Prologue Hozon Ankoku
Wednesday, November 28, 1894
Mythology
Legends have been passed on from generation to generation among people of all backgrounds. To lose these words would be to lose a part of themselves. Some of these legends tell of goddesses sent to heal soldiers on the front, others tell of fat men climbing down a chimney to leave children gifts. Some tell of horrors beyond belief.
Many people have long since passed the point of believing in such childish things; and who can blame them? It has been proven that within our world there exists no creatures as vile and terrifying as those in folklore. No one has ever witnessed these phenomena, nor have they ever told. The origins of the stories have been lost, along with the original authors.
But this doesn't mean that they aren't true.
I have studied for years to uncover the secrets of these legends, and my research has come to one single conclusion; an alternate plane of reality. You may scoff at me all you like, but I found it and plan to enter in a week's time. One must simply conjure a spirit that lies within, and it will bring you inside. This plane looks no different from our own. The ritual that I will perform is to summon a kitsune, a fox spirit. They say that it will bring one good fortune and safety on their journeys.
For the sake of my cause, I shall go and find the means of escape, if any. I will record in another journal the nature of my findings. This place will mean a breakthrough in science.
Hiraku Musuke
Thursday, December 6, 1894
The tattered remains of Mr. Hiraku Musuke were found within the apartment which he resides at 06:25 pm. Neighbors had not heard or seen Mr. Musuke since the day before. The witness states that Mr. Musuke was always busy, so he was worried when the victim did not leave his house that day. He went upstairs to his apartment and discovered the victim's corpse hanging from the stairwell railing.
Victim was found suspended by the wrist with rope and small bite marks were found all along the body. Joints appear to have been pulled apart, as though a force had pulled the victim away from the place they were tied. His chest showed a large hole at the same point where the heart should have been, but it was not there. Scratches around the entry suggest forced removal.
Further investigation will be necessary to determine the cause of this and the whereabouts of the heart. Police believe a homicide to be a viable assessment. The victim had a journal in his possession, with only one line of writing:
"The Shadow Realm is dangerous, different. Foxes surrounding me.
There is no escape but death."
Hozon Ankoku - Save me from the Shadows