The Midnight Crest pulsed in Jin's hand.
A strange warmth—like recognition—ran through his arm as he slid it into his spirit armguard. The moment it locked in place, he felt his rank sigil shift, distorting slightly.
Unranked. Hidden. Untraceable.
"This is what we used before the Ranking System," Kael said, tightening his cloak. "Cloaking seals, shadow passageways… we were ghosts. Now we're going to use those same paths to enter enemy ground."
Arin cracked her knuckles. "Good. I owe Veyla round two."
Kael's eyes darkened. "This isn't a rescue or recon. This is a preemptive strike. That second gate isn't just a threat—it's a tether. If they finish the Rite of Claiming, we lose more than the academy."
Jin nodded. "We lose me."
They moved fast.
Through hidden tunnels under the academy, across forbidden plains corrupted by ancient spirit residue, and finally—into the shadow corridor, a space between realms where sound moved sideways and time slowed.
At the end: the base of the second gate.
It floated above a scorched valley, guarded by Hollow sentries and filled with dark energy that whispered like voices trapped in jars.
Jin stepped through the veil first.
Instant pressure hit him—like stepping into the thoughts of something alive and ancient.
But the gate didn't attack.
It recognized him.
Kael noticed. "It's responding to your bloodline. To your connection with Aezra'el."
"Then I'm going in," Jin said, voice steady. "Alone."
Arin grabbed his arm. "Are you serious?"
"Yeah," he said, eyes locked on the swirling core. "If he's inside… I need to see him."
Inside the gate, there was no sky.
Just a spiraling realm of black steps, floating symbols, and broken memories stitched into the air like glass.
At its center stood the figure from before—long white hair, robes flowing, hands clasped behind his back.
Aezra'el.
He turned slowly as Jin approached.
And for the first time… Jin saw his own face staring back at him.
Older. Tired. Wise.
And empty.
"You've come," Aezra'el said. "Good. I've been waiting… for myself."