Chapter 35
Renji Kurogane's home had never felt this heavy.
Outside, the night stretched endlessly, clouds thick and unmoving, as though the sky itself was holding its breath.
Renji stood at the center of the room, his back straight, hands clenched behind him. He faced the others Elyra, Sakura, Dracan, and Lily each of the carrying their own weight, and understanding of the threats closing in.
Sakura broke the silence.
"now we have a chance with Lily here but one of our primary strategies," she said carefully, is to allow you to regain your full power without falling into despair or hate
Renji's eyes narrowed slightly. "You make it sound easy but it's not and you know why "
But sakura met his gaze. "Which is why the true obstacle isn't your strength, It's the binding law you placed upon yourself."
The room went quiet.
Dracan's eyes flickered with recognition. Lily tilted her head in confusion
Wait law what do you mean law? Elyra said as her expression darkened.
"The law he forged with me," Sakura continued, "is embedded within the Orthodox Plane itself. It is not a simple restriction. It is a metaphysical rule I told him then it was a bad idea ."
Renji exhaled slowly. "yeah yeah well the trick is anytime I fall into despair, little portions of my power return."
That's why I had my previous memories return
"Yes," Sakura confirmed. "Your suffering is the key that unlocks your strength. That law was designed to protect the world from your brother Incase he awakens again but now it's also chaining you."
Lily's fingers tightened around the hem of her sleeve. "That's… horrible why did you make that kind of a deal big brother."
"It was necessary," Renji replied quietly
I couldn't kill azerin because he was my brother I only sealed him
The deal we made was to also seal Sakura in the staff of creation and only when I regain my memories will I be able to unseal her
There was a chance he would be free but it would take over a thousand and five hundred years
I planned to reincarnate before that time but azerin also shorten the time and broke the seal
" it was Necessary," Sakura agreed. "But now it no longer sustainable."
She stepped forward slightly. "If we want you to regain your full power without destroying yourself in the process, we must remove that law entirely."
Dracan's voice rumbled low. "Breaking a law embedded in the authodox Plane is no small feat."
"It's worse than that," Sakura said. "Any attempt to remove it risks backlash and If done improperly, it could erase Renji or fracture reality around him."
Meaning he will cease to exists
Renji didn't flinch. "Then we do it properly."
Sakura nodded once. "Well it's not like we have a choice , new threats are arriving every day. And if the echoes were to appear now…"
Her voice faltered for the first time.
"…more and more deaths would follow. On a scale we cannot contain."
Lily swallowed. But big brother… what about the Pillars? Surely they can have something to ...
Sakura didn't hesitate.
"The Pillars aren't ready, Lily sama, you know this, you defeated Marcus easily, and in a blink of an eye choji killed Lucio
If you , I or januza-sama wasn't there he easily would have wipped them out
Dracan let out a slow breath through his nose.
"To be honest," Sakura continued, "they can never truly be ready. It's impossible for humans to fully learn the Apex. Even if they reach it, we don't know if they can even touch the echoes let alone fight them."
Renji's gaze lowered slightly. "So you're saying we let their efforts are meaningless?"
"No," Sakura replied firmly. "I'm saying their efforts have limits, making them learn the apex it's suicidal
They will die and we will be short on numbers to face this upcoming war
Dracan leaned forward, claws resting against his knees. "She's right my king, the only way forward is for us to take this responsibility ourselves."
His eyes locked onto Renji.
"And that includes you, my king. You must regain your full form. And your full power."
Renji remained silent for a moment.
Then he spoke ..."But we still need to try."
Everyone looked at him.
"Yes, the Apex can kill them," Renji continued. "But don't you want humanity to decide their own fate?"
Sakura frowned slightly. "My lord...
"If they can learn the Apex," he said calmly, "then they can at least challenge Azerin's forces."
Dracan's jaw tightened. "But not the echoes."
Renji nodded. "No. They can't challenge the echoes, that is out job
Elyra stepped forward, cutting through the tension.
"The echoes are different," she said. "They exist in a fractured state balanced between life and death."
"They are anchored by a core," Elyra explained. "A paradoxical structure that keeps them from fully existing or fully perishing."
Renji's eyes sharpened. "and what's that supposed to mean ?"
"it means ," Elyra said, "if we manipulate that core, the echoes can be defeated."
A rare note of hope crept into the room, but since you aren't at full power you can't manipulate laws anymore
"The good news," Elyra continued, "is that we have a chance."
"well the bad always outways the good so spill it out?" Sakura said
" that's true, the bad news is If they can adapt to time," Elyra replied, "then they can adapt to almost anything including magical energy attacks."
Dracan growled under his breath. "Adaptive abominations."
