Chapter 2
Hollow Disturbance

The interior smelt like rotten wood. Dust covered everything in thick layers. It was stifling and hard to take a fresh breath in. There were furniture covered with white sheets in the main hall. The walls looked like they were once vibrant with color and life, but now they were dulled and desaturated with time. The mansion looked like it could house a lot of occupants, and perhaps at one point in history, it did.

The two of them stood in the center of the large mansion, hearing every creak and groan the ancient building made. Xanth felt uneasy being inside that old mansion, but Aezel didn't seem the least bit worried. The aged house could collapse on them at any minute, and the Gyarados didn't seem to care. He was here for one thing, and that was to complete their current task.

"So, what exactly are we doing again?" Xanth asked in a hushed tone. He didn't know why he was whispering. Perhaps he feared his voice would bring the house down.

"See if the 'ghost' rumors are true. If not, then this building would get the okay to be demolished," Aezel replied, not bothering to lower his own voice. It echoed clearly.

"And if there are ghosts here?" the Jolteon questioned.

"Well then, we'll have to convince them to leave," Aezel said. He smirked when Xanth gave a discontent expression. Aezel began to head for the stairs and Xanth stuck close. They checked each room while walking down the long corridors. Some of the rooms were either stuck fast or too crowded with junk to enter.

There was one room at the end of the hallway that opened without resistance. The room was average looking and had a single, child-sized bed. There was a box in the corner filled with toys covered in dust. On one wall there was a faded poster of the human alphabet and the numbers 1 through 10. This room must have been a nursery at some point.

Xanth entered the room, feeling something akin to longing as he walked in. There was something about this room he couldn't put his finger on. It felt peaceful, unlike the rest of the mansion. Xanth felt like he's been here before; but at the same time, he knew that couldn't be right, because this was the first time he's been in this mansion. He stood in the room in silence for a moment before he heard Aezel knocking on the door frame. The Jolteon turned to face the Gyarados.

"What's up? Got some vibes for this room?" Aezel asked.

Xanth shook his head and walked toward him. "No. It's nothing. C'mon, let's get this over with." Aezel watched the Jolteon leave the room with a questioning glance. He didn't dwell on the matter for long and began to lead the way.

As they walked down the hallway, Xanth constantly felt the prickling of fear at the nape of his neck, as if someone was intently watching him. He would look over his shoulder, expecting someone or something to be there, but there was nothing to be seen.

Suddenly, they both heard footsteps that sounded like they were coming up to the second floor to greet them. They watched the staircase, but the footfalls had stopped and no one appeared. Then a few seconds later, they heard the footsteps directly above them, pacing back and forth.

"You hearing all this?" Xanth asked. Aezel just gazed at the ceiling.

"Let's see who's home," Aezel turned and headed for the door that led up to the attic. Xanth shook his head and the two of them began scaling up the steep and narrow stairs. Halfway up, the Jolteon stopped at his tracks. Aezel stopped a few steps ahead of him and glanced back at the canine with a questioning look.

"Something's not right..." Xanth whispered. He could feel a heavy, threatening atmosphere. Whatever was up there probably didn't want them disturbing it. The Gyarados scoffed and continued to go upstairs. Either Aezel couldn't sense it, or he just didn't give a damn.

Once Aezel reached the attic, he pushed open the old door. He paused when he saw several small shadows move very quickly into the darkness and out of his view. Xanth peeked in from under Aezel's arm, his eyesight adjusting to the darkness better than his partner. Aezel moved in, fully entering the attic while Xanth stayed just outside the entrance.

"Watch yourself... There's definitely something in here..." the Jolteon warned.

"If that's the case, then let's flush it out," Aezel responded boldly. There was a sudden cackle, which startled both of them. Xanth wasn't expecting it and he yelped in surprise, sounding like a startled kit.

"Look look! What have we here? Guests? It's been so long!" a raspy voice rang out. Aezel scanned the attic, but his eyesight was poor in the darkness.

