CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN: CONTAINMENT

Guy sat cross-legged on a floor cushion in zazen, positioned near an open screen that overlooked a serene veranda and a sweeping view of the garden. A polished stone slab table rested beside him, supporting a single cup of strong oolong tea.

He had spent a great deal of time reflecting under the White Wolf Clan’s care and hospitality — something he would always be grateful for. Sitting beside him now was his younger sister, Luna.

Guy recalled the moment they reunited. She had burst into the room, rushed straight into his arms, and the two of them had wept, siblings lost and found again in a world gone mad.

Earlier, they’d spoken at length about recent events and the uncertain future ahead. Their conversation paused when the sliding door opened, revealing the Lady of the Manor herself — Milla — carrying a tray of tea and light snacks.

Milla seated herself beside Luna and began briefing them on the state of the war in Luyas. She turned to Guy, who was now strong enough to walk on his own, and asked if he intended to accompany Mika to the Kingdom of the Rose or return to Luyas with his sister.

“We’ll be sending reinforcements to the Main House soon. Should you choose to come with us, we’ll gladly escort you both. You are close friends of our Lord, after all. That alone places you under our protection.”

She offered a gracious smile.

Guy returned the gesture with a polite nod. “We are in your debt. Thank you, Lady Milla.”

“When will we be—?”

A loud, piercing siren wailed across the estate.

“W-What’s going on?” Luna cried out, nearly jumping from her seat.

A guard appeared in the garden, bowed deeply, and stepped forward with urgency.

“Forgive the interruption, Milady. A Spirit broke free from the Soul Binding traps. It’s heading this way. Your orders?”

“A Spirit?” Luna gasped sharply.

Milla rose immediately. “Activate the barrier and summon everyone to the control room. Now.”

The guard vanished in a blur.

“You two—come with me. Quickly,” Milla instructed the siblings as she strode ahead.

As they moved swiftly down the corridor, Guy spoke, his brow furrowed. “The guard said a Spirit got through. But I thought your forest was sealed tight with Soul Binding traps?”

“It is,” Milla said grimly.

When they reached the Control Room, a speaker crackled to life.

“Activating the barrier.”

Within seconds, a nearly invisible green shimmer spread over the mansion.

The room was already bustling with Clan members, tense and alert.

“What’s the situation, Captain?” Milla asked as she entered.

“We haven’t identified the Spirit yet, Milady. But with the barrier up, we believe the threat is contained. Rest assured, we’re in control.”

“I have faith in you, Captain,” Milla replied calmly. “Prepare to retaliate if the Spirit breaches the perimeter.”

Just then, another guard burst in, breathless.

“Urgent news! His Lordship and Sir Kazuo are pursuing the Spirit through the forest. We’ve identified the Spirit as —” He turned ghostly pale. He hesitated, looking visibly shaken. “It’s Her Royal Highness… Princess Mika.”

Luna’s breath hitched. She’d heard about the massacre in Andania. Of what Mika became when she became berserk.

Guy glanced sideways at Milla. Her eyes burned with controlled fire, but her expression remained impassive. A flicker of Shinji’s likeness crossed his mind—it had to be hereditary.

As the room held its breath, Milla made her call. “Deactivate the barrier the moment Shinji and Kazuo come into sight.”

“WHAT?!”

“Milady, with due respect — that’s madness! If the Spirit arrives first, it could be catastrophic!”

“Silence,” the Captain barked, turning toward her and asked calmly. “Milady, surely you have a plan?”

Milla gave a slow nod.

“I’m fully aware of the risk. If this fails, the blame is mine and mine alone.”

Her voice sharpened. “I ask for no sacrifice. Only trust. Trust in Shinji — and in myself. Deactivate the barrier the moment they come into view. Once they’ve crossed the threshold, we reactivate it immediately.”

“You heard her,” The Captain commanded. “Stand by!”

“Sir!” called one of the guards. “Lord Shinji is within range! Shall we deactivate the barrier now?”

“Not yet,” Milla said sharply. “Wait until he’s closer.”

From the large screen, audio picked up rustling brush and rapid footfalls.

