A/N: Hey everyone, I hope you guys would like this chapter. Just the epilogue to go and this story would finally be complete.
Disclaimer: I do not own Ghost Hunt
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Flashback...
With that Hitomi and Kasumi began teaching the two some warding spells. Mai commenting, "Woah! I feel much better using this than the ones Ayako and Bou-san taught me." Hitomi explaining that it was normal since what she learned from the two were quite different from the Amamiya style. Though she could still use those warding spells but to tweak it a little and incorporate the Amamiya style. As Mai was learning the warding spells, she began to remember as well the purification songs, dances and other things that her mother taught her.
...Flashback
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The next day finally arrived, Madoka was in base being updated on what has been going on so far meeting the Hitomi and the others. As well as being taught a few warding spells along side Yasuhara, which they were thankful for. As much as they know that they won't ever match Bou-san and the others, having the ability to protect themselves in a way would lessen the worry of the team even a bit during cases.
Once everyone had eaten breakfast and freshen themselves up, they all gathered in base to compile all the information they've gathered so far. All hoping that they would finally find a way to finish things once and for all.
Lin began informing them that there were no recorded activity as of last night. Kazuki commenting, "The wards as well haven't been tampered with. Miyako-san also reported that Fujiwara Takumi hadn't made a move and will inform us any changes." They all turned to Miyako who smiled and nodded in confirmation. "Despite this, we cannot become complacent and be on alert. This man is known for doing things that would hit everyone in the back if allowed to do so." They all nodded at Kazuki's warning.
Lin then spoke, gaining everyone's attention, "As of last night we began researching what ritual was used. We finally found out what it was with confirmations from our contacts, it is a ritual better known as the Avenger's Curse."
He then explained,"The ritual is used to destroy the enemies of the caster, destroy in this case doesn't mean death for the victims. Death would have been a better choice than have your soul stuck in a seal with no chance of crossing over. Masako gasped at this, feeling for the suffering souls. Mai comforted the medium.
Lin closed his eyes, "The ritual has two parts. The first being the ritual of summoning, this is used to summon the Night Shades which would be under the control of the caster using an amulet to bind it."
Mai gasping, "The necklace."
Lin nodded, "But before I go into that I'll first explain the process of the ritual, this would be important in explaining the counter for it." They nodded in understanding.
Lin the began with the two parts, second part to be explained by Hajime, using the same ritual circle drawn using a dye made out of the herbs listed.
Ayako groaning, "Ugh, don't remind me. It's one thing to read what those plants were used for but another to find out how they're prepared."
Masako, covered her mouth, "I agree with Matsuzaki-san, that was the vilest thing I've read."
Yasuhara adding, "Finding out what the books are for is equally disgusting. The things one must do to perform it, I don't know how they still managed to sleep at night. I for one would have nightmares of it for days." He said shivering in disgust and with a gaunt look on his face. Hitomi narrowed her eyes as she took a glance at each of the members of SPR, she pursed her lips but didn't say anything.
"The Avenger's Curse is one of the most darkest ritual in the world. Like all dark magic it takes a toll on the caster, it destroys the person's body, mind, heart and soul. It requires one to use human sacrifices as well as using ones own life to power the ritual. This type of rituals have been banned by many different groups of spiritualists but no matter how much prohibitions there are or materials being confiscated, so long as there are those who willingly practice it it would never be completely eradicated." Hajime commented.
Lin then said, "As Hajime-san said the ritual is very dark. The caster upon drawing the circle would light five red candles, upon them one engraves the most negative emotions they are feeling. In this case, the symbols engraved mean, hate, jealousy, anger, greed and lust. The stronger the negative emotions the more powerful the entity summoned. The entity is controlled using an amulet made from ones own hair and nails, soaked in their own blood. Fujiwara Takumi is now a husk of the man he used to be and the only reason why he is still with the living is because of his obsession with Mai. The amount of victims he had should have killed him a long time ago."
Ayako asking, "What do you mean by the amount of victims he had? We don't have any records of that."
Madoka raising her hand, "Umm, I might or might not have the number of victims as well as their names." They all turned to Madoka in shock.
