Corrupting the Shikigami

A dark moon hung high in the night sky as deep shadows draped over Heian-kyo. Within the Minamoto residence, the clansmen and servants had long since retired for the night, yet the guards continued their meticulous and strict patrols as usual. On the surface, everything seemed peaceful, but beneath that calm lay surging undercurrents and turbulent waves, ready to shatter this tranquility at any moment.

Inside an ordinary quiet room, Minamoto no Yorimitsu sat behind a small table. He leaned over, using the flickering light of a single lamp to illuminate the book in his hands. He had been reading late into the night, though his focus was currently far from the scrolls.

"What? He returned first? He didn't go to the Forbidden Grounds with Father?" Yorimitsu asked, his curiosity piqued. Before him, a man dressed as an ordinary servant knelt on the floor.

"No. According to Lord Yorimasa, they encountered trouble while escorting the chigo to the Forbidden Grounds. Lord Mitsunaka ordered him to return and retrieve the demon control tokens to drive several beasts over to assist," the servant answered respectfully.

"Trouble? Heh... what kind of trouble would be so great that even Father couldn't handle it on-site, requiring someone to come back specifically for the control tokens..." Yorimitsu pondered aloud. After a long moment, his expression grew solemn, and the slight smile vanished from his lips. He looked at the servant and asked, "Where is he now?"

...

In the subterranean space beneath the Minamoto residence, specifically within the cavernous jail holding Ubume, Minamoto no Yorimasa led several black-clad men loyal to him. They moved quickly through the tunnels until they reached a specific cell. Inside, a massive, one-horned red oni lay sprawled on the ground.

"That looks like the son of the Minamoto Taiyu... and the Minamoto shadow guards."

"What is that fellow doing here?"

Near Ubume's cell, Nura Rihyon and Seimei watched the sudden appearance of Yorimasa. Hidden by Kyouka Suigetsu and Nura's perceptual concealment, their words were automatically ignored by those nearby.

"Open it."

At Yorimasa's command, the black-clad men dispelled the cell's wards and swung the door open. Yorimasa then held up a token with 'Sekibanki' inscribed upon it. He channeled power into it, causing the token to float and glow. The red oni, which had been in a deep slumber, suddenly jolted awake. Its eyes flashed with light as it stood up and walked slowly toward Yorimasa. From his robes, Yorimasa produced a small pouch and extracted a tiny iron fragment. He held it out to the great red-horned oni; a faint, dark-red aura swirled around the metal shard.

"Eat it."

The red oni followed the command, taking the shard and tossing it into its maw filled with jagged teeth. Immediately, its body began to tremble uncontrollably. Its murky eyes were stained with madness, and a pained roar erupted from its throat. Strands of sinister, corrupted purple-red aura began to seep out from its skin.

Seimei and Nura Rihyon were both startled by the sight. They recognized that aura. Back at Sugo Ungo, the ancient warrior who was the mastermind behind the Tengu incident had fought them; his blade had radiated that exact same sinister energy.

Is that iron shard a fragment of that demonic blade? The thought occurred to Seimei and Nura simultaneously.

Remembering the bizarre and evil nature of that ancient warrior, Seimei's heart tightened. He reached into his sleeve for a talisman, intending to launch a sneak attack while Yorimasa was distracted. However, Nura immediately gripped his hand. Looking at the surprised Seimei, Nura spoke seriously.

"It's no use. I've fought that man. He is guarded at all times by hidden restless spirits. Their senses are incredibly sharp; my ability won't work if we get too close... Striking now won't kill him; it'll only expose us. We are deep in enemy territory. If we're discovered, we're in grave danger..."

Seimei paused, then silently tucked the talisman away, continuing to observe the unfolding situation.

The red oni's transformation concluded quickly. Its body had grown an entire size larger, and countless veins and arteries bulged beneath its red skin. Its glowing eyes radiated madness, and saliva dripped incessantly from its fanged mouth. It let out low growls and snorted hot breath, looking as though it might go on a rampage at any second. Its ferocity and power had clearly been augmented. The wooden Sekibanki token in Yorimasa's hand vibrated violently, its spiritual power struggling to suppress the creature's berserk state.

Seeing this, a smile finally spread across Yorimasa's face. He turned to the black-clad men behind him.

"You all know what to do. Use the demon control tokens to manipulate the shikigami, then feed them the power of the Lord Deity. Control and assemble as many as you can. If any exceed your limit of control, simply order them to break out of the dungeon and act freely. Do not worry about them after that."

"Understood!" the men responded in unison.

Yorimasa nodded slightly and pulled a large number of wooden tokens and several small pouches from his sleeve, distributing them to his subordinates. "Commence individual operations now. Infect and control as many shikigami as possible. If there are any shards left over, crush them into the monster feed so the unaffiliated yokai can consume them. If anyone stands in your way, kill them on sight!"

The black-clad men nodded again and scattered, vanishing into the various dark passages with the supplies Yorimasa had provided.

Yorimasa looked around, then tossed his final wooden token into the air, catching it playfully. In that moment, Seimei's eyes caught the name written upon it: Hakuzosu.

"I'm coming for you... little fox..." With a twisted smile, Yorimasa tucked the token away and stepped into a pitch-black tunnel, the corrupted Sekibanki following close behind.

Once Yorimasa and his men were gone, Seimei and Nura Rihyon emerged from the concealment of Kyouka Suigetsu. Seimei's face was now etched with a look of extreme gravity.

"Using that disgusting evil power to infect the shikigami... what are those people trying to do?"

"I'm not sure yet... but it's certainly nothing good. We must stop them, especially that Minamoto scion!" Seimei said sternly. His intensity caught Nura slightly off guard.

"Stop him? You could have made a move just now when he was alone."

"No, his men hadn't gone far; they would have returned instantly. More importantly, we need him to lead the way." Seimei replied, but this only made Nura more confused.

"Lead the way?"

"Exactly. Lead us to my friend..." As Seimei spoke, Ubume's impatient voice drifted from the cell.

"Hey! Whatever you're planning, let me out first! I might even be able to give you a hand!"