Years ago, the two kids were chased and decided to run and venture on a mountain near their hometown, located in a green-filled countryside. It was 4 PM, and the mountain's steep road was filled with big rocks and mud; the smell of people burning dried leaves was sharp in the nose, but as the kids walked the clean path going to the mountain peak, the sharp smell of burning leaves started to disappear.
"I think we lost them..." the boy said.
Half an hour later, the boy shouted, "We're near!" and rightfully so, an old wooden gate. "The entrance to the park!" shouted the girl.
A park that is already old, forgotten, and abandoned by the locals. Though, it still retains the beauty of the view and the simplistic design of the place. The edges of the park are surrounded by worn-out wooden fences that match the wooden design of the cement benches that are everywhere.
Both were panting as they were chased and successfully escaped from the suspicious men. They took their time to calm down, and then, the black-haired girl and a crimson-haired boy decided to sit on one of the benches and talked with each other for minutes on end.
"... And then, George recreated a stupid monkey dance in class while standing on the teacher's desk. Teacher Margarette got so angry and punished him by squatting for a minute and giving him five assignments to pass tomorrow!" Erwin explained, laughing while making weird hand gestures.
Mei smiled, curious. "Was it the monkey dance that Sir Brad showed us?"
"Yep!" Erwin smiled widely.
"That's so stupid!" Mei laughed as hard as Erwin.
"Ah! I remembered something!" She said, "You made a good speech that shocked even the high school teachers!" Her eyes sparkled.
"That? I just made it an hour before the presentation. Everyone made a big fuss about it, and I was shocked! I am amazing, right?!" Erwin puffed his chest.
The black-haired girl got annoyed and pushed the proud boy.
"Ouch! What did you do that for?!" the crimson-haired boy shouted and frowned as he stared at Mei. She stands up from the bench and walks to the fence while flailing her arms.
"You are so proud …" She said as she held the fence. "You are too lazy to do anything yet still manage to do the best projects in our school! It is irritating and annoying! Bleeh!" she stuck out her tongue.
"Wha? Then do better, you gorilla!" he pointed towards her, irritated.
Mei, ignoring his remarks, asked, "I wonder if the fence is still sturdy enough?" She starts shaking the fence.
"Are you ignoring me?! And stop shaking the fence, or it will break!"
"Hmph! I don't care if it breaks. I can handle myself!" Mei said, continuing to shake the fence.
"Handle yourself, my ass."
Mei continues to shake the fence as hard as she can while Erwin walks toward her.
*Snap*
The fence snapped, and Mei's body slanted. She is falling.
"Mei!" the crimson-haired boy ran towards her as fast as he could.
*grab*
The boy grabs and pulls Mei before she ultimately falls into the cliff.
*thud*
Erwin fell on his back, and Mei fell with him but was on top of the boy.
"Mei, are you--" Erwin almost reprimanded Mei but stopped midway. He realizes that Mei's head is resting on his chest while they are lying on the floor. He felt drops of liquid on his chest and heard sobbing.
The girl is crying and frightened. He felt that his chest was soaked.
"Stop crying. I thought you said that you're brave?"
"Jerk, everybody is going to be scared if they experience that," she whispered.
She is right; anybody would be scared. Erwin felt terrible for saying such an insensitive remark and hugged the girl on top of him.
"I'm… sorry. I was insensitive …"
"Mm…" She agreed, sobbing.
"So, it's okay now. I will protect you and stay with you. It hurts to see you cry … Please, don't be sad now." Erwin blushed as he spoke.
"Really?" the girl asked.
"Really …" he said.
The two kids stand up, and Mei wipes her tears.
"Huh?!" the crimson-haired man noticed the sky.
The blue sky and the orange light blended as the sun went down in between two mountains.
"Look!" Erwin shouted, pointing at the sky.
Mei looks, and her eyes reflect the beautiful scenery. "It's pretty," she admired as she rested her arm across her chest.
The sight comforted the two, and their hearts felt warm as they stared at the irresistible view.
"Erwin?"
"Yes?"
Mei moved, her body facing the man wearing a red scarf, "Thank you for everything!" The beautiful view complemented the sweet smile of the pretty black-haired girl.
*Ba bump* his heart skipped. His face became beet red. "Shu … shut up! No matter what you say, you are still a gorilla!" Erwin moved his head, avoiding Mei's stare, who giggled as she covered her mouth.
----------------------------------------
A dark, cloudy, and snowy day. The crimson-haired man woke up emotionless, tired, and lazy. His eyes are red from crying. He touched one of his eyes. "Ouch!" he shouted.
The man stands up from his bed to take a bath. Minutes later, he finished his shower, feeling very cold due to the broken heater.
*Ring* *Ring* *Click*
His phone rang. He answered and said, "Hello?"
"Erwin …" It was Nick's voice.
"Oh, it's you," Erwin said emotionlessly.
"Everybody's worried; why aren't you answering any of our calls? Well, whatever you say, you have to visit today because tomorrow is Mei's funera--"
"I know …" Erwin interrupted, frowning.
Nick sighed. "Let's meet later." *Click*
The call ended, leaving Erwin exhausted and empty behind in silence.
After the incident, the police questioned him even though he was in the hospital for therapy. Erwin answered them honestly, being very cooperative to the point where he gave his phone to them for two days. Despite his efforts to help the authorities, Mei's killer is still on the run, a big mystery lurking in the dark. He did not leave his room for days due to his sadness and disappointment.
"What is the point of their latest tracking technology if they can't keep the citizens safe …" he muttered to himself.
Lemuria is a country that is bringing humanity closer to impossibility with improbable technology.
The traumatized Erwin wore his funeral suit and made his way to the front door. 'Do I have to go out?' he thought. He shakes his head, he looks at the door, and it scans his face for a second.
