"It won't be long before you leave this world, you evil bastard," the exorcist said, his tone sharp and cold. His hands moved in precise, deliberate motions as he chanted, each syllable slicing through the charged air. The faint scent of incense and the metallic tang of the holy water hung in the room, filling every corner with tension. With a sudden motion, he flung pure water toward the spot where Takuto was bound. The droplets hissed as they struck the invisible barrier, scattering into faint sparks that crackled in the silence.
Takuto screamed, a raw, desperate sound that reverberated against the walls. His form flickered violently, edges distorting as if his body were barely holding together. His spectral outline wavered, thinning and stretching, the faint hum of energy around him growing unstable.
Sayoko froze, her chest tight, heart hammering painfully in her ribs. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides. The skin on her palms burned where her nails dug in. "I can't just stand here," she whispered, voice trembling. "I… I have to do something. I just… I don't know what to do..." Her knees buckled slightly, and the cold air of the room seemed to press down on her shoulders, making each breath feel heavier.
Blood dripped from Kōki's mouth as he forced himself to rise, each movement stiff and uneven. His legs quivered, shaking with the effort, knees threatening to give out beneath him. The acrid scent of blood mixed with the faint ozone from the crackling water, stinging his nostrils. Determination flared behind his eyes. With a sudden roar, he lunged at the exorcist, delivering a swift, solid kick into his stomach. The man stumbled backward, exhaling sharply, eyes narrowing in surprise, before regaining his stance and glaring at Kōki with sharp precision.
"Why are you defending this ghost?" the exorcist demanded, voice cutting, almost slicing through the hum of energy around them.
Kōki's chest heaved, sweat dripping from his forehead. "You… leave him alone! Right now!" he shouted, voice cracking under strain. "Takuto can't go yet! He still has so much to say… so much left to do!" His hands trembled at his sides, fingers flexing involuntarily.
The exorcist's expression flickered—just for a moment, a shadow of sympathy crossing his face—before hardening again. "I didn't want it to come to this," he said grimly, voice steady, "but you're in my way. I have no choice."
He lunged at Kōki in a smooth, fluid motion. His fist slammed into. Kōki's abdomen with a sharp thud, folding him over. Kōki gasped, air rushing violently into his lungs, muscles tensing against the impact. Before he could straighten, the exorcist's boot struck his face, sending him sprawling to the ground. Ryner's body went limp, consciousness slipping away, and the faint metallic taste of blood filled his mouth.
"No! Kōki-kun!" Sayoko screamed, voice breaking, hands trembling violently. The sound of her panic bounced off the walls, mingling with the faint crackle of energy and the hiss of water droplets that lingered in the air.
The exorcist adjusted his robes, the fabric sliding softly over the cold floor, and returned his attention to Takuto. "Now… where was I?" he said, lips curling into a cold, sharp smile. "Ah, yes. I'll make this quick. But it won't be painless, so prepare yourself."
Sayoko's fear erupted into full-blown panic. Her legs trembled as she lunged, aiming to tackle him away from Takuto. Her body phased through him, meeting only air. The faint rush of displaced air grazed her hands as she swung.
"What—?" she gasped, spinning, striking at him again and again. Each attempt passed through empty space, her fingers brushing nothing but the chill of the air.
The exorcist's head turned slightly, amusement coloring his tone. "Trying to save this ghost too? Pathetic. He doesn't deserve your help. You're wasting your pity." His voice echoed faintly, carrying the weight of authority and disdain.
Sayoko's vision blurred with tears. Salt stung her eyes as she blinked rapidly, but she kept lunging, fists swinging, feet kicking. Her chest rose and fell in short, ragged bursts. The cold draft of the room pressed against her arms and legs with each movement.
"I have to stop him," she muttered between sobs, voice low and urgent. "I can't let him take Takuto from this world. I just… I have to…"
The exorcist laughed, low and dark, a sound that made the hairs on her arms bristle. "Give it up. You can't touch the living. You're a ghost—a fragment. Nothing more."
Her chest heaved violently. Panting. Knees shaking uncontrollably. Then a memory struck her sharply.
