Exorcists Fall, Rei Rises

The forest trembled, panic snaking through the trees.

Kazumi lunged, eyes sharp, whip coiled tight.

“Hey! What did you do?!”

Rei raised his hands, voice trembling slightly.

“It’s not me, it’s the demons.”

“Yeah, right…” she spat, disbelief burning.

A distant shout cut through the chaos. Akira, Daichi, and Denryuu burst from the trees.

“This is bad! Magic’s blocked!” Daichi’s voice cracked “What happened? Could this be… another test?”

Rei shook his head, urgency flashing in his eyes.

“It’s not a test. The Sekgetsu are attacking. Their leader can cancel magic.”

“And how would you even know that?” Kazumi asked, eyes narrowing,

Akira’s fingers tightened on his sword, ready to protect anyone who couldn’t fight. Itsuki hung back, calm and measured, thinking retreat was safer.

Rei took a deep breath, deciding they would do both: move toward the crystal and help anyone in their path.

Kazumi lashed her whip, a sharp arc slicing the air.

“Like I’d let you slip away. Even if it’s real… maybe you’re the leader. The timing… it’s too perfect.” Her eyes pierced him, tension coiled like her whip.

Rei shrugged.

“Do what you want. Keep the crown, I don’t care. We’re moving.”

Suddenly, the ground shook violently. Yokai sprang from the shadows, jagged limbs swinging.

“Sorry… I can’t help!” Itsuki muttered, sliding behind Rei

“Stay close. I’ll protect you,” Rei said, knives flashing in his hands.

But something odd happened. The golems ignored him, moving straight for the others.

Denryuu shot electricity along his arms.

“Tch… so weak.”

Akira swung his blade, cutting clean through a yokai. Daichi followed with a solid punch, and the creature crumpled instantly.

They glanced at each other, eyes wide.

No blood. No resistance. The yokai snapped apart and then fell like toys, too easy, too strange.

But that wasn’t the strangest.

The creature rose again, limbs stiff, moving as if nothing had happened.

“They look like puppets,” Rei murmured, frowning.

Sarutobi emerged from the trees, voice sharp.

“Because they are. Strike the seals behind their necks.”

In a synchronized flash, everyone attacked, all hit their marks. The yokai fell, motionless, for good this time.

Kazumi blinked, her gaze snapping to Rei and Denryuu.

“Wait… how can you still use your powers?”

“Human magic is blocked… not yokai magic.” Rei answer, calm but measured

Her eyes widened. “That means… you’re half-yokai.” Kazumi’s body tensed, whip coiled, ready to strike but Sarutobi stepped forward.

“They’re on our side. Rei is Enshin’s disciple.”

Kazumi’s shoulders loosened. She bowed slightly.

“Oh, Enshin? I’m sorry for doubting you. I’m Tsubame Kazumi, disciple of Ishikawa Akane.”

Sarutobi’s voice turned urgent.

“Alright , we must move. Reach the crystal and see what’s happening outside.”

The earpiece buzzed.

“Rei… demons attack… magic blocked… be careful…” Enshin said, voice shaky

Cries and clashes spilled through the earpiece. Rei pressed it closer.

“Enshin… are you alright?” he asked , chest heaving

“I’ll be fine… stay safe… I’ll call back if I get more info,”

Then silence.

Sarutobi frowned, shoulders tense, muttering under his breath as thoughts raced.

“We need to announce this… but magic won’t work. Shit …”

Rei handed him his earpiece. “Kaitsuki can do it.”

The rabbit soared above the trees while Sarutobi pressed the earpiece to his lips.

His voice rang through the forest:

“This is Sarutobi. This is not an exercise! The tournament is suspended. All candidates must reach the crystal immediately!”

Rei stepped forward, calm and steady, eyes scanning the team. Everyone stayed silent, gazes locked, waiting.

“Denryuu, Akira, front. Itsuki, Sarutobi, middle. Daichi, Kazumi, cover the back. Move carefully. Stay alert.”

No one argued. Even Kazumi nodded, tense but obedient.

They began to move. A moment later, Rei raised a clenched fist, signal to stop. The group followed without hesitation.

“Two golems ahead. Be careful.”

They adjusted positions, each step precise. The forest hummed with tension, alive with movement.

Two golems emerged from the shadows. Massive, creaking limbs, moving lick clockwork.

“Kaitsuki , fire” rei ordered quickly

Flames flared around the golems, but they didn’t slow.

“Great… now it’s even worse,” Denryuu muttered, a wry grin on his face.

