Chapter 27: Curses keep us together

The Death Arena

The battlefield had gone silent.

Not the calm silence after victory—
but the hollow stillness left behind by the overwhelming destruction.

Broken stone stretched across the Death-arena like shattered glass,
cracks split the earth in jagged patterns, still faintly glowing with residual cursed energy.

Purple blood lay scattered everywhere —thick and unnatural—ran through the fractures in the ground like dark rivers.

At the far edge of the arena stood two figures.

Nathan and Fugaku- both injured and exhausted, both thinking about very different things.

Footsteps approached from behind.

Yaga stepped into view, his eyes scanning the battlefield before settling on the two sorcerers.

His expression hardened slightly.

“…Where are the others?”

Fugaku shifted, holding his ribs as he spoke.

“Everyone went their own way.”

Yaga’s gaze moved to Nathan.

“And the two of you?”

Nathan didn’t answer.

His eyes were distant—locked onto something only he could feel.

Yaga studied him for a moment before exhaling.

“Well… Tengen is going to be pissed.”

Fugaku frowned.

“Why?”

Yaga’s voice dropped.

“The Tomb of the Star has been invaded.”

A beat.

“No survivors were found.”

Fugaku turned instantly, disbelief overtaking the pain in his body.

“That’s impossible! That place is supposed to be impenetrable!”

Yaga nodded once.

“It was.”

A pause.

“Whoever did it… stole the Prison Seal.”

Silence fell.

Even the wind seemed to stop.

Fugaku’s eyes widened.

Even Nathan reacted—turning sharply toward Yaga.

The weight of that information settled immediately: The Prison Seal wasn’t just a tool. It was a war-ending artifact.

Yaga continued.

“Right now, the Big Three clan heads from each nation are engaging Jaden Ryūmen.”

The name alone carried pressure.

Understanding clicked into place.

Fugaku gave a short laugh—one that clearly hurt.

“That means Jason and Ryo are either seriously injured… or dead.”

Nathan slowly stood up.

The distant look in his eyes was gone now, replaced with sharp focus.

“I have a feeling we shouldn’t be heading toward that fight.”

Yaga glanced at him.

Nathan continued.

“We need to find whoever has the Prison Seal.”

A brief pause.

Then Yaga nodded.

“Correct.”

Behind them, far beneath the earth, something ancient stirred—aware that the balance of the Jujutsu world had begun shifting again.

Nathan, Fugaku, and Yaga turned away from the battlefield.

And left the Death Arena behind.

 

Rooftop at Jujutsu High

The rooftops of Jujutsu High overlooked a battlefield that no longer felt humane.

Shockwaves rolled across the skyline-
fragments of buildings lifted and fell like weightless debris.

Flashes of cursed energy  burst like distant lightning.

From the edge of the roof, Ashley watched in silence.

Far below, the clash between Jaden and the six special grade sorcerers continued—each exchange bending the environment around them.

A faint smile formed on her face.

He still got it.

But the smile didn’t last.

A presence entered her range.

It was fast, and familiar. Too familiar.

Ashley’s expression shifted instantly. She didn’t turn right away. 

She already knew who it was.

Footsteps landed softly behind her.

Ashley finally spoke.

“…Long time no see, Ava.”

Ashley turned.

Across from her stood Ava.

Her fists were clenched tightly at her sides—knuckles pale.
Tears streamed freely down her face, unchecked.

Anger and relief fought for control in her expression.

“I thought you were dead, you dumbfuck!”

The words came out sharp—almost breaking midway.

Ashley looked down at the rooftop tiles.

For a moment, she said nothing.

Then she slowly turned, her back facing Ava.

“I’m sorry.”

The apology came quietly.

Ashley took a breath before turning back toward her.

“There’s something I need to do first.”

Before Ava could respond—

Ashley stepped forward and pulled her into a hug.

Ava froze.

Then her body gave in.

Her shoulders shook as the tears came harder now.

Ashley held her tighter.

“Then I’ll explain everything.”