SCANNING COMPLETE...
The door opened automatically, never failing to scan a person's face, and Erwin stepped outside after days of seclusion.
----------------------------------------
In Bunny Foods, a waiter named Claire is entertaining a customer. "What are your orders, sir?" she asked.
The man proceeds to order, and Claire enters it in the registers.
"This is your serving number. Have a great bunny day!" She said, and the man walked away.
"Claire!" the manager called.
"What is it, Ma'am?"
"Help us here in the kitchen. We need more staff inside!"
"Coming," she replied, rushing inside the kitchen.
Hours later, she finished her shift, decided to go home, and changed into casual clothes that fit her.
"I wonder if I get my pay tomorrow?" she asked herself. "Whatever! I am tired today, so I should just get my beauty sleep or somethin'-!" she stretches while walking. She couldn't help but notice all the men stopping to stare at her due to her excellent figure. "There are those glimpses again … I wonder if they even have the balls to ask a woman out? It's annoying!" she roared.
Some of the men who heard her had doubled their walking speed to avoid her, while others who were just standing looked away.
"They did it again! Unbelievable! Why isn't anyone approaching me?!"
Frustrated, she threw her bag in front of her. The people around her got scared and avoided her as much as they could. Claire, of course, noticed.
"What the hell?!" she picked up her bag. "I don't care anymore!" she exclaimed, walking away.
----------------------------------------
"The sun isn't shining brightly today … This is too moody for my taste." the man said, bored. He sat on one of the wooden benches in the park, staring at the sky as he took out an e-cigarette and decided to smoke.
*Clomp* *Clomp*
The man heard footsteps from the right, took a peek, and found a woman walking. "Claire!"
The woman noticed and shouted with a big smile. "Oh! Edward!" She ran towards him, and as she approached nearer and nearer, she slowly changed her smiling face into a distorted grin.
Claire suddenly opened her arms wide, her target.
But suddenly...
*Grip*
Ed gripped her face when she got very near and stood up.
"Do not rush to hug me with that lusty and creepy face, your desperate freak …" he said thoughtfully.
"O … Okef (Okay)"
He let go, and Claire touched her face with relief.
"Eddy … why are you here? I thought you were busy masturbating in the office while looking at the pictures of dead bodies from your weird case files. Are you sick of it now?" Claire teased.
The man karate-chopped the honey-haired woman.
"Ouch!"
"Stop asking useless stuff and start thinking decently instead of using "masturbating" like a stupid joke."
"You're too serious …" She whispered to herself.
"Anyways, I have something to show you... That carefree mood of yours will disappear when I shove this to your face …" Edward remarked.
"Try me bitch!" Claire shouted, smirking.
"Take this seriously; this case involves a freak like you!" He scowls, searching for the photo. When he finds it, he shoves it at Claire's face.
"What's the big deal-" she stopped when she saw what was on it, eyes widening as her smile fell.
Inside the photo was a girl nailed on the floor with a pentagram around her.
"Who is she?" Claire asked, still examining the photo.
Edward answered in a cold voice. "Mei Watanabe"
"Watanabe?! When did this happen? Why isn't there any news about this?!"
"The parliament wants to keep this incident a secret. The public would panic if they knew that another Watanabe was murdered."
"What?!"
"This isn't a normal incident. At the start of the incident, there weren't any witnesses. No one heard the girl cry for help. Existence of any records of emergency calls from the Emergency Department. Her friends and relatives did not receive any texts or calls either, except for one. Even the Quantum Hatches managed to open despite the automatic face scanning features as part of the security."
"Then, who received her messages? How did they find the body?"
"A boy named Erwin Forteza found the body. He cooperated in the investigation and told the police that he received voice messages from Watanabe. He showed us his phone records, and it turned out that they were true."
"Then, is there any evidence that Forteza is innocent?"
"The authorities located the victim's smartphone, and the results were shocking. She contacted different kinds of emergency hotlines, friends, and family, but Erwin only received her messages. The records of Erwin's Quantum Hatches in his apartment indicate that he stayed in the apartment from 2:00 AM till 3:00 AM.
"Then, the probability of him being innocent is high," Claire said.
"Yes," Edward confirmed.
Claire gives the photo back. "Shit … 'that' incident. We have to avoid it at all costs!"
"Then gather everyone that was involved in the original incident 2019. Especially, the descendant of that vigilante." He walks away.
"What?!" Claire shouted, and the man disappeared in a blink.
"Understood …" she sighed.
----------------------------------------
Erwin arrived at the funeral home and proceeded to walk inside, finding people all dressed in black. "Professors are here. Some students and neighbors too …" He muttered.
"That's not all …" A voice said behind him. "Relatives and friends from overseas also came."
The crimson-haired man turns around. "Oh … Hey …" It is his best friend, Nick. "Go now …" Nick said, emotionless.
The nervous Erwin enters the room, gulps, and slowly walks towards the coffin. The room is silent.
Every step he takes reminds him of the terrifying scene he saw. But it also reminds him of the time they spent together. He clenches his fist.
*clomp* *clomp*
His complexion is pale, and his eyes start to tear up. One step, even just one step, reminds him of the sweet smile, the smell, and the warmth.
"Erwin!" He remembers her voice like yesterday. He continues to walk and is now in front of the coffin. He looks at it and then.
"Mei …" Erwin whispered.
The girl, with a sweet smile, blends with the beautiful view of the sunset; she is now in the coffin, sleeping beautifully. Her face was restored by the country's technological feats.
'You are still pretty,' He thought. He accidentally muttered the rest, "Even in death … You are still … Shinning."
