Sakura crawled, barely walked toward Ren, Ryosuke, and Yamada, while fighting some Spectres on her way.

  “How are you guys holding up?” She asked once she reached one of them.

  “You look beat up.” Yamada uttered. “We’ll handle the rest, once lessen, we’ll perform the ritual at the portal over there to bring us back home.”

  “I can still fight.”

  “Sakura..” Yamada hissed.

  But he knows how stubborn Sakura is, so words would never get through her. He then admitted his defeat on words-battling, and let her fight. “Don’t fucking push yourself too hard!” He barked.

  Beneath a canopy of swirling shadows, the Underworld Realm pulsated with a heavy, oppressive energy. This twisted landscape, where time seemed to tangle with eternity, was filled with grotesque forms that slithered and crept, lurking just beyond the edge of vision. Four young Soshiki students stood together at gap, a thin line between their reality and this nightmare: Yamada, the determined leader and a Healer; Ryosuke, the Samurai and a reckless genius; Ren, the wild spirited newbie; and Sakura, the fierce Kunoichi. Each one carried a sense of both dread and excitement, knowing that their greatest test awaited them. (*kunoichi: a female ninja, or a woman who practices ninjutsu, a type of ninja combat)

  “Let’s go at it again!” Ryosuke exclaimed, the weight of his headband slipping low over his brow, casting shadows across his eyes. “We’ve trained for this moment. We cannot fail.”

  “Right. But we don’t yet know the full extent of what we’re facing,” Yamada remarked tightly, keeping his pale hands steady against the rough hilt of his dagger. “Stick to the plan. Stay sharp and watch each other’s backs.”

  “Come on, what’s the worst that could happen?” Sakura smirked, tossing a few shurikens in the air with a flourish. “I bet it can’t be worse than fighting that swamp creature in training last week.”

  “Focus, idiot!” Yamada scolded, adjusting his grip on his dagger –a birthday gift from V. “This isn’t a game. These monsters aren’t going to hold back.”

  “Yeah, yeah..” Sakura shrugged, the bravado in his words ringing hollow against the starkness of their situation.

  With a shared glance of determination, they stepped together, deeper into the underworld, and reality warped around them, twisting into kaleidoscopic colours that danced like flames. The landscape morphed, revealing an eerie terrain of contrasting light and darkness, with gnarled trees spiralling upwards and rivers of molten lava bubbling between jagged rocks.

  As the last echo of their footsteps faded, the ground trembled beneath them, and the air grew thick with an acrid stench. Then came the whispers –not words, but a malignant hiss that swirled around them, promising madness and despair. Shadows flickered in the periphery of their vision, and as they advanced, the whispers grew into a cacophony, sending chills racing down their spines.

  “Uh oh, what now?” Ryosuke voiced out.

  Suddenly, from the depths of the darkness, a horror emerged –a grotesque beast with too many limbs and skin like rotting flesh. Wails erupted from its maw as it lunged at them, sharp claws gleaming under the sickly light.

  “I think I feel a gruesome aura charging towards us..” Ren uttered. “Is the Spectre a giant this time?”

  “Yeap.” Ryosuke replied. “Stand right next to me, aight? Don’t be naughty-naughty and wander off on your own like earlier.”

  Ren nodded.

  “Get ready!” Yamada shouted, instinct kicking in. He sprang forward, readied his dagger, and met the creature’s ferocity with his own. He slashed upward, but the beast evaded him, its monstrous jaws snapping dangerously close.

  “Watch out!” Sakura yelled as she dove into the fray, her kunai flashing with purpose as she aimed for the creature's exposed flank. She found purchase on its flesh, sinking the blade deep into its side. It howled in pain, thrashing wildly.

  “Nice shot!” Ryosuke cheered, and as if responding to his call, the creature turned its attention toward him, a deadly glint in its eye.

  “Run!” Yamada shouted, his voice urgent. The chaos sparked into a frenzied whirlwind as Sakura dashed back, narrowly avoiding the claws that sliced through the air. Damn it. A Yakedo won’t work at this state! He panicked for a moment.

  The creature loomed larger, advancing slightly, and Yamada pressed forward once more, his resolve bolstered. “Sakura, keep it distracted! We need to take it down before more like him show up!”

  “On it!” She shifted her stance, launching her next attack –her movements a graceful dance of combat. She ducked under its slashing claws, stab-and-dodge through its defenses to keep it off balance, though she could feel the heat of its breath prickle against her skin.

  Ryosuke joined the front line again, hopping and weaving closer. “Let’s finish this quick!” He uncoiled his Katana, launched them with precision. One struck true, embedding itself in the creature’s eye.

  “What happened?” Ren shouted. He felt a tremendous aura coming in a rush.

