"Uff… uff…"
Gojo exhaled long, uneven breaths, floating several meters above what used to be Roswaal's pristine garden.
Or at least… what was left of it.
The entire section had been reduced to a smoldering crater—cracks of molten earth spiderwebbed along the surface, streaks of residual cursed energy crackling through the air like violet lightning. The ground hissed and steamed, still glowing faintly red-hot.
He wasn't entirely sure if he'd actually killed the Archbishop and assassin—but there was nothing left to signify their existence.
A deep frown creased his face. At the very least, one of them had to be dead. The cultist—Roy, if he remembered the name correctly. That one didn't have regenerative abilities. Unlike Elsa…
His gaze flicked down to his hand, where crimson stained his forearm from the gushing wound from his stomach.
Her regeneration was greater than his own. An unsettling fact. Though… there had to be a limit to it—there's always a catch.
"Uff… kghh…"
Gojo floated down, boots planting on the scorched incline at the crater's edge. One arm pressed against the gaping wound in his abdomen, warm blood seeping between his fingers. His vision dimmed slightly—colors dulling, edges blurring.
In his other hand… Elsa's dagger.
A cursed tool. Dangerous—lethal—and far too important to obliterate.
His jaw clenched.
They didn't come here on their own.
Elsa's words lingered in his mind.
Someone had sent them.
And based on the weapon, the cursed energy lingering on its surface—the unfamiliar signature—it wasn't just anyone.
A sorcerer. From his world.
"Gojo-sensei!"
Subaru's voice rang out from his left.
Gojo's eyes drifted to him.
Subaru wasn't unscathed. Cuts and gashes marred his frame. Ram rushed alongside him, a similar state of bruises and bloodstains painting her usually composed figure.
"Are you alright?!" Subaru called out, panting.
Gojo managed a crooked grin.
"I should be asking you that… but yeah… I'm.. fine."
"Normally, yeah…" Subaru shot him a half-smile. "But you're the guy with the crazy healing factor."
Gojo chuckled weakly, his voice raspier than he liked. "Yeah, well… right now… I think you've got the better deal."
His hand pressed harder against his stomach, where Reverse Cursed Technique was sluggishly at work, barely enough to keep him conscious.
Subaru's gaze darkened with concern. "That's… not good…"
"Yeah, no shit…"
Gojo muttered, forcing his feet to take a step forward.
But the moment his foot hit solid ground, the vertigo hit him like a freight train.
Shit…
His knees buckled slightly.
"Oi… Subaru…" His voice strained, but he forced it steady, flicking the dagger toward the boy in an underarm throw—sloppier than his usual precision, but still enough for Subaru to catch it awkwardly.
"Don't lose this… it's important…"
"Huh? What—"
THUD.
Gojo's body crumpled forward, collapsing to the charred ground like a puppet with its strings cut, eyes closed, completely still.
"Gojo-sensei—!!" Subaru lunged forward, panic spiking.
Ram was faster. She dropped to her knees beside Gojo, two fingers pressing firmly against his neck.
A tense pause.
Then—
"He's alive… barely… but we need to move. Now."
The tension in Subaru's shoulders loosened marginally, but his heart still raced.
———————————————————————
"..Kill him..."
A voice in the darkness.
"You must... kill him..."
Soft. Feminine. Haunting.
"Please... kill him..."
The shadows slowly peeled away like mist, revealing the silhouette of a woman draped in a long, dark cloak. Her face hidden—only two silver rivers of hair cascading down either side.
"You must... kill Pride."
———————————————————————
Gojo's eyes snapped open, his dull expression staring blankly at the dark wooden ceiling above.
A beat passed before he slowly pushed himself upright, the rustle of bedsheets accompanying the faint memory of what happened. His eyes drifted down to his torso—bandages wrapped tightly across his stomach, yet… no pain.
His hand hovered over the spot where the cursed tool had pierced him. Nothing.
"Mmm… My best bet is Emilia healed me, considering it was probably Subaru that dragged me here..."
He slid off the bed, only for a flicker of panic to seize his chest. His sharp eyes scanned the room.
