The battlefield trembled.
Broken trees burned around them, smoke rising into the dark sky.
Aegis planted his shield into the ground beside Ryosen and Kyuuketsuki, stopping another violent shockwave from reaching them.
"I don't think we can hold them much longer!"
More creatures emerged from the forest.
Distorted.
Twisted.
Their eyes hollow.
Ryosen stepped forward slowly.
Calmly.
His palms pressed together.
"Om Mani Padme Hum."
The air changed.
Not violently.
Not loudly.
But deeply.
Like the world itself had suddenly inhaled.
Behind Ryosen,
something appeared.
Massive.
Golden.
A Buddha slowly rose behind him, towering over the battlefield with closed eyes and countless glowing arms.
The enemies froze instantly.
Even the wind stopped moving.
Then,
a voice spoke.
Sweet.
Clear.
Ancient.
It echoed like the universe itself had chosen to speak.
"I see you, Mara."
The creatures trembled violently.
"Your illusions are empty…"
The Buddha opened its eyes.
Golden light flooded the battlefield.
"…and your foundation is dust."
The ground beneath the enemies cracked apart.
"Depart into the quiet."
Panic.
Instant panic.
The creatures screamed and scattered into the darkness, fleeing without hesitation.
Within seconds,
they were gone.
The Buddha slowly faded away into particles of golden light.
Silence returned.
Ryosen slowly dropped to his knees.
Head lowered respectfully.
"Thank you."
Kyuuketsuki stared wide-eyed.
"…Big brother Aegis…"
She tugged lightly on his cape.
"…What was THAT?"
Aegis looked toward Ryosen quietly.
Even through the helmet, she could tell he was smiling.
Then the unbreakable helmet faded away.
"…It's something we've been practicing."
Kyuuketsuki blinked rapidly.
"Ryosen can just TALK to giant Buddhas now?!"
Ryosen looked exhausted.
"…Not exactly."
Aegis laughed softly.
"Anyway, Ryosen."
He crossed his arms.
"Starting to communicate with it, huh?"
Ryosen looked at his own hands silently.
The golden aura around them flickered faintly.
Then disappeared.
"…Yeah."
A pause.
His expression darkened slightly.
"…and I think it's starting to answer back."