Spirit and body become one.

A miraculous phenomenon, the manifestation of a person’s inner strength.

Such union grants an extraordinary power, one that knows no bounds: the Spirit Mode.

A profound hush reigned in the room. Five minutes have passed since the spirits reincarnated. Lied was feeling calm, though he still did not understand the tears he shed earlier.

“This prana!” Meshulam said when he suddenly felt an overwhelming presence.

“’Prana’?” Lied gazed at Zaccharias who also sensed it.

“The spiritual energy. But this is…” the talking crow said.

“From the Restricted Block” the Shinigami found the source of the energy using his Sensitivity.

Lied zeroed in on the terrifying devouring aura that reminded him of the snakes and the unknown boy Klaus.

“Martyr…!” the young man thought.

The God of Death noticed his own spiritual body beginning to fade away. Meshulam took a deep breath and then looked at Lied, his last hope.

“Remember, Lied: the biggest trial is yourself” the Shinigami said.

“Myself…” Lied said in a low voice.

“A great battle is about to start in Mictlan. You must awake the power within you before it’s too late!” the God of Death said whilst he disappeared into thin air.

“You heard what he said. The clock is ticking” the crow said.

“I know…” Lied clenched his fists as he did not hide his frustration.

…

Underworld Level -5, Restricted Block, Prison

“How long do you think we’ll have to stay in this place?” a former aztec hunter in his forties named Pantera, wearing a cowboy hat and lying in a cell, asked.

“According to the psychopomp, until we have served our sentence” Blasius, another aztec male the same age as him who stood with his arms crossed in a cell next to Pantera, answered him.

“I was just doing my job. Blame the people that hired me” Pantera sighed.

“Aaaah, I’d shear off your vocal cords if I could” Jirou Isaak, a slightly older human inmate sitting in a lower cell, said.

“Haha, don’t fret. You won’t have to listen to me anymore once I get out of here” the hunter smirked.

“Hihihi, I hope you’re right…” Jirou raised a dark smile while he bit his own nails.

“Hm? One, two, three, four Spirit Mode users?” Blasius counted the several pranas that were approaching from Level -4.

Martyr and Core were tasked with finding Iduma, a stumbling block to the Illuminatus’ plans, and taking him out. None of them were keen to have a chat with the captives, yet Pantera would certainly not miss the chance to break out of prison.

“You there, the man with bandages” Pantera struck up a conversation with Martyr.

“Huh?” Martyr fixed his eyes on the hunter.

“My word! What happened to that hand of yours?”

“None of your business…”

“Did mommy smack you hard? Or was it daddy?”

“Do you… want to be devoured?”

Martyr was filled with rage as the pupil in his eyes turned fiendish for a split second. His eyes looked strangely familiar to Pantera.

“Are you challenging me to a fight? Unfortunately, these cells have a special property that prevents us from activating the Spirit Mode.”

“Then…”

“Yeah, if you destroy these iron bars we can fight as much as you wish!”

Everyone’s attention momentarily switched to the last two users who had just arrived at Level -5. The youngest user seemed especially alarmed by their meeting.

“Nemo!” Core was surprised to see her comrade “And… who?” she stared at the older guy alongside him.

“You are…” Martyr recognized him.

The male’s pants were badly torn, and he was not wearing upper body clothes apart from a damaged tie, thus his well-trained muscles stuck out. Having awakened the Spirit Mode, the boy was now able to remain in Mictlan with his real body.

“Susumu. Susumu Shinichi” he said.

…

Underworld Level -7, Restricted Block, Dead Zone

Naomi could not see an end to the corridors as she constantly wondered how far away Lied was. Yamir brushed up on her ability from time to time since they never knew when more dwellers of death could show up.

The two trained for a few minutes and they resumed walking after a short break. Yamir had a feeling of impending danger and motioned Naomi to be prepared.

“Something’s wrong” Naomi found it odd that no one was coming.

“…Watch out, Naomi!” Yamir shouted, but it was already too late.

A ferocious wind that often passed through the Restricted Block with the purpose of “sweeping up” potential intruders caught her off guard as it took the girl away. Naomi had a brief vision of a red-hooded lad calling her by a different name, while carrying her body in his arms.

“…Adam” Naomi said before fainting as she awakened a memory.

…

Naomi regained consciousness and found herself resting on the ground. A barrier made of roots created by a red-headed boy protected her from the wind.

“Yo, I told ya we’d meet again” Iduma grinned.

…

1st Underworld Level, Lower Block, Reception Area

Lied and Zaccharias managed to avoid being seen until they returned to the very first floor of Mictlan. The human and the crow moved to the buildings where they met each other.

“Hey, what kind of place is the Restricted Block?” Lied asked.

“It’s an off-limits site where the sinful spirits are held captive” Zaccharias enlightened him.

It was not long before they were spotted by half-dozen guards. Lied fought them and won without difficulty.

“I definitely got stronger. It’s not enough…?” Lied thought.

“Let’s go!” the talking crow said.

They left the unconscious guards behind and rode an elevator down into the Restricted Block. Lied felt a shiver go down his spine as he trespassed the forbidden area.

“Zaccharias!” a feminine voice suddenly echoed through the walls.

That thin voice belonged to a little snow-haired, blue-eyed girl wearing a dress. The talking crow perched on her shoulder.

“This is Mare, an aztec spirit. She’s also a Spirit Mode user” the crow introduced her.

“It’s a pleasure, Lied! Zaccharias has told me a lot about you” Mare said as she walked up to the male.

“H-Hello” Lied nodded awkwardly.

“It’s not a fully developed ability yet, but Mare is capable of seeing a glimpse of a person’s far-off future” Zaccharias explained.

“A clairvoyant? That’s amazing” Lied complimented her.

“I didn’t ask for this power… I’d be better off without it” the angst-ridden lass spoke quietly.

“What?” Lied said.

“It’s nothing” Mare got her gentle smile back.

“Now that we’re done with introductions, it’s time to get down to business!” the teacher said as he flew towards his student.

Lied’s clothes were in tatters and for that reason he needed a new look. Zaccharias used the property Plasticity as Lied was presented with a leather jacket over a t-shirt and brand-new jeans.

“I’m not the best costumer in Aqua, but I hope you like it” the crow said.

“Ooooh, you look great, Lied!” Mare was dazzled by his good looks.

He did not dislike it either, despite his indifference. Zaccharias sat on Lied’s shoulder.

“Are you sure you want to come with us, Mare?” the talking crow asked.

“Lied will keep me safe” the child nodded at the crow and smiled at the teenager who looked away.

The trio finally set eyes on the long stairs leading to the lower levels.

[END OF CHAPTER]