Chapter Three

Narrator's Point of View

"P-Phantom World?" Reika's voice trembled with uncertainty.

Allyna, Reika's mother, remained silent for a moment. Still perched atop her spirit phantom, she reinforced the protective barrier shielding the city. The Dark Phantoms had arrived far earlier than expected, and her plan to counter them was still incomplete.

She could only place her hope in her daughter.

Just as she was about to speak, a strange sensation washed over her. A shiver ran down her spine.

"They're already here," she muttered under her breath.

"Reika, you stay here."

"But Mom—"

"Please."

Reika hesitated but eventually nodded. "Be careful."

Allyna offered her a reassuring smile before closing her eyes, inhaling deeply.

"By the Magic of Light, I summon my Phantom Armor!" she declared.

Brilliant light enveloped her, transforming her attire into a dazzling white gown. Her ethereal beauty intensified, making her appear almost divine. Reika watched in awe. She had never seen her mother like this before. The white flames circling Allyna's hands solidified into a magnificent bow and arrow—her Phantom Armor.

"Let's go," she commanded, and her phantom spirit screeched in response.

They soared eastward, toward the battlefield. As they approached, Allyna saw the phantoms relentlessly attacking her barrier. She swiftly drew her bow, channeling white flames into an arrow, and released it. The shot struck a phantom squarely in the chest, causing it to vanish into spirit particles.

"Phober, Flamethrower!"

The White Flame Phoenix unleashed a devastating fireball. A surge of flames engulfed multiple dark phantoms, reducing them to nothingness. But more continued to appear, endlessly pouring in.

The barrier crumbled under the overwhelming force, and the Dark Phantoms surged forward.

"Phober, Flamethrower!"

Phober launched another attack, its flames blasting through the advancing spirits. Yet, the enemies persisted. Allyna hastily constructed another barrier, but it was weak—too small to withstand another wave.

She couldn't do this alone.

"Amir, Wind Tornado!"

Allyna turned at the sound of Reika's voice.

Amir created a powerful whirlwind, but instead of launching it at the enemy, he sent it skyward.

"Wind Sword!"

The whirlwind shifted, forming countless blades of wind.

"Now attack!" Reika commanded.

Amir flapped his wings, sending the wind swords hurtling toward the dark phantoms, cutting them down with precision.

Allyna smiled at the sight. Her daughter had grown strong.

They had to finish this.

Reika's Point of View

When we returned home, I collapsed onto my bed, exhausted.

The battle was over. Mom and I had successfully driven back the Dark Phantoms, yet questions still lingered. Who were they? What did Mom mean by "Phantom World"?

Thankfully, Mom used her Light Creation ability to restore the city and erase the memories of those who had witnessed our battle.

Another world... a world of Phantom Fighters...

I had always known there were others like us, but an entire world? It was hard to believe.

"Reika."

"Come in," I called, sitting up as Mom entered my room.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

I nodded. "Yeah."

She smiled, stroking my hair before placing a gentle kiss on my forehead.

My mother—the strongest fighter I knew and the most loving person in my life. Just her presence alone eased my exhaustion.

"Mo—"

"Psshh. You need to rest," she interrupted softly.

I wanted to ask more, but my eyelids felt impossibly heavy. Before I knew it, I drifted into sleep.

When I awoke, my strength had fully returned. But my mind was restless. I needed answers.

Stepping out of my room, I immediately spotted Mom. She sat at the table, holding a deck of cards—no ordinary cards, but powerful ones. The intricate magic circles on their backs shimmered faintly, signifying the various Spirit Phantom elements within them.

Mom was a Seer. She could glimpse into the future, though she never knew exactly when her visions would come to pass.

I sat across from her, and she regarded me with a serious expression.

"It's time for you to go to the Phantom World."

I stiffened. "Right now?"

She nodded.

"But... why tell me this now?" I pressed.

She paused before glancing at her cards. "I've been preparing you for this moment for a long time."

Her words echoed in my mind. Was this what she meant before? That one day we would part, and I would journey to a world of people like me?

"B-but what is the Phantom World? I'm so confused..."

Mom sighed, then met my gaze. "The Phantom World is a realm for Phantom Fighters. I was assigned to protect this world from the Dark Phantoms, but I miscalculated. Their numbers have grown beyond expectation. More will come, and they will be stronger."

She grasped my hand firmly. "I can't do this alone. I need your help, Reika."

My heart pounded.

"You must continue your training in the Phantom World."