Leaves rustled at the pull of a strange wind. Paired with his panting, the draft against his face felt unnerving.
Then a root caught his foot, and he crashed to the ground—mud staining his robe and rough black hair. He couldn't hold back the tears.
Amidst his cries, he said only one thing.
"Where are you, mother?"
Then there it was—a flash of red light from the pillar of energy rising into the sky. Looking at it, he felt so small in comparison. It was far, but not far enough for him to feel safe.
He didn't even wait for the light to fade. A strong feeling nudged at him, urging him away. He hesitated for a second—then turned and ran into the forest without another thought.
---
She knelt over his cold, lifeless body, unable to move. Whether it was her emotions or her body that restrained her, she didn't know.
Then a surge of pain hit, and she began to feel delirious. Forcing herself up, she looked down at Takeru's corpse one last time—before stumbling back and losing her balance.
Before she could hit the ground, she felt herself caught in the arms of someone familiar. The bandages on his arm made it clear who it was.
"Izumi?" she said, unsteady as he held her up.
"Yeah," he replied.
"Your hand," she said, not looking up at him, her voice trembling, "you have to get the bacteria out."
"Him being dead doesn't mean it will go away."
"I know that," he said, "but I have to get you away from that guy first. Who knows what else could happen."
"That guy—" she muttered, without any real reason.
"Let's go," he said, placing her right arm over his shoulder and helping her walk.
As they moved away, she couldn't help but glance back at the corpse, expecting something to happen—but nothing did. He lay there in silence, the mark on his neck gone.
"Takae!"
She turned as Yuriko rushed toward her.
Yuriko pulled her away from Izumi, gripping her tightly as she shouted, "What the hell were you thinking? Why would you jump in like that? It's not like you at all."
Takae gave a small chuckle. "Funny… ever since we left home, I haven't really felt like myself. I do things I would never do, like fighting—and I still can't get my head around it."
She looked up slightly. "Am I really the same? Am I still the person you know… or am I someone else entirely?"
Her next words came as a whisper.
"What am I really? Human or djinn? Or is it both… or neither at the same time?"
For a moment, she stood lost in thought—until Yuriko shook her hard, snapping her back.
"Look at me," Yuriko said sharply. "None of that matters, okay? It's okay. You're still the same Takae you always were."
"Thanks," she said, brushing her off—a look of dissatisfaction on her face, like she wanted to hear more but didn't quite know what.
Izumi and Yuriko watched her stumble away toward Juro and Mei, neither of them saying anything.
"I checked the surrounding areas," he said, breaking the silence. "I couldn't find anyone who strayed away."
"I guess that's enough for now," she said with a sigh. "Now we have to hurry up and meet with the teacher. Who knows whether he's okay or not."
"I doubt he's having any trouble," Izumi joked.
"Me too," she said, "but it's like he always says—anything can happen, so be prepared for the worst."
He nodded, then turned as Miyuki approached them.
"Whoo, we lucked out back there, didn't we?" she said, scratching her head. "I'm kind of embarrassed that I couldn't put up a barrier in time."
"It's no big deal," Yuriko said. "At least everyone is safe."
Then, glancing back at the crowd, she added, "Though them being pleased is another story altogether."
"The explosion was in the center of the village," she continued. "I just hope no one got caught in it."
Then she turned to Izumi. "Oh, I've been meaning to ask—what happened to that kid you found in the house you crashed into?"
"I hid him in a cave nearby," he said. "The fight had already started, so I couldn't risk bringing him back to the crowd."
"Are you sure he's okay?" Miyuki asked.
"I just hope he is," he replied. "Though I doubt he got caught in the explosion."
"We can worry about him later," she said as she unsheathed her sword. "First we have to get that bacteria out of you before you pass out."
Her blade took on a faint white glow as she muttered something under her breath.
"Hold still," she said, taking his hand. "This won't hurt."
Then she drove her pearl-white blade into his bandaged arm—and he nearly shrieked.
"Won't hurt, she says," he thought as he bit his cheek.
"So this is your release," he said. "Talk about talent—getting it down so quickly."
"Is your ability healing or something?" he continued.
"No," she said, half-focused on him and the blade slowly blackening. "It lets me weave spells onto my sword—and to some extent, other objects."
"So what are you using to drive out the bacteria, then?" Yuriko asked. "Isn't it just healing Vahir?"
"Healing Vahir can't remove foreign objects from the body," she said. "So I'm using Cerulean Stasis to drive them out."
"Cerulean Stasis?" Yuriko exclaimed. "That's such an advanced spell. How are you already tweaking it without much trouble?"
"Not to mention how many times you've used it so far."
"It doesn't come without side effects," she replied. "I feel so drained right now—which must explain why I wasn't able to cast a barrier back there."
"That's not that big of a problem," Izumi said, his face twitching. "It's probably just because it's your first time using it. You'll get the hang of it soon."
"Thanks," she replied. "I hope that's the case, because I won't be very useful in a fight if I get tired so easily."
It was done. The blade had completely blackened, and the discoloration on his skin faded. She pulled the sword out, and Izumi watched as the wound slowly began to close.
"You added a touch of healing, didn't you?" he said with a soft smile.
"Of course," she replied. "Who do you think you're talking to?"
"Don't mind me, hotshot."
Then, as if wired together, they all felt it at once—
A massive presence of source energy, unlike anything they had ever experienced.
It was raw. Violent. Like a mountain lashing out.
They turned toward the forest and saw clouds of dust rising in the distance—growing closer.
Then something came flying toward them through the air. At first it was unrecognizable—until it slowly took shape.
A tree.
It crashed into the ground, splintering on impact.
Before they could react, more trees followed—crashing down across the field.
The noise grew louder and louder. They all took their stances, eyes locked on the forest.
The sounds intensified—splintering wood, shattering impact, something far heavier moving beneath it all.
The presence drew closer.
A bead of sweat ran down Miyuki's forehead, but she wiped it away and tightened her grip.
Then they saw it—
Within the shadows of the canopy, a silhouette moving toward them at high speed.
But something felt off.
The presence they sensed wasn't that close yet.
So who was it?
As it came into view, the answer became undeniable.
It was Ichiro—hurtling toward them.
Not running.
Thrown.
Just before crashing into the field, he twisted his body and landed on his feet.
The blood staining the back of his robe made them freeze. He wasn't standing straight—he was hunched, breathing erratically.
They tightened their stances instinctively, an unexplainable dread settling over them.
Miyuki tried to speak, but he raised a hand, signaling them to stay back before she could say anything.
The presence was close now—just meters from the field where Ichiro stood.
He straightened himself and took his stance. He didn't bother wiping the blood streaming down his face.
Even bloodied, his gaze remained firm.
Then—
From beyond the shadows—
A massive silhouette emerged, panting heavily.
It took a single step forward.
And the gleam of its fierce yellow eyes sent chills down their spines.