A warm bed, clean sheets and a roof over his head. That was Hajime Shirayama's reality each morning. Every time he opened his eyes and was greeted with those modern comforts, in his mind he thanked his family for granting him that pleasant existence. Despite the countless traumas which constantly burdened the back of his head, he was always thankful for having his material status way above the average folk. As was his usual morning routine, he brushed his teeth, washed his face and put on a navy blue bathrobe over his pajamas since the weather was growing colder with each passing week.
Breakfast was enjoyed in silence, as the mansion's staff had not come to work yet. Once he finished his omelet and had his dishes dropped in the sink, Ben made an interesting proposal which took Hajime by surprise:
"Since tonight's Halloween, do you want to go out clubbing?"
"Clubbing?" Hajime repeated. "Since when were you into clubbing?"
"I've visited my fair share of clubs back in my teenage years and even early college years," Ben proudly admitted, his tone much more lighthearted than usual. "Besides, were you not the one who keeps saying I should take it easy now that the mission's over?"
"That's true..." Hajime replied as he reflected on the lie he told everyone upon returning from Count Kage's party: Shishima had attacked him while he was checking out the count's historic artifacts inside the basement. It was a nightmarish battle, but ultimately he had triumphed and Shishima had finally been exorcised from man's world, never to torment Earth again. As much as he distrusted their blood oath, he chose to believe Sayo's words and give Shishima the benefit of the doubt that he had changed and would honor their agreement. "If you want to go out clubbing, Ben, then be my guest. But I've got better things to do here."
"You've taken a day off from your job. The hunt for the Spawns is now an international matter, meaning that the case is closed as far as we're both concerned. What's keeping you so busy that you can't go out tonight?" Ben inquired, his passive-aggressive demeanor beginning to resurface.
"Look, I've just never been one for clubbing, nor do I really care about Halloween."
"Fine then, suit yourself. I'll go get dressed in some civilian clothes and start checking out Sagakin's clubs. See you later!"
In a matter of minutes, Hajime found himself all alone in the mansion. If the sun were not shining brightly through the curtains and the radiators were not filling the entire building with much needed warmth, he would have mistaken his home for a haunted house. When was the last time that he enjoyed some alone time? It felt like forever. Taking advantage of the situation, he picked up a book from his living room's bookshelves and sat on his large plush armchair. With his trusty classical music playlist acting as background noise, nothing would stand in the way of a good read. That was until he felt a new presence enter the living room, sending chills down his entire body as the familiar stench of death crept into his nostrils.
It was not the first time that Shishima visited him whenever he was left alone. He had done so in the past three weeks whenever the opportunity arose. Their interactions were always hostile, mostly on Hajime's part, who was growing increasingly irritated with each new appearance of his mortal enemy. Although Shishima was obviously amused by his frustration, he made no snide quips to further infuriate him; on the contrary, he always tried to be the voice of reason. This kind of attitude, coupled with that odd interest in him as a person left Hajime confused as to what Shishima's true intentions were. Was it all part of a new game? Or perhaps there was some genuine curiosity on the demon's part?
"I see your leg has now fully healed," remarked Shishima as he walked in and settled down in an armchair opposite him. "That first week of therapy surely did miracles."
"No thanks to you, might I add," Hajime shot back as he set his book aside. "At the very least I no longer feel any sort of pain whenever I step on it."
"And that is indeed very fortunate. On a different topic, why do you hate Halloween so much?"
"I always found it childish and for wannabe edgelords. There's nothing charming about a kid putting on a stupid costume just to get some candy."
"You always amused me with those strong negative emotions you've got, but I've never expected you to be this much of a joyless individual. What's with all this sourness?"
"Gee, I so wonder whose fault it is for my 'sourness'!" Hajime retorted, on the verge of raising his voice.
"It's not entirely mine, you know. Sure, I killed two of your loved ones, mea culpa. But you've still got your parents, that friend of yours Ben, that girlfriend-"
"You keep Audra out of this!" Hajime finally snapped, as he usually did whenever he found himself in Shishima's presence.
Two arms covered in purple fur were raised apologetically. "My bad, didn't know she was such a sensitive topic. Still, what about the others?"
"Hmph, me and my parents aren't exactly on the best of terms. In fact, they've grown quite overbearing in recent years, both with their loving attitude and them trying to dump the company's responsibilities on my shoulders. I've been tuning them out these past few years. As for Ben... I'm not sure. Yes, we've been close workmates and perhaps I'd even call him a friend, but... I don't know if I could or should open up to him." His blue eyes met those hellish red pupils. "If I did get close to Ben somehow, you'd just target him for your amusement, wouldn't you? You just can't help but watch me suffer in one way or another!"
"Not true, I'm quite over that. Besides, I've got a blood oath to back me up."