BANG! BANG!

Gunfire rang out.

“Shinji!” Guy gasped, clutching the edge of the table. Luna clung to his sleeve, trembling.

“Milady,” the Captain said, “shall we prepare an attack division to buy him time?”

Milla considered, then nodded.

“Aim wide. Do not harm the Spirit.”

“Yes, Milady! Prepare to fire!”

Outside, rows of guards loaded crossbows and took formation.

The gunfire intensified. Moments later, a figure burst from the trees and sprinted across the open field.

Mika.

She moved like lightning—unstoppable and wild.

“Do NOT shoot the Spirit!” the Captain barked.

“Affirmative!”

Milla stood at the rear, her left hand raised, watching. Her eyes narrowed as another figure broke through behind the Spirit. Her eyes caught Shinji diving through the underbrush, Kazuo at his heels. The window was now or never.

She dropped her hand. “FIRE!”

***

Shinji’s breath came in ragged bursts. His lungs burned. His legs burned with every stride. Behind him, Kazuo was faring better—or at least hid it well.

It wasn’t that Shinji lacked stamina—he’d spent most of his life running from enemies. But this… this was madness. They had covered what felt like two hours’ worth of hiking in under one. And trying to keep pace with a rampaging Spirit? That was borderline suicidal.

He could only hope Milla had followed the contingency instructions he left her before departure. He was always the one planned several steps ahead.

A flicker of movement above caught his eye.

Dozens of arrows rained down from the sky, streaking toward the clearing and targeting the Spirit ahead of them.

“What the hell are they doing?!” Kazuo roared from behind. “They’ll kill her — and us!”

“They’re giving us cover! Keep running!”

Both men surged forward, mustering what little strength remained. The mansion gates weren’t far now.

Mika was a blur of motion, leaping and weaving with supernatural agility as the arrows descended. She twisted midair, evading each projectile like a creature born from war itself. The humans were making it abundantly clear—they had no intention of letting her anywhere near the mansion.

For a moment, she hesitated.

But then her eyes locked onto two shadows barreling toward the gate.

Her pursuers.

A guttural growl rose from her throat. With a feral cry, she charged toward them, tearing across the open field like a bullet loosed from the heavens, dodging arrows all the while.

Kazuo’s breath hitched, a warning flare in his chest. The hairs on his neck rose as instinct screamed — she was coming.

He glanced over his shoulder.

His heart nearly stopped.

A wrathful Spirit was charging straight at them at full speed.

“Shinji, move! She’s right behind us!”

Kazuo surged ahead and shoved Shinji forward. The gates were close—too close for mistakes.

Four.

“Deactivate the barrier!” the Captain barked.

The mansion's shimmering green shield flickered and vanished, exposing its inhabitants to whatever came next. All eyes locked onto the forest edge. Seconds ticked like lifetimes.

Three.

Shinji’s foot caught on a hidden root. He pitched forward, slamming into the ground face-first.

“Get up!” Kazuo’s voice boomed.

No time. The next thing Shinji knew, strong arms yanked him off the ground and flung him over Kazuo’s shoulder in a fireman’s carry.

Two.

Shouts echoed from the mansion—Milla’s voice among them—urging them forward. Archers fired volley after volley, hoping to stall the Spirit closing in on their heels.

One.

Kazuo let out a desperate roar as he hurled himself—and Shinji—through the open gates just as the barrier surged back to life.

Behind them, Mika’s claws slashed toward the threshold and struck the barrier.

A violent crack of energy erupted as the Spirit collided with the shield. Lightning danced along her limbs. With a shriek, her body was hurled backwards, crashing into the depths of the forest with thunderous force.

For one long breath, no one moved. Then —

“Barrier contained. We did it, Milady!”

The Control Room erupted. Cheers breaking like thunder, relief crashing through the room in waves. Breath was finally released. Shoulders slumped. Smiles returned.

Milla stepped forward.

Her posture remained poised and controlled, but her eyes shimmered with unspoken emotion. She knelt beside the two collapsed men, her voice calm, her gaze soft.

“You made it.”