The long dirt road snaking from the hills around the city levelled ahead, thinning so only a single cart could pass by the thin branches of the dark forest. Speckles of light penetrated the canopy, dappling the ground with hazy splotches that peered up from the grass like the eyes of forest spirits.
While forest spirits were benevolent guardians of the trees, the creatures Hidekazu had encountered in the Silent Hills in the past were anything but kind or helpful. He regarded the foliage with a sickening sense of foreboding as he and his travelling companion, Chizue, came closer to the edge of the thicket.
“No one will want to believe the Headmaster of Tsukiko Academy imprisoned and tortured a sacred serpent,” Chizue continued her story from the top of her chestnut-coloured mare. “Not tha