Hajime shook his head, "Well, Madoka-san's list would be of great help later, but for now I'll explain the second part of the ritual which would answer Ayako-san's question."
When there weren't any reactions from the others, Hajime began his explanation. "The second part of the ritual is known as the Ritual of Death. This ritual has two uses, the first is to send the soul eater to his intended target by creating a doll look alike to the person. You could say it is a type of hitogata. The doll is burned using the black candle which was the replacement for the red candles. Engraved in it is the symbol for death." He paused for a moment to let the others process the information.
"The second use is to trap the souls of the targets caster, these were the ghouls we face a while back. And as you have seen there was quite a lot of them. As Lin said the amount of victims Takumi should have killed him a long time ago, using talismans made from ones own body would lead to a part of his soul to be ripped as exchange for the entity's service." Hajime explained, earning wide eye stares from everyone.
Lin added, "The talisman usually would be where the caster performed the ritual. But from what the my contact informed me, it would be impossible for the ghouls to appear in this house unless a talisman was in here. From Miyako-san's explanation it is presumed that the ritual was performed in the Fujiwara family house, it took as a while to figure that part out. Mai-san's dream was a huge help."
Mai's eyes widening at the information. She then gasped, "Lin-san could it be the second talisman?"
"Yes, we thought so too. I confirmed it with my contact and said that it was possible to have a second talisman." Lin pauses and with a tone of finality said, "One of the talisman is with Fujiwara Takumi, the second would be hidden within this house."
The news sent shivers down everyone's back. Takumi had made them play into the palm of his hands. This case was really getting into there nerves, for every move they make there is always a hurdle to pass.
Madoka exclaiming, "Wouldn't that make it easier for him to attack us?"
"No, rituals utilizing a talisman made out of a part of the body of the caster would require the person to recuperate before summoning the entity again. From what I've learned so far Takumi had sent the entity a couple of times already and had been thwarted, this should have weaken him considerably. But as I've said before, with how desperate the man is to get Mai he might force himself to summon the entity again. This is the calm before the storm so everyone should stay alert." Kazuki explained as well as making his usual warnings.
Naru then asked, "Have you found a way on how we are going to counter the ritual?"
"To counter it we would reverse the ritual. We would recreate the same ritual circle making use of a dye made from a different set of herbs. Rosemary, thyme, lavender, althea, angelica root, and jasmine." Lin turning to Ayako, "Would this herbs do? This were the only ones we found on hand at the moment."
Ayako hummed, "The balance of those plants is really great, they all work in tandem. You could use those so long as they aren't tainted or anything and it would be best if they were freshly picked." Miyako saying that she has those herbs planted outside so freshness is not a problem, if they were tainted was a question. Hitomi saying that cleansing the plant from any taint would be easy so long as they have them on hand. With that solved, Ayako approved the plants they were going to use.
Lin then continued from where he left off, "The next thing are the candles, we would use five blue candles and one white. The five candles would be engraved with the symbols for love, contentment, peace, benevolence and chastity. The white candle would be engraved with the symbol for life."
Bou-san, cutting Lin off, asked, "Why blue candles as replacement for the red ones?"
Hajime explaining, "The red candles used by Takumi represent war and destruction, so we chose blue to counter the red with it symbolizing calm and peace." Turning to Lin, he said, "Well then Lin-san, the floor is yours again. I believe your about to go into the details of the ritual."
"The ritual circle would be drawn using the dye, five candles would be place inside the circle representing the five corner points. While the white candle would be place in the middle. This is because we would only be burning the one talisman on the white candle, since it is a pair of the other once we destroy the one in this house the one that Fujiwara Takumi has would be destroyed. The chant to be used would be the reverse of the original chant." Lin informed everyone of how the ritual would take place. They were trying to let the information sink in.
"Umm, everyone, I have a selfish request to ask of you. Would you allow me to be the one to do the ritual?" Miyako asked, making everyone turn there attention towards her.
