PREVIOUSLY...
"The puppet, this is a very perilous act, she's too young to do that." The villagers said when they saw Guada performing the spell called the puppet
"Aidan!" Zac said as they saw Kaito sucking Aidan's neck while more blood was dripping, at the same time Kaito's tail also gradually grew.
"I want my dad, I will let you kill him, but in return make me a human, I don't want to become a Tamawo," Soren said.
"Deal!" Kaito said, transforming himself into a cloud of black smoke and following Soren.
THE CONTINUATION...
The Gathering at Rover Town
Baekhyun, Akihiko, Catherine, and Ethan stepped into the quiet streets of the small town. The air here felt different—heavy with the scent of dried herbs and the lingering chill of the spirit world.
"This way," Catherine whispered, her internal compass guided by the magical residue Jasmine had left behind. She led the group through a narrow path until they reached a secluded house.
Inside, the reunion was bittersweet. Baekhyun rushed to his mother, Ara Choi, but the atmosphere remained somber. The presence of Ambrose's lifeless body in the corner of the room served as a grim reminder of the cost of their journey. Jasmine sat by the window, her eyes red, her spirit finally back in her physical shell but haunted by what she had seen.
The Shifting Prophecy
Meanwhile, at Kaito's hideout, a strange silence had fallen. Kaito stood before his allies, his nine tails swaying slowly behind him like curtains of shadow.
"The curse is broken. You are no longer bound to me," Kaito said, his voice unusually calm. "Why are you still here? Calista, you have a family. You should go back to them."
Calista stepped forward, her book of spells clutched to her chest. "We can't leave you, Kaito. Not now that we understand your true intent." She paused, her gaze hardening. "As the leader of the Babaylan, I will eventually hold you accountable for the chaos you've brought to the supernatural world. You will pay for your actions—but only after we stop this war."
"She's right," Daisuke added, stepping up beside her. "You need us. Calista saw a vision, my Lord... terrible things are coming for you."
"The prophecy has shifted," Calista explained, her fingers tracing the ancient ink on her pages. "It says a new enemy will arise the moment the Nogitsune disappears."
"But I haven't disappeared," Kaito countered. "I am more powerful than ever."
"That is the riddle," Zac interjected, the fins on his arms shimmering. "The prophecy says the Nogitsune 'disappears' once he gains his nine tails. Perhaps the fox we knew is gone, replaced by something else. I consulted the Merfolk Council, and even they are terrified. They don't know who—or what—this new enemy is."
Kaito looked down at his hands, the power of a god coursing through his veins, yet for the first time, he felt like a pawn in a much larger game.
The Ritual Chamber
On the other side of the forest, the shadows stretched long across a hidden clearing. "Mr. Choi, these are the specimens you ordered us to retrieve," one of the henchmen reported. He stepped aside, revealing three figures bound and trapped: a witch, a fairy, and a Tamawo.
Mr. Choi's laughter was dry and raspy as he surveyed them. "The three pillars... finally."
"We are missing only one ingredient, Joseon," a mysterious woman whispered from the shadows.
"The blood of a Sigbin," Mr. Choi replied, his eyes gleaming with greed. "And I am certain my 'grandchild' will deliver. We have a deal: the creature in exchange for his mother's location."
"Hal-abeoji... here is the Sigbin you desire."
Mr. Choi spun around. Standing there was Jin Ae, holding a small, reinforced cage containing a snarling creature.
"Jin Ae?" The old man's smile widened. "You actually found it."
Jin Ae didn't smile back. Her grip on the cage was white-knuckled. "Before you touch it, we finish our business. Transfer all company shares to me. Step down as Chairman, and stay away from my mother and brother forever."
Mr. Choi chuckled, a sound like dry leaves. "You truly are my flesh and blood. Such a hunger for power. Fine. I have no more use for earthly wealth once I harness the power of these four creatures. With them, I won't just run a company—I will rule the world."
The Observation
Back at the safehouse, Minjoon watched the scene unfold through Cristine's scrying. He slammed a fist onto the table. "She's giving it to him? Is she insane? She's letting Saesbyeol's influence conquer everything!"
"No," Cristine said softly, her eyes sad. "She isn't doing it for power, Minjoon. She's doing it to buy her family's freedom."
The Hunt
"Saesbyeol," Kaito hissed, the name tasting like ash in his mouth.
"Saesbyeol?" Zac asked, looking between them. "What is that?"
"It means Lucifer," Calista whispered, her voice trembling. The air in the room turned cold as the weight of the name settled over them.
"We have to find my son," Calista continued, turning to Kaito. "You said the Fire and Air Kitsunes were seen with the Sigbinan in the Tamawo realm. We need their help. I will explain the truth to my son myself."
Kaito looked down at his hands, his expression grim. "I cannot promise they will help me—not after what I've done. But I give you my word: once I kill him, I will submit myself to whatever punishment you deem fit."
