Kaito returned to his small home in the town, his mind filled with the girl's warning. He knew that he couldn't rest until he had uncovered the truth behind the dark sorcerer and the forces that had created the curse. With a sense of urgency, he began to research the history of the Fujiwara family.
He spent days poring over old records in the town's library. The books were filled with yellowed pages and faded ink, but they held the key to understanding the past. As he read through the ancient texts, he discovered that the Fujiwara family had once been a powerful clan, known for their wealth and influence in the region.
However, their downfall began when a young patriarch, Lord Fujiwara, became obsessed with immortality. He had heard rumors of a powerful dark sorcerer who lived in the mountains, a being said to possess the knowledge of forbidden magic. Desperate for eternal life, Lord Fujiwara sought out the sorcerer.
The sorcerer, a cunning and malevolent being, agreed to grant Lord Fujiwara's wish but at a terrible price. He demanded the sacrifice of Lord Fujiwara's children, believing that their pure souls would fuel the dark magic needed for immortality. In his greed, Lord Fujiwara agreed, and that was when the curse on the mansion and his family was born.
Kaito also found mentions of the sorcerer's lair. It was said to be hidden deep within an ancient forest, far from the town. The forest was known for its strange phenomena, with stories of people disappearing never to be seen again. Kaito knew that this was where he had to go if he wanted to find out more about the sorcerer and potentially stop any remaining threats.
Before setting out, Kaito prepared himself. He gathered supplies, including food, water, and a map of the surrounding area. He also took with him some items that had proven useful during his time in the haunted mansion, like the blessed amulet and a small dagger.
As he made his way to the edge of the forest, the air grew thick with an otherworldly presence. The trees were gnarled and twisted, their branches reaching out like grasping hands. Kaito took a deep breath and stepped into the forest. Almost immediately, he felt as if he was being watched.
He followed the path indicated on the old map, his senses on high alert. The forest was eerily quiet,, with no sounds of birds or animals. As he walked deeper, he came across a clearing. In the center of the clearing was a large, ancient tree. Its bark was covered in strange symbols that seemed to pulse with a faint, dark energy.
Kaito approached the tree cautiously. As he got closer, he realized that the symbols were similar to those he had seen on the ancient book in the mansion. He knew that he was on the right track. But just as he was about to examine the tree more closely, he heard a low growl coming from behind him.
He turned around to see a large, black panther with glowing red eyes. The panther's fur seemed to ripple with an unnatural energy, and it bared its teeth at Kaito menacingly. Kaito knew that this was no ordinary panther. It was likely a guardian set by the dark sorcerer to protect his lair.
He reached for his dagger and held the amulet in his other hand. The panther circled him, its eyes never leaving Kaito's. Kaito knew that he had to be careful. One wrong move, and the panther would pounce. With a deep breath, he prepared himself for the fight ahead, hoping that he could overcome this obstacle and uncover the secrets of the dark sorcerer.