Where's the—
There. The dagger rested neatly on the bedside cabinet beside a roll of clean bandages.
Gojo exhaled, his hand instinctively reaching for his sunglasses—only to be reminded they had been shattered during the fight with Regulus multiple days ago.
"Tch. I mean… I can live without them, thanks to reverse cursed technique patching up any brain damage the Six Eyes dish out, but it's still too much stimulation for my liking over a long duration..."
His gaze lingered on the bandages by the dagger. An idea clicked into place.
After ruffling his snow-white hair upward, he carefully wrapped the bandages around his eyes, making sure they were tight enough to stay put.
"Not bad, if I say so myself."
He let out a sigh, adjusting the plain robes hanging off him.
"But the suit I was given is toast… and now I'm stuck in these funky robes. Great."
"Whatever. I'll just order a new suit when I get out of here..."
Sliding the dagger into his pocket, he reached for the door, twisting the handle and stepping outside.
"Where is here…?"
A small hut, overtaken by moss, grass, and other greenery. He stepped onto a crumbling path, his eyes scanning the scene.
A village—if it could even be called that. Shattered stone pillars jutted multiple meters high, thick foliage swallowing everything in sight.
The atmosphere was… unsettling. Oppressive.
Gojo walked further, observing the residents—beast-kin. Or at least mixed-blood. Confusion and fear painted their faces. Mothers pulled children behind them, eyes wide as they avoided him.
Not a single human in sight.
"Where the hell did Subaru take me...?"
His steps slowed as he closed his eyes briefly, focusing.
Cursed Energy.
"Found you."
He clasped his hands together—and vanished. The villagers' hushed gasps followed in his wake.
———————————————————————
"That's not fair at all!"
Emilia's voice rang out in frustration.
"Tch, how's that not fair? You should be happy you don't have to do the trial. I'm the one with broken abilities—what's the point of anyone else struggling?"
Subaru fired back casually.
Emilia's hands trembled at her sides.
"That's not… Have you ever thought about how I feel? No matter what happens, it's always you who saves the day! Every time, it's always you! I… I want to help for once. I'm tired of feeling useless—like I'm just baggage!"
Tears welled in her eyes, voice cracking with frustration.
Subaru paused, his brows furrowing—not with pity, but… something colder.
"Then just be baggage... what difference does it make..?" he muttered flatly, looking at her with surprising indifference.
"Like I said, no point in anyone else struggling when I've got the abilities I do."
Emilia's eyes widened, hurt flashing across her face as tears spilled over. She turned sharply and stormed away.
Subaru growled under his breath.
"You shut your mouth… I'm only doing what you ask because—"
A hand landed on his shoulder.
Subaru spun instinctively, leaping back.
"Ah—! Gojo-sensei… You're awake—and… looking different?"
Subaru's grin returned, forced and uneasy.
"Yeah… sunglasses broke remember. Went with the next best thing.."
Gojo replied, tapping the bandages around his eyes.
His voice lowered, unimpressed.
"That whole scene just now? Pretty out of character for you... I thought you were head over heels for Emilia. Also… who were you talking to, exactly?"
"Myself," Subaru said flatly. "Anyway, Roswaal wants to see you! Said to find him as soon as you woke up. He's in that house."
Subaru gestured to a slightly larger, moss-covered building nearby.
"Uh-huh… well, lead the way, dude."
"Yup.." Subaru chimed, walking ahead.
Gojo followed, eyes narrowing slightly.
Subaru's acting weird. Weirder than usual. No one's personality flips that hard in under a week.
———————————————————————
Inside, Roswaal lay bedridden. The usual eccentric makeup gone, his body wrapped in bandages. Ram stood at his side.
"Ah… Satoru Gooooojo... Long time no seeeee...!"
Roswaal greeted, mismatched eyes bright despite his condition.
"Yeah, sure. What happened to you? You look like you got hit by a bus or something."
Roswaal chuckled weakly.
"Not familiar with thaaaat expression, but… this is the price a full-blooded human pays for challenging the Sanctuary's Triiial!"
