Prologue: Mist Over the Hidden Valley
It’s dusk in Akamori Village, where cherry trees hide homes and martial secrets alike. Juni, a young ninja sworn to protect, runs through broken alleys. He clutches his sister’s torn ribbon. Wind whistles, petals swirl — something’s wrong tonight.
Gripping old steel, Juni ducks low. Yesterday, his sister Aya vanished after a simple errand. No note. No trace but this strip of silk left at the edge of the sacred grove. What could have done this?
The Children of Camellia
Mixu, the clever healer’s apprentice, joins Juni outside. Eyes sticky from worry and lack of sleep, she sighs. “If you’re going, I’m coming. You’ll need me, and you know that.” Juni jerks his chin in silent thanks.
Rain starts as they leave safety behind, silent as cats across village roofs. What would you do — sneak away alone or take a friend?
Branch and Bone
The forest is thick. Close trees prick at skin. Sounds drift: too many footfalls, not all from deer or fox. Mixu grabs Juni’s wrist. “Did you hear that?”
Out steps Kaidou, local fishmonger’s boy and secret ninja-tracker. Teeth barred, he lifts a fresh wound to moonlight. “They took Yota too,” he snarls. “Not bandits. Something else lurks here.” Do you trust someone bold but angry when your path grows hard?
The Marking of the Camellia
By broken shrine stones, Juni finds a deep cut with new blood. It forms a simple camellia — red petals, a strange green stalk drawn in old ways. The group shares a look: these signs don’t belong here. Legend tells of ninja traitors who live only by old Camellia code, cankers in the trunk of their clan.
Thunder cracks. They split: Kaidou ranges ahead while Juni and Mixu try to read old scrolls at their feet. The Camellia traitors plan something bigger than theft. Aya might be a pawn — or bait.
Under The Fox’s Tail
Hours later, still hunting, Juni catches a blur in the reeds. Sudden, a masked figure sweeps him off his scuffed feet. Eyes glint from behind paper. “Little leaf… why follow the wind at night?” the masked foe intones.
The fight is quick, ugly. Juni locks eyes with his attacker. For one flash, the foe’s mask slips: it’s Aya. But her smile’s sharp, nearly unkind. She says nothing — vanishes like dawn mist. If your sibling changed, could you strike them?
Eclipse Over Akamori
The village bells clang: another child is gone. Lanterns whip in the gale. On the ridgeline, many masked faces appear. Camellia traitors aren’t stories — they’re here, and Aya stands at their front. The three friends hide in attic shadows as new plans take shape. What would you risk to get someone back?
Cliffhanger
Down below, Aya throws her ribbon to the wind. She meets Juni’s gaze through smoke and falling petals. “Next time… choose a side,” she mouths, out of reach.
Cut to black before Juni can answer; drums roll in the night. Which path will he walk when blood runs close to home?
