Jujutsu Kaisen: The Forgotten Clan

Chapter 4- Cursed Object

Something tells me I should not unwrap the object and put it back where I found it. The energy from the cursed object lingers in the air, like a heavy fog, it is creepy to say the least. After putting the object in the chest, I go outside to practice jujutsu.

Once outside, I stand in the middle of the yard, focus my eyes on the woods in front of me, and breathe deeply. I hear birds chirping in the distance, the gentle sounds of the lake swishing back and forth, and footsteps…heading towards the front of the house. Whomever is there, they are at least seven kilometers from the house. Rushing back inside the basement, and bolting up the stairs, I check the lock on the front door. It is bolted tightly, good luck getting inside.

Within five minutes, the approaching sorcerer stops two kilometers shy of the front door. Their presence is strong, and cursed energy level is high. Now the question is, who are they? I focus my attention to where they are standing, while staying incognito behind the front door. I guess they are 187cm tall, muscular, and…my heart drops to my stomach. They are same person I saw yesterday in the parking lot! Suddenly I hear a crashing sound coming from the basement. A single thought crosses my mind regarding the noise…cursed spirits!

I dash away from my hiding spot, throw the basement door open, skip a few steps and jump to the basement floor. There are four curses heading towards the chest of cursed objects. They turn around once they notice my presence. I punch a two-faced curse with seven eyes using my bare knuckle and pure cursed energy. Two of the remaining curses lunge at me, but I dodge them both with ease. A quick palm slap to the floor sends both curses flying backwards, away from the chest. The fourth curse has already reached its target and grabbed the entire chest!

In a split second, the two curses I sent backwards have gotten a surprise jump on me. They have me pinned to the ground, and a wave of cursed energy comes flying towards me. A direct hit to the face knocks me down...the curses retreated and missed getting exorcised. Through double-vision, and a pounding headache, I see the 187cm tall figure take the chest from the fourth curse. My keen eyes can tell he has crow-black hair that extends just below his shoulders, fair skin, dark-brown or black eyes and a pointed nose. There are two more sorcerers standing next to him! I lose consciousness due to blood loss and fatigue.

September 1, 1999

The last few months leading up to today have been rough: Zink has been in and out of the hospital three times, Zyler has broken both his arms on three separate occasions, my mum has gone on a few missions, and my father is still out on mission. All the while, I have spent my time practicing jujutsu with my mother (when she is around) and martial arts with my brothers (when they are healthy). To top everything off, both my parents freaked out the day after the basement attack: the chest of cursed objects was never recovered.

I started at a new elementary school in late August, nothing much to say about the school. Right now, I am sitting on a bench, reading a book when a commotion breaks out between three of my classmates: Casey, Peter, and Simon.

"Come on Casey and Peter, leave me alone. I just want to eat."

"Not a chance, give me your peanut-butter sandwich, and hand Peter your juice box. Four-eyes."

Casey and Peter are two bullies who enjoy tormenting Simon. Simon keeps to himself and does not bother others. Casey grabs the food from Simon's hands and Peter pushes Simon onto the ground. I slam my book shut and storm over to the trio.

"Hey, Casey and Peter. You all have a hard time listening to others? Simon told you to leave him alone." I am now standing between Peter and Simon. Simon is on the ground behind me, while Peter is standing in front of me. I am in a defensive position, guarding Simon.

"Well, well. If it is not the new girl. This conversation has nothing to do with you, get lost." Peter lunges towards me while saying this. I kick him in the shin. He falls to the ground. A group of students lets out a gasp at what they are witnessing, while a teacher gives a suspicious look at what is going on. Simon pulls on my pant leg and shakes his head no. I help him up and we walk back inside the building. One lesson my parents have repeated to me multiple times is, jujutsu is NEVER to be used against a non-sorcerer. Sorcerers exist to help non-sorcerers.

Once out of ear shot, I ask Simon if he is alright. He gives me a silent nod of the head, then scurries away. I make a vow to check-in with him at the end of the day. The bell rings and lunch time is over…just one more class till I can go home.

After the final bell rings, I grab my green backpack and run into the hallway. I am sensing out Simon's location, aha, he is heading towards the library. Whilst walking towards the library, Casey and Peter deliberately run into my shoulder as we pass by. I ignore them and arrive at the library.