Hitomi looked into Miyako's eyes, "Are you sure of your decision? If you are having second thoughts you would not be fit to perform the ritual. You know perfectly well that your husband would be dead at the end of this." No one said a word as they watched Hitomi test Miyako on her resolve.
Miyako didn't look away from Hitomi and stared into her eyes head on. "I am sure of this. Even if Takumi do die I will not change my decision. I want to save the Takumi I used to love not the man he has become. If his death would end his darkness and his continuous downward spiral into destruction, then so be it." Miyako stood firm without faltering.
Hitomi stared at her then nodded, smiling at Miyako, "If that is what you wish to do, then very well you may perform the ritual." Miyako bowing to Hitomi in thanks. The others released a sigh of relief not realizing that they were holding their breaths while they watched the display. Mai smiled a little knowing that this was the final healing that her aunt needed.
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Madoka then asked something that they should have thought of a while ago. "Do you guys know where the talisman is hidden?" They blinked at Madoka's question in surprise. Then as one they all turned to Lin and Hajime. Lin busied himself with the monitors, while Hajime looked at everyone innocently.
Hitomi shook her head while Naru pinched the bridge of his nose, "Miyako-san, do you have any ideas where he could have hidden it?"
"I'm not sure, Takumi did quite a lot of renovations and repairs on the house, making excuses about mites, rotten wood, and the house to look better." Miyako answered, with a finger under her chin in thought.
Hitomi asking Kazuki and Kasumi, "Have you managed to pinpoint where the entity is hiding?"
Kazuki answering, "During the altercation last night in the entry way, I haven't sensed the entity in the house."
"He must have used the talisman to open a portal or demon gate here in the house." Kasumi added.
Miyako commenting, "I could get the original blueprints and the recent one to see where the changes are, I think I also have a before and after picture of the repairs and renovations."
"Would you mind getting them Miyako-san, having specific points to check would make it easier rather than tearing the whole house apart." Lin requested. Miyako nodded and was about to rush out of the room when Hitomi stopped her.
Hitomi turned to Naru, "I know that we are currently raising against time, I would request that we perform a cleansing on each of you. You have been inside this house for a while and the dark taint on it has started to feed and your energy." Their eyes widened at that, then realizing that what Hitomi said was true. They've been feeling quite lethargic since coming into the house.
"What would the cleansing do, Amamiya-sama?" Madoka asked also noticing the haggard look on the team, as well as feeling a heavy weight on her since entering the house.
Hitomi turned to Madoka, "Just call me Hitomi, it would be confusing if Mai invites you to the Main House." Madoka's eyes widened and bowed at Hitomi. "As for your question, the cleansing would remove the dark magic tainting your body, mind, heart and soul. It would help you to perform your exorcisms better since there would be nothing holding you back and weakening your warding spells." The spiritualists on the team did notice that their warding spells were not as strong as usual.
Naru then spoke, "Hitomi-sama, please perform the cleansing. This team's welfare comes first before anything else. Set backs at times makes people work more efficiently and effectively to meet their deadline." The members of SPR smiled, from working with Naru for so long they already knew that the man cared for the welfare of those important to him, including his team despite them irritating him, above all else.
A smile formed on Hitomi's face, "Indeed, that is true." She then turned to her children, "Go and prepare the things we will need for the cleansing." The three nodded and rushed out to get the instruments.
When they came back, each of them had a flute in hand. Bou-san commenting about it being amazing to be able to see members of the Amamiya Clan to perform their unique way of cleansing.
Hitomi held two flutes in her hands, she gave one to Mai. Instructing her to play once she was fully cleansed from the taint. Hitomi also thought to herself that Mai's strength were in cleansings and purifications. Mai nodded at her grandmother, "I understand, Obaa-sama."
Madoka and Naru asked for permission from Hitomi if they could tape the cleansing for records. Hitomi answered, "Go ahead, we're really not that strict regarding people taping our cleansings. We always do cleansings and purifications for the public so picture and videos being taken are quite normal." Hitomi said with a laugh. The two thanked her still regardless of her saying it was normal.
