.- Return to Innocence - .
-. Macabre .-
The fourth addition is here. Yup, they finally meet Master Zhuzhen. -
And for those of you wondering, Alice won't get her light classed magic until later. I wanted to be realistic, here.shrug
Well, I'll warn you, I guess it's sorta gory, more eerie then gore though. -- Oh, and I already have the mushiness going. Be warned for very very light fluff. oo
DISCLAIMER- I do not own Shadow Hearts and the characters said in this fanfiction, I would of been famous by now and would of been seen regular on the E! channel but, alas I don't own SH. lol
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Where ever you go
I will follow you,
cuz I was wrong.- In my room, Tracey
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Is the man human? Please, please let him be.
This locality is blighted by man's best friend.
Yuri reeled away from my shuddering small body regretfully. I tried to get up as well, but my legs wouldn't move an inch, as if I provoked them they would fracture.
"What is it, pops?!" He inquired pertly.
"Hee, hee... looking for the Black Tortoise God that was enshrined here? He's been long gone for six months!"
Isn't the Black Tortoise a Chinese legend?
...Maybe?
"T-the Black Tortoise God?" I questioned with distress, still on the grimy ground, trying to make the great effort of standing, or even budging.
Why does the voice take so much of my spirit away? It must also take Yuri's vitality as well, but... am I that much weaker then him?
Or are you trying to tell me something that's much more genuine?
"Yes, to pacify the Earth Spirits, this shrine use to be his gifted throne. But now, we are free to do as we please. Even take the form of humans!"
So he's one of the revengeful animals of the town. Filled with hate for the humans who sacrificed his body for this "Black Tortoise God". It's starting to make much more sense.
Ow, my stomach.
I began to breathe heavily and loudly gasping for any small amount of air available to fill my weak lungs. Yuri was next to my side again obediently, his face full of hopelessness.
"This man, he's... One of the ... Beasts souls. Yuri... He slay the.. Humans.. For reprisal, and.. Oh ... ouch." I panted quietly only vociferously enough for my arrogant acquaintance to pick up.
"What're ya blabberin' about now? Don't talk to much if it hurts you, Alice." He spoke softly, fixing the now untied bandana on my shaking arm.
I have to say it now..
The provoked elderly man cleared his coarse throat and approached the ungodly shrine that has caused so much despair and death.
"No.. You don't ... Understand... Yuri, I have to tell you... I... Him ... Ah."
I had spasms again and Yuri pulled me towards him quickly, laid me on his chest and held me adequately.
"Heh, thought it might be better then the cold ground.." He added shyly.
I didn't say a word, I just clutched his shirt desperately in my coughing fit.
Yes, it's much better.
The old man touched the shrine mildly. "The only problem is, we get mighty hungry.. It's all thanks to our new protector of the town, Yamaraja!"
"Yamaraja? What kind of name for a demon is that? He's in that dumb shrine, huh?" Yuri spat out as the flustered man pointed at him.
"How insolent you are! But.. Not matter ... You won't last long.. Tonight we'll have a glorious feast for our rare guests."
I'm guessing we are the feast.
"Now run along and say hello to Granny Mayor I'm sure she'll be very delighted. Hee.. hee."
The vacant-eyed man limped off, I gazed at his shadow on the crooked cavern wall.
Surprisingly, it was shaped as a medium sized dog trotting off merrily.
I felt the after math of my foretelling vision that pained me earlier fade. I left Yuri's soothing embrace, exhaling softly to gain my righteous voice back.
"They're going to eat us.." I swallowed with misery, remember how they were once do away with, being misused for a what I thought to be, a make believe God. A false religion.
Just like Christianity.
"Well, I don't know about you, but I'm not too fond of the idea." Yuri added casually and patted my shoulder.
How can he act like I don't give a damn..?
"Why are you so careless about it all?!"
I stomped my foot hard in the dusty floor and got right up into his face.
"I'm not happy about it either, I can tell you!!" I cried out with ire, shaking him by the shoulders like a mad woman.
He snatched my left hand causing me to stop. I stared at him in disarray.
"...It's all right, I'll protect you." He said to me gently. I saw all the honesty he had in his eyes, he was serious this time.