Kazumi frowned. “Are you sure you’re on our side?”

Akira lunged, his blade slicing cleanly through a golem. He froze for a moment, eyes locked on the sword.

“What? Why is my sword burning? What kind of magic is this?” He waved it frantically, flames sputtering.

That’s because it’s real fire

A nervous smile appeared on rei face.

“Sorry… I’ll be more careful next time.”

He stepped forward again, leading the team toward the crystal. Suddenly, Rei raised his fist pointing to the right.

“I heard screams there… sounds like they’re in trouble. Let’s help them!”

He dashed toward the golems, but they ignored him again, passing like he didn’t exist.

Strange. Why weren’t they attacking him?

His frown deepened as he killed them. But no time to think, he had to secure the candidates first.

“Those who can fight, front and back! Others, stay in the middle!” rei shout.

A candidate frowned.

“Why should we listen to you?”

“Do as he says.” Sarutobi ordered, eyes were sharp ,

The candidate stiffened, then nodded. “Yes, sir. Sorry.”

The group fell in line, moving quickly behind Rei, everyone following his lead.

Rei halted.

“Ten yokais… from all sides! We’re surrounded!”

Golems emerged between the trees, tearing through roots and branches. Steel rang out. Someone screamed. Blood splashed against dirt as a candidate was thrown back, armor scraping stone.

Rei reacted immediately, throwing a bright flash into the middle of the battlefield. .

No reaction.

The yokais kept advancing. Rei clicked his tongue, releasing thick smoke that spread fast. This time the creatures slowed, then froze, spinning aimlessly like they were totally lost.

His eyes narrowed as his mind raced.

Denryuu was never attacked directly. Some golem suddenly fell into holes. And their movements repeated like clockwork.

Finally, it clicked.

Rei had figured out how to turn the fight in their favor.

The fight was over, but some candidates were still shaking.

“Too many… we can’t win…”

Rei moved among them, patching up injuries with steady hands. Then he straightened, scanning their faces.

“Calm down. Listen carefully. Our magic may be blocked… but that doesn’t mean we’re out of options.”

Silence fell.

Everyone stared at Rei, eyes wide, waiting. He opened his mouth to explain … but Kazuto cut in.

“Why aren’t the demons attacking you? Why did you stop fighting? You’re one of them, aren’t you?”

Rei didn’t flinch, he explained it calmly.

“They don’t see. They sense magic.”

“Even if true, how does it help?” Kazuto pressed, doubt still clear in his voice.

Sarutobi raised a hand “Let him finish. What’s your plan?”

All eyes turned to Rei , hope sparked in their gaze. He gave a small smile.

“Fight them without magic.”

Groans echoed.

“How do you expect us to win without it?” Akira said, shaking his head.

Rei straightened, confidence clear in his posture.

“Did you forget? I can use magic… without magic.”

Doubt shifted. Slowly , fear gave way to belief.

“Follow my lead, and we can survive.”

Rei moved fast, giving clear instructions.

The group shifted instinctively, trusting him. He pointed to the ground, the trees, narrow angles. Timing. Distance. Step here, not there.

A golem stepped forward, wires snapped tight. Nets rose, wrapping limbs. Rocks and projectiles forced another off balance.

Yokais were surrounded. Explosive spheres struck exposed necks. Precision, no wasted motion. Everyone played their part. No hesitation. No panic.

One golem fell. Then another.

Step by step, they advanced, formation holding.

Time dragged. Some candidates began to fell behind. Breaths heavy, shoulders slumped. The forest felt endless.

Rei noticed. His gaze swept them.

“Courage… we’re almost there.”

Relief rippled through the group. Hope sparked, they might actually make it.

Suddenly, Rei’s eyes narrowed, hand clenching.

“What… what’s wrong?” someone whispered.

The crystal was surrounded by golems, a lot of them. And it pulsed red instead of blue, flickering strangely.

“Everyone, silence! Stay hidden. Now.” Sarutobi’s voice cut sharp.

Before anyone could move—

An Oni burst forth, shooting forward faster. Its gaze flicked to Rei and Sarutobi. A cruel grin spread. Then it vanished deeper into the forest.

“I have a bad feeling… we have to follow him,” Sarutobi muttered, jaw tighten

Kazuto’s eyes widened.

“You’re crazy! How do we beat an oni without magic?!”

Then—

A sudden crack split the air. The crystal exploded, shards scattering like falling stars.

The group froze.

The path ahead was gone.

And the last exit… was in danger.