The Cursed Bloodline
What is Justice?

"Mirai! Let's run!" said Nee while taking Mirai with him. Mirai looked at Zou who had been surrounded by many soldiers including General Kitsune

"We can't let Zou get caught! " cried Mirai.

However, his body continued to be pulled away by Nee. After passing through several weak gatekeepers, Mirai and Nee finally entered the Yokai Country. They fled towards the jungle in front of him, thousands of arrows shot towards them. But thanks to Nee's prowess, none of the arrows were able to touch their bodies

Grrrrhhhhrr....

The dog soldiers were furious. They decided to run on all four legs and follow where Mirai and Nee smelled

"Quick! Follow the smell of that man! Make sure they don't enter Yokai village! Auuuunk! " the wolf soldier gave a signal to his partner. Loud howls rang out loud, breaking the silence of the increasingly dark forest

All the dog soldiers moved quickly. With their sense of smell so accurate. It didn't take much time to catch up with Nee and Mirai

In the middle of his escape, Mirai tries to activate his snow Gyoku. But impossible, due to the effects of the pills he still swallowed and also the strange magic that filled the place. The magic in his body seemed to weaken or even perish

"My magic doesn't work here! How's this, Nee! " mirai said as he continued to run through the dark wilderness.

The arrangement of the forest is so steep, with a steep incline. Mirai and Nee are still trying to run, even though their breath has started to run out due to the achievement

" We can't even use teleportation magic or body lightening. It's impossible for us to escape from the pursuit of the Yokai warriors! But-" yet Nee had no time to continue her words, an arrow shot towards her

Trassss

Shots missed. Nee stared faintly at the rows of dog warriors who could already compensate for their escape. The number of Yokai soldiers is very large, even among them having a better tracking system than any military command in the human world

Trass...

Another arrow shot towards them. Mirai knew he and Nee could not move any faster or move away in this situation. They're surrounded. Wrong for a bit, they'll be caught soon. In the midst of that condition, Mirai stared at the situation around her. Moist and steep plains. As the day gets darker before dusk. Without wasting any time, Mirai pulled Nee to follow her.

Sress....

The pursuing Yokai heard a tree branch that Mirai accidentally stepped on. They also focused their sense of smell, and it was true that the trail of smell was the trace of their prey

"There! Near the ravine! " they also moved immediately. They combed each side of the abyss thoroughly, yet there was no sign of Mirai's existence

" Find it carefully! I'm sure those humans can't go far from us! Aunggg! " said the wolf soldier

" well! The captain! " all the soldiers answered the captain's precepts with a typical hard dog light

......................

Without the soldier noticing, Mirai and Nee hide in the ravine. The sheer rock that Nee stepped on began to fall. Mirai was able to look at the abyss below, so deep without a bottom, complete with fog that adorned. Mirai's breathing paused for a moment, thinking how deep the abyss before her made her shudder a little!

Their position is very cornered. Armed with a small basin on the side of the ravine, Mirai and Nee begin to hide there. They were also aghast when they found out the soldiers chasing them were right at the top. The footing of the numerous dog warriors, making the dingding of the basin where they were hiding began to landslide bit by bit. If left like this, either hit by the ruins of the ground or slipped down the ravine that awaited them.

"We don't have enough time! The surrounding land is so unstable, while the rocks we are exposed to are so slippery. If left unchecked, we'll-" Nee strikes slowly. His hand that reached for the roots of the thorny tree began to feel pain. Mirai that rests on him also gives its own weight. As a result of the narrow space, Nee is forced to embrace Mirai in her arms

(It's an emergency, guys, don't think!)

"We should remove our scent trail first! " Mirai reached for the mossy ground around him. Then smeared his body and Nee with moss that gave off a pungent odor.

Mirai's goal is only one, removing their smell. In the midst of life and death. An owl suddenly alighted at the root of the tree where Nee was holding. The owl looked like an ordinary owl and was not like a Yokai or a demon. The owl looked to be staring at the tame Mirai. He came as if to help Mirai escape

"Why? The bird was staring at me? " said Mirai astonished. Nee who saw the bird alighted as if getting an idea

" Mirai! Give your outer coat to the bird!"

