Tokyo was breathtaking. From the bustling streets of Shibuya to the serene paths of Ueno Park, the group had already ticked off several must-see spots on their itinerary. But even as they enjoyed themselves, an air of mystery seemed to follow them, casting shadows over their carefree moments.

After a day packed with excitement, they were relaxing in a cozy café when Hiroshi, their local guide and friend of Sakura's family, showed them a map, pointing to a large forested area just beyond Tokyo's outskirts.

"Something is interesting here," he murmured with a cryptic smile, tracing his finger over a thick patch of green. "It's a bit of an urban legend, but it might be worth checking out if you're looking for a thrill. Just...be cautious. Not many locals even dare to go there."

The friends exchanged intrigued glances. They had already seen Tokyo's lights and attractions. Perhaps a detour to an unmarked spot on the map was exactly the kind of adventure they were craving. Their capture everything through their lens. This time Luke decided to be the cameraman for the group.

The next day, they found themselves standing at the edge of a dense forest, the city's skyline barely visible through the trees. Hiroshi looked uneasy as he led them along a barely-trodden path. Sunlight filtered through the thick canopy above, but the forest felt dim, as though it swallowed light rather than let it in. They walked for almost half an hour until, through a break in the trees, they saw it: an old, decaying mansion cloaked in vines and surrounded by an eerie silence.

While Luke panned the camera around, capturing the forest's beauty and documenting everything they needed for their travel vlog, an eerie yet enchanting atmosphere surrounded them. The dense trees and overgrown vegetation gave the forest a creepy quality, but the lush greenery and dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves lent it an ethereal feel, as if they had stepped into another world.

Sakura squinted at it, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Hiroshi, why didn't you mention this place before?"

Hiroshi hesitated, shifting on his feet. "Because no one really goes here anymore. They say the mansion belonged to a powerful onmyoji, a sorcerer who practiced forbidden rituals to summon Amatsu Mikaboshi."

Eve's eyes widened as a chill crept down her spine. "Wait-Amatsu Mikaboshi? The god of chaos and darkness?"

Hiroshi nodded, his voice dropping. "Legend has it that this onmyoji's obsession with power drove him to madness. He tried to open a portal to summon Amatsu Mikaboshi, but something went wrong. Ever since then, locals avoid this place. Some even say the sorcerer's spirit still lingers here, and strange things happen to anyone who steps inside."

Luke grinned, nudging Soo Jun. "Sounds like the perfect place for a bit of exploration, right?"

Eve crossed her arms, hesitating. "I don't know... I mean, we're just here to relax, not chase ghosts."

But her apprehension was drowned out by the group's growing curiosity. They edged closer to the mansion, the air thickening with each step. Despite Hiroshi's warnings, an unexplainable force seemed to draw them toward it, as though the mansion itself were calling them.

Inside, the mansion was even more chilling. Dust blanketed every surface, cobwebs adorned the walls, and the once-beautiful furniture lay shattered and rotting. The air was stale, filled with the faint scent of damp wood and something else...a metallic tang that Eve couldn't quite place.

As they moved through the dimly lit rooms, a prickling sensation ran along her arms, like cold fingers tracing her skin. She shook it off, convincing herself it was just her imagination. But every now and then, she thought she saw movement-a fleeting shadow at the edge of her vision or a figure darting through the doorway.

"Do you guys feel that?" Eve asked, her voice a whisper.

Sakura nodded, hugging herself. "It's like...we're not alone."

Luke chuckled, though his voice sounded forced. "C'mon, guys, it's just an old house. No need to get spooked." Trying to keep up his bravado, he raised his camera and began recording the inside of the mansion.

Soo Jun raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying you're not even a little freaked out?"

"I'm not saying that," Luke admitted, his bravado cracking just a bit. "I just...don't want to admit it."

They entered what seemed to be the grand hall, its high ceiling looming above them, decorated with faded paintings of celestial and chaotic scenes. The images seemed to follow them as they moved, watching them, judging them. At the far end of the hall, an altar stood, ancient and foreboding, draped in a shroud of dust and mystery.

"Look at this," Sakura whispered, running her fingers over the altar's surface. Strange symbols were carved into the stone, swirling patterns that seemed almost alive.

Hiroshi hovered near the entrance, his face tense. "We should leave," he urged, his voice sharper now. "This place isn't safe."

But curiosity had already gripped them too tightly. Ignoring Hiroshi's pleas, the group pressed deeper into the mansion. Each room they entered seemed to grow colder, the shadows lengthening, twisting as though they were alive. Eve felt that unsettling sensation more strongly now, a creeping dread that told her to turn back. And yet...something about this place felt oddly familiar, as if she'd been here before, in another life, another time.

