Disclaimer: I don't own Ghost Hunt
AT: Thoughts are italicized
Telepathy conversations italicized
Price OF Life
12) Broken Seal
After everyone finished their meals, they all returned to the lake to continue their search for the rune stone. Mai, Kana, Yun, and Gene searched the east bank where it was shallower, while Monk and John took the center leaving Ayako and Masako with the west bank. It only took about an hour before Monk and John shouted.
"Found it," John exclaimed as everyone gathered around John while Monk walked back to shore soaked from the waist down.
"You know Monk that's a good look for you," Ayako teased as Monk tried to dry himself off.
"Can it, old lady," Monk hissed as Ayako smacked him across his head.
"That's no way to speak to a lady," Ayako snapped back as Monk held his head with his hand in pain.
"I'm sorry I wasn't aware I was in the presence of a lady," Monk whispered as Mai and John intervened before anyone was seriously hurt.
"We better get the rune stone back to base," Yun announced as Kana, Gene, and Yun stopped dead in their tracks.
"Hey guys what's wrong?" Mai asked suddenly as the temperature dropped to near freezing.
"This is not good," Monk stated as Mai began to shiver in fear.
"Yea think," Yun commented rolling her eyes in the process as Spirits began to surround the group.
"Mai look out," Gene shouted as a spirit lunged towards Mai. At the sound of a whistle four of Yun's shiki darted out and rushed to Mai's defense. As the shiki made contact with the spirit a loud scream erupted from it before the spirit vanished.
"Naumaku- sananda- bazaar- dan- kan," Monk chanted as several more spirits vanished.
"They're going after Mai," Masako stated worriedly as more spirits appeared before them.
"Our Father, Which art in heaven," John began positioning himself in front of Masako.
"Rin- pyou- tou- sha," Ayako began as well placing herself near Gene and Kana.
Naru and Lin ran out of the mansion and through the garden when they heard the scream. Now viewing the scene before them Lin whistled as his five shiki darted out across the field and let loose on some of the spirits. Seeing a break in the spirits reappearing the large group made a run for it. They ran all the way to the mansion and breathed a sigh of relief once inside the grand foyer with the door closed firmly behind them.
"We're safe for now," Gene announced as Kana and Masako nodded in agreement.
"The lord knows we found the second rune stone. He'll definitely come looking for it," Yun indicated as everyone sighed in near defeat.
"Then we must get ready if we have any hopes of ending this tonight," Naru stated angrily as he made his way to the study.
Everyone fallowed Naru's lead and soon joined him in the study. Monk then placed the second stone on the desk before him as Yun checked on the covered stone still on the floor.
"Lin, Yun," Naru called as the two glanced at each other before nodding.
"It will take time to prepare," Yun added with Lin nodding again.
"Monk, Ayako I need you two to place wards around this room and the base. John perform exorcisms as needed," Naru ordered as the three left the study and made their way to the base. " Kana, Gene, Masako, and Mai you four return to the base and stay there," Naru added gruffly.
"Naru who's going to watch over them?" Yun questioned. "None of them know how to perform exorcisms," Yun protested.
"Yun it's alright none of us may know how to perform an exorcism, but that doesn't mean we don't know any defense mantras," Gene assured as Yun sighed in defeat.
'Just to be safe I'm sending two of my shiki with you,' Yun thought as Kana glanced over at Yun making eye contact with the young onmyoji.
'If that's going to make you feel better, than no problems here,' Kana smiled as the other's remained silent.
'Thank you,' Yun thought as she returned the smile to Kana.
With that over and done with Kana, Mai, Masako, and Gene, along with two of Yun's shiki left for the base.
"They'll be just fine Yun," Lin remarked placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"You can never be too sure, especially when it involves Mai," Yun laughed and Lin smirked before the two got to work.
Back at the base Monk and Ayako finished placing wards around and where now heading back to the study with John.
