Chapter 8: The Castle of Secrets
Haruto wandered through the bustling streets of Matsuri town, his mind racing with uncertainty. The only person he could think of was Toru-sensei. With trembling hands, he dialed Toru’s number.
“Hello, Haruto! What’s up?” Toru’s cheerful voice came through the phone.
“Um, Toru-sensei, I need Marise-senpai’s phone number,” Haruto stammered.
“Oh? And why would you need that? Got a crush on her?” Toru teased, his tone playful.
“N-no! It’s not like that!” Haruto’s face turned red. “It’s important.”
“Alright, alright. Here you go,” Toru said, giving him the number. “But you owe me one!”
Haruto thanked him and quickly dialed Marise’s number. The phone rang and rang, but there was no answer. Frustrated, he messaged Toru again, asking for a map to Marise’s house.
“What’s going on, Haruto? You seem off,” Toru replied.
“It’s nothing, really,” Haruto lied, not wanting to worry his teacher.
“Fine, but be careful,” Toru said, sending the map.
Haruto looked at the map and saw that Marise’s house was outside Matsuri town. He took a deep breath and hailed a taxi. The ride was long, and his mind raced with thoughts of what he might find.
When the taxi finally stopped, Haruto was shocked. Instead of a house, he saw a grand wooden castle that seemed to stretch infinitely into the sky. The structure was awe-inspiring, with intricate designs carved into the dark wood, giving it an almost otherworldly appearance. The castle’s architecture was a blend of traditional Japanese elements and fantastical embellishments, with towering spires and sweeping roofs that seemed to defy gravity.
The walls were adorned with elaborate patterns and symbols, each telling a story of the Mugenjo clan’s rich history. Lanterns hung from the eaves, casting a soft, ethereal glow that illuminated the castle’s facade. The wooden gate at the entrance was massive, with the Mugenjo clan symbol prominently displayed in the center. The symbol, a stylized infinity loop (∞) intertwined with delicate blossoms, symbolized the clan’s endless potential and connection to nature. The symbol seemed to pulse with a faint, mystical light.
As Haruto approached, he could feel the weight of the castle’s presence, as if it were alive and watching him. The air around the castle was thick with an ancient, powerful energy, making Haruto’s heart race with both fear and excitement.
Haruto approached the gate and rang the bell. A girl with blonde hair and a similar build to Marise, Ichika, and Futaba, but with a different face, answered.
“Who are you, and what business do you have at Mugenjo castle?” she asked, her tone cold.
“I’m Haruto Genmubutsu from the Phantom Reaper school. I’m looking for Marise Mugenjo,” he replied nervously.
The girl’s eyes widened in surprise, her pupils dilating as she processed Haruto’s words. “Marise hasn’t been here in five years,” she said, her voice tinged with a mix of shock and curiosity. She paused for a moment, studying Haruto’s face as if trying to gauge his intentions. “I’m Mitsuki Mugenjo. Follow me.”
Mitsuki turned on her heel with a fluid grace, her blonde hair swaying gently with the movement. Haruto followed her through the grand entrance, stepping into a beautifully maintained garden that seemed to stretch endlessly. The garden was a masterpiece of nature and meticulous care, with vibrant flowers in full bloom, their petals glistening with morning dew. Ancient trees with sprawling branches provided a canopy of shade, their leaves rustling softly in the breeze.
The path they walked on was made of smooth, polished stones, each one carefully placed to create a harmonious flow. Small streams of crystal-clear water meandered through the garden, their gentle babbling adding to the serene atmosphere. Haruto could see koi fish swimming gracefully in the ponds, their colorful scales shimmering in the sunlight.
As they walked, Haruto couldn’t help but notice the intricate details of the garden. Stone lanterns adorned with delicate carvings stood at intervals, casting a soft, warm glow. Bonsai trees, meticulously pruned and shaped, added an element of timeless beauty. The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers, mingling with the earthy scent of the soil.
They stopped far from the castle, in a secluded area of the garden where the sounds of the outside world seemed to fade away. Mitsuki turned to Haruto, her expression serious and her eyes piercing. The playful curiosity from earlier was gone, replaced by a steely resolve.
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“Did Marise send you here to stop the Mugenjo clan?” she asked, her voice low and intense. Her gaze bore into Haruto, as if she were trying to read his very soul.
Haruto felt a chill run down his spine. He took a deep breath, steadying himself before responding. “No, I came on my own. I need to know what happened to Futaba.”
Mitsuki’s eyes softened for a moment, a flicker of something unreadable passing through them, before they hardened again. “You should live a normal life and not get involved with us. If you stay, you will die.”
Haruto remembered Futaba’s lifeless body and felt a surge of determination. “I can’t ignore what I saw. I have to know the truth.”
Mitsuki sighed, her eyes narrowing as she began to chant. “Jinxed Speech: Five Nymphs!” Her voice, laced with an eerie power, echoed through the garden. Five ethereal nymphs materialized around her, their forms shimmering with elemental energy. Haruto knew he had to act fast. He summoned his Phantom Puff, a small, purple mushroom that seemed almost delicate in his hand. The mushroom’s cap was a deep, vibrant purple, with faint, glowing veins that pulsed rhythmically, as if alive. Haruto held it aloft, his eyes narrowing with determination.
