Yoh defeats the girls and Yohmei’s wife completes the bead ritual. Anna heads off to meet Yoh., as Hao arrives underneath the Great Spirits and waits for Yoh.
Yoh, Silva, and Karimu walk towards Hao, who waits by the Pillar of Ilvirakan, the holy foundation that supports the sky, and beyond which lie the Great Spirits. They see an illusion and three Guardian Spirits, the Deshodoida, appear to test them. Yoh and the priests have a far more difficult time fighting them than Hao did. As the Guardians again ask to see the spirit, Yoh thinks its strange that they don’t attack. He tries once again to attack the Guardian, but fails. He then understands that they won’t do anything unless he attacks first. Yoh walks towards them and tells them they have no reason to fight. He believes this is his spirit and puts his sword away. He prefers not to fight. They let him pass. Yoh makes his way towards Hao as Manta looks on happily. The priests aren’t far behind.
The rest of the boys finally make their way to the Pillar and they too are tested by the Guardians.
Hao explains that he will create a new world. It looks like a fight is inevitable as Hao calls his Spirit of Fire and captures Silva and Karimu. Yoh cuts them free and attacks Hao. The two fight head to head, but there’s a huge different in their powers, and when Hao knocks Yoh down, he tries to prove that he could kill Yoh at any moment. He points his sword at Yoh and announces that’s one time. Obacho looks on and comments that it will be over soon. Yoh has gotten stronger. There’s no point in Hao merging with someone weak, but the way Yoh is, it would be ok for them to merge now. Again, Hao knocks Yoh down and threatens him. That’s two.
Ren and the boys give it all they have, but can’t get past the Guardians. Frustrated, Ren stands up and reevaluates why they fight. They are fighting to be with Yoh during his fight with Hao. They all attack with Yoh on their minds, and the Guardians disappear. They then enter the Pillar.
Jun and Pailong head to the pillar and again, a Guardian greets her. Jun attacks the guardians, but to no avail and just as it looks like she’s going to be knocked out, Anna appears and takes it out with her Shikigamis. She then goes in as Jun waits outside, not realizing the trick to gaining entrance access.
Yoh is exhausted but continues to fight. Hao tells Obacho that Yoh is irrelevant and kicks Yoh away. He says the Great Spirits are already his. Ever since the Spirit of Fire devoured Syamasu, he’s had more than enough power. He no longer needs Yoh. It’s just that Yoh’s weakness annoys him. Hao takes his hand and pugs it through Yoh’s abdomen. He pulls out his spirit as Anna runs toward them. The boys witness Hao swallowing Yoh’s spirit and Anna senses what just happened from a distance with complete horror. She screams Yoh’s name in disbelief.