I ripped my hand away from him with a scowl on my face, gripping my bible for good fortune and looking like a complete fool with my new accessories.
The bad boy brunet and I, crawled out of the hole with finality.
I never want to enter this place again.
Two tiny figures hurried out of the largest house on the western side. As they came closer, I saw it was the two bubbly boys from thereafter.
I know for sure they're not perverts now.
"Hey! It's the girl from before! Thank goodness!"
"You really came! C'mon, c'mon, come inside!"
They shoved and pushed me up the stairs of the dull abode. I tried to resist but they were amazingly strong.
What sort of strength is this?
How did they gain such an ability..?
I heard Yuri's wicked laugh close behind me.
"Careful kiddos, she's got one hell of an abhorrent attitude, she might bite spontaneously."
I flared at him with a savage look and he grinned with absolute glee.
"Just statin' the obvious."
The children drived me through the open door. I stood in complete silence. The small room smelled of old burned incense and steaming rice.
In the very middle sat a plump aged woman with graying hair and dark shaded clothing. She appeared to be cooking peacefully next to a pit, humming in my brain fluently.
"Granny Mayor, Granny Mayor, we have visitors. See! See!" The red eyed adolescent introduced me.
She, being Granny Mayor, looked me over smugly, a smile extinguished on her wrinkled pygmy face.
"Ah yes, the girl." She tapped chopsticks on the old iron pot she was cooking with, "I heard about you. The girl who was starving, correct? Well, I have prepared a delicious meal for you, come."
And starving I was. I sat down next to her on my knees and licked my lips as she gave me a small ceramic cracked bowl pouring the fluffy contents inside its hollow antique walls.
She handed me plain wooden chopsticks, her old hands shaking. I noticed something peculiar, she had long yellow nails, and quite sharp as well.
"You're the mayor's wife? Great! As you can see, I have a lady with me." Yuri turned his head to indicate me.
I waved like an idiot and shoved more savory rice in my mouth, soy sauce dripping off my chin.
"We sure could use a bed for the night." Yuri suggested as he knelt down next to me.
The young man lifted an eyebrow as I discarded the use less chopsticks putting the bowl to my mouth, dropping the light vegetables and rice inside its dark depth, my teeth clanking against its rim. I started to munch loudly and gulped, then I gave out a light burp.
Oink, oink.
"Yes, yes! Of course. Take a rest. We rarely get visitors in this secluded area." She poured seconds into my empty bowl.
I'm.. So.. Hungry!
I dug clumsily into the bowl with steamed rice and cooked veggies with my own hands, much like a ravenous stray. I stuffed my mouth full and muffled a "Thank you" to the mind speaking woman. She smiled at me wickedly as she filled my bowl for the third time.
Yuri sighed at my ill-mannered actions. "Like I said, very un lady like. Alice, you sure are a glutton. No wonder you're against your religion, you committed a sin!"
I muffled an inaudible reply and he stared at me blankly.
"Leave me some, dammit. You greedy pig!" He grumbled.
I coughed in his face rudely.
"Mine!" I complained like a selfish three year old, as I got my bowl filled yet, a fourth time.
Yuri swished his hand in front of his face despondently, "Seriously, soy-breath, you need to stop being so hoggish. I'm hungry too, you know!" He stated, looking at me with puppy dog eyes.
The comely vagrant reached out as I moved the bowl away, as if saving its life gallantly.
"Get-your-own!" I hissed, shoving my face faster with tasty morsels.
The older woman seemed displeased with Yuri's antics. "No, no, no, young man, the girl must eat as much as she can contain. Juicy and plump she must be. Tasty and filling for our starved bellies! Though you'll be a nice spare appetizer!"
He gave a heartfelt laugh to her comment, "Kind woman! You all talk as if you're about to have us for dinner!" The children giggle in the glum corner, whispering absurd notions.
I was about to plop a green pepper in my mouth, when it hit me. I had forgotten all about them being savage starving animals.
Uh..oh.
I ingested hesitantly, dropping the bowl onto the floor causing it to shatter in a million flashy pieces. The woman cackled, her eyes piercing, turning violently in a rush, to those of an angered cat.
"Well, well, at least one of you has brains, eat you both we will!"