She shook her head, scolding herself for letting her imagination get the better of her. But the feeling persisted, lingering at the edge of her mind, a memory just out of reach.

In one of the rooms, they discovered a collection of old scrolls, their ink faded but still legible. Soo Jun picked one up, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.

"These seem like spells or rituals," he murmured, squinting at the ancient script.

Hiroshi's eyes widened in alarm. "Don't touch those! They're not to be trifled with. The onmyoji who owned this place dabbled in dark magic. If you read those aloud..."

Soo Jun held up his hands in mock surrender, though he looked slightly disappointed. "Alright, alright. No ancient spells."

But Eve's gaze remained fixed on one scroll, partially unrolled on the table. A drawing of Amatsu Mikaboshi's emblem was emblazoned on it-a black star, encircled by flames and surrounded by twisted, chaotic symbols. Her fingers itched to reach for it, to examine it more closely, but she resisted, knowing better than to tempt fate.

As they moved further into the mansion, the temperature dropped, and an almost imperceptible hum filled the air. The silence was no longer empty; it pulsed with a dark energy, as though the mansion itself were alive, breathing, watching.

Eve's vision blurred, and for a moment, she thought she saw someone-an old man with hollow eyes and a sinister grin-standing at the far end of the hallway. She blinked, and he was gone, replaced by shadows.

"Did...did anyone else see that?" she whispered.

Luke frowned, looking around. "See what?"

Eve shook her head. "Never mind. It's probably just my imagination."

But she wasn't so sure. The shadows seemed to thicken around her, their darkness almost tangible. She rubbed her arms, trying to shake the feeling, but the fear gnawed at her, growing stronger with each passing second.

The group reached a narrow staircase leading down to the basement. Hiroshi planted himself firmly in front of it, blocking their path.

"This is as far as we go," he said firmly. "The basement is where the onmyoji conducted his darkest rituals. It's said that the portal he tried to open is still there, waiting for anyone foolish enough to disturb it."

Luke exchanged a glance with Soo Jun, grinning mischievously. "You're telling me there's a portal to the god of chaos down there?"

Hiroshi scowled, clearly unimpressed by their bravado. "It's not a joke, Luke. If the stories are true, disturbing that portal could unleash something none of us are prepared for."

Despite Hiroshi's warning, a thrill of excitement ran through the group. But before they could decide whether to press on, Eve stumbled, clutching her head as a sudden wave of dizziness overwhelmed her. Images flashed before her eyes-blurry visions of rituals, dark robes, and that same haunting emblem, the black star.

She gasped, snapping back to reality as her friends gathered around her, concern etched on their faces.

"Eve, are you okay?" Sakura asked, gripping her shoulder.

Eve forced a smile, though her hands shook. "Yeah...I'm fine. Just...feeling a bit lightheaded."

But she wasn't fine. The visions had felt too real, too vivid to be mere illusions. She could still hear the faint chanting, echoing in her mind like a forgotten memory.

After a tense silence, they agreed to leave the basement untouched, heeding Hiroshi's warning. As they made their way back through the mansion, Eve couldn't shake the feeling that something was following them, lurking just out of sight.

Finally, they emerged from the mansion, stepping into the forest's cool embrace. The oppressive air lifted, and they each took a deep breath, grateful to be outside again. But as they walked away, Eve glanced back, her heart pounding as she thought she saw a figure in the mansion's window-watching, waiting.

Back in Tokyo, they returned to the vibrant city, the mansion now a haunting memory. But for Eve, the experience lingered, shadows of the mansion's darkness following her. And in the deepest parts of her mind, she couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning-that somehow, the mansion in the woods wasn't done with her yet.

"This was only the beginning"

Author's Note

Before you continue, take a moment to glance over your shoulder. That strange chill creeping down your spine?

The sensation that someone, or something, is watching you? It's not just your imagination.

As you journey deeper into this forgotten mansion with Eve and the others, remember: the shadows here don't just linger-they wait.

The walls may be silent, but they remember the dark rituals that once echoed through this place.

Be warned-what happens in the mansion doesn't stay there. Something has been awakened, something that isn't pleased you're trespassing into its domain.

So, read carefully... because once you step into these rooms, you might not be able to leave without carrying a piece of it with you.

Don't look away. And don't turn off the lights. You might not like what you find in the dark.

Keep reading... if you dare.

The Anime Writer