"I never asked for a blood oath that binds your existence to mine! I don't need you to watch over my back, Shishima! We're enemies, I hate you, I'd sooner kill you if I had the power to!"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, Hajime. You should be more grateful, because it is with this Shishima's powers that you've managed to help the police hunt down the remainder of my Spawns in Japan. Or did you forget how quickly we've managed to cleanse your country in just three weeks?"
"Oh, you mean the same Spawns you helped organize as a death cult? Don't think I'm buying that you've changed all of a sudden, even with this so-called blood oath. You went against Shinobu, your most loyal human. What makes you think I can ever trust you?"
"Shinobu was a hollow monster who needed an excuse to show her true self. She and the other Spawns only worshiped me blindly. Their loyalty to me was so extreme that I was not an individual in their eyes, but this perfect being. On the other hand, Nekohana and even Borof to an extent could see my flaws. They actually got to know me deeper, their care and devotion towards me was more like family or even true friendship."
"Friendship?" Hajime scoffed in disbelief. "That's rich coming from you!"
"And hypocritical since I've turned those mortals into the same kind of monster I was. But I can ignore that fact since I've come to realize I didn't really enjoy blind worship as much because of that depth I was missing," Shishima explained with an earnest tone Hajime had never heard from him before. "Don't you see? It's because of Nekohana's love that I am sparing the human race. But as an immortal living in an inferior world, I do need some entertainment... and you've been my biggest source of entertainment, not only for our conflicts, but also because you genuinely fascinate-"
"Let me stop you right there. I know you want to learn more about me, but I'm not interested. If you truly wish to 'make amends' for all of your wrongdoings, then you've got a long way to go. And honestly, I'm not sure I can ever forgive you for what you did."
"Oh no, I'm aware of that. But know that this won't stop me from doing what I want!"
And thus Shishima vanished with a puff of black smoke, leaving Hajime alone to enjoy his book in peace.
Candles burned inside the pumpkins with carved smiles which decorated the entrance of the Musashi Shrine. Even though the priests disapproved of Halloween decorations, Sayo managed to convince them to at least allow her and her priestess trainees to carve some pumpkins. 'The main appeal to Shinto is not the worship of gods or nature, but the mystery of its ancient rites' - this was the argument with which Sayo persuaded her colleagues. Even if those innocent Halloween decorations were not rooted in the Shinto belief, they ultimately were just cute objects to allure bystanders to the shrine. There was a reason most shops displayed a variety of Halloween paraphernalia every year whenever the month of October was nearing its end.
"Sempai, look what I've bought!" shouted Minako as she rushed to the clothesline where Sayo and Aiko were hanging rubber bats.
"What is it, Minako?" asked Sayo with a warm smile that always brought comfort to her apprentices.
"Ta-da, do you like them?" Minako flashed her opened shopping bag which held a dozen small electric Jack-O-Lanterns. "Aren't they cute?"
"Buying cheap stuff from your local second hand store, eh?" teased Aiko, causing her friend to stick her tongue back in annoyance.
"I actually think these lanterns are pretty!" Sayo confessed as she took one out of the bag. "Will these last if we leave them on the whole night?"
"Yes, I made sure their batteries are all brand new," Minako proudly confirmed and took a good look at the decorating bats hanging from the clothesline. "Aw, look at how precious these are! Girls, I also saw some really cute skeletons at a shop across the street. You want me to go buy some?"
"Nah, don't bother. We've got plenty decorations already," Aiko replied while pointing to a large wooden box. "Sayo-sempai brought them."
"Wow, I didn't know you also liked Halloween, sempai!" exclaimed Minako while heading to check the decorations. "Not many Japanese people seem to care about these 'Western holidays'."
"You can thank the Youkai Matsuri festival for that, seeing how it's similar in nature: people dressing as monsters in order to scare the real ones," Sayo explained, though mentally she could not help but be amused by those mortal traditions. If real youkai were to be faced with costumed humans, they would have a good laugh before crushing or devouring the fools who dared stand in their way.
"Anyway, what are your plans for tonight, girls?" Aiko raised her voice to change the subject. "I was thinking about going out clubbing, anyone wants to join me?"
"Count me in! I'll dress up as a sexy zombie girl if you bring your vampire suit from last year," Minako replied, her excitement mirroring that of a child. "What about you, sempai? Care to join us?"
"Me, in a club?" Sayo uttered shyly.
"Of course! Nobody will be able to tell you're much older than us with those looks!" Aiko argued.
"Don't worry if you don't have a costume - you can use that cute goth biker girl dress we bought you!" Minako added.
Sayo easily recognized those mischievous looks on their faces. There was no backing out when those two had set their minds on something. Before she could even think of an answer that would hopefully get her out of that situation, her cell phone rang. Saved by the bell...
"Hello?" she answered, turning away from her apprentices. "Yes, this is Lady Sayo speaking." She paused for a moment, her brown eyes widening, her body growing stiff as a fearful expression appeared on her pale face. "Calm down, madam. I will come to your apartment as soon as possible. Please text me your address and I will pay you a visit early in the afternoon." After a few more seconds, she hung up on the call.
