Chapter 106 - 4-5

Chapter 4: Those In The Hills

Night finally arrived after the day that he had gone through.

The whole 'play-date' that had been planned by his obnoxious and annoying big brother had ended and he was back at the Gojo Family Compound.

The day had been a revelation after revelation for him. From meeting Satoru's former best friend turned serial killer/Rogue Sorcerer, to meeting a child with the same age as his current body.

The former Counter Guardian was now situated at the kitchen of the family compound, trying to make sense of every information he had received while also doing his favorite thing; cooking.

Of course, with his abrasive, condescending, childish, and overall insane 'big brother' watching him from behind.

"So, what is it you wanna cook? And how did you learn to cook in the first place? Watching too many Martha Stewart cooking show or something?" Satoru Gojo commented and asked too many questions that it truly was annoying to begin with, and what was more annoying was that he was standing too close behind him.

"It's just something I like to do from time to time. Now, do you mind? I'm trying to cut chicken meat here," he answered while holding a kitchen knife, trying to make Satoru not breathing down his neck every once in a while.

"Alright, I'm gonna sit here and wait until it's done. Haven't grabbed anything to eat today, so I'm really famished!" Satoru said while walking away from his little brother, grabbing a chair in the process. "Oh, make sure to make enough portions for seconds, alright?"

A tick mark and vein started to appear on his tiny head while also holding his knife more tightly, feeling how abrasive Satoru Gojo truly was.

After that, he let go of his small anger and just focused on what was important; marinating the cut chicken thigh and started to crack some eggs as well.

As the six-year-old Shirou Gojo was cooking with care, Satoru laughed a little because of how cute his little brother looked.

A small stool supporting his small legs, the small apron that he wore and also how his small hands expertly used the kitchen knife and other forms of cooking.

"So, you're not gonna ask anything about what happened? About who Megumi was, and other things?" Satoru asked, talking behind his brother while he was focused on the task in front of him rather than having small talks.

"I think I have the gist of it. But since you brought it up, can you tell me?" he asked back Satoru while not looking back, starting the stove in front of him in the process.

"Well, Megumi Fushiguro is the son of Toji Fushiguro, formerly known as Toji Zenin," Satoru started to explain. "He was a total prick of a person, and because of that… I killed him."

He didn't stop what he was doing after hearing such a nonchalant way Satoru proclaimed a murder he had committed. He was pretty sure that Satoru almost had said it to Megumi a few hours before this moment.

"And what was it about him selling off Megumi to the Zenin? And why are you in the middle of this in the first place?" he continued his line of questioning as he started to pour the chicken thigh that he had cut and marinated to the cooking pan on the stove.

"Oh, that was just his final words before dying. 'Hey, I got this kid and I sold him to my former family who are basically a bunch of pricks as well. It'll happen in a couple of years, so do what you wanna do. Ciao!' That's what he said, word for word," Satoru falsely quoted what Toji's final words were, but it did come close, a little.

"So, after that. I started to look at what he was saying and found out there is a Megumi Fushiguro living in Saitama, but I didn't expect step-sister living with him."

After a while and calling a few of his channels, Satoru had found Megumi and at first, just left him there.

But after a year, after everything that had happened to him, he finally started to act.

"So, what now? What will happen to Megumi and his sister?" his little brother asked him while still focusing on the dinner he was making, not looking back while talking to him.

"Now, we're gonna take care of them, that's what! I can see Megumi's potential from the Cursed Energy level he has… and as for Tsumiki, you heard what he said. As long as his sister has a good life, he'll go anywhere and do anything," Satoru answered. "And besides, Tsumiki doesn't have Cursed Energy so she'll just live normally."

"I thought you were gonna take Megumi under your wing, and left his sister all alone or something…" the six-year-old muttered. "Good to know that you're not that heartless… sometimes."

"Hey, do I look like a heartless asshole that leaves children all alone? Of course, not!" Satoru defended himself while looking at Shirou in a comical and a bit triggered way.

As minutes had come to pass after they arrived, all he could think of was about Megumi's lineage. More specifically, the Zenin clan.

"What about the Zenin clan? Are they really just gonna let you, the patriarch of the Gojo Family, take Megumi out of their hands?" he asked while whisking the eggs that he had cracked, intending to add them to the chicken thigh that he was cooking.

"Eh, who gives a fuck about them, anyways? Let them cry and bitch about it. They all know they can't do anything about it as Toji is dead, already," Satoru nonchalantly dismissed his brother's concern, not worrying about it whatsoever.

The more he heard of Toji's name being mentioned, the more he remembered why he felt that name was not foreign at all. All of a sudden, he finally remembered why.

"Toji Zenin… father mentioned that name to me, once," he said while still focusing on the task in front of him and not looking at Satoru's expression after he heard those words.

"When did he say it to you?" Satoru asked, feeling a bit curious.

"Right after he threw me under the bus and left me to die to fight against the Cursed Spirits in the basement," Shirou just nonchalantly answered Satoru's question. Even though most people would be freaking out if they heard about such a traumatic event, he wouldn't.

"He said that, perhaps, I was just like that Toji Zenin. But it was basically a gamble, and if I hadn't been, he would've been happy…"

His 'father' was wrong, of course. But that didn't mean he wasn't a former Counter Guardian who had all of his Magic Circuits still intact and had an ability to make Noble Phantasms out of thin air.

"Are you, though? Just like Toji?" Satoru asked Shirou with a serious tone. The atmosphere in the kitchen started to change as he asked his little brother, truly trying to figure out just what had happened in the basement a year ago.

Satoru had been busy after that whole ordeal happened, and he rarely mentioned that whole event every time he had time with his little brother.

Satoru then saw his brother, Shirou, finally looked back at him and not focusing on his cooking any longer.

"I don't even know what Toji Zenin has that I can be of similar nature as him," he answered in a serious tone as well, trying to pry on just what it was that his father had meant.

"He has this thing called Heavenly Restriction. It can be called a gift, or perhaps, a curse," Satoru started to explain what he knew about this specific topic.

"It is a type of cursed restriction that affects someone's Cursed Energy in exchange for limitations or improvements on their body. In Toji's case, he was born with no cursed energy whatsoever but possessed an extraordinary physical prowess," he continued. "Toji's physical prowess made him a dangerous man. He could kill a Special-Grade Cursed Spirits easily, but he mostly used his skills to kill Sorcerers, though."

"I see…" Shirou commented after listening Satoru's explanation. "I don't think I have what he had."

"Then, what do you have, Shirou?" Satoru instantly asked, playfully removing his sunglasses in the process. "What exactly is your Cursed Technique?"

He still didn't know what kind of Cursed Technique that Shirou had, making him keep guessing all this time, as the level of destruction that Shirou had caused was rare enough to begin with.

"I have the ability to do this," he said while grabbing the kitchen knife with his right hand, and in an instant, a similar kitchen knife appeared on his left hand.

Satoru widened his eyes as it had been a shock with just how fast it had occurred, to see something being created out of thin air was not that surprising for him, but what surprised him was that the foreign energy he saw appearing and disappearing in an instant.

'It might be Cursed Energy, certainly feels like it is… but why do my eyes tell me differently?' Satoru inwardly thought while standing up from his place of sitting, closing his distance to his little brother and had his eyes set fixed on the kitchen knife replica that he had just created.

"I can create things, mostly weapons, out of thin air. Projection, or Gradation Air, as I'd like to call it," his brother elaborated further while giving Satoru both of the knives he was holding.

The more Satoru looked at the two knives, the more he noticed how similar they were. No, they were basically and definitely identical.

"Weapons, huh…" Satoru muttered while still holding and looking at the kitchen knives he had been given.

As of this moment, Satoru wondered just what kind of 'weapons' his brother had conjured up to exorcise those multitudes of Cursed Spirits in the basement a year prior to this.

"You shouldn't call your Cursed Technique, Projectionthough… the Zenin also has one with the same name, but it revolves around… frames? I don't really remember, but it's kinda dumb," Satoru said while letting go of the knives he had held and placed them at the kitchen table. "And Gradation Air? Seriously? It's like a name of a cheap airline from the boonies or something."

His little brother looked like he took offence of that, but Satoru just shook it off, not having any care about it whatsoever.

"How about Tracing?"

"Sounds better. Don't tell me you have a stupid childish mantra like "Tracing, on!" or something…" Satoru just instantly commented and let loose whatever it was he was thinking.

His little brother narrowed his eyes further, and Satoru instantly could tell what he meant by it.

"Oh my god, you do, don't you?! HAHAHAHHAHA—" Satoru just burst out laughing after he said those words, making Shirou all the more annoyed.

"Dinner's done. You want to keep laughing like an idiot and not have any, or sit still and be polite?" his little brother said those words with no joking tone whatsoever. At first, Satoru still wanted to laugh some more and tease Shirou, but after smelling what he had been cooking, he did what he was told… for the first time in his life.

As Satoru instantly sat down, the six-year-old chef prepared a serving for both him and his brother. Lo and behold, it was just a simple dish that a mundane Japanese person would enjoy; Oyakodon.