I leaped to my feet holding my Bible openly, in a threatening stance.
She won't lay a bony finger on me.
Yuri stood as well, but just chuckled at her speech like it was some sort of light-hearted joke.
"I must tell Yamaraja about our offering, your bones with be a nice addition to our beautiful collection. Hmph, let me through here."
Sorry pal, maybe next time.
I grabbed her indelicately by her distinct cotton shirt.
"Oh no you don't! I won't allow you!" I pulled her toward me angry, with a bit of fear in my eyes as well. She withstood my hold with much order as she spoke with bitterness,
"Detestable girl! Your bold efforts are use less here!" The two boys held both my arms, stopping me from pummeling the old witch.
Yuri watched coolly as the woman strolled slowly out of the flavorless wooden house.
Why is he so nonchalant?
Does he want us to die?
The children let me go and dashed to the door and I marched after the damn bastards, trying to get a hold of them as they shut the door sufficiently in my face, holding the shutter closed, giggling like mad.
I tried to pulling it, then I knocked rapidly. "You little brats! I'll tear you to shreds!"
"C'mon Alice, let's get some rest, don't worry bout' em." Yuri was already sitting lazily on the floor. I pointed my finger at him in madness.
"You! You betrayed me! Letting that decaying ugly witch go through!"
"Hey now! I didn't betray you, babe. I'm terribly sorry I'm not dumb enough to tell you my plan with her there."
I looked at him quizzically and folded my arms leaning against the rotting shutter door.
"... Plan huh?"
"Yep. You see, when one of those freak shows come back we pretend to be snoozin' and just as they're about to take a bite, we attack like crazy, killin' em dead!"
I placed a finger to my chin, tapping my foot in deep thought.
"Could work, could work. Alright, I'll go with it."
Not the most humane of ideas...
I strode up to him and lazed down on the hard wood, smoothing my intangible dress. Closing my eyes, getting ready to play pretend.
Yuri leisurely wrapped his arms around me, holding me close causing my eyes to snap open in response.
"What!? Is this part of your plan as well?! Your scheme? You heathen parasite!"
I scooted over to the far end, not saying a single word.
I should of known better.
I still can't fully trust this brute!
"Aww man, you never wanna get close to me! Can't you see I need your warmth? Your mind, body, and soul? I'm so lost in passion with thee!" He whined with mordant emotion.
... Oh God.
Quite the Shakespearean..
"Leave me be, you bloody boot-licker!" I turned my back to him in a hurry, hoping he'd keep his mouth shut.
"But Alice darling, 'tis the perfect time to make sweet sensual love!"
I rolled over to face him propping my upper portion on my elbow.
"Why you scrubby sex fiend! Don't you dare start this over again! ...I'd rather pleasure myself!"
"Lie, lie, lie. You simply just can't resist me!"
Yeah, you're right.
"That is not a lie! If you don't stop your pornographic playing, I'll venture on my own for goodness sake!" I declared, properly fashioning my dark blue bow, in a foiled state.
"Huh, like a prissy rich girl like you would survive in the real world. You'd break your nail and complain yerself to death."
Do I really fall into that category?
"You think your real funny, don't you? I don't know how you persist, hunting monsters or what not and not even losing the slightest concentration thinking about sex every damn second!"
"Hah! Hardly!"
"Ooooh, you make me so-"
The shutter whipped open, stopping our argument instantly. We both frantically drafted down closing our eyes, faking a slow paced breath.
I'm not done with you yet, Yuri.
"They asleep?"
"I think so.." Came the mental response of one of the irritating boys.
"Hooray! Let's have a tiny taste!"
"Shh, don't let Granny mayor hear you!"
Hope he gets up the same time as me..
I'm not waiting. These lethargic brats, they need a good strangle.
I sprang to my feet as did Yuri, both with cunning smirks plastered on our faces.
"Yikes! They're not asleep!" Yelped the yellow eyed child, leaping back agape.
"You tricked us!" Exclaimed the other telepathically, mouth shot open.
"Don't sneak up on us then.. or at least do a good job of it. Ready to show your true self's?! Huh? Little goblin brats!" Yuri remarked raising his fists. I looked around nervously, rather embarrassed for having a mere book for a weapon.
