The air outside the Shadow League's arena felt different — thinner, colder, almost unreal. Riku stepped out through the shattered gates, sweat still dripping down his jaw. The cheers from the phantom crowd faded like echoes from another world.
The neon sky of the underground city glowed crimson, casting Lira's silhouette in violet shimmer. She floated beside him, arms crossed, her expression unreadable.
"You burned through sixty percent of your life energy in that match," she said flatly. "One more Phantom Resonance like that, and your body might not wake up again."
Riku smirked, stretching his sore shoulder. "Then I'll make sure the next one ends quicker."
Lira narrowed her eyes. "You think that's clever?"
"I think it's necessary."
A flicker of movement caught her attention — Vexa, standing near the collapsing court's edge. Her chaotic aura was gone; her eyes, however, burned brighter than ever.
She raised a hand, two fingers pointed like a salute. "Next time, Vane… don't hold back from the start."
Riku grinned and mirrored her. "Next time, I won't need to."
The ground beneath them dissolved — and just like that, they were back in the real world.
---
The Spirit Academy dorms were silent that night. Everyone had seen the broadcast — even though the Shadow League was meant to be secret, somehow, every soul-linked player on Earth felt that pulse of chaos.
Riku's name trended across the SpiritNet.
> "Riku Vane — The Phantom Dribbler."
"Illegal Player Wins Shadow Match."
"Is the Phantom Queen Real?"
Inside his room, Riku tossed his jacket onto the chair. Lira hovered near the window, gazing out at the Soul Courts below — glowing like constellations across the city.
"They're all talking about you," she murmured. "And not just humans. The spirits too."
"Let them talk," Riku said. "If they know my name, that's enough."
Lira turned, her silver eyes sharp. "You think fame helps you climb the Soul League? It only paints a target on your back."
He leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. "Good. I like when they aim for me — makes the shot easier."
Lira exhaled, half a sigh, half a laugh. "You really are reckless."
"Maybe." He looked at her reflection in the window. "But you're still here."
She hesitated — just a heartbeat. Then she looked away. "For now."
---
Morning came with chaos of its own kind.
Spirit Academy was buzzing. Screens everywhere replayed highlights of Riku's match — slow-motion replays of the black-flame shot that sealed victory.
Students whispered as he walked through the halls.
"That's him…"
"The guy who fought Vexa…"
"His spirit's the Phantom Queen. Isn't she… forbidden?"
Riku ignored them all. He was used to whispers — used to being the ghost everyone feared to mention.
Kaori Blaze waited near the training courts, arms folded, her fire-red ponytail flickering slightly. "You really don't know how to stay low-key, do you?"
Riku shrugged. "Wasn't planning to."
She rolled her eyes. "Figures. Coach wants to see you. Says it's urgent."
Inside the training office, Coach Denzo — an old Soul League veteran with half his spirit missing — sat behind a desk covered in crystal data orbs. He didn't smile.
"Sit," he said simply.
Riku obeyed. Lira materialized behind him like a silent shadow.
Denzo projected a holographic screen. It displayed a list of names — all glowing with strange symbols.
At the top was "Riku Vane — Phantom Queen."
Below that:
> "Iris Volt — Lightning Point Guard."
"Kaori Blaze — Flame Shooter."
"Serene Vale — Spirit Healer."
"Nyra — Celestial Referee (Observer Class)."
"These," Denzo said, tapping the projection, "are the top Soul Candidates. The League Council has taken interest."
Riku frowned. "Interest?"
Denzo's gaze was sharp. "They're drafting for the National Resonance Program. In other words, the official route to the Soul League."
Lira tilted her head. "So they're building teams of potential champions."
"Exactly," Denzo said. "But they don't just want skill. They want synchronization potential — the rare resonance type that evolves under emotional intensity."
Riku looked at the list again. Every name was familiar — and dangerous.
Especially one.
At the very bottom: "Vexa — Spirit of Chaos (Unbound)."
"She's been approved?" Riku asked, surprised.
"Barely," Denzo replied. "The League believes chaos users push the meta. They're controversial, but they make good drama."
Riku's expression hardened. "So they're turning the League into a show."
Denzo nodded. "Welcome to Soul Warfare."
---
Later that evening, Riku found himself back on the empty court. The sun bled into the horizon, and the Soul Hoops shimmered faintly with residual energy.
Lira floated behind him, watching quietly. "You're thinking about the others."
He dribbled once. "No. I'm thinking about what comes next."
He bounced the ball again — the sound echoing like a heartbeat. "If the League wants to test synchronization, then they'll get it. We'll show them what real resonance looks like."
Lira smirked faintly. "You mean burning your soul again?"
"Only if it's worth the match."
The ball spun, light bending around it. Lira reached out, resting her ethereal hand on his wrist — not guiding him, just… connecting.
Their energy pulsed together — brief, bright, and warm.
For the first time, she smiled softly. "You're different, Riku. Most players want power. You just want… the game."
He looked at her. "That's what makes it worth fighting for."
---
Far above them, across the sky of the SpiritNet, a hundred glowing eyes flickered open — watching, calculating, judging.
Among them, a divine silhouette whispered:
"So… the Phantom rises again. The League begins anew."
A golden feather drifted through digital light, dissolving into sparks.
Nyra, the Celestial Referee, smiled faintly. "Let's see how far your 'resonance' goes, Riku Vane."
To be continued...