A narrow forest path swallowed in thick fog. Twisted trees rose like the arms of skeletons. Venshiro walked behind Rin, the Black Vein at his side. Their footsteps crunched softly over wet leaves.
Venshiro:
"I never did ask... what's your name?"
Rin:
"I am Shizukana Rin, of the Moon Shade clan.
And you are Shizukeza Venshiro."
Venshiro:
"My name is Shizuk—what?
How do you know that name...?
Never mind.
You look like someone who's seen too much."
Shizukana Rin smiled faintly.
Rin:
"I've seen enough to stay alive.
And enough to know not to trust anything...
especially a talking sword."
Venshiro, under his breath:
"It's quiet now."
Rin:
"It's watching."
Venshiro:
"Earlier… you said someone you loved was killed.
With a sword?"
She didn't answer immediately. Her steps slowed.
Rin:
"My brother."
Venshiro:
"What happened?"
Rin:
"He found the blade before you. Years ago.
The clans called it a myth. Said no one was worthy.
But it spoke to him.
Promised him power… revenge.
And he listened."
She stopped walking. Fog curled around her like breath.
Her voice turned sharp, like glass in the throat.
Rin:
"He wasn't strong enough to fight it.
The first time he drew the sword—he stopped being him."
Venshiro:
"And now?"
Rin:
"I don't know if he's dead...
or if something else wears his skin."
Venshiro said nothing. The weight of her words pressed silence like stone.
Rin:
"That's why I'm helping you.
Because if you fall like he did…
this world won't survive another Black Vein bearer."
They kept walking. The trees grew darker, older.
Strange carvings began appearing—sigils, runes, worn by time.
Venshiro:
"What if I can't control it?"
Rin, without hesitation:
"Then I'll kill you myself."
He looked at her.
She wasn't joking.
Venshiro:
"...Fair enough.
At least I'll know who it is."
A faint smile passed between them.
A flicker of understanding.
Rin:
"You've been quiet since we left the shrine.
That usually means… you're remembering something."
Venshiro:
"I try not to.
I don't want to remember."
Rin:
"What happened to you, Venshiro?
Before the sword. Before all of this."
He exhaled slowly.
But something in the fog made him feel exposed, and her voice cut gently—like she really cared.