The catacombs were an ancient labyrinth of stone and shadow, their air thick with the stench of decay. Yoshi and his team approached cautiously, their weapons drawn, their senses heightened.

Within the depths, they found the demi-gods standing in a circle, the Treasure of Life glowing in their midst. One of them, a statuesque demi-goddess with silver hair, turned to face them.

“Prince Yoshi,” she said, her voice carrying a chilling calm. “You and your companions would do well to leave. This is not your fight.”

Yoshi stepped forward, his voice steady and calm. “You don’t have to do this. There are ways to resolve this without violence. Let the Treasure of Life be returned to its rightful place.”

The demigoddess’s gaze faltered, her eyes clouded with despair before hardening into resolve. She stared at Yoshi, her voice trembling with emotion. “You, of all people, should understand what it means to be rejected, to be cast aside from what was meant to be yours. For millennia, our kind has walked this earth, struggling to survive, often falling prey to other supernaturals and monsters.”

Her voice grew more resolute, each word heavy with pain and accusation. “With the power you and your ancestors wielded, you could have reshaped this world, made it better. Your strength surpasses even that of most gods, yet you’ve let the old order fester. Now, we have a chance to change everything. Stand with us, Yoshi, or step aside.”

“That path will only lead to more despair and endless war,” Yoshi argued, his voice firm yet imploring. “It will disrupt the balance, unravel the fragile hierarchy that keeps this world from descending into chaos. Please, think about the innocents who will suffer.”

The demigoddess’s expression turned icy, her tone dripping with venom. “Balance? Hierarchy? That order has already crumbled, Yoshi. The old gods failed long ago. It’s time for a new era—our era. The demigods will claim what is rightfully ours.”

As the Treasure of Life began to glow with an otherworldly radiance in her clenched hand, she added, her voice cold and unyielding, “You can’t stop what’s already in motion. Even your powers cannot surpass the might of this treasure.”

Before Yoshi’s companions could respond, a wave of devastating energy erupted from the assembled demigods, forcing them to shield themselves from the overwhelming blast.

The demigoddess smirked coldly, her eyes gleaming with triumph. “The Treasure of Life has already fulfilled its purpose.” She raised her hand, and from the shadows emerged an army of the dead—twisted soldiers, grotesque beasts, and fallen warriors resurrected into nightmarish forms.

“Stop them!” Iwata Kanzaki commanded, rallying his warriors as the battlefield erupted into chaos.

The battle erupted with a ferocity that shook the very foundations of the catacombs. Yoshi wielded his immense power, snapping the undead out of existence with mere gestures, but each time they reappeared, driven by the treasure’s unholy energy.

Iwata fought with savage precision, his hybrid strength allowing him to cleave through multiple enemies at once. Joseph used his agility and cunning to outmaneuver the undead, delivering precise strikes.

But the army seemed endless. Yoshi realized they had no choice but to retrieve the Treasure of Life itself. “We need to cut off their source!” he shouted.

While Yoshi and his team battled below, the gods and demi-gods clashed in the heavens above. Lightning tore through the skies, and the earth quaked with the force of their blows. The gods, resplendent in their divine power, initially overwhelmed the demi-gods, but the Treasure of Life allowed the fallen demi-gods to rise again.

Demons fought alongside the demi-gods, their dark magic adding chaos to the battlefield. The gods, despite their might, began to falter as their own fallen were resurrected and turned against them. The war became a cycle of death and rebirth, an endless slaughter that stained the skies crimson.

Back in the catacombs, Yoshi and his team fought their way to the center of the chamber, where the Treasure of Life rested on an ornate pedestal. The demi-goddess stepped forward, blocking their path.

“Do you think you can stop us, Prince Yoshi?” she taunted. “With all your power, you still possess some mortality in you. The treasure surpasses you and your tribrid nature.”

"You may put up a good fight but in the end you'll fail", she added.

Yoshi’s eyes blazed with determination. “We’ll see about that.”

The two clashed in a battle that reverberated through the catacombs, shaking their ancient foundations. The demi-goddess, wielding the boundless power of the Treasure of Life, breathed vitality into dormant things, animating the lifeless around her. She summoned torrents of searing energy, each wave threatening to obliterate everything in its path. Yet, Yoshi, tapping into his untapped potential, met her ferocity with sheer, unrelenting force, his raw power deflecting her assaults with equal intensity.

