Chapter Two

"Get down!" I shouted, my voice sharp with urgency. My classmates were in chaos, screaming and scrambling to make sense of the situation. Fear clouded their judgment, but I couldn't afford to hesitate. They needed help, and I was the only one with the power to do anything. But... could I handle this alone?

If only Mom were here.

"What's happening?! Is this the end of the world?! I don't want to die yet!" Kiara wailed, tears streaming down her face.

I clenched my fists. I couldn't let fear win.

"Listen up! Stay together and don't panic!" I commanded, my voice steady despite the turmoil. I stepped toward the door. If I could at least hold them off here, maybe I could buy everyone time to escape.

Just as I reached the exit, Kiara grabbed my wrist. "Where are you going?!"

I offered her a reassuring smile, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "I'll be back."

Then, without another word, I rushed outside.

The sight that met me sent a chill down my spine. The city was crumbling. Buildings collapsed, smoke and dust filled the air, and monstrous shadows—Spirit Phantoms—raged through the streets, leaving destruction in their wake.

My chest tightened with fury. No one destroyed my home and got away with it.

"I call upon the winds! Amir, descend! Show them your true form!"

A powerful gust roared as a figure emerged from the sky. "Amir!"

His silver feathers shimmered, his wings spread wide. Without hesitation, we soared into battle.

"Amir, Wind Blade!"

With a single motion, his wings hardened into twin blades, slicing through a massive Spinark. The phantom split in half, disintegrating into nothing.

Four more left.

A voice called from below. "Who the hell are you?!"

A man stood at the center of the destruction, a monstrous spider-like Spirit Phantom lurking behind him.

I ignored his question. "Leave. Now."

Laughter erupted from the Phantom Fighters. "We're not leaving! This city is ours to destroy!"

I narrowed my eyes. "Then I'll stop you."

"Spinark! Immobilize him!" The order rang out, and four phantoms fired thick strands of webbing at Amir.

"Wind Tornado!" I countered.

With a flap of his wings, Amir summoned a whirlwind, shredding the webbing to pieces.

"What?! Impossible!" The enemies gasped.

Before they could react, Amir released a second, more powerful tornado, sending the Spinarks crashing into the ruins. "Wind Blade!" I called, and in a flash, Amir cut them down, their bodies dissolving into spirit particles.

The Phantom Fighters collapsed, their strength vanishing with their fallen spirits.

"I warned you," I muttered. "Stay out of my way."

But I wasn't done yet.

Five more enemies remained—including one Spirit Phantom I knew all too well. Phanterus, a sleek panther-like entity, its aura stronger than before.

A slow, mocking voice drifted through the air. "Well, well, sweetheart."

A woman sat atop the Phanterus, smirking down at me. With a flick of her wrist, four more phantoms appeared, circling like vultures.

"Double Team?" I muttered. "Cute trick."

"Why are you here?! What do you want?!" I demanded.

She tilted her head playfully. "Oh, you know… just having a little fun."

My grip tightened. "Then let's play. Amir, Wind Tornado!"

A whirlwind tore through the illusions, leaving only the real Phanterus standing.

The woman's smile faded. "You're not bad," she admitted. Then she whispered a spell. "I call upon my Phantom Armor, with the might of darkness!"

Dark energy crackled as metal encased her arm, transforming it into a razor-sharp gauntlet.

My stomach twisted. Damn. She was serious now.

She lunged at me, Phanterus moving in tandem. I barely dodged, using my speed ability to keep ahead.

"Come on!" she snarled, slashing again.

This time, she landed a hit. Pain seared through my shoulder as blood seeped through my sleeve.

I gritted my teeth. Maybe it was time... to summon my own armor.

No. Not yet.

Instead, I countered. "Air Fist!" I thrust my hand forward, wind energy surging into my attack. The blow sent her flying backward.

"Amir, Wind Blade!" I called.

Amir dodged Phanterus' desperate swipes before delivering the final strike. The beast's head split, its body dissolving into spirit particles.

"Game over." I clutched my wounded arm, exhaling sharply.

Then—a blinding light erupted across the battlefield.

A massive figure descended, its presence radiating warmth and power. A white phoenix, its feathers shimmering with celestial fire, spread its wings.

I gasped. "No way…"

"Mom?"

The White Flame Phoenix unleashed a pulse of healing energy, and the pain in my arm vanished. My wounds were gone.

"Are you okay, Reika?" my mother asked, landing gracefully beside me.

I nodded, still in shock. "Who were they?"

Her expression darkened. "The Dark Phantom. They're back."

A chill ran through me. "What… What does that mean?"

Mom hesitated, then finally spoke. "It's time for you to return to Phantom World."

I stiffened. "P-Phantom World?!"