'It looks just like a normal Oyakodon… I guess my little bro can cook, after all,' Satoru thought while looking at the dish in front of him, seeing that it didn't look bad and very appetizing.

He thought it would taste just like the numerous Oyakodon he'd had, not expecting it to be different.

Satoru Gojo took one bite… and the rest was history.

"Holy… fucking shit."

She did not know why.

Why she was in this predicament in the first place. Why she was in a rundown place, being fed with garbage and other things.

Other girls close to her age were with her as well, facing the same predicament.

Their clothes were rundown, their place of living was rundown… everything that she could see was rundown, even their state of living.

It was not too much to say that all hope was lost from her point of view.

She barely even remembered the faces of her parents, as she did not know their fate after coming across that thing.

That thing that they called Mother, ever since they had met it.

They all knew it wasn't their mother. But anyone who cried or complained would suddenly disappear. So, gradually, they all fell silent.

How long had it been?

She tried to remember and make any sense on how long had it been since she had a warm meal to eat, a warm place to stay.

She looked at another girl beside her, and how lifeless her eyes were.

Even though she was the most beautiful and cute girl she had ever seen in her short life, looking at her lifeless eyes just made her even more hopeless due to their state.

Her train of thought was interrupted as another girl who was standing a bit far away from her screamed, looking like she was having a mental breakdown, all of a sudden.

Mother then appeared.

Its many faces looked enraged, looking like it was disturbed by her scream.

Its many hands started to move, and in the next second, the girl who had screamed was gone.

One thing that replaced her was only traces of blood, and all she could do was watch. She wondered just how long it had been considering she would not be terrified at such a horrible sight.

The other girls could only squirm as well; not wanting to let out a voice in order to let Mother's ire befell them.

She looked at the girl beside her, and how she didn't react at all.

Her platinum-blonde hair was so dirty as many traces of dirt and dust littered it, her eyes faced downward as she also took her legs in a sitting position to meet her face.

This was only one of the many days she had gone through. Little did she know that it had been about a year that all of them were in this predicament.

She looked far from the rundown place that they were situated in, hoping to see some change or some kind of hope that she could latch on to.

She thought that she would not get anything with her eyes just searching, looking towards the trees.

All of a sudden, she noticed something.

It was a white fluffy tail— no, a white dog with a fluffy white tail, standing with all four, far away from her position.

It was the cutest thing, but for her eyes, for some reason, it looked like hope.

Without much thinking, she decided to follow the white dog, not knowing what was in store for her.

On this day, where her life had been filled with hopelessness and despair…

Hana Kurusu decided to follow a dog, looking for any semblance of hope and let fate made a decision on her life.

Hana crept away from the rundown shack, her eyes fixed on the white dog. She moved quietly, not wanting to attract the attention of Mother or any of her many faces.

The dog paused, looking back at her with intelligent, almost knowing eyes, as if urging her to hurry. It trotted ahead, leading her away from the place that had been her prison for what felt like an eternity.

As she followed, the sounds of the other girls' soft sobs and the eerie creaking of the dilapidated building faded into the background. The forest ahead seemed almost inviting, a stark contrast to the desolation she was leaving behind.

For the first time in a long while, Hana felt a flicker of hope.

The white dog led her through the dense underbrush, its fluffy tail bouncing with each step. Hana struggled to keep up, her thin legs and bare feet not used to such exertion.

Branches scratched her arms, and she stumbled over roots, but she kept moving, driven by the promise of something better.

After what felt like hours, the dog finally stopped at the edge of a small clearing. In the center stood a large tree with gnarled branches that stretched towards the sky.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. The air here was different—clean, fresh, and filled with the sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves.

Hana collapsed at the base of the tree, her chest heaving as she caught her breath. The dog sat beside her, its warm presence comforting.

For a moment, she simply sat there, enjoying the simple pleasure of being outside, free from the oppressive gloom of Mother's domain.

"Thank you," she whispered to the dog, reaching out to touch its soft fur. The dog leaned into her touch, its eyes full of understanding.

Hana and the dog then saw a bus stop and made their rest there. They finally escaped the dark forest and finally saw a man-made street.

Hana then thought on why this dog suddenly materialized, now knowing how such a miracle could occur and all of a sudden, her questions were answered…

…As she saw three boys walking and started to appear on her line of sight.

Many months had passed after the Gojo brothers visited the Fushiguro siblings for the first time.

It had been more than a surprise for the latter, as they had been on the brink of not only bankruptcy, but also close to being malnourished.

Indeed, the Fushiguro siblings had only some of the small amount of money that had been left behind by none other than their deadbeat parents.

They did not know where their current whereabouts were, but they simply did not care.

As for their salvation, it lied on none other than one of the weirdest, annoying, abrasive people they had ever met; Satoru Gojo.

Satoru not only saved them from the fate of being malnourished and bankruptcy, but also willing to take care of them in the long run.

He remembered just how he had proclaimed it to his sister.

"Technically, my family and his dad's family are kinda related, I guess… And Megumi here is so talented that we're willing to give him not only scholarships but also everything else! You're also gonna be taken care of, don't worry…"

The more he remembered it, the more he wanted to forget it. Satoru truly came at such a good timing that him and Tsumiki just accepted it… even though Satoru had come of as someone that was the definition of a 'stranger-danger'.

But alas, it was all true.

Satoru not only gave them money for living costs, but also everything else. Housekeepers to look after them from time to time, Weekly allowances for them both to have, and even monthly spending for clothes.

All because his deadbeat of a father almost sold him to another family, and basically planned to leave Tsumiki alone.

His train of thought was just that; the fact on how lucky he was with meeting Satoru. Then again, looking back at his life, it could never be called 'lucky' to begin with.

"Remind me again why we're following you…" the other child with him asked Satoru, as they were walking uphill on a pathway surrounded with trees.

That other child was none other that Satoru's little brother, Shirou. Shirou was of the same age as Megumi, having the same color of hair as Satoru, but his skin was a bit more tanned than the rest who was walking.

"I told you guys, I have a really cool mission and this is where you guys get to watch and also learn on what it's like to be a Sorcerer," Satoru answered Shirou's question while looking backwards. He was positioned in the front, leading the two boys who were keeping up with him.

"That's why I need a reminder," Shirou stated while walking with his backpack. "Aren't your missions too dangerous for two kids to be tagging along?"

"Hey, you got the Strongest Sorcerer here to watch you guys. Don't worry too much, and just let it flow," Satoru answered again, this time, a bit more nonchalant.

After knowing what kind of a person Satoru was ever since the first time Megumi had met him, he would just follow along with any kind of stupidity of a direction that Satoru was telling him to go.

Satoru had trained him about twice a month in average; teaching him the basics of what Cursed Energy was and also how to utilize his Cursed Technique.

The trio continued their uphill trek, the forest's canopy casting dappled shadows on the path. Birds chirped and leaves rustled, creating a serene soundtrack to their journey. Despite the beauty surrounding them, a sense of anticipation hung in the air.

"How much longer until we reach the mission site?" Megumi asked, breaking the silence.

"Not too far now," Satoru replied, his tone casual. "Just over this ridge and we'll be there."

Shirou sighed, adjusting his backpack. "I still think this is a bit much for a mission. Couldn't you have picked something closer to the city?"

Satoru chuckled. "Where's the fun in that? Besides, it's good for you two to get out of your comfort zones. This is all part of the training."

As they reached the top of the ridge, the view opened up before them. A vast expanse of forest stretched out below, with a small housing estate nestled in a valley. In the distance, they could see the remains of old, dilapidated houses, their once-grand structure now crumbling and overgrown with ivy.

Megumi squinted at the scene before them. "Is that where we're going?" he asked, pointing towards the dilapidated houses.

The welcoming sign of the dilapidated housing estate bore the name "Furoda Hills". A sign of a gated community that used to be filled with life, now looked as abandoned as ever.

Satoru nodded. "That's the place. There's been some strange activity reported there, and it's our job to check it out."

Shirou frowned. "Strange activity? Like what?"

"Disappearances and such…" Satoru explained, his tone turning serious. "We're gonna meet some guys that's gonna give us the details. We have people that do those things, but for now, I thought this would be a nice experience for you guys to know."

Megumi and Shirou exchanged a glance, their apprehension palpable. Despite their training, they were still just kids, facing dangers that most adults couldn't even comprehend.

Satoru noticed their unease and gave them a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. I'll be right there with you. Just stick close, and we'll handle this together."

With that, they began their descent into the valley, the path growing narrower and more overgrown. The forest seemed to close in around them, the air becoming cooler and more still.

As they approached the outskirts of the housing estate, the dilapidation became more apparent. Walls were crumbling, windows were shattered, and the entire area seemed to exude an aura of neglect and decay.

"Where is everybody huh? Bingo?"