Meanwhile, Iwata and Joseph fought off the undead, carving a path for Yoshi to reach the treasure.

As the battle raged on, Yoshi managed to overpower the demi-goddess, striking her down. He approached the Treasure of Life, its energy pulsating with an otherworldly rhythm.

In that moment, the gods gained the upper hand, as the demigods began to fall one by one. Witnessing the devastation, the demigoddess roared in fury at Yoshi before unleashing a devastating blast that shook the catacombs to their core. The Treasure of Life slipped from Yoshi's grip, and with a swift motion, she seized it. In an instant, the artifact’s power surged through her, resurrecting her fallen comrades to rise once more and challenge the gods.

The battle raged with unrelenting intensity until Joseph saw an opening. Acting swiftly, he leaped into action, wielding his blade with precision. With a decisive strike, he severed the demigoddess's hand holding the Treasure of Life. Her agonized scream echoed through the catacombs as the treasure slipped from her grasp. Joseph snatched it as the artifact's glow momentarily brightened before fading, signaling its waning power. In that moment, the tide turned; the resurrected comrades and the demons allied with them began to falter, their strength failing against the gods.

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"Yoshi! Iwata! I have the Treasure of Life!" Joseph called out. But before he could act further, the demigoddess, consumed by rage, prepared to unleash a deadly magical strike upon him. In a selfless act of bravery, Iwata rushed forward, shielding Joseph from the blast. The devastating magic consumed Iwata instantly, his flesh seared away until only a charred, lifeless form remained.

Stunned and grief-stricken, Joseph caught Iwata's lifeless body while clutching the Treasure of Life. The demigoddess, despite her injuries, advanced toward Joseph, determined to reclaim the artifact. Before she could strike, Yoshi immobilized her with his magic, halting her in her tracks.

As the battle reached its end, the gods vanquished the remaining demons and subdued the rebellious demigods. With the threat neutralized, they approached Yoshi and his companions. Yoshi's allies readied themselves for another confrontation, but the gods raised no weapons. Instead, they spoke with solemnity.

"Your efforts have preserved balance," one of the gods said, their voice resonating with divine authority. "But be warned—a greater war looms, one that will rise from the Fujimori Wisteria Forest Kingdom. Take heed of this omen."

Yoshi nodded and offered the Treasure of Life to the gods. "Take this to resurrect your fallen," he said, his voice heavy with exhaustion.

But the gods refused. "It is an abomination," a goddess declared. "When a god dies, they are replaced. To resurrect a god is to birth a dark god—a perversion of the natural order."

"And what of her?" Yoshi asked, gesturing to the immobilized demigoddess.

The gods turned their attention to her, their gazes cold and unforgiving. "Her actions have disrupted the balance of creation. Her punishment is death," the goddess proclaimed. With a flick of her hand, white flames engulfed the demigoddess, consuming her body, soul, and very essence. Her agonized screams echoed briefly before she was utterly erased, leaving no trace—neither ash nor memory.

With their judgment delivered, the gods turned to Yoshi and his companions. "We will be watching," one of them warned. "Should the balance waver again, we will not hesitate to intervene."

With that, the gods vanished, leaving behind a somber silence that filled the catacombs.

As the gods vanished, Yoshi approached Joseph, who knelt on the ground, still clutching the Treasure of Life while holding Iwata’s lifeless form.

“Why did he have to get in the way?” Joseph muttered, his voice filled with frustration. “Doesn’t he know I could’ve survived that attack?”

He turned to Yoshi, his expression clouded with confusion and anger. “Why? Why would he do something so reckless?”

Yoshi’s gaze softened as he replied calmly, “Iwata saw you as an ally, Joseph. To him, protecting you was worth the cost.”

Joseph looked away, his grip tightening on Iwata’s charred body. Guilt flickered across his face as he processed Yoshi’s words. For a moment, he forgot he was still holding the Treasure of Life.

“He’s gone,” Joseph said quietly. Then his voice grew desperate. “Yoshi, you’ve done it before. You can bring him back. You have to!”

The others stood silently, their eyes on Joseph as Yoshi cleared his throat, breaking the tense quiet. “Joseph,” he said, his voice steady, “look at what you’re holding.”