"Did something bad happen?" asked Aiko with a serious tone, the jovial atmosphere between them now gone.
"An elderly couple's apartment is being haunted by the ghost of their daughter," Sayo gravely replied. She set aside the rubber bats and walked into the shrine, both girls following her as she started searching through the sacred items held in the storage room. "Apparently the paranormal activity inside the house has only increased these past few days. I have no doubt why - because of the psychic energies the living provide to spirits with the approach of Halloween. Girls, we've got to pack our stuff and head out after lunch. Today you will witness your very first exorcism!"
"E-exorcism?!" Minako repeated, her body beginning to shake.
"Sempai, you don't actually believe in this sort of stuff, do you?" Aiko skeptically retorted, only to receive a serious glare from Sayo. "Right, you're the one who fought Shishima..."
"Once your training is completed, you will also have to purify houses of evil spirits. But performing an exorcism is not at all an easy task, which is why I will guide you when the time comes. For now I will deal with the harder parts and you both will stand behind and support me with prayers."
"W-will it be dangerous?" Minako asked.
Sayo smiled warmly at them both, responding with a reassuring tone, "Don't worry, I'll be by your side. I swear on my life that nothing bad will happen to either of us."
Clouds began to darken the autumn sky. A chilling wind rustled the trees and their fallen crimson leaves. Despite being full day time, both Aiko and Minako still felt terribly uneasy as they followed Sayo into the apartment building. Its walls were decayed, grayed yellow paint slowly beginning to peel off, random stains being easily spotted upon closer inspection. A subtle smell of naphthalene filled the hallways, and coupled with the dusty and slightly humid air, it gave the sensation of stepping in to an old museum. After what seemed like an eternity of wandering in the dark, eventually they stopped in front of a door with a crudely-carved 68 on its upper side. Sayo took the initiative and rang the doorbell once. Silence followed and nothing more. Deep inside, Aiko and Minako hoped that the couple were not home. As much as they adored the thrill of Halloween, the last thing they both wanted was to end up experiencing a real life horror movie. Much to their chagrin, they heard rushed steps from behind the door which soon opened, revealing a short old woman in her late sixties dressed in a casual sweater and thick leggings. The wrinkles all over her dried face betrayed the stress she was experiencing in her twilight years. Her grayed hair was fashioned in a traditional Japanese bob cut and her eyes had dark circles.
"Lady Sayo, I am so glad you're here!" she spoke in greeting and moved aside. "Please, do come in!"
Sayo nodded. "Thank you for having us." Then she and her apprentices stepped in and took off their footwear. The apartment was decorated with bonsai trees, feudal paintings depicting brave warriors from an age long gone and small statues of major Shinto gods - as expected of the average conservative Japanese couple. But Sayo already noticed something was wrong from the very moment she set foot in: the air was much colder than the rest of the building. To make matters even stranger, she could feel a faded and yet lingering scent of corpses. And then there was the unmistakable sensation that they were all being watched. "Can you please tell us when the paranormal activity began?"
"The better half of this year, I believe. My husband and I were holding a ceremony for our beloved Suzuki when we saw the candles around her picture flicker. Later that night I had a dream of her trying to cross a river and then looking at me with those dead eyes of hers... Since then we've both been hearing objects move around the house, windows and doors opening on their own, the TV and our PCs turning on and off, and every time I see her in my dreams, she always seems angry at us." Tears began to form in the elderly woman's eyes and her meek voice began to crack. "I just wish for this nightmare to stop already!"
"How terrible!" whispered Minako, only to be nudged by Aiko.
"Chin up, we've got a job to do here. Act more serious!" she whispered back.
"Madam, my deepest apologies for bringing this up, but... can you please tell us how Suzuki died?" Sayo asked with an empathetic voice.
A pained expression of grief grew on her face, the old woman sighed deeply and motioned for her guests to follow her into a modest living room with only a couch, coffee table and small TV screen by a large bookshelf. In a matter of minutes they were all sitting on the floor in the lotus position and looking at a picture of a woman in her early twenties. Her dark eyes seemed full of life, her colored lips were curled in a subtle seductive smile, and the black cardigan which she wore over her plain white shirt matched her long rich hair. The three priestesses all sipped from the cups of warm tea that their host brought as they paid attention to her story.
"Suzuki was an extraordinary child! Ever since she was little, she loved to help around the house and mostly used her computer to read fairy tales. She was really passionate about her schoolwork and always had high grades from first grade all the way to college. The University of Tokyo was perfect for someone of her intelligence. That's where she met her fiancee - he was this handsome young man. He came from a modest family, but he loved her dearly. Oh I remember how she came back home every Friday with a smile on her face I hadn't seen since she was in diapers! She'd always show off whatever gift he brought her and tell me all about their dates." She paused for a moment and reflected while staring at her daughter's picture. Then, teary-eyed and with a crying voice, she resumed, "They were engaged, she was supposed to be married once they finished college, but... but... one night it was raining heavily. I asked if she could go get some groceries since her father's birthday was on the next day. I don't know what happened, but the next thing I know, I receive a call from the hospital. She'd been run over by a car. My little baby girl, if only I didn't send her out on that night!"