Satoru nonchalantly commented while waiting for reactions coming from the kids. They only deadpanned when they heard it, not really wanting to comment on Satoru's line of reference. "I always wanted to say that…"

Four people were then sighted by the three boys, wearing some mundane clothes. They were four not so middle-aged men that looked to be waiting for an arrival.

"Ahh, there they are," Satoru said while pointing at the four men who were waiting for him to arrive, clearly looking a bit apprehensive as well.

The two younglings decided to follow Satoru, who was walking towards them in a relaxed manner.

"So, you guys are the ones who called us here, huh?" Satoru said in a nonchalant manner. "Can you give us the details?"

"Uhh, sure…" one of the four spoke, looking more apprehensive as he looked at the two children behind Satoru. "Why are there children with you?"

"It's 'bring your kids to work day'," Satoru explained his situation, with Megumi and Shirou just looking at him and narrowing their eyes a bit. "Don't worry, it's all good."

"Okay… So, let me explain from the start," one of the not so middle-aged men spoke while swallowing his non-existent spit. "Furoda Hills. It used to be a gated community filled with middle-to-upper class families; some were even foreign expatriates as well."

"You see, we're actually just some guys that live in a village close to here. A few years ago, a developer looked at this land and thought; "Hey, this is some prime real estate here. You got a nice view of the hills, it's close to the city as well, basically perfect for a suburban life.""

The two boys tried to listen to the details carefully, unlike Satoru, who was just looking around the vicinity.

"So, how come no one lives here anymore?" Satoru asked while still looking around instead of looking at the person who gave him the details.

"That's the thing. We, from the village close to here, tried to explain that this land was not… habitable," the person continued to explain, a sweat started to drop from his forehead. "The elders from our village said that a horrible curse is placed upon this land; something about mothers that lived in this land losing their children when World War II happened and was forced to only raised daughters or something…"

"The developers didn't really care about it, and we just hoped that everything would go well, you know?"

Satoru immediately understood the situation, but for Megumi and Shirou to understand further, he had a line of questioning ready on his head.

"Everything didn't go well, huh?" Satoru asked the mundane man in front of him.

"At first, it was all well; 'Furoda Hills' got finished, many houses got filled instantly, some were foreigners as well," the man who was giving the details started to sweat even more. "But in a matter of months, people started to die in a gruesome manner! Like, seriously! I'm talking like, the bodies had no spleen when they were discovered, and their limbs gone as well!"

Megumi had his eyes slightly widened after hearing such a gruesome and horror detail, but Shirou, on the other hand, kept his cool and tried to listen more intently.

"And what's worse was that the female children started to go missing as well, whereas the adults and the boys… they were the ones that got discovered like that," the more he explained, the more fearful he looked. "They beg for our assistance, so we set up search parties and the likes… but the girls are still missing to this day, and some that volunteered to search… they ended up missing or died, in the same gruesome manner."

"How long has it been going on?" Satoru asked, looking a bit more serious. "And where's the rest of the occupants of this gated community?"

"Well, after that, people started to move away and basically abandoned Furoda Hills. This happened about a year ago. We tried to go to the police, and they sent the likes of you… but we never heard of the ones that got sent here. I think they got the same fate as the rest of the corpses we found."

Satoru knew the details of this mission even before he got sent here. They had sent some Grade 2 Sorcerers to this mission, but they never returned.

From behind him, the kid with the same white hair as Satoru started to have a train of thought after hearing all of the details of this mission.

'This mission needs a Grade 1 Sorcerer or perhaps even higher. Judging by the size of this gated community, and the amount of bodies and missing persons, we're probably dealing with more than just one Cursed Spirit…' he thought.

"Any recent details that got unearthed that you can share with us?" Satoru asked again. "Or is that all?"

"Ahh, yes. That's why we're here in the first place," the guy answered and started to look behind him. "Oi, Kenji! Show them your footage!"

The man that was designated as 'Kenji' wore a mundane checkered shirt and jeans. He then brought out a camcorder and moved towards Satoru's position of standing.

"Me and my friends from college wanted to go hiking a week ago, to explore the scenery of the hills around here. It all started fine, but in the middle of the forest, we started to hear… voices," Kenji explained while opening up his camcorder to show Satoru a footage

"Brats, come take a look as well," Satoru called out Megumi and Shirou behind him to move towards to his position, gesturing them to view the footage as well.

"Uhmm, aren't they a little too young to be here in the first place?" Kenji asked.

Satoru opened his mouth to disagree, but then he took a look at the kids behind him, the ones that were still in the age of grade-schoolers.

"Yes… yes, they are," Satoru said in a monotone voice. "Just show us the footage."

Kenji then started to play the footage on his camcorder, with Satoru, Megumi, and Shirou watching intently. Their attention fixed on the grainy footage playing on the camcorder. The old device hummed softly, its worn-out tape whirring as the video began to play.

The footage was shaky, the camera operator clearly nervous. The timestamp in the corner indicated that the video had been recorded a few days earlier. The scene showed a dense, overgrown forest, the camera panning slowly across the trees as the person holding it trudged through the underbrush.

"Are you sure this is the place?" a man's voice asked from behind the camera. His tone was laced with apprehension.

"Yeah," another voice replied, a woman this time. "This is where they said the girls were last seen."

The camera focused on a narrow path, barely visible beneath the tangled vines and fallen leaves. The camera operator hesitated before stepping forward, following the path deeper into the woods. The sound of crunching leaves and snapping twigs filled the room, adding to the growing sense of unease.

Satoru leaned forward, his expression serious as he watched the footage with Megumi feeling a knot of tension forming in his stomach. They knew this wasn't going to end well.

The camera continued to follow the path until the forest suddenly opened up into a small clearing. In the center of the clearing was an old, decrepit building that looked like it had been abandoned for years. The walls were covered in moss and vines, and the roof had partially caved in.

"Is this it?" the man's voice asked again, quieter this time.

The camera zoomed in on the building, focusing on a broken window that revealed the dark interior. The woman responded, her voice trembling slightly. "It has to be. Let's go inside."

The screen flickered as the camera moved closer to the building. The operator hesitated again before stepping through the broken doorway, the camera's lens adjusting to the dim light inside. The room they entered was in ruins, with debris scattered across the floor and cobwebs hanging from the ceiling.

"Look over there," the woman whispered, and the camera turned to follow her gaze.

In the corner of the room, barely visible in the shadows, were several small figures huddled together. The camera zoomed in, revealing a group of young girls, their clothes dirty and torn. They were pale and thin, their eyes wide with fear as they huddled together for warmth. Their lifeless expressions were haunting.

"Oh my god," the man breathed, his voice shaking. "We found them."

Megumi clenched his fists, his heart pounding as he watched the scene unfold. Satoru's eyes were covered with his trademark sunglasses, while Shirou's expression remained unreadable.

"Get them out of here," the woman said urgently, her voice rising in panic. "We need to—"

The footage suddenly shook violently as the camera operator turned towards the entrance of the room. The screen blurred as the camera swung around, capturing the sight of a dark figure standing in the doorway.

"GeT aWay fRoM mY cHildReN!"

Before the footage could reveal more, the screen suddenly cut to static. The camcorder's tape sputtered for a moment before going completely black.

Silence filled the area as the three watched the screen, the tension thick in the air. Kenji was the first to speak, his voice low and serious.

"The camcorder just stopped working after that… voice appeared. We then just ran like crazy, and thank god, we escaped with our lives," Kenji explained with a terrified voice, looking to sweat more in the process. "We didn't see anyone, or anything, that made that voice. The camcorder didn't capture anything as well…"

Megumi looked a bit confuse, as it was clear on the footage just who, or what, it was that made that terrifying voice.

The figure was tall and grotesque, its form barely human, with multiple faces and arms that twisted unnaturally. It was a monster that could only be described as something that came out of a nightmare.

Megumi then remembered that only people like him were able to see these things, and those that didn't have Cursed Energy, those like Kenji, for instance, would only see a dark figure looming instead of the figure he had just seen in the footage.

"Okay, I think I know what we're dealing with here!" Satoru inexplicably interrupted the silence, abruptly interrupting Megumi's thoughts in the process.

"You do?" Kenji asked Satoru, who looked a bit dumbfounded and confused.

"Yes. Now, this is the time where all four of you leave this place," Satoru said while looking at the other guys as well. "Go towards the outskirts of the gated community or something and wait there. We'll handle it from here."

The four guys did what they were told and left the premises, leaving Satoru, Megumi and Shirou with their own company inside the abandoned housing estate.

"Okay, now it's time to do the work," Satoru commanded Megumi and Shirou, who were waiting to see what Satoru had in store for them. "Shirou, open your bag and let it rip!"

Megumi didn't know what was inside of Shirou's bag, making his question just what it was that was in store and also making him a bit curious.

Shirou opened his huge bag, comically a bit bigger than his small body, and in a matter of seconds, he laid out camp.

A camping mat was laid out by him, also bringing out two huge thermoses and of course, a camping basket.

"Don't you feel a little guilty for making your kid brother to prepare all of this?" Shirou asked Satoru monotonously. He had prepared all of these food and beverages for camping because Satoru had commanded him since last night.

