Chains in the Sky (空の鎖 / Sora no Kusari)

Night fell over Eryndral, and the forest glowed softly, like a living constellation beneath the stars. Hajime stood on a high balcony overlooking the canopy, the mark of the Tree faintly visible on his palm. For the first time since the attack on Eisenwald, he felt... peace.

“So,” Rei's voice came from behind him, “how are you feeling?”

Hajime smirked and flexed a bicep. “I feel brand new.”

Rei joined him at the railing, his eyes scanning the skyline. “Don’t get comfortable. The world’s watching you now.”

Hajime frowned. “You all keep saying this, but I have no idea what you mean.”

Rei's gaze hardened.

Rei folded his arms, narrowing his eyes. “Listen closely, Hajime. The world isn’t governed solely by Heaven or Hell. It is divided among five great factions, each born from a different Will and each ruling its own territory.”

He gazed out over the glowing skyline of Eryndral, his voice calm but steady. “First is the Celestine Order, the Luminary Guard. We command the skies of Solarii. I lead them with the Will of Uriel. My Lords include Hayate Tsubasa, who carries Michael’s Will, Raiden Mitsuhiro with Gabriel’s, and Kazuki Haruma with Raphael’s. We stand for divine order and judgment.”

His gaze drifted toward the forest canopy below. “Next is the Verdant Veil, the Emerald Vanguard, which governs the lands of Eryndral. Commander Takahiro Izanami carries the Will of Moses. His Lords are Masanori Shigure with Elijah’s Will, Izumi Rin with Eve’s, and Ayumu Hayate with Noah’s. They protect the balance of creation and the rebirth of life.”

Rei’s tone darkened. “The Thorned Pact, also known as the Pale Requiem, controls the wastelands of Nekros. Commander Dreadbane wields Beelzebub’s Will. His Lords are Hoshigami Yoroku with Judas’s Will, Kagehira Tazumi with Cain’s, and Fuyutsuki Narata with Nebuchadnezzar’s. They spread ruin and call it freedom.”

He turned his eyes toward the distant mountains. “The Crimson Legion, the Ironblood Reclaimers, holds the forges of Barakos. Commander Rokuro Kaizō wields Samson’s Will. His Lords include Banshō Daiga with David’s, Tenkai Hoshima with Joshua’s, and Kiraha Mokuren with Deborah’s. They believe that strength alone can rebuild the world.”

Finally, his voice lowered, carried by the faint hum of Seiki in the night air. “And then there is the Chainbound Doctrine, the Hellbound Legion, which reigns deep in Zebulum. Commander Akane Yatogi carries Lilith’s Will. Her Lords are Kurotaka Hisomi with Samael’s, Renjiro Fushimi with Asmodeus’s, and Shigure Amaya with Belial’s. They seek truth beyond Heaven’s reach, no matter the cost.”

Rei turned to Hajime, his expression firm. “Those five powers shape the world. Their Wills, their lands, their wars. But you carry Adam’s Will. The Will of Man. You belong to none of them. That makes you the one thing every faction fears.”

Hajime looked down at his palm, where the faint mark of the Tree still glowed against his skin. “So, the Thorned Pact’s territory... Nekros, right? That’s where Dreadbane is?”

Rei turned his head slightly, raising one eyebrow. “Don’t tell me you’re thinking of heading there.”

Hajime shrugged, his tone casual but curious. “I’m just curious…”

Rei sighed and rested a hand on the railing. “Be logical, Hajime. You’ve just gained control of your Seiki, and the Thorned Pact doesn’t show mercy... You know this firsthand. Nekros isn’t just a battlefield; it's a graveyard.”

Hajime glanced toward the horizon, a faint smile curving his lips. “I guess I’ll need a reason then.”

Rei smiled back at him. “I suppose I’ll have to go with you when the time comes. Can't have you hogging all the fun.”

Hajime laughed hard for the first time in a very long while.

Suddenly, the air shifted.

A metallic hum rippled through the forest like a plucked string.

Birds scattered from the canopy, their wings beating frantically through the night.

Izumi burst onto the balcony, Seiki already glowing around her. “The wards just collapsed!”

Rei drew his sword in one motion, igniting Uriel’s Flame along the edge. “It’s her.”

“Her?” Hajime asked, confused.

Before Rei could answer, the sky tore open.

A thousand silver chains poured through the clouds, descending like a storm. Each link glowed with runic light, cutting through the air with shrieks of pressure.

At the center floated a figure cloaked in white mist: Selaphine of the Grigori 8. Her chains coiled around her like wings, and her eyes burned violet against the night. 

“Adam’s Will… reborn in mortal flesh,” she said, her voice layered with two tones, her voice mixed with her Will Samyaza. 

“Mortals are full of surprises.”

Chains struck first, crashing into the balcony and wrapping around its pillars, tearing the stone apart. Hajime dove aside, rolling into a crouch as the wood splintered behind him.

Rei sliced through the nearest chain, his sword blazing blue white. “Get to cover!” he shouted.

“Not happening!” Hajime replied. He thrust out his hand, and gold and silver energy flared as Seiki intercepted another chain midair. Sparks scattered where their energies collided, forcing both fighters back a step.

Selaphine raised a hand. “Two against one, how cruel…”

Rei’s flames roared higher. “You talk too much.”

He leapt forward, a streak of light carving through the night. Selaphine’s chains met him midair, dozens weaving together into a barrier. The collision lit up the sky like lightning.

