Chapter 88 - Return Trip

Back on Earth, Misao and Takumi stared at Shi with an expression of surprise.

"How long were you listening in? And what do you mean, help us?" Misao asked, arching an eyebrow at Shi who stood smugly with her hands at akimbo.

Shi gave a giggle before using her shapely hips to literally shove Misao over, making room for herself to sit as she stole her daughter's last cup of coffee.

"Been here since you two lovebirds walked it." Shi said after taking a sip, sticking her tongue out in disgust, "And I mean that I have a way to get you guys back to that world."

Takumi and Misao gasped. They didn't even have a plan to get back to Endolis, and yet Shi just walked in telling them that she had a way to get them back, this shocked them greatly.

"How do you plan on doing this?" Takumi asked.

Shi giggled again, "Meet me and Misao back at our house, I'll explain there."

***

Takumi found himself in front of Misao's edo style house later that afternoon. The ancient feel of the dwelling made him feel like a samurai visiting his master after a long time.

Upon entering, that feeling was enhanced tenfold. The first room he entered seemed to be completely revamped to fit this occasion.

All the windows were covered, the only source of light being the twelve lit candles which were arranged on the ground in a large circle. Shi and Misao stood outside the circle, dressed in traditional outfits while holding what seemed to be three ceremonial daggers.

"Well..." Takumi gulped, feeling threatened by both women, "I'm here. What's next?"

"You'll first have to change into what we're wearing. A quick trip round back and we'll be ready to start the ritual." Shi said, giving Takumi a suit of clothes to change into.

Pretty soon, as planned, the preparations were complete. Shi returned holding a massive chest, which she carried oretty easily under her armpit. She then quickly but thoroughly explained the ritual.

Takumi and Misao watched with curious expressions as the box was set down, only to have that expression changed to one of confusion when the box was opened, revealing a purple, circular crystal.

On the crystal, was a single character reading 'Portal'. It was unknown to Takumi and Misao whether it was due to them being in direct contact with celestial energy but they could feel a faint pressure emanating from the crystal, an overwhelming one.

"This is called a Gate Crystal." Shi explained as she set the crystal down in the middle of the candle circle. "It's an essential part of the transmigration ritual cultivators use when they feel their time in this world is over. Just a few more preparations and we'll join the ranks of forced reincarnators."

Misao glanced at Takumi, who simply shrugged as Shi began the final preparations.

Shi retrieved a piece of chalk, carefully and skilfully drawing an intricate pentagram which connected all twelve candles to the Gate Crystal.

The daggers were distributed evenly and the trio sat in the lotus position in the formation.

Shi ordered them to close their eyes as she began the ritual. Clasping her hands, Shi took a deep breath before rapidly performing hand signs. Multiple signs were formed before Shi placed her index finger on the Gate Crystal.

With her index and middle finger held together under her chin, she sharply said, "Release!"

As soon as those words lingered in the air, the faint pressure from the crystal intensified. Takumi and Misao were then ordered to hold hands with Shi, the trio's long hair fluttered in the wind generated by the crystal.

The three waited before beginning to chant.

"Seishin wa chōetsu shimasu!"

"Seishin wa chōetsu shimasu!"

"Seishin wa chōetsu shimasu!"

With every chant, which gradually grew in both volume and conviction, a candle went out. They all continued to chant until there was only one lit candle left.

With a final shout, the last candle went out, leaving them in darkness. That darkness wouldn't last, however.

The trio was bathed in a purple light, radiating from the crystal before them, which was now whispering. To add to the strangeness of the situation, Takumi's and Misao's dragon marks were glowing!

No attention was paid to this, however. The trio knew that they had reached the final stage of the ritual. Holding out their right hands while holding the daggers above them, the trio took some time to calm themselves before slashing down.

In one fluid motion, their wrists were slit. The blood splattered onto the Gate Crystal, which in turn dyed the lines of the pentagram red.

***

Elsewhere, Gaia and Athena were watching the ritual with contrasting expressions, with Gaia's being opposite to Athena's worry. They were watching, waiting for the exact moment to jump in and stop them from destroying their spirits.

From the dieties' perspective, as the trio's heads fell backwards, they could see when their mouths opened, causing three balls of energy to emerge. The souls, Takumi's and Misao's being purple and orange respectively, now with the addition of Shi's blood-red soul, swirled around before beginning to be pulled towards the Gate Crystal.

"Okay, this is it." Athena saw this was the time and acted.

Athena then raised her hand, stopping the souls in midair. The balls of energy simply hovered for a while before disappearing in a blur.

***

-Endolis-

"Nooooo!!!"

Time had restarted on this world. Urusla smiled as she ripped her hands from Takumi's and Misao's chests, causing their lifeless bodies to fall with a squelch.

The group watched with horrified expressions as Urusla walked over. The women with deep emotional connection to Takumi immediately began crying.

"He's... dead..." Mizuko didn't know how to express herself.

Urusla released a booming laugh, causing everyone to turn their attention to her. They each brandished their weapons, ready to fight until their last breaths.

"Even though I would enjoy another scuffle with you all, I really must get my world domination under way. I'll just end your lives here, draining your bodies dry!"

Urusla raised both her hands after that statement, the group braced themselves for a powerful ranged attack.

But nothing of the sort happened, the black lightning around Urusla began to coil around her outstretched arms, before lashing out at the group in countless tendrils.

No form of blocking could stop their advance. The tendrils of lightning connected with them all in a crackle, searing right through to their souls.

"Gahhhhh!!!"

The group howled in pain as the lightning drained them, giving the energy to Urusla, who laughed as her body was nourished.

But... when it seemed as if all hope was lost, two arcs of light, orange and purple, came down on Urusla from behind.

*Slash!~*

Urusla's arms were sent flying in a shower of blood, ending the assault of lightning on the group. The aspiring Supreme Empress grimaced as she turned around, only to widen her eyes in shock.

"How!? How do you two still live?!" she said in anger.

Takumi and Misao simply laughed, they stood back-to-back, pointing their weapons at Urusla. They couldn't help but mutter...

"Hehe. It worked."