The air grew steadily colder as Ren, Sagiri, and Hibari walked along the winding, hidden pathway. The forest around them was dense and silent, the trees gnarled and ancient, their branches twisted into strange, unsettling shapes. It was a path known only to those with spiritual connections, a trail that led away from the mundane world and into a realm of myth and magic.
They soon arrived at the mouth of a cave, a dark, gaping maw in the side of a cliff. A crumbling torii gate, the same size as the cave's opening, stood before it, a silent warning to all who dared to enter. The inscription on the gate was faded, but the message was clear: "Do Not Enter."
Sagiri pulled out a small scroll, her eyes scanning the ancient text. "According to the demon-slaying ninja's files, the Dragon Grace Lake isn't a lake in the traditional sense," she explained. "It's an underground lake, a place where sunlight can't reach. This cave is the only entrance."
Ren nodded, a serious expression on his face. He could feel the spiritual energy growing stronger with every step they took, the air becoming denser and colder. After a few more steps, the cave opened up, and they found themselves at the edge of a vast, underground cavern.
Before them lay a sight to behold. A massive, subterranean lake glowed with an ethereal, cerulean light, its surface as still and smooth as a pane of glass. In the center of the lake sat a magnificent Japanese castle, its ornate roofs and intricate carvings a stark contrast to the rough, unrefined walls of the cave. To reach it, they would have to cross the river that separated them from the castle's entrance.
Hibari, her keen eyes scanning the surroundings, pointed to the strange, floating lights that illuminated the cavern. "Those are Tsurubebi," she said, her voice a low whisper. "They're not just lights; they're spiritual monsters. Their purpose is not only to light the cave but to guard the castle."
Sagiri and Hibari exchanged a look, a silent understanding passing between them. They needed to get ready. In a flash of spiritual power, Sagiri's clothes vanished, her body now covered in a form-fitting, black spiritual barrier armor. It was a full-body suit that clung to her every curve, and she looked like a fierce warrior ready for battle.
Hibari, meanwhile, transformed into something far more… revealing. Her spiritual armor was a daring, lewd swimsuit that barely covered her sensitive parts. It was a bold look, a testament to her playful and confident nature. Ren, his eyes widening at the sight, couldn't help but let out a hushed "Thank God."
Both girls blushed a deep crimson, their embarrassment quickly turning to annoyance. They moved to punch him, but Ren, with a swift and practiced motion, caught their fists in his palms. They were his fiancées, and while they had accepted his love, they weren't ready for him to take advantage of them. Still, it was a little displeasing that he didn't let them punch him to release their flustered feelings. They knew they couldn't make any noise, so they settled for glaring at him.
Sagiri, seeing his look of confusion, explained her new armor. "It's a spiritual barrier armor. I just recently learned it. As long as I wear this, it will temporarily take attacks for me and protect me from harm. We don't know what kind of traps are waiting for us, so this is a must."
Ren looked at Hibari, a question forming on his lips. She quickly cut him off. "Don't ask," she retorted, a hint of frustration in her voice. "I still haven't completely learned the technique. That's why mine is… like this. The more powerful the armor, the more it covers. This is as powerful as I can make it for now."
Ren, taking in the full view, simply nodded, his expression unreadable. He knew better than to comment further.
Just as they were about to make a plan, Ren held up a hand, stopping them. He could feel a presence approaching. Sagiri and Hibari, however, immediately thought the worst. They thought he was going to take advantage of them due to their revealing clothing. They felt a mix of fear and a secret willingness, but that willingness quickly turned into disappointment when Ren simply poured his own spiritual energy into their armors.
Sagiri and Hibari's spiritual barrier armors shimmered, becoming even more powerful. While their armor looks like normal clothing, they could tell that the armor was now far stronger, imbued with Ren's potent energy. As they were about to ask how he did it, a fish with a human body emerged from the river, its eyes scanning the area.
Sagiri and Hibari, with quick thinking, grabbed Ren and pulled him behind a large rock, hiding from the guard. Their bodies were pressed against each other, their breathing soft and even, their skin touching. Ren, a normal man with normal urges, felt his heart pound and an undeniable erection form. Hibari, pressed against his back, felt something poking her but didn't think much of it, her focus entirely on the fish-man guard.
After the guard passed by, they finally stood up, their faces flushed, their mission now more urgent than ever.