CHAPTER - THE CURSE
"Love like winter… Oh… Oh…
Love like winter… winter… 3…4…"
The determined and supportive gazes of Reita's friends and Grandma Ayumi filled the room. In the center of the living room, a centuries-old story intertwined with the hope of a new journey.
The night unfolded with an intense atmosphere, filled with critical decisions that needed to be made.
Reita was resolute in finding a solution.
"So, what do we need to do to break this curse?" he asked, his determination clear in his words.
"Uruha-san, when you sought out the sorcerer to try to bring Imagawa back, did he say anything about how to reverse the curse when you found the reincarnated soul of your general?" Ayumi-san asked, seeking more details about the connection to this story.
Uruha took a deep breath, trying to recall the words of the sorcerer she had consulted centuries ago.
"The sorcerer mentioned that the curse could be broken when I found the chosen one destined to set me free," Uruha said thoughtfully. "To reverse the curse, I would need to perform the ritual on the third full moon after he accepted that he is the reincarnated soul of Imagawa-san. Otherwise, I will vanish with the snow."
"Then we have less than three months before your fate is sealed, disappearing with the wind without leaving a trace," Reita noted.
"I just remembered a crucial detail," Uruha said, lowering her gaze for a moment before continuing.
Her voice carried a hint of hesitation, sending a chill down the spines of everyone present.
"The sorcerer said that when I found the chosen one, and he willingly shared his life force with me, the curse could be broken. But… it doesn't come without sacrifices," Uruha said, her voice tinged with anguish.
"What sacrifices would those be?" Ruki asked, his worry evident.
"The sorcerer didn't give me specific details about how to perform the liberation ritual."
"What sacrifices are required to break this curse?" Reita pressed, feeling the weight of the situation.
Uruha lifted her gaze to meet Reita's, and everyone could see the sadness and determination reflected in her eyes.
"To perform the liberation ritual, both you and I would need to make sacrifices. I would have to relinquish my life as a youkai and accept a human existence again—though without the effects of the years I've lived. And you… you would have to share your life force with me, risking your own life to break the curse."
The weight of her words hung heavy in the silent room. Everyone understood the magnitude of what was at stake.
"I'll understand if you're unwilling to risk your life to free me from this existence," Uruha admitted. "Just knowing the spell worked is enough; I don't mind vanishing with the snow after these centuries of searching."
A mix of emotions lingered as Uruha gazed at the supportive faces around her. For the first time in centuries, there seemed to be a glimmer of hope for her frozen destiny.
Breaking the silence, Reita spoke with a determined expression.
"I'm willing to sacrifice whatever is necessary to help you, Uruha-san," he said firmly, though uncertainty stirred within him.
Reita turned to Grandma Ayumi, knowing she had believed in the legend since his childhood.
"Grandma Ayumi, do you think you can help us perform this ritual? Time is short, and the curse could become fatal if we don't act quickly," Reita asked, concern evident in his voice.
Grandma Ayumi looked at Reita with a serious yet quietly determined expression.
"If there's a chance to break this curse and grant you a fulfilling life, then I won't hesitate to help," Ayumi-san nodded.
"Thank you, Ayumi-san. You're a light in the darkness of my existence. I'm grateful for your willingness to help find a solution to the curse that imprisons me," Uruha said with sincerity.
—.—.—.—.
The plan began to take shape. With Grandma Ayumi's guidance and Reita's determination, they were ready to confront the challenge that had bound Uruha for so long.
"Reita, I vaguely remember the sorcerer mentioning the need for ancient, sacred items, along with the reincarnated soul of the chosen one, to perform the ritual. It seems we'll need to search for these items in the forest," Uruha explained.
"What kind of items? Would they be hidden in the forest?" Reita asked.
At his question, Uruha tried to recall more details about the other necessary items for the ritual. Though her memory was faint, she remembered the sorcerer speaking about the importance of ancient, sacred objects.
"Most likely, we'll have to search for clues in ancient places, sanctuaries, or abandoned temples. That's where sacred objects are usually found," she explained.
Their eyes met, and Uruha could see Reita's determination mirrored in his gaze.
"Together, we'll find a way to locate these items and free you, Uruha-san."
The forest held ancient secrets, and it was now their responsibility to uncover them to bring a happy ending to Uruha's story.
As they pondered the possible items needed for the ritual, Grandma Ayumi shared an idea that resonated with everyone.
She suggested that the objects might be connected to Uruha's past life and General Imagawa Shōhō, possibly hidden in places where they had lived or among relics tied to the general's history.
"Your former home is now a renovated shrine after an earthquake and has been turned into a museum. It's open to visitors to learn about Japan's imperial past," Grandma Ayumi noted.
Reita, with his sharp mind, proposed the idea of finding an object both he and Uruha could hold during the ritual, preventing his life force from completely draining.
The search for the potential item would have to be scheduled for a visit on the soonest possible day. The sooner, the better, as they were now racing against time.
—.—.—.—.
The manifestation of Uruha's youkai nature began to become apparent. Reita felt the air around him grow colder, as though the very atmosphere was reacting to Uruha's presence.
The comforting warmth of the cabin's fireplace was contrasted by the chill emanating from Uruha.
She spoke calmly with Reita's family, her mind reaching for the memories of what the sorcerer had said about the items needed for the liberation ritual.
Reita noticed with surprise that the tea in his hand was beginning to freeze, a thin layer of ice solidifying on its surface. It was a grim reminder of the true nature of the snow youkai.
He knew they couldn't continue in these conditions. With a heavy sigh, he turned to Uruha with determination. It was time to leave before the situation grew more dangerous.
— Uruha-san, thank you for being here today. — He said, his voice steady despite the turmoil of emotions inside him. — But we can't risk our safety and the chance to break this curse.
Reita pointed at the teacup now frozen in his hand. Uruha hadn't noticed that her cold aura was spreading through the room, as the conversation had flowed so smoothly that she had forgotten to control her nature.
Uruha raised her eyes to the people in front of her. They were trembling, trying to warm themselves by rubbing their hands against their coats.
— Gomennasai, I need to leave. I can't stay near you for too long. — Uruha's eyes reflected a mixture of sadness and resignation. — I warned Reita it could be dangerous.
— Uruha-san, please come back tomorrow. I'm glad you accepted my invitation and shared your story with us. — Grandma Ayumi commented.
— I'll be waiting for you, Uruha-san. — Reita said with hope for a future solution.
— I'll come back tomorrow so we can continue our search. — With one last look at Reita, she agreed. — I won't give up on finding the items needed to break this curse and stay by your side, Reita-san.
Reita accompanied her to the cabin door, now shrouded in an icy aura. He watched helplessly as Uruha disappeared into the snow, carrying with her the hope of a future free from the shadow of the curse.
—.—.—.—.
"She exhales vanilla lace
I barely dreamt her yesterday (yesterday)"
What are the items to break Uruha's curse?
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Translated into English by open ai