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"Chihiro, try to test your senses. Since you are a new spirit, you should be able to use a great amount of power," the ancient spirit suggested. Nodding, the girl took a deep breath, closing her eyes. Traveling through the sea and sky, she heard dozens of voices and sounds.
Attack the Sock Clan! Sock Clan? I thought we were playing tag! So what are you going to do today? My tummy hurts, mommy! Aogaeru, get over here! We need some help! Yubaba, we need reinforcements on the south! "I can hear the spirits in the bathhouse," she listened.
"What are they saying?" Haku asked. She tried to focus on the bathhouse, hearing every footstep and weapons clicking against each other. "They're preparing for the war," she answered. "Yubaba is leading everyone to the south."
The atmosphere grew quiet. Akira, who was clueless about everything, tugged on Chihiro's sleeve. "What's going on?" he demanded. Daichi kneeled beside him. "Human child, you mustn't worry." Glancing up at his sister, he spoke through her mind again.
Are you planning on explaining to your sibling? With a hesitant look, Chihiro did not reply. "Well then, we should get going now," the ancient spirit stood up. Surprised, Haku followed him to the shore.
"Wait, you mean you're coming with us?" The spirit smiled. "It's not like I'm imprisoned in this sea," he chuckled. "I bet you could use an extra hand, right?" The dragon nodded. "Akira, hold my hand," Chihiro urged her brother.
When Akira looked at his sister, it seemed like something was troubling him. I'll tell him as soon as I can, she told herself. Alone. No interruptions. Sinking into the water, they swiftly swam back to the bathhouse.
While Chihiro and her brother were behind the two spirits, Haku spent his time talking to Daichi. "What was her exchange?" he suddenly asked, knowing what his answer was. The ancient spirit glanced at him. "She gave her human life."
Although the dragon felt happy about her becoming a spirit, there was something in his heart that made him feel doubt. "What is troubling you?" Daichi questioned, easily reading Haku's feelings. The spirit let out a sigh.
They sped through coral reefs and spirits, respectively bowing to Daichi as the group passed. "I don't know if Chihiro wants to spend eternity here in the Spirit World," Haku admitted. "She would have to leave her family, her human life, and Akira…"
"I asked the same," Daichi agreed. "But there was something in her eyes that made her so confident and sure about her deal. Besides, it's better than sacrificing another life."
"Hey, sis," Akira sullenly spoke. His grip tightened around Chihiro's hand. Noticing the anxious look of her brother, she turned to him. "What's wrong?" she blinked. At first, the boy did not reply immediately. He could only squirm and hesitate. "Why couldn't you have exchanged something other than your life?"
Frowning, the girl gave a light chuckle. "What do you mean? I'm right here, Akira. Nothing happened-"
"You're not there anymore," he interjected. "The sister that I had is gone now. You're just… You're just a spirit now. Lord Daichi took my sister and replaced it with a spirit." Shocked by his accusation, she stopped him for a moment. "You go on ahead!" Chihiro called to the two spirits. "We'll be right behind you!"
As they swam away, she leaned closer to Akira. He stiffened as she wrapped her arms around him. "Do you feel it, Akira?" she murmured. Confused, he did not know what to feel. "Do you feel my heartbeat?" she finally asked.
Squeezing him tightly, he soon felt the beating of her heart. "Yeah, so?" he narrowed his eyes, wondering what point she was trying to make. "I still have a heart. I'm still your sister, Akira. Even though my human life was replaced with a spirit's, I'm still your sister, right?"
The boy wanted to push her away, but the warmth calmed him down. He felt his eyes water, dripping down his cheeks. "I still have a heart. I still have my warmth. And I still have you." Akira sniffed, trying to act mature. Releasing him, she found him wiping his tears. "You're still human too," Chihiro laughed. "You can cry."
The hand he was holding was soft and warm. "Let's… Let's go back, sis. We don't have time to talk now. When this is all over, we can continue this later," he hiccupped.
Impressed by how he quickly recovered, she nodded with a smile. Holding his hand tightly, she swiftly leaped through the sea.
"Master Yubaba! Master Yubaba!" a spirit called out. Dozens of spirits clashed in the battlefield, hitting as hard as they could and retreating as quickly as they could. The witch turned around, casting a spell on the charging army.
"What is it?" she demanded, turning back to the sea unicorn. "There are reports of another wave arriving, this time with the Dark Fear!" Annoyance angered the bathhouse owner. "Go and report to the general," she ordered.
As soon as the sea unicorn evaporated, she continued to fight. "Master Yubaba! On your left!" Caught off guard, she was too late. Feeling pain sear down her shoulder, she collapsed on one knee. With a sly smile, the warrior lifted its weapon up, prepared to slay the witch.
Just as she was about to cast another spell, a roar echoed through the valley. Two dragons flew towards the battle, one being blue and the other purple. "It's… It's Master Haku!" someone excitedly announced. Several cheers erupted, then murmured at the sight of the purple spirit.
Yubaba's eyes widened at the sight. "It couldn't be…" she gasped. Taking her eyes off of her attacker, she was vulnerable to his attack. The purple dragon teleported, landing beside the warrior. With a swift series of moves, the warrior lay unconscious. "Lord… Lord Daichi!" she greeted, bowing.
Remembering her wound, she winced. "Go and receive medical attention," the ancient spirit insisted. "I thank you for all of your help."
Astounded, she could only nod. "Off you go." Obeying, she quickly flew into the sky, dodging the flying spirits and heading back to the bathhouse. "Where is that Chihiro," she muttered to herself.
While the witch muttered about the girl's delay, she was already there. Landing on the bridge, murmurs echoed through the bathhouse. "Who are you, trespasser?" the spirits who guarded the front demanded.
Before she could reply, someone quickly pushed his way to Chihiro. "You've returned!" the red haired spirit exclaimed. Just as he was about to hug her, he stopped. Akira frowned, wondering what had happened.
In a serious tone, the dragon said, "I see. You've done it." Chihiro glanced at his expression. "I'm still myself, Ryuu," she insisted. His eyes suddenly lit up, remembering what he had to do. "Of course! I still love the way you are," he agreed.
With a sigh, Chihiro gave Akira a nudge forward. "Go to Lin. This is the safest place to be," she told him. "But what about you?" he demanded. "You can't go out there!"
Ryuu touched Akira's shoulder. "She will be fine," he assured. "She's a strong girl, even when she was a human." Glaring at the wind dragon, she immediately flew off. "Be safe, sis!" Akira called out, trying to hide his sorrow and anxiety.
With Ryuu flying by her side, she turned back. Her expression seemed to be the same as her sibling's. "I will," she replied. Disappearing into the clouds, Lin finally ran to Akira. "Hey, little guy," she panted. "What did I miss?"
Akira opened his mouth to reply, but a fierce, dark roar replaced his voice. Spirits cowered, shrinking back into the bathhouse. "I guess that's what you missed," he answered.