*Rumors of the Kannon Soldier
Yasuoka sent a new Mark Bearer, Daimon, to the mansion. He talks about a mysterious being called the Kannon Soldier he learned about from clinical records during World War II. Those documents also mention a scar similar to the Mark. Everyone who had it worked in a specific arm research facility. They were developing the Kannon Soldier there at the end of the war.
I don't really know what the Kannon Soldier is, but if everyone involved in the research got the Mark, then I can't help but think they were trying to make a spirit into a weapon. But why would Daimon, grandson of a researcher, and Hiroo, granddaughter of a lab engineer, suddenly get the Mark now? Did the Soldier's curse spread to the descendants or something…?
And then there's that 13th Army Engineering Lab… Hiro agrees to tell us more about it. Her old map is of the lab, the same underground shelter we broke into earlier. The key to Zukawa's transformation and the stolen statues is likely there… So, we'll have to go back again. The map shows another entrance on M-Nou South Alley. Let's try looking around there this time.
*In the Lab
The research lab looks more like an operating room. The state it's in suggests that inhumane experiments took place here. I'd really like to leave this place, but we need to thoroughly check for any documents or tools left behind. Hatred clogs the air here, making it more dangerous than any of the other places we've been. We could be attacked at any time. We must be prepared.
*In Labe #1
We find documents and a Kagura suzu bell in the cabinet. The files say something odd: 'Spiritualize the door; Release with sacred object'. The Kagura suzu bell is probably considered one. We also learn the safety valve release password is 'diamond'. I'm bothered by a thin, blonde hair found between the pages. The moment I wonder if a foreigner was here…
*Unconscious Memories
I hear a voice saying 'Check the disposal vat.' What the…? It's not the usual whisper in my ear. It's my own voice. I have no control over my mouth as it moves on its own. Are the fragments of my memory causing this? It keeps going. 'It's probably…behind that wall.' So weird. It's like I have some special power.
*Flickering Half-Spirit Door
There's a passage beyond the intersection that looks like a dead end. An iron door flickers in and out, and for whatever reason, I'm the only one who can see it. I can't believe this. Do I really have some sort of spiritual power, like Yasuoka said? 'Oppose the spiritual with the spiritual.' So, do I have to use a sacred object? Or maybe sacred objects are effective against spiritual beings. Better remember that.
*The Underground Shelter's Inhabitant
Somehow we make it out of the freezing water trap in the disposal vat and return to the mansion with a strange homeless man calling himself Banshee Itou. He's been living in that shelter. And he has surprising info. He says he saw Zukawa going in and out, and then saw a Buddha statue walking around. He tells us of some research documents he had to burn for warmth.
*The Heavenly Buddha Project
They detailed something called the Heavenly Buddha Project, some mumbo jumbo about using spiritual power to make a statue into a weapon. They gathered numerous sacred objects, including a massive number of statues from the shrine in H City. There was no way it'd work. The war was almost over. But it moved. The spirit weapon named the Kannon Soldier moved…
*The Moving Kannon Soldier
The Soldier went berserk in the shelter and killed people. Those who escaped had a scar. Most likely the Mark. What's alarming, though hard to believe, is the walking statue Banshee saw. And that's when he got the Mark. Which means the Kannon Solider is moving once more. That might be why Daimon and Hiroo, descendants of those, now have the Mark as well.
*The Way to Stop the Kannon Soldier
It's unclear what made the Soldier move, past or present, but we have to find a way to stop it. Maybe there are records of how they stopped it 50 years ago? Banshee doesn't remember. Only that 'some person with spiritual power used something to do something'. I guess all we can do is search the shelter. I have to trust both my past and present self.
*The Box in Warehouse #1
We find a pile of heads in a large iron box. They're mostly statues, but buried among them is a human head. It's been mummified, but appears to be female. 'So this is where it went. Bring it back to its owner.' There I go, unconsciously speaking again. Which one am I bringing with me? All the heads are pretty heavy, so I can probably only take one.
*Mysterious Human Experiments
My vision blurs when I return the head to the body on the table. Is the corpse's ghost showing me the past? Or is it a curse? The man in the lab coat has to be the ghost or a researcher here. Two ghosts are stuck in an unending nightmare. They cut off the woman's head with a chisel, then tried to attach it to the Asura statue. That's obscene. Hatred overwhelms me. Just then…
*The Whispering Voice
I hear the operating table woman's voice on my right. 'Hate, hate, hate…Hat the entire world and tear it to pieces. Pour all my strength into this place where I hear the voice. Hate… Kill…' It sounds like a curse of some kind. And what's the voice she mentioned? Was that voice what made the Kannon Soldier move?