  “Fight the other Spectres, you feel them?”

  “Ryosuke, something’s coming!”

  “Just fight the small fries! We’ll face the bigger ones!”

  The monster reeled, shrieking in agony, as Ryosuke seized the opportunity to strike. “Now!” He charged forward, channelling all his strength into one decisive blow, slashing through the air as his sword met the beast’s neck.

  In a spray of dark ichor that soaked the ground, the creature toppled, its body convulsing before collapsing into a heap.

  “Let’s move!” Yamada urged, glancing around the shadows creeping closer once more, their presence lingering in the air like a storm cloud waiting to burst. “We don’t have time to celebrate.”

  They pressed deeper, adrenaline mingling with fear, aware of the Spectres shuffling closer. Forms twisted between reality and shadow, whispers weaving tales of despair and regret.

  The underworld was alive, sending cold shivers climbing down their backs. “Keep your guard up!” Yamada commanded, his breath steady despite the sensation crawling through him. “They are everywhere.” Ha panted. “Ren, you doing okay?”

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  Ren nodded in respond, but he can’t shake the uneasiness feeling. Something really is coming up. This presence is even bigger than anything I’ve ever felt. Shit. Am I afraid now?

  As if summoned by Yamada’s words, a horde of monstrous spirits emerged, faces contorted in anguished expressions, each one howling with rage and sorrow. They swirled around the students like a whirlwind, dark energy crackling in the air.

  “Fight back!” Ryosuke shouted, brandishing his katana against the approaching swarm. He swung hard, but the spirits evaporated before him, only to coalesce a moment later, laughter echoing through the air.

  “Keep fighting!” Yamada encouraged. “Strike at the heart of their despair!”

  The first wave crashed into them like a wave, clawing with thin, bony fingers. Sakura shoved her shurikens forward, each weapon a glimmer of defiance against the approaching flood, piercing through the illusions that shimmered in the shadows. She ducked and weaved, striking out with precision as she countered their frantic attempts to drag her under.

  One of the Spectres coiled toward her like a ghostly serpent, wailing as it lunged at her neck. Sakura pivoted, slashing sideways. The kunai connected, and for a split second, the Spectre turned solid, revealing a face twisted in rage.

  “Get off!” She shouted, twisting the kunai as it bit deeper. The spirit snarled, shattering into shards of darkness that faded into the air.

  Meanwhile, Ren was locked in a brutal duel with the other Spectres, their forms shimmering between the tangible and intangible. He thrust forward, only to have it dissipate, re-forming behind him as it lunged for his back. He only uses his senses in fighting, as he can’t see them.

  “Watch out!” Yamada yelled, redirecting his attention as he slammed into Ren’s shadow. Together, they broke free, creating space as another wave of Spectres surged toward them.

  “Ren! Focus on your senses!” Yamada commanded, breaking through the swarm like a bolt of light. "We can't let them flank us!"

  Ren nodded, flinging his arms in quick succession. “I’ll cover!” He moved quickly, darting across the chaos to keep them at bay, but more rippled in the shadows, a ceaseless tide threatening to consume them.

  For every Spectre they destroyed, two more seemed to take its place, drawn to the light of their spirits, hungry to extinguish it.

  “Ryosuke!” Sakura cried as she sidestepped an attack, throwing a kunai forward that crashed headfirst into one of the wailing phantoms. The spirit disintegrated, but they had no time to breathe.

  “Stay close! Keep moving forward!” Yamada urged, slicing through the swarm that clawed at them. The air crackled with rage, shadows darting at the corners of their vision, and terror sprang into every heartbeat.

  “Where are we going?” Sakura shouted amidst the clashing and cries, frustration creeping into her voice.

  “Forward! Past them! We have to make it to the triangle portal!” Yamada shouted.

  As if taunted by their words, the spirits surged with even greater fury. Howling and shrieking, they lunged, their ethereal bodies twisting and contorting.

  “Together!” Sakura rallied, her voice cracking through the air like thunder.

  In unison, the four Soshiki students struck back at the approaching wave, combining their efforts into a powerful burst of synchronized movement. Yamada and Ryosuke moved as one, thrusting and dodging like an intricately woven tapestry. Sakura flanked to their side, weaving through the chaos with grace, while Ren kept on launching his fists, aiming true.

  In that moment of focused energy, they felt their spirits resonate with one another. Every swing and strike was a defiance of the darkness, their shared purpose igniting a barrier between them and the encroaching shadows. They backed each other, covering the open spaces with furious determination.

  More shadows clashed, but for every one that faded, another stirred to life. The Spectres seemed infinite, feeding off their weariness.

