Three days had passed since the battle between Midoki and Carcinus began within the House of Cancer. Time itself seemed to have lost all meaning within that space, shrouded in darkness and heavy aura. Midoki, once imposing, now appeared as a shadow of his former self. His exhausted appearance clearly reflected the devastating effects of the journey to Helheim. His movements were sluggish, his vitality drained, and with every blow exchanged with Carcinus, the Cancer Envoy's advantage grew. Carcinus watched with an arrogant smile. Every strike Midoki attempted was weak, and to Carcinus, victory seemed inevitable. He relished in seeing such a powerful warrior reduced to a puppet, ensnared in the chains of his ability.
Their battle no longer resembled a clash between equals. Midoki, stripped of his usual brilliance, moved as though shackled by something invisible. Carcinus, in contrast, was brimming with energy, using his mysterious technique: Eternal Prison—a skill that not only bound the body, but chained the opponent's very spirit to an endless battle against themselves.
Meanwhile, five days later, Spink, driven by the resolve to save Midoki and Elyra, raced along the destroyed path leading to the House of Cancer. A journey that should've taken days, she completed in just ten minutes, her feet barely touching the ground as her aura of light and fire illuminated the path. Every fiber of her being was focused on arriving in time. She could feel something terrible happening. Her connection with Midoki somehow allowed her to sense his fall—his pain, his exhaustion.
As she entered the great hall of the House of Cancer, she was struck by the sight before her. It was a shock: Midoki, nearly unrecognizable, was standing—but his eyes, void of consciousness, attacked her without hesitation. The blow was fast, but Spink dodged at the last second, her heart pounding—not from fear, but from sorrow.
- Spink: "Midoki… it's you, isn't it? What happened to you?" —she thought, evading another strike with grace. "Strange… I don't even know you, but I know it's you."
Carcinus laughed from the shadows, his Cancer Claws glinting like scythes ready to reap souls.
- Carcinus: "He's been under my Eternal Prison for days. Not even a being like him can escape it. Trapped between body and soul, his mind is locked in a cycle of torment. And now, you too will be destroyed by him."
Spink clenched her fists. The blow Midoki had landed didn't hurt her body—but her soul. She knew he wasn't in control. Her eyes hardened, a silent fury began to stir inside her. With a swift motion, she summoned her aura, and activated her ability—Speedstorm. Her speed increased drastically, transforming her into a burst of light that pierced through the heavy darkness of Cancer's hall.
Elsewhere, at the same time, Throk and Neptune finally reached the House of Gemini. Exhausted from battle and travel, Neptune's aura still began to rise, even in fatigue. Geminus watched them with a sharp gaze. His mind raced with thoughts, but was suddenly interrupted by a sensation that made him pause.
Geminus knew Throk couldn't fight—but Neptune was different. He could sense the growing strength within his opponent, a latent energy that, even in exhaustion, seemed unshakable. Just as he prepared to act, he felt something deeper within.
- Geminus: "Are these… the receptacles?" —the idea began to form in his mind.
Deep within the House of Aries, Gyuuma descended to meet Arion.
- Gyuuma: "You lost, didn't you?" —he said with a deep, merciless voice. Arion didn't respond at first—the weight of defeat still pressing on his shoulders. Gyuuma continued without hesitation—"So… these are the last three receptacles of the 4 Segens. Did you see potential in them?"
Arion's silence was answer enough.
Back in Gemini, Geminus contemplated while observing the two travelers.
- Geminus: "I hate letting anyone pass…" —he thought, conflicted—"But they're immune to my Double Sentence. My duty is only to use my ability on those who dare to cross this house. If I can't use it… there's no reason to fight." —Reluctantly, he allowed them through.
The battle in the House of Cancer was far from over. Midoki, still under the influence of the Eternal Prison, attacked without mercy—but each blow struck against Spink only fueled her fury. Carcinus, in his arrogance, mocked Midoki.
- Carcinus: "Look at you… the great warrior, the one our master so feared—now nothing more than a puppet in my hands. What a pathetic fate."
But Spink, now fully consumed by her determination, let her aura explode to its maximum. Her body became wrapped in silver light, so intense it temporarily blinded Carcinus. Fueled by her rage and her desire to free Midoki, she took a single step forward. Her Speedstorm reached a peak that made the entire hall tremble, her body nearly disappearing into the light that surrounded her movements. In seconds, she unleashed her spiritual technique—Twinkling Star—a barrage of radiant blasts that shot across the room like falling stars as she surged forward to free Midoki.
With her speed at its apex, Spink struck directly at the Cancer Claws attached to Midoki, severing the connection and releasing him from the Eternal Prison. The spiritual bindings snapped in a brilliant flash of light.
The dark aura surrounding Midoki began to fade slowly. Carcinus, caught off guard, staggered backward, his expression of superiority vanishing.
- Carcinus: "What… how did you…?"
Spink, now fully enveloped in her strength, stared him down with sharp, unwavering eyes.
The battle wasn't over yet—but with Midoki back, Spink knew their chances had turned. The next move would decide the outcome.