A flash of sharp darkness obscured the faint sight. Ashitaka could make out nothing beneath the caterwauls of unknown beasts. His whole body felt heavy, paralysed by fear and confusion, his consciousness far from making any rational sense of the situation. Suddenly, behind the endless yowls and enveloping darkness, came a cry. A woman's cry. And a baby's? As he attempted to move towards the sound, a silhouette of the supposed woman appeared. Her features completely scratched away by the haziness, all he could see was her bent posture, face in hands, the sobbing becoming a frightening scream. No sooner could he make out all this the vision disappeared, replaced again with the violent screeches of beasts. A warping creature came into view, covered with blackened leeches. No sooner than this, ghastly features became visible, horns, claws, and an expression of pure malice. Ashitaka felt both present and invisible, yet he could not stop his panic and began to feel for his legs to run. Running became flying, down into pitch-black liquid. As he felt his body collapse into the freezing water, he instinctively reached out his hand towards the surface, before realising he no longer knew which way was up. Panicked, his hand grasped at nothing. His purple scar began to shift however, becoming like how it was when diseased by Nago, becoming more aggressive, until his hand was engulfed by the swirling, flesh-like veins.

Gasping, praying for air, Ashitaka jolted awake, taking generous gulps of the life-giving gas. Panting, still panicked from his nightmare, Ashitaka checked his scar. Still the faint purple it became when he was healed by the Shishigami. Ashitaka sighed, collapsing back down into the comfort of his bed. 'Why does this keep happening?' These nightmares were always the same. They felt so real, yet always made no sense, the flickering events always in disjointing order. 'Best not to linger on it. It's just my mind making up stories'. He went to slide out of bed, before feeling a blurriness in his eyes. A little wary of the reminder of his distorted dream, he wiped the tears out of his eyes.

Leaving the house he shared with the other men, his thoughts brightened as he took in the new Tataraba. It had been around half a year since they had started rebuilding, and they were making surprisingly quick progress. With the leftover iron that had been made before the town stopped producing it, they were able to build key infrastructures such as houses and stables. The mossy mountain which had once been the ironworks still sat uncomfortably among the new buildings however. It was true that they were still struggling to decide what they would produce instead of iron; Tataraba had always made iron, even before Lady Eboshi arrived. They weren't used to creating anything else. But they would have to find a way. They would not resort to making anymore iron, not after the disaster that led to.

'Good morning stranger!'. Toki greeted the not-so-strange Ashitaka. 'Good morning Toki.' He replied. 'You know, you don't have to call me 'stranger' anymore. I have lived here for quite a while after all'. Toki laughed half-ironically. 'I'm aware of that', she said obviously, 'But sometimes it feels like you still are one. Every other day you go to visit the Wolf girl in the forest. It's like you're still a 'mysterious, foreign, handsome stranger'. Ashitaka couldn't tell if Toki was being sincere, humorous, or a little irked. Wishing to get to his patrol for the day, Ashitaka leant on his humorous interpretation, simply stating, 'Well, I did promise her!'. As he subtly hurried away, Ashitaka felt his response was quite idiotic. He knew at times he lived with a foot more in the forest world with San than in the human world in Tataraba. 'Perhaps I should divide my attention more equally'. He liked both Tataraba and the forest, now they were both on somewhat civil terms. As much as he tried to stop his thoughts from spiralling, his mind once again wandered back to his knowledge that he couldn't live with a foot in each world forever.

'Hey, Ashitaka, back here!'. The voice calling Ashitaka took him away from his thoughts, which he was quite thankful for. The voice in question belonged to Lady Eboshi, who he noticed both sounded and looked happier than usual. She wore her same fan-covered kimono and hakama, with a blue cloth wrapped tightly around her missing arm, looking like a scarf of sorts. Gonza, who for once didn't have an ounce of annoyance in his face, stood next to her. Ever since they began a relationship a few months back, they both seemed to have mellowed out. They both appeared amused at Ashitaka's absent-mindedness, which had become more common lately with his constant dreams. He awkwardly walked back to them, awaiting his job for the day.

'You seem even more far away than usual Ashitaka. Is the Wolf girl occupying your thoughts again?' Eboshi said, half-jokingly it seemed.

Ashitaka dodged the light-hearted jab.

