Exorcists Fall, Rei Rises

The forest trembled with sudden panic.

“Hey! What did you do?!”

Kazumi, the ninja girl, lunged, eyes sharp, whip coiled in tension.

Rei raised his hands, calm.

“It’s not me… it’s the demons.”

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

Her whip flicked, slicing the air.

Her whip flicked, slicing the air. Then a distant shout cut through the chaos. It was Akira, Daichi, and Denryuu who burst through the trees.

“This is bad! Magic’s blocked!” Daichi’s voice rang with alarm.

Denryuu’s sparks fizzled uselessly.

“The organizers are insane! 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.”

Kazumi narrowed her eyes.

“And how would you even know that?”

Akira tightened his grip on his sword.

“If that’s true, we need a plan to protect those who can’t fight.”

Itsuki stepped forward, calm but alert.

“We should retreat.“

Rei’s gaze swept the forest.

“Let’s do both. Move toward the crystal, help anyone we find on the way.”

Kazumi lashed her whip, forming a sharp arc between them.

“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 shifted.

Yokai sprang from the shadows, jagged limbs swinging.

“Sorry… I can’t help!” Itsuki muttered, stepping in front of Rei.

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

Odd. The golems ignored him, moving straight for the others.

Kazumi lashed her whip, struggling. “Harder without my water powers…”

Denryuu shot electricity along his arms. “Tch… so weak.”

Akira’s blade swung with precision, cutting cleanly. “No blood?”

Daichi slammed his fist. “They break… easily.”

They fell, then rose instantly.

Everyone froze from the view of the yokai who toppled, limbs snapping, then rise again as if nothing had happened.

Rei’s eyes narrowed, scanning their stiff movements.

“They… look like puppets,” he murmured, frowning

A shadow dropped from above.

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

In a synchronized flash, Akira’s sword, Daichi’s fists, Kazumi’s whip, Denryuu’s sparks, Rei’s explosive orbs , all hit their marks.

One yokai per person collapsed, motionless.

Kazumi blinked, tension easing. “Wait… how can you still use your powers?”

Rei glanced at her. “Human magic is blocked… not yokai magic.”

Her eyes widened.

“That means… you’re half-yokai.”

Kazumi’s body tensed, whip coiled, ready to strike

Sarutobi stepped forward, nodding.

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

Kazumi’s shoulders loosened. She gave a small bow.

“I’m sorry for doubting you. My name is Tsubame Kazumi, disciple of Ishikawa Akane.”

Rei’s lips twitched. “The Kyoto judge…”

Sarutobi’s voice turned urgent.

“We must move. Reach the crystal and see what’s happening outside.”

The earpiece buzzed.

Enshin’s chaotic voice cut through. “Rei… demons attack… magic blocked… be careful…”

Rei’s ears strained. Cries, clashes, the forest alive with chaos.

He pressed the earpiece closer, worry sharpening his gaze.

“Enshin… are you alright?”

Chaos crackled behind him, cries, clashes, the arena alive with movement.

“I’ll be fine… stay safe… I’ll call back if I get more info,” Enshin’s voice cut through, tense and hurried.

Then silence.

Rei’s chest heaved. “We have to get out of here.”

Sarutobi’s eyes scanned the group.

“We need to announce this… but magic won’t work. How do we do it?”

Rei handed him his earpiece.

“Kaitsuki can do it.”

The rabbit soared above the trees.

Rei pressed the earpiece to Sarutobi’s 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.

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

No one argued.

Even Kazumi nodded, tense but obedient.

Rei raised a clenched fist , the signal to stop and the group followed.

“Two golems ahead. Watch.”

They adjusted their positions. Every step measured, precise.

The forest was tense, alive with sounds of movement. Then two golems emerged from the shadows. Massive, creaking limbs, moving without hesitation.

Rei raised his hand, voice sharp:

“Kaitsuki , fire”

Flames flared around the golems, but they kept coming.

“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 sliced cleanly through a golem. Then he froze for a moment, staring at his blade.

