Within Geistige Welt, Yosuke sat upon his throne, one leg resting casually over the other as streams of spiritual data floated faintly through the air of the throne room. The atmosphere was calm, yet beneath it lay tension that only those of high rank could sense.
Footsteps echoed softly.
Yuko entered and bowed slightly.
Yosuke opened his eyes and looked down at her.
"Yuko, you needed something?"
Yuko straightened.
"Well, Lord Yosuke… Lord Kamish wants to talk to you.
Yosuke rose from his throne and descended the steps slowly, his presence radiating authority.
"I see. I wonder what he could want."
Yuko followed beside him.
"Who knows? No one ever knows what's going on in his mind."
The air around them shimmered.
In an instant, Yosuke and Yuko used Spirit Flash, vanishing from the throne room and reappearing inside Yosuke's laboratory. The metallic walls glowed faintly as they stepped forward.
Konami turned toward them immediately.
"Lord Yosuke, you have arrived.
"Yes," Yosuke replied. "So, what do you want, Kamish?.
Kamish incubator opened, his presence alone darkening the room.
"I need you to go free someone for me."
Yosuke raised an eyebrow.
"Who is this person, if you want him freed?"
Kamish's voice remained calm.
"As you know, I have three generals who served under me. During the war two hundred and fifty years ago, they were sealed away—just like me."
"I see," Yosuke said. "But if you want me to use my precious time to free him, you must tell me what his powers are."
"All of my generals' powers revolve around sword spirits," Kamish answered. "You'll see his power for yourself. He will be a valuable piece in this war."
Yosuke crossed his arms.
"I see. So where is he sealed?"
"He is in the southeast Forbidden Forest," Kamish replied. "I believe the former King of Geistige Welt can instantly send you there."
Yosuke's eyes narrowed.
"Explain."
"The King of Geistige Welt is the only one allowed to enter forbidden areas," Kamish said. "And the only one who can send others there."
"Very well then."
Yosuke closed his eyes, reaching outward.
"Tanaka, can you hear me?"
A voice responded within his mind.
"Lord Yosuke. Need anything, sir?"
"I need you to send me, Yuko, and Konami to the southeast Forbidden Forest."
There was a brief pause.
"My lord… why exactly?"
"Don't ask questions," Yosuke said coldly. "Just do it."
"…Very well then, sir. I need all three of you to be within five meters of each other."
"We already are."
"Understood. Geisterverzerrung."
Reality twisted.
In an instant, Yosuke, Yuko, and Konami were warped into the depths of the southeast Forbidden Forest. Massive trees loomed overhead, their trunks thick and warped, spiritual pressure saturating the air.
Yuko looked around cautiously.
"Is this the place?"
"Seems like it," Konami replied.
Yosuke glanced upward.
"You did well, Tanaka."
The mental connection severed.
Yuko pointed toward a massive structure in the distance.
"I take it the large building there is where we'll find our guy."
"Yuko," Yosuke said, "clear the area."
Konami nodded.
"I'd say using your Gokai would be more effective."
Yuko smirked.
"I know what to do."
Her spiritual energy exploded outward, the pressure distorting the air itself.
"Gokai: Tenpu–Aurora!"
Her blade dissolved into pure wind.
"Tenpu Kaosu Tatsumaki!"
A colossal tornado erupted, swallowing the Forbidden Forest whole. Trees were torn from the ground, boulders pulverized, and the earth itself carved away. When the winds finally settled, the forest was gone—leveled completely.
Only the massive structure remained.
"Oh my," Yuko said. "I can't believe that structure survived."
"It's okay," Yosuke replied. "I'll deal with it."
He raised a single finger toward the sky.
"Angriffszauber No. 99: Dunkler Würfelvernichter."
Dark energy condensed instantly, forming a massive cube that enveloped the structure. Space collapsed inward. Matter was erased on a molecular level.
When the cube peeled away, nothing remained—except a diamond-shaped statue and a rectangular pillar.
The three leapt toward the statue.
"Our new friend must be in here," Yuko said. "Seeing as this statue survived."
"I sense immense power inside," Konami added. "This must be it."
