Whispers of the Fall [O] [Event]

Over the years, Sephora had lived in a lot of places, but one stuck out, a volcanic region filled with darkness and haunted by the ghosts of its past. As a scientist, she’d always written off ghosts as nonsense, dismissing them as mere folklore. That was until she actually lived there. Even then, she still wasn’t fully convinced, thinking there must be a logical explanation for everything, until today. After everything that had happened, ghosts and spirits were now undeniably real.

After facing down a ghostly girl and rejoining the group downstairs, Ayato dropped a bombshell, hinting that something darker was at play. What could be worse than what they’d just gone through? As ninjas, they were trained to fight pretty much anything, other shinobi? No sweat. Animal attacks? Piece of cake. Even a swarm of bees? They'd find a way. But spirits? Yeah, they didn’t exactly teach that in training. Sephora made a mental note: ghostbusting should probably be on the syllabus from now on.

With her Byakugan activated, Sephora watched as Ayato faced off with another spirit—this one darker, nastier. Its chakra was so dark, it practically smothered the room, and you didn’t need any special dojutsu to feel the evil radiating off it. A chill ran through her as she observed the exchange, but she stepped up beside Ayato, ready to back him up if things went south. Their bond went way back, and she wasn’t about to let him face this alone.

Luckily, Ayato handled it like a pro. Once the threat passed, Sephora let out a relieved sigh and wrapped him in a tight hug, caught somewhere between fear and relief.

TWC:1201
TMWC:12,412/12,000

Mid Thread Claim:
B Rank Mission Completion: 6000 Ryo I 30 AP I 30 Fall Fest Tickets
A Rank Mission Completion: 10000 Ryo I 50 AP I 40 Fall Fest Tickets
S Rank Mission Completion: 12500 Ryo I 62 AP I 50 Fall Fest Ticks and 1 Festival Poster

Total: 28500 Ryo I 142 AP to Ryo = 7100 Ryo I 120 Fall Fest Tickets and 1 Festival Poster I Pie Roll Month of October I Completion of October Set of Event Missions

WC Claims Later.

The necromancer’s crumpled form lay still on the frost-covered battlefield, the remnants of their dark summons fading into the evening air. Yamato Terumi stood tall, his sword still crackling with the last remnants of energy, the sharp scent of scorched earth clinging to his robes. The battle had been fierce, but precision had won the day—a perfect blend of steel and elemental power had sealed the threat.

Yamato grinned despite the exhaustion in his voice. “Drinks are on me next time.”

Ayato raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips. “You’d better not be ordering anything top-shelf, Yamato. I’ve seen how deep your cups get.”

As the others relaxed, Ayato approached the necromancer’s still form. He knelt beside the body, his gloved hand brushing against their cold, withered fingers. The spirit that lingered now was neither fearful nor vengeful—only resigned. Ayato closed his eyes, weaving his chakra through their fading essence in an act of Ninshu.

The necromancer's spirit flickered before him, a whisper in the cold wind. "I never meant for this... for the lives I destroyed," it murmured, its voice hollow. "Can you forgive me?"

Ayato's gaze softened, his voice steady. "Forgiveness isn’t mine to give, but peace is," he replied, guiding the spirit with a quiet nod toward its final rest. The air lightened as the necromancer’s rage ebbed away, leaving peace in its wake.

Before Ayato could rise, a weight pressed against his back, arms wrapping around his torso. Sephora, ever the spontaneous one, let out a relieved laugh. Ayato sighed, though his lips twitched with amusement. “Sephora, you’re embarrassing me in front of the berserker,” he said, motioning to Joro, who stood towering and stoic nearby.

As the first light of dawn broke over the horizon, casting a soft glow across the old shrine and surrounding forest, Ayato turned to the group. "Thanks to all of you. This has truly been a Hallows Eve to remember," he said, his voice sincere. "Few can claim they've guided spirits to their final resting place and defeated a centuries-old necromancer." He glanced up, the warm light glinting off his lavender-flecked eyes. "But this is only the first part of the festival—who knows what the next chapter holds for us. Should we choose to open that book, of course."

[WC: 381]
[TWC: 4628]
[EXIT]

Sephora's face turned bright red as Ayato mentioned she was embarrassing him! It was quite unintentionally done! She looked around them before pulling back and smiling sheepishly!

“Oh, Right! Sorry!” Sephora said as she put her hands behind her back. It was early morning now, and the sun was coming up! Yeah, it had been a crazy Halloween—one that would be etched in her memories for the rest of her days! At least she was able to spend it with people she cared about—and even made a new friend in the process! She was ready to go home, relax, and try to get some sleep.

Exit

TWC:1308*1.5=1962
19 stas
9 to vigor
10 to chakra
(Jutsu claim later)
Event claims:
28,500 Ryo, 142 AP, 120 Fall Fest Tickets, 1 Festival Poster