Chapter 4: Answers
What is this place? There is magic everywhere, mixed in with the mundane. What is this mysterious language these strange faced humans gabble to each other? This is not the Old Country. Crying Sky once again shows her intelligence. I wil need to accustom myself to this place... The thoughts of the shade ran like this as it continued its search. It had found the Vessel of Micheal, and had even put it under its thrall, but some foreign magic had cast his influence out. I will make that mage sorry for daring to lock horns with the Von Hausen legacy. I must drain more power before I take on this whelp. I need more power, to manifest myself... It thought, searching for those with large amounts of magical or spiritual power.
"We have no formal way of tracking the beast in its current form. We just have to wait until it strikes..." Konoemon stated sadly. This was a desperate tactic, especially for one such as he, who had his pupils safety as top priority. It was the look on Negis face that perked his interest.
"Um...By strike, what do you mean exactly?" The brown haired mage asked, nervously. The principle stroked his beard thoughtfully, before glancing at his own granddaughter.
"Von Hausen always picks the strongest at the start, to be under his thrall. That way, he can drain their power." Evangeline said, suddenly. She had a dark look on her face. "People whos power is evident to him. People like you, Boya, and Setsuna-san. Those who have weiklded their power since he was brought back." At this, Negi looked even more concerned. "What if...suppose someone like me had dispelled a thrall he had on someone else..."
"Then you'd be the next person on his hit list." Evangeline said, no hint of remorse in her voice. Small tears began to form in the corners of the youngsters eyes.
"I...I...don't wanna be a thrall!" He whimpered. Konoemon raised his eyebrows.
"You mean you cast out an influence already? Who over?" He said, his small eyes boring directly at Negi. The boy mumbled incoherently.
"It was Saotome Haruna, Headmaster." Asuna said, placing a reassuring hand on the welshmans shoulder. Konoemon nodded silently.
"Then, Haruna is a very lucky individual, to have escaped from the clutches of Demitri. What he would want with a mundane, I do not know..."
Haruna awoke with a cute yawn. Her hair was draped across her face, and her glasses were resting on her stomach. I must've been sleeping deeply She mused, as she placed them back onto her face. The sun was still shining outside, and there was a stuffy heat to the shed. Haruna could see the heat haze out of the window. It's so hot...uugh, I'm so sweaty...I need a bath... She could feel her shirt and underwear sticking to her, and shuddered. Struggling to get out from the enveloping beanbag, she eventually managed to get back to her feet. Sighing, she took one last look at her happy place. Until I'm next too stressed to do anything, shed. Stay perfect. She giggled at this thought. I'm doing it again. Personifying buildings... She closed the shed door noiselessly, and locked it, hiding the key back behind one of the loose bricks on the gym hall.
"Manga Star In Sordid Shed Sleep Shocker!" A voice came from behind her. Haruna chuckled to herself. She knew that voice, and even if she didn;t she'd know those terrible assonations anywhere.
"Hello, Kazumi-chan." She said, turning, and smiling brightly. Kazumi Asakura, the schools roaving reporter, was leaning in between the shed and the large gym, and she was grinning intently. She was also holding a digital camera. The girl chuckled.
"I've got a wonderful shot of you sucking your thumb on this thing, Paru!" She proclaimed, smiling deviously. Haruna was not phased. The two girls were the snoopiest in the whole school, and had long ago made a deal not to spill any beans on each other. Haruna waved her hand dismissively.
"At least I don't sleep wth a nightlight." She said, grinning right back at the girl. Just because we can't tell anything doesn't mean we can't use them for fun She thought. "Did you want something, Kazumi, or are you so besotted with me you had to come take pictures?"
The red haired girl laughed. If only she knew WHY I have the nightlight. It's because Sayo is afraid of the dark. She thought, before answering the artists question. "No, actually, I was doing a little investigating. I saw Zazie run away from the school building, and figured something was up. Now I find you going to your destress haven." Haruna look surprised. She thought no-one knew about this place. Kazumi, seeing this face, chuckled.
