Sakura and the Yokai Vortex

The path indicated by the white wolf led them to an ancient wooden temple, hidden among the sakura trees like an ancestral treasure. A group of yamabushi monks, with their white robes and serene faces, greeted them with a bow. The atmosphere in the temple was one of peace and tranquility, a stark contrast to the darkness and danger they had faced in the labyrinth.
The monks, guardians of the sanctuary, offered them shelter and explained that the temple was a place of learning and meditation, where ancestral knowledge about the sakura and the Shadowlands was preserved. They proposed that they stay for a while to train and learn to better control their powers, in order to be better prepared to face the challenges that awaited them.
Ren, Kiko, Yumi, and Ayame gratefully accepted the offer. During the following days, they immersed themselves in intense training with the yamabushi monks. They learned meditation techniques to calm the mind and spirit, breathing exercises to channel energy, and combat movements to defend themselves more effectively.
Ren, guided by an elderly monk with a long white beard, discovered that he could channel the sakura's energy not only through the divine sword, but also through his own hands. He learned to use that energy to heal wounds and relieve pain, a power that would be of great use to him on his adventure.
Kiko, under the tutelage of a yamabushi nun with a mystical aura, learned to better control her transformations and use her yokai energy in more versatile ways. She discovered that she could channel spiritual energy from the environment to increase her powers and create more powerful illusions.
Yumi, with the help of a yamabushi monk expert in archery, perfected her aim and learned to imbue her arrows with spiritual energy, making them more lethal and accurate. In addition, the monk taught her to communicate with the spirits of nature, which would allow her to obtain information and help from invisible beings.
Ayame, who was initially reluctant to participate in the training, ended up joining the group and learning more advanced stealth and combat techniques from the yamabushi monks. Her skill with katanas increased considerably, and she discovered new ways to use her agility and speed in battle.
While they were training, a young tanuki yokai arrived at the temple, asking for refuge. He introduced himself as Kaze, a lone traveler exploring the Shadowlands in search of adventure. His charismatic personality and apparent kindness quickly captivated Ren and Kiko, but Yumi was more reserved, feeling a strange distrust towards the newcomer.
Kaze joined the group, offering his help and his knowledge of the Shadowlands. He proved to be a skilled guide and cunning fighter, and his presence encouraged the journey. However, Yumi couldn't help but feel that something was wrong. Kaze's gaze, at times, became cloudy and calculating, and his words often seemed to have a double meaning.
One day, while exploring the temple library, they discovered an ancient mandala with a coded message. Kaze, who seemed to have knowledge of ancient writing, offered to decipher it. After hours of study, he announced that the message spoke of a place called "Kitsunegari", a hidden city where shadows dance and spirits whisper. According to Kaze, in Kitsunegari they could find information about Aiko's whereabouts.
With a new clue and a new companion, Ren, Kiko, Yumi and Ayame prepared to leave for Kitsunegari. However, none of them suspected that Kaze was keeping a dark secret, and that his presence in the group was no coincidence. Betrayal was approaching, and it would test the bonds of friendship and love that had been forged on their adventure.