The train hummed softly beneath their feet as it floated along the rails suspended high above the city. Jay sat stiffly, his hood pulled low, trying to ignore the sensation of eyes boring into him from across the carriage.
Chiaki was beside him, her arm looped tightly around his. Her head rested lightly against his shoulder, but the way she pressed herself closer made Jay's pulse spike. He could feel the stares of the other men—burning, hostile, filled with envy and lust. Their gazes lingered not on him but on Chiaki, on the elegant curve of her body, the shape of her chest pressed against his arm.
He clenched his jaw. He hated that look.
Chiaki, of course, seemed to notice. She gave the faintest smile, a teasing glint in her eyes, and hugged his arm tighter, as if flaunting her closeness to him. Jay felt his cheeks heat up. He wanted to tell her to stop, but he couldn't bring himself to push her away.
Meanwhile, Ellie zipped from window to window, her transparent form flickering in the neon glow of the city lights. Her ghostly hands pressed against the glass as she looked out at the sprawling streets below.
"It's floating!" she squealed with childlike wonder. "Jay, look—it's like flying, but with a train!"
Jay gave a small, embarrassed chuckle. "Yeah, Ellie. That's the MRT. It runs through the whole city."
Ellie twirled midair, still giggling. "Humans come up with the strangest things. First electricity, then trains that fly!"
Jay envied her. She wasn't weighed down by the stares, by the pressure. She was just… free.
When the train stopped at the southern terminal, the group disembarked and followed the quiet streets until the shrine came into view.
Jay slowed as he took in the sight. The shrine was massive—two floors high, looming like a temple rather than a place of humble worship. Its tiled roof gleamed faintly under the moonlight, and the air around it carried the weight of history.
At the entrance, familiar faces were already gathered: Sensei, Aiko, and Sota. Alongside them were five other exorcists Jay hadn't yet learned the names of.
"Well, look who's finally here," Aiko said with her usual smirk. "Chiaki-sensei, Jay, and Ellie."
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Chiaki replied smoothly.
Sensei nodded. "Well, it seems everyone is accounted for."
Jay swallowed hard, his eyes darting around the structure. He was still stunned by its size and grandeur. Is this really a shrine? Or is it a temple?
As they entered, two shrine maidens appeared, bowing gracefully before gesturing for them to follow.
The halls were vast, adorned with pillars wrapped in black and red dragon designs, their marble surfaces gleaming. The ceiling hung heavy with vines and carefully arranged plants. Ancient paintings lined the walls, depicting men and women in flowing robes, swords clutched in their hands as though frozen mid-battle.
Jay found himself staring too long at one blade displayed along the corridor—its edge gleamed faintly, as though alive.
Finally, the maidens opened a large door, revealing a pristine Japanese garden bathed in moonlight. The group let out a collective gasp. The garden was immaculate: stone paths winding past koi ponds, lanterns glowing softly, cherry trees in bloom despite the season.
At the center lay a vast circle of packed earth, and around it gathered dozens of shrine members, their gazes steady.
One maiden stepped forward to a man in a black-and-white kimono standing at the far end. His aura was commanding, his presence heavy. He lifted his hand, and suddenly, the ground trembled.
Roots erupted from the soil, twisting violently, snaking around the group. They coiled upward, forming thick wooden bars, locking the exorcists into a massive cage.
Only Jay was left outside. Ellie, however, found herself trapped inside a separate smaller cage.
"What's going on here!?" Aiko shouted, slamming her hands against the bars.
The man's eyes narrowed. "I was told a demon in a red hoodie would come to our shrine. You know what we do to demons."
His gaze shifted to Ellie. "And this must be your companion."
He extended his hand, curling his fingers slowly into a fist. Ellie's cage shrank, the bars pulling inward.
"Jay!" Ellie cried, pressing against the sides. She struggled, panicking as the space closed in. Normally, walls and doors were meaningless to her ghostly body, but these roots clung to her, repelling her attempts to slip through.
"What are you doing!?" Jay barked. His heart pounded. "Let her out!"
"Make me," the man said with a cold grin.
