The purple bolt of lightning came without warning.
It sliced precisely into the gap of less than five meters between Suguru Geto and Toji. As the lightning exploded, the ancient wooden walkways and the Divine Tree's branches and leaves were bathed in an eerie purple.
The impact forced Toji backward.
His feet carved two long tracks across the ground, his soles screeching against the floor. He retreated seven or eight steps before steadying himself and raising his head, his gaze passing over the fading lightning.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Toward the entrance to the Tombs of the Star Corridor.
Footsteps came from that direction.
A figure emerged.
He wore Jujutsu High's black uniform.
His face emerged from the shadows.
The instant Suguru Geto saw that face, his pupils trembled slightly.
Zhiyan.
He stood there, surveying the entire Tombs of the Star Corridor-the shattered walkway debris left by Rainbow Dragon, Kangiten hovering behind Suguru Geto-
Then he leaped to Suguru Geto's side, raised a hand, and patted his shoulder.
"Geto."
His voice was quiet but clear, reassuring.
"Thanks for holding out."
Suguru Geto's body trembled slightly.
The instant he heard those words, the strings inside him, stretched so tight they were about to snap, loosened a little.
He turned to look at Zhiyan.
His lips moved, trying to say something.
His mouth hung open, releasing a few muddled, broken syllables, and then-
His voice finally squeezed out of his throat.
"Zhiyan..."
His voice was hoarse.
"Wana and Satoru..."
He paused.
Several expressions crossed his face-guilt, grief, and a deeper pain, as though he wanted to tear his own heart out of his chest.
"They were killed."
After he said those words, the light faded from Suguru Geto's eyes.
Zhiyan looked at Suguru Geto.
"They're both fine."
Zhiyan soothed Geto's grief-stricken heart.