"Don't worry, its just the two of us that know about it." She said. Of course, the two of us means Me and Sayo, but Paru doesn't need to know that. Haruna nodded.
"I'd like it to stay that way, please." She said. Kazumi nodded. "So, you gonna tell Aunty Kazumi what's going on?" Haruna sighed.
"You know what. I honestly have no idea. The last day or so has been really messed up. I have no idea how, but I've made Zazie think I hate her, Evangeline came on to me, I've got a one hour blank in my memory, and I keep dreaming about this kid called Micheal from some eighteenth century myth." She said, her voice louder than it needed to be. Kazumi frowned. She had never seen Haruna so stressed before.
"I can see why you came here. But you really should come to class. Either that, or spend the day relaxing." She said, a sly grin emerging on her face. A grin that resonated with Harunas own grin. "Field day?" Haruna said. Kazumi nodded, her grin getting even bigger. "First stop, baths!" Haruna yelled.
It was a long time later. Kazumi, Haruna and the silent ghost, Sayo Aisaka, had spent a god hour in the baths, soaking themselves, and trading information on people. They had then gone to Starbooks for breakfast, and had spent the entire time making up funny stories about the other customers. After this, they had gone shopping. Haruna did tend to have more money than the rest of the class, because even though most of the money she made from her various projects went into locked savings accounts, she did get a small but servicable disposable income from it. She had her mother to thank for that. The woman was a genius with all things currency. Their latest stop was the multitude of book stores that made up the area of Mahora known as Manga Alley. If the book existed for retail sale, you would find it here. It always got Haruna a little nervous, some people within Mahora, but not in 3-A, knew that she was Paru, and she was forever dreading the day she got recognised. I wonder if Chisame ever feels this worried. Might explain why she's always so grouchy. She thought. It took her a few moments to notice that Kazumi had stopped.
"Hey, Haru-chan. You get the feeling something's not quite right?" The reporter whispered. Haruna got close to the girl, and whispered back, "Now that you mention it, there does seem to be something...nasty...about the air." The two girls advanced down the street slowly, both keeping their eye out for any sign of danger. Haruna caught some of the glances other people were making. Everyone seemed to be sensing the same thing. Out of nowhere, a smell like nothing the girls had ever experienced before hit their noses. It took every ounce of Harunas self control to stop herself from throwing up. Several people around them, however, were not as strong willed, and couldn't stop themselves. The odor was that of rotting, decomosing flesh.
"Oh my god! What the hell is going on?" Haruna managed to say to Kazumi, who had a horrified look on her face. She pointed up along the alleyway, to where Mahoras newer church, and graveyard, was located. Shambling slowly down the pathway was a...well, a pile of rotting flesh and bones. Haruna stared at the mutilated, moving corpse, her eyes a picture of terror. The crowds around the girls began to panic, running from the beastly abomination.
"Haruna! HARUNA!" Kazumi yelled, shaking the girl. Eventually, Haruna managed to tear her attention away from the thing, and she looked at Kazumi.
"RUN!!!" THe girl yelled at her, tugging at the girl furiously. It took a few seconds for the girl to register what Kazumi had said, but when she did, she turned, took hold of Kazumis hand, and ran.
"HEADMASTER!" A gruff male voice yelled from behind the door of the office. The assembled group turned, as Takamichi Takahata, The girls ex teacher, burst into the room. "Headmaster, it's chaos. I'm getting reports in from Manga Alley. Apparently, there have been three cases of level one Necromancy that have become known to the General Public." The headmaster sighed, before looking to Evangeline, who closed her eyes. "I was afraid of this. Von Hausen was renouned for his skill in the black arts of Necromancy." He said, when Konoka put her hand up.
"Um...What's Necromancy?" She asked, a puzzled look on her face. Her grandfather looked glum. Setsuna held up her hand, indicating to the elderly gentleman that she would tell Konoka.