The pain that lingers inside of his heart flows with Erwin's tears. The regret and guilt he felt, shows in his expression and his eyes, resided …
"Oh!" Erwin noticed the tears on her coffin. He took a clean handkerchief, wiped it, and took out a silver bracelet with an engraving on it that said, "Silver promise." He placed it above the coffin and said: "This … is my final farewell."
He left the room, immediately walking out of the building. Outside, the devastated man notices Nick and Trisha standing and approaching them. The cold creeps under their skin despite them wearing a jacket.
"Dude. I am-"
"No, don't apologize. You are right."
"But …" Nick looked down, frowning. Erwin couldn't keep a straight face, the tears flowing again.
"Erwin, I … I do not know what to say." Nick taps his best friend's shoulder. "Because what you went through is something I can't empathize with."
Trisha, who was just listening and crying, approaches the two, her eyes red. Both boys look at her.
"I'm sorry," Erwin said. "I failed to fulfill my promise to her."
"No, it's not your fault," Trish replied.
The crimson-haired man couldn't say anything. He knows that Trisha loves Mei; she is her best friend. A friend who she trusted during her hardships. They were sisters who supported and shared their burdens.
She lost all of it. All that remained were only those found in her heart. Feelings and memories.
Erwin can't accept it. "No! It is my fault! If only … If only I didn't turn my phone off! If only I noticed her messages, I would've…"
"She is right; it's not your fault. It is nobody's fault." a woman said, interrupting him. Her footsteps get louder and louder as she gets closer. "Please, Erwin… Do not be guilty. We, the Watanabe's, are thankful."
"Aunt Naili?" His eyes widened.
Here was Naili Watanabe, Mei's mom, wearing a plain black dress.
"What do you mean thankful?" He asked.
"For being with her and protecting her throughout her life. We are also glad that you rushed and found the body. We would not have known if not for you …"
"But!"
Naili walks towards Erwin and holds his hand, her warmth reminding him of his mother.
"Be brave for Mei's sake … You were an important man in her life. I beg you to live for her sake."
He couldn't say anything, so he nodded. Naili smiles, letting go of his hand.
'Glad? Thankful?! Don't screw with me!' he thought, but deep inside, he felt a little hopeful.
Naili walks toward Trisha, patting her head. "Trisha, Mei always told me about how she was always positive because of you."
"She also told me stories of all the fun things you did, and it makes me laugh at how often she exaggerated it," she chuckled. "My daughter always told me how precious you were to her and how she'd rather get hurt for you. To make my daughter enjoy her youth, thank you."
The shocked woman couldn't speak a word. She is in pain and confused. Despite that, she smiles. What Naili said gave her hope.
Naili approaches the last person in the group, Nick.
"Nick … Despite the disputes of the family Watanabe and Azami. You remained a sweet friend. She told me how patient you were when she tried to confront you because of your surname." Naili smiles.
----------------------------------------
The first time Mei and Nick met was at Lemuria International University.
"Erwin, who is he?" asked the black-haired girl.
"He's Nick... A good-hearted prick!" He said with a smile.
"Mean as usual, Erwin …"
"Nothing new; he is a lovable douche; my name is Nick Azami, by the way!" The man smiled widely.
"Nice to meet- Wait … Azami? The Azami of the parliament?!" Mei asks.
"Uhh … Yes? But that's my father, not me..." Nick said, confused.
"Erwin, I refuse to be friends with him!" she points at Nick, pouting.
"Wait, you're the mean one now! … Don't be like that … Not all Azami are evil people, just pricks, but not evil!" Erwin defends Nick, waving his arms.
"Your attempt to defend me is failing..." Nick replied.
"No! Mom said that they are treacherous people who do everything for power, fame, and wealth …"
"Umm …" Nick smiles awkwardly, rubbing his chin with his index finger.
"And they also kill people who try to stop them!"
"Erwin? Mei?" Nick said while still smiling awkwardly
"And they!"
"Hello?" Nick said
"What?!" Mei said, looking at the man, annoyed
"Are you, perhaps, the artist?" Nick asks curiously
"What do you mean?" Mei starts to sweat
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
"Is your pen name Rei the Unicorn?"
Erwin is shocked... "Oh!"
"How?!" the flustered Mei asks.
"Hahahaha, so it is you?"
"I am surprised that you know Nick! How though? Anyways, the unicorn's name sounds stupid, right?!" Erwin asked as he playfully punched Nick.
"Well, her voice from her interviews! It is recognizable! Also, the unicorn's fine douche..." Nick smiled widely.
"Wha?! Tch … I knew it, I should've canceled those interviews," She muttered.
"Do you recognize me, though? Well, I shouldn't ask because you two probably won't. So, I am going to tell you."
Mei and Erwin anticipate Nick's following words.
"I am Nicolas. The number 1 sponsor of Rei the Unicorn!"
"Ah, so that's where all your monthly allowance goes!" Erwin exclaimed.
"No way! I won't believe you …" Mei crossed her arms.
Nick showed his account through his phone and confirmed it by logging in.
"Ah!" Erwin said.
"Noo!" Mei can't believe it.
"So, we already know each other through chats. Nice to meet you again, Mei or Rei!"
Mei is silent, and she feels guilty. The black-haired girl can't believe that the number one sponsor and the person she chats with online is Nick.
*Pit-a-pat* *pit-a-pat*
Trisha approached the three people and asked: "Mei, Erwin, what's up?"
Nick notices the girl who enters the conversation.
"Hmph? Aren't you the athlete everyone was talking about in class? Good timing, I just bought some snacks; why don't we all eat on the rooftop" Trisha showed the snacks and stared at Nick.
Nick paused for a bit. "If it's okay for Ms. Artist here," Nick said, and everyone's gaze fixed on Mei.
