There was no wind in Blossomgrave.
Only the sound of petals falling.
And above them—perched upon the crumbling arch of Hanashiro Shrine—a massive silhouette watched with golden eyes sharp as blades.
It didn't move.
It didn't need to.
Because the mana around it bent.
And even Smile muttered, "Oof. That one's got real main character energy."
The Shrine of Whispers
Hanashiro Shrine was old.
Not ruined—but untouched. Preserved in stillness, as if time itself dared not offend the spirits resting there.
Moss grew across intricately carved stone.
Torii gates stood unbroken, woven with sacred ribbons fluttering without wind.
And the scent of old memories was everywhere.
"It's… beautiful," Sawa whispered.
Kazuki gulped. "It's also terrifying. Why is it always terrifying?"
They stepped into the inner courtyard, where a massive sakura tree bloomed—despite the lack of sun or seasons.
Beneath it, a pool of mirrored water reflected their faces… and then didn't.
Kazuki's reflection grinned back at him, even as he frowned.
"Oh nope," Kazuki said, backing away. "No mirror worlds again. Not after the last time. I still have nightmares of being trapped in a world made of laundry."
Trial of the Marked
The shrine responded to Kazuki's wrist mark.
Cherry blossom petals rose from the ground and formed a glowing path toward the inner sanctum. A door carved with avian glyphs and inked in blood-red seals slowly creaked open.
Only Kazuki could see the inscription above it:
"To bond with the Sky's Flame, you must not kneel—only rise."
"Cool! What does that mean?" he asked.
Smile grinned. "Means we're about to meet someone with more feathers than patience."
Sawa looked up. "…Incoming."
The Eagle Descends
The sky split open with a deafening cry.
Wind surged.
Petals spiraled upward.
And from the clouds descended a creature of majesty and fury—its wingspan broad enough to darken the entire courtyard.
A Philippine Eagle.
Not just any eagle—a spirit beast, wreathed in shimmering azure and gold mana. A sovereign of the sky.
Its eyes locked on Kazuki like a judge.
Kazuki blinked. "Hi?"
The eagle landed with a boom, talons cracking stone. Its voice was not spoken aloud—but echoed in their minds:
"You wear the mark of the Broken Promise." "You stand in my shrine." "Prove you are not a fool."
Kazuki scratched his head. "Oh no. I'm absolutely a fool. But I'm a nice one?"
The eagle tilted its head. Judging. Weighing.
Smile snorted. "Well, that's one way to start a divine trial."
Battle for the Sky's Favor
The eagle raised its wings.
Stormclouds gathered instantly, as if obeying its will.
Then it dove.
Kazuki had no time to dodge—just react. He raised his arms, summoned a sloppy mana shield, and braced for impact.
CRACK!
The force flung him into a sakura tree.
Sawa winced. "Ouch."
But Kazuki stood.
Dusty. Smoking. Grinning.
"Oh, it's on, Feathers."
Accidental Brilliance
What followed was… chaos.
Kazuki accidentally redirected the eagle's wind-blast into a cyclone that ripped open a hidden mana node.
He accidentally fell into a spirit well and bounced out with a temporary buff to reflexes.
He accidentally hurled a mana fruit from his pocket that burst midair and blinded the eagle for three seconds.
But most of all—he never gave up.
Every time he was thrown, pecked, zapped, or stunned, Kazuki got up again. Sometimes upside down. Sometimes on fire.
But always smiling.
"I don't care how majestic you are!" Kazuki shouted, wheezing. "You want loyalty? You want bravery? I've got both in dumb, inconvenient spades!"
The eagle paused.
Then landed.
And bowed its head.
A New Bond
A stream of mana flowed from the eagle's chest to Kazuki's mark.
The cherry blossom symbol merged with a sky-feather glyph, glowing bright.
"Your spirit is foolish, but unyielding," the eagle said. "I name you my ally."
Kazuki blinked. "Wait, did I just earn a divine eagle as a companion?"
Smile nodded. "He's got a better entrance than you, so be careful."
"Can I name him?"
The eagle narrowed its eyes.
Kazuki coughed. "I mean. May I learn your name, oh great storm chicken?"
The eagle huffed. "Tengurei. Skyblade of the Blossomed Storm."
Kazuki gave a thumbs up. "Awesome. I'm Kazuki, Class: Oops."
Outside the Shrine
As they stepped out into the fading petals, Kazuki looked to the horizon.
The bond pulsed warmly at his wrist.
Tengurei soared above, cutting across the sky like a comet.
A new ally.
A new piece of a forgotten past.
And far away, someone watched from another cliff.
A girl with silver hair. Holding a flute.
Whispering to the wind, "So… you've bonded with the eagle now."
She smiled.
"Then let's see if you're worthy of the fox."