The First Men Chronicles

Chapter 13: Binding Shadows and Awakening

Huey clapped his palms together, the sharp sound echoing through the massive chamber. The ground beneath them began to tremble, a faint shimmer rippling across the floor like an earthquake. Draven instinctively braced himself, watching in surprise as the ground cracked and shifted, revealing a large coffin that rose slowly until it stood tall before them.

The coffin groaned as it settled into place, its blackened wood etched with grotesque carvings of faces twisted in agony. Without warning, the lid fell forward with a loud thud, exposing the interior. Draven peered inside—there was nothing. It was empty.

Huey, ever the performer, danced playfully around the coffin, spinning and grinning as he stopped in front of it. "Draven," he began, his tone laced with amusement, "joining The Ten isn't just about saying the words. There's a ritual, a covenant. This coffin here—it will bind you to us."

Draven's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean, bind?"

Huey clapped his hands together again. "Oh, nothing too drastic. Just channel your Shen into the coffin, and it will establish a lovely little connection. Think of it as… me knowing your whereabouts at all times, keeping an eye on my golden boy."

Draven crossed his arms. "So I'm basically giving you my life."

Huey grinned wider. "Oh, don't be so dramatic. For what I'm going to give you in return, it'll be worth it. Trust me."

Draven hesitated, his gaze flicking between Huey, Roshi, and the coffin. After a moment, he stepped forward. "Fine," he muttered, raising his right hand.

A glowing energy escaped his palm, rippling as it channeled into the coffin. As the energy flowed, something grotesque stirred inside the coffin. Suddenly, a horrifying baby-like face with sharp, jagged teeth emerged, screaming as it devoured the energy.

Startled, Draven leaped backward, glaring at Huey. "What the hell was that?"

Huey laughed, clapping his hands again. "Oh, that's Shukaku, my little pet. It's harmless… mostly. It absorbs energy for various purposes. Don't worry—you'll get used to it."

With a final clap, Huey made the coffin disappear. He turned back to Draven, his tone shifting to something more serious. "Prepare yourself. The path you've chosen isn't an easy one. The journey ahead will be long and unforgiving."

Sakamoto Arrives on Eagle Island

Far away, Sakamoto stood at the edge of a hill, staring down at a small, desolate village nestled on Eagle Island. His sharp eyes scanned the area, taking in the skeletal remains of burned-out houses and the piles of dead bones that lined the barren streets.

He muttered under his breath, "An island… so this is what it's come to." His gaze hardened as he slid down the hill, his boots kicking up dirt as he descended.

As he entered the village, the depth of its suffering became painfully clear. A fire pit in the center of the settlement looked like it hadn't been used in days. The air was eerily silent, broken only by the faint whistle of the wind.

Walking further, he noticed a small window creak open. Inside, a pale, frail child peeked out, his sunken eyes locking onto Sakamoto's. The moment their eyes met, the child ducked back into the house.

"Don't look at strangers," the child's sister whispered, her voice sharp and frightened. "He might be one of those monsters."

Sakamoto paused, his expression unreadable. He clenched his fists, understanding the despair of these people all too well. He had lived through his own hardships, but the desolation here was beyond anything he had imagined.

As he moved further into the village, the air suddenly grew heavier. A thick fog rolled in, blanketing the area and reducing visibility to almost zero. Sakamoto's instincts flared, and his stance shifted as he scanned the surroundings.

From the fog came a sharp whoosh, and suddenly a giant claw slashed through the dense mist, aiming for his chest. Sakamoto leaped back, executing a perfect backflip to avoid the attack. His movements were precise, retracing his earlier steps to avoid obstacles despite the limited visibility.

The ground shook as a giant demon-like bear emerged from the fog, its white fur glowing faintly with an eerie light. Sakamoto exhaled slowly, his voice calm but laced with focus. "I can't see through this fog, but whatever you are… you're big."

He raised his hand, muttering, "The Most Dark."

In an instant, his body transformed. His mask with small horns materialized, and his hand gripped a large axe. In this form, his vision sharpened, cutting through the fog like a blade. He could now see the bear clearly, its glowing eyes locked on him.

Sakamoto tilted his head slightly, focusing on the creature's energy. A faint glow surrounded it, and in his enhanced vision, its Shen level appeared, ranked at B.

"A B-rank," he murmured. "Strong, but nothing I can't handle."

The bear roared, slamming its claws into the ground and shattering the earth beneath it. Sakamoto dodged quickly, moving with precision as he sidestepped the attack. His eyes narrowed. "Fast for something this big."

He rotated his axe in his hands, crouching low before launching himself into the air. His movements were sharp and calculated, his legs moving as if he were walking on air to maintain his balance. Closing the distance between them, he swung his axe downward, slashing through the bear's left eye.

The bear howled in pain, stumbling backward. In its rage, it lashed out with a massive paw, slamming Sakamoto into a nearby building. Dust and rubble filled the air as the structure collapsed.

Sakamoto groaned as he pushed himself up, his body sore from the impact. He watched as the bear clutched its injured eye, roaring with fury. The air around it grew thick with energy as it released an enormous amount of Shen.

Meanwhile, Feng's team moved swiftly through a dense forest, Gong leading the way with his sensory ability active. He held a scrap of Draven's clothing in his hand, using it as a link to track Draven's faint Shen signature.

Cregan, curious, asked, "How does it work?"

Gong glanced over his shoulder. "My ability allows me to trace someone's Shen through any object they've come into contact with. As long as we're within range, I can find him, even if the trail is faint."

Suddenly, Gong stopped in his tracks, his expression shifting to one of alarm.

"What's wrong?" Feng asked sharply.

Before Gong could respond, an enormous wave of Shen energy erupted in the distance, overwhelming his senses. Even Cregan, who lacked sensory abilities, could feel the oppressive energy in the air.

Feng's expression darkened. "That's not Draven."

"No," Gong agreed, his voice tight. "But it's close enough to check out."

Feng nodded. "Let's move."