"Darn! If we let you get away, everyone will get mad, and if they knew we were here, we'd get eaten anyways!" The child in red looked up at me with a goofy grin.
"If we're gonna get eating no matter what, I at least wanna taste the girl! Lemme have the girl!" He shrilled, clawing the air in desperation.
"Hah! Tough luck kids, if anyone's gonna eat her, it's me!" Yuri alleged, winking at me alluringly.
How sickening!
Calling me impolite?!
"That's it! I've had enough!" I hollered sharply and slapped him square on the cheek painfully, storming out of the house in a moody frenzied rush, not daring to look back.
That was the most obscene thing he had said to me! And I've only known him for.. what, at least five hours.
I can't entrust myself with that yahoo!
I walked briskly in the village blindly, from my obvious raving. I slowed my pace a tad when I heard cat like shrills and sounds of beating coming from the house.
The demons are showing their true self's now? My speculation shifted to Yuri.
I hope he's ok.
Darn, I guess I'm the loony...
Something wet splashed at my shoes continually.
B-blood?
My anger had subsided, and I took a look to my surroundings.
The village.. just like the prophesy.
Animal innards abound, the fog thick and red, smelling of iron. Like the blood its self. Blood everywhere.
... Like a sea of blood.
I draught with apprehension, frightened to death, shaking to the unnatural sounds of noisome animals put into their demise.
Alice, when have you become so timorous?
I beyond doubt regret leaving Yuri in there with those devils. Who knows what could have happened to him? I sure hope they didn't massacre him. But what if they did? I'd be all alone.
Alone in this pandemonium of tormented souls from days gone passed.
I'm scared without you, I admit.
I quickened my pace. I'm leaving this madness, I have to. It's too overwhelming, even for me to handle. The air is too stiff with forbidding malice. Depraved hate, thickened with a coat of retaliation.
Even if you are alive..
I'm sorry.
This is a real life nightmare, too wild for anyone to be dreaming about. If you do exist, God, promise you'll protect me.
Wait.. why would you want to do that?
After all that I've done already..?
You must be ashamed of your creation.
The village appeared ghostly, the townspeople gone, probably turned into the animal-like demons they truly are.
Mom, Dad.. I'm terrified.
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"Mother! Mother!!"
"You needn't worry about me, Alice."
"Oh mother, do come back to the house, it's late September and there's a chill in the air. Father will return soon, you shouldn't be going for a swim!"
"Why, it's a splendid day, Alice. And you know how I love the water. Sometimes, it's quite warm on a day like this."
"Mother, I don't want you catching a cold. Father wouldn't like that either, now would he?"
"Dear Alice, you sound just as I did when I was a child!"
"I wish I could reason with you.."
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I wept an idle tear away from my light face.
Even if you were announced with bipolar, mother, I want to come home to see you..
I bumped into something cushioned and small. "Hee, hee, hee." Came a quite familiar cackle.
"You're the Granny Mayor!"
I collapsed at once as everything went black. I saw a pictorialization of a decent Chinese family, laughing full of vigor in a nice comfy looking oriental home.
A small gray cat, slim with age was napping in a quiet corner, a young girl eyeing it lovingly.
A blazing glint, the next thing I foresaw was the scanty cat scratching the girl's tender arm, she wailed in anguish, droplets of blood sounding the wooded floor.
The cat sniffed the red substance, and lapped it up with its tiny pink tongue.
Then... the voice.
Upon drinking human blood ... the soul became that of ... devils.
I heaved heavily, my head throbbing. I lifted my weight facing the once tame animal turned woman.
"You!! You're.. you're a demon! A cat demon!" I clenched my fists tightly, almost making the soft flesh bleed.
"I'll kill you!" I threatened with a dismal tone in my voice.
"Ha! You fool," She responded with an irate tone, "Even if I die, the monsters will remain and you will be forever imprisoned in this town. Because of this, is the work of our protector, the Great Yamaraja!"
"I'll take on Yamaraja then, by just destroying that abominable shrine. I'll end all the suffering and pain with a meaningful exorcism."
"Take your best shot! I used the malice of the townspeople to create that fence of bone, to keep anyone away. As long as I'm alive, that fence will protect and preserve Yamaraja!" She lifted her hands high, showing her blessing to this, "Yamaraja".