Sayo set her cup down and reached out a hand to comfort the grieving mother. As she did so, Aiko was quick to notice that strange were noises coming from the room behind them. Taking the liberty, she got up and peeked into the semi-opened door. That was when it dawned on her that those noises were choking sounds and that a short and bald old man was gripping tight onto his neck while rolling in bed.
"Oh my goodness, somebody call an ambulance!" she shouted, startling everyone else.
"What's wrong?" asked Sayo as she rushed to the bedroom only to witness the horrific scene. "Oh no, it's already begun..." she muttered while inspecting the room. There was no doubt, an evil presence was indeed haunting the area. "Minako, call an ambulance right now!" she instructed and then opened her travel bag to fetch a large paper shaker known as an onusa. "Aiko, stand back and pray."
"P-pray...?" Aiko repeated, dumbfounded.
"Yes, pray with all your might. Pray as if your very life depended on it!" Sayo instructed with the most serious tone they had ever heard from her.
Aiko was not a spiritual person, far from it. But being thrust in such a horrifying position, she had no choice but to listen to Sayo. Clasping her hands tight and closing her eyes, she focused her mind entirely on all the gods she read of during her training, from the primordial birthers Izanagi and Izanami to the sun goddess Amaterasu and her brother Susanoo to whatever random deity she recalled celebrating during festivals.
Now empowered by whatever energy Aiko's devotion granted her, Sayo pulled out a small bottle filled with holy water and repeatedly sprinkled it in the bed's direction. In a matter of moments, the old man ceased rolling and gasped for air. Aiko ceased her prayer, relieved that it was all over, but Sayo did not leave her guard down - she reached a gloved hand into her small bag and tossed a handful of sacred salt in the bed's direction as well, sensing that she had angered the spirit that was intending to target her next. Good, that meant its wrath would be directed fully at her.
"Aiko, get him out of here and then lock the room. I want you and Minako to stand outside and support me with your prayers," Sayo instructed while searching through her travel bag.
"Sempai, this is way too freaky! Can't we just call the police or something?" the reluctant Aiko suggested.
"What can the police do?"
A moment of silence, followed by a concession, "I guess you have a point."
"This is a job for us, I'm afraid. Don't worry, you will be safe outside. Remember, no matter what noises you hear, do not open the door."
"A-alright..." Aiko nodded and helped the old man out of the bedroom, shutting the door behind.
Now left alone with the spirit, Sayo could properly concentrate on the exorcism. She surrounded herself with six lit candles placed in a circle, gripping the onusa tightly. To properly perform a harae exorcism ritual, she also had to wash her face with holy water and, in extreme cases, surround herself with a circle of salt - she did neither since they would have harmed her due to her true nature. Instead she opted to rely both on her divine and, if necessary, demonic powers.
The candles began to flicker. She felt the air's temperature fluctuate and grow cold at random times, as if the spirit was circling her and trying to figure a way to get past her wards. With her eyes closed, she tried to sense an incoming attack. A sudden breeze blew one of the candles off and she felt a strange wave of energy assault her from the left. Sayo immediately took out an ofuda from her sleeve and tossed it in the same direction, the paper with a painted kanji symbol sticking onto the wall almost instantly. Narrowing her eyes, she quickly noticed that there were some dents in the ofuda - a sign that something had been caught and was struggling to escape. The priestess waved her onusa and shouted:
"Restless spirit shackled to this life, I demand you show your face!"
The ofuda began to slowly peel off. In an effort to prevent it from escaping, Sayo spoke with a more restrained voice:
"Suzuki, I know it's you!" Suddenly there were no more struggles against the paper. "From the very moment your mother told me your story, I realized that the reason you are here is because you're bitter. I know you had your whole life ahead of you, but I beg of you, listen to reason! Your parents have suffered enough, they don't have to be reminded of what happened on that night. So, please, try to accept what happened and allow yourself to pass on-"
Before Sayo could finish her sentence, she was assaulted by a shrieking pale woman with long black hair covering most of her face, who wore nothing but a long white dress drenched in blood. Startled by the attack, she backed down and disturbed the circle of candles. Their fires went off, blowing away her last means of defense, and then the ghost of Suzuki shoved her against the floor.
"How quaint - a little priestess tries to tell me what to do," she spoke with a cold and raspy voice which did not seem that much different from Shishima's. "You don't know anything about how I feel, so pick up your toys and get out!"
"Even though you hide your eyes behind your hair... I can still see clearly into your soul," Sayo replied, only to gasp as Suzuki placed her hands around her neck.
