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[h1][color=92278f][b]Menzai Isanami[/b][/color][/h1]

[url=https://imgbb.com/][img]https://i.ibb.co/znsWTsR/11zon-cropped-1.png[/img][/url]

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Time: Two days later; Morning
Location: Gaurav
Interactions: Cyrus [@Helo], Phia [@princess], Darius, Dante [@Funnyguy] [@Alivefalling]
Mentions:
Equipment: White Haori, Gauravian luck charm bracelet, Steel Chain Shirt of Deflection (3 uses per day), Disguise ring
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[h1][color=92278f][b]Gaurav[/b][/color][/h1]
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Menzai listened to the group in silence, his clawed fingers delicately resting against his chin, as if pondering deeply. Yet, his true intent was to obscure his face from prying eyes. The long haori sleeve normally covering the hand pulled down, the bracelet resting against his wrist.

A battle of consciousness raged within him; at times, the faces of his companions blurred, whether from fatigue or minor hallucination, he couldn't discern. Nonetheless, he pressed on, focusing intently as Cyrus voiced his concerns about searching for his family members.

Menzai furrowed his brow, chiding himself for the obvious slip-up, especially with one of the fairy siblings present, blissfully unaware.

The way they parted did not sit well with the wolf. He felt the need to reconcile this, and soon.

As the brothers received their commendation, despite the awkward and tense atmosphere, they managed to retain some of their spirited nature. Menzai felt a mixture of pride and gratitude for their progress in training, yet a tinge of sadness crept in as he observed them becoming too absorbed in it. It underscored the challenge of finding a balance in teaching others—a task he hoped to tackle when his mind was clearer.

Phia's delighted reaction to Menzai's approval was hardly unexpected, though it amused him nonetheless. He had always been a protective brother, a trait that only seemed to strengthen over time, albeit with some easing of his initial strictness.

Watching the brothers' similar reactions only added to the amusement. As agreement permeated the group, a sense of relief washed over them, dispelling the earlier somber mood.

This marked a promising beginning. Departing the village soon seemed imperative, especially with the escalating chaos, if not already upon them. And then there was the Roc incident—an anomaly worth pondering, considering its unusual hunting grounds.

While the group bantered about fruit slush and enjoyed their camaraderie, Menzai delved into his thoughts, prioritizing his next steps.

After a period of introspection, Menzai cleared his throat to capture the group's attention. Standing up with deliberate slowness, he aimed to convey the gravity of his forthcoming words.

Taking a slow, deep breath to steady himself, he rested a hand on the table for support, his demeanor reflecting solemnity. "[color=92278f]It appears we are all in agreement. I extend my gratitude to you, Phia, for this opportunity.[/color]" he said, offering a brief nod of appreciation, recognizing its significance to him.

"[color=92278f]Furthermore, we will be able to further to showcase the customs and wonders of our world to Sir Dante and Sir Darius,[/color]" he added, acknowledging them with a similar nod.

With the lighter remarks concluded, Menzai closed his eyes, drawing another deep breath, finding solace in the rain's rhythmic patter against the glass. [color=92278f]"As Sir Cyrus mentioned, caution is paramount in our search, which reinforces the necessity of sticking together. However, if recent reports hold true, tensions outside the village may have escalated.[/color]"

Flashes and fragments of the execution haunted the brothers as Menzai struggled to find his voice. They deserved to know the full truth, and more. '[color=92278f]I-[/color]' His words faltered, caught in his dry throat once again.

Exhausted and drained, he couldn't bring himself to continue with what he had intended to say. Frustration tinged his clawed fingers as they faintly scraped against the table. It wasn't just the sight of human faces that hindered him; it was the innocence in Phia's eyes that made him hesitant to recount such a gruesome incident.

Menzai's internal struggle was evident to those around him, but with nowhere to safely direct his gaze, he turned his head away. His reflection in the rain-soaked window offered a vague outline at first, obscured by droplets. Yet, as the rain intensified, the images sharpened, revealing the individuals within the household.

Initially, this brought a fleeting sense of relief, until he noticed the spreading inky blackness, tainting the scene. A raspy chuckle grated against his ears, accompanied by unsettling visions of his family and friend engulfed in darkness. '[color=ed1c24]Do they suffer? The lies? The guilt?[/color]' The voice taunted, its eerie joy palpable. [color=ed1c24]'Tell them...their faces...how amusing.' Or face a banquet of grief and guilt.'[/color] The voice's vile words clawed at his mind, leaving Menzai torn between equally unsettling choices.

The window's glass abruptly turned an ominous shade of inky black, followed by a flash of menacing wolf fangs lunging towards him. Menzai recoiled, briefly wondering if it was a genuine threat or merely another hallucination. With his eyes closed, he couldn't be certain.

Upon reopening his eyes, he found the group gathered around the table, everything appearing normal once more. Relief flooded him, allowing him to catch his breath, though he remained slightly hunched over, still recovering from the shock.

Cursing himself internally for the lapse, Menzai stood up, his hand instinctively covering his face as he exhaled slowly. "[color=92278f]I apologize.[/color]" he murmured, his voice strained. He rubbed his tired eyes, admitting, "[color=92278f]The recent incidents seem to have affected me more deeply than I realized. We can discuss this further, but for now, I need to excuse myself.[/color]"

With a nod of his head and averted gaze to avoid their worried expressions, Menzai swiftly departed from the table, hastening to his bedroom despite his exhaustion.

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