The warehouse loomed over Yuto like a giant shadow, its rusted metal doors groaning slightly as the wind whistled through the gaps. Evening had fallen, and Zenith City's usual hum seemed distant, as if the world itself were holding its breath. Yuto's pulse quickened as he took in the scene, his mind racing with the weight of Shiro's words.
"You're not the only one with an Anima."
That single sentence had hit him like a punch to the gut. He had thought—assumed—he was alone in this. His brother, Kaito, had been the last person in his life to wield an Anima. The idea that someone like Shiro—quiet, unassuming Shiro—was also bonded with a spirit was almost impossible to wrap his head around.
Yuto stared at Shiro, his brows furrowing in confusion. "You have an Anima? Since when?"
Shiro didn't answer right away, his eyes scanning the surroundings cautiously. After a few tense moments, he finally met Yuto's gaze.
"Since I was a kid," Shiro said softly, his usual laid-back demeanor gone. He looked serious—almost somber. "I've kept it hidden for years. But I had a feeling something was off with you lately. Yesterday… that glow in your eyes? It wasn't normal, Yuto."
Yuto's heart skipped a beat. He noticed that? He had barely understood what was happening himself, and yet Shiro had picked up on it immediately.
"Wait," Yuto said, crossing his arms defensively. "Why would you keep it hidden? If you've got an Anima, why not use it? Why not help fight the Voidspawn?"
Shiro's expression darkened. He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "It's not that simple. Not all Soulbound are like your brother. And not every Anima is accepted by the Soulbound factions." He glanced around again, as if expecting someone—or something—to be watching them. "My Anima… it's not exactly 'welcome' either."
Yuto's mind raced. This was too much to take in. Just hours ago, he'd thought he was cursed with the only unwanted Anima. Now, standing before him was someone else—someone who'd been hiding an Anima of their own for years. How many more of us are out there?
"So, what now?" Yuto asked, running a hand through his hair. "Why did you bring me here? To compare our messed-up lives?"
Shiro sighed, his shoulders tense. "I brought you here because I know what's coming. You might not understand it yet, but having an Anima like Abyss makes you a target, Yuto. There are people out there—Soulbound and others—who would kill you just to get rid of the threat they think you pose."
"Wait," Yuto interrupted, his brow furrowing. "You know about Abyss? How?"
Shiro didn't flinch. "There's a reason your Anima is feared. Abyss isn't just any spirit. It's connected to the Abyssal Realm itself—the same realm that the Voidspawn come from. People believe that your kind of Anima can bring the two realms closer together, unleashing even more chaos."
Yuto felt a chill crawl up his spine. Abyss had mentioned something similar in the morning, but hearing it from Shiro made it more real—more terrifying.
"Great," Yuto muttered, leaning against the warehouse wall. "So, I've got a bullseye on my back because of something I didn't ask for. What am I supposed to do about it?"
Shiro's gaze softened slightly, his voice lowering. "I brought you here because I can help. We're in this together now."
"Together?" Yuto raised an eyebrow. "What's your Anima, Shiro? You said it's not accepted either. What kind of spirit do you have?"
There was a brief silence as Shiro's eyes darkened. He stepped back from Yuto, lifting his hand slightly. A faint glow emerged from his palm—a soft, pulsing light that grew brighter by the second. The air around them seemed to thrum with energy, and Yuto could feel the shift in the atmosphere.
"Come forth, Ravenous."
From the glow emerged a shape—vaguely humanoid but twisted, with sharp, angular wings that looked more like blades than feathers. Its body was lean and covered in dark, shifting shadows, its glowing eyes fixed on Yuto with an intense, predatory gaze.
Yuto felt Abyss stir within him, a low growl reverberating in his mind. "Interesting… I remember this one."
"Ravenous?" Yuto whispered, staring at the creature before him. "What is it?"
Shiro's face was set, his expression hard as he explained. "Ravenous is a spirit of hunger—a being that thrives on consuming energy. It's… dangerous. Unstable, even. The Soulbound factions don't trust anyone bonded with it." He clenched his fist, and Ravenous dissolved into mist, disappearing from view. "That's why I've kept it hidden. But now, with you and Abyss… I figured it was time to come clean."
Yuto stared at Shiro, the weight of his words sinking in. "So, we're both outcasts."
Shiro nodded. "Pretty much." He glanced up at the darkening sky. "But that's not the worst of it. The Voidspawn are growing in number, Yuto. And they're getting bolder. I don't know what's causing it, but something's pushing them to attack more frequently—and it's only a matter of time before they come after you again."
Yuto exhaled sharply, the tension in his chest building. Voidspawn… Anima… and now Shiro. His whole world had been turned upside down in less than 24 hours, and he still had no idea how to control Abyss.
"Then what do we do?" Yuto asked, frustration creeping into his voice. "If they're coming after me, how do I fight them off? I can barely control Abyss, let alone use it."
Shiro's eyes narrowed, his tone more serious than Yuto had ever heard before. "That's why I brought you here. You need to learn how to control your Anima—and fast."
Yuto frowned. "You're going to teach me?"
"No," Shiro said simply, his expression unreadable. "I can't teach you how to control Abyss. But I know someone who can."
Yuto's confusion deepened. "Who?"
Before Shiro could respond, the sound of metal creaking filled the air, followed by the sharp hiss of something unnatural. Yuto's instincts kicked in immediately, his body tensing as he turned toward the sound. In the dim light of the warehouse yard, he saw them—Voidspawn.
They slithered from the shadows like living nightmares, their twisted forms shifting and warping as they moved. Their eyes glowed with an eerie, sickly green light, and their mouths dripped with inky black fluid.
"Speak of the devil," Shiro muttered, stepping forward. "Looks like they found you faster than I thought."
Yuto's heart pounded in his chest. How did they find me? He hadn't even used Abyss since last night. Could they really sense him that easily?
"Focus, Yuto," Abyss' voice echoed in his mind, its tone serious. "These creatures are nothing compared to what lies ahead. But you need to control me, or you'll be torn apart."
Yuto swallowed hard, his palms sweating as he watched the Voidspawn close in. Control? He could barely keep himself together right now, let alone manage the dark power lurking within him.
"I'll take the big one," Shiro said, his voice steady as Ravenous reappeared, its shadowy wings flaring wide. "You just stay alive."
Before Yuto could respond, Shiro lunged forward, his Anima slicing through the air with deadly precision. The Voidspawn screeched as they met Ravenous head-on, their bodies twisting and contorting under the assault.
Yuto stood frozen for a moment, his heart hammering in his chest. Stay alive? That was easier said than done.
One of the smaller Voidspawn broke off from the group, its glowing eyes locking onto Yuto. It hissed, its mouth splitting open to reveal rows of jagged teeth. Without thinking, Yuto took a step back, panic rising in his throat.
"You're weak," Abyss growled in his mind, the dark energy within him flaring. "You'll die here if you hesitate."
Yuto clenched his fists, his fear turning to anger. He couldn't die here—not like this. Not before he figured out what was going on. Not before he avenged Kaito.
"Fine," Yuto whispered, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. He could feel Abyss stirring, the dark power coiling around his soul like a serpent.
"Let's do this."