With a swift motion, he crushed the Phantom Puff in his hand. Instantly, the mushroom released a blinding flash of light, so intense that it seemed to turn night into day. The light was a brilliant white, radiating outwards in all directions, casting sharp, stark shadows across the garden.
The nymphs, caught off guard by the sudden burst of light, recoiled instinctively. Their ethereal forms shimmered and flickered, momentarily losing their cohesion. They raised their hands to shield their eyes, their movements frantic and disoriented. The elemental energy that surrounded them wavered, creating a ripple effect that distorted their appearances.
For a few precious seconds, the garden was filled with the chaotic dance of light and shadow. The nymphs stumbled and faltered, their usual grace replaced by confusion. Haruto seized the opportunity, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew he had to act quickly before the nymphs regained their composure.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Haruto summoned his Shadow Vines. Dark, twisting vines with glowing red eyes shot out from the ground, ensnaring the nearest nymphs. Mitsuki, however, was quick to recover. “Jinxed Speech: Three Nymphs!” she shouted. Three more nymphs appeared, their combined power overwhelming the Shadow Vines.
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The battle raged on, with Haruto and Mitsuki summoning and countering each other’s attacks. Haruto’s Phantom Plants continued to grow and multiply, creating a dense thicket of vines and thorns. Mitsuki, however, was relentless. “Jinxed Speech: Four Nymphs!” she cried. Four nymphs appeared, their combined strength causing the earth to tremble and crack, disrupting Haruto’s plants.
“Why are you so determined?” Mitsuki shouted over the chaos. “You don’t even know what you’re up against!”
Haruto gritted his teeth, his eyes blazing with determination. “I don’t care! I need to know the truth about Futaba!”
He summoned more Phantom Puffs, creating multiple blinding flashes of light to disorient the nymphs. Then, he summoned his Shadow Vines again, this time focusing on Mitsuki herself. The dark vines shot towards her, wrapping around her legs and arms, immobilizing her.
Mitsuki struggled against the vines, her voice faltering as she tried to summon more nymphs. “You’re a fool, Haruto! This will only get you killed!” she shouted. “Jinxed Speech: Six Nymphs!” Six nymphs appeared, their combined power deflecting the thorns away from Mitsuki.
Despite her efforts, Mitsuki was growing weaker. The strain of using her Jinxed Speech ability was taking its toll. She reached for her throat medicine, but Haruto’s Shadow Vines tightened their grip, preventing her from moving. With a final surge of determination, Haruto summoned more Phantom Plants, creating a dense barrier around Mitsuki. The plants grew rapidly, their vines intertwining to form an impenetrable wall.
“Why won’t you just give up?” Mitsuki gasped, struggling against the vines.
“Because I can’t!” Haruto shouted back. “I need to know what happened to Futaba. I need to protect those I care about!”
Mitsuki’s eyes softened for a moment. “You’re brave, Haruto. But bravery alone won’t save you.”
Haruto’s mind flashed back to the moment he found Futaba’s lifeless body earlier that day, and he felt a surge of anger and determination. “I won’t let anyone else suffer like Futaba did!” he yelled, his voice echoing through the garden. “I’ll protect everyone, no matter what!”
With a final, desperate effort, Haruto summoned every ounce of his strength. “Phantom Plants, grow!” he shouted. The plants responded to his call, growing rapidly and intertwining to form an impenetrable barrier around Mitsuki. The nymphs tried to break through, but Haruto’s determination fueled the plants, making them stronger.
Mitsuki’s eyes widened in shock as the vines tightened around her, cutting off her ability to speak. She struggled, her movements becoming more frantic as she realized she was losing. The nymphs, sensing their summoner’s distress, attacked with renewed ferocity, but Haruto’s Phantom Plants held firm.
Mitsuki’s strength waned, her attempts to summon more nymphs growing weaker and more desperate. She reached for her throat medicine again, but the vines constricted tighter, preventing her from moving. Her breaths came in ragged gasps, her eyes filled with a mix of fear and frustration.
Haruto, seeing her struggle, felt a pang of sympathy but steeled himself. “I have to do this,” he thought. “For Futaba.”
With one final, powerful surge, Haruto’s Phantom Plants enveloped Mitsuki completely, their glowing red eyes watching her every move. The nymphs dissipated, their forms fading into the ether as Mitsuki’s connection to them was severed.
Exhausted and defeated, Mitsuki fell to her knees, the vines loosening just enough to allow her to breathe. She looked up at Haruto, her eyes filled with a mixture of respect and resignation.
“You’re stronger than I thought,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “But this isn’t over. The Mugenjo clan won’t stop.”
Haruto approached her cautiously, his Phantom Plants still at the ready. “I’ll be ready for them,” he replied, his voice firm. “I won’t let anyone else suffer.”