"Hey Simon! How are you doing?" I am talking to loudly and the library attendant gives me a firm look. Simon blushes too and looks towards the floor.

"Umm. Umm, fine I guess." His voice is shaking, and he is rubbing the back of his left hand.

We eventually make it to the front of the school and wait for our respective parental unit. I find out he is an only child, apologize for embarrassing him during lunch, and exchange book suggestions with each other. My phone starts ringing and I answer it.

"Hi mum, I am waiting…really? Again? Alright, I can walk home. Oh, can I bring a friend home with me? Fine. See you later."

My mother hangs up first and I ask Simon if his parents are coming to pick him up. He tells me he walks to and from school every day…and his waling rout is the same direction as my house. We get up and walk off campus together. Finally, a silver lining of happiness in my life and a new friend.

January 5, 2000

A New Year has begun and what a year it has been so far. My father still has not returned from his mission, mum is more stressed out than usual, and Zink is no longer with us. At least I have school as a 'haven'.

"What is with the look? Talk with me please." Simon is looking at me with a concerned look on his face. Our friendship has grown strong over the last four months. In my mind I am thinking, how can I burden him with all that has happened since September?

"Simon, I am fine. Truly, there is no need to worry about me." I am giving him a half-hearted smile…knowing full well how easy it is for me to hide my true feelings. He drops the subject, and we head outside. We have fallen into the routine of walking home together, and today, we have a few unwanted guests following us.

"Simon, do you mind walking in front of me?" My voice is firm, friendly, and calm.

"Huh? What for Lithuila, is something wrong?" Simon looks to the left and then the right seeing if we are in danger. I sense two curses trailing behind us, see one curse up ahead and at least two sorcerers further up ahead. Simon can't see the curses.

"Just stand in front of me." I firmly grab his left arm and redirect us off our normal path. We need to find a crowded area; the sorcerers are less likely to use a cursed technique when groups of civilians are around. At least, this is my assumption. Simon squirms out of my grip.

"Lithuila! Stop, what is going and why have we headed away from our houses? My parents are going to worry if I am not home by five!" He has stopped walking and puts his fists on his hips. I let him go.

"Simon, I don't have time to... look out!" I throw Simon onto the ground and cover him with my body. One of the sorcerers was bold enough to let out a cursed technique. I grab Simon and we start running towards the mall that is not too far from our current location.

While huffing and puffing, trying to catch my breath, I see the entrance to the mall up ahead. Simon is trying to get my attention.

"Lithuila, Lithuila...LITHUILA! What the heck are you doing? We can't go to the mall; we don't have any..." I cut Simon off and catch him up as best I can.

"Simon, we are being followed by two people. And it will be safer for us to find help in the mall. Do you understand?" I am starting to lose my cool since the sorcerers have split themselves up and I am having trouble sensing them out. The curses are lingering in the parking lot...which is sparsely occupied. I should have known there would be fewer patrons at the mall on a Monday afternoon.

Simon shakes his head, and we walk into the mall. I hand Simon my phone and tell him to reach out to my mother and his parents. Once inside the food court, we grab a seat and take a break. There are not many people around, the sorcerers are not insight, and I am having difficulty locating a security person. I get my phone back and see a text message from my mother.

"Lithuila, I am not able to come and get you right now. Stay at the mall and do what you can to find help. Your brother injured himself again and a few strange occurrences have taken place at the house."

After five minutes of sitting around and no signs of the sorcerers, Simon and I get up. We head towards a directory, look for the closest security office, and head off in the opposite direction of the food court. The security office is at the backend of the mall and tucked inside a small alleyway. By the time we get outside, the sun has started to set.

We reach the alleyway, a sense of cold runs down my spine, I look up and see the curses from earlier standing right in front of me. Simon is tugging at my arm, trying to get my attention. All I hear him say is "Lithuila, what are those things on the rooftop?"

I turn my gaze to where Simon is pointing and notice a stronger curse has joined our party. The last thing I see before hitting the ground is a blinding yellow light and Simon's body dropping to the ground like a pile of bricks.