*The Birth of the Kannon Soldier
The woman's head, having gained a special power, was put on the Asura statue…the Kannon Soldier awoke, either a curse or grudge triggering its birth. It must be a spiritual being of some kind. That means I need an object with spiritual power. The Kagura suzu bell we found is used by priestesses…we'll probably need it to fight the Kannon Soldier…
*The Buddha Statues in Warehouse #2
The headless Buddha statues in the warehouse must be the ones stolen from the shrine. I finally found them. The one used to make the Kannon Soldier should be stored here. A box in the center has talismans plastered over it, as if sealing in the source of the curse. But what we find in the box…
*Out of Place Cushion
…It was only a western-style cushion. That's depressing. Is this the heart of the grudge, the source of the spirit…? No way. Something was here. Something cursed. Something that might be able to stop the Kannon Soldier… As if to mock me even further, the Mark warns me time is short. We'll just have to face the Soldier with what we've gathered up until now.
*Facing the Kannon Solider
Forget what we're missing and take stock of what we have. If we want to use the sabre or short sword, we'll have to throw them. If the spirit is nebulous like the spirit door, then the Kagura suzu bell will be helpful. And the blanks… we'll mess up our ears if we shoot them, but one document mentioned 'must destroy head'. I'm' not sure about this at all, but I can't give up if I want to live.
*My Past Self
After we defeat the Soldier, Banshee's Mark disappears and he remembers meeting me several times before I lost my memory. I'd been investigating the sacred treasures the Kujou family donated to the Heavenly Buddha Project. When I met him 10 days ago, the Mark was already on my arm. I told him 'she' gave it to me, but I'd already forgotten her name by then.
*In Pursuit of the Truth
The last time I saw Banshee, I told him that if I completely forgot everything he should take me to H Shrine. He says I wanted to recover some Nenjibutsu thing that was there. But when we arrive, the nenjibutsu is oddly missing. All of the effort I went through to prevent the mark from causing havoc was wasted.
But I feel like I'm getting closer to the truth I've been pursuing. I've defeated 5 spirits now since I first came to Kujou Mansion, but none were the one that gave me my Mark. So where exactly is this 'she' that I need to face? My old self knew…and prepared something to help me with no memory. Then there must be a way to stop 'her'. Don't be afraid! I've got to trust in myself!
DEATH MARK
Beep
Beep
Beep
What…the hell…is making that noise?
Beep
Beep
Beep
Someone…shut that thing up…I'm tired. I…want to sleep more…
"Wake up…it's time…"
"…Mmh…huh…" I slowly open my eyes and quickly shut them from the brightness of the room. When I open my eyes again and the vision clear I finally notice where I am.
"…A hospital?" I look over to the side and saw the heart monitor making the 'beep' sound. Guess that's what causing in. But…how did I end up here…?
Then…memories came flooding back to me, the events that happen last night. Oh…that's right…I defeated Mary…and freed myself from the Mark. I glance down the bed and saw my left leg in a cast. "…" That still doesn't explain how I end up here though. I faintly remember the voice, Saya, saying help was coming.
I looked over to the side of the room and saw that, even though the blinds were close, daylight seeped through. Guess it's morning then, looks like…I survived the night, I thought, then noticing a figure sleeping on the couch for any guest that are staying overnight at the hospital.
"Oh…you're awake!"
"…?"
I turn my head at the sudden voice and saw a nurse standing there, with a smile.
"That's good. I'll go get Dr. Daimon." Before she left she look over to the sleeping body that I was looking at before "Oh…He's still asleep huh? His spent the night here after he brought you to the hospital. Well…I'll get going now."
The nurse turns and left. I looked back over at the figure and realize that the sleeping body was, Mashita. He must have came down after the call had cut off suddenly. He looks spent, like he didn't get a single wink of sleep.
I'm strangely touch by his help.
Wait…did the nurse say 'Dr. Daimon'?
Knock
Knock
The door opens and in came in Daimon.
"*cough cough* I see you woke up, Yashiki."
"D-Dai…mon? *cough cough*"
My throat is dry and it's hard to talk.
"Here. Your throats dry from having to put you under anesthesia." He give me a small cup of water "Drink slowly."
I follow his instructions and slowly drank the water. It burns a bit going down my throat but at the same time it was refreshing.
"…Thanks." My voice still comes out scratchy but it easier to talk now as I take sips of the cold water.