“It … is fine I guess …"
----------------------------------------
"She also told me that she became embarrassed because of that. Even though she insulted you and your family at first, you are still friendly and continue to support her work. Thank you …"
Mei's mom moves away from Nick and stands in front of them. "Everyone. I am thankful … Very thankful that Mei has wonderful friends." She bows to the group of equally surprised friends.
Trisha is paralyzed, and her mouth opens. She closed her mouth and eyes.
Nick clenched his fists while looking at Naili.
Erwin took 2 steps forward and reached out his hand in attempting to touch the shoulders of the woman.
*Drip* *Drip*
He notices the teardrops in the ground. He retreats his hand. "Aunt Naili …" He spoke.
The bowing mom raised herself and replied, "I'm fine," with a bitter smile. Mei's mom quickly turns around and rushes to the building.
The friends are alone. They were just there, standing. All of them felt empty.
Trisha notices the mood; she hesitates at first but finds the determination to ask.
"Do you guys want to hang out for a while?"
Erwin and Nick showed hesitation to agree. Erwin gritted his teeth, but then …
'Breathe in and out. Calm down …" the crimson-haired thought and decided to say...
"Sure, but may I choose where to go?"
Nick approaches his best friend and asks, "Erwin, where are you taking us?"
----------------------------------------
It was around 4:00 PM when they left the funeral home. Erwin, Trisha, and Nick visit the park located at the mountain peak.
"This place is?" Trisha said as she looked around. A strong wind blew, and she felt freezing. The woman starts to rub her shoulders to be warm.
"I did not know that a place like this exists here," Nick said as he looked at his surroundings.
"This is the place where Mei and I escaped when she was almost kidnapped." The Crimson man said.
"Oh …" Nick reacted.
"Mei told me in detail," Trisha said.
Erwin nods and approaches one of the fences. He sat down and said, "We hid and rested here. We ended up talking about fun things like what happened at school and such …" The crimson man looked at the cloudy sky with a distant face. "This is the place where I first created the first promise in my life."
"I see..." Nick replied. He now understood why Erwin brought them here. As for Trisha, she already knew.
Suddenly, a light shine. It was warm... Erwin, Trisha, and Nick felt something that had been absent in their lives for a week... That feeling is comfort.
The woman who was walking around halts, and her pupils dilate when the sun goes down.
"Wow!" she said.
Erwin, who was sitting on the bench, suddenly stood up and slowly walked until he reached the fence while looking up.
Nick also stood up from sitting and inhaled deeply as he stared at the beautiful sight.
Erwin remembers how pretty it was. The same beauty is in front of him.
"The coincidence of the sun," Nick describes and utters a sentence from a famous legend in Lemuria.
It is truly a sight to behold; clouds parted only for the sun to shine, and its view was breathtaking.
Erwin grabs the fence as he reminisces.
*Grips*
"Aaaaagh!" he shouted as he looked up at the sky. The pain inside his chest follows the waves of echo from his shout.
Erwin gave his all. He stops and realizes that is not enough.
'it … still hurts," he thought as his head dropped.
*drip* *drip*
Tears are on the floor. Nick and Trisha hear the man sobbing.
Nick closed his eyes and gritted his teeth.
Trisha felt the emotion of Erwin's shout and cried out loud.
Nick notices and approaches her. He hugs her immediately and kisses her forehead.
They mourned. The life of Mei is beautiful; however, it's fleeting as the beautiful sunset on the horizon.
----------------------------------------
The legend goes, "After the coincidence of the sun, a dark, dreary night comes, and the madness of the moon shall shine to those who seek it..."
The madness of the moon shines upon a dark forest surrounded by fog... A place obverse to the technological wonders of Central City, and it screams nature's sorrow for humanity's atrocities. In the middle of that forest, a very worn-down mansion resides... There is a steep tiled roof, worn-down painted bricks, shattered bay windows, moldiness, and no signs of people living there.
Inside the mansion, old and flimsy wooden floorboard, sweeping staircase, and the like. A woman was walking in an old but substantial tiled entrance hallway, surrounded by cobwebs, with no light but candles everywhere.
A room located in the middle reeks of a putrid smell, and chanting in a different language is heard.
The woman walked and entered the room. Upon entering, she was greeted with ritualistic idols, a big circular ritual frame with a goat's skull in the middle; a man and five more others were in the middle of the room.
A man who looks like the age of 40 with five more people, wearing a worn-out suit, while the decaying body of a young girl in her teens is lying down. They became silent after the woman entered the room.
"I never expect to find you doing this edgy ass shit in front of me!" said the woman.
The man, whose head is down, looking at the decaying body, slowly looked straight... and then...
*crack*
The head swiveled quickly like an owl, turning towards the back where he could see the woman...
"Claire..." he said, with a twisted dark smile, showing his dark and decayed teeth while dripping with blood. "Why have you come here?"
"Twisted fucker... I've come here to get information about the Lord of the Skulls... Where is he, Byron?"
"I don't know what you're talking about... Leave me be; you are disturbing mine ritual!"
"Oh... You know I won't leave you be... After you destroyed that kid's life."
"... So what if he returned?" Byron said menacingly.
Claire slowly moved her hands and said the words, "Muerte!" The air grew heavy, charged with a palpable sense of foreboding; her voice carried a commanding edge that resonated with her deep sense of purpose.
A dark and heavy aura proceeded to emit from Claire's hand movement, instantly killing the five people around the man... Dropping like puppets.
Claire felt fatigued immediately but shrugged it off and acted tough in front of the man whose dark protective shroud defended him from the dark aura.
The man was momentarily stunned by the unexpected incantation. His eyes, narrowing in suspicion and anger, flickered towards the room.
"You think you can intimidate me with your tricks?" he growled, and immediately... *Bang* Claire flinched and looked at her right arm. She then raised her sight to look at Byron and saw a man raising his left hand, pointing a revolver toward her.