"Mai is everything ok?" Gene wondered as he sat down next to Kana while Mai sat across from them. Masako had left for a bathroom break and headed for the room in the far corner of the base.
Mai was being very quiet and had her right hand placed over her heart in pain. "Yea everything's fine," Mai faked a smile as Masako returned from the bathroom.
Two hours later everyone returned to the study to find Lin and Yun meditating each sitting in front of one of the rune stones. The only light in the room came from candles that surrounded a large circle on the floor. A double calk circle surrounded the stones plus another larger circle that surrounded the two rune stones including Lin and Yun.
"What's happening?" Mai inquired as Naru stepped forward away from the wall.
"They're going to break the seals on the rune stones," Naru indicated -as a matter of factly-.
"Aren't they just giving the lord what he wants by doing that." Monk stated more of an observation than question.
"That's not true," Mai whispered as everyone except Naru, Lin, and Yun glanced at Mai.
"What do you mean Mai? The lord doesn't want the power of the souls trapped inside the stones?" Ayako asked curiously.
"No, that's not what I meant," Mai sighed agitatedly.
"Then what?" Naru wondered irritated as he glared at Mai.
"He does want the power that the soul's trapped have but he also wants to live," Mai stated the last part almost inaudible. Yun almost broke her concentration at Mai's statement but was relieved when Gene and Kana's attention was caught by Mai's words.
"He's dead there's no way he can possible be brought back," John gasped.
"I think what Mai means is the lord is looking for a body to make his own," Masako announced obviously proud for saying what she had.
"That's a possibility," Naru replied calmly.
'Breathe Mai breathe,' Mai thought as she glance over at Gene and Kana who stood on the other side of Masako.
'Mai it's alright, they're not going to figure it out that easily,' Kana smiled as Mai remembered to breathe.
The room began to fill with mist as Lin and Yun began their chants. The temperature in the room also began to drop rapidly as the chanting was showing signs of working when the rune stones cracked setting the spirits loose in the room.
"Well that was easy," Ayako mentioned flipping her hair back as a sinister laugh filled the room.
All the spirits began to scream in pain causing Masako to faint and Kana to fall to her knees with her hands to her ears in pain. Gene however kept himself composed enduring the pain.
"I should take this moment to thank those who broke the seals on the rune stones," the evil voice noted as the lords spirit began to materialize in front of everyone.
The lord's spirit took in his surroundings glancing at each person before stopping at Mai. Mai's eyes widened in fear as she made eye contact with the lord eyes. The lord sent a blast of energy at the group sending everyone (except Mai) against the wall.
"Mai," Naru shouted worriedly as it shown plain as day across his face that he was truly worried but that only lasted for a minute for his expressionless mask was back in place.
Mai now stood in the center of the room, her eyes blank as if she were in a trance like state.
Mai's Trance:
(A/N): in this story a trance (ex: Mai's trance) is sort of like one of Mai's dream's but instead of sleeping she's fully awake in reality. Her Spirit is the one that's getting the action in limbo. Limbo in this story is the place between Dream and reality. Anyway enough explaining back to the story .
"Foolish girl you haven't told them. Shame on you," The lord laughed as Mai remained unresponsive. "They are probable the only ones that can save you," The lord indicated as he circled around Mai taunting her with his words. "Oh well it's too late either way. You were going to die sooner or later. Why not sooner," the lord whispered in Mai's ear as tears fell uncontrollably down her cheeks.
End Trance:
The other's watched in fear as the lords Spirit continued to watch Mai. None of the SPR members were able to hear or understand the conversation going on between Mai and the lord's spirit.
"What's going on," Monk hissed as the Lord's spirit circled around Mai before the two were face to face once more.
"I don't know Monk, but from the looks of it, It's not good," John remarked as the SPR members watched as the Spirit then got up close and personal with Mai as if he where whispering something in her ear.
"Lin, Yun, Gene," Naru shouted as the three nodded.