"Ojou-sama...Necromancy is a forbidden magical practice which involves resurrecting the dead in order to tell the future. Or, it was, in the beginning. It has since degenerated into a way of calling back parts of souls into their bodies. In other words, Zombies..." She trailed off. Konoka looked a little puzzed, before her expression suddenly changing into one of knowledge. "Ohhh! Like in that video game!" She said happily. Negi frowned.
"No, Konoka, like real life, bits of rotting flesh hanging off bleached bones dead people walking around trying to kill innocent people." He said, sorrow and anger present in his voice. Takamichi held up his hand.
"Actually, Negi-kun, the reports say the three that have been seen don't seem to be attacking anyone. It's almost like they're just...wandering around. Exploring. One even paid for a map of the city. A rusty five hundred yen coin, from about thirty years ago, according to eye witnesses."
Evangeline chuckled when she heard this. "Typical Demitri. He may be evil, but he's still a Lord. Stealing is below him." She said, a slight grin on her face. Asuna, who had been fighting to say something since Takamichi had entered, but had been too embarassed to say anything, finally spoke. "Um...doesn't this mean people now know about magic? Isn't that dangerous?"
Konoemon nodded. "Takahata, begin damage control." The bestubbled man nodded. "Already started, sir. Teams have been deployed to take care of the corpses, and to quell the fires of rumor."
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!?" Haruna yelled, once she and Kazumi had gotten to a place devoid of the smell of decay. She coughed violently, before falling to her knees, onto grass. The girls were at the base of the World Tree now, where a group of teachers was informing everyone that the zombies had been an elaborate advertising campaign by the University Drama club. Kazumi was already gathering information on the 'attack', and had already taken some eye witness accounts, and an official statement from three teachers.
"HARUNA!!" A low voice proclaimed. The green haired girl turned to see Yue running towards her. "Haruna, you're ok!" She said, falling to her knees, wrapping her arms around the girl. Haruna was still shaken from the experience, and merely nodded.
"For a given meaning of OK, certainly." She muttered.
"You didn't turn up to class. What hapenned?" Yue asked, after she had un-wrapped herself from her friend. Haruna closed her eyes.
"Well, I... uh, it's a long story. Very long..." She said, before openning her eyes, and smiling at Yue, giving her a thumbs up, and winking. "All in a days work for Paru, though!" She said, masking her anxiety and confusion with upbeat humor. Kazumi returned at this moment, chuckling to...Herself? Or is she talking to someone? Jeez, even Kazumi's acting weird today... Haruna thought.
"I don't believe them for a minute. Three teachers all giving different info..." Kazumi mused, a mischievous grin on her face. Behind Haruna, Yue began shaking her hands, indicating her to stop talking. Yue had received a text message from Konoka, a fellow Explorer club member, telling her that the Zombies were real. Yue had already been searching for Haruna, and she had put two and two together. Kazumi, noticing the girls frantic waving, said no more on the subject. The three girls decided to head to the school Cafeteria for lunch, and began to head in the direction of the school.
Hrrrm. So this place is called Ma Ho Ra. I have been awoken in what once was Nippon, the land of the gods, although it is now called Ja Pan. This land was always full of magic... the shadow mused. The information he had gathered from his four shamble zombies was proving very informative. Three had indeed stalked through the city, sending widespread panic, taking in what little information dead brains could. The purchase of the Book of Guiding, along with the chart of the area had been an idea worthy of promotion for the shamble, which was, even now, being given strength from the Lords own power resevres. He needed more Ghouls like this one, in order to drain the magi of their power, and regain his own body. But, for now, Shamble Zombies and Skeletons would have to do...
The walk to the cafeteria was a silent one. Yue and Kazumi had exchanged nervous glances to each other, and Haruna had remained completely silent, refusing to even look up from the pavement. It tore Yue up inside that she coudl not tell her friend of the secret she kept for her teacher. However, it was dangerous for even herself to know, let alone Haruna, the schools biggest gossip. She sighed. If only she were to find out on her own. That would solve the problem... She thought before shaking her head. Stop that, Yue. No master plans...
