The following morning, the peaceful atmosphere of the Spiritfolk village was disrupted.
A group of scouts returned from the forest's edge with troubling news—a corrupted spirit beast, unlike anything they'd seen before, was prowling near the eastern border. Its chakra was twisted, unstable, and violent.
Jon immediately recognized the pattern. It was tailed beast chakra, leaking through the thinning seals inside him. The Eight-Tails, Gyūki, was beginning to stir.
That night, Jon stood at the edge of the Spirit Tree, staring at his own reflection in the crystalline spring. His reflection began to shift… horns, tentacles, wild chakra. A whisper echoed in his mind.
Gyūki (deep, rumbling voice):
"You can't keep hiding me forever, boy. Sooner or later… they'll fear you. Just like the others did."
Jon (softly):
"I'm not afraid of you."
Gyūki:
"But you're afraid of what you'll lose if they find out."
Suddenly, a hand touched his back. He spun—but it was Asha, gently holding his sleeve.
Asha:
"Is something wrong?"
He hesitated—but this time, he didn't lie.
Jon:
"There's something inside me. Something dangerous."
Asha blinked, and her hand reached for his. Despite his hesitation, she clutched it firmly.
Asha (softly):
"Then I'll be your seal, Jon. I'll hold the pieces of you together… no matter what's inside."
Her ears twitched, and her belly lightly pressed against his side. Jon swallowed the lump in his throat.
Jon (whispering):
"You… don't know what you're saying."
Asha (smiling through tears):
"Yes, I do."
The next day, Satsuki met Jon by the training grounds. She was more focused than usual, but her words were clipped.
Satsuki:
"I heard about the spirit beast."
Jon:
"It's my fault."
Satsuki (sharply):
"No. You're not the monster, Jon. You're the gatekeeper."
He paused—caught off guard.
Satsuki (softly, almost too quiet):
"And I'll stand with you. Even if the gate breaks."
Their eyes met. The wind whispered through the trees, brushing her hair against his cheek.
Two girls. Two hearts. And a storm fast approaching.
Jon knew his days of peace were numbered.