As Naoto fired, he felt that spark of energy leave him as well. His arm had never been so steady outside of holding a fine needle. For a brief moment, he recalled what Aranea said as the shot struck true. The kishin egg was stunned to a moment of silence; then, a shrill scream.

The energy behind its countless collected innocent souls coalesced, then flared outward in a miniature shockwave when the monster burst into odd, inky black ribbons. They lingered for a breath, then dissolved before the pit was awash in a familiar bright red light.

Seeing that color, while normally associated with anger, only sent a relief quietly washing through him. It was done. Eye for a goddamn eye.