**Chapter 15: Hiraku's Loyalty**

As the dark sorceress vanished into the mist, Hiraku let out a relieved sigh, his tail wagging softly. Akuru sheathed his sword, his metal body relaxing into a more casual stance. Sakura's spirit floated closer, her ethereal form glowing with a soft, golden light. "Well done, Hiraku," Akuru said, scratching the white tiger behind the ears. "You protected us once again." Hiraku purred, nuzzling Akuru's hand. He had always been loyal to his master, but in recent times, his bond with Sakura's spirit had grown stronger. He sensed that she was not just a spirit, but a living being, connected to Akuru in ways he couldn't understand. As they stood there, a pack of ferocious creatures emerged from the mist. They were unlike anything Akuru had seen before - twisted, corrupted creatures with razor-sharp claws and teeth. Hiraku's ears perked up, and he let out a low growl. Sakura's spirit reacted quickly, her energy swirling around the creatures. "They're not natural," she said, her voice firm. "They're a product of the sorceress's dark magic." Akuru drew his sword, its blade shining with a faint, metallic glow. Hiraku positioned himself between Akuru and the creatures, his eyes fixed on the pack. The creatures charged, their movements swift and deadly. Hiraku leapt forward, his claws swiping at the creatures. Akuru followed close behind, his sword flashing in the dim light of the slough. Sakura's spirit darted between the creatures, her energy disrupting their movements. The battle was intense, the trio working together in perfect harmony. Hiraku's loyalty was tested as he protected Akuru and Sakura's spirit from the pack. He fought with all his might, his claws and teeth tearing at the creatures. As the fight wore on, Akuru began to sense that the creatures were not just mindless beasts. They were being controlled by some dark force, a force that sought to destroy the trio. With a swift motion, Akuru struck down the last creature, its body dissipating into nothingness. Hiraku stood panting, his fur matted with dirt and sweat. Sakura's spirit floated closer, her energy infusing Hiraku's body with a newfound sense of calm. "Thank you, Hiraku," Akuru said, scratching the white tiger behind the ears. "Your loyalty is unwavering." Hiraku purred, nuzzling Akuru's hand. He knew that he would always stand by his master, no matter the danger. As they stood there, Sakura's spirit began to glow brighter. "I sense something," she said, her voice firm. "A presence, one that seeks to destroy us." Akuru's metal heart quickened, and he steeled himself for battle. Hiraku positioned himself between Akuru and the unknown presence, his eyes fixed on the mist. The mist seemed to thicken, as if it too were alive and reacting to the presence. Akuru's sword at the ready, he waited for the unknown presence to emerge. But as they stood there, a figure emerged from the mist. It was not a creature, but a person - a young woman with a look of determination on her face. "I'm not here to harm you," she said, her voice firm. "I'm here to help you. My name is Kiyomi, and I have information about the reliquary." Akuru's metal heart slowed, and he lowered his sword. Hiraku's ears perked up, and he let out a soft growl. Sakura's spirit floated closer, her energy infusing the woman's body with a newfound sense of trust. "We will listen," she said, her voice firm. And with that, the trio waited for Kiyomi to reveal her secrets, secrets that could change the course of their quest forever.