"You know, Yashiki…when I said I'll see you later…I didn't mean the following night."
…oops?
"My…apologizes?"
Daimon sighs folding his arms "It's fine. Are you up to telling how this happen? After I left you were in perfect condition. Damn near gave me a heart attack when this gentlemen storm in the hospital with you in his arms, covered in blood and a twisted leg."
"…Well…"
"…Ugh…"
"?"
"Well look who decided to wake up."
Mashita lets out another groan as he sat up from the couch rubbing his eyes. After a bit he open then and looked over at us. "So you're awake now?" I nod my head "That's good."
"I never did get a chance to ask, sir, but how do you know, Yashiki?" Daimon asked him.
I open my mouth before Mashita could say something "Like you, Dr. Daimon, he had the Mark as well. I helped out in the past."
"Ah, yes…I remember you mentioning that."
"Now, that you are awake, Yashiki. Mind telling me what happen in that mansion?" Mashita asked.
"Yes, I was wondering the same thing too."
I sigh bracing myself for the long explanation, drinking more of the water I begin to tell them what happen back at the mansion that night.
"I see…so that's what happen." Daimon mumbles
"…" Mashita is silent but I can see the anger in his eyes.
"Yeah…I guess I black out not long after I was free from the Mark."
"So that means your memories back then?" Mashita asked "Do you remember you name then?"
"…Yeah…it's…Kujou." I began slowly "Kurisu Kujou, the elder sister of Saya Kujou, head of the Kujou family now."
"Kurisu Kujou…" Mashita mumbles looking in thought "I heard that she went missing couple of years ago…Do you remember why you went missing?
"…" I furrow my brows in thought, trying to remember why "I…don't…really know. My memories are still a blur. I can only recall parts of my past."
"Which is understandable." Daimon said looking over the heart monitor "You had total amnesia; it'll take a while for your memories to come back. Just be patient till then, Yashiki…I mean Miss Kujou."
"Yashiki is fine, Daimon." I told him with a soft smile "I'm more used to that name right now. By the way…you said I was under anesthesia…did I have to go through surgery?"
"Yes. When you first came in, we notice that you had a hard time breathing and kept coughing out blood." Daimon explain. "When we put you under and began to operate we found that you had two facture ribs and one had pierced you lung, which was also causing internal bleeding." Well that explains why it still hurts to breathe, and the pressure I feel on my chest. "Your head though…it's surprising that you didn't bust it open or got a concussion from the fall. I've seen those stair myself…so it's a miracle now of that happen."
"Actually…I think…I know the reason why."
I need to hurry! I ran down the stairs, till out of nowhere my foot slip and I began to fall!
"Kurisu!"
"I'm pretty sure that fall would have killed me…but, just as I began to fall…I heard my sister call out my name. I…faintly remember my body feeling warm."
Mashita narrow his eyes in thought "She must have use whatever spiritual powers she had to save you. Probably to avoid being injured further."
"Yeah…" I look down at my lap "I think so too…"
"…" Daimon let out a sigh "Regardless, you've injure yourself pretty badly. You'll be staying here for a week at most two at the latest. I want to keep an eye on your lungs. If things go well, you'd be release in a week."
"I see…Guess that'll give me time to rest and sort my memories."
Daimon nods then points to my leg "That will be in a cast in 6-8 weeks. I believe that is everything I needed to say, your vitals look normal. How are you feeling any pain?"
"I little…manly near the chest."
"I tell the nurse to bring you some more medicine then. I'll come back later today and schedule an appointment for you to come back, so I can look at the leg."
"Okay."
"Another thing, consider your medical bill payed in full." Daimon begin to turn around to leave the room.
"Huh?" I blinked in confusion "Wait…what do-"
"Think of it as a congratulations gift of being free of the Mark."
He left the room before I could even question him.
"…"
"…Sigh. Guess I'll head out too." Mashita stood up grabbing his trench coat and putting on.
"You too?"
"Yeah." He looks down at me "Need to go make sure no one rob my place. I didn't have time to lock up when I had to go help you. Give me a call when you get check-out. I'll drive you back to the mansion. Later."
DEATH MARK
A week has gone by and I'm finally released from the hospital. After given strict instruction on what I can and cannot do and when I can take medicine for the pain, I had given Mashita a call, letting him know I'm finally released.
After finally arrive back at the mansion, I grab my crutches and carefully to out of the car, while Mashita grab hold of my bag.
"This thing reeks."
"…"
Sigh…yeah…I still need to burn that damn bag.