"Don't play mind games with me, so you are the one to get. I'll kill you here and now. I'd do anything to restore happiness and peace to this place. Come on, let's go. I'm ready!" I announced opening my Bible, flipping vastly through the tattered pages.
She gave a hoarse laugh. "Hyahyahaha, first you'll have to catch me, my dear. POOF! And I'm gone!"
I reached out to snatch her but caught the heavy air instead.
"She really can vanish into thin air.." I whispered soundly. I can't give up. I have to save this town! I won't allow it to suffer this fate for eternity.
Father ... please, give me strength.
An eerie blood curdling howl chilled to the left of me. There, cramped on a pile of mishandled wood was the stout Chinese peddler timidly looking down shaking back and forth with uneasiness. What is he still doing here?!
I'm totally surrounded by imbeciles.
And, at the bottom of the heap was a blue spotted wolf-like creature.
One of the animals aversive souls? Yes, it had to be. It must have been a domestic dog gone corrupt. It jumped up trying to snag the fearful man, growling a hideous growl so heinous it sounded as if it could wake the dead.
Oh no, I have to help him!
From the looks of it, the beast had no ears but I had to try.
"Hey!!" I cupped my hands to the side of my mouth, making the yell echo.
The hellish hound faced me, the eyes no pupil, glowing an enchanting silver, the blue spotted coat looked more like a designed tiled wall, its teeth looked as sharp as a butchers knife. Thick foam and slobber drenching down the ends, splattered in the dirt. It snarled at my presence and began running recklessly with an eye to me barking madly.
Oh ... boy.
I cried out stunned and stupefied. The dog devil pounced on top of me, causing me to fall on my back, my Bible flew over to a side of an abandoned house, out of my reach. The devil growled viciously at me, the peddler bawling in horror.
Its breathe smelled of death and drops of its saliva drizzled on my face. It dug its claws in my dress merciless, as I tried to pry it off of my brittle body with all the stamina I had left.
I grabbed its snout roughly as it tried to snap at me, bloodthirsty. I lifted my right unpinned leg and kancked the wolf firmly.
It gave a strident whine as it flew high in the air from my noxious kick, dropping in the cold stone well in an abnormal angle. I heard it yelping as it struggled in the current, slowly it drowned significantly.
I got up quickly, dusting off my velvet dress and sighed. The peddler jumped down from his hiding place, smiling freely and gave me a short bow. I gave a similar smile and nodded with approval.
He reached into his tiny pack pulling out a type of cloth talisman with a bird imprinted on its surface, and a few ruddy leaves. He handed them to me, gently closing my own hand over them, and patted it. He nodded back, favorable.
I'm not sure what these items where, but I gave him a thankful smile. He tipped his hat and exited the area to search for the gate. I sure hope he'll be safe now.
But you,Yuri, you must be dead...
I have to complete this task by myself..
The cat demon came into sight with a mystifying white light.
"Here you are!" I clamored, quite appalled.
"Hyuk, hyuk, hyuk." Came the hoarse laugh.
"I've got you now!" She stepped back, and I almost ran face first into the well.
"Nuh, uh, uh." A swift flash and she ... was gone.
"DAMN IT!" I shouted terribly annoyed, pounding my fist on the well's stoned rim. This is tougher then it should seem, doesn't she want me to free her?
I cannot comprehend her feelings...
I strolled over to where my Bible had been unnecessary flown, placing the strange talisman and leaves inside, hoping to pick it up returning it to its rightful place, but a sudden sound stopped me.
"Help ... Help ... Me." I picked up a small sob. My eyes moving in all directions. I saw the victim from which the wail came from.
Next to the Granny's humble shack to the left was a small girl, preferably Chinese. Her hair cut in a short bob, and her blouse a dark red with small gold trimmings, fit loosely over her tiny form.
She was clawing the dirt, her body coated with dried blood. I made a dashing run towards her, the closer I got, the more sickly and sour she smelled.
"Thank God, a survivor!" I sat on my knees close to her, "Are you hurt?! Let's get you out of here, I can't stand to watch you suffer like this. Follow me!"
