As soon as we arrived, Jominara told me to place my hands together. When I did, she leapt out of my body and instructed me to follow her around the mountain. The cliffs were sharp and endless, clouds swirling just above the surface as we walked the winding trail.
Eventually, we reached a village unlike anything I had seen before—populated entirely by Nekomata. Some were humanoid, others more cat-like, and some resembled simple house cats, yet all radiated intelligence and power.
"Stay close," Jominara warned. "Don't make eye contact until given orders."
I obeyed, following her to a massive dome shaped like a cat's head. Inside, she had me press my hands together and close my eyes. She jumped back into me, explaining that this was the only way a human—Pansenian or otherwise—could properly commune with her kind. When I opened my eyes again, an elder Nekomata stood before me, humanoid, dressed in a richly decorated kimono.
Through me, Jominara spoke: "This is Goshi, descendant of Katon Lunar, former holder of the Yang spirit, and son of the current YinYang master."
The elder raised his palm. "So you are the one I seek. There are things you must learn, truths you must see. Will you comply?"
Jominara whispered inside me: This is the strongest of us. He carries all forms of Nekomata within him, with mastery of every ability and skill.
Despite his might, his presence did not feel ominous. I didn't sense deceit. So I asked plainly, "What are the requirements?"
His answer was direct: to inherit their legacy, I had to complete training and recover the first-ever mindless Nekomata. He explained that Nazo had robbed their land of the YinYang's mystical power, a power that once sustained their mountain. My role was to restore balance and return what was stolen.
I frowned. "I came here to learn how to defeat Nazo—not to train."
Jominara went silent, and the elder's form shifted—from humanoid into a hybrid of cat and dog, towering and strange. I quickly apologized, clarifying that I hadn't meant to offend, only that my resolve was fixed on saving my brother. He didn't strike me down—instead, he chose to show me something.
He approached a wall covered with a white cloth. His eyes glowed, and suddenly a vision projected across the surface like a living film.
Jominara whispered urgently, Pay attention.
The vision showed Nekomata thriving in prosperity, their society flourishing under the power of the YinYang. Then came another scene—Nekomata channeling all their energy into a singular vessel, a mindless Nekomata, created to carry raw power without restraint.
The image faded, and the elder returned to his humanoid form. "The Nekomata have been storing power since before I was born. Our strength, if mastered, can exceed even the YinYang. But only one who understands both may control it."
Jominara jumped free of me, speaking directly. "Elder, he seeks to save his brother from Nazo before anything else."
I froze. She had voiced a truth I had never shared aloud. She explained gently: when she bonded with someone, she became linked to their thoughts.
The elder nodded. "Then go. Take Jominara. Find your brother. When you return, you will obtain the key to end this war."
I pressed my palms together again, a nd Jominara merged back into me. Her voice guided me: Think of where you want to go, and the portal will appear.
I opened a portal to the last place I had seen Manny. Stepping through, I emerged into a changed chamber—windows lined the walls now, and three figures sat on thrones at the far end.
Nazo. My mother. And Manny.
"Nice of you to join us again, Goshi," Nazo said, voice dripping with mockery. "Have you had a change of heart?"
I raised a finger toward him. "Hand over the YinYang."
Inside, Jominara urged restraint. You're not ready. We aren't strong enough yet.
But I ignored her. "Hand Manny over. Stand down."
Nazo only laughed. "Vacillating as ever." He waved a hand. "Manny, go to your brother."
Manny rose—and at his waist hung the pangolin-scaled sword.
My breath caught. "What have you done to him?"
"I've made him more," Nazo explained. "While you wandered off, I reforged him into a force worth reckoning with."
I searched Manny's eyes. "You don't actually believe him, do you?"
Manny's reply cut deeper than any blade. "Father has always been right. You're just too blind to see true divinity."
Rage burned in me. Jominara's purple aura surged outward, whipping the air around me. "Damn you, Manny," I shouted. "I don't want to hurt you—but I will if I have to."
Manny gripped the hilt of his sword. "You're nothing without the Yang spirit."
Inside, Jominara spoke quickly, preparing me. Our breed carries four battle arts. Necro-Lightning: pure defense. Spiral Force: confuses the opponent just long enough to strike. Visionary Projectile: aura shaped into lasers. Soul Submission: the most dangerous—locking down their very life force, until you can no longer sustain it.
Her aura bled heavier into me, purple winds spiraling around my body. Manny braced himself, blocking the gust with his bare hands.
"Stand down," I warned.
He smirked. "You amuse me, brother. But you'll never stop me. Nazo's way is the only way to live."
Behind him, Nazo smirked knowingly, feeding my fury.
"That's enough!" I roared.
Manny unsheathed his blade. Fire erupted along its edge—searing white flames.
Yang Fire.