Takutoshi

The endless roar of the falls is a constant hum beneath every conversation in Waterfall City. For Takutoshi, it’s the sound of a promise being kept. They train by the pale stone temple, their arctic fur almost glowing in the perpetual spray, a beacon of purity for those navigating the city’s treacherous stairs. They carry the Guiding Lanterns. But their sibling, Chitako, sees what others miss: the cold fire in Takutoshi’s demon eyes when they think no one is watching. This is not the ambition of a protector. It's the focus of an executioner. Chitako remembers the whispered oath after their family was betrayed, how Takutoshi swore to bring light to the city's deepest shadows—not to scatter them, but to burn them out. Tonight, one of those lanterns is lit for a final ascent. Chitako waits below, unsure if they are watching a savior rise or a ghost seek its vengeance.