A dark sword formed in Yosuke's hand, its presence warping the air.
"Lord Yosuke," Yuko asked, "what's with that sword?"
"Kamish said this sword can break the seal," Yosuke replied. "I just have to pierce the statue with it."
He drove the blade forward.
The statue glowed violently as dark miasma burst outward, spreading across the land.
"What the heck is this?!" Yuko shouted.
The miasma suddenly reversed, being sucked back into the statue. Cracks spread rapidly across its surface.
Then it crumbled.
Standing where it once was stood a man wearing a white-and-black spiritualist uniform, his presence overwhelming.
Konami's eyes widened.
"Is this guy a spiritualist?"
The man spoke calmly.
"Are you guys the ones who set me free?"
His eyes opened slowly.
"Ahhh… it's nice to be free again."
Yosuke stepped forward.
"Hey. We set you free for Kamish, so could you at least tell us your name?"
The man walked toward the pillar.
"I see… so you're with Lord Kamish."
He placed his hand on the pillar. It disintegrated instantly, revealing a sword sealed within. He grasped it effortlessly.
"You want to know my name?"
He turned back toward them.
"It's Rihito Shima—the First Commanding General of Lord Kamish."
He rested the sword on his shoulder.
"Anyway… I hope you can take me to Lord Kamish."
Yosuke's eyes narrowed slightly.
"You're already asking for favors."
Rihito's lips curved into a faint smile.
"It's not a favor, per se. And besides, if you refuse… I might consider killing you."
Yosuke let out a short laugh.
"You think you can kill me? That's laughable."
Rihito tilted his head.
"You want to put it to the test?"
Konami watched the exchange calmly.
"Aren't you a confident man."
Yosuke tightened his grip on his sword.
"You're an idiot," Rihito said flatly.
In the next instant, Rihito vanished.
A sharp pressure touched Yosuke's cheek.
Rihito now stood behind him, his sword pressed lightly against Yosuke's face—close enough to draw blood if he wished.
Yosuke did not flinch.
"So your sword spirit is illusion-type, huh?" Yosuke said calmly. "But you greatly underestimated me."
Reality distorted.
Space folded in on itself like shattered glass.
In the next moment, Konami stood with his sword at Rihito's neck, while Yuko appeared behind him, her blade pressed firmly against his back.
Rihito's eyes widened slightly—then he laughed.
"That's amazing, lil' man."
"You should've tried better," Yosuke replied.
"When I say that's incredible," Rihito continued, unfazed, "I don't mean your abilities."
Yosuke turned to face him.
"Explain yourself."
Rihito slowly sheathed his sword. Konami and Yuko followed suit, though neither lowered their guard.
"I'll explain once I see Lord Kamish."
Yosuke shrugged.
"It doesn't really matter anyway."
He closed his eyes and formed a mental connection.
"Tanaka."
"Lord Yosuke?" Tanaka responded immediately.
"You can bring us back now. Add the additional man standing next to us."
There was a brief pause.
"Should I return you to your previous location, sir?"
"Yes."
"Very well, sir. Geisterverzerrung."
Light formed in a circular pattern around the four of them. Space twisted violently, and in an instant they were warped back into Yosuke's laboratory.
Yosuke straightened his coat.
"Thank you for your service, Tanaka."
"You're welcome, sir."
The mental link severed.
Yosuke turned his gaze toward the incubator chamber at the center of the lab.
A familiar presence filled the room.
Kamish's voice echoed calmly.
"So… you've returned with success."
Rihito stepped forward, resting his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"It's been a long time, Lord Kamish."
The air grew heavier.
And the board of war gained another piece.
BACK IN HELL
Within the depths of the Hibernation Spring, soft crimson light reflected off the still water. The air was warm and heavy with restorative spiritual energy.
Yuki and Maya stood near the edge of the spring, already dressed in their training clothes. Merlin stood before them, hands folded behind his back.
"You should be teleported to Annie's palace in ten minutes."
"I see," Yuki replied calmly. "Have Yugo and Mikasa not finished their trial?"
Merlin shook his head lightly.
"You should not worry. After all, you know how strong they are."
Yuki nodded.
"You're right."
