The forest clearing shimmered unnaturally. Shadows twisted and stretched like living smoke, and the air itself seemed to pulse with energy. Alex blinked, trying to understand what was happening.
"W-Where… where am I?" he muttered, his hand clutching Soma's trembling form.
"You're in my Spirit Zone now, silly!" Tabitha's voice rang out cheerfully, and suddenly dozens of copies of her appeared, bouncing in midair like playful sprites. "Watch carefully, Alex! This is my real power. I'm revealing my secret for the very first time!"
Alex froze. He had seen Tabitha move fast before, but this… this was a different level entirely. Her Spirit Zone was alive—shifting the very fabric of the clearing, duplicating herself, and creating illusions that made the trees warp and the sky glow with strange colors.
"S-Soma…" Alex whispered. "Our energy… it's dropping faster than I thought. We can't fight like this."
Soma peeked from behind Alex's shoulder, shivering violently.
"P-please… we can't… she's… she's everywhere…"
"She thinks I'm weak," Alex muttered under his breath. His hands tightened around his sword sheath. "No… I won't let her think that."
Tabitha giggled, bouncing on the tips of her feet. "Oh, you're finally getting serious? I like that! But let's see how you handle this, hm? Say hi to my little friend—Mochi!"
From her chest rose a small, sleek, cat-shaped spirit with glowing violet eyes. It leapt around Alex, stretching reality itself. Each movement twisted the clearing further—the ground became clouds, the trees were glass, the sky rippled like water.
"C-Cute…" Alex muttered, a little awestruck. "A spirit… a witch can even use a Spirit… like this?"
"I know, right? Isn't she adorable?" Tabitha cooed. Mochi purred and multiplied, dozens of cats now zipping around, striking illusions at Alex from all directions.
Alex swung his hand, trying to hit one. His attack passed through empty air. "I… I can't hit her!"
"Exactly! And you're slower than my Spirit Zone!" Tabitha chirped. "Watch, learn, and feel! Spirit Zone is about controlling your energy, projecting your presence, and manipulating your surroundings! Most people can't even see this in action!"
Soma whimpered. "O-our energy… it's… falling fast… what do we do…?"
Alex clenched his teeth, his mind racing. I can't just dodge. I have to cut through this. But how?
Then he remembered the sword—the gift from the Spirit Mother.
"Wait, Soma…" he whispered. "Summon Saibar."
Soma's little shadow quivered. "Are… are you sure? You know how much energy it will take… You'll drain yourself completely!"
Alex nodded, determination in his eyes. "I don't care. I can't let her think I'm weak. I can do this. I have to."
Soma hesitated, then with a trembling flick, formed the legendary blade in Alex's hand.
The moment Tabitha saw it, her eyes went wide. "Wait… is that…?"
"Saibar," Alex said softly, gripping the hilt. Energy surged through him, sharp and biting. His body trembled as the sword drew out half his spirit energy—but his resolve burned hotter than ever.
Tabitha gasped, floating closer. "No way… that's… one of the legendary Spirit-Cutters! Saibar! It can slice through time, souls, and even spirits themselves! How did you—wait, don't tell me you stole it!"
"I… I didn't," Alex said, panting. "The Spirit Mother gave it to us."
Tabitha blinked. Then her lips curled into a playful grin. "Ahaha! I was just teasing! You little trickster… okay, show me what you've got!"
Alex raised Saibar. The blade hummed with lethal energy. He leapt forward, slicing through the duplicate cats, the illusions, and the warped air itself. With a final slash, a wave of energy cut through Mochi's projections.
The illusions shattered. The clearing snapped back into normality.
Tabitha floated midair, eyes wide in surprise, but her smile didn't falter. "Huh… wow… that's… impressive, Alex. You actually… cut through my Spirit Zone? Not fully, but still…"
Alex gasped for air, collapsing to his knees. Soma wrapped around him protectively. "I-I… did it…"
"Yeah, you did!" Tabitha chirped, landing lightly in front of him. "But don't get cocky. You only cut the speed layer of my Spirit Zone. I could still defeat you if I wanted!"
Alex groaned. "I know… I'm… exhausted."
She floated down beside him, tilting her head like a playful cat. "That's okay! Training isn't just fighting. You need rest… and then I'll teach you why this world works the way it does."
Alex blinked, too tired to argue.
Tabitha's voice softened, almost maternal now. "You see, Alex… the world isn't what it seems. Spirits, human souls, ghosts… even witches and demons… all exist in layers you can't see. Humans call some of them ghosts, but those are just corrupted souls. When humans die, their soul lingers for about forty days. If it doesn't find peace, if it holds onto obsession or anger…"
She snapped her fingers. Shadows flickered, forming tiny spectral scenes around them. "It becomes a ghost. And some ghosts, over time, become corrupted, lose consciousness, and their energy is consumed by devils or demons. That's why Spirit Knights exist—we guide these souls, stop corruption, and protect humans from their harm. Think of us like… Grim Reapers, but with more style."
Soma shivered, nestling into Alex's shoulder. "S-so scary…"
"Don't worry, little coward," Tabitha said sweetly, patting him. "You'll learn to handle this. And now that you've seen Mochi's full power… imagine what you can do when you master your own Spirit Zone."
Alex nodded weakly, absorbing every word. "I… I understand… sort of…"
Tabitha laughed lightly, playful and bright. "Sort of? Kid, we have a lot to cover. But first… rest. You've earned it. Tomorrow, we'll push even harder."
And as Alex closed his eyes, exhausted, the forest clearing shimmered gently—the calm after a storm of spiritual power, a world of layers and secrets, just beginning to reveal itself.