Aaron burned White Flash, blitzed forward, and clashed with Uncle Menma’s waiting palm. His eyes widened a bit in surprise as Aaron’s attack pushed him back several meters. Menma's body flowed out of the way at the very last moment as a sharp knife whizzed toward his knee.

He spun around and sent a Chi-enhanced wind bullet at Xing, who flipped out of the way just in time to dodge the attack. Aaron capitalized on that opportunity, flashing forward and scooped Xing’s knife.

He attacked, chaining what he knew about dagger combat with chi-bending, weaving a tapestry of strikes and maneuvers, with Xing assisting him.

They dodged windblades, gusts, and air balls that gradually grew in intensity. Uncle Menma’s face grew increasingly complex during the exchange like he was on the cusp of a discovery. And even though they managed to get quite a few licks in, it was always rebuffed by his windshield that always sprung up when they came too close.

Xing grew more exhausted as the fight went on, and Aaron more transparent, but he knew he was no closer to penetrating his uncle’s defense. Menma had been toying with them the entire time.

The situation shifted, however, when Aaron felt a few nascent spiritual presences approach from the distance. He recognized them all. They were Menma’s children, and they’d snuck out to watch them.

Suddenly, Menma stopped going easy on them. He feinted Xing with a low-powered air blast attack and sent him flying with a Chi-infused punch. Aaron heard a bone crack, and he sprung forward to attack Menma before he recovered, but he seized

Aaron’s body in a spirit-infused air ball that kept him stationary. His voice traveled through the barrier despite the lack of air.

“Are you going to kill us both with them watching?”

“I should’ve ended this a long time ago. My curiosity got the better of me,” he said slowly.

“Now that Uncle Harlan hates my guts, I can just come out and say it, you were my favorite too. What did you learn from fighting me for so long?”

Menma had a slightly conflicted look on his face. He knew he shouldn’t be indulging Aaron, but he spoke anyway. The excitement pulsed through every single syllable.

“Fine manipulation of spirit energy while you’re astral projecting should be impossible for someone of your age and experience. Only born spirits or those who’ve ascended like your grandfather should be capable of it. Yet, here you are influencing the physical world through your spiritual power.”

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Aaron’s eyes widened in understanding.

“It’s because of the technique Mark taught me, isn’t it?”

Menma nodded with a small smile.

“Your student has more potential than you and every other phantom combined. It is wasted on him.”

Aaron could not disagree with that. His eyes flashed over to Xing.

He didn’t look too good. His mind was frantic, desperate for some method to finish the fight Yet, he knew there was no way he could take his Uncle on in a straight fight. If he wanted to keep his friend safe, he had to be more creative.

He closed his eyes and called up the complicated pattern of summoning the spirit vines he'd used on his Grandfather. He opened his eyes to meet his Uncle's inquisitive stare.

“What are you doing this time?”

“I think you’re right about what Mark taught me, but we can’t give that snake all the credit. I’m sure Grandfather told you, but I also inherited a great deal of his secrets,” he said enigmatically. “I have all these new memories and knowledge swirling in my head, and I’ve not had the time to look through all of them, but I do remember something…he probably kept secret, even from you. He has plans for your children and Misha’s. He plans to breed an army of phantoms he’s always wanted.”

The spirit vine technique was almost ready, and Menma’s face scrunched in confusion and fear.

Aaron chuckled when he saw the uncertainty in his expression.

“You’re afraid I’m not lying.” And Aaron wasn’t.

“You’re obviously trying to distract me,” Menma said. “And it won’t work. I know every single one of your tricks.”

“Doesn’t make what I have to say any less true,” Aaron said. “Think about who truly has your interest at heart.”

Spirit vines burst out from the ground in an instant, and bright arcs of rotating wind blades rebuffed them, shearing through dozens in seconds, but they never stopped coming.

It showed in Menma’s eyes that he hadn’t been expecting the spirit vines. He faltered for a moment, and that was all it took. Large vines buried him, dragging him to the ground while Aaron’s spirit rapidly faded.

Xing had gotten up at some point and stared at the scene with awe. Aaron nodded to him as he slowly lost more and more of what kept him alive. Contrary to what the Prime Aaron thought, his sub-minds were more than just empty husks. They were a portion of himself, nurtured with spiritual energy over a long time. While they were not truly alive, they feared death like all living things.

Yet, he’d gladly given his life so that Xing and Misha might remain safe. As the last bit of his consciousness faded and he descended into the infinite nothingness, he was pulled from oblivion, and he found himself safe in the corner of Aaron’s mind.

He watched his memories join with Aaron’s, and they became one again, and saw the physical body of Aaron--- no HE approached his tangled-up Uncle.

Menma glared at him, furious. He still battled the spirit vines that grew tighter with each passing second.

‘I think that I’ve ever seen him that angry.’

Aaron scooped up Xing, who looked genuinely confused and used White flash layered on top of Chi reinforcement and Wind flow.

He raced away from the battlefield with an audible boom, glad that his Submind had been smart enough to use spirit vines before he arrived. After the first hit that nearly outright killed his spirit, he’d started racing over.