Joseph blinked, glancing down at the Treasure of Life in his hands. A realization dawned, and his mood shifted abruptly.

“Durrh!” he said, tapping his forehead lightly with a sheepish grin. “I totally forgot I had this.”

His excitement rose as he inspected the artifact. “So… how does this thing work again? I thought it was running out of power when I grabbed it.”

Without a word, Yoshi extended his hand. Joseph hesitated briefly before handing the treasure over.

“The Treasure of Life never loses its power,” Yoshi explained as he raised it high. A brilliant light radiated from the artifact, filling the room with warmth and energy. The glow enveloped Iwata’s body, restoring him to life in a surge of radiant magic. Around them, the injured were healed, their wounds vanishing as if they had never existed.

With Iwata revived and the immediate threat neutralized, the group made their way back to the city of Saga.

The city erupted in celebration at their return, cheering the heroes who had saved them. Yet beneath the joy lingered the weight of loss and the cost of their victory. The gods, though triumphant, had suffered heavy losses and retreated to their realm, diminished but still dominant. Meanwhile, hidden in the shadows, other demigods watched, their eyes burning with vengeance. They vowed to rise again and avenge their fallen comrades.

Yoshi and his companions stood before the City Lady, weary but resolute. “The Treasure of Life is no more,” Yoshi said.

The City Lady nodded. “You have saved Saga and perhaps the entire realm. But the war of the gods is far from over.”

Yoshi looked to the horizon, his resolve unwavering. “Then we’ll be ready.”

The city lady expressed her gratitude to Yoshi and the warriors once more before entrusting the Treasure of Life to Iwata, so it could be returned to its rightful resting place. Turning to Prince Yoshi and his companion, she extended an invitation.

“Please, allow us to offer you a day of rest and celebration in our city,” she said warmly, fully aware of their pressing duty to aid other regions. “At the very least, let this be a token of our appreciation for your heroic deeds.”

With a graceful bow, she thanked him again and declared, “Let the celebration begin!” Preparations for the festivities were quickly set into motion.

And so, while the city of Saga rejoiced, the warriors knew their journey was far from over. The battle against the demigods was only the beginning of a greater struggle for balance and survival.

The next day, Yoshi and his companion prepared to depart from the city of Saga. The city lady, along with the council members and Iwata Kanzaki, gathered to bid them farewell, expressing hope to see them again once peace had been restored.

As Yoshi and his companion continued their journey, their sights were set on the neighboring region, the city of Kochi, which once housed the fabled Relic of Time. The journey ahead spanned eighteen long days.

Meanwhile, back in Saga, Iwata Kanzaki conducted a routine inspection of the Treasure of Life, ensuring it remained secure in its resting place. During his patrol, he encountered the city lady, whose strange and uncharacteristic behavior immediately caught his attention. Concerned, Iwata approached her, inquiring gently if anything was amiss.

His questioning, though well-meaning, seemed to unsettle her. Her unease quickly turned to anger, and without warning, she drew a dagger and swiftly slit his throat. As Iwata struggled, she clamped a hand over his mouth, silencing him as his life ebbed away. She dragged his lifeless body aside and disposed of it in secrecy, her actions methodical and without hesitation.

With Iwata gone, she turned her focus to the Treasure of Life. Murmuring ancient incantations, she began a summoning ritual. Moments later, the astral form of Ryuji materialized before her, his presence dark and foreboding.

"This wasn’t what I was promised," she spat, her voice trembling with anger. "You vowed to grant me protection, power, and a place among the chosen. Instead, my people have suffered at the hands of demons and monsters. Shouldn't you control your minions?"

Ryuji remained silent for a moment, his spectral form ominous, before his hoarse, chilling voice broke the stillness. "Do you have it?" he asked.

"I do, my lord," she replied, her anger giving way to humility as she presented the Treasure of Life to him.

Accepting the treasure, Ryuji offered her a grim response before vanishing. "Not all monsters and supernaturals answer to me," he said, his tone cold. "The late demon lord Lirien, who fell in the city of Yokosuka, is a prime example of those beyond my dominion."

With those final words, Ryuji disappeared, leaving the city lady alone with the weight of her choices.