"Don't you dare lie to me! You have no idea of how I feel! I despise the living, I despise all those who got to have happy lives while I rot six feet underground!" She leaned in closely and stuck out her sickly blue tongue, licking her victim's cheek and sending violent shivers down her entire body. "You have no idea what it's like to see your fiancee move on from you and marry someone else. That someone is now living the life I should've got! But I had to lose everything because of my folks' stupidity! I hate them, I hate them all, and if I can't have peace, neither will they!" she growled and pressed her hands heavily against Sayo's windpipe.
Having dropped her onusa and being unable to reach her bag of sacred salt, Sayo had only one option left. She opened her eyes wide, which turned black with glowing red pupils, and unleashed her demonic aura, which was enough to repel the ghost and free her. As she caught her breath, Suzuki regarded her and said:
"You're no priestess, you're a youkai!" Taking a better look, she managed to see past the façade of flesh and was greeted by the sight of a bipedal lioness with purple fur and a long mane of flowers. "I see now, you're as lost as I am. Yet you have the gall to claim you understand me?! You're an immortal, how could you possibly know anything about what I've lost?"
Having regained her composure, Sayo got back on her feet and her eyes reverted to normal. She regarded the ghost once more with an expression of sorrowful empathy and answered, "I too had a man I loved. I too was looking forward to spend my eternity with him. But then my dreams were shattered and we were torn apart by the machinations of his mother and our kingdom, that is why I am now here in your world. So believe me when I tell you, Suzuki, that I truly understand the way you feel. It's natural to rage back at a world that betrayed you."
"If you truly understand me, then you will know why my folks must pay for what they've done. So take your friends and leave! I promise I won't bother anyone else as long as I have my revenge on them."
"If it's truly revenge that you seek, then please tell me..." Sayo gazed intently right at the ghost, her brown eyes almost on the verge of tears. "...why do I feel so much sadness behind your hatred?"
Suzuki's dark eyes widened and her hair flowed, revealing her pale and veiny face. "Shut up!" she shouted, the entire room beginning to shake, drawers falling out of their place and light bulbs beginning to explode. "Get out!" From one of the drawers, a deck of cards flew out and landed right into her outstretched hand. "Now!" It erupted in a tricolor flame: blue, purple and green.
Sayo was taken aback. How did the ghost know she was a duelist? She had never faced off against a specter in a duel. "If this is the only way I can help lay your soul to rest, then so be it!" she replied while also taking out her own deck, which erupted in a purple, red and green flame.
A table was dragged from its place, its contents crashing on the floor. It broke in half and went between the two duelists, their cards immediately being set on them. Five rectangular shields appeared above each, thus marking the beginning of their showdown.
"I summon Dandy Nasuo." An anthropomorphic eggplant wielding a caveman's club appeared and allowed Sayo to search her deck for a card. "I put Gigandydanos, Big Tree King to my mana zone, then I send him from my mana zone to my graveyard."
"Belladonna, Demon Faerie..." Suzuki moaned eerily. A pink-haired plush faerie in a blue winter coat appeared and vanished immediately in a small explosion, sending the top card of her owner's deck into her mana zone.
"I cast Beginning of the End," Sayo said and the top three cards of her deck went into her graveyard - Rymer Druid, Tsuruhashi Doji and Domanmodrange. "Rymer Druid goes back to my hand."
"Deddam, Disaster..." A blue, purple and green robot appeared by Suzuki's side as she checked the top three cards of her deck, adding one to her hand, Perfect Nature to her mana zone and Dead Damned, Triple S-Rank Disaster to her graveyard.
"I summon Rymer Druid." A green-skinned humanoid appeared in the battle zone, wearing an orange loincloth, a necklace with painted eyes, golden bracelets and earrings and a witch hat, and wielding a wooden staff with a skull on its top. Sayo checked the top four cards of her deck and added another copy of Rymer Druid to the mana zone, letting the other three cards to fall into the graveyard, those being Gourmet Giant, Brachiodrange and Smapon. "Since I played Rymer Druid from my hand, he gets destroyed." In an instant, the humanoid perished in an explosion.
"Perfect Nature... from mana zone..." All five cards in Suzuki's mana zone tapped themselves and then the spell was cast from it and went to the bottom of her deck. "Shuff, Eureka... Jenny, the Dismantling Doll..." A blue robot wielding a deck of playing cards and a doll in a dark red goth lolita dress with a sharp cutter in her hands both appeared from their owner's mana zone into the battle zone. Suzuki pointed at her opponent and giggled, an unnerving smile growing on her sickly pale face. "Shuff blocks the number 3. Jenny discards your last card."
Sayo bit her lip as she lost 5000GT, Riot. There was no doubt that she was facing a strong opponent. She drew her next card and winced when she saw that the twinpact's spell side had a mana cost of 3, meaning she could not cast it and was forced to only go with the creature side.
