Zara slowly opens her eyes, the room around her dimly lit but calm. She sees the young lady from before and an elderly man, who stands nearby with a concerned expression.
The young lady smiles warmly and introduces herself, "I'm Sofia. This is my grandfather, Matteo. We found you and brought you here to help you recover."
Matteo nods in acknowledgment, his eyes gentle yet resolute. "You're safe now. Rest for a while and regain your strength."
Zara, still groggy, manages a faint smile and thanks them. After a few moments, Matteo and Sofia leave the room, allowing Zara some peace and quiet to recover.
Outside, Sofia glances back toward the room, her concern evident. "Are you leaving now, Grandpa?"
Matteo's expression hardened with resolve. "I know that chainsaw creature isn't powerful enough to wield the ancient sword, but to be on the safe side, I need to check on it. If necessary, I'll stay there to protect it."
Sofia nods, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I see, but what should we do with Zara? She's injured and clearly needs help."
As Matteo was leaving, he added in a playful tone, "You know, you should train yourself too—you should've taken that creature down on your own!"
Sofia rolled her eyes with a smirk. "Okay, okay, Grandpa."
Sofia quietly re-entered the room, her steps light but deliberate. Zara stirred, her eyes barely open, but her voice carried a hint of urgency.
"What's going on?" Zara asked, her words soft but determined. "I want you to tell me, please."
Sofia sighed, sitting at the edge of the bed. "I guess there's no point in hiding it from you anymore," she began, her tone serious. "Eighteen years ago, spirits entered our world—dangerous ones. Six of them have been defeated, and one was taken down just today. But there are still three left, and as long as they're alive, you might be in danger."
Zara's eyes widened, fear creeping into her voice. "Why me?"
Sofia hesitated for a moment before explaining, "It's because you have spirit energy within you. That's what draws them to you."
Zara stared back, confused and unsettled. "Spirit energy? What does that even mean?"
Sofia looked thoughtful for a moment, then began to explain further. "There's a whole world where spirits live, a separate dimension. For a long time, both worlds—ours and theirs—didn't interact. But 700 years ago, our ancestors, including my great-great-grandfather, learned how to communicate with spirits."
Zara's confusion deepened. "What? How did they even do that?"
Sofia shook her head slightly. "I don't know. My grandfather knows, but he hasn't taught me yet."
She paused before continuing. "Our ancestors became very close with one of the spirits, a powerful one named Zephyrion. At the time, the spirit world was in chaos—full of crime and disorder. After being disappointed with his own world, Zephyrion decided to leave it behind and become part of the human world, which was far more stable."
Sofia leaned in closer. "But spirits can't just live or talk with normal humans—it's against the laws of nature. The only way for Zephyrion to stay here was for our ancestors to absorb him, to fuse with his spirit, becoming one with him."
Sofia leaned back a bit, her gaze thoughtful as she continued explaining. "That's how our worlds were introduced to spirit energy—or, you could even call it soul energy. It all started with that bond between Zephyrion and our ancestor."
Zara furrowed her brow, still trying to process everything. "So... your family has been using this soul energy for centuries?"
"Yes," Sofia nodded. "Our great-grandfather, whose name was Altair, had two sons: Blackwood and Sterling. They were both born with soul energy too, just like him."
Zara's curiosity deepened. "What does that mean? Were they like... super powerful from birth?"
"In a way, yes," Sofia explained. "But it wasn't automatic. Altair, our great-grandfather, developed a technique to harness soul energy in combat. It allowed them to boost their strength and abilities to insane levels. If you can learn to use it, your combat power increases dramatically."
Zara's eyes widened. "So... I have this energy too? Does that mean I can learn how to fight like that?"
Sofia smiled gently. "Yes, you can. It's been a tradition in our family for each generation to learn how to control their soul energy, but there's one catch."
"What catch?" Zara asked, suddenly feeling a bit uneasy.
Sofia sighed softly. "Even though we learn to control it, we don't use it in real combat against humans. That was a rule set by Altair himself.
Sofia's expression darkened as she continued. "But about 500 years ago, something changed. A new human appeared—one with spirit energy, just like us. But he was different... he was evil. He spread terror in the human world, bringing many spirits with him. No one knows where he came from or how he got his powers. It's still a mystery."
Zara leaned forward, intrigued and uneasy. "What did he do?"