"Oh, come on, Shirou. You're the only person I entrust to do all this!" Satoru answered in an excited manner, making his brother deadpanned even more. "Besides, with your cooking and all, Megumi should have the honor of trying it as well."

Megumi could only sigh after hearing that Satoru basically had ordered his little brother to prepare for camping, instead of focusing on the mission.

"Now then, Megumi, it's your turn!" Satoru looked at Megumi in his usual expression of being obnoxious.

"What do I need to do? I didn't prepare anything for camping," Megumi said.

"I'm not saying anything about camping, jeez…" Satoru explained to Megumi while kneeling down to match Megumi's eye level. "Now that you've tamed one, it's time to practice; summon it."

Megumi understood what Satoru was commanding him to do, and so, he made a hand sign that looked like the head of a dog.

"Divine Dog," Megumi chanted and brought forth his summon from his own shadow. In a matter of seconds, a white wolf-like dog with a fluffy tail appeared.

This was the Innate Technique of Megumi Fushiguro; to be able to summon a wide array of Shikigami.

"Good job. Now then, command it to search the premises and find one of those missing children or a clue of the Cursed Spirit lingering around here," Satoru said to Megumi, who was patting the white dog's head.

"You heard him. Go and find what we're looking for," Megumi said to the Shikigami dog and it nodded to him.

In an instant, the white dog barked and started to sniff around the place. After sniffing the scent of the area, it ran and disappeared toward the dark forest that was surrounding Furoda Hills.

"Okay, we're gonna wait while Megumi's Shikigami look around the premises and search for clues," Satoru said to the kids while clapped his hands. "This is why the camping is needed!"

Satoru, Megumi, and Shirou started to sit down at the camping mat, intending to wait for the dog to come back after searching the perimeter and find the whereabouts of either the missing children or the Cursed Spirit that was holding them hostage.

"So, what have you prepared for us, my genius chef of a little brother?" Satoru excitedly sat down and asked Shirou what in his mind was the most important question that he could think of.

"We only have sandwiches here…" Shirou answered without any excitement whatsoever.

He then opened the camping basket and, lo and behold, was sandwiches that were filled with bacon, eggs, lettuce, and tomato along with a special sauce that he made from scratch.

"It's nothing much, but it should be enough," the six-year-old chef stated while also started to prepare what he had cooked on the thermos. "This thermos is filled with clam chowder, and the other is filled with hot green tea."

Shirou had prepared the hot dishes for the rather cold weather that they were experiencing this instance, with all of them wearing long coats and all, and the fact that the sandwiches could be served in an atmosphere that was not warm as well, made this a well-prepared occasion.

Even with how mundane everything that Shirou had said, Megumi could smell the clam chowder to be very mouth-watering and the sandwiches looked more exquisite than with how Shirou presented it to be.

Shirou then served the clam chowder with the cups he had stored in his bag for this occasion, along with the green tea as well.

Satoru only smiled rather largely while looking at the dishes that were presented, and Megumi, even though he never really showed it, eagerly waited to dig in himself.

Megumi took a bite of the sandwich and felt a burst of flavor he hadn't anticipated. The combination of the crispy bacon, creamy egg, and fresh vegetables blended perfectly with the tangy sauce that seemed too sophisticated for a six-year-old to whip up.

He glanced over at Shirou, who sat across from him with a calm, unbothered expression, as if making such a meal was an everyday affair.

"This is really good," Megumi murmured after swallowing his first bite, his tone sincere. "Thanks."

Shirou's gaze flickered to him, and a small, almost imperceptible smile formed at the corner of his lips. "I just made it the way I like it," he replied casually, pouring some hot green tea into a small cup and handing it to Megumi.

Satoru, meanwhile, was practically inhaling his food. "Delicious as always, Shirou!" he chimed, his mouth half-full. "You're a prodigy! Not just in cooking, but in life! Gonna make someone a very happy partner one day, just you wait!"

Shirou shot his older brother a flat look. "You're embarrassing," he muttered before turning back to the food, avoiding eye contact.

"True," Megumi agreed softly. He wasn't particularly interested in praising Satoru—most of the time, Satoru didn't deserve it—but Shirou's efforts were noteworthy.

Living alone for so long had made Megumi aware of how difficult it was to provide for others, and Shirou did it almost effortlessly. He realized, in a way, how fortunate it was to have someone like Shirou around.

The three sat in comfortable silence for a while, listening to the faint rustling of the forest around them. Even in the middle of what was supposed to be a dangerous mission, Satoru had turned it into something that felt almost like a normal day out—a day free from anxiety, at least for a little while.

But that calm was shattered abruptly when Megumi's white dog reappeared from the dense underbrush, its ghostly figure materializing silently in the shadows. The Shikigami barked softly, its tail wagging as it approached Megumi with purpose.

Megumi immediately stiffened. "It found something."

Satoru straightened up, his demeanor shifting from casual to serious in an instant. He turned to Shirou and Megumi, his tone soft but commanding. "Stay close to me. Whatever it is, we're going in together."

They rose to their feet, leaving the warmth of their small picnic behind as they followed the Shikigami deeper into the abandoned estate. The dog led them through winding paths and ruined structures, the oppressive atmosphere thickening with each step.

Shadows seemed to stretch and twist unnaturally as they moved deeper, as if the entire place was alive and watching their every move.

Finally, the Shikigami stopped in front of a small, crumbling cottage at the end of the estate—a hut that looked old.

The white dog went inside and the boys followed, anticipating something that could lead them to getting closer to finishing the mission.

Inside the cottage, they instead found her.

A young female child looking malnourished, dirty and abandoned. She had light blonde hair and dirty rags for clothing. The dog sat down close to her, looking bigger than her frail body.

The boys could tell that she was around the same age as Megumi and Shirou, realizing that this was one of the children that had gone missing, and Megumi's Shikigimi had found her.

"Hey, that was quick! What did you guys find?" Satoru and his students heard one of the four guys that called them for this mission shouting from afar, noticing that they were on the outskirts of the estate and the guys were waiting around there.

"Yo, guys! Come here, you might wanna see this!" Satoru shouted towards the non-sorcerers from his position, going outside the cottage that was placed beside a small station. "Megumi, go retrieve your puppy."

Megumi did what he was told and went toward the white Shikigami's position, whereas Shirou followed Satoru, who was moving towards the non-sorcerers' position.

"Alright, what do you want us to see?" one of them said to Satoru after reaching his position, and Satoru just gestured them to go towards the small cottage.

They immediately went to it, looking curious on what it was that had been found.

"There's a girl! I think she's older!" one of the guys who had entered the cottage found the small girl, looking very untreated and horrid.

The rest of the guys immediately rushed towards her position, looking like they were in a hurry. "She's had it rough! Give her to the cops!"

Meanwhile, Satoru just stared at the situation with a small grin, whereas his little brother was beside him, also staring at the newfound situation they had brought in.

Megumi was retrieving his Shikigami. The dog with a fluffy white tail was trotting toward his position and he also took a small walk to retrieve it.

Satoru looked at Megumi with a bit of a sense of pride and also a small wonderment. His train of thought was going towards how Megumi had a lot of talent in him.

He thought about the Ten Shadows Technique and how at such a small age, Megumi was able to tame one of the summons that came with said technique.

He then looked at his younger brother as well, thinking about Shirou Gojo's potential and talent as well, even though it was still a mystery at him,

Megumi patted his dog's fluffy head and fur, and Satoru noticed that the small girl came out of the cottage with the rest of the non-sorcerers with her, looking to give her care and such.

This situation made Satoru smirk. "She might fall for you, y'know?" Satoru commented while teasing Megumi, who had arrived at their position with his Shikigami dog.

Megumi just ignored him, making Satoru smirked even more. He then ruffled Megumi's hair, saying that he shouldn't ignore him as well.

Meanwhile, the younger Gojo was only standing in silence, having his own train of thought.

"Now what?" he asked his 'big brother' who was still playing with Megumi's scalp, making the one who got the short end of it even more annoyed.

After Satoru annoyed the shit out of Megumi, he then took a look at the abandoned estate and the vast forest that was around it.

"Now, the real fun begins."

Chapter 5: Please Help Her

The air grew cooler as they ventured deeper into the forest. The thick canopy overhead filtered out most of the daylight, casting a patchwork of shadow and muted greens across the ground.

Megumi's Shikigami led the way, its white fur glowing faintly in the dim light. It moved with purpose, its tail swishing as it darted between trees, nose to the ground as if it could sense something hidden just beyond their sight.

Satoru strolled behind with his usual lazy confidence, hands casually tucked into his pockets. Shirou walked beside Megumi, his sharp eyes scanning their surroundings, every subtle shift of movement catching his attention.

Despite his composed demeanor, there was an intensity about him that seemed to flicker beneath the surface—one that Satoru didn't miss.

"So, Megumi," Satoru began, his voice low but carrying clearly through the stillness of the forest. "I've been meaning to talk to you more about the Ten Shadows Technique."

