Miko shimmered onto the rooftop, the moonlight casting long shadows around her. She knew this was exactly where Sadako wanted her—but she didn't care anymore.
"Break the bond," Miko pleaded, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I'm sorry, I don't believe I heard you," Sadako said, her lips curling into a cruel smile. "Was that an order, my dear vessel?"
"Vessel—you can't be!" Tsukuyomi's voice broke the silence, his hands clenching into fists. His usual stoic demeanor cracked as he stared at Miko, stunned.
The others exchanged confused looks, their ignorance palpable.
"What does that mean?" Deku finally asked, looking to Tsukuyomi.
"Allow me to demonstrate…" Sadako interrupted, her voice dripping with malice.
"No…please…" Miko begged, stepping forward, her hands trembling. "They're my friends. Please…you've taken everything from me—don't take them too."
"It would all stop—everything—if you would just tell me where it is," Sadako said, her tone turning icy and commanding.
Miko closed her eyes, her expression crumbling under the weight of defeat. Pain etched every line of her face. "Give me my warriors, and I will give it to you. I will surrender."
"This is why I'll never understand you," Sadako sneered. "You fought so hard to protect your pure soul. But now, when these defective warriors—those who could never reach your level, those who remain pitifully human—are damaged by my ensorcel, your iron will shatters."
"I don't expect you to understand true strength," Miko hissed back, a flicker of defiance in her voice. "I just expect you to keep your word."
"As I shall." Sadako's voice was smug, her hand snapping into a sharp motion.
Behind her, three figures stirred, their forms coming into focus as they seemed to awaken. They moved toward the heroes, disoriented but purposeful.
"You can't let her do this," one of them, Kitsune, said, their voice laden with guilt.
"We were supposed to protect her," Tenshi added, their face grim with regret.
"This failure is ours, not hers," Ningyo finished, their voice filled with sorrow.
Deku tried to step forward to stop Miko, but an invisible barrier flared to life, keeping him and the others out. Shoto slammed his ice against it, and Dynamight launched a series of explosions, but nothing broke through. They could only watch, powerless.
Miko reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, glowing crystal, its light shimmering faintly. She stepped forward, placing it in Sadako's outstretched hand.
"What is that?" Deku asked, his voice filled with dread.
"Her soul," Kitsune said mournfully, their head bowing in sorrow.