The entire city of Eryndral watched as the heavens split open with vibrant colors. On the ground, roots trembled beneath the immense force of the divine and fallen angel Seiki colliding. Izumi slammed her palms against the floor, chanting rapidly.

“Verdant Domain — Bloom Sanctuary!”

A dome of green light expanded outward, encasing the city in a shimmering shield. The waves of energy crashed harmlessly against it, scattering like petals.

Sylvara appeared beside her, calm even as the Veil trembled. “You’ve grown stronger, Izumi.”

“They’ll level half the forest if I don’t hold this,” Izumi replied through gritted teeth.

Sylvara lifted her gaze to the battle above, then began to use Seiki Resonance alongside Izumi to amplify their combined power. “This barrier will hold.”

Hajime leapt from root to root, channelling Seiki through his arms.

Chains whipped toward him. He ducked, twisted, and caught one mid-swing. The metal link burned into his palm, energy searing through his veins. He screamed in agony and gritted his teeth. “Let’s see how you like this!” 

He yanked, pouring his Seiki into the chain. It glowed with gold and silver, his energy crawling up toward Selaphine. For a heartbeat, her expression shifted to surprise. Then the chain shattered in a burst of light.

Rei appeared beside him, his eyes blazing. “Not bad, rookie.” 

“I’m learning from the best,” Hajime replied.

Rei’s eyes narrowed, the heat of his blade reflecting in them. “If this is who I think it is, don’t let up for a moment. She’s stronger than any of the five Commanders. She is an Omega Level threat.”

Hajime’s pulse quickened. “Stronger than you?”

Rei didn’t answer. 

Above them, the figure smiled slowly and deliberately, her lips curving as if she already knew the outcome. Selaphine’s violet eyes glowed brighter, and the chains around her began to sing. 

Hajime and Rei stood side by side, their auras colliding and merging. Blue, white, and gold intertwined like twin flames. The air warped around them, pressure rising. 

Selaphine watched from above, chains swirling faster. “Going straight for the kill, huh?”

She extended her hand and declared, “Dark Knowledge Covenant: Chain Spear.” 

Thousands of chains converged into a single spear of silver light. It shot downward, faster than the eye could see. 

Hajime raised both hands as Rei crossed his sword in defense. Their Seiki erupted together in a blinding wave. 

Dual Resonance. 

The collision tore open the sky. For a moment, the forest fell silent. Then a light began to fill the night, as if dawn were breaking too early. 

Amidst the haze of gold and blue light, a single figure shot upward. It was Rei. 

His aura blazed like a collapsing star, white and blue flames bending the air around him. His smile was sharp, almost deranged, the kind that belonged to someone eager for battle. 

“Don't try to run!” he called, his voice steady and charged. “You're coming with me!” 

Selaphine’s chains lashed forward in waves, each strike fast and sharp enough to tear through skin and bone. Rei moved quicker, vanishing through the gaps. Every swing of his blade traced lines of blue fire across the night sky. 

“Uriel’s Ascension!” 

Light surged upward like the sun breaking through the clouds.

Selaphine countered, her aura burning violet as the chains formed a crown above her, meeting his strike head-on. The two forces collided, causing the sky to tremble. Hajime covered his eyes as shockwaves rolled across the forest.

Rei and Selaphine exchanged blows at a speed that Hajime couldn't comprehend. Above him, Rei laughed with a joyous madness. “Now this is a fight!” he exclaimed.

He cut through the last chain, and the edge of his sword stopped inches from her throat. Selaphine caught the blade between two fingers and smiled.

“Interesting,” she said softly. “I'll remember you, Rei Kurayami.”

Selaphine hovered, the chains retracting into mist. “We’ll play again soon, boys,” she added before vanishing, the sky closing behind her.

Rei sheathed his sword, his shoulders heaving with exhaustion. “You held your own out there,” he said to Hajime.

Hajime panted, smoke rising from his skin. “Nothing compared to you. What was that power? You held your own against an Omega Level threat! Just who are you?”

Izumi approached from the bridge below as the green barrier behind her faded.

“The city’s intact. Barely,” Izumi exclaimed.

Sylvara appeared beside her, her eyes still lifted toward the stars. “That was one of the Grigori Eight,” she said quietly. “The fallen Watchers who once defied Heaven, gifted forbidden knowledge to mankind, and fornicated with human women, breaking divine law itself.”

Rei followed her gaze. “I heard the stories, and I'm so glad they're true.”

Silence fell, and even the wind seemed to hesitate.

Hajime blinked slowly. “You’re glad the near-immortal chain lady almost killed us?”

Rei smirked. “She had style.”

Izumi’s shadow darkened behind him, her Seiki pulsing faintly green as her eyes narrowed into a smile that was far too sweet to be safe. “Style…?” she repeated.

Rei froze. “Wait, hold on, I didn’t mean—”

A vine sprouted from the floor and smacked the back of his head.

Hajime burst out laughing, doubling over. “Guess that’s divine punishment.”

Sylvara sighed, rubbing her temples.

Izumi crossed her arms, her cheeks puffed slightly. “Next time, try being less glad when someone tries to level the city, kay?”

Rei grinned through the pain. “Worth it.”

Later that night, Hajime sat on the balcony’s edge, staring at the sky. The stars had returned, quiet and unbroken. Izumi joined him, her hair catching the faint light. 

The stars shimmered above them. 

Izumi smiled faintly. “You did great today.”

Hajime looked at her, soft and sincere. “So did you.”

Their laughter carried into the night.