Megumi glanced back at him, his expression neutral. "What about it?"

"Well," Satoru drawled, raising a brow. "For one thing, you've been managing to control some pretty advanced Shikigami at your age. The white dog you're using is part of the twin set, right? The Divine Dogs?"

Megumi nodded slowly. "Yeah, I've summoned the other one too, but… it's not as stable."

"It's impressive," Satoru remarked lightly, then shifted his gaze toward the Shikigami leading them. "Most users of the Ten Shadows would need years of training to summon two Divine Dogs at the same time. But you've got the potential to do much more."

He leaned forward a bit, his eyes gleaming with interest. "Do you know what your technique is capable of, Megumi? How far you can push it?"

Megumi hesitated. He'd been aware of the unique power his inherited technique possessed, but Satoru's words carried an unfamiliar weight. He swallowed and shook his head slightly.

"There's… still a lot I don't understand about it."

"Fair enough," Satoru replied, smiling slightly. "But that's what I'm here for. You see, the Ten Shadows Technique is special because it doesn't just summon creatures. It allows you to manifest and manipulate multiple powerful Shikigami simultaneously, each one representing a distinct shadow. You've seen the Divine Dogs, but there are others."

"Don't worry," Satoru said softly, noticing the shift in Megumi's gaze. "I'm not saying you need to use it now. But you have to know what's in your arsenal if you're going to grow stronger."

"How come that you know all this about my abilities?" Megumi asked Satoru while having a more curious expression than ever.

"Well, that's a story for another time," Satoru vaguely answered. "A very interesting story about our families' history… that can take a while to tell."

As Megumi mulled over his teacher's words, Satoru's gaze shifted to Shirou, who had been listening quietly all this time. His face betrayed no emotion, but there was a sharpness to his posture, as if he were bracing himself.

"And what about you, little brother?" Satoru asked lightly, but his tone held an undercurrent of curiosity. "You've got power too. Not Ten Shadows, obviously, but something… different. You've been holding back, haven't you?"

Shirou blinked, momentarily taken aback. His eyes met Satoru's, and for a moment, they held a silent, unspoken conversation. Then, Shirou sighed softly, shrugging one shoulder.

"I'm not hiding anything," he replied evenly. "It's more like… there's a limit to what I can do right now."

"Oh?" Satoru tilted his head. "You mean you're not fully in control of your abilities?"

"It's not that," Shirou corrected, his tone patient. "It's more… complicated. My abilities are linked to… certain conditions. Until I meet those conditions, I can't use them the way I want to."

Satoru hummed thoughtfully. "Interesting. And these 'conditions'—are they something that would be useful in a fight?"

Shirou's lips twitched slightly, almost as if he were amused. "They're meant to be. But it's not that simple."

"Everything's complicated with you," Satoru sighed dramatically, waving a hand. "Fine, fine, keep your secrets for now. Just don't get in over your head, okay?"

Shirou nodded once, his gaze steady. "I won't."

Megumi watched the exchange in silence, his curiosity piqued. He knew Shirou was skilled—more than skilled, actually—but there was still so much about Satoru's younger brother that remained a mystery. And now, hearing this, Megumi realized there was even more beneath the surface than he'd initially thought.

Their Shikigami guide suddenly slowed, stopping at a fork in the path. The forest seemed to stretch out in two different directions—one leading deeper into a dense thicket, the other veering sharply toward what looked like a narrow, rocky trail. The dog paused, glancing back at Megumi expectantly.

Satoru's expression shifted, growing serious as he took in their options. "Looks like we'll need to split up," he murmured, glancing between the boys. "Megumi, you follow the Shikigami. Keep an eye out for anything unusual and Shirou will follow you."

The boys exchanged a look but didn't protest. This was their mission, after all, and Satoru's faith in them meant something—even if it came with a side of mischief.

"What about you?" Megumi asked, frowning slightly. "Where are you going?"

Satoru grinned, his expression brightening. "I'll take the rocky path and also check the perimeter. Make sure we don't have any surprises sneaking up on us."

"Isn't it far too dangerous for us to split? And what if we need your help all of a sudden?" Satoru's little brother went to question his decision, thinking about the unknown dangers that could happen.

"Don't you worry, Shirou. I got just the thing for it!" Satoru began to rummage his pocket and took out something for the children to see. "Ta da!"

It was a small white object that had the design something that resembled a whistle, but for Shirou Gojo to see, it was more than that…

"Is that… a rape whistle?" he questioned his brother's object in his hand while also sweat dropping at what Satoru just presented them.

"It's a whistle for 'emergency situations', that's for sure. Like I said, don't worry! If anything comes up just blow this thing and I'll be with you in an instant!" Satoru gleefully explained while looking at the children's dumbfounded expression.

Megumi took hold of the 'self-defense' whistle that Satoru had given them, not wanting for this conversation to go any further in the process.

With that, he gave them a mock salute and turned on his heel, heading off into the forest with an almost lazy stride. Megumi and Shirou watched him go before exchanging a glance.

"Is he always like that in your home?" Megumi muttered quietly.

"He's always like that anywhere," Shirou replied softly, then turned toward the path that they should enter.

He glanced back only once, looking at Satoru's disappearing visage and then his eyes lingered on Megumi's back as the younger boy followed his Shikigami into the shadows of the forest.

And then, they were alone.

Meanwhile, Satoru moved through the rocky trail with a languid ease, his sharp blue eyes scanning the terrain. Despite his relaxed posture, he was keenly aware of everything around him—the subtle shifts in the air, the faint rustle of leaves, and even the silent tension that seemed to ripple through the forest. Yet, his mind wandered back to Shirou and their earlier conversation.

"Tracing, huh…" Satoru mused quietly to himself. He remembered the first time he'd seen Shirou use that particular ability.

The younger Gojo had always been a bit of an enigma—different from the other sorcerers Satoru knew. Shirou's technique didn't just conjure things out of thin air; it replicated them with startling accuracy.

He couldn't help but think about his little brother's abilities. Shirou's power wasn't something Satoru had encountered before—not in the usual sense, at least.

It wasn't bound by traditional Cursed Energy techniques, and there was something deeply unusual about the way he wielded it. What Shirou referred to as "Tracing" was a remarkable skill—one that allowed him to analyze, deconstruct, and replicate objects down to their very essence.

But there was more to it than that.

"It's like… the Construction Technique," Satoru mused aloud, his voice low as he glanced up at the darkening sky. "But even that's not quite right. Construction is a rare ability, even among the Zen'in Clan, and it's limited by the enormous amount of Cursed Energy it takes to create something from scratch."

Construction—an ability that manifested in certain sorcerers, allowing them to generate objects out of pure Cursed Energy. The technique was incredibly powerful but had a fatal flaw: it consumed an astronomical amount of energy, often leaving the user drained and vulnerable. Because of that, it was considered one of the most dangerous and impractical techniques to master.

But Shirou's ability didn't seem to follow those rules.

"With Shirou, it's different," Satoru continued softly, narrowing his eyes as he considered it. "He creates objects even though his Cursed Energy is on the low side. He traces them as well, not constructing them. It's like he's reconstructing the concept, rather than just its physical form. And it doesn't seem to tire him out the same way."

That difference was crucial. If Shirou could manifest complex weapons and tools without suffering the drawbacks of Construction, it made his ability something else entirely. Satoru had only seen glimpses of what his brother was truly capable of—blades that shimmered with an ethereal light, arrows that seemed to sing through the air, weapons that appeared and vanished in the blink of an eye.

Each one was a perfect replica of its original, down to the smallest detail.

"Almost like he's replicating the history of each item," Satoru mused, lips curving into a thoughtful smile. "But the real question is, why? How does he know how to do all that? And what are these 'conditions' he mentioned?"

Tracing had potential—massive potential. If Shirou could refine it, control it fully… there might not be a limit to what he could create. But there was also a dangerous side to it, and that's what concerned Satoru the most. Shirou's ability was similar enough to Construction that it raised uncomfortable questions about its origin. Was it truly something he'd developed on his own? Or… was it inherited?

"And if it's inherited… from who?" Satoru wondered, his gaze sharpening. The Gojo clan had no record of such a technique. The thought that Shirou's ability might be linked to something older, something buried deep in sorcerer history, made Satoru's instincts tingle with curiosity—and a touch of wariness.

But before he could pursue the thought further, a sudden shift in the atmosphere snapped his attention back to the present.

The forest had grown eerily quiet. Too quiet.

Satoru's steps slowed, his gaze sweeping the path ahead. A low hum of Cursed Energy vibrated in the air, subtle but unmistakable. Then, almost as if in response to his awareness, four dark shapes materialized from the underbrush, coalescing into twisted forms that radiated malice.

The Cursed Spirits were large, grotesque things, their bodies contorted in unnatural ways. Each had a vaguely humanoid shape, but with limbs that jutted out at odd angles, and faces that seemed to melt and reform continuously. They moved with a strange, jerky grace, eyes gleaming with a predatory hunger as they encircled Satoru.