Meanwhile, the Yokai warriors began to sniff the area around them. Traces of Mirai and Nee's smell were still faintly smelled. Until a black shadow flashed into the forest

"That's them! Quick chase! " all the compact warriors ate the trap that Nee gave them. Mirai accidentally took off her outer coat and put it on to the owl. The bird flies into the forest and provides a diversion so that Nee and Mirai can escape from it

......................

Hundreds of Yokai Soldiers followed where the Jendra was. While in the middle of the line, Zou who had been tied up and dragged only walked slowly following where the General went. There was no fear in Zou's eyes. He could not fight with his limited magic, because the magic in his body was weakened by the General.

Zou paused his steps for a moment, smiling softly he looked towards the Forest where his comrades were going

"I hope you can complete this mission! " murm Zou.

" Hurry up! "

The warrior who escorted him pulled the ties around Zou's neck. He could not dodge, his hands were firmly handcuffed while his gyokunya sealed. The red-haired man was treated like an animal by the Yokai. Dragged, beaten and forced to walk in the middle of Yokai village square

All the residents of Yokai Country went out to witness the Humans infiltrating their country. The gazes of the half-human beasts were diverse. Some were afraid to see Zou as if he was a nightmare monster. There were also angry, annoyed and disgusted looks. The look that the demons might encounter if they were captured by humans out there. The world is upside down here!

"Stop here! " said General Kitsune.

He also gave the code to the soldiers to bring Zou to the middle of the village square. Zou was dragged forcibly. His hazel eyes were perfectly rounded when he saw the look of a human head hanging on a pillar inscribed with punishment. Nekonin was right, General Kitsune hated humans so much that he was willing to behead anyone who entered his territory without exception

Zou was brought to the middle of the execution square. He is forced to kneel and face the Yokai who want to witness the death of a human being

General Kitsune walked slowly towards Zou. In his hand a sharp sword was still neatly sheathed. The figure of the girl that even Zou had never seen his face, looked at him sharply from behind the fox mask

A sharp sword began to be aimed at Zou's neck, the glint of light reflected through his silver blade even making Zou's eyes glare

"As usual! Humans are even willing to betray their partners for a purpose! " the General muttered towards Zou. Maybe in his mask he smiled. Knowing the human attitude he always met the same

" If it's called betrayal in your world. So in our world it is called 'victim for one purpose or loyalty'. I see you hate Humans so much, Kitsune! “ Zou thin smile.

The moonlight began to beautify her, slowly sweeping away everything beneath her. The beam also, sweeping the body of the general, the pure rays of the moon were able to reveal a single fox dancing in the wind

"A Kitsune (Vixed Demon) usually has 3-9 tails in its body. But I see, it doesn't apply to you. So can I draw a conclusion, are the humans making you that way?! " said Zou while glancing at the General's tail

The tail of a Kitsune is life. They live eternally as the tail grows on their bodies. As per the nature of Yokai, they have no meaningful magic, but have a long life. However, that power is precisely targeted by some humans to obtain eternal life and youth. In the magic world, eternal life as well as having great magic abilities were symbols of power. They will easily get a position that people will respect. To that end, the hunt for kitsune that was still in the human world finally happened

" Shut up! A lowly human like you, it is not worth saying that to me! " the general held down the sword at Zou's neck. Making a little wedge on Zou's neck to drip fresh blood

Zou smiled faintly, and he aimed his hazel iris through the fox's mask. He realized, the owner of the aquamarine eye in front of him was slightly shaken with his words. Zou's gaze softened a little.

"What about killing a man. You feel justice for what they did to you? They might take something from you. It makes you cultivate vengeance in your heart, until the hatred in you overwhelms your soul!

