayato, me, and the bandages wrapping my body. Hayato, ever the unbothered one, strides forward with me still slumped over his back like a sack of potatoes. I can feel the tension radiating off the others even before anyone speaks.
"Hinoyama-kun!" Hana gasps, rushing toward us. "What on earth happened to you?"
I force out a laugh, trying to wave her off despite the throbbing pain in my body. "Oh, this? Haha, nothing much! I tripped… on a rock. A really big rock. You should've seen it, Hana—it came out of nowhere like some ninja boulder."
"A ninja boulder? Seriously? And what about the bandages? Did the rock start throwing punches too?" Yui adds, folding her arms.
I scratch the back of my head, laughing nervously. "Uh, well… you wouldn't believe it, but there was also, um, a bear. Yeah, a bear! But don't worry—I scared it off with my fire powers!"
The skeptical silence that follows is louder than anything I've ever heard.
"A bear, huh," Yui repeats flatly, raising an eyebrow. "You're telling me you fought a bear? And it … ran off?"
"Absolutely!" I nod vigorously. "The bear saw Hayato and me, and it was like, 'Nope, not messing with those guys.'"
Hana looks at me with wide eyes, half-concerned and half-confused. "Hinoyama-kun, you—"
"Enough." Hayato's calm voice cuts through. He glances at me briefly, then addresses the group. "There was no bear. We found some uneven ground in the forest, and Takumi slipped and injured himself. I treated his wounds. That's all."
Hana frowns, her worry deepening. "But you were gone for so long. We thought something serious might've happened."
Tanaka-sensei steps forward now, her sharp gaze landing on me. "Takumi, Hayato, I told you both not to wander too far. This is exactly why."
I start to speak again, but Hayato shakes his head slightly, silencing me. "We're sorry for worrying everyone, sensei," he says smoothly. "It won't happen again."
The sensei sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Fine. But next time, stay closer to the group. And Takumi…" She fixes me with a firm look. "No more 'ninja boulder' stories, alright?"
"Got it, Sensei," I mutter, giving her a sheepish grin.
Yui, however, isn't done with me yet. "You're such a disaster, Hinoyama. Honestly, how do you manage to hurt yourself on a simple hike? You're supposed to be one of the cool guys with powers!"
"Hey, I am cool!" I protest. "I just, uh… got unlucky this time, okay?"
Hana steps closer, gently placing a hand on my arm. "You should really take it easy, Hinoyama-kun. You don't look good…"
"I'll be fine!" I grin, trying to sound cheerful even though my head's spinning from the cold. "Hayato patched me up, and I'm tougher than I look."
Hayato stays silent, but I notice the faintest flicker of a smirk on his otherwise blank face. He probably finds my excuses ridiculous but doesn't say a word.
With the group reassured—if not entirely convinced—we settle back into the hike. The last thing I want is to ruin the trip for everyone else, especially Hana, who seem genuinely excited about the whole experience. I might be banged up, but at least the chaos is contained… for now.
The rest of the group gradually relaxes, their earlier concern melting into quiet chatter as we continue the hike. Hana stays close, occasionally glancing at me with a mix of worry and curiosity. I do my best to walk straight and not trip over anything—though the cold gnaws at me with every step, and Hayato's earlier first aid is the only reason I'm even upright.
Yui, ever the loud one, keeps muttering under her breath. "I still don't buy that rock story. Bet you two were up to something shady."
"We weren't!" I protest, earning a suspicious glance from her. "Hayato can back me up—tell her, Hayato."
He doesn't even look my way.
I groan, but Hana's quiet giggle makes it all worth it. At least someone finds my suffering amusing.
As the trees thin out, revealing the rest of the trail ahead, Tanaka-sensei calls for the group to take a short break. She keeps an eye on me, probably ready to scold me again if I so much as sneeze.
"Let's rest for a bit," Hana suggests. "You need it."
I sigh, sitting down on a nearby rock. She immediately offers me a water bottle, and for a moment, the warmth of her smile makes the cold feel less biting.
"Thanks," I say quietly, taking a sip.
Yui plops down next to me, arms crossed. "You better not pull another stunt, Hinoyama. If you get hurt again, we'll never hear the end of it from Sensei."
"I'll be good," I promise, raising my hands in mock surrender. "No more stunts. Scout's honor."
Hayato stands a short distance away, his sharp eyes scanning the forest. He hasn't said much since we rejoined the group, but his presence is reassuring nonetheless. Even when he's quiet, he feels like the kind of person you can count on.
As the sun dips lower in the sky, painting everything in hues of orange and pink, I lean back and take a deep breath. The trip hasn't exactly gone as planned, but at least we've managed to keep things under control—for now.
But deep down, the image of that human-turned-Oscuro lingers in my mind. Something's not right, and I can't shake the feeling that this is only the beginning.
For now, though, I push those thoughts aside. The group needs me to stay strong, and I can't let my worries ruin the trip for everyone else.
"We'll figure it out," I whisper to myself, my gaze shifting to Hayato. "One step at a time."
With that thought, I close my eyes for a moment, letting the calm of the forest wash over me. Whatever comes next, I know we'll face it together.