"Ah, company already?" Satoru murmured, his lips curving into a grin. There was no fear in his expression, only a flicker of excitement. "And here I thought I'd have to look a bit harder for some entertainment."

The largest of the four Spirits—its hulking form towering over the others—let out a guttural snarl. It lunged forward, its clawed hand slashing through the air toward Satoru's face with deadly speed.

But before it could even touch him, Satoru's form blurred. One moment he was standing directly in its path; the next, he was behind it, his back turned as if he hadn't even moved.

The Spirit froze, confusion flickering in its malevolent gaze. And then, slowly, it looked down.

A thin, crimson line had appeared across its chest.

"Oops," Satoru said lightly, glancing back over his shoulder. "Looks like you're not as tough as you thought."

The Spirit's body split in half, the upper portion sliding away as if severed by an invisible blade. It crumbled to the ground in a heap of black, oily residue, its form dissolving into a pool of dark energy.

The remaining three Spirits hissed in alarm, recoiling slightly. But Satoru's grin only widened, his eyes glinting with a dangerous light.

"Don't tell me you're scared already," he taunted, cracking his knuckles. "We've only just started."

One of the Spirits, a smaller, more serpentine creature, let out a high-pitched shriek. Its body shimmered, splitting into a dozen identical copies that circled Satoru, each one darting forward in a flurry of teeth and claws.

Satoru didn't even flinch. He lifted one hand lazily, his fingers splaying out as if reaching for something unseen.

"Domain Expansion—"

The words were soft, almost a whisper, but the effect was immediate. The air around him warped, reality itself seeming to bend as a shimmering barrier of pure Cursed Energy rippled outward. The Spirits froze, their forms flickering as if caught in a sudden gravitational pull.

But Satoru paused, his grin fading slightly. No… not yet. He didn't want to use his Domain here—not for these small fry.

"On second thought," he murmured, lowering his hand. "Let's make this a bit more fun."

With a flick of his wrist, a surge of Cursed Energy exploded from his body, a wave of raw, unfiltered power that slammed into the Spirits like a physical force. The smaller copies shattered instantly, dissipating into black mist. The remaining two Spirits staggered back, their bodies trembling violently.

"Now, then…" Satoru's gaze sharpened, his expression shifting from playful to deadly serious in an instant. "Let's see what you've got."

The Spirits roared, their twisted forms contorting as they charged at him, desperation and rage fueling their movements. But Satoru was already moving, his form a blur of white and blue light as he met them head-on.

And then the forest was filled with the sounds of battle—the crack of energy, the hiss of dissolving flesh, and Satoru's low, mocking laughter echoing through the trees.

The sky was still resolving it's brightest, even though there was many clouds were shading it and also the surrounding form of trees darkening his point of view, making it seem like it was almost the evening even though it was still the afternoon.

He walked through the forest while following his dog with a fluffy white tail, his view was focused on his Shikigami's waging tail as it kept on trotting towards the unknown destination.

Megumi was still just a child and he didn't feel any kind of fear as he walked through the forest's pathway, but his thoughts were filled with the unknown dangers of the Cursed Spirit that was holding children hostage.

His mind was focused on just one single goal; finding the rest of the missing children that had been caught by the found footage.

As his train of thought was being accompanied by the sound of the forest's life and the sounds of not only his footsteps, but also the footsteps of another child closely behind him.

He was not the only child that was walking in the middle of a vast forest, as the younger Gojo was with him as well.

Unlike his obnoxious, loud and annoying elder brother, Shirou Gojo was calm and collected. It was a contrast of age and maturity when it came towards the Gojo siblings.

A contrast that he definitely appreciated, as he wouldn't want a small version of Satoru Gojo accompanying him as of this point.

Though with the unknown danger that they were about to face, perhaps Satoru's presence would be a bit more welcomed just for this time.

The forest seemed to stretch on endlessly, shadows dancing along the edges of Megumi's vision. The rustling leaves and occasional call of birds were the only signs of life. Even the air felt different—thick and charged with an unspoken tension. As Megumi walked, he kept his gaze fixed on his Shikigami's fluffy white tail, the only beacon of familiarity in the oppressive atmosphere.

Shirou Gojo followed a few steps behind him, silent and watchful. For a while, neither of them spoke, content to let the sounds of the forest fill the space between them.

But as they delved deeper into the woods, the silence began to feel… strange. Uncomfortable, even. Megumi stole a glance over his shoulder, noticing how Shirou's eyes darted from shadow to shadow, every muscle in his small frame coiled and alert.

He hesitated, then finally cleared his throat softly. "Shirou," he started, his voice breaking the quiet. "You okay back there?"

Shirou blinked, his focus snapping back to Megumi. His face, usually composed and calm, softened slightly. "Yeah, I'm fine," he replied evenly. "Just… being cautious."

Megumi nodded slowly. It made sense. Caution was necessary, especially with the kind of mission they were on. But still, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something else weighing on Shirou's mind.

"Not scared or anything, right?" Megumi added, a slight teasing lilt in his voice.

Shirou raised an eyebrow, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I could ask the same of you," he replied. "After all, you're the one who's been watching the dog's tail like it's a lifeline."

Megumi's face flushed slightly, and he huffed, turning his gaze back to the Shikigami. "I'm just making sure we're going the right way," he mumbled. "We can't afford to get lost, you know."

"I know," Shirou murmured. "But you don't have to worry so much. We'll find them."

There was a quiet confidence in his words that made Megumi pause. He glanced back again, studying Shirou's expression—the calm set of his jaw, the steady determination in his eyes. Even though Shirou was the same age as him, there was a maturity to him that felt… reassuring. Almost comforting.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Megumi muttered, more to himself than to Shirou. Then, after a brief hesitation, he added, "So… you've dealt with Cursed Spirits before, haven't you?"

Shirou's gaze flicked to the side, thoughtful. "A few," he admitted. "But only for training. This is the first time I've gone on a mission as well."

Megumi nodded, his fists clenching at his sides. "Yeah. It's why we have to be careful. We don't know what we're dealing with yet."

"Right," Shirou agreed softly. "But don't worry, if anything comes up, I'll make sure we'll be safe... or just blow that… whistle."

Megumi glanced back, surprised. He opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, the Shikigami up ahead suddenly slowed, its ears pricking forward. Megumi's heart skipped a beat, and he tensed, raising a hand to signal Shirou to stop.

"What is it?" Shirou whispered, his eyes narrowing as he peered into the darkness.

The white dog let out a low, warning growl, its gaze locked on something just beyond the thick underbrush. Megumi's pulse quickened as he strained to see through the tangled branches. And then—there it was.

A faint outline of a building, hidden amidst the twisted trees and dense foliage. It was old and dilapidated, the wooden walls warped and splintered with age. The roof sagged inward, covered in patches of moss and creeping vines. Broken windows stared out like empty eyes, and the air around it felt… wrong. Thick with malevolent energy.

"There," Megumi whispered, his voice tight. "That's it."

Shirou stepped forward, his expression hardening as he took in the sight of the rundown house. "So that's where that abomination is keeping the children."

Megumi nodded grimly. "Looks like it."

For a moment, neither of them moved. The house loomed before them like a silent sentinel, its presence oppressive and foreboding. But then the white dog turned its head, looking back at Megumi with a low whine. Its message was clear.

This was where the trail ends.

Megumi took a deep breath, steeling himself. "Alright," he murmured, glancing at Shirou. "Should we just rush in or blow the whistle now?"

"Perhaps, we can get the children to safety just like what your Shikigami did to one of the lost children a few moments ago," Shirou replied. "But we have to be quick. We don't know how much time the kids have. If it appears, then we blow the whistle."

With a nod, the two boys began to creep forward, the Shikigami leading them silently through the underbrush. As they approached, Megumi's heart pounded in his chest, each beat echoing like a drum in the stillness. The closer they got, the stronger the sensation of evil grew, until it felt like a tangible weight pressing down on them.

Finally, they reached the edge of the clearing surrounding the house. Megumi crouched low, peering through the thick bushes, his breath hitching as he took in the scene before him.

The house was even worse up close. The walls were covered in strange, dark stains—like something had seeped out from within, staining the wood with a sickly, reddish hue. The front door hung ajar, creaking softly as it swayed in the breeze, and from within, a faint, muffled sound echoed—a sound that sent chills racing down Megumi's spine.

Whimpering.

Megumi's jaw tightened. "The kids are in there," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Shirou's eyes narrowed. "But where is the Cursed Spirit?"

Megumi didn't need to ask what he meant. He could feel it. The presence of a powerful Cursed Spirit, lurking just beyond the threshold of the decrepit house. Its energy was dark and twisted, coiling around the building like a suffocating shroud.

"We need a plan," Megumi said quietly, his mind racing. "If we just rush in, we might put the kids in more danger."

Shirou nodded slowly. "Agreed. But we can't stay out here for long. Wherever it is, it's going to come back."

