The heavy iron gates of Tsukigami Mansion creaked behind the trio, their intricate lattice carved with ancient runes that seemed to shimmer faintly under the gray, rain-heavy sky. Masaru, Vaelion, and Shougo stood on the cobblestone path, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and the bittersweet sting of farewell.
The mansion loomed like a silent judge, its shadowed windows reflecting nothing but the storm clouds above. Masaru's chest tightened, not just from the moment's weight but from a strange, persistent weakness that had crept into his limbs since morning, growing heavier with each step.Vaelion broke the silence with a proud chuckle, his voice ringing across the empty courtyard.
