I. The invisible blow
In the dark streets of Valtoria , beneath the constant rain that seemed to wash the world without purifying it, a group of hooded men moved stealthily. They were envoys of the Gure Clan , allies of the Kurobane and experts in silent extermination.
His goal was clear:
Eliminate any trace of the Tree's awakening , especially the boy and Akihiko.
They arrived at an abandoned shelter where, according to informants, they were hiding. However, they found only ashes and withered roots. Someone had passed before them, leaving a clear mark:
A symbol carved into the wood that burned with blue fire:
"The Tree doesn't die. It just changes."
The group retreated, but not before sending a cryptic message to their superiors.
II. Between whispers and roots
Akihiko and the girl continued in the shelter, delving deeper into the Language of the Tree. It wasn't a language of words, but of vibrations, tones, and pauses that resonated in the living roots.
The girl emitted a barely audible chant, and Akihiko responded with precise katana movements that matched the rhythm. It was an ancient dialogue between flesh and wood, sword and sap.
Ikari watched intently, taking notes and pondering the connection that seemed to grow between them.
"The Tree doesn't just speak through words," he commented. " It's a bond that unites bodies and memories."
Akihiko felt each movement make the mark on his chest throb more strongly. It wasn't just a symbol.
It was a bridge.
III. The Meeting of the Twelve Families
At Kurobane Fortress, an extraordinary meeting was called. The heads of the Twelve Families sat around the black table, more tense than ever.
Patriarch Renjirō Kurobane opened the session.
—The Wounded One isn't just a marked man. He's a danger to everyone.
—The awakening of the Tree means the awakening of our own roots, and that could mean the death of our order .
Naomi Kurobane raised her voice:
—We can't keep acting as if nothing's happening. The root is spreading, and our men are falling.
An older leader of the Hoshigaki Clan retorted:
—What do you propose? An alliance with the Wounded?
—No. Prepare.
—Prepare for what? —another asked.
—For the inevitable war.
IV. The training of the wounded man and the girl
Back at the shelter, Akihiko began to understand that the Tree Language was also a way of perceiving time and memory.
The girl, who did not yet have a name, taught him to listen:
"Feel the roots of the past, to understand the wounds of the present."
Akihiko closed his eyes and let the sap flow in his mind. He saw fragments of history: ancient rituals, clan wars, the fall of the Yovaren Clan, and forgotten faces begging to be remembered.
When he opened his eyes, he knew he was ready for something more.
V. Mizuki's Shadow
In her private chamber, Mizuki Inari received reports on the movements of the Gure Clan and Kurobane Fortress. She knew the conflict was escalating and that the Wounded Man and the girl were the key.
With a gesture, he summoned Shunji, his assassin and confidant.
—The Wounded One grows in power and allies.
—Do you want us to attack now?
—No. We have to wait.
—Why ?
—Because the Tree doesn't just mark bodies, it marks destinies.
—And she... —he said, pointing to a portrait of the girl— is the shadow that will decide which branches break.
VI. The promise of the future
In a clearing under the moon, Akihiko and the girl rested. The mark on his chest burned with a faint glow, and the girl sang softly.
" Who are you?" Akihiko asked.
She smiled, and for the first time spoke.
—I am the voice that never died .
His words were a promise and a warning.
The Tree was awakening, and with it, the battle for the soul of the world.
END OF CHAPTER 86