A divergent spirit is a copy of a person, one with the same appearance and memories. These mysterious beings are like living ghosts of the originals. It’s thought that the stronger the person copied, the stronger the divergent spirit. So what would happen if two powerful divergent spirits clashed with full force? This is the tale of one such battle. When and where it took place are unknown. Perhaps it never did. Or perhaps it’s still raging.

The sound of clashing metal and cascading bullets echoed out through the Animal Realm. Ferocious battles were far from uncommon in this violent place, but a battle of this scale would rival even a full-fledged invasion from the Primate Spirit Garden. Neither fighter would relent, neither would retreat, and neither knew how to stop. The two divergent spirits’ shadows danced on the wall as they fought. One had sheep horns, the other had oni horns. Yuuma Toutetsu, the fighter with the sheep horns, is the leader of the Gouyoku Alliance. Capable of absorbing all manner of power and matter, her followers believe her ability makes her nigh invincible. Yuuma’s greed knows no bounds, and by absorbing the attacks and desires of her foes, it’s said she can even recover from any damage she sustains. Her body could even recover from total annihilation. However, that may not all apply to her divergent spirit.

“It’s gonna be fun destroying your stronghold in Hell. I’m glad I came!” “I dunno where you came from, oni, but I’ll make you regret ever setting foot in the Animal Realm!” The two clashed over and over again, like the waves lashing against the shore during a hurricane. They almost looked as if they were enjoying themselves. Neither knew how to stop. The winds just kept rising. Ibaraki-Douji’s Arm, the fighter with the oni horns, is known as “The Inhuman Arm That Abandoned Virtue and Embraced Vice.” She is the right arm of an oni that was chopped off. She was separated from her original body and sealed away for a long time. When she was finally released, she was extremely powerful, and it’s said she engaged the Hakurei shrine maiden in a ferocious battle. The owner she was separated from has since become kind-natured and now lives as a hermit. Ibaraki-Douji’s Arm, on the other hand, is still brimming with terrifying malice. However, that may not all apply to her divergent spirit.

Both fighters were prepared to use any means necessary to force their opponent to submit or to crush them entirely. But as their eyes met, they smiled. It was rare for both of them to face an opponent that pushed them to their limits. The pair thrust themselves into battle again, with just as much vigor as a starving man presented with a hot meal. There was no way either was prepared to let such a powerful opponent slip through their fingers. It was pride, desire, and malice that drove them. “Not bad. Not bad at all. Before I destroy you, tell me your name.” “Why, thank you. I go by Arm or Shadow.” “I see―” “But soon, you won’t be alive to remember that!” The two divergent spirits’ words overlapped and reverberated outward. Their battle was still far from over. Rather, it grew more intense with each devastating blow.

How long has it been? Perhaps even the divergent spirits have lost track of how long they’ve been fighting. But if there’s one thing they both knew, it’s that their surroundings had started to resemble the Hell of Blood Pools. Only, it was littered with corpses. And yet, they continued to fight. Did the battle ever end? Which of them prevailed? Only the corpses that piled up around them will ever know for sure.