"Mutt, can you see anything?" the Gyarados asked. When he didn't get a response, he turned around to find the Jolteon completely petrified in fear. At first, he didn't know why the canine was so scared, but then he sighted the two floating claws upon Xanth's shoulders. The masked head slowly rose up from behind the Jolteon, a gleeful yet menacing grin upon its lips. It had a cloak around it, but it didn't have a lower half. It was a floating torso with a head and detached claws. A Semfera Haunter, Aezel realized.

"I haven't had any visitors come by here. Not since the old one last visited many years ago. I'm pleased you've stopped by," the Haunter chortled at Xanth, and the Jolteon trembled in fright. The Haunter dissipated and reappeared in front of Aezel. "You have a strange color for a Gyarados. Are you sick? My licks could probably make you feel better."

Aezel glared at the Haunter and swung a fist at the ghost's chest. The Haunter cackled when Aezel's fist went right through it. Aezel shouted, "Mutt, you best use one of your electric attacks!"

"Oh, no need for such hostilities!" the Haunter chuckled, disappearing again. "You Gyarados are such horrible company. Always so ill-tempered. Can't we all just sit and talk like civilized monsters?"

Aezel hurried over to Xanth, grabbing him by the shoulders and shaking him. "Wake up, mutt! This is no time to pale! If you don't do something, I swear I'll flood this mansion and drown you in it!"

Xanth seemed to have snapped out of his fear-stricken trance. He stuttered something then shook his head. "R-right!"

The Jolteon pulled away from Aezel's grip and charged for an electrical attack. He scanned the attic, looking for any signs of the Haunter. All he could hear was the ghost's faint laughter that seemed to come from every angle in the attic. He saw the shimmering outline of the Haunter and released his attack. It was a direct hit. The Haunter made a choking chortle sound before become fully visible. He fell slowly to the wooden floor, like a silk cloth. Aezel walked over to the fallen ghost with Xanth behind him.

"Is it dead?" the Jolteon asked. Aezel shrugged.

"What kind of question is that?" the Haunter suddenly spoke up, making Xanth jump back. Aezel glared at the fallen Semfera as it propped its head up with a claw. "You can't kill what's already dead. Besides, why are you two coming into my home and causing such a commotion?"

"Your home?" Aezel questioned.

"Yes, my home," the Haunter began to rise, as if getting up on invisible feet. It dusted itself and continued, "I've lived here for years without being disturbed. Why all this ruckus now?"

"We were given the order to clear out this house for demolishment," Aezel replied.

"Demolishment? Then where am I supposed to live? I can't be homeless! Not with so many young ones under my care!" the Haunter growled. "No, I won't let you destroy our peaceful home. The old one asked me to protect this place, to protect the young ones, and if that means killing you two, then so be it." The Haunter then dissipated and the two exchanged looks.

"Young ones? There are more in this house?" Xanth asked. Aezel was about to respond when the floor began to quake. Xanth, being quick on his feet, kept his balance. Aezel was caught off guard and stumbled, almost falling to his knees.

"Let's get out of here. I think we pissed it off," Aezel said. Xanth agreed and the two of them began to head out the attic, avoiding the falling junk. They made it to the second floor and headed for the main stairwell. When Aezel was halfway down the stairs, the floor below him crumbled and he fell through. Xanth halted as he watched the giant red Gyarados fall.

"Aezel!" the Jolteon called out, backing up as the stairs began to crumble. The house continued to vibrate with an angry low hum and Xanth feared it would be the end for them.

"Go and call for backup!" Aezel's voice boomed from beneath the wooden floors.

"How am I supposed to do that?" Xanth grumbled under his breath as he looked for a way to escape. The Haunter reappeared at the bottom of the stairs, grinning maliciously at the Jolteon.

"The old one said to protect them! You are an imposter! A lie!" the Haunter growled angrily at Xanth. He suddenly grinned and said, "Can you find a way out, imposter? If you don't hurry, you'll end up like your big friend down there: dead!"

The Haunter cackled and disappeared. Xanth turned and ran back up the stairs. There was no way he could get down. He had to find another way out.