"Which is why," Elyra said, turning slowly toward Lily, "we need to fight with something they cannot adapt to."
Lily blinked. "Huh? Me?"
"Yes. You." Elyra nodded. "It has never been recorded that echoes can adapt to spirit energy."
Lily stiffened.
"Spirit beasts possess different cores," Elyra continued. "Different energy structures. According to the great library..…"
The great library.. what is that ? Lily asked
She paused, exhaling softly. The great library is where the fundermental knowledge of all aspects of creation are recorded
Dating back to the first creations.. which includes the spirit beasts
They were established by the fragments of the supreme diety As for you lily...you were chosen by Rajah. The only one capable of using pure spirit energy."
Yes each spirit beasts posses powers that don't rely on magic
While there are other spirit beasts, their energy is not pure spirit energy and now that we don't have any other spirit vessels
You are the only chance we have
Lily shook her head slowly. Seriously... So I'm going to fight them alone!!
But.....
GBIM!!!
The sound wasn't heard. It was felt, and lily's face went blank.
"What… is this feeling?" she whispered.
Renji turned sharply. "Lily?"
Her pupils trembled.
"It feels… familiar…"
"Lily, are you okay?" Renji asked, stepping toward her.
She didn't answer.
GBIM!!!
The pressure slammed into her chest. Lily gasped, clutching at herself as her knees nearly buckled.
Inside her consciousness, the world fractured.
Golden light surged.
Rajah stood before her, eyes glowing fiercely.
"You felt it too," Rajah said.
Lily's voice shook. "What… what did I just feel? I don't understand."
Rajah's gaze darkened. "I would never mistake that aura."
Lily's breath caught. "Aura…?"
He's here !!
Lily gasped wait who's here!?
"The Leviathan."
Lily froze. "Leviathan? Wait is that a spirit beast?"
Her thoughts raced. "wait are you telling me I can feel another spirit beast… why haven't I ever felt Vendova?"
Rajah's expression turned solemn.
"Vendova, the dragon spirit, is exceptionally skilled at hiding his energy. Even if he has a vessel, you cannot sense him unless he allows it."
Lily swallowed. Okay sooo..who or what is the leviathan?
"He is chaos itself," Rajah said. "Capable of placing disorder upon the multiverse."
Lily's eyes widened. "Eii seriously but… why is he here? Why are spirit beasts appearing all of a sudden? Is that normal?
Rajah's voice hardened.
"No. It isn't normal."
"We spirit beasts do not simply emerge without reason. Either great disorder is approaching… or a vessel worthy of our power has appeared."
She paused.
"And such vessels are rare. Humanity are selfish. Cruel and power corrupts them easily."
Lily's expression changed. "Then… can you tell me?"
"what do you need to know??
" tell me what kinds of spirit beasts exist?"
Rajah stared at her.
Then spoke.
She told her everything.
"Lily… Lily… Lily!"
Renji's voice cut through the darkness.
Lily gasped violently, air rushing back into her lungs. She doubled over, coughing, sweat soaking her clothes.
Sakura rushed to her side. "Lily-sama! Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Lily rasped. "I'm… okay."
She lifted her head slowly, eyes meeting theirs.
"…There's something you should know."
Renji crouched slightly, keeping his hands out as if to steady her without touching. "What is it? Tell me, Lily."
She swallowed hard, gripping the edge of the table to keep herself upright. I felt something and it wasn't right it was wrong in many ways it was an aura … the aura I just felt…" Her voice shook. "…It's not a minor spirit beast. It's… something called a leviathan."
Sakura's eyes widened. Dracan's claws flexed involuntarily. Even Elyra stiffened, her usually calm expression clouded with concern.
"Leviathan?" Elyra asked quietly. "The one born of primordial chaos?"
Lily nodded, her hands trembling. "yes rajah… confirmed it. He's… real. And he's here."
Dracan let out a low growl. "Here?
"Yes," Lily said. Her voice cracked. "And he has a vessel. Somehow I can tell which vessel a spirit beasts picks regardless of time and space
Rajah said we share some kind of bond
And it's a also a human… a girl named Rosa Vasquez. She… she's the daughter of Lucio Vasquez." Her teeth clenched. "The same Lucio… who… who died."
Sakura's breath caught. "So the chaos spirit chose her… after all this?"
"Yes," Lily said, voice barely audible. "Her hatred… her grief… it called to him. That's how spirit beasts choose their vessels." They choose them according to their will and heart!
Elyra's hand went to her chin, her brow furrowed.
"It makes sense, because from the books The Leviathan doesn't need a vessel to access full power, but the one he chooses becomes a focus of his will. That vessel will be terrifying if she's driven by revenge and hate
But he's known to cause disorder on those who think they can challenge him .