Hitomi then instructed everyone to sit on the floor. When they were comfortable in their positions, she instructed them to close their eyes. She then looked at her children, nodding her head they began to play. The sound of their flutes began to permeate the air, a calm enveloped the room. Each of them being caressed by soothing and gentle sounds.
Mai took a deep breath, allowing the sounds to wash over her. Slowly exhaling to releasing all the taint of the dark magic on her body, mind, heart and soul. She then began playing her flute, each of the notes she played reverberated into everyone's heart and very soul. Not only cleansing them of the taint from the dark magic but healing them from their negative thoughts and emotions. Mai's warmth, love and soul were felt through the notes she played, overpowering the sounds of the others. Once the last notes of the song were finished, those not of the Amamiya Clan found themselves with tears running down their face. They felt lighter than ever all their worries, fears, and negativity were lifted from their shoulders.
When Mai opened her eyes, she saw Hitomi, uncles and aunt smiling at her. She returned their smiles and heard Gene through their link, "Thank you, Mai." Mai was startled that Gene had been affected by the cleansing as well, answering back, "Your welcome, Gene."
Mai stood up and with the help of her aunt made tea for everyone. Returning to base, she started handing them tea as they tried to compose themselves. Finishing the tea, Miyako stood up and said that she'll go retrieve the blueprints and pictures. None of them were worried for her because of the pep in her steps and the haunted look gone from her eyes.
While Mai was conversing with her family, the others were chatting around as they wait for Miyako. Ayako commenting, "I've never experienced that kind of cleansing before."
"Yeah, I know what you mean. I've been force to go and have yearly cleansing back at Mt. Kyouya but this is the first time I've felt at peace with myself." Bou-san agreeing with Ayako which was shocking enough but more so they weren't fighting with each other.
John saying that it was like he went for a Confession at Church and being enlightened. Yasuhara telling the stories he heard about the cleansings of the Amamiya Clan and that they were understatements. "Hitomi-sama and her children's playing was calming at best but when Mai played I felt her very soul enter my own and comforted me." Madoka commented when there was a lull in conversation. No on spoke but they all had smiles on there faces.
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Everything was peaceful as they waited for Miyako, a loud crack resounded around the house followed by Miyako's scream. They all rushed out of base and headed to where Miyako was, and were shocked to find a huge whole in the middle of the master's bedroom. The hole went all the way down to the basement. Kazuki helped Miyako on her feet, while Hajime and Lin in tow rushed out of the room after looking down at the hole. Bou-san whistling when he looked down, "Guess, we won't be needing the blue prints." Right there on top of the rubble was the amulet exuding a black mist.
They were all back in base, Miyako managed to calm down as soon as they entered base. She then started dowsing for Takumi. While the rest of them were looking at the amulet, which was covered in a special cloth to prevent the dark taint from escaping.
Bou-san asking, "But still, what happened for the floor, where that talisman was hidden, would just collapse like that."
Naru answering, "It must have been due to the cleansing, the taint must have resisted the cleansing and because of the repelling energies it caused the floor to collapse. If counter ritual wasn't needed to destroy it, it would have already been destroyed."
They're attention was caught by Miyako's gasp. "Miya-baa, what's wrong?" Mai asked her godmother.
"Takumi was affected by backlash of the cleansing, he's still unconscious at the moment but he's already alerted to the fact we found the talisman." Miyako told everyone looking at a dowsing mirror. They were all shocked at the news.
Hitomi then spoke, "We need to hasten our preparations, if Takumi wakes up before we could start the ritual it would cause as more problems." Everyone nodded with serious looks on their faces. She then turned to Lin and Hajime, "Please start telling everyone what they are supposed to do." The two nodded.
Lin and Hajime started doling out everyone's duties. The list of Takumi's victims were taken from Madoka, Kasumi started writing the names in each of the folded cranes being made Madoka, Yasuhara, and Masako. The cranes were going to be used as substitute hitogatas that would bind the ghouls whose name appeared on it. The number of victims or targets were quite shocking in number. Kasumi would be doing the binding.
Any names not include would be cleansed by Ayako, since the there was a tree out back and other surrounding trees which were cleansed. She was also tasked to harvest the herbs and make the dye.
