The moon hung low in the west, and the night wind scattered the clouds, revealing a vast expanse of deep blue sky.
On the ridge to the northwest, the castle stood atop a low hill, surrounded by two layers of stone walls.
Torches along the walls swayed in the night wind, casting the entire castle into alternating light and shadow.
Chiyo stood on the ridge, his gaze fixed on the castle.
Kagome stood at his right, her flashlight already switched off.
Moonlight fell across her face, clearly revealing the tension in her eyes.
Coral stood to his left, gripping Hiraikotsu tightly in her hand.
"Is that the place?"
"Yeah."
Chiyo took a step forward.
Kagome and Coral followed behind him.
The three of them walked down the ridge, passed through a patch of low shrubs, and stepped onto the stone road leading to the castle.
The Cherry Blossom Trees lining both sides of the road had withered long ago. Their bare branches looked like hands reaching toward the sky beneath the moonlight.
The wind blew toward them, carrying a faint stench of rot.
Kagome wrinkled her nose.
"It smells awful."
"Is that Naraku's evil aura?"
"Yeah. The closer we get, the stronger it becomes."
Chiyo's pace did not change, as though he were merely taking a stroll through his own courtyard.
When they reached the castle gates, two guards spotted them.
"Stop! Who are you?"
One of the guards raised his spear and pointed it at Chiyo.
Chiyo glanced at him.
The guard's eyes instantly lost focus. His body stiffened in place like a stone statue.
Seeing this, the other guard opened his mouth to shout.
Chiyo's gaze shifted to him.
He stiffened as well.
Coral stared in shock.
"What did you do to them?"
"Let them sleep for a