"Hey, Yuetchi..." Kazumi said, suddenly, her voice thick with worry, "How long has Haruna not been with us?" She asked. Yue looked around sharply, and found that her friend was indeed missing. "umm..." A quiet voice whispered. It was Sayo, Kazumi's 'sidekick'. The ghost was always with Kazumi, and, normally, Kazumi was the only one without magical power who could see her. However, she had made herself known to Yue now. Could it be because I'm practicing my magic? Maybe I'm getting stronger. The girl mused.
"What is it, Sayo-chan?" The reporter said, smiling reassuringly. The shy ghost smiled, albeit nervously. "Uh...She wandered away about ten minutes ago. I don't know where she went..." she said, her hands clasped together. Yue sagged. "It's clear she wants some alone time. We should find Negi-sensei, and ask him what's going on.
"Um...Sec-chan? Where are we going?" Konoka asked, as she jogged to keep up with her best friend. The Shinmei school pupil had a determined look on her face, and had stormed out of the headmasters study when the subject of getting rid of the vampire had come up. IT had been the suggestion of using the Academys biggest single store of magic as a lure to get Demitri to reveal his location. It had angered Sec-chan so much she had stood up, screamed "HOW COULD YOU!?" at Konoemon, and stomped out of the room.
"Somewhere away from them." Setsuna replied. Konoka was concerned for her friend. She had never raised her anger towards her superiors before. Konoka stopped walking alongside the girl, and folded her arms. Setsauna turned back at the girl, the beginnings of a glare in her eyes.
"Sec-chan. I don't think this is a good idea." Konoka said, before flinching. The swordsgirl had lost her cool. "WILL YOU STOP SAYING THAT?!" She yelled, advancing on the white mage. The rage lasted all of a moment. Setsuna stopped dead, and looked down at her hands. "I...I..." She stammered, before turning away from the girl. "I am sorry, Ojou-sama..." She said, before beginning to run away. Konoka was prepared for this, though, and had grabbed onto her shirt, tugging her back.
"How...how could I just sit there? They were talking about using you! Using you as bait! I...How could they think up something like that?" Setsuna stammered, her voice breaking. Her anger had subsided, replaced with sorrow. Konoka said nothing, but pulled the girl back even furthur, eventually hugging the shorter girl from behind. "Kono...chan..." The girl whispered.
"Thank you, Sec-chan. Your concern means more to me than anything." Konoka whispered into the girls ear.
There she is! Thank goodness she's still alive! I may still be able to pull this off... The cloaked girl thought as she raced down the alleyway. The green hair and twin antennae were unmistakable. In a single movement, she dropped down from the rooftops, infront of the glum Haruna, her cloak billowing in the updraft she caused. "Follow me, please!" The girl exclaimed, taking hold of Harunas arm. Haruna resisted. "No. I want to know what's going on!"
"PLEASE! There are creatures following me! We must get to a safe place. I will tell you everything there! Hurry!" The masked person exclaimed, tugging on Parus arm again. This time, she allowed herself to be moved. The pair dashed down the alleyway, ducking between discarded boxes, and forgotten items, heading towards an older area of the City. Mere minutes later, they were in the hollow belly of the old church. Haruna was clutching her stomach, trying desperately to get her breath back, but the cloaked girl was barely out of breath at all.
"Ok, what the hell is going on. Zombies, Dreams, Lesbians, Amnesia. I want answers!" The cloaked figure was looking outwards at the tree line. She waited until she was satisfied about something, before turning to Haruna.
"Answers...That, I think I can do..." She said, softly. Her voice reminded Haruna of someone, but she couldn't quite place it. She sat down on the crumbling staircase. the mysterious girl leapt upwards, clearing nearly twenty feet with ease. She landed on the top of a broken wall, and sat on the rock, looking down at Paru.
"Saotome Haruna. You have recently been experiencing...odd dreams, correct?" The cloaked figure said. It was more a statement than a question. Haruna nodded.
"Dreams about a young boy named Micheal?" Again, a nod. "You no doubt have done research into the legend of Hausen because of this. I must inform you that...you are the Vessel of Micheals spirit."