"Fucker, when did you turn your body that quick?" Claire asked...
"You already know!" Byron shouted.
*Bang* Claire saw the bullet coming towards her head and dashed to the left. She used her left hand to put pressure on her wound and rushed towards the door.
As Claire burst through the door and slammed it behind her, she could hear the man's footsteps pounding closer. Her heart raced, and she struggled to keep her breath steady. She darted down the hallway, her mind racing with possible escape routes. The pain from her wound was sharp, but adrenaline was pushing her past the discomfort.
The man saw this and chased after her...
*Bang* Claire ran in a zig-zag pattern, and the bullet missed her.
"Why did I not plan this out!" Claire thought...
"Think, Claire, think!" she muttered to herself, trying to focus despite the throbbing pain. She had only a few moments to come up with a plan. She needed to find a way to outsmart him—something more than just running.
She glanced over her shoulder and saw the man running towards her. Desperation drove her forward. She reached a stairwell and bolted up the steps, her pulse echoing in her ears.
At the top of the stairs, she spotted a window at the end of the hallway. It was a potential escape route, but she'd need to act fast. Claire rushed towards it, her mind racing through her limited options.
*Bang* her right foot got hit with a bullet. *Thump*
Claire stumbled as the bullet struck her foot, a searing pain radiating up her leg. She cried out but gritted her teeth to stifle the sound. Falling to one knee, she quickly assessed the damage. Her foot was bleeding and swelling rapidly, making it nearly impossible to walk.
"Damn!" She said, sweating profusely.
She looked back towards the stairs, hearing the man's footsteps now echoing more ominously as he approached. Claire knew she had to act swiftly. With a pained grimace, she pulled herself up with the help of the wall, hopping awkwardly on her uninjured foot. The window was her only hope, but she was running out of time.
The man is approaching the stumbled woman while holding a knife.
Claire's heart raced as she saw the man's determined approach, his grip tightening around the knife. The alley's dim light flickered ominously, casting long shadows that seemed to dance with the tension in the air.
"You can't run away from me weakling. After using a spell that killed everyone in the room, I know that your body is not as strong as before."
"You piece of shit... How did you know?!"
"Trade secret, my dear!" The man kicks the woman's stomach. She gasped as the man's boot connected with her stomach. The impact was brutal, driving the air from her lungs and causing an intense, sharp pain that radiated through her entire body. She doubled over, clutching her abdomen and struggling to catch her breath. Her vision blurred as she fought to stay conscious, the world spinning around her.
"You... You're going to kill me anyway... So, why don't you tell me?"
The man kneels and raises his knife. "I'll tell you... In hell!"
*Bam* A loud noise was heard.
"Huh?!" The man, clearly enraged and thrown off by the unexpected intrusion, turned towards the source of the noise.
*pit-a-pat* *Pit-a-pat* *Pit-a-pat* The pounding of boots and the authoritative shout of the special forces filled the air, creating a cacophony of hope and urgency. The man's eyes widened in shock as he saw the group of armed men storm into the mansion, their combat suits gleaming under the dim light of the corridor.
For Claire, the sight of their advanced weaponry and tactical gear was both a relief and a new source of tension.
"Do not move!" one of the special force agents commanded, his voice cutting through the chaos with authority. "This is Lemuria's Special Force! Drop your weapon and surrender!"
The man's face twisted with rage and defiance. He glared at Claire one last time, his knife still poised to strike. "You bitch!"
*Stab*
"Guack!" the man stabbed the knife into the woman's forehead. The woman experiences a pain that can't be expressed by words.
"Hahahaha! Idiots! The woman is now dead, and you should've acted quickl-"
*Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang*
The rapid fire echoed through the mansion; the sound of bullets tearing through the air and ricocheting off surfaces was deafening, creating a cacophony of danger and urgency, mingling with the man's screams and shouts of chaos.
"Stop!" a man commanded.
Blood gushed everywhere, and the gunned-down man felt air entering the holes in his body; the excruciating pain was so great that his brain stopped functioning.
*Thump*
His body dropped, and a pool of blood was made. He is dead.
"Search the area!" the vice commander ordered.
The special forces moved with relentless efficiency, their training evident in their precise and coordinated actions. They methodically swept through the mansion, their combat suits and weapons glinting in the dim light. The sound of their footsteps echoed through the grand halls and ornate rooms, interspersed with the occasional clang of metal or the creak of old floorboards.
"Five dead suspects and one victim spotted!" The soldier yells at his latest combat smartwatch, which serves as a communication device.
The bodies died in a very peculiar way. Their skin is pale blue, their eyes are pure white with red veins bulging, their mouth opened wide, and their teeth are crooked and black. The forces retrieved all the bodies except the man who was shot and the woman who was stabbed in the forehead.
Later, the victim was identified as Mary Burnham, a 17-year-old woman.
"She... We'll report her later."
An hour later, they show the gathered documents, killing tools, and demonic books. They also took photographs of different pentagrams.
On a large table in the mansion's foyer, they had displayed a disturbing array of findings:
Documents: a collection of papers filled with cryptic symbols and notes detailing various dark rituals and plans. Some of the documents appeared to be contracts or agreements, written in a mix of languages and scripts, hinting at illicit dealings and occult activities.
Killing Tools: a selection of grim implements, including knives, blades, and other instruments stained with traces of blood. These tools were meticulously cataloged and laid out for inspection, their macabre purpose precise
Demonic Books: a series of ancient, leather-bound volumes, their covers adorned with esoteric symbols and runes. These books were filled with dark rituals, summoning spells, and forbidden knowledge, their presence suggesting a deep involvement in occult practices.
