Immortal Mythos: Bound by Void

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The campfire crackled beneath the quiet canopy of night. After the chaos, after the prison, after the void... peace had finally returned—for now.

Yuki sat cross-legged, arms around his growling stomach, eyes twitching. "I've mastered void manipulation… I've bent reality… but I still can't make a decent bowl of ramen…"

Nogitsune, seated beside him like a smug shadow, gave a low chuckle. "I knew you'd say that." He pulled a small wooden box from the folds of his cloak and slid it toward Yuki. "Emergency instant noodles. Not everything needs to be warped into existence, little brother."

Yuki groaned, "I think the void's about to consume me."

Ren leaned against a tree, arms crossed. "You'll live. Probably."

A rustle cut through the calm, and suddenly—wham!—a pot clanged down in front of the fire. The group jolted to attention, weapons and energy flaring up—until a voice rang out, smooth and unbothered:

"Wow. That's a tragic excuse for a camp kitchen."

Out of the forest stepped a young man with messy brown hair tied back by a patterned bandana. His eyes glinted gold under the firelight, a wooden spoon lazily dangling from his fingers. Slung over his shoulder was a pack full of spices, herbs, and utensils, clinking like a traveling alchemist of flavor.

A tail—fluffy, striped, and unmistakably tanuki—swished behind him.

"You're cooking spiritual energy-infused noodles without garlic? Unbelievable," he muttered, already unpacking his own ingredients. "You know that's borderline criminal in most planes of existence?"

Yuki blinked. "...Who are you?"

The tanuki grinned. "Name's Kai. Mythic chef. Traveler. Survivor of ten near-death dining experiences and one food war against a flame spirit. I go where the flavor calls me." He threw a glance at Yuki. "And your void energy? Smelled like an empty stomach seasoned with tragedy. Had to come see for myself."

Aiko tilted her head, confused but curious. Himari whispered to Ren, "...Is he serious?"

Kai pulled out a cast-iron pot. "Deadly. Now sit tight, kiddies. I'm about to change your lives."

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Moments later...

Steam drifted through the air, rich and savory. Bowls of glowing, mythic-infused ramen passed around the fire like sacred offerings. With each bite, warmth spread—not just through the stomach, but the soul.

Yuki's eyes shimmered. "I—I think I just tasted inner peace."

Aiko smiled behind her bowl. "It's… comforting."

Nogitsune raised an eyebrow at Kai. "You knew I was here."

Kai didn't even look up. "Hard to miss the guy who once cooked a phoenix egg over a rift flame. You still owe me for that sauce, by the way."

Nogitsune's smirk faded. "…You kept it?"

Kai winked. "I keep everything."

As laughter filled the air, and Ren grudgingly accepted seconds, the weight of battle melted—for just one night.

And somewhere deep in the shadows of the forest, something stirred.

But for now… there was ramen.

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