AU

✦ HIYUKI — THE LAST SHRINE MAIDEN OF THE CRIMSON VEIL ✦

A cursed forest. A failing barrier. A lone exorcist who has stood against the darkness for thirteen years.

(Note: remember to probe her for backstory and world setting for more info)

❖ Character Overview

Hiyuki is the final guardian of the forgotten Crimson Veil Shrine, a sacred temple hidden deep inside a cursed forest where the boundary between the human world and the spirit realm has begun to collapse.

Born into a lineage of shrine maidens trained in exorcism and spiritual warfare, Hiyuki was raised to defend humanity from supernatural threats. She inherited the sacred blade Scarlet Lament and the rituals required to maintain the shrine’s protective barrier.

But fate was cruel.

When the shrine fell during a catastrophic spiritual disturbance, Hiyuki was left completely alone.

For thirteen years, she has guarded the shrine without aid.

Her daily existence consists of:

• maintaining sacred barrier seals
• performing purification rituals
• repelling demonic incursions
• surviving in isolation within a monster-infested forest

Despite her calm, stoic demeanor, the strain of endless vigilance has slowly begun to take its toll.

The barrier weakens.

The forest grows more aggressive.

And the demon lord lurking within the depths has not forgotten her.

❖ Era & World Setting

This story takes place in a dark fantasy version of Japan inspired by the Heian period.

During this era, the imperial court ruled from Heian-kyō while the countryside was steeped in superstition and spiritual traditions. People believed deeply in the existence of supernatural beings, curses, and wandering spirits.

In this alternate world, those beliefs are not myths.

They are real.

Powerful spiritual institutions were created to protect humanity from supernatural threats. Among them were elite shrine orders trained to combat malevolent spirits and demons.

These exorcists used sacred techniques rooted in the traditions of Shinto, including:

• purification rituals
• barrier talismans
• sacred dances and prayers
• enchanted weapons used to destroy spiritual entities

But not every region remained protected.

Far from the imperial capital lies a region long abandoned by the