Photographs of Pentagrams: Images of various pentagrams and other ritualistic symbols found throughout the mansion. Each photograph showed intricate designs, some etched into floors or walls, others drawn with chalk or blood.
As the special forces continued their work, the man who had ordered the operation arrived. He exuded an air of authority and gravitas as he entered the mansion through the grand entrance. His black trench coat flapped dramatically with each step, complementing his all-black suit. The black gloves and combat shoes he wore added to his imposing appearance. His fierce eyes, set beneath a furrowed brow, and his dark hair, styled in a way that accentuated his stern demeanor, gave him an aura of superiority and grimness.
"So, you can't find the grimoire?" the man in all black asked.
"No sir... We can't," the vice commander regrettably stated.
"How annoying..." The man in the black trench coat, exuding an air of both authority and irritation, sighed heavily as he covered his temple with his hand. The strain of the situation was evident in his posture. As he approached the dead body of the man who had caused so much chaos, his irritation seemed to grow.
With a dismissive and contemptuous motion, he lifted his foot and kicked the dead man's head with force. The sound of the impact echoed through the room, and the head twisted unnaturally as it hit the ground. The sheer brutality of the act was shocking, and it sent a ripple of surprise through the gathered soldiers.
The newbie soldiers, their faces pale and eyes wide, looked on in shock. For them, the scene was a jarring introduction to the brutal reality of their line of work. Their reactions were a mix of disbelief and discomfort, unable to mask their surprise at the sudden and harsh display of violence.
In contrast, the more seasoned members of the special forces remained composed, their reactions restrained. For them, such actions were part of the harsh realities of their field. They had seen and experienced enough to know that, in their line of work, moments of extreme severity were not uncommon. They remained focused on their duties, accustomed to the grim aspects of their job.
*Ptui* He spits on the body. The man approaches the woman who got stabbed in the forehead and says. "Wake up! Or I will kick your head like the other one over there; I still have questions you need to answer … or do you prefer to be shot in the head?"
He pulls out his colt and points it.
"Stop threatening people, or karma will bite you back!" she laughed.
The woman on the floor suddenly spoke. She opened her eyes, smiled twistedly, and stood up without any support other than her feet. Her hands reach for the knife in her forehead and pull it; blood gushes, but it stops immediately since the wound has regenerated.
The forces are not surprised...
"Detective Valiant of the Special Forces Department… A cold, handsome man with a pale complexion. Would you care to take me to dinner? I might answer some of your questions while dining!"
The woman touched Valiant's shoulders seductively, and her hands slowly moved down his body.
*Grab* *Grip*
"And you think I'll date someone who's from a different faction... Claire of the Subjugation Faction."
"Oh! You know me?" Claire tilted her head, acting as cutesy as possible.
"Do not touch me, and I would appreciate it if you could answer my questions. If not…"
*click* Valiant points the colt on Claire's temple.
"This colt will kill you even if your regeneration abilities are supreme."
"Tsk... okay." she rolled her eyes.
Valiant relinquishes her hand and keeps the colt in his coat. "Where is the Shadow's Grimoire?" he asked.
"Believe me, I don't know where it is either... I tried asking that fucker a different you guys killed earlier a different question, and he wouldn't even give the answer up if I tried."
"Of course, he wouldn't; you thought that the Pentagram cult would say anything to you?"
"Maybe if you didn't shoot him, we would've gotten some information..."
"I would rather kill the guy who murdered a 17-year-old than let the son of a bitch live another hour!"
"The woman... She was one of the escapees from that boarding school cult, isn't she?" Claire frowned.
"You..." Valiant deduced something from their conversation. "Are you telling me that this cult and the other cult have some connections?"
"Might be..." Claire said sarcastically.
"Edward told me that it is here... The Grimoire! Claire... What are you actually after?!"
"To draw you out, the descendant of that vigilante!"
Valiant's eyes widened with rage. He clenched his fist, and the man punched, and as the punch hurtled through the air, the darkness around Valiant seemed to thicken, swirling with his fury. The force of his strike connected, sending a shockwave through the room that shattered nearby objects and rattled the walls.
Claire staggered back; her eyes showed a determined glare. She managed to avoid the brunt of the blow, her quick reflexes saving her from the worst of it.
"Hehehe … You lost your patience, Detective!" Claire said.
Another fist flew towards Claire, but she blocked the punch by using her palm and gripping Valiant's fist.
"Hm!" Valiant was shocked by the development.
As she gripped his fist and pushed against his chest, the sheer force of her push threw him off balance. Valiant staggered but remained upright, his eyes narrowing as he fought to steady himself.
It struck with such force that Valiant's sturdy body, fortified by his dark aura, trembled under the impact. His chest vibrated with the reverberation of the hit, and a searing, almost electric pain surged through him. Despite the protective aura that usually shielded him from physical harm, the intensity of Claire's strike bypassed his defenses, leaving a lingering burning sensation.
"I am surprised that you know how to counter an aura shield."
"It hurts though … My palm suffered a terrible bruise due to your sturdiness," Claire replied, her face showing pain while gripping her wrist. The palm hurts as she tries to move it. The break of blood flow hurts, and the pain is similar to a hand that is hammered.
Valiant's frustration and resolve reached a boiling point. He unleashed a massive surge of dark aura, a wave of oppressive energy that radiated outwards with a crushing force. The thickness of the aura was almost tangible, spreading through the room like a storm of darkness.
The sheer intensity of the aura caused the air to grow heavy and oppressive. Those near the source of the energy found themselves struggling to breathe as if the weight of the aura was pushing down on them. The atmosphere seemed to distort, and the ground trembled under the force of Valiant's unleashed power.
The scared officers can't hide the fear in their eyes. So, the vice commander shouted, "Detective, control your rage! The forces are about to faint!"
