Whispers of Shikiban:The king walk among us

A Storm Awakens

The Silent Aftermath

The world blurred in shades of orange as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting elongated shadows over the training ground. The scent of sweat, damp earth, and blood lingered—a silent testament to their trials. Some recruits lay sprawled on the ground, too drained to move, while others sat with vacant eyes, their minds shattered from the relentless torment of the day.

Reika lay on the dirt, her body rising and falling with labored breaths. The aching in her limbs felt like fire licking at her muscles, yet—her resolve burned hotter.

"I have to survive... I have to become the strongest version of myself."

The whisper of the wind seemed to echo her determination. The pain, the exhaustion—it was nothing compared to what lay ahead.

"Wake up, Reika. This is only the beginning."

She forced herself to sit up, her fingers digging into the dirt for support. A trainer approached, his presence shadowed against the dying light. His voice was low, steady.

"How do you feel after the training?"

Reika exhaled, rolling her shoulders as a sharp sting ran down her spine.

"Mentally, I feel at peace... but physically? I feel like my body is falling apart."

Her fists clenched, nails biting into her palm.

"But pain means growth. Right now, I'm just an ordinary Kageshiki trainee. But soon… I will push my limits so high that people will remember my name."

The trainer's lips curled into an impressed smirk.

"I've seen determined recruits before, but none quite like you," he admitted.

Reika allowed a small, knowing smile to flicker across her lips.

"Aren't you a Kageshiki?" she asked, curiosity threading through her voice.

The trainer nodded. "I was. But some of us are chosen to become trainers after sustaining injuries in battle against the Shikiban. Others, like me, were simply better suited for guiding the next generation."

Reika nodded in understanding. As he walked away to oversee the other trainees, she prepared to stand—only to be interrupted by a voice.

"Hey, wait."

She turned, eyes narrowing slightly as a boy with messy brown hair and thin-framed glasses approached her. His gray eyes shimmered with curiosity beneath the soft twilight.

"Nice to meet you," he said, his lips curving into an easy smile. "I'm Ishigo Nakano."

Reika regarded him with an unreadable expression. "Kagetsu Reika. Nice to meet you, too." Her tone was neutral, distant.

Ishigo scratched the back of his head, hesitating before speaking again. "Can we be friends?"

Reika blinked. "What?"

"I mean… I feel kind of alone here, and I noticed you don't have friends either. So, I thought—"

"I'm not interested in making friends," she interrupted, turning on her boots and walking away.

Undeterred, Ishigo fell into step beside her. "Harsh," he muttered. "You can't just say that so easily."

Reika exhaled sharply, her patience wearing thin. "Why me? There are plenty of people here."

"Tch. They're boring," Ishigo said, shrugging.

Reika shot him a surprised glance. "Boring?"

"Yeah. But you—there's something about you that makes people curious. You don't realize it, do you?"

She frowned. "I don't care about that."

Ishigo smirked. "See? That's what makes you interesting."

Reika huffed. "You're annoying."

Ishigo only laughed. "Probably. But I think we'll get along."

She wanted to dismiss him, but something about his presence felt oddly… familiar. She didn't have time to dwell on it, though—because the name that left his mouth next sent a sharp chill down her spine.

"Do you know about Souta Arakawa, the 'I' Rank Kageshiki?" she asked, changing the subject.

Ishigo's expression darkened slightly. "You mean Kageshiki no Shinro?"

"Kageshiki no Shinro?" she repeated.

"The path of the true Kageshiki," he explained. "The 'I' Rank warriors aren't just strong. They've mastered techniques beyond our comprehension. Some can control natural elements, others manipulate Shikibans… and then there are those who dabble in soul energy. But using too much of it… makes you less human."

Reika frowned. "Less human?"

Ishigo nodded. "The more energy you take in, the more your soul fades. That's why only the strongest survive. Those who push beyond their limits become something else entirely."

A strange unease settled in Reika's chest.

"How do they find the energy to fight?" she asked.

Ishigo's eyes gleamed. "When a Kageshiki kills a Shikiban, the creature's body turns to ash, leaving behind an Energy Flame. That energy is absorbed by the weapon of the warrior who defeated it, strengthening both the weapon and the fighter. The stronger the opponent, the greater the power gained."

Reika folded her arms. "So every Kageshiki wields a weapon?"

Ishigo shook his head. "Not at first. Only after passing the final test do they receive their weapon. And that weapon is unique—it's forged from the user's fear, soul, and strength. It evolves with them."

Reika's fingers twitched slightly.

"A weapon made from the soul…"

Ishigo grinned. "Anyway, back to Souta—he's a legend. One of the strongest Kageshiki alive. But no one really knows much about him. He's secretive, like a shadow."

Reika absorbed the information in silence before asking, "How do you know all this?"

Ishigo's smile faltered slightly. "My grandfather was a Kageshiki. He told me everything before he…" his voice dropped, "before he was killed by a Shikiban."

For the briefest moment, Reika's gaze softened.

Ishigo forced a grin. "I promised him I'd become a Kageshiki one day."

The air between them grew heavier, unspoken emotions hanging like a fragile thread. Then—

A figure emerged near the entrance of the training grounds.

A tall young man with sliver-white hair, and an air of quiet dominance.

Souta Arakawa.

He smirked. "How was your day, Kagetsu-san?"

Reika met his gaze, her blue eyes unwavering. "Well enough."

Souta chuckled. "Good. But this is only the beginning."

She narrowed her eyes. "I already know that."

His smirk widened. "Then I wonder… if you'll survive tomorrow's training in the Kuroyami Forest."

Reika's breath caught. "Kuroyami Forest?"

Souta didn't answer. He simply turned, walking away with the same smirk lingering on his lips.

But Reika knew.

Another trial awaited her.

And this time—it would be a test of survival.