The air split with static.
A shimmer of dark light formed on the training field as Yami, wielder of Impure Fate, stood with her arms folded — a mocking smile curving her lips. Her long, dark silver hair shimmered like liquid shadow, her eyes glowing a chaotic crimson and gold.
"You think you understand Eien Ryoku?" she said softly, voice echoing like two people speaking at once. "Then prove it. Show me how far Hishimiya's little students have come."
Hishimiya gave a lazy grin, resting her head on her hand. "You heard her, trio. Don't die too fast."
The words had barely left her lips before Yami vanished.
Kaito's instincts screamed — he spun, summoning his Celestial Covenant, light flaring from his arms like blades.
CLANG! Sparks burst as he blocked a slash of pure darkness from Yami's fingertips.
She moved like smoke, unpredictable, dancing between shadows and moonlight.
Sayaka dashed in next, her Spirit Core glowing with emotional energy — every heartbeat amplifying her aura. She unleashed a burst of blue light, a wave of empathic energy meant to disrupt Yami's rhythm.
For a moment, it worked — Yami flinched.
Akihiro seized the chance, his Soul Perception tracing Yami's spirit flow. He manipulated the air around her, bending space slightly to disorient her.
"Now, Kaito!" Akihiro yelled.
Kaito crossed his arms, merging light and shadow — his Hikari Ami Fusion forming a brilliant arc of energy.
The beam shot forward — pure balance of light and darkness.
But Yami smiled.
"Impure Fate: Distort Luck."
The beam twisted midair — redirecting right past her — and exploded behind Kaito, launching him forward into the dirt.
Sayaka gasped. "She reversed the outcome…"
Yami turned her hand lazily. "Luck isn't chance. It's choice."
She pointed a finger, and the sky cracked.
Bolts of dark lightning rained down, forcing the trio into frantic motion.
Kaito grit his teeth, his energy fluctuating wildly. "She's messing with probability itself—!"
"Then stop thinking about 'what if,' and fight for what is!" shouted Hishimiya suddenly.
Her voice carried an authority that shook the field. The trio glanced back — and saw her finally standing, her Eien Ryoku pulsing with pink and gold threads.
Yami tilted her head. "Finally joining, sister?"
"Someone has to keep you from ruining my students."
The two women vanished simultaneously — one leaving trails of black petals, the other, glowing pink motes of light. The collision in midair split the field apart with shockwaves.
BOOM!
Hishimiya spun midair, palm open.
"Pure Fate — Karmic Reversal!"
Threads of shimmering luck wrapped around Yami's body, glowing like spider silk. But Yami smirked.
"Impure Fate — Break the Thread."
Her energy flared violently, and the bindings shattered.
Below, Kaito and Sayaka combined their Eien flows — light and spirit fusing into a radiant spiral. Akihiro extended his awareness, syncing the three energies.
"Now!" Sayaka called out.
Together, they unleashed it — a fusion attack of light, soul, and intent — a Trinity Burst.
It rocketed upward, engulfing both Yami and Hishimiya in an explosion that made the ground tremble.
When the smoke cleared, both women stood — smiling.
Yami brushed a bit of ash from her sleeve. "You're improving."
Hishimiya twirled her hair lazily. "And you're holding back."
The trio collapsed to one knee, gasping for air. The spiritual pressure in the air was suffocating.
Kaito clenched his fists, struggling to rise. "She's not even serious…"
Yami turned toward him — eyes glinting with something deeper than hostility.
"Fate bends to emotion, girl. You still fear your own power. Until you embrace both your light and your darkness… you'll never surpass me."
She lifted her hand — a final strike forming, black and gold energy swirling like a storm.
But before it could launch, a pink sigil formed under her feet.
"Room Opening: Doors to Influence."
Hishimiya's Room expanded — massive golden doors appeared behind her, opening slowly. Wind roared. Stars bent. Every ounce of Eien Ryoku bent to her will.
Yami's smirk faltered. "You're—using that already?"
Hishimiya stepped forward, her eyes glowing fiercely.
"Lesson's over. Time to remind you what Celestial Grade means."
With a flick of her wrist, the doors burst open — beams of energy scattering like divine rain. Yami's form flickered, absorbing one blast after another until the light consumed everything.
Silence.
When the glow faded, Yami stood at the edge of the crater, half-smiling, half-exhausted.
"Still as flashy as ever, Hishimiya…"
She vanished into shadow — gone as suddenly as she came.
Hishimiya sighed, lowering her hand. "She's stronger than before."
Sayaka approached weakly. "Sensei… who was that?"
Hishimiya looked up at the sky — the moon glowing faintly pink now.
"My other half. The side of fate that never forgives."
The trio exchanged worried looks as the wind carried her words away.
In the distance, thunder rolled — faint, but growing.