"Right… so, maybe explain where we are? What's going on? Preferably before I lose interest."
"This is the Sanctuary. The Witches' Graveyard. Where the... 'Witch of Greed'—Echidna—met her end long ago. The magical barrier keeps demi-humans trapped. Thuuus.. only full-blooded humans can come and gooo.."
Gojo nodded slowly.
"Witch of Greed, huh? Any relation to the Witch of Envy?"
Roswaal's eyes darkened for a split second, his smile faltering—barely. But Gojo caught it.
He didn't like that question…
"The Witch of Greed… Echidna. Faaar less evil than the one who nearly destroyed the world. I'd prefer we use heeeer actual name than some degrading title, wouldn't you?"
Gojo shrugged.
"Whatever. So, considering I can teleport whenever I want… what's stopping me from just pulling the demi-humans out of here?"
Roswaal's eyes glinted with something hidden.
"No need for such… haste, given my conditiiiiiiion, yes?"
Suspicious. Very.
"Sure… what did you want, Roswaal?"
The unpainted clown's face tilted, smile widening as his gaze flicked to Subaru.
"I'd prefer to speak with you, alone."
"Ah… sure."
Subaru shrugged and slipped out, the door clicking shut behind him.
A heavy silence settled.
Roswaal tilted his head toward Ram, who was clearly reluctant to leave.
"But—Roswaal—"
"Relax," Gojo cut in with a dismissive wave. "If I wanted him dead or kidnapped or something, there's nothing you—or anyone else here—could do to stop me."
Ram's eyes narrowed dangerously, but after a tense moment, she relented and left.
"Now… what's this about?"
Gojo asked, brow raised.
Roswaal's smile faded, along with the exaggerated cadence of his speech.
"You've noticed Subaru's… change, haven't you?"
"Would have to be blind not to. Spill."
Roswaal nodded swiftly.
"It makes no sense, of course… One week—barely—and his entire personality's done a complete flip. It's… unnatural.. don't you think..?"
Gojo leaned back, hands tightening in his pockets.
"You saying there's something at play? Curse? Possession?"
Roswaal didn't answer. But his silence was confirmation enough.
Gojo's frown deepened as that eerie dream resurfaced—the woman in the dark cloak, her whispered words echoing in his mind.
"Pride…"
Roswaal's eyes widened, recognition flickering across his face—followed by a thin, knowing smile.
"Hrnn… so it's connected to Subaru then…"
Gojo muttered after seeing Roswaal's shift in expression before he turned toward the door, voice low and dry.
"I'll look into it..."
As Gojo disappeared from view, Roswaal lay back, eyes fixed to the ceiling.
"To think that monster would show up here.. asking me to manipulate one of the most powerful people in Laguna..."
I would never work with that thing—the Witch of Vainglory, Pandora…
Under normal circumstances, at least…
He slid open a cabinet, retrieving a black-bound book. His gaze lingered on the cover, unreadable.
But this.. is far from normal.
"Don't worry… teacher… you will be free soon enough."
———————————————————————
Gojo walked along the dirt-littered, silent path, a deep frown etched on his face as the sun began to dip behind the treetops.
The woman in my dream… she said to kill Pride. Does that mean… Subaru? But why? Roswaal definitely knew something about it. He wouldn't have brought it up otherwise, cause it's not like that guy cares about Subaru's wellbeing. So what is it then? Some ancient evil corrupting his mind? Nah… nothing like that existed in any of those boring old history books I skimmed through.
"I doubt I can just ask Subaru either… Judging by how his personality's shifting, whatever's happening to him has got him in some kind of chokehold… or maybe a deal? Shit, I dunno..."
Gojo exhaled sharply, scratching the back of his head.
"All I can do is wait, I guess—"
Come...
A voice. Soft, yet echoing in every direction at once, and yet… he could tell exactly which way it wanted him to go.
His brows furrowed, but curiosity outweighed caution.
Without wasting a second, he bolted. Trees blurred beneath him as he leapt and bounded across the forest, moving at a speed most couldn't even perceive. Moments later, his feet hit solid ground, sliding to a halt as a small cloud of dust billowed around him from the wind.