I've been a brave one, saving two people in a row. I deserve to earn a medal for my hard work.
Or an epic action saga ... forget it.
She touched my lower arm delicately, an uncanny smile on her thin lips.
After her soft touch I saw a foggy transparent visualization behind her. The young girl the cat had drank the blood of!
The cat was there too, it pounced on her, unmerciful. Slashing her face at a rapid speed, all bloodied and battered, the girl's arms stopped thrashing and fell limply.
I felt a strong evil beckoning me... This girl I'm with.. is her? She looked up me without emotion. The skin of her face gradually melting off, chunks splashed the ground, revealing a fresh new face, blue, withered, full of torment and sorrow, her body morphed into that of an aquatic animal's shell.
I screeched trying to pull away, but her hand gripped me tight, the feeling was immense. She moaned in woe, dark blue goo spilling flatly from her mouth splashing on my hand.
My eyes widened trying to tear away from her grasp. Am I.. going to die? Is she really going to kill me?
Meet'cha there, Yuri.
If I'm going to Hell, that is.
Presently, the shell bracelet on my left glimmered brightly, a tingling sound chimed from it, diminishing the blue gunk, my hand left spotless. The poison resistance? So it really does function properly.
The ghoul, knowing her strategy had no effect, began knawing on my hand instead, as I flailed about, screaming my head off until my throat was sore and raw.
No, you can't kill me, you're just a ghost.
A ghost of a good willed young girl, who once loved her cat dearly.
A strong force flung the creature off my aching hand. She fell with such a strong impact her neck broke, crunching in manifest. An ear-piercing scream escaped her dry lips as she soon laid late.
I saw a dark haired man who stood proudly over her mangled body.
So you are alive.
You bastard..
"Yuri!!" I cried out, running into his arms.
"Woah! Hey there." He staggered, then accepted my hug.
"Yuri, I'm sorry I smacked you. I... I... I'm scared ... and..."
"Shh, it's okay, I understand." He held me tighter and I went deeper into his embrace, "Uh..yeah, sorry about... Ya know.. what I said. I'm not a perfect person.."
I noticed that the first time you spoke to me.
Feeling slightly awkward, I wriggled out of the hug as he held my shoulders.
"Phew, those kids turned out to be demons after all, and the now the whole towns gotten' funky. What the hell happened?"
I told him all about the town and how it was damned. How the animals loathed their mistrusting masters for the sacrifices, returning back to the earth with revenge. And how I defeated a remorseless demon to save the life of the Chinese merchant. Also, about what the Yamaraja's purpose was.
I hope you're smart enough to understand all that.
He nodded his head which meant he understood well. "Yeah, I think I get it. But where's Grammy?"
"Every time I confront her, she disappears. At this rate we'll never be able to catch her.."
"Damn.."
"But hey," I spoke up, "when I saved the peddler, I think he gave me free supplies."
I walked over to my Bible, and pulled out the mysterious talisman and leaves.
"Do you know what these things are?"
He took them from my hand, looking them over.
"Well, the cloth thing is a Talisman of Luck, it gains your strength back once your ass has been kicked. Dunno bout' the leaves. Don't look like Thera or Pure..." He handed them back and shrugged.
I sighed tiredly and shoved them back in my book of Religion.
"Got the lad back with you, eh?" An aged voice uttered.
"T-the, the, the.." I stuttered, pointing at the slouched figure.
"The, what?" Yuri questioned dumbfounded.
"Cat demon!!" I shouted agitated.
"Huh..?" He turned around greeted by the familiar face, "Oh, well if it isn't Grammy."
"Both of you survived my underlings? Hmph, you two are tough cookies... poof!"
I shook my head in dismay, "...She's gone.. again."
I wonder why you don't want to be freed?
Did something happen to you before?
Male sounding voices chanted softly in the distance. Me and Yuri both nodded at each other and headed to the location of the chattering. It was coming from the front gate.
As we entered the area we saw two short Asian men and a dark purple emblem radiating evilly on the dirt.
..Where'd this come from?
It's full of potent power.
The shorter man dressed in purple and blue noticed us coming and smiled with joy.
"Well,.. well.." He said in English... in English?! Well, sure it was thickly accented, but English nonetheless.