Miyako was going over the chant, a mistake on the wording would make the ritual to fail. Lin was carving the symbols on the candles. John, Kazuki, Bou-san along with Hajime headed to the the corner points of the house, they would all synchronize their exorcisms as much as possible with the ritual. Naru and Mai were setting up cameras and microphones on each of the locations the others would be positioning themselves. Those who would be left in base; namely Mai, Naru, Masako, Madoka, Yasuhara along with Hitomi, who would be protecting the base. Those in base would handle communications, regarding the timing of the ritual and exorcisms as well as to relay if everything was going as planned.
Preparations were being finalized, the ritual circle being drawn by Lin. They decided to do it in the entry way, where the demon gate opened previously. The others headed to their positions and doing last minute preparations.
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They were about to start with the ritual, Miyako taking a deep breath with the covered amulet clutched in her hand. She then stepped inside the ritual circle when Naru informed her through the microphones that everyone was in position. Closing her eyes and doing her breathing exercises, she opened them again and nodded at the camera.
Naru seeing Miyako nod, began the count down, "Miyako-san is ready, start at the count of three. One." The spiritualists took deep breaths.
"Two." They went into their stances waiting for the final signal.
"Three." Pandemonium erupted within the house. Miyako and all the spiritualists started at the same time, their chants synchronizing into one. Ghouls started appearing around the house from different demon gates, black mist started to envelope the area, which made it quite difficult to see the video feed. Hitomi began to play her flute when ghouls and night shades began to ram through the base wards.
Mai immediately summoned the 12 Kirins, the the twelve orbs flew to different directions creating a twelve-point barrier around the base's occupants. The chaos began to increase in volume with the chants, ghouls screaming, night shades growling and Hitomi's flute.
Mai stiffened, with her eyes rolling back towards her head, she began to have seizures. Masako shouting Mai's name, while Naru and Yasu held Mai down to prevent her from hurting herself. Madoka replaced Naru in front of the monitors, they couldn't leave it unattended for long. Six of the Kirins went to Mai while the other six shifted into a six-point barrier.
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"NOLL!" Gene shouted in Naru's head.
"Gene is Mai with you, she started having seizures and we can't wake her up." Naru sent back through their link.
Gene in near panic sent back, "She's with me but she isn't responding. Her spirit was pulled unceremoniously by the dream eater." The six Kirins were divided in two groups of three. One group was attacking the dream eater, while the second group creates a three-point barrier around Gene and Mai.
"What do you suggest we do? Mai's grandmother was the one who aligned her spirit and body, she's currently protecting the base." Naru asked Gene. Exerting much effort to hold Mai down as her seizure gets stronger.
"We need to anchor her somehow. My link to her isn't enough, I'm trying to use my link to you to anchor her but its not working." Gene answered, his worry evident on his voice.
Naru cursed under his breath, knowing quite well that both he and Mai were at fault for delaying the block on their link. He then remembers what Kasumi said about he and Mai could fix their own link. Thinking he sent through their link, "Gene, just keep your link to Mai open, I'm going to try and use you as a bridge to connect my link to Mai."
Gene asking, "Are you sure that is going to work? I already tried doing it but it failed."
"I'm not sure as well, I'm only going on Kasumi-san's words that Mai and I could fix our own link. This is the only thing we have going on, let's just try for now." Naru answered Gene.
"Alright, tell me when your ready." Gene sent back.
Naru sighed then turned towards Madoka, "Madoka switch places with me, Hara-san watch the monitors. I'm going to try and fix the link with Mai." The two females in question moved quickly, freeing Naru from holding Mai down. He took a deep breath grasping unto his link with Gene, "I'm ready."
Naru began to follow his link with Gene, for a few seconds it was the only things he could sense but soon after sensed a different link, "Noll, hurry I can feel Mai slipping further." Gene said to Naru with urgency. Prompting Naru to bridge over his link with Gene and directly connect himself to Mai. At that exact moment, Naru and Gene felt their link become a three-way link. Without wasting time, they pulled on Mai's link shouting her name, "MAI."