Maya crossed her arms and smiled faintly.
"Come on, Yuki. You shouldn't worry right now. You should worry about your training."
"Yeah," Yuki agreed. "You're right."
Merlin turned away.
"Anyway, I've got to get back to Zane."
His body dissolved into pure energy and vanished.
Merlin reappeared within the central chamber of the cube.
Yugo and Mikasa were on their knees, gasping for breath, their bodies trembling violently as the aftereffects of Nightmare tore through them.
Merlin frowned.
"Have they finished their trial, or did you stop it?"
Zane stood calmly with his arms crossed.
"They actually finished their trial… the moment I was about to end it."
Yugo lifted his head, eyes burning.
"You bastards…"
"Yugo," Mikasa said weakly, "you need to regain your strength."
Zane nodded.
"The girl is right, you know."
"Don't you dare," Yugo snapped.
Zane smirked.
"Merlin. Return now."
Merlin dissolved into energy once more and shot toward Zane's waist, condensing into a sword at his side.
Zane placed a hand on his other blade.
"Now… Artemis, manifest."
The second sword transformed instantly.
Light flared, and a woman stepped forward—white hair flowing freely, blue garments layered with ancient Greek-style armor. Her presence was sharp, calm, and authoritative.
Mikasa stared.
"Wait… I thought that even if it's a dual sword spirit, the spirit's name always remains the same."
"That is true," Zane replied. "The name of my sword spirit is Anzen'na Oka, which means Safe Hill. So I gave each form a nickname."
He gestured to the sword at his waist.
"Merlin—Hill of the Sea."
Then to the woman before them.
"And Artemis—Safe."
"That's actually smart, to be honest," Mikasa said.
"Would you stop praising him?" Yugo muttered.
Zane chuckled.
"Is the little boy mad?"
"What do you think?" Yugo snapped.
"Hate me all you want," Zane said calmly, "but you should be proud of yourselves. Both of you."
He looked down at them.
"Yugo endured six hundred and ninety nightmares. Mikasa endured four hundred and thirty-three."
Artemis's eyes widened.
"Wait… these two kids were able to survive Nightmare?"
"Yes," Zane replied. "Artemis, please take them to the Blood Spring."
"As you wish," Artemis said, turning. "Let's go, you two."
She placed a hand on Yugo's shoulder, then Mikasa's.
"Artemis," Zane added, "you should know they're over twenty."
Artemis froze.
"Wait—what? But they look so young."
Before either could respond, space warped.
They arrived at the Blood Spring.
The water glowed a deep crimson, thick with spiritual essence meant to restore shattered bodies and stabilize the mind.
"Now," Artemis said, gesturing, "just take off your clothes, wear those towels, then get into the spring. I'll be in the other room if you need anything."
She exited through a side door.
Yugo exhaled.
"I guess we better start stripping."
He glanced over and noticed Mikasa turned away, her face flushed red.
"Is there something wrong?"
"Uhmm…" Mikasa hesitated. "Well… we're of different genders."
Yugo blinked.
"And what's the worry? There are changing rooms right there."
He pointed.
Mikasa followed his finger, froze, then her embarrassment doubled.
Without another word, she rushed into one of the seven changing rooms.
Yugo stared after her.
"…That was strange."
The Blood Spring continued to ripple quietly, waiting.
Back in the normal world, within the Spirit Corps Headquarters, a vast new structure dominated the compound.
The Joint Sector Training Center had been constructed for one purpose alone—war preparation. It was a massive open arena designed to train members from every sector together, increasing efficiency while exposing them to different fighting styles. Each day, a different Captain Commander oversaw training.
Today's instructor stood at the center of the field.
Akira.
Dust drifted through the air as five spiritualists lay scattered across the ground, groaning in pain. Their weapons were knocked away, bodies bruised and trembling. One by one, they had stepped forward to spar against Akira.
And one by one, they had been crushed.
Akira stood calmly, hands in his pockets, barely out of breath.
"Do any of you really want to survive in this war?"
The recruits exchanged uneasy glances.
One finally spoke.
"But sir… you're a Captain Commander–class fighter. Obviously we don't stand a chance."