The other man, adorned with a long gray braided ponytail tied at the bottom with a yellow peice of cloth, and dressed in brilliant red and deep black, a cap on his head matching, was still examining the seal, acting as if we didn't exist.
"Sucker doesn't speak English, eh?" Yuri muttered, "Not to fear my little Alice, interpreter Yuri is on the case!"
"Ah-hah. This is the "Reverse Seal of Tianfeng," all right. The mark of Dehuai.. but he was supposed to lose his powers fifteen years ago... Surely it can't be that he's..."
The old man in red pondered out loud to him self in amazing English.
Yuri stared at him, mouth agape. "Uhhh..? Hey, what's up, pops?"
Startled, the old man turned to face us. "Oh! Well, Still people here, huh?"
"Yes, it's just us two though, this whole town is damned by spite and we're still trying to pinpoint the host." I said, depressed.
I glanced over the man's shoulder, "Yuri, what are you doing, now?!"
Yuri was kicking the gate fiendishly, wrapped up in a cursing storm.
"It-won't-open!" He growled, seeming frustrated.
The old man laughed dynamically.
"Unfortunately, you won't be able to leave. See this? This symbol is sealing us inside. Making it impossible to escape."
"Then how did you two come through here, if it won't open?" I asked, curious.
The smaller man stamped his sandaled foot. "We got in, but it looks like we can't get out. Oh I hate this, I hate it!" He exclaimed, even though it was hard to understand him, I think I made it out.
He sure acts feminine.
"Yeah, we came through the gate. It would appear that anyone is free to enter." Added the older man.
"Excuse me, but may I ask why your English is so perfect? I can understand you clearly. It's amazing." I just had to know. It indeed was something new to me.
"Ah, I traveled the world for years, and had learned many languages doing so."
"I see.." I concluded, still confused.
"So, Gramps, who are you exactly?" Yuri asked inattentively.
The man gave another cheerful laugh,
"You want to know who I am? I am the true ruler of the nine heavens. The Absolute Sage, Master Liu Zhuzhen." He gave an expressive low bow to both us.
"Among exorcists and spirit healers, I'm quite well known internationally. There are many adepts in the world, but I will only do that kind of work by hour or day." He appended.
I smiled kindly, "I'm glad to see your not a demon, Master Zhuzhen. I'm quite honored to meet you. But.. why did you come here of all places? This is just a isolated town."
"I was hired by the elders in the neighboring village to come and investigate this place tonight."
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Yes!! I did it! This was a toughie to finish. Keep on watch for chapter five, Zhuzhen comes along and Alice gets stubborn ;
Hmm, Is Zhuzhen's first name "Li", or "Liu"? Because I know one of them was a misspelled error. Does anyone know? I just used "Liu" because it sounds more athentic shrug
Review time!
Tiger5913- You naughty girl, can''t wait for Shanghai, huh? I can't wait to write it, really. I'll try to update as fast as I can it's just stupid homework that gets in the way. I write this in my free time because I have nothing better to do! lol Glad ya love it, sweetie.
fire inu- I'm glad to see you laughed at chapter 2. And I did make Yuri know more about stuff, more than Alice if you paid attention. ;;
Vi3t Girl MOMO- Yeah, I thought it would be funny for Alice to take off her shoes, not caring about getting her stockings dirty. lol Yep, I made Alice hear Koudelka clearly. I wanted this to have more of a twist, you see, not the same boring stuff. No need to be my editor, I can do it myself I need to stop being so lazy. Thanks for offer.
Holly- Thanks for the nice reviews. And no, Alice isn't always going to be mean to our cute lil' Yuri. They are still gonna end up in love. Alice is a snobby rich girl, yes. Well she does seem well put and I had to make her have the "richy" attitude. I'm just gonna have alot more mushy stuff later up then the game had. I must! I must! All you Yuri x Alice lovers will be overjoyed. -
Lady Kaparzen-Hi Kristen! You finally went to see my fic, eh? You better post your poetry you make at school. ; How come you don't like the way Alice acts, I told everyone it was going to be different. -- I glad you liked some of it at least. You sure are picky. Keep reading it though; it gets better if you like the sweet and kind Alice.
- /A Lifeless Beauty/ -