Ava’s voice trembled against Ashley’s shoulder.

“Has Jaden really revived…? Is it really him?”

Ashley hesitated for half a second.

“Only temporarily.”

Ava tightened her grip.

“Can we go see him?
Can I see him?”

Ashley smiled softly.

And nodded.

Ava slowly pulled away, wiping her face before turning toward the battlefield.

Her eyes widened.

She recognized the body belonged to Cyan.

But the movement—the confidence., the relaxed posture even in chaos, and that unmistakable smirk he wore whenever he enjoyed a fight.

It was him.

Ashley gently took Ava’s hands.

“We’ll go see him soon.”

The two of them sat down at the edge of the rooftop.

No more words.

Only the distant echoes of battle carried through the air as they watched in silence.

Above them, the red sky stretched endlessly—
as if the world itself was holding its breath.

The war unfolding below felt like something pulled straight out of —
except this time, it was their story.

 

Scene 3 – Flashback (11 Years Ago)

Outskirts of Bokaap– near Devils Peak Mountain.

The wind pushed dust through the narrow pathways of the small hillside slum.

Rust sheets rattled- loose wood creaked. The air carried the smell of smoke and damp earth.

Inside one of the fragile shacks, two small girls sat on the floor.

A six-year-old Ava was crying.

Her hands trembled as she held Ashley’s.

Ashley’s condition was worsening by the second: Her skin had turned pale—almost grey. 

Her breathing came in short, uneven bursts. Her body shook uncontrollably.

Dark veins spread slowly across her arms. The poison technique was still in effect.

A cursed user had already left—assuming the job was finished.

“Ashley… please…” Ava’s voice cracked.
“Please don’t die…”

Tears fell onto Ashley’s hand.

Ashley tried to speak—but no words came out. Only a faint, strained breath.

Then—

The shack door opened.

Standing in the doorway was a seventeen-year-old Jaden.

Silhouetted by the fading sunset behind him, his presence alone seemed to quiet the air inside the room.

He looked at Ashley once.

Then walked toward her.

No panic.
No hesitation.

He knelt beside her and gently placed one hand on her forehead.

Ashley’s shaking intensified for a brief moment.

Ava looked up at him, frightened.

Jaden turned toward her—and smiled.

“It’s going to be okay.”

His voice carried absolute certainty.

Then—

His cursed energy surged.

The pressure filled the small shack instantly, lifting dust from the wooden floor. The energy was intense—but controlled.

Ava instinctively leaned back.

The energy had first appeared heavy and violent suddenly softened. Then the aura changed color—turning white.

The cursed energy flowed from Jaden’s palm and spread across Ashley’s body like warm light.

Ashley’s shaking slowed. The dark veins began fading.

Then— Tiny beads of sweat formed across her skin.

The poison was being forced out.

Drop by drop, the toxin seeped through her pores—evaporating the moment it touched Jaden’s energy.

A faint mist rose into the air.

Ashley’s breathing stabilized.

Color returned to her face.

Her body relaxed completely.

Jaden slowly removed his hand.

Ashley was safe.

Ava stared in disbelief—eyes wide, tears still falling.

Jaden stood up casually, like what he had just done required no effort at all.

But for Ava—

Everything changed in that moment.

 

Six Against One

The battlefield had become unrecognizable.

Broken rooftops, torn concrete, and lingering cursed energy filled the air like static before a storm.

Jaden stood at the center—calm, amused, and completely surrounded by the Six Special Grade sorcerers.

Daisuke moved first.

He extended his hand.

“Spatial Erasure.”

Space itself warped toward a single point—collapsing reality where Jaden stood.

But before the distortion could reach him— Jaden stepped backward and fell into a shadow cast by a collapsed building.

The moment he vanished— the structure behind him twisted inward and disappeared from existence.

A ripple of darkness formed on a nearby rooftop. Jaden emerged from the shadow casually, as if stepping through a doorway.

He barely had time to straighten when— Charles and Juzo were already there.

They charged simultaneously.