Renji's eyes narrowed. "so that means… she's dangerous, and not just to herself, but also dangerous to everyone around her?"
Lily's gaze fell to the floor. "Yes… and I don't think she fully understands it. I… I can't even imagine the strength she could unleash."
Lily's fingers dug into the edge of the table. " Because of the bond I can feel him… feel her. And it's… it's wrong. It shouldn't be this strong… no human should be able to do this."
And if I can sense her then she can also sense me
They just bonded and it's impossible it takes millions of years to bond with a spirit beast
Sakura stepped closer, placing a hand lightly on Lily's shoulder.
I have a theory... rosa isn't the only one who's been chosen. You were chosen, too. That's why you can use Rajah's pure spirit energy... you have no draw backs if you fully bond with Rajah
But you had to go throw training to fully bond with her yes she was within your consciousnes but you bonded to fully bring her out
Rosa didn't go through this stage "Hmmmmm my theory is ..…" she began, her voice soft but steady. " I feel not every bond is bound by time. Some souls… they resonate and they recognize each other instantly."
Maybe some individuals are "resonant" with a spirit beast from birth
The bond is not formed through time, but through innate compatibility of souls.
Lily took millions of years because her soul needed calibration, but Rosa's soul is naturally attuned.
"Perhaps you never know just maybe rosa's soul was… always meant to bond with that spirit. It was only a matter of when not if as some connections don't need time they recognize each other instantly."
But… you must remember, Lily. Power like that comes with consequences. You see the chaos, but others will suffer if she loses control."
Lily's head dropped. "I… I understand. But… why now? And with the spirit beasts appearing?
Rajah said it isn't normal
Elyra answered, her voice careful. "yes it's not normal. Also according to the books We don't see a spirit beast appear without a catalyst. Either great disorder approaches, or… a vessel has been deemed worthy. And humans rarely...rarely....qualify. It is unusual… unprecedented."
Renji folded his arms, his gaze steady. "So, what you're saying… is that the Leviathan appearing now isn't random. Something is triggering it. Or it's just him finding the perfect vessel
I don't know Elyra replied it could be any of that.
Lily's hands shook as she clenched them in her lap. "I… I don't know what to do Rajah said I'm meant to be a leader with the spirit beasts vessels but She's… she could destroy everything. Just… just like that." Her voice broke. "And she's human. Like us. She could've been innocent, but…" Her teeth ground together. "…she's consumed by anger and grief."
Sakura knelt beside her, lowering her voice. "Lily, that anger, that grief… that's what Leviathan feeds on. But it can be guided. That's why the first step is understanding and not fighting her blindly, not attempting to control her. We need… insight before action."
Rajah's voice rippled in Lily's mind again. You are correct. Chaos without control destroys everything. Leviathan's vessel does not yet understand the price. But your warning to her… your empathy… it may yet matter.
Lily swallowed. "So… she's dangerous, yes. But… not entirely evil."
Elyra nodded. "Exactly. But dangerous doesn't mean unstoppable. Not if we understand the rules she and Leviathan operate under.
Renji's voice cut through the room, steady and commanding. "Then we have our priority. We track Leviathan and his vessel. Understand her intentions. Prepare contingencies, but… above all, protect humanity from collateral. This is what we fight for."
Dracan let out a low growl of agreement. "And we cannot underestimate her. Power this raw… it does not bend to logic, law, or morality."
Lily's eyes narrowed, a mixture of fear and determination shining through. "Then we'll do everything to stop them if they ever try to hurt people. No matter what it takes."
Elyra's lips curved slightly, almost imperceptibly. "Good. That resolve… it will matter. Remember, spirit energy isn't just raw power. It is intention made manifest. And if we act with clarity, we can outmaneuver even chaos itself."
Lily nodded, trembling slightly. "I understand."
Renji rested a hand lightly on her shoulder. "We're all in this together. Whatever happens… we face it as a team."
Renji sat back in his chair, trying to organize his thoughts, when a sudden sound cut through the heavy silence.
" Ring… ring…"
He turned his head toward the source: his phone vibrating insistently on the table. The screen lit up, displaying a name that immediately made him tense.
Takeda-sensei.
Renji's brow furrowed. He knew the call wasn't casual , Slowly, he stood, keeping his expression calm, though his fists tightened at his sides.
"I'll be back," he said, voice steady but carrying an undertone of gravity.
Lily's eyes widened, worry flashing across her features. "Big brother… are you okay?"
Renji smiled faintly, waving his hand in a casual, reassuring gesture. "Don't worry. I'll be back soon."