Making my way over to the front doors, Mashita, shockingly open them for me so I can get in easier. It…feels walking back in here. Like I'm stepping into a new world or something.
"Think you'll be fine here, by yourself?"
"Yeah. I'm going to be staying on the couch in the living room. It's big enough if someone wanted to sleep on it. Though the only time I'll need to go upstairs will be when I need to take a shower or change clothes." I told him, making my way to the living room, ignoring the blood and mess still on the floor. I'll need to clean that up later when I get better.
"Where's you room, located at?"
"Huh…Oh, um…" I gave him the directions to my room "Why?"
Mashita nod his head as if memorizing the direction "To bring the clothes down for you. Obviously." I'm going to ignore the twitch I felt in my eye "And I might as well get you so food to. Doubt you've been eating else the junk since the last time I was here."
"…" Well…I can't deny that. "My wallet should be in my bag. Take it with you when you go out."
"All right then." Mashita took out the wallet after placing the bag on the couch "I'll be back later."
"…" I sigh sitting on the couch, looking out the window. I faintly heard the front door close and the sound of a car pulling out. I glance down at my Mark free arm. "It's finally over, huh."
Ding ding ding ding ding
"?!" My head snap over to the hallway leading out to the main entrance. The clock on the second floor begins chiming wildly like it did 17 days ago. I grab the crutches and carefully made my way over and up the stair. When I make my way to it, it stops.
Almost as if it has a will of its own.
That's right, this grandfather clock…
I think a skilled ancestor of the Kujou family crafted it. That one chisel may have been used to make it.
"That's right… Inside this clock…" I open the door and stick my hand inside. My fingers brush something hard. Taking it out, I realize it's a voice recorder. I press the play button.
"This on…? This is Kurisu Kujou."
It's a woman's voice. A voice I know all too well. It's my voice.
"I decided to leave this record behind, in case something should happen. That doll may dispose of any files or documents. I'm banking on her overlooking a piece of technology."
As I listen, I start to remember recording this. I'd done it right before I received the Mark from Mary.
"Now, where should I begin…? It started five years ago, two years after I became Kujou family head. My sister, Saya, and I found the doll in a wood box while sorting the warehouse. The moment I broke the seal and saw her, I could sense something sinister. But it took a while longer to fully understand what she truly is. If only there had been records. But great-grandfather, who sealed her, didn't leave any before his early death. Because of that, his descendants weren't told about the doll."
"I managed to learn the doll had been loaned to an army lab during the war. A strange old man lived in an underground shelter told me. Then I went overseas to try to get more information on the doll. But I got into an accident while away and was presumed missing. So Saya became the new family head. I wasn't able to contact her until after she had inherited the title. It wasn't something worth contesting. So I explained everything and had her keep up the façade that I was missing. Public records still stated Kurisu Kujou was very much alive, of course. I couldn't have used my passport or license otherwise."
"…I'm off topic. Sorry. I only just returned to the country last week. Other psychics abroad agreed it would be bad to leave the doll be. A nenjibutsu inside the doll still suppressed its cursed power, but…I realized that it was almost at its limit. If I left it alone, it would crumble. Then it'd be impossible to suppress the curse power of the doll that was worst case scenario. But what was to be done…?"
"The answer I came up with was…to remove the nenjibutsu from the doll, temporarily. Its impurity would be cleansed after a month stored in a pure area. And then I'll place it back in the doll. If I succeed, the doll's power will be sealed for a few more decades."
"…But the problem is that one month. I have no idea what kind of curse will be released when the doll's unsealed. I'll do what I can to prevent disasters. But my power can't compare to the nenjibutsu. I can't guarantee anything. There may be victims again, like the tragedy 50 years ago. But…this is a necessary evil. It must be done in order to prevent even more people from falling victim. After this, I'll disassemble the doll and remove the nenjibutsu. I pray everything goes according to plan and the worst of evils is avoided. I hope this record isn't needed."
"But…If the one listening to his has a loved one who's fallen victim to the curse…Then, I'm very sorry."
Tick-tock
Tick-tock
Tick-tock
The recording ends there.
"Dammit…" I clench my fists so hard; my nails dig into my palms. Yes, the voice on the tape was mine, but I'm furious with it. I don't know that person at all. The Mark has claimed so many victims over the past month…I even lost my little sister, Saya…
Was she just another 'inevitable victim' that the voice spoke of…?
I…
"I can't forgive her."
Ever since I lost my memories, I've lived as Karin Yashiki. My blood boils at what Kurisu Kujou did.