This is a story that goes back to a time when the fruits of chaos are still being formed, the cruel fates yet to be revealed.

In another volume of his journey through the Underworld, the “Adam’s Heir” will fight memorable battles and meet people who might have the answers he is looking for.

Origins, convictions, and duties. Everything will be put to the test once more.

Pantera’s past was revealed, and it contained some important clues for Lied to unravel the mysteries of his lost memories. In search of the answers to his questions, he strode decisively towards the hunter as he wielded his sword.

“Good, you’re full of spirit! That’s how I like it” Pantera said.

The hunter stopped the boy’s blade with a single hand. Lied then delivered a side kick, which Pantera blocked. The battle was fought with enormous intensity as the teenager incessantly tried to break the aztec’s guard, but to no avail. Lied challenged him again in a Visibility contest, however, the hunter was able to foresee his every move.

“Is the difference this big?” Lied thought.

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9th Underworld Level, Upper Block, Administrative Floors, Shinigami’s Office

Mictlantecuhtli X was writing the monthly report of the souls that arrived and departed from the Underworld, under the supervision of his assistant Golgotha. About 7 minutes ago, Mictlan had been informed that there was a riot at Level -5. Thankfully, Chalme and Cihua were already on their way to the Restricted Block, nonetheless, the Shinigami remained apprehensive.

“Hey, Golgotha. Do you think the prince is really here?” the God of Death asked the skeleton standing on the desk.

“I have my doubts, although it’s hard to believe that the Aztec King’s intuition is wrong” the assistant crossed his little arms and replied.

“What if it’s true…?” Mictlan asked.

“In that case, we may be facing the biggest crisis in the Underworld since the Talking Serpent’s breakout” Golgotha said.

The Shinigami swallowed his saliva. The first runaway, the prisoners waging an insurgency, then to top it all off the heir to the crown of Aqua was walking around the corridors of Mictlan. It was hell.

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Underworld Level -3, Restricted Block

Three people pressed for time were seen running as if there was no tomorrow. The Animus were surprisingly collected as they watched them traverse their lair.

“We’re about to reach Level -4” Chalmecacihuilt said.

“So many inmates on the loose!” Cihuacoatl said as she felt multiple auras in the distance.

“The cells have a special property that nullifies the power of the Spirit Mode, so it’s not possible that they escaped by themselves. Either someone neglected the maintenance of the prisons, or they had outside help” Chalme said.

“FUUUUUCK!!” Cihua was a timebomb getting ready to explode as she constantly rewinded the humiliation she had suffered 18 years ago at the hands of Nachash.

“There’s no mistake. This prana is surely…!” Ajax Alcestis said as he was manifestly eager to find who he was looking for.

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“Hey, I haven’t finished warming up yet. C’mon, why don’t you show me your fascinating technique again?” Pantera said.

Perhaps the 2-Kai Unda was indeed the only option left for the teenager if he wanted to win. Nevertheless, he knew he had to catch him off guard and so he ran from side to side in an attempt to confuse the opponent, all while performing the technique step by step. The aztec did not even bother moving as his endeavour was futile.

“You’re not just talented, you also possess the foundations, albeit inexperienced” the hunter said.

The lad was gradually getting faster as he reduced the distance between him and Pantera. Blasius seemed to be able to follow his movements, but the remaining prisoners were dazed. Lied came up to Pantera as the wavy shaped prana in the palm of his hand indicated that the Unda was done and set to be fired.

Like in the previous fight, the boy aimed at the opponent’s abdomen. A weak burst of spiritual energy occurred among them as the battle came to a standstill. The hunter popped up unharmed from the murk, grabbing Lied’s arm. Vestiges of energy could be seen on the latter’s right hand.

“When it’s about to detonate, the prana breaks one more time before finally blowing up. An interesting technique. However, when seen once, it gets very predictable” Pantera asserted.

“Impossible…” Lied muttered in disbelief.

“Only talent and a bit of knowledge… can’t beat real experience” Pantera said and summoned a pole weapon with a pointed head which he wielded in his free hand “In exchange for giving everything you’ve got, I’ll give you a little of what I have.”

“A spear?!” the human said.

“Yeah, I hunt my prey with it!” the man exclaimed.

Pantera struck him twice, one time with the sharp end of his spear and the other with the shaft, knocking the young man back. He got a tear on the special jacket that Zaccharias manufactured using Plasticity, as he dropped his sword and started bleeding from the chest.

Lied called the Anima Sancta back as their weapons clashed together. In the end, it was the blade that hit the ground and faded beside its sagging master. It was at this moment that the human resigned himself to defeat. The enemy now intended to deliver the final blow.

“Now’s the time for you to beg for your life” the man said.

“Zaccharias!” Mare turned to face the talking crow perched on her shoulder and shouted.

The crow immediately understood the urgency of the situation and prepared to act. That was when Cihua and Chalme, the almost identical twins, and Ajax, the handsome silver-haired knight, pitched up on the floor, breaking the tense atmosphere.

The aztec general was one jump ahead of Zaccharias as he stood between Pantera and Lied. Ajax clutched the spear before it pierced the lad’s heart as if it was child’s play. The smiling Ajax gazed at the human and said:

“I finally found you… Prince!”

[END OF CHAPTER]