As the group prepared for battle, The priest, Junko, had transformed into a monstrous creature, a combination between a kamaitachi, a wind spirit, and a white-bearded, bald monk called Ogama Roshi, the Wind Priest. The mystical being was like sitting cross-legged, floating in the air all the time, his feet didn’t touch the ground at all. His voice was arrogant and commanding.

“I am Ogama Roshi, lord of the kamaitachis. The ancient spirits have risen, and it’s time for the supernatural beings to dominate the world.”

Gale, his muscles tense, stood at the front, his hands ready to strike. Chiyo stood behind him, her fingers crackling with lightning magic.

Mariko focused on her light magic, ready to heal any wounds inflicted upon her allies. Shingo, his katana in hand, stood next to Mariko, ready to engage in battle.

“You’re too late,” Shingo rebuked. “The Arcane Age has long gone and is now obsolete. Brutal beings like you have no place in this world, right here, right now in the Age of Reason.”

“Utter nonsense! We, the kamaitachis will prove that we’re right and you’re wrong! Feel the full force of the skies!”

Saying so, Ogama Roshi let out a shrill cry and charged toward them, his kamaitachi-like speed almost too fast to follow.

Gale met him head-on, their fists and kicks colliding with powerful force. Shingo rushed in with his katana, aiming for the monk’s neck. But Ogama was quick, and he dodged the attack, barely grazing Shingo’s arm.

Chiyo unleashed her lightning magic, sending a Chain Lightning spell at Ogama. The spell hit him square in the chest, and he stumbled back, his bald head smoking. Mariko focused her light magic, sending a Raybolt spell at Ogama. The spell hit him in the back, and he cried out in pain.

The battle raged on, each hero using their unique skills to try and defeat Ogama. Shingo delivered swift cuts with his katana, Gale landed powerful punches and kicks, Chiyo’s lightning magic crackled and sizzled, and Mariko’s light magic shone brightly. Ogama fought fiercely, but in the end, he was no match for the four warriors.

As the dust settled, Ogama lay on the ground, defeated but not gone, even as he transformed back into the old head priest. Junko’s body twitched and convulsed as if the monk was still trying to take control of his body.

“Grandpa! No, no, this is not right. What happens to him?” Mariko asked, her voice filled with concern.

“Ogama is still lingering in the High Priest’s body,” Chiyo said, her lightning magic crackling in her fingertips. “We need to find a way to exorcise that evil spirit from his body.”

“Let me try.” Mariko tried to expel the prime kamaitachi from the old man’s body. However, the kamaitachi’s spirit still lingered in Junko’s body, resisting the exorcism.

Chiyo was quick to point this out. “It’s still in there, Mari. Is there any other way to exorcise it?”

Mariko shook her head, lamenting her lack of skills as a Shinra priestess. The only way out seemed to be to attack Ogama the kamaitachi further. But Gale was quick to suggest a more drastic approach.

“For the greater good, I think your grandpa’s sacrifice is necessary,” Gale said. “That Kamaitachi is too dangerous to be kept within a body! If I were you, Mari, I’ll attack him on and on until he’s destroyed.”

But Mariko was resolute. She refused to lose her grandpa, even if it meant risking everything else. Shingo understood her feelings. So he pats Gale’s back, trying to make him understand too.

“Please understand, Gale. Mari’s care for her grandfather, her only living blood relative, is far greater than yours to your ex-boss, Wang Zi, your father in regard only.”

Chiyo, on the other hand, believed there must be another way out of this. And just as the group was trying to come up with a solution, a mysterious voice broke through the silence.

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“I have a solution for both,” the voice said.

Shingo was startled by the voice, a feeling of familiarity creeping up on him. But he couldn’t recall whose voice it was. The group turned their attention to the source of the voice, hoping for a way out of this predicament.

However, what came along was the harbinger of despair instead of hope. Shingo was only startled when he saw his nemesis, Hannya appeared right by the vulnerable Priest Junko’s side. The fiendish man stood menacingly before Shingo’s group, his hands outstretched, gripping the two legendary katanas - Muramasa and Masamune.

Shingo and his companions, Gale, Chiyo, and Mariko, could feel the energy emanating from him, a force that was beyond their understanding.

“H… Hannya! You killer…!” Shingo stammered. “Why, you…!”

Hannya still stared coldly behind his devilish mask. “I’ll make it simple for you all by taking him away,” he said.”Say goodbye to your grandpa, Priestess.”

Naturally, Mariko yelled, “Stop it, Hannya! Stop, or we’ll…!”

Suddenly, Shingo’s hand blocked Mariko’s advance, saying, “Don’t fight him, Mari. He’s still too powerful for any of us.”

Chiyo spoke up, her voice trembling with fear. “He’s right. Hannya’s energy is unfathomable.” Shingo could see the sweat on her brow, a clear indication of her nervousness.

Hannya’s eyes glinted with malice. “Good, you all know your situation. Now, I’ll just take him away and my job here is done.”

Shingo refused to let him go so easily. “You do that. But keep in mind, when we’re ready, we will come for you. And we’ll make you regret every crime you’ve ever done.”

Hannya responded. “A boastful challenge, but you’re on. I can’t wait to finally feed Muramasa’s and Masamune’s katanas with your blood. Yours and your sister’s.”

Shingo’s heart skipped a beat. “What?! Y-you mean… Shiori is still alive and you’ve met her?”

Hannya nodded, relishing Shingo’s surprise. “Yes, Shingo. She’s alive and well, but I won’t tell you where she is now.”

Shingo was determined to find his sister. “Why?”

Hannya chuckled. “I don’t want to spoil the fun. Destiny has decreed that you two survived, but separated. I want to see how destiny can reunite you two again, and in the end, become food for my two darlings.” He rotated his katanas, an evil glint in his eyes.

Shingo’s heart raced with fear. “If destiny is as miraculous as you think, I’ll play along. However, I beg to differ about the outcome. Let’s let destiny decide who amongst us is the survivor in this turbulent world.”

Hannya laughed. “You have no idea. The turbulence will be far greater than you think. I’m going to let it happen, and I can’t let anyone get in my way. Not you, your sister, no one!”

Shingo raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh, so that’s what it is. Interesting.” He shrugged. “Well, as we can’t be in your way now, you can have it your way.”

Mariko, on the other hand, was at a crossroads. She didn’t know whether to curse Hannya for abducting her grandfather or to rebuke Shingo for preventing her from doing so. She stood frozen in place, unable to make a decision.

Shingo saw her inner turmoil and couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. “I’m so sorry, Mari. You might hate me now, but I swear I shall take your grandfather back, even if it’s the last thing I ever do in this life.” He thought to himself, his mind dimming with worry.

Hannya just laughed and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Shingo and his companions to face an uncertain fate. Shingo knew that he had to be prepared for anything, as destiny had a way of surprising even the most prepared.

As they made their way out of the Tsubaki Temple, Shingo looked back at the worship hall. The wind spirits had calmed, and the silence was only broken by the faint sound of rustling leaves.