On the other side, while the chief was alerting the neighbouring town about the skin-walker, they found out about Lola and her family.
Chííł and the others understood that, because there were no blood spells, everything seemed to be going well. But the same aura waves lingered in the air—unseen yet unmistakable. They couldn't trace it, so they remained patiently waiting for it to show up.
Yitchi was also waiting, counting the days until the six months were over. He burned with anticipation to sink his claws into Luis's chest. He knew Shiro couldn't kill Luis, and that made his patience even sharper. But Luis wasn't blind to it. He, too, had a dark thought, one that whispered the idea of killing Shiro first.
It was Yitchi who had once planted the idea in Shiro's mind to kill their loved ones and offer them to the darkness as a shortcut to gain the Yenaldóoshi powers. Shiro had followed that path blindly, believing it was the only way.
But now, unknowingly, Shiro stood on the edge of redemption, a rare chance to break the curse. The tragedy was he had no idea it was even possible. And Yitchi? He knew. That's why he wanted to ruin it.
The days had passed, and the six months had ended. A heavy anxiety clouded Shiro's heart. He knew Yitchi could arrive at any moment, and when he did, he would come to slaughter Luis.
The next day, Shiro had an idea that maybe he could save Luis by asking Yitchi to show mercy. But Yitchi stepped into the town with only one intention: to kill Luis. And if Shiro dared to stop him, he would kill Shiro as well.
As Shiro sat lost in thought, a shadow moved near the doorway. He lifted his head slowly, and there stood Yitchi, now in his feline form.
Luis stepped into the room and noticed the sleek black cat. "Hey! What a beautiful cat. Where are you from?" he said with a soft smile.
The cat walked calmly toward them and sat beside Shiro. Luis blinked, puzzled. "That's odd… Shiro's usually not too friendly, and dogs don't get along with cats, but these two look like old friends."
Luis thought for a moment. "Maybe this cat has been here before, he reasoned. That's why Shiro isn't barking."
He looked at the two animals again, sitting side by side, quiet, still, almost like they shared a secret.
As Shiro blinked his eyes, the air around him shifted. In an instant, Yitchi grew large—monstrous—and struck his claws deep into Luis's chest. Blood splashed across Shiro's face. Frozen in shock, his eyes widened, and he let out a long, haunting howl.
Then— "Hey!" Shiro, what happened?" Luis's voice called out.
Shiro opened his eyes with a jolt. Luis stood there, unharmed, looking at him with concern. Shiro realized he had been hallucinating.
Shiro knew he had to act fast—before Yitchi made a real move. Without hesitation, he walked to the door, then turned back and barked, as if calling the cat to follow.
The cat rose silently and padded after him. As they both stepped outside, Luis called out casually, "Come home by night, Shiro." Shiro didn't turn back.
Shiro and Yitchi walked silently into a narrow alley, the shadows swallowing them whole.
Yitchi smirked. "So, you didn't kill him yet?" Shiro lowered his eyes. "I tried everything. I even cursed him... but it didn't work. Somehow, he became more energetic—healthier even."
Yitchi's expression darkened, thoughts swirling. I knew it. Curses won't work on someone from the same bloodline.
Yitchi cut off Shiro's words sharply. "I gave you time to do your work, but you failed. Now, I'll finish it myself." A wicked smile spread across his dark and merciless face.
Shiro stepped forward quickly, his voice trembling. "Please... leave, Luis. I'll do anything. Just don't hurt him."
Yitchi narrowed his eyes, thinking to himself, As I thought… he's changed. That human's consciousness has awakened—he gasped. That alone is enough reason to kill the kid.
But not yet. I should separate the Hózhó for now.
He glanced coldly at Shiro. "Okay, I understand. If you don't want me to kill that boy… then you need to kill 'Chííł' instead. Then I'll think about it."
Shiro felt a wave of relief wash over him. He looked up and smiled slightly. "Are you going to leave him… If I kill Chííł?"
Once again, Shiro fell for Yitchi's words blindly, without hesitation. Without thinking for even a second, he turned and set off to kill Chííł.
His mind was clouded, his heart torn, but the promise of Luis's safety drowned out every doubt. The shadows grew longer, and so did the weight of his decision.
He approached the forest, and Yitchi told him to check back to where Chííł often meditated, completely unaware of what would happen to Luis.
As Shiro approached the familiar clearing, he spotted Chííł—seated beneath an old tree, meditating with his back turned.
Quietly, Shiro crept closer, planning to strike from behind. He moved without a sound, each step calculated.
But before he could launch the attack, Chííł spoke calmly, "So… you finally showed up."
Shiro froze for a second, startled. Then, without hesitation, he lunged forward and slashed with his claws. But Chííł swiftly dodged the strike and rose to his feet.
"Why are you doing this?" Chííł asked, his voice steady. "You've been given a chance to redeem your sins… to undo your curse by protecting the ones you once sacrificed to gain this power. You fed your emotions to the darkness—but now, this is your moment. A chance to come out of it."
"For that," Chííł continued, "you must control the beast within you… by not harming the reincarnated soul of the one you killed long ago."
He stepped closer, his voice firmer now. "Or if you truly seek redemption, you must protect that soul… Protect them from the other Yenaldóoshi who are consumed by darkness."