"If there is justice. So killing the man who dared to come before me was justice for me! That also includes cutting off your head! " said General Kitsune with a trembling voice restraining anger

" Then, if you kill every human you see. That means you chose the exact same path as the one who snatched your pretty tail! You'll change just like the bad guys you hate. Forcibly snatching something for your personal purpose (revenge)! "

"Shut your mouth. You think you're different from them? I am the victim of your cruelty and I demand justice by taking your lives as payment for my suffering all along! "

" You're saying yourself as a victim. But your reflection (killing) doesn't show that you're a victim. You know, if you avenge the person who hurt you in the same way or more cruel than that person (revenge) . You are no longer a victim! But a demon more despicable than the one you hate! " said Zou as he looked at Kitsune who was standing right in front of him.

Hearing Zou's words, Kitsune who was still covering her face with the golden mask laughed out loud. He also lowered the sword ready to slash Zou's neck at any time

" Haha! ... Haha! ... Haha! You think that nonsense of yours can save you from death?! All righty! You'll give you a chance! "

Kitsune looked at the audience behind him. He realized, fellow Zou was looking from behind the crowd of Yokai. Hiding and mingling with many people. Mirai and Nee may be able to deceive the soldiers, but they can't fool the General's sharp smell

"Your friends! It's in this crowd of people! Maybe they're looking at you with pity without daring to help you!

I'll give you a chance! If they consider you a partner, of course they won't let you just die, right?!

Quickly show your form! Before I decapitate this red-haired man! " shouted the general loudly. All the spectators there were astonished trying to guess who Kitsune meant

That's right what Kitsune said. Nee and Mirai were watching them from behind the crowd. Aware of Kitsune's call, Nee is about to come forward to save Zou

"Nee! What the hell are you doing?! If you follow the fox's advice rashly. We're all gonna die! " mirai said as she held onto Nee's arm. Mirai wants to save Zou, but she also realizes all of this may be Kitsune's trap.

" That's right. But I can't let my partner die in front of my eyes. I have to do something, even if it's just a wasted effort I'll keep trying! " said Nee confidently while taking off Mirai's hand. He began to walk forward, but his steps stopped when Mirai was about to follow him away

" Mirai, that only applies to me. Zou and I might die here. But not for you...

You have to bring the Pillar stone home no matter what. Tengu goal, is the absolute goal for us. So save yourself and make sure you get back in front of Xio alive! "

" But Nee-"

Mirai certainly did not want to leave her partner just like that. If you can choose, Zou and Nee's lives are worth more than this mission. Mirai seemed to be immersed in his thoughts

"The sacrifice that Zou and I made came from within us. If you doubt our sacrifice, it means you don't believe in the life we've paid for you! It also meant contempt for the decisions we made! "

Mirai clenched her hands tightly. He will not let people sacrifice for him again. He was about to chase after Nee, but Nee's iron powder suddenly ensnared his body. Mirai could not move.

Nee walked away. He uses his minimal magic to stop Mirai from chasing him

"Compared with us. Your life means more to the world. So, you have to stay alive. Mirai!" said Nee

......................

Kitsune smiled behind his mask. He felt someone with a smell he hated approaching.

"Show me your Form! " he shouted loudly while smiling cynically.

Nee advanced before the people, then spewed out a special pill to open her identity. All Yokai gasped, seeing that another human was among them.

" Nee! What the hell are you doing?! " cried Zou, he was so surprised to see Nee give himself up. Kitsune orders the soldiers to take down Nee. Without a fight, the sturdy man gave himself up to be dragged before General Kitsune

Nee knelt beside Zou. He looked at his chatty companion who was already covered in wounds.

"You ask me why I came here? Stupidhead! How could I just leave my chatty fellow behind?! I'm used to hearing that prank of yours! So I wish I could hear it a little longer! My partner! " murm Nee quietly

" Nee you-" Zou can't even speak anymore

General Kitsune approaches Nee and Zou. Slowly he stretched out his hands. As if telling Nee to choose one of the things in the General's grasp

"Choose! If there is justice you believe in. You can survive from here!

Inside my grasp were two chips that read 'Live' and 'Dead'. You have to choose your fate! Isn't that called justice?! " the word fox is full of meaning