While following secret tunnels toward the palace, Touko and Koushi suddenly find themselves in the middle of the dark forest. They still have a letter to deliver, but the divine clans won't make the journey easy.

Takimi confronts Koushi on the palace steps. The medically minded god insists that only his medicine can save Hinako, but Koushi refuses to let his sister suffer any more experiments. As tensions mount, Kira appears—seeming not quite herself.