Megumi bit his lip, his gaze darting back to the house. He could feel the fear gnawing at the edges of his resolve, but he shoved it down, focusing instead on the task at hand.

They were sorcerers. They had a responsibility. And right now, those children were counting on them.

"Okay," he murmured, his voice steadying. "Here's what we're going to do…"

But before he could finish, the white dog suddenly stiffened, its ears flattening against its skull. A low growl rumbled in its chest, and Megumi felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on end.

Something was coming.

Shirou's eyes widened, his head snapping toward the house. "Get ready," he whispered, his voice tense. "We're not alone."

And then, from the darkness of the open doorway, a shadow shifted.

The Cursed Spirit had sensed them. And it was coming out to play.

Megumi and Shirou exchanged a quick, tense look. The atmosphere felt like it had thickened, every nerve in Megumi's body screaming at him to run—to get away from the house and the malevolent force lurking within. But he forced the fear down, his gaze hardening with resolve. They couldn't turn back now.

"Stay behind me," Megumi whispered, his voice barely audible over the soft rustle of the wind. He stepped forward cautiously, the white dog at his side, its fur bristling as it kept low to the ground.

Shirou nodded silently, his eyes never leaving the shadowy doorway ahead. Even though he'd agreed to stay behind Megumi, his posture was alert, ready to move at a moment's notice.

They crossed the clearing quietly, slipping through the tall grass and creeping toward the decrepit house. The air around them was suffused with a thick, cloying sense of dread that made every breath feel heavy. The closer they got, the more palpable the evil presence became, pressing down on them like a physical weight.

With a barely perceptible nod to Shirou, Megumi took the first step over the crumbling threshold. The wooden floor creaked under his foot, the sound almost deafening in the oppressive silence. He froze, every muscle tensed, but there was no reaction from within.

Taking a deep breath, Megumi moved forward, his Shikigami stepping lightly beside him. Shirou followed close behind, his small frame darting between the shadows as they slipped deeper into the house.

The inside was worse than the outside. The walls were lined with rotting wood and strange, dark stains that dripped down like dried blood. Broken furniture and scattered debris littered the floor, and a foul stench hung heavy in the air—thick and nauseating.

But worse than the sight or the smell, was the feeling. The house pulsed with malevolent energy, every corner, every shadow, whispering with a quiet, insidious malice.

Megumi's eyes darted around, searching for any sign of the children. They moved slowly, carefully, their senses stretched to the limit as they navigated the cramped, winding halls. The low whimpering sound they'd heard earlier seemed to echo from somewhere deeper inside.

"This way," Megumi whispered, tilting his head toward a narrow doorway at the end of the hall. Shirou nodded, and they edged forward, their footsteps soundless on the rotting floorboards.

The door creaked open with a soft push, and Megumi felt his heart drop.

Inside the small, dimly lit room, huddled in a corner, were three children. Their faces were pale and tear-streaked, eyes wide with terror. They looked no older than six or seven, their small bodies trembling as they clung to each other. Megumi's chest tightened at the sight. He moved quickly, kneeling beside them.

"Hey," he murmured softly, keeping his voice as calm and gentle as he could. "It's okay. We're here to help."

The children stared at him, their eyes glassy and unfocused. They didn't respond, didn't even seem to register his presence. It was like they were trapped in some kind of waking nightmare.

"Megumi," Shirou's voice was low and urgent. Megumi looked up sharply, his gaze following Shirou's to the far corner of the room.

And that's when he saw them.

Two more children—lifeless, their bodies slumped against the wall. Their eyes were open, staring blankly at the ceiling, and their small forms were twisted at unnatural angles, as if something had broken them from the inside out. A cold wave of horror washed over Megumi, but he forced himself to stay calm, pushing the rising panic back.

"Dead," Shirou whispered, his voice tight. "We were too late."

Megumi not only clenched his fists, but also trying not to throw up while looking at the corpses, his gaze flicking back to the three still-living children.

He didn't know what had happened here, didn't want to imagine the horror these kids must have endured. But there was no time to dwell on it. They had to get the survivors out—now.

"Can you stand?" Megumi asked gently, reaching out to the closest child—a little girl with matted hair and a tear-streaked face.

But before he could touch her, the air around them seemed to shudder. A low, guttural growl rumbled from somewhere deep within the house, vibrating through the walls and floor. The children whimpered, shrinking back, their eyes wide with terror.

"Megumi—" Shirou began, his voice tense.

And then, the room darkened.

The shadows seemed to coalesce, swirling together in the far corner where the dead children lay. Megumi's breath caught in his throat as a figure began to emerge from the darkness—tall, gaunt, and twisted.

"WhO daRes tO aPproaCh My chiLdRen…?" a distorted, otherworldly voice hissed, making the hairs on the back of Megumi's neck stand up.

The figure in the rocking chair shifted slightly, revealing a glimpse of a face twisted and stretched beyond human recognition. It was a woman—or at least, it had been once. Now, its form was monstrous, warped and fused with countless smaller faces and limbs, as if the essence of every mother who had lost a child in this place had been melded into a single abomination.

"Mother…" Megumi whispered, his voice barely audible.

The creature's many eyes fixed on them, burning with a mixture of rage and sorrow. "LeaVe… leAve uS aLoNe…"

Megumi gritted his teeth, his fingers twitching as he called forth the shadowy forms of two more Shikigami—twin serpents, their sleek bodies coiled and ready to strike. He couldn't let this thing get any closer to the kids. They were the only ones left. He wouldn't let it take them.

"Megumi," Shirou growled, his voice low and dangerous. "Blow the whistle. Now."

The creature's grin widened, its eyes glowing brighter. It laughed—a high, chilling sound that sent shivers down Megumi's spine.

Megumi then took the whistle that Satoru had given them from his pocket, his eyes not leaving the abomination in front of him.

And then, with a sudden, fluid motion, it lunged.

"Megumi!" Shirou shouted, throwing himself to the side as the creature's hand slashed through the air where Megumi had been standing just moments before.

Shirou moved instantly, his form blurring as he darted forward, but he was too late as Megumi was pushed to the walls and the whistle that he'd had in hand was broken to pieces.

Megumi was bleeding from the left side of his body but he was still awake, and with the whistle now broken and unusable, he could only mutter a few words with sarcasm lacing his voice.

"Oh, that's just great…"

"Damn, I'm good."

Satoru said to the silence of the area of the battlefield, while having a grin on his face as he looked at the corpses of the four Cursed Spirits that he had just exorcised.

His sunglasses no longer hid his Six Eyes, making the world to see his perfectly beautiful blue eyes.

Satoru looked at the disappearing corpses of the four Cursed Spirits, as they were vanishing little by little.

The reason why he had split apart with Megumi and Shirou was that he had seen from afar that there were many Cursed Spirits on the end of the rocky path of the forest, making his decision to go here and sent those two toward the other path.

'These Grade 2's were coming here because it smells like death here. Truly, this land is cursed, huh…' Satoru thought as he looked at the vast area of the land.

The bodies of the four Cursed Spirits lay crumpled around him, slowly vanishing into nothingness. Each one had been powerful in its own right, but none stood a chance against him. Not when he barely needed to break a sweat.

"Too easy," he murmured to himself, dusting off his hands as if to brush away the remnants of the fight.

His gaze turned upward, his expression shifting slightly as he focused on a point far beyond the treetops. With a subtle, imperceptible shift, his Six Eyes started to scan his field of view, his vision sharpening, expanding—stretching across the distance until he could sense the faint, flickering auras of Megumi and Shirou.

For a moment, Satoru watched their energy in silence, his brows furrowing ever so slightly. Even from this distance, he could feel the thick, oppressive weight of the Cursed Energy surrounding them. It wasn't just any run-of-the-mill spirit they were up against. No, the presence radiating from that decrepit house deep in the forest was far stronger than he'd anticipated.

"Grade 1," he muttered under his breath, his smile fading slightly. His gaze lingered on the dark, pulsating aura that seemed to envelop the entire area around the house. It was twisted and malevolent, a thick miasma of rage and despair that clawed at the edges of his senses. "Tch. Not the kind of enemy I'd expect them to handle alone."

"Why haven't they used the whistle?" Satoru mused softly, his tone almost curious. He'd given them an easy out—a quick, foolproof way to call for his help. All they had to do was blow it, and he'd be there in an instant. So why…?

He leaned forward slightly, resting his chin on his hand as he considered the energy unfolding before his eyes. He could sense Megumi's stubborn resolve, his determination to prove himself. The kid was always like that—pushing himself to the limit, refusing to back down even when things got tough.

Satoru's eyes narrowed slightly, his smile returning as realization dawned. "So that's it," he murmured, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. "You're waiting for the right trigger, aren't you, little brother?"

Shirou's technique was unique—an ability with high potential. It was similar, in a way, to a Cursed Technique called Construction—one that allowed the user to create objects or energies out of nothing, but with a high cost of Cursed Energy.

Satoru had only caught glimpses of what Shirou was capable of, and each time, it had left him wanting to see more.

