Fighting Spirit (The Final Barrier)

Jiu The First Spirit

Kevin's chest swelled as he took in the sight of his friends, all alive, standing before him. This new reality hit him like a powerful wave, and he found himself overwhelmed with gratitude. In his world, he'd lost everything: his friends, his master, and Sapphire—the love he'd sworn to protect. He'd been hollowed by Jiu's merciless power, shaped by a pain he could never truly outrun. But here, seeing Gabriel's fierce grin, Ennui's quiet determination, Ramona's calm poise, and Sofia's familiar warmth—he felt whole for the first time in what felt like a lifetime.

The rush of memories and the honed instincts of his past self flooded his mind, sharpening every thought, refining every ounce of spiritual energy within him. This version of himself was stronger, more efficient. He understood his power in ways his former self hadn't, shaped by his battles with the primordial-enhanced Jiu. But this time, he was ready. Ready to protect the people he loved, even if it meant facing the same monster he once feared.

Meanwhile trapped within the swirling, dark force field, Eliza's gaze darted across the barrier, desperate for any hint of weakness. The barrier crackled and shifted like a pulsing, living thing, every inch of it saturated with Jiu's ominous energy. She clenched her fists, red electricity sparking along her knuckles, itching for the chance to break free. But her strikes, fast as lightning and charged with raw spiritual power, only ricocheted off the invisible wall, sending shockwaves through her arms.

Beside her, Adrian stood with his fists clenched, his muscles bulging, and his spiritual energy swirling in turbulent waves.

"Damn it," he growled, slamming his fists against the barrier. The force of his rage mode barely made the barrier flicker. "He's keeping us in here like animals in a cage."

In the corner, his younger brother Alex was pacing, his form flickering between solid and smoke as he studied the confines. He was calculating, looking for any chink, any hint of escape.

"This thing is airtight," he muttered, casting his gaze over the others, his mind working at full speed. "If we can't break it physically... maybe I can try an illusion, something that throws it off."

Greg, ever calm, surveyed the group. His eyes lingered on each of them, the fire in his gaze betraying his calm exterior.

"Stay focused," he said quietly, his voice steady. "There's no sense in exhausting ourselves just yet. Jiu's aura is layered in this barrier, but he's not invincible." His timing and precision in battle had always been his strongest assets. Even without spiritual abilities, Greg knew when to strike and when to wait.

Judah, a silent, hulking figure of a boy, positioned himself beside Greg. His presence was a reminder of raw power and unbreakable resolve. His spirit energy pulsed slowly but intensely, like a heartbeat, his patience immense yet his readiness absolute.

Just as a thread of despair began to seep into the group's thoughts, a sudden shift in the air caught Jiu's attention, and his lips twisted into a smirk. He tilted his head as if listening to a distant whisper, his expression tinged with something like amusement—and a trace of suspicion. Kevin's spiritual energy had changed. It was subtle, like the faintest brush of a hand in a darkened room, but Jiu knew Kevin's energy as well as he knew his own. And this? This was different.

Eliza, sensing the shift, turned to Jiu, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"What's going on?" she demanded, her voice carrying a hardened edge. She was used to reading Kevin's energy from the past months of training together, but this... this didn't feel like him.

Without looking at her, Jiu spoke, his tone almost mocking.

"You wouldn't understand," he replied, an amused glint in his eye. "Spiritual energy is like a thumbprint, you see. Each person's is unique, a signature written in power. Every nuance is distinctive. Even the smallest detail tells a story." He chuckled, a dark, ominous sound. "And this? This isn't YOUR Kevin."