Lin and Yun ran on the left side wall while Gene along the right side wall meeting again behind the Lord and facing Mai. All three sets of eyes widened at the state Mai was in, Mai's tears were non-stop her eyes remained blank as if nobody was home inside.
'Kana do something, you have to get Mai back,' Yun cried inwardly as Kana's head snapped up ignoring the pain in her ears as she glanced at Yun's scared face from across the room.
'I will try,' Kana replied in Yun's head as her eyes also went blank her body remained motionless.
"Kana," John called hesitantly as he knelt down next to the now hallowed frame that is Kana's body.
"Leave her," Naru shouted icily as he shout a glare in John's direction.
"Naru," Ayako and Monk shouted angrily in unison.
"She's gone to help Mai, now if you want to lose Mai by all means wake Kana," Naru retorted as John stood up and took a step back from Kana. "We have to distract the lord," Naru concluded receiving nods from everyone (except Mai and Kana of course).
Mai's Trance:
"Mai," Kana shouted sincerely into the darkness as Mai appeared in front of Kana.
"Kana, I'm sorry," Mai cried as tears still fell down her cheeks.
The two girls stood between reality and the astral plan of Mai's dreams. Kana pulled Mai's spirit into a comforting embrace.
"It's alright Mai," Kana reassured rubbing Mai's back soothingly.
"I'm just so useless. I even let that damn lord trap me," Mai stated harshly as her hands balled into fists beside her.
"Why don't we show the lord what you're made of Mai," Kana commented as Mai glanced up at Kana with an eyebrow raised in confusion.
"How?" Mai asked questioningly as Kana smile. "Don't tell me you actually want me to revive that cold hearted bastard," Mai gasped as Kana shook her head. (A/N: sorry for the language here it fits well though)
"Oh no Mai," Kana reassured. "On this place your thoughts can be used sort of like how Naru uses his pk in reality," Kana indicated as Mai became even more confused.
"So why haven't I been able to do it before?" Mai wondered putting her hand to her chin in thought.
"Well I guess this is your first time being in Limbo," Kana shrugged.
"Ok, so how am I supposed to use pk when he's not even here?" Mai asked as Kana laughed.
"You actually thought I was going to let him interrupt our little pow wow," Kana teased. "After I'm gone he will return, but…," Kana was interrupted.
"Yea, yea the infamous But like I didn't see that one coming," Mai mumbled jokingly as Kana got serious. "Sorry," Mai apologized.
"As I was saying, using that power here against the lord won't destroy him only weaken him in reality and cause his soul to return to its body. Their John, Monk, and Ayako can finish him off," Kana announced.
"So if you're blocking him now, where is he?" Mai asked worriedly looking around the darkness surrounding them.
"He's still here just not able to find us at the moment," Kana indicated softly. "He'll be here soon, my times almost up. Hurry back to us, Mai." Kana added as she faded away.
"So this is where you've been hiding, You thought that stupid medium could save you," the lord's spirit laughed as he closed the distance between himself and Mai.
"She came here to give me some pointers," Mai retorted.
"Pointer's ha, your friends are the ones who need pointers, dear one," the lord hissed. "Unlike you who can only have your spirit in one place. I was able to split my spirit and have one in reality to deal with your friends, and the other one here to deal with you," The lord indicated as Mai grew even more angry.
"If you hurt any of them you'll pay dearly. That I promise you," Mai shout furiously.
"Oh I'm so scared," The lord quivered mockingly. "Not. Honestly a threat from the weakest link, so very unbecoming," the lord announced tiredly putting his hand to his mouth with a yawn.
"I may be the weakest link in reality, but here that's a different story," Mai stated as a blue aura began to surround Mai's body. This sight caused the lord to bring his full attention to Mai, as she sent her pk barreling towards the lord's spirit. Unable to dodge the lord took the full brunt of the attack head on, letting out a painful scream on impact as the lords spirit disappeared.