Valiant heard the shout and thought, 'What am I thinking?' He suppresses the aura, closes his eyes, and breathes deeply. He slowly opens his eyes and fixes his coat.
"Thanks to my subordinates, I managed to control my anger... Let me ask you again... What's your goal here?"
The wounded Claire moves her palm and flinches in pain, but it healed immediately. "I am about to lose my mana because of this …" she said, her face showing disappointment. "Edward and I need to gather the people from the incident of the past... Something is about to happen. So, please don't be stubborn, descendant of that vigilante!"
"Stop calling me that, it pisses me off... I already abandoned the bloodline a long time ago. Then, what about the grimoire? Where is it?!"
"Edward already asked the sorrows about the location of the Shadow's Grimoire."
"The sorrows? Your faction is desperate to the point that they are asking those pesky ghosts now, huh? Tell me everything..."
"But first..." Claire looked around and continued, "You'll have to order your people out."
Valiant looked around and saw the confused forces murmuring and asking each other what the two were talking about. "Get out and take the bodies with you!" Valiant said in a commanding voice. The forces listened. They took the bodies away and left them alone.
"So, where are we?" Valiant asked.
Claire searched her pocket and found a photo. She walks to Valiant and shows it to him.
"Who was she?"
“Her name was Mei Watanabe.”
Valiant observes the photo and notices a pentagram around the nailed body. His eyes widen, and he starts to panic.
"This! This is the Skull Pentagram!" he said. "Wait! The skull pentagram … The Shadow's Grimoire … And the family Watanabe … Don't tell me!"
"Yes, 'that' incident might happen again."
"So, your plan is?"
"To gather everyone who is connected to the previous incident..."
"So... You knew that we were investigating Byron, came here, and destroyed our plans to interrogate the five suspects you killed just so you can meet me. So, what did you learn here?"
"The Lord of the Skulls has returned from the dead..." Claire stared at Valiant's eyes.
"I see..."
"We need your assistance, Detective Valiant. You are the one who solved 'that' incident." Claire said seriously.
The Detective thought about it deeply, and he crossed his arms. "Why do I need to help you? You are good at finding useful information, I'll give you that. But what else can you do?"
Claire flinches, and Valiant continues. "I can solve it on my own. Get lost!"
"Are you this cold?!" Claire asks as she clenches her fist.
Valiant stays quiet, turns around and is about to leave.
"Valiant Vega! I wouldn't walk out if I were you!"
Valiant's expression darkens, his eyes blazing in anger. The man quickly turns around to face Claire.
"I told you not to remind me of my bloodline! Do you want me to cooperate with you? Then show me what you've got!" He pulls his colt and points at Claire.
*Bang*
He pulled the trigger...
"What?" Valiant exclaimed.
Claire dodged the bullet by leaping high enough to reach the ceiling. Her agility was astonishing. As she hovered near the ceiling, her eyes locked onto the man with the colt, a smirk playing at her lips. "You really thought that would be enough?" she taunted, her voice echoing in the confined space.
The man's face contorted in confusion and anger. "What are you?"
As Claire hurtled through the air, her body sleek and controlled, she aimed a precise, powerful kick at Valiant. The move was executed with such speed and force that it seemed almost like a blur.
Valiant barely had time to react, his eyes widening in surprise. He tried to raise both his arms to block the incoming kick, but the impact was inevitable. Claire's foot connected with his torso, sending him sprawling backward. The frustrated man uses his foot as a break and regains his balance. He concentrates his aura on his foot and uses it as a force to push him, flies in Claire's direction instantly, and pulls out his knife.
*slash*
Claire's eyes snapped to the knife, her reflexes kicking in as she leaped backward, narrowly avoiding the deadly slash. As she sailed through the air, she saw Valiant's colt now trained on her.
Time seemed to slow as Claire assessed her situation. Valiant's aim was steady, and it was clear he wasn't about to miss this shot. She twisted her body midair, attempting to make herself a smaller target and buying herself a fraction of a second.
And then... *bang* He fires it, and Claire's head gets hit. A clean headshot. Her body fell.
*Thump*
"Is she dead? Is that all it takes?" Valiant asked... "Ouch!" He shouted. He notices the bruises on his arms. "Heh … It's been quite a long time since I have one." He can't move his arm correctly due to the pain. He kneels and drops his weapon. He is sweating, and pain is visible on his face. Then, he chanted these words, "medkuare."
Dark energy wraps his arms, and he feels warm and comfortable until the pair is gone. He moves his arms, and it feels light. "Good …" He said. He grabs his weapons and turns around to leave.
"Where are you going, shitty detective?" the voice is eerie.
Valiant's eyes widen. After a long time, he felt something that he thought was lost within him. It is... Excitement.
"You know spells too? Amazing! Where did you learn that fucktard?" Valiant turns around and stares at her.
'An immortal?! Then she is…!'
Claire flinches; the bullet that is said to kill any supernatural is still inside her forehead. Blood is dripping, and the pain can kill an average person. "AAAGH!" She shouted, mumbling incoherent words. "Vei!"
Warm light surrounds her forehead, and the blood becomes hot inside. The hot blood pushes out the bullet.
*Cling*
The bullet fell. "AAAGH!" Claire feels like passing out due to the burning sensation she feels in her head. The hole in her forehead is closing. "GRR! Almost there!"
10 seconds later, the wound in her forehead healed, but smoke was going out of her head. The pain is gone. "I hate it when I have to go through that!"
"So, it is you … a descendant of Leontine Grogrande. And here I thought that your bloodline is nonexistent." Valiant said, smirking nervously.
"Don't be rude. Your ancestor Diego is also known as a story …"
"I wonder where Edward found you?"
"Who knows?"
