Chapter 14: The Biwa Player

The elevator creaked and groaned as it ascended, the group packed tightly inside. Each passing second seemed to stretch into an eternity. When the doors finally slid open, they revealed a dimly lit hotel hallway. The walls were stained with moss, the carpet damp and rotting beneath their feet.

“Looks like another delightful part of this haunted escapade,” Scaramouche muttered, stepping out first.

As soon as he did, a distorted figure lunged at him from the shadows, letting out an unearthly shriek.

“Gah!” Scaramouche jumped back, nearly bumping into Heizou.

Behind him, Lumine stifled a giggle, quickly covering her mouth.

Hu Tao, however, didn’t hold back. “That was priceless,” she said, grinning as Scaramouche shot her a glare.

“Laugh it up,” he snapped. “Next time, you go first.”

The group moved cautiously down the hallway, the air growing heavier with every step. A soft, eerie melody drifted through the stagnant air, growing louder as they advanced.

“That’s…” Scaramouche paused, his face tensing. “A biwa.”

Aether’s expression darkened as the memory of the villager’s warning resurfaced. “‘If you see someone playing a biwa, it’s already too late,’” he repeated, his voice low and wary.

They rounded a corner, and there she was—a small, ghostly figure seated on the floor. Her face was pale and gaunt, black tears streaking down her cheeks. Roses adorned her head, wilted and thorny, as she strummed a biwa with slow, deliberate movements.

“Okay, creepy factor just went up to eleven,” Heizou muttered, taking a cautious step back.

Before anyone could react further, the small lady suddenly stopped playing. Her head snapped up, and she let out a shrill, otherworldly scream before lunging toward them.

“She’s chasing us!” Furina shouted, bolting to the left.

Hu Tao tried to dart away but wasn’t fast enough. The biwa player swung her instrument, striking Hu Tao and sending her stumbling.

“Whoa!” Hu Tao swayed on her feet, her grin still intact despite the dizziness. “That… packs a punch.”

Without hesitation, Heizou stepped forward, waving his flashlight to distract the ghostly figure. “Over here, you creepy little musician!” he taunted, leading it in the opposite direction.

Meanwhile, Furina and Aether grabbed Hu Tao, supporting her as they hurried down the hallway.

“Are you okay?” Furina asked, panting.

“Never better,” Hu Tao replied, though her voice was slightly slurred.

Once they turned a corner and lost sight of the biwa player, Aether looked around frantically. “Wait. Where’s Lumine?”

Farther down the hall, Lumine had stumbled upon another elevator. Realizing it might be their escape, she frantically waved her flashlight to signal the others.

“There!” Furina pointed, and the group rushed toward her.

“Hurry up!” Lumine called, jabbing at the elevator button.

As the group piled into the elevator, Scaramouche glanced over his shoulder just in time to see the biwa player rounding the corner, her eerie scream echoing down the hallway.

The doors slid shut just as she reached them, her ghostly figure vanishing from sight as the elevator began its descent.

“Close call,” Heizou said, leaning against the wall to catch his breath.

“Too close,” Aether agreed, his eyes still darting nervously.

Lumine smirked faintly, glancing at Scaramouche. “Guess splitting up wasn’t such a bad idea, huh?”

Scaramouche rolled his eyes but said nothing, crossing his arms as the elevator continued its journey.