End Trance:
"You think sending a medium after her will help. How pathetic you all are," the lord laughed as he began calling spirits to aid him in attacking the SPR members.
"Protect Mai and Kana at all costs," Lin shouted as wave after wave of spirits attacked.
"It won't be long now your little medium's power is weakening, she can't hide the girl from me forever," the lord stated evilly as he himself set out to attack Ayako.
"Rin- pyou- tou- sha- kai- jin- retsu- sai- zen," Ayako chanted stopping the lord from advancing further.
Kana let out a soft moan as her eyes returned to normal and her hands begun to massage her temples.
"Kana are you ok?" Monk asked worriedly as he knelt down beside her.
"Yes I'm fine, just a little headache," Kana assured as she glanced up at the lord with a smirk upon her face. "You better get ready Monk, it won't be much longer," Kana stated as Monk was on his feet.
"You better remove that smirk from your face medium, because now that you're gone your little friend is mine," the lord announced wickedly.
"I wouldn't be too sure about that," Kana replied as she got to her feet with the help of a now conscious Masako. "Mai may seem weak, but if you get on her bad side you'll be the one regretting it," Kana added as the other SPR member even Naru agreed with a nod.
"It can't be, this girl isn't that strong how can she… Ah," the lord cried putting his hands to his head in pain.
"Now," Naru ordered impatiently.
"Naumaku- sananda- bazaar- dan- kan," "Rin- pyou- tou- sha- kai- jin- retsu- sai- zen," "Our father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Monk, Ayako, and John chanted in unison as the lords spirit cried even louder before being destroyed.
Everyone soon let out a sigh of relief as Mai fell to her knees. To everyone's surprise it wasn't Yun and Kana that reached Mai first but Naru.
"Mai are you alright?" Naru asked calmly as Mai giggled a little causing one of Naru's eyebrow's to rise in confusion.
"I'm Sorry," Mai apologized as she tried to compose herself. "I'm fine now," Mai stated with a smile before Naru helped her to her feet.
"Mai your ok," Monk cried out before almost tackling Mai back to the ground. Awarding him with Ayako's famous smack to the head.
"Gee's Ayako what you do that for?" Monk snapped as he let go of Mai.
"It accomplished what I wanted it to do," Ayako noted as she stood admiring her unscratched and unbroken fingernails.
Mai glance up at Naru who nodded as if reading her mind on what she wanted him to help her with. The rather large group made their way back to base. John helped Masako who's arm was over his shoulders for support. Kana and Gene insisted that they were fine to walk on their own, while Naru had his arm around Mai's waist to support her. Once in the base everyone began to pack with Masako and Mai doing light work.
Everything was soon loaded in the van and suitcases loaded in the SUV as they all stood outside the mansion. Naru had finished debriefing Detective Ito on the case and shortly after rejoined everyone outside. Naru glanced over at Mai as she gave him her puppy dog eyes, Naru in turn rolled his eyes with a nod in return giving her the go ahead to shout what he knew was coming.
"Case Closed," Mai cheered as both Monk and Gene wrapped their arms around Mai's neck before administering noogie's to her head. Everyone laughed at Mai's discomfort except you guess it Naru who just walked over to the van with Lin a few steps behind him.
Mai took one last look around the grounds before smiling as she saw Nori's spirit bowing before completely vanishing
"Mai hurry up Naru's going to be angry if we don't catch up with the van soon," Kana remarked as she got into the driver's seat of the SUV.
"Coming," Mai replied as she ran towards the SUV with a smile on her face.
To Be Continued....
(A/N:) I hope you all enjoyed this chapter it's long but at least I'm finally done with this case. Now on to bigger things like Mai's two Dream's in the beginning of chapter 11(not the trance scenes the Dreams), and the happenings with Mai's tattoo. As always thanks to all who have reviewed so far. If it weren't for you all I'd probably be discouraged from finishing this story. Don't forget to Review. Please