Fighting Spirit (The Final Barrier)

I Am Eternal

Saiken stirred, his body aching as consciousness returned. The faint scent of charred earth and the oppressive weight of spiritual energy filled the air, and he immediately knew where he was—still in the midst of the battle. His hair lay matted against his forehead as he sat up, wincing.

In the distance, the clash of energy was palpable, vibrating through the ground and the sky like an ominous drumbeat. He placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and closed his eyes, letting his senses stretch out to the battlefield. There, he felt the overwhelming presence of Jiu, a maelstrom of energy that dwarfed everything else, even the courageous flickers of Kevin and Gabriel's spirits.

"Still fighting," Saiken muttered to himself, shaking his head in admiration and frustration.

As he stood, memories of his last great battle with Ramona and Ennui surged back like a tide. Merlin High, the reclusive school of Magick, had been the stage for one of their hardest fights against the darkness. The three of them had stood alone, outnumbered and outmatched, protecting not just the students but the fragile balance of the world. He could still hear Ramona's commanding voice rallying them, feel Ennui's spells tearing through the shadowy hordes, and see his own blade cutting through the darkness, powered by sheer will.

He clenched his fists, the weight of those memories fueling his resolve. "If we could fight then, we can fight now. No more lying around." He said using his katana as a crutch, he hobbled forward a bit but stopped sensing malicious energy approaching him fast. His eyes darted back and forth as the mindless demons used speed to confuse and disorient him. Saiken sighed "I guess I need to warm up before I join the others" he said. After taking a deep breath he entered his awakening, his hair turning a red crimson. His hair elegantly flowing in the wind as he glowed red. "I'll cut you all down with one strike!"

On the battlefield, Kevin dropped to one knee, his body bruised and bloody. His dreads, which had risen with static during his awakening, now lay flat, drenched with sweat. His chest heaved as he sucked in air, his body refusing to cooperate further.

Nearby, Gabriel stood, flames flickering weakly around him as his blue fire awakening dimmed. The battle had pushed him to his limits, his skin hot to the touch from his own heat and his muscles screaming in agony. Still, he managed to crack a grin at Kevin.

"Well," Gabriel said, wiping blood from his lip. "If we're keeping score, I landed more hits."

Kevin let out a breathless laugh. "Yeah, but I hit him first. Pretty sure that counts for double."

Gabriel chuckled, though the sound was tinged with exhaustion. "Fine. Call it a draw. But next time, I'm going for the knockout."

"Next time?" Kevin raised an eyebrow, still catching his breath. "You're insane if you think I'm doing this again."

As they bantered, the golden chains of Madam Zari's spell constricted Jiu tighter and tighter, pulling his energy from him. The once-youthful appearance of his feudal Japan form now looked shriveled, his face gaunt, and his movements sluggish. The golden light of the Kanzu Ya Milele seemed to sap the very will from his being.

Madam Zari's chants rang out, her hands glowing as she poured everything into the spell. Jiu smirked, Madam Zari glanced at Jiu, her voice sharp. "Why do you laugh, demon? You're finished. Your power is gone, and soon, so will you."

Jiu's husk of a form raised its head, his skeletal smile unnerving. "You still don't understand, do you? My power is not just mine. My spiritual energy—my will—is sentient. It exists to live, to consume, to grow. It will outlast me."

His laugh grew louder, echoing across the battlefield as he pointed a trembling finger skyward.

Everyone's heads turned upward, following his gesture.