Another nodded quickly.
"He's right, sir."
Akira sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"If that's how you think," he said flatly, "then you'll die before the first real battle even begins."
He turned sharply.
"Lieutenant Kyoko. Tesai. Shinra. Halibel. Denji."
Five figures stepped forward immediately.
"Yes, sir!"
Akira gestured toward the exhausted rookies.
"Why don't you show them what you're made of."
The pressure in the air shifted instantly.
[Shinra Hellriegel — Co-Lieutenant of Sector 1]
Flames flickered faintly around his boots as he rolled his shoulders, eyes sharp and focused.
[Tesai Hellriegel — Lieutenant of Sector 1]
Standing beside him, Tesai cracked his neck, calm and composed, spiritual energy flowing steadily around him.
[Kyoko Shimura — Lieutenant of Sector 12]
She adjusted her gloves, eyes cold and analytical, already calculating outcomes.
[Zariel Halibel — Lieutenant of Sector 10]
Towering over most of the field, his presence alone sent chills through the rookies.
[Mina Shibai — Lieutenant of Sector 8]
She grinned lazily, resting her blade on her shoulder as sparks of spiritual energy danced along its edge.
The rookies swallowed hard.
Akira crossed his arms.
"Watch closely," he said. "This is the level you must reach if you want to live."
The five lieutenants stepped forward in unison.
And the training center fell silent.
Within the Sentinel Barracks, the metallic corridors echoed with slow, measured footsteps.
Teja walked at the front, a data slate tucked under his arm. Beside him was Homura, calm but visibly tense. Two student bodyguards followed closely behind, silent and alert.
Teja broke the silence.
"I've finished my research on the spiritfied officer," he said. "And it appears that with each passing day, he's getting closer to becoming either a hollow spirit… or a demi-spirit."
Homura's eyes narrowed.
"And you haven't found anything to reverse the process?"
Teja shook his head.
"So far, no. But there is something that concerns me. I want to know what he took from the central safe."
Homura answered immediately.
"He took a spirit stone."
Teja stopped walking.
"You think the spirit stone caused this?"
Homura turned toward him.
"By itself? No. That only means he must have more."
Teja's expression darkened.
"If I remember correctly, there are twenty spirit stones in total. Seven of them are protected by the Seven Royal Families."
Homura nodded.
"When they come back," he said quietly, "they need to know about their family origins."
Teja looked thoughtful.
"I only know of two royal families—the Boyle family and the Kento family. So who are the other five?"
Homura stopped near the barracks window.
"These families chose to remain in the shadows to avoid enemies," he said. "They are the Sukishima, Saragaki, Azagawa, Shimura, and Hellriegel families."
Teja's eyes widened slightly.
"So the ones the Hell Captains took… belong to the royal families."
Homura nodded again.
"You see, the Sukishima, Shimura, and Saragaki families are the ones whose names were erased except for their history."
Teja exhaled slowly.
"Let's leave this topic for now."
Homura gave a faint smile.
"You're right… huh?"
Suddenly, the sound of wings cut through the air.
A messaging eagle swooped down and landed gently on Homura's shoulder.
Homura stiffened.
"How is this possible…" he muttered.
Teja leaned closer.
"That emblem," he said quietly. "That's the Sukishima Family crest."
Homura's eyes widened.
"But I thought all of them were dead."
He carefully removed the letter from the eagle's bag. The eagle screeched once before taking off into the sky.
Homura stared at the envelope.
"It's addressed to Yugo."
Teja raised an eyebrow.
"Well? Are you going to open it?"
Homura folded the letter and slipped it into his coat.
"I'll read it later."
Teja resumed walking.
"So how long has it been since they left?"
Homura answered without hesitation.
"About eight days here… but in Hell, it's probably been around thirty."
Far from the barracks—
The eagle flew through the bright sky before landing on the shoulder of a cloaked figure standing atop a hill, overlooking the Spirit Corps Headquarters.
The man reached up gently.
"You did well delivering the letter, my friend," he said softly.
"Now I just have to wait," the man continued.
"Wait for him… wait for my son, born within the shadows."
The cloaked man turned away.
And vanished into the forest.