The ground convulsed again. Long roots shot from the earth, whipping toward Jay like striking serpents.
With a snarl, Jay's arms twisted, his skin darkening, claws forming. His demon arms slashed at the incoming roots, sparks flying from the impact.
But his claws didn't cut. The roots were too thick, their bark harder than steel. One slammed into his stomach, launching him backward across the dirt.
He skidded, coughing, but forced himself up. The roots writhed like living tentacles, endless, relentless.
Jay roared, charging again. Two roots lashed at him like whips. He crossed his claws, catching the first and batting it aside, then ducked under the second. He darted forward, aiming straight for the man in the kimono.
But three more roots surged from the ground, weaving into a wall before him. Jay slashed with all his strength, his claws screeching against the bark. Sparks flew, but the wood didn't tear. The wall shoved him back, sending dust spiraling into the air.
Behind him, Ellie screamed. Her cage shrank another inch.
Jay spun, parrying another root aimed for his head. His claws dug grooves but never cut through. Another root came low, sweeping his legs. He leapt over it, flipping midair, and drove his claws downward. The roots caught his strike like iron bars.
"Damn it!" Jay hissed. Every second he wasted, Ellie's prison closed tighter.
He slashed furiously, his claws a blur. Dozens of cuts appeared on the roots, but none went deep. The wood regenerated, twisting around his arms, threatening to bind him. He ripped free, chest heaving.
"Focus on me, demon boy!" the kimono man taunted, raising both arms.
Ten roots rose at once, surrounding Jay from all sides.
He grit his teeth, instincts kicking in. As the roots lunged, Jay spun in a violent circle, his claws flashing, deflecting them in sparks of bark and dirt. It was like fighting a storm—each strike he blocked left two more rushing in.
One root clipped his shoulder, sending him stumbling. Another whipped across his back, tearing his hoodie. Blood oozed, hot against his skin.
Ellie's cage groaned, squeezing tighter. She was on her knees now, pressing up against the bars with trembling hands. "Jay!" she cried. "I can't—breathe—"
Jay's eyes burned crimson. He couldn't waste any more time. The roots weren't his enemy—the man was.
He dropped low, letting the next root swing overhead. With a sudden burst of speed, he dashed forward, weaving through the thicket like a shadow. Roots stabbed down around him, missing by inches, tearing into the dirt.
Closer.
Two roots slashed across his path. He twisted sideways, sliding between them, then vaulted over another that shot from below. His claws carved sparks against the wood but didn't slow him.
Closer.
The man's eyes widened as Jay burst through the last gap, face to face at last. Jay's claws drew back for a killing blow—
But something tugged hard at his ankle. He looked down. A root had snaked around his leg, dragging him back with brutal force.
"No!" Jay roared, slashing downward. His claws grazed the man's cheek, leaving a shallow cut that bled.
Then the root yanked him off his feet, slamming him across the circle's edge.
Jay coughed, forcing himself up again, his chest burning.
The kimono man touched his cheek, smirking at the blood on his fingertips.
"Alright," the man said calmly. He lifted his hand, and all the roots recoiled into the earth. The cages dissolved, releasing Ellie and the others.
"The test is over."
"Test!?" Aiko shouted, furious.
"Yes," the man replied casually. "I was informed that a boy in a red hoodie was possessed by a demon. That he had learned to control its power. I needed to test him myself." His eyes flicked to Jay, approving but sharp. "I hoped to see his full demon form, but even like this, I was impressed. You've been trained well… by the best. Isn't that right, Sensei?"
Aiko's jaw dropped. "Sensei?"
The man chuckled. "Yes. Your teacher and I go way back. I was once his student."
Sota rubbed his chin. "So this was just a test. Makes sense. Sensei gave Jay one when they first met."
"You know what they say," Aiko muttered. "Like sensei, like student."
"I think the saying is 'like father, like son,'" Sota corrected.
"Whatever. Same thing."
Before the conversation could go further, one of the shrine maidens approached, bowing deeply. "There is a visitor who requests to speak with Sensei," she said.
The man arched an eyebrow. "A visitor?"
"Yes. She called herself Detective Lisa Carter."