"Hehehe … interesting. Looks like you proved yourself to be useful."
"Jerk! You just thought that the process of me reviving from anti-supernatural bullets is fascinating …"
"I will work with you guys. Tell him to contact me later." the man in black smirks.
He leaves the mansion, and Claire is alone.
"That man is full of shit! Edward, this better be worth it," Claire said.
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Erwin floats in the infinite darkness, surrounded by an all-encompassing void. The silence is profound, a heavy, oppressive weight pressing down on him. The darkness seems to pulsate, alive with an unseen energy. He tries to focus, but there's nothing to anchor him—no light, no sound, no sense of direction. His thoughts feel like they're drifting apart, each one swallowed by the vast emptiness.
'where am I?' He thought.
"Why does it feel like I'm falling?" he asked himself, emotionlessly.
As Erwin falls through the infinite darkness, he feels the chilling gaze of the immense dark red eye that suddenly appears before him. The eye's crimson glow pierces the void, casting an eerie, unsettling light around him. Its gaze is penetrating, as if it can see through his very soul.
The red aura emanating from the eye pulses with rhythmic intensity, casting shifting shadows that dance around the darkness. The aura's movement seems almost hypnotic, drawing Erwin's attention irresistibly. It's as if the eye is alive, watching him with a deliberate and inscrutable purpose.
"What … is that?"
He stares at it, then …
His heart beats at an abnormal rate.
'Am I scared?' he thought.
The eye spoke; the voice echoed in the infinite vacuum of darkness.
"Ah, fleeting creature of flesh and fleeting time… hear me. Substantiality is but a story you tell yourself—a fable woven from the fabric of your own illusions. Yet, within that fable, truth coils, ancient and vast. Two worlds, each separate yet eternally bound, intertwine in ways your kind cannot comprehend.
'What?' the man thought.
“Human, you tread upon shifting sands, though you call it solid ground. Every moment, the world you cling to sheds its form, reshapes itself, and whispers secrets in languages you cannot speak. Tell me, if a week passes, is this world truly the same as before? And should the cosmos choose to twist, to warp its very essence and merge disparate realms, is that so different from the slow decay and subtle morphing you ignore each day?”
"I," He ponders for a moment before continuing.
He muttered to himself, trying to unravel the creature’s words.
“Shifting sands… I think it’s solid, but maybe everything’s slipping beneath me,” he whispered, feeling unsettled. “Every day, tiny changes—faces, buildings, the world around me—and I tell myself it’s all the same.”
He paused, a chill creeping over him. “If the universe twisted, merging worlds… is that any different? Maybe everything I thought was steady is already falling apart, bit by bit.”
He can't think of any answer.
"I do not know …"
His body is still falling, but he gets no closer to the eyes.
"Human!" the anomalous being shouts.
"Look, if you dare, upon the veiled expanse surrounding you. Seek out the Unknown, though it may devour you. The path is shadowed, for the light you crave burns brightest when swallowed by darkness. Embrace it… or forever remain blind to the truths that linger beyond your reach. “
*Slice*
His torso has been sliced by an unknown force.
"AAAGH!" He shouted.
Erwin felt so much pain, to the point that it slowly takes away his consciousness.
As his vision started to blur, he heard the final words of the Unknown. "I have credence that you will perform your task! The anomaly of the Heavens, Father Ti-"
----------------------------------------
Erwin woke up sweating. His bed is soaked as he touches it and checks his torso. He felt relief because it was there.
"Time … to make breakfast," He said.
The crimson-haired man remembered the dream. But he can't remember what the creature said. It felt real.
'I wish … that the pain killed me …' he thought.
It is December 24, 2032. 6:07 AM. It is the day of Mei's burial. The time they need to meet is around 8:00 AM. He woke up early.
'Cup ramen and coffee are enough for now,' he thought.
He eats, slurps, and drinks. He finishes his food and cleans up the dirty things. He decides to sit on the floor.
'My phone,' he thought as he took it.
*Tap* *Tap*
Minutes later, he got bored. He does not know what to do anymore. His dreams are crushed, he lacks motivation, and he feels empty.
"Haahh … What am I going to do?" Erwin muttered and raised his head, looking up at the ceiling. After a while, he got tired and looked at his desk.
There, he saw the picture inside a frame. Erwin stares at it.
Erwin, Trisha, Mei, and Nick smile together.
"Hahahaha, Erwin is too weak to catch the ball!"
"Shut up! I exercise, you know!"
"Hey, Meeeeiiii! Fix my hair!"
"Trish, I already taught you!"
Memories, that is all that remains …
Erwin stared at it with his dead eyes. He gritted his teeth and cradled his face.
*sobs*
He cried.
"Why?" "Why?" "WHY?" "WHY?" "WHY? "WHY?!" Erwin shouted and threw his phone at the picture frame. The frame falls, and it shatters. He stood up.
*Smash*
He punches a mirror nearby. He felt the sharp pain in his fist, and it started to bleed a lot. The man proceeded to punch the wall.
*Bam*
"Why?!"
*Bam*
"Why does she have to die?!"
*Bam*
"I don't understand!"
"Erwin?" "Stingy!" "Hey, grump …" "You are sweet!"
As he punches the wall, memories keep playing.
*Bam* *Bam* *Bam* *Bam*
…. …. …. …. There is silence.
Erwin stopped. His fist is bloody and heavily bruised, and then, he shouted…
"That shitty killer! I will … I will crush your damn face! I will crush each one of your bones! After that, I will spit on your fucking corpse and bury you in the depths of hell!"
The pain that lingers inside of his heart flows with Erwin's tears. The regret and guilt he felt showed in his expression, and his eyes resided ...
image [https://i.imgur.com/lXvfRqt.jpg]
Rage...