Two days later, Kaito and Maya stood at the edge of the Forest of Yoru. The trees loomed high above them, their twisted branches blocking out the sun, casting long, eerie shadows across the forest floor. The air was thick with an unnatural silence, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or distant howl of a creature unseen.

Kaito tightened his grip on the katana, feeling its familiar pulse in his hand. "This place doesn't feel right," he muttered, scanning the dark, dense woods ahead.

Maya nodded, her eyes narrowed as she studied their surroundings. "The forest is known to play tricks on travelers. It's said to warp reality, leading those who aren't worthy deeper into its heart, where they're never seen again."

"Comforting," Kaito said dryly. "But we don't have a choice."

Together, they stepped into the forest. Almost immediately, Kaito felt a shift in the air, like they had crossed an invisible threshold. The shadows seemed to deepen, and the path behind them disappeared as though swallowed by the trees. He glanced at Maya, who was frowning but remained focused.

Hours passed as they navigated the winding paths, the forest growing more disorienting with every step. Kaito couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched — that something was lurking just out of sight. His muscles were tense, his senses on high alert.

"Do you hear that?" Maya whispered suddenly, her hand moving to her bow.

Kaito strained his ears. At first, there was nothing but the soft rustle of leaves. But then, faintly, he heard it — a low, guttural growl, coming from somewhere in the darkness.

He drew his katana, the blade glowing softly in the dim light. "We're not alone."

The growl grew louder, and from the shadows, figures began to emerge — creatures made of darkness, their eyes glowing red. They were smaller than the shadows Kaito had faced before, but there were many of them, and they moved with a terrifying speed.

Kaito raised his katana, ready to fight, but before he could react, the creatures charged.