"I summon Obuza 08, Demon Dragon Armored by paying a single mana." A tall mechanical creature covered in spikes and chains appeared by Sayo's side, a cannon sticking out of its mouth and a dragon's skull on its head. "With his effect I give -9000 to Shuff, destroying him!" The creature fired a laser beam from its cannon which obliterated the blue robot. "Fushigiverse, I send Obuza 08 to my mana zone and revive Brachiodrange." The mechanical creature got enveloped by a green aura and disappeared, its place being taken by a slender bipedal dragon whose limbs and tail were leafed tree branches, its body decorated with precious sapphires. "While Brachiodrange is in the battle zone, you can't activate any of your creatures' enter the battle zone effects!"
"Can't activate effects... you say?" Suzuki tilted her head, her raven hair slightly exposing her eyes. An eerie giggle filled the room as she began her turn. "The Verde, Rainbow Sonic..." A green robot riding a motorcycle appeared in the battle zone. "Deddam attacks... Triple S-Rank Invasion "Disaster"... from the graveyard rises... Dead Damned!" The tricolor robot dashed ahead and got enveloped by a bright aura, transforming into a tall humanoid donning a silvery robotic armor. Using his fists which resembled flying saucers, he tore through two opposing shields.
Sayo gasped as she was assaulted by strange visions. She was holding hands with a handsome young man, running by a seaside on a calm summer afternoon. Mirthful laughter filled her ears, she could feel a pleasant scent of saltwater in the air. Eventually they both tripped and fell on the warm sandy ground, finding comfort in each other's embrace. She shook her head and snapped back to reality, speechless at what she had witnessed.
"Do you see now what I lost, youkai?"
"Suzuki... I'm sorry. It must've hurt you so much-"
"Mach fighter, The Verde attacks Brachiodrange... Triple S-Rank Invasion "Disaster"... Dead Damned moves onto him... I can now do his effect!" the ghost declared with a smug grin as one robot returned to normal and another transformed into her finisher once more. "Brachiodrange to mana!" Dead Damned's fists burst with a flaming green aura as they collided with the plant dragon, making him disappear after two punches.
"To think she could get around my lockdown," the surprised Sayo muttered under her breath. "My turn, I cast I'm going to Afro!" She discarded Rymer Druid and drew two cards. "Then I summon 5000GT, Riot for 2 mana!" A winged red-skinned humanoid with dragon features, donning a formal black suit with a blue tie and its left arm replaced with a giant buzz saw and a sharp blade arose and used its weapons to hack away the opposing Deddam and Jenny. "Fushigiverse, I send 5000GT to my mana zone and revive Gigandydanos, Big Tree King for another 2 mana!" The humanoid was enveloped by a green aura and disappeared, its place being taken by a quadrupedal tree creature, its head shaped like that of a moose, a small purple halo floating between its horns, a multitude of small birds flying around its branches, its wooden face shaped like a skull out of which it exhaled an eerie purple smoke. "When Gigandydanos is put into the battle zone, all cards from your hand go to your mana zone!" she announced and watched her opponent put VV-8, Forbidden Machine, The Verde, Rainbow Sonic and Perfect Darkness into her mana zone. "And while Gigandydanos is in the battle zone, your creatures weaker than his 50000 power can't attack me!"
"You never learn, do you? Your lockdowns are just like your words - hollow and pointless!" Suzuki declared while tapping four cards in her mana zone. "The Verde, Rainbow Sonic... from mana zone..." A second green robot riding a motorcycle appeared by her side. "Mach fighter... attack Gigandydanos... Triple S-Rank "Disaster"... move Dead Damned onto him... Gigandydanos to mana!" The motorcyclist charged towards the tree dragon and transformed into the mechanical humanoid once more, who used who fists to pierce through the giant's wooden body, making him shriek in pain as he vanished into the mana zone. "My first The Verde attacks... Revolution Change... Redgirazone, Roaring Revolution..." The other cyclist turned around and hi fived with a red motorcycle robot with tires for hands and feet, who continued the attack and tore through two opposing shields.
Once more Sayo was assaulted with strange visions, this time of a heavy rain at night. She ran through the empty sidewalks of Tokyo with a raincoat to keep her warm and a heavy shopping bag in her hands. A persistent sense of uneasiness filled her entire body as she made her way through the wet darkness. All she wanted was to get home and enjoy a good night's sleep. She needed to get up and help prepare her father's birthday meal on the following day. And then she saw it... two bright lights speeding right into her. Everything turned white.
"Redgirazone's Final Revolution!" Suzuki's shrill voice interrupted the vision, snapping Sayo out of it. "Dead Damned untaps... then attack again... final break!"
As Sayo's remaining shield was shattered into pieces, she had another vision. A wooden coffin descending into the ground. Two grieving parents being comforted by the man she was supposed to marry. Time stopped for her, but life went on for her loved ones. And soon she would be forgotten by everyone, with the exception of the elderly couple who mourned her, consumed both by grief and guilt over inadvertently bringing her untimely demise. Good. They deserved to suffer. She lost everything because of them. But if Suzuki truly hated them, then...