“Oh… my sword is on fire? What kind of magic is this?”

He waved it frantically, flames sputtering as he tried to put them out.

That’s because it’s real fire, not magic… Rei thought then a nervous smile appeared on his face.  “Sorry… I’ll be more careful next time.”

He stepped forward again, leading the team toward the crystal, focused and determined. Suddenly, Rei raised his fist and pointed to the right.

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

He dashed toward the golems, but they ignored him again. They passed right in front as if he didn’t exist. Rei touched a seal instinctively.

Why they don’t attack me?

But no time to think. He shoot:

“Those who can fight, front and back!

Others, stay in the middle!”

A candidate frowned.

“Why should we listen to you?”

Sarutobi’s eyes were sharp.

“Do as he says.”

The candidate stiffened, then nodded.

“Yes, sir. Sorry.”

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

Rei halted.

“Ten yokais… from all sides! We might be surrounded!”

They emerged from the trees.

A fierce battle broke out. A few candidates were hit. Then rei threw a bright flash of light.

No reaction.

The yokais kept advancing, as if nothing had happened.

He released thick smoke.

Suddenly, some yokais froze, spinning in confusion.

Rei stepped into the smoke.

“Rei, careful!” Akira shouted.

But the yokais didn’t notice him. 

He studied them carefully. He noted patterns. Denryuu was never attacked directly. Some yokais fell into holes.Their movements repeated like clockwork. Finally He had the key. And with this, they could turn the fight in their favor.

The fight ended.

Some candidates shook in fear.

“Too many… we can’t win…” a young voice whispered.

Rei patched up the injured.

Pulling bandages from his backpack, he moved with quick efficiency.

Rei straightened, scanning the frightened 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 remained calm, his voice steady.

“They don’t see… they sense magic.”

Murmurs spread across the group.

Kazuto doubted.

“Even if that’s true, how does it help?”

Sarutobi raised a hand, silencing him.

“Let him finish. What’s your plan?”

All eyes turned to Rei, hope sparked in their gaze.

Rei gave a small smile.

“Fight them without magic.”

Groans and disappointment echoed.

Akira shook his head.

“How do you expect to win without it?”

Rei straightened, confident.

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

Doubt shifted into belief as they began to trust him.

“Follow my lead, and we can survive.”

Rei gave detailed instructions and the group repositioned quickly. He pointed out traps, angles, and timing.

The golems stepped onto wires. Nets triggered, trapping some while rocks and projectiles slowed others. And to finish them , explosive spheres struck their necks.

Every move was synchronized. 

And like that Golems fell, one by one , allowing the team to advanced safely. But after a while, a few candidates started to lag behind.

Heavy breaths, dragging feet, shoulders slumping.

The forest seemed to stretch on forever.

Rei’s eyes swept over them and raised his voice.

“Courage… we’re almost there.”

Murmurs floated among the group.

“We made it.” , “Finally… safe.”

But Rei’s eyes narrowed, hand clenching.

The murmurs faltered.

“What… what’s wrong?” , “Oh no… so many golems.”

The crystal glowed red, pulsing unnaturally.

“Why… why is it red?” Rei whispered.

Denryuu snorted.

“Forget the color. Look at all the golems around it.”

A sudden flicker flashed across the crystal.

Akira stepped closer.

“Why is it blinking?”

Sarutobi’s voice cut sharp.

“Everyone, silence! Stay hidden. Now.”

In a heartbeat, an Oni erupted from the crystal. It shot forward, lightning-fast, straight ahead and he gaze flicked to Rei and Sarutobi.

He smiled then  kept running, like he didn't care about them, like he had another agenda. 

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

The others froze.

Kazuto’s eyes widened, chest heaving.

“You’re crazy! We barely handled the puppets… How are we supposed to beat an oni without magic?!”

Then—

A sudden crack split the air.

The crystal exploded in a flash of blinding red light, shards scattering like falling stars.

Every candidate froze, staring at the smoking remnants.

The path ahead was gone, and the last exit was in danger.