"A… temple?" He muttered, eyes narrowing as he stared at the structure ahead. Tall stone steps, darkened entrance.
Come...
The voice again, drawing him forward like a tether.
Gojo didn't hesitate for a second. He climbed the steps and crossed the threshold that was the massive towering entrance. As soon as he entered, the world rippled—walls twisting like water disturbed by a pebble—and then… white. Blinding, disorienting white.
He winced behind the bandages covering his eyes, only relaxing when the brightness dimmed, revealing an entirely new scene.
A never-ending field of vibrant green stretched beneath a clear blue sky, warm sunlight casting soft shadows across the open plain.
"Huh…"
A voice, unfamiliar, drifted to him.
"Good day to you… Satoru Gojo."
His head snapped toward the source of the voice, sharp eyes locking onto a lone figure seated beneath a silver umbrella. A matching chair beside her, unoccupied. A silver table sat between them.
Long, flowing white hair caught the breeze. A black butterfly clip pinned neatly to the side of her head. Her eyes, impossibly dark—void-like pupils against porcelain skin.
"I am Echidna..." she introduced smoothly, "The Witch of Greed."
Gojo blinked. No fear, no hesitation, just… intrigue. His steps were casual as he approached, plopping down into the chair across from her.
"Err.. cool, I guess."
Echidna's lips curled into a small, amused smile.
"'Cool'? Such an unusual reaction! The first visitor who arrived shared knowledge that rivaled my own of an entirely different world. The second… a peculiar boy with something even more peculiar lodged into his very being. And now you… a man utterly devoid of fear."
Gojo tilted his head, expression unreadable.
"Yeah, well… hard to be scared when you've seen the worst this world has to offer. Besides..." he gestured vaguely, "You seem more like the manipulative 'know-it-all' type than an actual threat in combat."
His eyes drifted across the endless field.
"Anyway… where is this exactly?"
Echidna's smile never wavered as she cupped a hand over her chest.
"Technically speaking, you're still inside the tomb. But this… is a separate realm of my own creation. A little slice of reality just for the two of us!"
"Well ain't that just charming." Gojo leaned forward slightly, resting an arm on the table. "So, you dragged me here because I 'interest' you?"
"Indeed. It's a rare privilege… a private conversation with the most knowledgeable being in existence. I can answer any question you desire, and I can tell that you have many…"
After a moment of silence, Gojo grabbed the tea cup in front of him and downed it in a single motion, setting it back down with a clink.
"Not really a tea guy, but… not bad."
Echidna's eyes widened, a faint blush creeping across her pale cheeks.
"Oh my…"
Gojo immediately cut her off, not even wanting to question the flustered look on her face.
"I don't even wanna know what's up with that look, more importantly... answers. Right.."
He drew the cursed tool from his side and placed it on the table. The silver dagger caught the light as Echidna's gaze flicked toward it, her expression unreadable.
"How the hell is this—a cursed tool from my world—even here?"
Echidna chuckled softly.
"Why, of course I know. Considering the fact that there are already multiple people from Earth that currently exist in Laguna, it shouldn't be that surprising."
She said with a knowing smile, before continuing.
"That weapon belongs to my contractee. He brought it here through coincidence."
Gojo frowned.
"Contractee…?"
"Self-explanatory, no? A contract with the Witch of Greed. He receives my vast knowledge and unwavering support… and in exchange, he offered something of equal value. I wouldn't normally agree, but he was quite clever in trying to manipulate me, so I made an exception."
Gojo's expression darkened.
"Who is it?"
"Ah…" Echidna leaned back, amusement flickering across her features. "Unfortunately, you've come at the wrong time to meet him. But rest assured… another time will come.. he is out for your head after all."
Gojo clicked his tongue in irritation.
Never easy, is it…?
"Fine. Next question—Natsuki Subaru. How's he linked to this 'Pride'.. character..? entity..? thing..?"
Echidna brought her tea to her lips, sipping gracefully before setting the cup down, her fingers lacing together as she leaned in.