"I ask you again, why are you so sad deep down?" Sayo spoke as the vision evaporated before her eyes, returning her to the thrashed bedroom. Suzuki did not answer, she remained stiff in her place with her cold fixating eyes. "Very well, I will force you to confront the answer - shield trigger, I summon Tsuruhashi Doji." A small blue oni wielding a pickaxe appeared, sending Gigandydanos, Big Tree King, 5000GT, Riot and Hayabusamaru, Lightfang Ninja into its owner's graveyard, the latter of which was recovered. "My turn begins anew. Fushigiverse, I send Tsuruhashi to my mana zone and revive Domanmodrange with 5 mana." The small oni was enveloped in a green aura and vanished, its place being taken by a bipedal stone elephant with cherry trees growing out of its shoulders. "With his effect, I summon Obuza 08 from my mana zone with just one mana. Obuza gives -12000 to Redgirazone!" The tall mechanical dragon covered in spikes reappeared and fired a laser from its mouth, destroying the motorcycle robot. "Domanmodrange makes you discard your last card. And now Fushigiverse again, I send Obuza to my mana zone and revive Gigandydanos, Big Tree King with 5 mana!" The creature disappeared, its place being taken by the Fushigi Kingdom's leader who towered above them all.
Suzuki visibly frowned as she drew her next card. "Belladonna, Demon Faerie..." The Snow Faerie appeared and immediately vanished in an explosion, forcing Sayo to discard her last card again. Unable to do a final attack with Dead Damned due to Gigandydanos's lockdown, she passed the turn.
"I summon 5000GT, Riot with one mana. Then with Domanmodrange's effect I summon a second 5000GT from my mana zone as well. Gigandydanos, break all of her shields!" The tree creature spat a purple smoke from his skeletal face which shattered all opposing shields and surrounded the ghost.
Suzuki fearfully took cover as she saw a monstrous figure appear in the haze. Was this truly the end? Would a demon from Hell finally emerge and claim her for eternal damnation? Said figure slowly walked out and she bore witness to the true form of Nekohana.
"You opened yourself before me, it is only fair that I speak to you like this," her voice was oddly similar to Sayo's, albeit more hissed and otherworldly. "Sorrow and hatred go hand in hand. They both are born of loss and suffering. But every time I look into your very soul, I cannot see those powerful emotions directed at anyone... but yourself."
Suzuki bit her lower lip and regarded her, tears beginning to form in her eyes. With a crying voice, she answered, "You're right, it's true. I never truly hated mom and dad. The only one I hated was myself, for not being careful on that night. I let them all down and they had to suffer because of me. Every time I saw my mom cry and hug my pictures, all I ever wanted was to live again and tell her how sorry I was."
Nekohana walked over to her and gently wrapped her arms around her cold pallid body. "How painful it must have been for all of you," she whispered back, sheer empathy brimming from her voice. "Please, you and your parents have suffered more than enough. Forgive them and forgive yourself, only then will you be able to pass into the afterlife."
"After all the horrible things I've done, do I really deserve forgiveness? Please tell me, is that alright?" Suzuki asked through sobs.
"Yes."
That was all she needed to hear. Closing her eyes and remembering the loving smile of her mother, Suzuki rested her head on Nekohana's flower mane and became a beam of light. When Gigandydanos's attack finished, all that was left were a deck of cards and a torn table by which his owner stood all alone. Staring at the ceiling wherein the beam of light vanished, Sayo said, "She's found peace."
All creatures disappeared and in a matter of minutes she packed up the cards and tried to clean as much as she could of the mess before coming out and explaining to everyone what had happened. The relief on Aiko's and Minako's faces could not be compared to the joy and gratitude Suzuki's crying mother expressed. That was more satisfying than any amount of monetary compensation. At the end of the day, she was leaving a house cleansed of evil spirits and two grieving hearts cleansed of any lingering guilt and doubts.
"Hey sempai," Minako broke the silence between the three as they exited the apartment building in the late afternoon. "That Suzuki did haunt her parents out of malice, didn't she? Why did you say she needed forgiveness?"
"There is not one soul that hasn't sinned or doubted at least once in life," Sayo explained with an empathetic tone, catching the full attention of both apprentices. "From the holiest of divine figures to the lowest of criminals, we all fumble, we all make mistakes, it's only human. Guilt is one of the heaviest emotions that the heart can endure. If passed to others, it creates a vicious cycle of torment and can lead to circumstances like what you've witnessed today. When faced with such souls, do not forget that they were once like you - flawed, human. What better way to help your fallen siblings get back up than to forgive them? At our very core, we all seek forgiveness."
"That's very deep of you, sempai! That's why you're the best teacher we've got - Shinto is never boring with you around!"
"Why thank you, Aiko!"