The rooftop exploded into movement.

Fists clashed.

Shockwaves burst outward with every strike.

Juzo’s speed was overwhelming—his movements nearly invisible.

Jaden slipped past Charles’ strike and aimed a counter—

But Juzo’s hand touched his shoulder.

Jaden froze, for one full second.

A cursed effect of the Zenin clans projection technique.

That single moment was enough.

Charles stepped forward.

“Information Overload.”

Reality distorted.

Then— an infinite stream of data flooded into Jaden’s mind.

Images, sounds, memories, languages, equations, and sensations.

It was endless, and unstoppable.

Jaden’s body locked completely. His eyes widened, and blood slowly began running from his nose.

Yet—A smirk still formed on his face.

“Totsuka—NOW!”

Totsuka appeared instantly.

His hand was already formed into a piercing stance.

“Piercing Blood.”

The attack shot forward like a compressed beam—

And tore straight through Jaden’s chest.

A massive hole opened near his heart.

For the first time—Jaden’s body went limp.

He collapsed.

Falling from the rooftop.

Crashing into the ground below.

Silence followed.

Phillip couldn’t move.

His vision blurred.

His ears rang.

All he saw—

Was his daughter’s body lying lifeless in the rubble.

Voices called out around him—but none of them registered.

Cold spread through his chest.

His hands trembled.

It was over.

Cyan was gone.

The dust shifted-Jaden stood up.

Blood covered his torso. The hole in his chest still visible.

His smile widened.

“After this girl gains control of her body…”

His eyes darkened.

“She’ll die.”

Phillip’s knees nearly gave out. 

Tears blurred his vision. The reality hit harder than any attack.

Then—

CRACK

The air itself split. Another fracture followed.

Then another.

Space began splintering like glass. Daisuke’s eyes widened.

“GET AWAY! My Domain Expansion is breaking!”

The remnants of Hollow Limitless, detonated outward violently. Lightning burst through the fractures. Shockwaves tore across the battlefield.

Two figures were thrown from the collapsing domain—

Elle a crashed across the rubble. Megumi fell unconscious and heavily injured.

Elle hit the ground but forced herself back up.

Breathing hard.

Her cursed energy flickered—but her presence remained overwhelming.

As the chaos settled— Jaden looked up.

Their eyes met.

The atmosphere changed instantly.

Elle could feel it.

He was stronger than before.

Much stronger.

But her confidence didn’t waver.

Not even slightly.

“I see you’ve gotten stronger.”

She smirked.

“But it’s nowhere near enough to even put a scratch on me.”

Jaden tilted his head.

Smiling.

“Even if I used a Domain Expansion?”

For the first time—

Elle’s smile faded slightly.

Jaden laughed.

“You’re right.”

A pause.

Then his eyes sharpened.

“You’re so right!”

 For a moment, nothing happened.

Only the distant crackle of cursed energy drifting through the ruined battlefield.

Then—Jaden slowly and deliberately raised his hands. 

His fingers began forming precise hand seals.

Elle’s eyes widened.

“WAIT—”

Another seal.

The air pressure dropped instantly. 

Wind began spiraling inward toward Jaden’s position.

Elle’s expression changed completely.

“EVERYONE RUN!”

The command carried raw urgency.

Phillip froze.
Daisuke turned.
Charles’ eyes sharpened.

But Jaden continued.

Calm and unbothered.

Final seal.

The ground beneath him cracked outward in a perfect circular pattern.

The sky changed.

Clouds twisted violently as a deep crimson color bled across the atmosphere, swallowing the blue entirely.

The light of the sun dimmed.

Shadows stretched unnaturally across the battlefield.

A presence descended.

Phillip’s instincts screamed.

Daisuke grabbed Juzo and vanished.

Charles leapt backward across the shattered rooftops.

Elle didn’t move.

Her eyes locked onto Jaden.

“…So that’s what this is.”

Jaden smiled wider.

Cursed energy exploded outward.

“Domain Expansion—”

The world split.

“Malevolent Shrine.”