The demons in the clearing had retreated completely.
Those mountain-like figures vanished into the forest's shadows, and the suffocating Demonic Power ebbed away like the tide.
All that remained were trampled dead leaves scattered across the ground and lingering traces of Demonic Energy in the air.
Kikyo stood where she was, her longbow hanging at her side, the arrow still nocked on the string.
"It's been a long time, Kikyo."
Chiyo spoke again.
Kikyo loosened her fingers.
The bowstring snapped back into place. The arrow slipped from the string and landed on the dead leaves with a soft, dull sound.
She opened her mouth, wanting to say something.
There was too much she wanted to say, so much that it clogged her throat and not a single word could squeeze out.
In the end, she said only two words.
"Liar."
Chiyo froze for a moment.
Kikyo's eyes reddened.
"You said that if I encountered something I couldn't resolve, I should grip the Charm tightly. You would appear. You would help me."
"I did. Countless times. Every time, I thought you would come."
"You came."
"But you only sent Spiritual Power."
"Where were you?"
Kikyo's voice grew louder and louder.
"Did you think that as long as the power arrived, it was enough? Did you think all I needed was a little Spiritual Power? Did you think..."
She stopped.
Because she saw something stir in Chiyo's eyes.
"Are you finished?"
Chiyo's voice was calm.
Kikyo took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the emotions surging up inside her.
"No."
"Then keep talking."
"...I won't."
Kikyo lowered her head, looking at the dead leaves before her toes.
"You wouldn't understand even if I told you."
Chiyo fell silent for a while.
Then he turned and headed down the small path at the