'I suppose I have a lot on my mind right now', he chuckled falsely, remembering both his predicament and the haunting screams from his dream.

'Well, I'm afraid you'll have to avoid those distractions currently. This job we are giving you needs your full attention' she said, becoming more serious.

'Did something happen?'

Gonza stepped in.

'Last night there were reports of strange noises coming from the forest. A lot of screeching, apparently. Sounded very different to the wolves'.

Ashitaka froze.

'We trust you to lead a patrol to investigate around the area. We won't ask you to go into the forest, lest whatever cursed thing made that noise is still there'.

Ashitaka pushed down his fear. Perhaps those screams in his dream came from outside, and that just constructed the strange visions? But that wouldn't explain the crying woman…

'Are you alright Ashitaka? You've gone pale'. Eboshi asked concernedly.

He once again had to force his way out of his thoughts, and nodded self-assuredly. 'Of course. I was just remembering what happened with the Shishigami. But I promise I won't let that happen again. When do we leave?'.

Eboshi and Gonza exchanged a glance, a little doubtful yet satisfied enough with his response.

Gonza was the first to speak.

'This morning, while it's still light. Choose some men to go with you. I'll go too'.

Eboshi turned to him.

'Are you sure, Gonza? If there is a demon in those woods, I doubt it will look kindly on you, considering our history'. Despite her usually cold frontier, ever since she had killed the Shishigami and Tataraba had been destroyed, her walls had broken down and she allowed herself to show her vulnerabilities, gaining a new concern for others. The fact she had known Gonza longer than anyone else served to heighten her new-found emotions.

Gonza let out a small reassuring smile. They were both still working to communicate their more human traits.

'I'll be fine, Eboshi. I can't just let the boy and our Warats go for me to stay here, after all'.

Eboshi reciprocated the smile and nodded, regaining her regal composure.

'Very well. It'd be best to check sooner rather than later. Ashitaka, prepare some men for the patrol. Gonza, bring some weapons just in case'. She hesitated before adding 'And…be careful, both of you'.

Ashitaka and Gonza smiled and bowed their heads respectfully, heading towards the gates of Tataraba.

Skirting the edges of the forest, the patrol, consisting of Ashitaka, Yakul, Gonza, Kohrouku, and a few other men scanned the area for any sign that could account for the strange noises heard the night before. The forest seemed to ripple with a new energy, carrying fresh air and the fragrant smell of lilies. It was hard to imagine anything horrible had happened there just last night, or ever at all.

'...I feel like we're not going to find anything by skimming the edge of the forest', raised a voice in the back. Ashitaka silently agreed.

'It's a safety precaution', Gonza said, slightly irritated. 'If there is something in the forest, I don't think any of us are planning to go cavorting inside its belly'. A few men chuckled at this, but there was a sense of fear now in the atmosphere. As they continued to examine the forest for fallen trees or footprints, Ashitaka's thoughts drifted back to San as they usually do. She lives in this forest. Is it possible she heard the noises last night? She would have heard it more clearly than anybody, surely? This idea quickly created a sense of urgency in Ashitaka. Was she okay? Was she attacked by the monster? His thoughts collided into each other, each leading to a more gruesome image. He suddenly shouted out loud 'I need to find San!'.

The other men looked at him confusedly. 'Ashitaka, you MUST focus on this patrol! You can't be worrying about her right now!' Gonza yelled.

Ashitaka shot back at him, 'she could be in danger! She lives here, what if whatever that thing was hurt her?!' Ashitaka squeezed his eyes shut, internally scolding himself for breaking down in front of everyone. He subconsciously realised how intense emotions can get for someone you love.

Gonza gained a more understanding expression. Before he could attempt to calm him down, Ashitaka's rational thoughts reverted back to his previous idea. He slowly started.

'I need to find San because…she lives in the forest. She could have some more information about what happened last night'. Before Gonza could start on safety precautions again, Ashitaka cut in, 'I can go alone to see her. I'll be okay, whatever might be in there won't hurt me with her brothers around'.

The men appeared doubtful, but eventually Gonza, calmer now, realised the importance this could have in preventing the danger.

'...Alright. If that can help us protect Tataraba. But if you're not back by sundown, we're coming after you'.

Ashitaka, grateful for the opportunity to help (and to see San again), thanked Gonza and made his way into the forest, Yakul following.