#lower moons

Haven’t you heard? About the village at the base of Natagumo Mountain? It’s dangerous there, especially for families. Don’t climb the mountain at night, they say that a small, weak child, no older than 13, approaches unsuspecting passersby.

“I’m lost,” he says. “Won’t you help me get back home?”

“Where do you live?” They answer. Upon closer inspection, they notice the boy in hospital rags, an IV attached to his arm. He shouldn’t be out here, how did he get here? Where are his parents?

“My home is a little ways up the mountain, but I can’t make it up there alone. Won’t you help me?” The boy replies. He’s pale and sick. He shouldn’t be here, he should be at a hospital. When prompted to be taken down the mountain, the mysterious boy will refuse. It’s odd isn’t it? A strange child asking for help in the middle of the night.

Of course it would be wrong to deny such a child help. “Of course I’ll help you!”

Those who follow the child up the mountain are never seen again.

Children who follow the child up the mountain have been found days later, mangled beyond repair.

Those who refuse to follow the boy up the mountain descend just fine, so please be careful at night. They say this boy only targets families, but other victims have been spotted too. He doesn’t work alone. Sometimes they spot two children. Both sickly and pale with strange markings on the skin. Sometimes there’s a group of them, peering through the woods at night. Something about them is wrong.

But who are these children? Some say they are just a cautionary tale to stay off the mountain at night. Others whisper of man-eating demons inhabiting their home, slowly picking off the townspeople.

But alas, these are just rumors. No one can confirm nor deny that there’s a strange entity terrorizing the area around Natagumo Mountain. But no matter what it may be, the Demon Busters are on the case!

—-

In this au, Rui has become an urban legend! Due to his elusive nature and strange family, he’s been able to slowly pick off the humans living on and around Natagumo Mountain. It’s scary! He’s managed to dodge the Demon Busters for so long, but when he spots a strange Buster who uses a breathing style that makes his cells boil and an even stranger demon girl accompanying him, Rui can’t help but feel…lonely. A strange and ugly feeling boils inside of him when he sees them protecting each other. But he can’t figure out why…