"Which reminds me!" Minako chimed in, a mischievous look on her face. "There's a Halloween party we've got to catch."
"You're right!" Aiko added and then they both grabbed Sayo's arms. "Sempai, it's time to put on a costume. You're going to have fun tonight whether you like it or not!"
"Girls, can't we negotiate this?" an embarrassed Sayo silently protested, only to be dragged along.
"You can forgive us later!" joked Minako, both young priestesses bursting into laughter.
The night air was the coldest it had been in what seemed like ages. Light winds blew through the dried branches of balding trees, rustling the remaining crimson leaves and sending them off on their last journey towards a mud-soaked pavement. While the majority of Sagakin seemed as devoid of life as its slumbering nature, there was indeed a corner wherein warmth and color could still be found. A multitude of candles burned through their plastic lamps, filling Sagakin Cemetery with a bright red light similar to the welcoming rays of dawn. It was as if the souls of the departed had returned to the land of the living for one last tearful farewell to their loved ones.
Those were the thoughts which preoccupied Hajime's mind as he made his way between the narrow paths. He wore a gray raincoat to shelter him from the autumn cold, his hands covered in black leather gloves holding two large shopping bags. He paid no mind to the mud which stained his boots as they were a throwaway pair. Perhaps the post-rain weather best described how most visitors felt after mourning - numb and bleak. But he had grown accustomed to said feelings after five years, to the point where his visits were almost like a morning ritual. He stopped in front of a marble grave and regarded the picture of old Tsugumi Shirayama for a moment, mentally greeting her. Her blue eyes seemed to warmly reciprocate his gesture like she did when she walked among the living.
Hajime sighed and set down both shopping bags on a nearby bench. First he took out a short broom and used it to swipe away the leaves. Then he took out a handkerchief and cleaned the dust off his grandmother's picture. Lastly he pulled out his own candle lamp alongside two incense sticks and he lit them all, carefully placing them by the tombstone. It was done. Hajime sat on the bench and quietly regarded Tsugumi's grave. There were no tears left as he had shed them a long time ago. Numbness was all that remained, along with the lingering feeling that something inside was missing. He felt an oddly soothing warmth on his shoulder and turned around to see Kirazeus Savark, the dragon of dark purple crystal being enveloped by a bright light almost akin to an angel. He looked down at the human with his red eyes, expressing regret for their common loss.
"She was important to you too?" asked Hajime.
"As my civilization's chosen duelist, yes. And even if she were not, she was still important to you, and that's all that matters," Savark replied, solemn silence returning once more as they both focused their attention on Tsugumi's picture.
A surprisingly chilling wind almost akin to a blizzard suddenly blew. The creature looked ahead and growled. Hajime also looked in the same direction and both his fists clenched with righteous anger. Through gritted teeth, he raised his voice and said:
"You've got some nerve coming here!"
Count Kage ignored them both and walked to Tsugumi's gravestone, gently setting down his own candle lamp. He then took off his top hat and lowered his head to pay respects to the one who once was among his strongest human enemies.
"What is this, Shishima? Your new ploy to mess with me?" Hajime asked as he got off the bench, struggling to keep his anger in check. He felt on the verge of giving him a physical beating, no matter the consequences.
Count Kage did not turn to face them. "I am aware of the hypocrisy of my presence here, especially since I am responsible for her demise," he answered with a neutral tone, no hint of arrogance or mockery. "Still, I never would've imagined you of all people to actually understand the importance of Halloween. Behind the jovial masquerades and candy feasts, it is a day of remembrance. A holiday wherein the world of the living and the world of the dead collide."
"We are not impressed by your philosophical waxing, demon!" Savark coldly replied on the behalf of his duelist. "If you have at least one shred of decency within your rotten heart, you would best leave this place!"
"As you wish." Count Kage put his top hat on and pulled out his walking cane. He took a few steps away from the grave and then paused, staring at the night sky filled with stars. "Did you know that I can see into the afterlife, Hajime? That is how I could resurrect both Edo and Sora back then."
"What are you getting at now?"
A little smile crept up on the count's face as he spoke back, "I can see Tsugumi's soul and... she seems happy." This took both creature and duelist by surprise. "She wants you to know that no matter how many times life brings you down, she is proud of everything you have achieved, Hajime."
With those parting words said, Count Kage took his leave. He did not care if Hajime believed him or not. It was the truth and perhaps the only thing he could do to make up for what had happened back then. In a way, Hajime had it better than him. There was no afterlife for youkai and other spiritual beings. Once they died, the Abyss would claim them and that was the end of their existence. He would never get to speak with Akushishi again or hear that his father was proud of everything he had achieved. Only mortals were lucky enough to have a second chance at existence, even if it was a pathetic ethereal one. It meant that for them at least, death was not a final farewell. He giggled at the thought of it - since when did he become so sentimental?
"Happy Halloween, Hajime," Count Kage said as he left the graveyard and disappeared in the night's shadows.