Wait… Kōki had said something like that, hadn't he? She remembered clearly the other day when he had teased her about an old letter to Takumi. She had slapped him, cheeks burning in embarrassment—and it had felt real.
Focus. She told herself, forcing her breathing to catch up. Remember what you felt. Anger. Humiliation. Everything. Put it all into this.
Sayoko gritted her teeth, hands trembling under the flood of emotion coursing through her. Muscles in her arms tensed sharply. With a furious cry, she swung her arm.
Smack!
The sound echoed, reverberating through the room. The exorcist's head jerked to the side. He staggered back a few steps, clutching his cheek, teeth gritted.
"You…!" he snarled, rage flashing in his eyes. "You'll pay for that!"
He moved his hands rapidly, forming intricate symbols in the air. The faint hum of energy intensified, radiating a pale, sharp light as he cast a binding spell meant to ensnare even the strongest spirits. The air around them hummed and shimmered, making the hairs on Sayoko's arms stand on end.
The energy shot toward Sayoko. She braced herself, fists clenching instinctively. And… nothing. The light passed through her body. Heart pounding, she felt a rush of cold air brush against her cheeks as the spell dissipated around her.
"What…?" the exorcist muttered, disbelief lacing his tone. Sweat beaded along his forehead, dripping into his eyes. "Why didn't it work? My binding… it captures all spirits!"
Desperation crept into his voice. He snatched a small vial from his belt, shaking as he hurled it toward her. "Burning Water of Divine Retribution!" he shouted.
The liquid splashed onto the floor near her. Sayoko felt nothing. No burn, no heat, no pain. Her chest heaved rapidly, air coming in short bursts. She could feel the vibrations of the exorcist's footsteps behind her, the faint echo of dripping water from the vial hitting the floor. Her body remained intact, untouched.
"No… it can't be…" the exorcist whispered, sinking to his knees. His hands trembled as they hovered near the floor, eyes wide and unblinking as he stared at her. "What… what have they done to you?"
"What… what do you mean?" Sayoko asked, voice trembling, eyes wide. Confusion and fear churned violently inside her.
He looked at her with deep sorrow. "You're not a normal ghost. Your soul… it didn't leave naturally. It was extracted. Separated from your body."
Sayoko's hand flew to her mouth, body shivering violently, spine tingling from the shock. "W-What…?!"
Kōki groaned from the floor, muscles trembling as he pushed himself upright, sweat and blood mingling on his skin. His voice came out hoarse, fragile. "Did… did he just say…?"
The exorcist wiped his face, breathing shakily, the faint scent of incense still clinging to him. "Her soul was removed by a ritual. That's why normal exorcism methods—anything that would affect a spirit—don't work on her. She's still tethered to her body."
Kōki's eyes widened, disbelief and realization mixing in his gaze. "Wait… you're saying… Sayoko… she's alive?"
He nodded slowly, expression grave. "Her soul remains connected… barely. That connection lets her interact with the physical world in ways most spirits cannot. But…" His voice lowered, dark and heavy. "She's been separated for about five years. Too long, and reunification becomes nearly impossible."
Sayoko's chest heaved violently, hands shaking as she pressed them to her face, tears spilling freely. "I… I'm… not dead?" Her voice cracked. "I can go back? I can be normal again?"
The exorcist's face softened slightly, though tension remained in his posture. "Yes. I believe so."
For the first time in years, hope surged through Sayoko. Her chest rose and fell with effort, the weight of despair lifting, however slightly.
"But," the exorcist added, voice grim again, "you would have to locate your body. And quickly. Whoever separated you from it surely had an ulterior motive… and you need to find out who—and why—before it's too late."
Kōki slowly stood, jaw clenched tight. Fists balled at his sides, muscles twitching from exertion.
"We'll find it," he promised, voice steely, guttural with determination. "No matter what it takes."
Sayoko floated closer, trembling, hand reaching toward Ryner. This time, when she touched his shoulder, he felt it—the real, warm pressure of her fingertips against his skin.
They had a chance.
A slim, desperate chance—but enough.
And Sayoko would fight for it with everything she had.