Sofia sighed. "He attacked our families—the Sterling and Blackwood families—the most. The elders at that time, including Blackwood and Sterling, learned about him and decided to face him. After a long and brutal battle, they managed to defeat him and seal him away in a place we call the Abyssal Void, a dark dimension where nothing escapes."
Zara frowned, confusion washing over her face. "Why didn't they just kill him?"
"They couldn't," Sofia replied solemnly. "He was too powerful. Killing him wasn't an option, and they couldn't imprison him in the human world either. The only choice they had was to seal him away."
Zara's eyes widened as she processed everything. "Then... who are the spirits attacking us now?"
Sofia hesitated for a moment, her expression troubled. "It's my brother's fault," she finally admitted. "Eighteen years ago, he's the one who brought those spirits into our world, using his own energy."
Zara was shocked. "Why would he do that?"
Sofia sighed, her frustration evident. "My brother was a prodigy from birth. He was incredibly powerful, so much so that he couldn't find a real challenge."
Sofia's face softened slightly, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "Grandfather refused to fight him in full force because... he was his grandson. He loved him too much to ever really hurt him, even if it meant holding back. He couldn't bring himself to do it, no matter how much my brother pushed for a real fight."
Zara frowned, trying to make sense of it all. "So your brother felt... what? Frustrated?"
"Exactly," Sofia nodded. "He was so powerful that no one could give him the challenge he craved. And when even Grandfather held back, it made him feel like there was no one left who could push him to his limits. That's when he made the reckless decision to summon those spirits. He wanted a real opponent, but he didn't think about the consequences."
Zara's eyes narrowed in curiosity. "Where is your brother right now?"
Sofia's expression hardened. "He's been in prison for the past 18 years."
She paused for a moment before softening her tone. "Alright, that's enough for today. You should rest and head home. We'll begin your training tomorrow."
Zara frowned in confusion. "Training? What training?"
Sofia stood up and glanced back at Zara. "You need to learn how to harness your soul energy. It's the only way you'll be able to protect yourself from the spirits. They're drawn to you, and you can't stay defenseless."
Zara's heart raced as she processed Sofia's words. "I didn't even know I had this soul energy. How am I supposed to control it?"
Sofia offered a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. We'll start with the basics. You'll get stronger in time."
In the heart of a vast, shadowy palace, the air crackles with eerie energy. The walls, adorned with ancient runes and glowing symbols, pulse with life. A deep, resonant hum fills the massive hall as countless spiritual beings kneel in reverence, their ghostly forms shimmering in the dim light. At the far end of the room, seated upon a towering obsidian throne, is the Spirit King, Kuroshin the Eternal. His presence is overwhelming, a force of nature that commands absolute obedience. His eyes glow with an otherworldly light, and a dark aura radiates from him, suffusing the room with power and fear.
Kuroshin's voice, deep and echoing, fills the hall as he surveys his kingdom. Beside him stand his two most trusted commanders, the enforcers of his will.
To his right is Ignis, the Flame Warden. His fiery red hair blazes as hot as the inferno he commands. Ignis's body is wreathed in flames, and the heat emanating from him is enough to cause the air around him to shimmer. His eyes burn with fierce intensity, reflecting his mastery over fire. With a single thought, Ignis can summon torrents of flame to incinerate any who oppose the Spirit King.
To Kuroshin's left stands Goliath, the Colossus. A towering figure with skin resembling ancient stone, Goliath is as imposing as he is powerful. His muscles ripple like granite beneath a rough exterior, showcasing immense strength.
Kuroshin leans forward on his throne, his glowing eyes narrowing with impatience. "How much longer must we wait?" His voice echoes through the chamber, a deep rumble that makes the very walls tremble. "It has been 18 years since they left, and still, we have no response. Such incompetence is intolerable."
He pauses, his eyes glinting with suspicion. "Or is it incompetence... or have they changed their minds?"
Ignis steps forward, his flames flickering slightly as he bows his head in respect. "Your Majesty, we have no option but to trust them," he replies, his tone measured yet tinged with frustration. "Our own efforts have been futile. Despite the combined might of countless spirits, the cursed gate remains unyielding. They were our last hope to break through."
Kuroshin's gaze bores into Ignis, his expression unreadable. The silence that follows is heavy, filled with the weight of unspoken doubts. The Spirit King's power is unparalleled, yet even he is bound by the limitations of the situation.
Ignis continues, his voice steady but with a flicker of resolve in his eyes. "We must place our faith in them, Your Majesty."