The Safehouse in the Village Ethan and Akihiko stood guard at the entrance of the small cottage where Baekhyun and Jin Ae's mother were hidden. Mr. Choi's henchmen attacked with strange, glowing weapons that hummed with dark energy. Jasmine and Catherine lay on the ground, severely injured from the initial blast, while Ara and Baekhyun desperately tried to channel healing magic into their wounds.
Suddenly, the lead henchman paused, his phone vibrating. He listened for a second, then signaled a retreat. Within moments, they vanished into the trees.
"Where are they going?" Akihiko panted, lowering his guard.
"I'm not sure," Ethan said, checking his phone. His face went pale. "But I think it's about your sister, Baekhyun." He showed him the headline: Choi Industries Shock: Chairman Steps Down; Jin Ae Choi Named New CEO.
"Jin Ae..." Baekhyun whispered, his heart sinking.
"There has to be a reason," Jasmine groaned, clutching her side. "I'll talk to her. I'll find out why—"
"No, it's too dangerous," a voice echoed from the shadows. Everyone spun around to see Calista and Kaito approaching.
Instantly, the room shifted. Ethan transformed into a Sigbinan, while Baekhyun and Akihiko erupted into their Fire Kitsune and Air Gumiho forms. Jasmine raised her weather pipe, and Catherine began chanting from her spellbook—until Calista raised a hand, gently blocking the magic.
"We aren't here to fight," Calista said firmly. "The Nogitsune is no longer our enemy. There is a much greater darkness we must face."
Beside her, Kaito—the once-feared predator—dropped to his knees. He bowed his head, his voice cracking. "I am here to ask for your mercy."
Ethan shifted back to his human form, helping Kaito up. "Everyone deserves a second chance. But you should be asking the creatures you hurt, not just us."
"But I am the reason you grew up without parents," Kaito choked out. "I killed your father. I kept your mother a prisoner."
Ethan looked at Baekhyun, who was trembling with rage. "Yes. But they made sure someone was there to love me. Right, Baekhyun?"
"You don't deserve my forgiveness, you bastard!" Baekhyun screamed. He lunged forward, his fist connecting squarely with Kaito's jaw. Ethan and Calista moved to stop him, but Kaito held up a hand, signaling them to stay back. He took the blow, then another.
"This is for my mother!" Baekhyun roared, striking again.
"Go on," Kaito whispered through a bloody lip. "Hurt me. I deserve it."
"And this is for everyone else!" Baekhyun delivered a crushing blow to Kaito's stomach. Kaito collapsed, gasping in agony.
"Kaito-sama!" Calista cried out, but Ethan stepped in. He waved his left hand, and a strange, shimmering energy surrounded Baekhyun, freezing him in place.
"Enough!" Ethan commanded. As the energy faded, Baekhyun's rage seemed to drain away, replaced by exhaustion. "We are not his judges. We will let the Council of Witches and the Clan Leaders decide the Nogitsune's fate."
"My son is right," Calista said softly. Baekhyun slumped forward, weeping into Ethan's shoulder. Ara approached and pulled her son into a tight embrace. "We do not have the right to judge, my son. Only to protect."
Calista watched Ethan closely, her eyes wide with worry. "Ethan... how did you do that? That spell?"
Ethan looked at his hands. "I'm just learning. Catherine has been mentoring me. Is something wrong?"
Calista forced a smile, though her heart was racing. "Nothing, my son. I'm just... happy to have you back."
The City – Choi Headquarters The lights of the boardroom were blinding as Mr. Choi addressed the press. "I am old. I am tired. Hawaii is calling my name," he joked, though his eyes remained cold. "I am proud to name my granddaughter, Jin Ae Choi, as the new CEO."
The room erupted in applause. As he stepped down, he leaned into Jin Ae's ear. "You have the power now. Give me the key to the room where you've hidden my pet."
Jin Ae handed him a small silver key. "Stay away from my family. Release my halmeoni. Tell your men to leave my mother alone."
"Done," Mr. Choi whispered. He sent a single text, then turned and walked away, the key clutched in his withered hand.
The Ritual Deep in a subterranean hideout, four glasses sat on a stone altar.
"The blood of the Witch, the Fairy, the Tamawo, and the Sigbin," Lilith murmured, her eyes glowing.
Mr. Choi didn't hesitate. He drank from the first glass. "Ein Blut einer Hexe," he chanted. His skin began to tighten. He grabbed the second. "Das Blut der Fee." The third. "Ein Blut des Tamawo." Finally, he drained the Sigbin's blood.
A hidden door in the wall groaned open, and a torrent of thick, oily black smoke poured out, swallowing Mr. Choi whole. When the smoke cleared, the frail old man was gone. In his place stood a man in his prime, radiating a terrifying, ancient power.
"Your youth has returned," Lilith whispered, bowing.
"More than that, Lilith," Mr. Choi—no, the entity—growled. "My power is back."
Miles away, watching through a scrying pool, Cristine felt a cold shiver run down her spine. "Lucifer is back," she whispered.
TO BE CONTINUED...