72
Aihi
The bravest of the kawama twisted and grew into towering humanoid shapes with long, slender arms and legs. From their brows protruded a rack of antlers, shrouded in violet fog. The tallest advanced toward Aihi, Marigold, and Sayuri. The others moved as a group, slow and deliberate, exuding the confidence of hunters who had cornered their prey.
“You must make a sacrifice. An object of significance,” Sayuri said. “Your choice will determine the duration of our protection.”
“A sacrifice?” Aihi mumbled. “Yakanori sacrificed himself.”
“His sacrifice was selfish. Any protection offered by his death was minuscule.”
Seishinito burned with energy against Aihi’s palm. The dangling sapphires twined around the shaft glittered. For the first time, Aihi noticed Masanori’s addition to the w