"Come on, little bro," he murmured softly, his gaze never leaving the sight of the Cursed Energy being exuded from afar, as it darted around the shadowy figure of the Cursed Spirit. "Show me what you can do."

The urge to step in, to intervene and crush the Cursed Spirit in an instant, was strong.

He could feel his muscles tensing, his fingers twitching with the desire to leap into the fray. But he held back. They hadn't called for him. And that meant they weren't ready to give up yet.

Little did he know the reason they weren't calling for him was because the 'emergency situation' whistle was broken to pieces, making it unusable.

"Guess I'll let them handle this for awhile," he muttered, his smile widening. There was a certain thrill in watching from the sidelines, in seeing just how far they could push themselves.

If things got too dangerous, if that oppressive aura started to overwhelm them, he'd step in. But until then…

"I wanna see what you've been hiding," Satoru whispered, his voice barely audible in the stillness of the forest.

He leaned back, crossing his arms as he started walking, not running, towards their position, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and curiosity.

Whatever happened next, it would be interesting. And if Shirou really was as strong as Satoru suspected…

"Well," he murmured with a grin. "I might not need to intervene at all."

"Show me your strength, Shirou."

His heart pounded in his chest as the remnants of the whistle clattered uselessly to the floor, tiny shards glinting in the eerie glow of the darkened room.

The twisted creature—Mother—loomed above Megumi, its many eyes fixated on the two boys with a hatred that felt almost palpable. Its form shifted and expanded, tendrils of darkness stretching out from its body, each one tipped with sharp claws and grasping hands.

Megumi struggled to his feet, the left side of his body dripping blood. He held his ground, breathing heavily, but the pain in his eyes was clear. He wouldn't be able to keep this up for long.

"Megumi," Shirou barked, his voice hard and urgent. "Get the girls and get out of here. Now."

Megumi's eyes widened, a flash of defiance sparking within them. "Are you crazy? You can't fight that thing alone!"

"I'm not asking," the former Counter Guardian in a child's body snapped, his gaze never leaving the monster as it hissed and began to advance again. "I'll hold it off. Just get them to safety. You have the Shikigami—use it to cover your escape."

"But—"

"Go!" His voice rang out sharply, cutting through the air like a blade. There was no room for argument, no time for hesitation.

With a low growl, Megumi clenched his jaw and nodded, reluctantly turning to where the two surviving girls huddled in the corner, their eyes wide with terror.

The Shikigami dog—the white, ghostly figure that had led them here—trotted up beside Megumi, growling low in its throat as if sensing his intent. It stood protectively between him and the creature, its ears flattened, fur bristling.

"Okay," Megumi muttered, wincing as he moved. "Stay close to me. We're getting out of here."

The girls whimpered but obeyed, scrambling to their feet and clutching at each other as Megumi beckoned to them. He glanced back at Shirou one last time, eyes filled with worry and something else—something like guilt.

"Don't die," he whispered, the words almost lost in the chaos.

Shirou didn't respond, his focus entirely on the abomination before him. As Megumi and the girls edged toward the door, he took a deep breath, closing his eyes for just a second.

He had to be fast. He had to be precise. If he could keep this thing occupied long enough for Megumi to get clear…

Opening his eyes, Shirou Gojo extended his hand. He reached deep within himself, calling on the latent power that pulsed beneath his skin, the energy that flowed through his very bones.

A familiar weight settled into his palm as the magic answered his call, forming into twin shapes—sleek, black and white, the embodiment of his will.

Kanshou and Bakuya.

The twin swords materialized in his hands, their curved blades shimmering faintly in the dim light. Shirou felt a surge of power flow through him as he tightened his grip on the hilts, a sense of focus and clarity sharpening his senses.

The creature hesitated, its countless eyes flickering as if sensing the shift in the air. It let out a low, guttural snarl, the sound vibrating through the walls.

"Come on, then," he murmured, his lips twisting into a grim smile. "Let's dance."

With a roar, the creature lunged, its shadowy limbs extending like jagged spears aimed directly at him. Shirou moved in an instant, his form blurring as he leaped forward to meet its attack head-on. The air cracked around him as he swung the twin blades, the black and white swords slicing cleanly through the cursed tendrils.

The creature shrieked, its limbs recoiling, but the former Heroic Spirit didn't let up. He pressed forward, his movements a blur of silver and shadow as he struck again and again, his blades flashing in the darkness.

"Let's end this," With his Magic Circuits flaring and burning bright, he summoned Black Keys, summoning a dozen identical copies that swirled around him like a storm of razor-edged death.

He sent them flying at the creature, the blades cutting through its twisted form and leaving trails of searing light in their wake.

The creature roared in fury, its shape warping and twisting as it tried to reform. But he was relentless. He dashed around it, his blades a blur as he attacked from every angle, never staying still for more than a heartbeat.

Each strike seemed to drive the creature back, its form flickering and wavering under the onslaught.

And then, a flash of white fur darted in beside him.

"Damn Megumi… why would you send your Shikigami back? I told you to flee with it" Shirou muttered as the Shikigami dog lunged at the creature's side, its sharp teeth tearing into the shadowy limbs. The cursed spirit recoiled, shrieking as the Shikigami's jaws closed around one of its arms and wrenched it back.

With a growl, he darted in, his blades flashing as he severed the limb in a single, clean stroke. The creature howled, its form rippling with agony.

"Now we're getting somewhere," Shirou muttered, his eyes gleaming with determination. He could feel the Cursed Energy swirling around him, thick and oppressive, but he refused to back down. Not now. Not when he was so close.

But the creature wasn't finished yet.

It reared back, its many eyes burning with fury. "YoU… YoU DAre… inTerFerE wiTh My chiLdRen…?!"

With a deafening roar, it unleashed a wave of darkness, a surge of pure, malevolent energy that crashed down toward the child like a tidal wave.

He gritted his teeth, crossing his blades in front of him as the wave slammed into him. The impact was staggering, forcing him back a few steps, but he held his ground. The Shikigami dog stood beside him, its fur bristling as it snarled defiantly at the oncoming darkness.

"I've dealt… with monsters far stronger than you," he announced while pushing back against the wave of cursed energy with every ounce of strength he had.

For a moment, it seemed like he might be overwhelmed. The darkness closed in around him, thick and suffocating.

But then, with a roar of his own, he pushed.

The twin swords in his hands blazed with light, a searing, brilliant glow that pierced through the shadows.

His Magic Circuits were flaring as not only had he activated Projection but also Reinforcement all around his small body, burning his skin with more heat as his skin was darkening more.

The darkness shattered, fragments of cursed energy scattering like broken glass as Shirou surged forward, his blades cutting through the creature's defenses.

"You're done."

With a final, powerful strike, he drove Kanshou and Bakuya deep into the creature's core. The monster froze, its many eyes widening in shock. For a moment, it seemed to hang there, suspended in midair.

And then, slowly, it began to dissolve, its form unraveling into nothingness.

He stood there, breathing heavily, as the last remnants of the creature faded away. The room was silent, the oppressive aura lifting at last.

"…That's right," he murmured softly, a small, triumphant smile tugging at his lips. "That's the end."

The Shikigami dog whined softly beside him, nudging his leg with its nose. Shirou glanced down at it, his expression softening slightly.

"Good job, partner," he murmured, reaching down to scratch behind its ears. "Now… let's go check on Megumi and the girls."

And with that, he turned, heading toward the door Megumi had taken—ready to exit the premises.

Before he was about to exit with Megumi's Shikigami dog, he then heard a whimper.

"Please… help me…"

His eyes widened in an instant, looking back at the room that he was about to exit for one final time.

The former Counter Guardian was more than exhausted; his clothes were ragged and a bit torn from the fighting he had just experienced.

His field of vision consisted of the Cursed Spirit's corpse; vanishing bit by bit as many Black Keys were still stabbing it, but from the corner of his eyes, he could see a flock of destroyed and rugged tables and wood.

From there was the source of the voice.

"Papa… Mama… Please… help me…"

He started to walk toward the source of the voice's position, even though he was still exuding injuries and lacerations.

There was a bit of blood trailing down from his forehead towards his eyes, but he didn't care for it one bit.

He then moved the wood and furniture around, and after that he could see a small lithe body of a female child with her head still being hidden from his view by a piece of wood.

She was wearing a pink sundress, but it was so ragged and torn that he felt a slight tinge of sadness looking at it.

Before he moved it, he then heard another whimper coming from her.

"Help me… Berserker…"

As he moved the piece of wood, he could then finally take a good look at the small little girl crouching and with her downed body leaning against the wall.

In an instant, an influx of memories started to appear. He started to remember a small part of his previous life; not when he had been the Counter Guardian Emiya, but when he had been Shirou Emiya.

The same platinum blonde hair, the same small body of a little girl who he thought he had forgotten her name…

Her eyes were closed; signifying that she was barely conscious, or even conscious at all.

A name then came out of his mouth, a name that he thought he had forgotten. He didn't even know how his voice uttered this name…

"Illya…?"