"Well.. I believe Pride is… a fragment of that boy's soul. And yet, it isn't at the same time. More simply, the Witch Factor of Pride reshapes that very part of his being—making it less an alter ego, and more a weapon of destruction. It carries his memories… his face… but it's devoid of desire beyond one thing... complete control. Anarchy."
Gojo's eyes narrowed.
"Has it… ever taken over Subaru?"
"Once..." Echidna replied without hesitation. "At least… in this timeline.."
Gojo's gaze sharpened.
"Timeline?"
Echidna merely smiled, tapping a finger to her lips.
"That… I cannot explain. She would be most displeased if I did.. and the last time emotion got the better of her well... heh.."
Gojo exhaled through his nose, shaking his head and not even bothering to question what she meant.
"Figures. Alright, then how come Pride's messing with Subaru's head? He's been acting off—way off."
Echidna hesitated, something rare for her. Then, with an almost regretful sigh, she answered.
"Even I… lack omniscience at the moment. My understanding is pieced together from Subaru's words when we talked—deductions, theories. But I assure you… my theories are rarely ever wrong."
"Tch. 'Rarely' ain't good enough, but whatever…"
Echidna's eyes lifted toward the sky. The world around them began to shimmer, reality rippling once more.
"Our time here ends, I'm afraid."
Gojo just shrugged, before gesturing toward the empty tea cup infront of him.
"Any chance I can snag some of that tea? You got a special 'Witch' brand or whatever?"
A devious grin spread across her face.
"Unlikely~ Considering it's made from my body fluids.. but you're more than welcome to come back whenever you desire a cup or two."
Gojo froze, blinking twice.
Then—white. The tomb reformed around him. Cool stone. Silence.
"... What?"
———————————————————————
Gojo walked with his eyes closed, palms cupped comfortably behind his head, a soft grin playing at his lips.
"I'd say that interaction was worth it. Though… albeit a bit random, but welcoming nonetheless."
He tilted his head slightly as he strolled.
I'm not exactly sure how I'm supposed to kill a specific piece of Subaru's soul. Even I don't know how to pull that off. But hey—knowledge is power.. apparently. And Echidna? That girl's a sharp one.
Or I can just get Reinhard to, knowing him he's probably got some Divine Protection that allows him to do that.
He cracked open one eye just as an unfamiliar presence rapidly closed in behind him.
"Hooryah—!"
A fist tore through the air, its sheer force flattening the grass and rattling the nearby trees.
Gojo didn't even flinch, of course. He simply stopped walking. So did the fist—frozen in place barely an inch from the back of his head.
"Urgh… what the—?!"
The attacker leapt backward in quick, cautious hops, opening several meters of distance before Gojo lazily turned around and gave a small wave.
"Yo."
"Tch… that bastard did say his teacher was a freakishly strong guy, but c'mon—that's just weird..."
Gojo raised a brow, his cerulean eyes beneath the bandages landing on the newcomer—spiky yellow hair, wild green pupils, shark-like teeth.
Fairly strong.. looks even younger than me aswell.. not too shabby.
"And you are…?"
"Name's Garfiel Tinsel. Don't take the punch personally. It's just—'yer idiot student wouldn't shut up about how strong ya were while ya were out cold. Had to see for myself."
Gojo tilted his head, utterly unbothered.
"Right, right. Speaking of my dearest student…" he gave a mock sigh. "Any chance you know where he is?"
"Tch… yeah. He's taking the trial right now. As much as I was against it..."
Gojo's eyes sharpened, the playful air around him tightening just a fraction.
"And Emilia?"
"She's… not seeing anyone right now. Whatever that idiot said must've been brutal—princess's been locked in her room ever since."
Gojo clicked his tongue and casually flicked the air with his middle finger. The crack from the displaced force made even Garfiel flinch slightly, a chill racing down his spine.
"I'll make sure to give my student the most painful flick on the ear I can manage. Believe me—mine hurt."
"Y-yeah, I don't envy him." Garfiel gave a low whistle and jerked a thumb toward a nearby path. "You'll find her in one of the smaller cottages, that way. See ya around, bro!"
