The Forbidden Heir in This Cultivation World

The ruins of the burned village stood still, like a graveyard frozen in time. The rustling sound from within one of the charred homes sent an icy shiver through the group. Weapons drawn, they moved as one, their footsteps cautious on the ash-strewn ground. 

Ryomi motioned for the others to stay behind as she crept closer, her daggers gleaming faintly in the dim light. She pressed herself against the wall of the crumbling house, her ears straining to catch even the faintest hint of movement. 

"Come out," she demanded, her voice low but firm. "We're not here to hurt you." 

For a moment, there was only silence. Then, a faint whimper echoed from within the shadows of the building. 

"A child?" Akiyo's voice broke the tense quiet. 

Ryomi entered cautiously, her footsteps light as a feather. The others waited outside, their eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger. 

Inside, Ryomi found a young boy curled in a corner, his thin frame trembling as he clutched a singed blanket. His wide, tear-streaked eyes locked onto her, filled with terror. 

"It's okay," she said gently, lowering her daggers and crouching to meet his gaze. "We're not going to hurt you." 

The boy didn't move, his small hands gripping the blanket tighter. 

Tarezuchi stepped into the doorway, his voice soft. "Are you alone?" 

The boy flinched but gave a hesitant nod. 

"What's your name?" Tarezuchi asked, his expression calm despite the storm of emotions brewing inside him. 

"...Kota," the boy whispered, his voice barely audible. 

Ryomi extended a hand. "Kota, we're here to help. Can you tell us what happened?" 

The boy hesitated, his eyes darting between Ryomi and Tarezuchi before he finally spoke, his voice shaking. "They... they came in the night. The sky turned red, and shadows... so many shadows." His words tumbled out, each one heavier than the last. "They burned everything. Everyone screamed, but no one could run. They... they took my sister." 

Tarezuchi's chest tightened. The boy's terror was a mirror of the devastation they'd witnessed on the Wailing Horizon. 

"Who took her?" Kaida asked, his tone sharp as he stepped into the room. "Was it the Ryokumo?" 

Kota nodded rapidly. "They wore masks. Like skulls. And their leader... his eyes glowed like fire." 

Ryomi's hand clenched into a fist. "The same as the figure we faced." 

"They're moving faster than we thought," Kaida said, his face grim. "This isn't just random destruction. They're targeting something." 

Tarezuchi knelt beside Kota. "Do you know where they went? Did you see which direction they took your sister?" 

Kota pointed weakly toward the east, his hand trembling. "To the forest. There's... there's a temple there. Mama used to say it was cursed. They took her there." 

Ryomi stood, determination flashing in her eyes. "Then we're going after them." 

Kaida frowned. "We're already exhausted. Charging in without a plan is reckless." 

"They have a child," Ryomi snapped, her voice heated. "What plan do we need other than to stop them?" 

"She's right," Tarezuchi said, his voice firm. "We can't let them take another life." 

Akiyo stepped forward, his warhammer resting on his shoulder. "If we're doing this, we do it now. The longer we wait, the harder it'll be to catch up." 

Kaida sighed, his resistance crumbling under the weight of their resolve. "Fine. But if this turns into another trap, don't say I didn't warn you." 

--- 

The group left the ruins behind, Kota walking silently beside Tarezuchi. Though the boy said nothing, his presence seemed to steel their resolve. The forest grew thicker as they moved east, the towering trees casting long shadows that seemed to shift unnaturally. 

As they approached the edge of a clearing, Ryomi held up a hand to signal a halt. Ahead, partially obscured by the dense foliage, was the temple Kota had described. Its ancient stone walls were cracked and weathered, covered in creeping vines. Faint red light flickered from within, casting eerie patterns on the surrounding trees. 

A low chant drifted through the air, rhythmic and otherworldly. The language was unfamiliar, but its malevolence was unmistakable. 

"They're here," Kaida whispered, his grip tightening on his swords. 

Ryomi turned to Kota. "Stay here. Hide. We'll get your sister back." 

Kota nodded, his small hands clutching Tarezuchi's cloak before reluctantly letting go. "Be careful." 

Tarezuchi gave him a reassuring smile. "We will." 

The group moved as one, their movements silent as they approached the temple. The chanting grew louder, each word vibrating through the air like a physical force. 

Inside, the scene was even more horrifying than they had imagined. A group of cloaked figures surrounded an ornate altar, their masks identical to the one worn by the figure on the Wailing Horizon. At the center of the altar was a young girl, no older than ten, her wrists bound with glowing chains of dark energy. 

"Release her!" Tarezuchi's voice rang out, echoing through the chamber. 

The chanting stopped abruptly, and the figures turned in unison. One of them stepped forward, their mask more elaborate than the others, with horns curling upward like a crown. 

"You dare to interrupt the ritual?" the leader said, their voice dripping with disdain. "Fools. You have no idea the forces you oppose." 

Kaida drew his swords, the blades crackling with energy. "We know enough to stop you." 

The leader chuckled, a hollow, bone-chilling sound. "You are nothing but insects, scurrying in the shadow of a greater power." 

With a wave of their hand, the air grew heavy, and tendrils of dark energy erupted from the ground, coiling toward the group. 

"Scatter!" Ryomi shouted, leaping to the side as the tendrils lashed out. 

Akiyo roared, swinging his warhammer with all his might. The impact shattered one of the tendrils, but two more took its place. 

Tarezuchi focused on the leader, the Flameheart's power surging within him. "Your power isn't as absolute as you think." 

The leader tilted their head, seemingly amused. "Then prove it, boy. Let us see if your fire can withstand the abyss." 

Tarezuchi's blade ignited with flames as he charged forward, his strike aimed directly at the leader. The clash of their powers sent shockwaves through the chamber, the flames battling against the leader's dark energy. 

Kaida and Ryomi fought back the other cloaked figures, their movements precise and unrelenting. Akiyo held the rear, his powerful strikes keeping the writhing tendrils at bay. 

The battle raged, the chamber shaking with the force of their attacks. Tarezuchi's flames grew brighter, fueled by his determination to save the girl and put an end to the Ryokumo's dark plans. 

As the leader faltered under his relentless assault, their mask cracked, revealing a pair of burning eyes filled with rage. "You may have power," they snarled, "but you lack the will to wield it." 

Tarezuchi's grip tightened on his sword. "Then let me show you what my will can do." 

With a final, explosive strike, the leader was forced back, their dark energy dissipating. The chains binding the girl shattered, and she collapsed into Ryomi's waiting arms. 

The remaining cloaked figures retreated into the shadows, their leader's voice echoing ominously as they vanished. "This is not the end. The abyss watches, and it will consume you all." 

The group stood in the aftermath, their breaths heavy as the temple fell silent. Tarezuchi glanced at the girl, her small form trembling in Ryomi's arms. 

"We need to get out of here," Kaida said, his voice firm. "Now." 

They exited the temple, the oppressive air lifting slightly as they reunited with Kota. His face lit up as he saw his sister, and he ran to her, tears streaming down his cheeks. 

Tarezuchi watched the siblings embrace, a small smile breaking through his exhaustion. For a moment, the darkness seemed to recede. 

But as they began their journey back to safety, Tarezuchi couldn't ignore the leader's parting words. The abyss was watching—and it would not rest.