  “Press on!” Sakura urged, her spirit unyielding as she parried yet another shadow, her kunai moving in fierce determination.

  But in the chaos, the four students seemed to falter slightly –fatigue gnawing at their limbs, the whispers of despair creeping back in.

  Suddenly, a blinding light exploded from the ground ahead, illuminating the darkness. The echoes of the battle fell silent, all eyes drawn to the source. In its radiant glow, the Heart of the Underworld pulsated –an enormous ruby gem entwined within tendrils of shadow and flame.

  “Oh? Is that.. THE FUCK?” Ryosuke shouted, eyes widening. “The Heart! The Heart of the Underworld! We can finally end this baby!” Temporary though, it’s only a fragment of the heart it seems..

  “No!” A grotesque voice emerged, monstrous fingers curling as a hulking figure loomed beside the Heart –a demon wreathed in darkness, clad in armor of despair, its face a twisted mockery of humanity. “You shall never reach it!”

  The demon grinned, revealing rows of jagged teeth. With a single motion, it waved an arm, sending a wave of dark energy crashing toward them. The ground trembled underfoot as it gleamed ominously, threatening annihilation.

  It’s another presence. Ren speaks in his mind. But it isn’t the same presence I’ve been feeling…

  “Everyone! Hold your ground!” Yamada commanded through gritted teeth, dodging the approaching attack with expert skill.

  But the energy surged with relentless force, phantoms swirling beside the demon –an army summoned to keep them at bay.

  “Now!” Yamada yelled. “Go for the Heart! Keep it occupied!”

  Although panic threatened to choke them, the friends united through sheer willpower. They pressed forward, a fierce determination glimmering in their eyes. As they rushed the Heart, Sakura led the charge, weaving her blade as they maneuvered past the shadowy Spectres swirling all around them. Ryosuke and Ren fought side by side, parrying with one hand while glancing toward Yamada, who had assumed a defensive stance to fend off the demon's monstrous grasp.

  “We can do this!” Sakura shouted, her spirit igniting with strength. “Together!”

  They surged toward the Heart, the brilliant light drawing them in, its warmth surging through them –a beacon amidst the despair. The barrier surrounding it glimmered as they drew close, a force-field of light shimmering around the ruby jewel.

  “Get ready!” Yamada shouted, redirecting his focus back toward the demon now scrambling to regain control.

  “Now…!” Sakura called to the group, the moment of triumph drawing near.

  In perfect coordination, they struck out, pouring every ounce of their energy into the barrier as they launched their final, united attack. The demon’s darkness roared and writhed around them, but their spirit remained stronger.

  “Break through!” Ryosuke yelled, driving his katana forward, the others following suit. They pierced the barrier together, the energy thrumming through them, melding their very essence into one concentrated force.

  The barrier shattered with a brilliant flash, exploding like sunlight piercing the darkness. The light surged forward, enveloping the demon and its nightmarish forms as they crumbled away, dissolving into the air like smoke disappearing on a breeze.

  “No!” The demon’s eyes widened, the realization crashing over it as the world twisted again. “I won’t—”

  Then, the Heart of the Underworld pulsed brightly, tearing through the last remnants of despair, bursting forth with searing energy that illuminated the entire realm.

  In that instant, the darkness recoiled, bending to the might of their spirits combined. The stars appeared in the ether above, the landscape morphing once more as the tendrils of shadow receded.

  “Together! COME ON!” Sakura rallied, her voice resonating with newfound revelation. “Let’s finish this shit!”

  With one final push, they drove forward, channelling the energy through the Heart, unstoppable as they obliterated the shadows threatening to consume them. The demon’s screeches echoed into the night before it vanished altogether, swallowed by the brilliant light.

  As the brilliance faded, the realm transformed, the oppressive weight lifting –revealing soft meadows filled with ethereal light, the endless horizon stretching before them as if it had never been swallowed by darkness.

  “We… did it?” Ren gasped, glancing around as tears of relief filled his eyes.

  Breathless, Ryosuke looked down at the remains of the Heart, now a beautifully glowing gemstone, pulsing softly in his hand. “We did,” he nodded slowly, disbelief mingling with triumph, “together.”

  They exchanged weary smiles, each of them bearing the weight of their journey. They had faced the horrors of the underworld and emerged unscathed, stronger, and united.

  In that moment of victory, they understood the true power of their bond –not just as comrades in battle, but as friends. Each step taken together, etched not just in memories, but solidified in the very fabric of their spirits, would guide them onward, together, into whatever awaited them in the light.

  “The ritual, let’s do it.” Yamada voiced out, panting hard.

  Then in a flash, Ren eyes widened. “THE PRESENCE!” He gulped, his legs staggered. “IT IS HERE!”