With a casual wave, Garfiel turned and walked off.
———————————————————————
Gojo sighed and shoved his hands back behind his head as he made his way to the cottage.
"Guess I should probably explain to her why Subaru's acting like such a dick. Might take some of the sting off his words."
He stopped in front of the door, his fist hovering just inches from the wooden frame. Faint, muffled cries leaked through the cracks.
"Damn it… emotional stuff really ain't my thing. Should've let Garfiel handle this.. actually he's probably worse than I am."
He rubbed the back of his neck, grumbling.
"I swear, I'm gonna give Subaru the mightiest flick in history.. Gonna throw in a red to make sure it hurts just that extra bit more."
Knock—Knock—
The crying stopped immediately. Long silence followed.
"I—I don't want to see anyone right now…"
Her voice trembled, clearly an attempt to sound steady despite hours of crying.
"It's uh… Gojo. Y'know, the one and only. Got a few things to say that might not completely suck to hear?"
Silence lingered, but then—click—the door creaked open. Emilia's violet eyes were red and puffy, strands of silver hair clinging to her face. She didn't meet his gaze. She just turned, shuffling back to sit on the edge of her bed like she was carrying the weight of the world.
Gojo stepped inside and grabbed the nearest wooden chair, spinning it around and straddling it backward.
"Man, this is awkward…" he muttered to himself, running a hand through his hair before forcing a half-hearted cough.
"You don't have to pretend you're not crying. You're terrible at hiding it, by the way. I'm kinda a professional at reading people."
No response. She just sat there, small and quiet, like she might disappear if he looked away.
"Look, I'm gonna level with you. This 'emotional support' thing? Way outside my skill set..."
Her voice finally broke through, faint and brittle which Gojo inwardly was grateful for.
"Why… did Subaru say those things? He looked at me like I was a.. stranger. Like I… disgusted him.. it was like how everyone looked at me because of the fact I was a Half-Elf.. and that terrified me, because it's.. it's Subaru... one of the only people to treat me like I wasn't a... monster.."
Her fists trembled in her lap, nails digging into her palms.
Gojo's playful grin had long since slipped away, his tone softening ass he finally decides to speak up.
"Right… soo… about that. He only said those things because he's not in his right mind.."
Emilia's head twitched slightly, her eyes flickering toward him.
"Not like… 'oh he's moody today' or 'he's going through a second puberty' or whatever. I mean something is actually messing with his head. Like… messing with who he is."
"Not… himself?" she whispered, barely daring to hope.
Gojo leaned back, arms draped over the chair's backrest.
"Supposedly—don't quote me on this—a piece of his soul's gone rogue or something. An 'alter ego' or… something close to that. Honestly, it's weird even by my standards."
He tapped his temple, then wagged his finger in a spiral motion.
"But that fragment's twisting his head around in all the worst ways."
Emilia's lips parted, a breathless laugh escaping—half relief, half exhaustion.
"So… he didn't mean it…?"
Gojo's expression softened further. He pointed at her, confident and clear.
"The real Subaru? No. Not a chance. The version you saw? That wasn't all him."
His grin came back, sharp and full of fire.
"But don't worry. I'll handle it. I'll rip that piece out, smack it upside the head a few times, and when this is all over, you two can go back to that weird lovey-dovey blushy nonsense you were doing before..."
Emilia wiped at her eyes with the sleeve of her dress, a tiny, genuine smile peeking through.
"You really… think you can fix it?"
Gojo chuckled, rising to his feet with a stretch.
"Think? Princess, it's not even a question. Guy is my student after all. Smacking sense into him when he's being dumb is literally my job."
He made his way to the door, pausing to glance over his shoulder.
"...Take your time, okay? Cry if you gotta. Means you care. There's no shame in that."
Without waiting for a response, he stepped outside, the door closing gently behind him. His hands slipped behind his head again as he resumed his stroll toward his own cottage.
"Man… feelings. Definitely sticking to just being totally badass next time.."
His eyes trailed toward the night sky, where the stars lingered like grains of sand.
"Well.. I guess doing stuff like that every now and then ain't so bad..."