Mai's seizure stopped and she soon opened her eyes with a gasp, taking in deep breaths to calm her beating heart. She also felt her link between Gene and Naru, before it was only Gene's presence she sensed but now Naru's presence was added as well. Madoka, Masako and Yasuhara all sighed in relief when Mai opened her eyes.
As soon as Mai woke up, things in the house reached its peak. The moment Miyako finishes the chant and the talisman burnt to ashes, a loud inhuman scream reverberated around the house and all was still. Miyako collapsed to her knees, the adrenaline finally leaving her body. She hugged herself with her body shaking from her tears, she was finally free from the darkness.
Madoka rushed beside Masako and began checking on everyone. She and Masako shared a smile when everyone answered that they were fine and only tired. Informing Madoka that they'll head back to base once they've removed the ritual circle and do a final sweep of the house.
As the last notes left, Hitomi turned to her granddaughter, who was being helped by Naru to sit up. She went to check on Mai to see if her soul was aligned and she was shocked to see that it was perfectly anchored into Mai's body. "Is there anything wrong, Hitomi-sama?" Yasuhara asked.
"Nothing, everything is actually just fine or more like Mai's soul is perfectly anchored to her body." Hitomi explained.
"Of course it would be, considering the Mai, Naru and Gene have fully complete three-way link", someone said from the door way. Startling the occupants of the room.
They all turned and saw Kasumi supporting a tired looking Miyako, Yasuhara stood up and help steady Miyako as she sat down on the couch. "Are you alright, Miya-baa?" Mai asked.
Miyako nodded, "I'm just tired from the ritual, in a few minutes I'll be alright."
Soon one by one, the group began to trickle into base. Each of them reporting what happened on their ends. Kasumi then asked, "I've been wondering, what exactly happened here for Mai and Naru to have their link unblocked as well as that three-way link?"
Those in base began there explanations, Mai adding about being in a void then hearing both Naru and Gene calling out to her then she woke up. Naru explaining as well about what Gene tried to do, as well as him using the link with Gene as a bridge to link with Mai.
Kasumi blinked at the information, then with an amused smile said, "Well, it seems the reason for the block on your link was actually due to Gene. How exactly did your link form with him, Mai?" The information surprised the two with Gene reacting, "Hey."
Mai then started telling Kasumi about her first meeting with Gene, how he was trying to contact Naru but accidentally attached himself to her. "He's also denying that he was the cause of the block, Kasumi-baa."
"Well tell him it is really his fault, before your could even manage to link with Naru, Gene interrupted that link when he somehow linked up with you." Kasumi tapped her chin with her finger. "Let's see you can compare it to you waiting for an important call at two, but before you could receive the call, another person called you making you miss the other call."
Lin summarized, "So Mai and Naru had a link between them before, Mai formed a link with Gene."
Kasumi said,"Bingo. You guys are quite rare, psychic links don't normally form on the first meeting, it forms over time. Which means your meant to be since it usually is the first sign of soul mates." She winked at her niece who blushed and made an escape saying she'll make tea for everyone. Naru looking at his notebook seemingly uninterested. Trying to tune his twin out but before he could do so, Gene managed to send, "Fine be that way idiot scientist, sooner or later someone's going to steal Mai away right under your nose."
The comment angered Naru while thinking that no one was stealing Mai from him, his mind seemingly stopped working because of that thought.
The others just watched in amusement as Mai made her escape. They all chatted around, feeling relieved that things were finally over. The phone then started to ring, Miyako stood up to answer it, her eyes widening then saying thank you and goodbye.
She returned to the base, her face ashen which made everyone worried but before they could ask she spoke, "The police just called, Takumi's dead. They said that he was in the basement when a water pipe exploded." She then started to cry for the man she loved and married, for Hosuke, for Kimiko and all those who died. Kasumi comforted Miyako with everyone looking down, they all forgot from their joy when the talisman was destroyed that Fujiwara Takumi's life had been forfeit.
-oOo-
A/N: Next up would be the epilogue. I hope this didn't seem rushed or anything
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