.- Return to Innocence -.
-. Repentance .-
DISCLAIMER- I do not own Shadow Hearts and it's characters. Do I have to do this every chapter?!!
Be careful, this chapter says the big ol' "F" word twice.
And now, the moment you've all been waiting for.. a somewhat stubborn Alice! I hope I did ok on this one.
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And they say this is medicine,
an overdose of oxygen
A severed head as sedative
To be at peace would be a sin - Blood clots and Black holes, Thrice
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Investigate..? I don't think this place even needs investigating.
"An adept for hire by the day? That's quite unique." I started, wanting to learn more about this Liu Zhuzhen. He seemed like such a clever adept, traveling all around the world, it was such an incredible feat.
"This guys weird, alright." Blurted out the shorter man, "But he's invaluable to me for all the great jobs he brings in." He glimpsed at Yuri, a pleasured grin on his wrinkled face.
"But hey handsome, don't you want to know who I am?" The friable man approached Yuri, swaying his hips in a womanly movement.
... Don't tell me?!
Yuri literally leaped back from the boundless fellow.
"Woah! I don't bend that way, buddy!"
"Hey, hey, hey," Shouted Master Zhuzhen,
"Stop that. That's how you scare away the costumers. Sorry bout' that, kid. His name is Meiyuan. I've been teaching him English for over five years now for better costumer service, he's a top-notch acupuncturist. You just have to put up with the certain predilections he has..."
Meiyuan sighed with sanguine, "He's right, I can't fight. But you'll love the way I assist." He winked with wit at Yuri, who rolled his eyes in return.
"Do you have any other acts besides an odd couple? Let's hit it, Alice. We can find our own way out."
I nodded hesitantly. Zhuzhen might have been a great asset to us, but I don't think Yuri will listen if I concur.
"... Alright. We have to find that cat demon anyway."
Trifling footsteps stomped behind us as we were about to take our leave.
"Now hold on a minute, kid. You too, honey." Yuri turned to face the bantam crimson clad adept and growled with tumult.
"I'm Yuri, and this is Alice," I nodded as if greeting myself only to be fazed and feeling stupid a moment later.
"What is it now, pops?"
"I admire your spirit, kid, but no matter how far you walk; you'll never get out of this village the way your going." The sage worded extemporaneously.
Zhuzhen was right, such an adversity would be impossible to escape from freely.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Asked Yuri, who was clenching his fists in turmoil. I decided to speak up; I might have a clue on this enigmatic symbol.
"Well, Yuri, to put it bluntly, I think it's because of this mysterious mark here."
I bent down to my knees lightly caressing the purple glow, feeling the evil emitting through its profundity.
"Aha. She's a smart one," Zhuzhen gave a crisp warm smile, "Judging from your strong accent, you are from Europe, the country Great Britain, I presume?"
I stood to my full height, viewing at the dwarf man.
"Yes, I was schooled in London. Shortly after I graduated, I moved with my mother and father to Zurich, in order to become a nun and devote myself to God..."
"You couldn't by any chance, know the arts of exorcism..?" Zhuzhen questioned in my full attention.
I swallowed with grief and turned my head to the ground my eyes following a small ant making its routines before I finished.
"I went on many travels with my father, who was a well known priest in all Europe, to learn more about exorcism and the like. So Master Zhuzhen, I guess you could say I know a little." I declared shyly.
"I see." Zhuzhen nodded with affirmation, "Where is your father now, miss?"
I closed my eyes and shivered with dilemma.
I couldn't tell him the truth...
It would cause too much of a commotion.
"He... he passed away. ...When I went on a trip to Rouen, France with him. He... he..."
Not trying to cry I choked on my words lost in heartache.
"Alice..." Yuri eyed me sympathetically.
"It's... It's okay. Bad memories, that's all. I'm well over it now."
Not.
Zhuzhen cleared his throat but said nothing more. All was in silence after what I had said; the only sound heard was a lagging wind bustling the withered trees. I touched the symbol once more, not understanding how it got there in the first place.
"So... umm. How can we open the lock? What do we do to break the seal?"
"This seal's power separates the village from the outside world." Zhuzhen informed me, "Someone in this village must be the key to this seal. You must find and defeat that person in order to leave."
"The cat demon!" I exclaimed wearily, "She told me I must defeat her in order to kill Yamaraja.."
Yuri turned to face me, "Is that so? Well what are we waitin' for, let's go kick some Grammy ass!"
"Wait!" Zhuzhen called out, "I'm coming along to see if I can help out, I am the Absolute Sage, after all. I can be of some service to you." He picked up a simple wooden staff in a dark corner and twirled it around.
"And I'll wait here," Piped Meiyuan, "I'll stay here and dodge monsters until you get back. Come and see me anytime!"
"What a pain..." Yuri cursed under his breath as Zhuzhen gave a whole hearted laugh, already venturing into the haunted village. I ran after him, hearing Yuri indolently following.
After me and Yuri caught up with the wizard, I pulled out the red puzzling leaves from my Bible and tapped Zhuzhen on the shoulder.
"Excuse me, but do you know what these are for, exactly? I got them as a gift from a peddler, and I'm not quite sure."
Zhuzhen stroked them gently. "But of course, they're Mana Leaves."
"..Mana Leaves?" I asked in up tight confusion.
"Yes, for magical use. Once your magic powers weakened, should you use a Mana Leaf, your magnetism will slightly return."
Magic..?
I don't believe I have any sort of magical powers. I heard only a few amount of people in this world could practice magic, but certainly not I...
"Zhuzhen, do you make use of magic?" I queried, most curious.
"Ho, ho, what's being a sage without the arts? Yes my child, I know the spells of an adept. Fire class sorcery."
"... Fire class?"
I know, I know, I ask too many dull questions. But Yuri was silent the whole time, on the look out for monsters.
The old scholar gave me a pleasing smile and fumbled with the heavy piece of jewelry around his neck.
"Well, wizardry born or not, every human on earth appears to have a grade of a specific element. Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Darkness and Light. So, if someone were to study neomancy, that class would have the precise magic skills. Otherwise, classes are known to predict your life, love, way of thinking, excreta."
Didn't that woman's voice say something about darkness and light..?
"Hmm..." I pondered aloud, "So, do I have a class as well?"
"Can't say, it seems your powers haven't awakened yet, a few start late. And the kid... He appears to be Dark class."
"What'd ya say?" Yuri finally spoke up, glancing at the smallish sage.
"It seems to be that your power has been wakened to its fullest. You could cast magic at your will."
"Yeah about that, you'll just have to wait and see, I'm much more then I look." The weirdo laughed darkly.
I focused to Master Zhuzhen, puzzled expression adorned my features as he shot back the same.
Yuri, what could you possibly contain, you look pretty average to me...
I think you're just messing with me and Zhuzhen.
An in humanly moan emitted from behind us. I was the first one to take a look and... A trepidation it was.
A monster..?!
It appeared to be a human once. Limping on one stable leg, with tattered, soiled clothing . Yellow eyes flashing hysterically. Zhuzhen turned back, a hollow laugh overflowing his throat.
"So there are zombies here, eh? The last of the real humans." He held his staff defensively staring at it making its way towards all three of us. I huffed and shook about, hugging my Bible closely to my chest.
"Z-z-z.. Zombie!? Gross!"
Yuri simpered and raised his fists. "Hah, I'll take him on alone; you guys sit tight and watch."
You'll do any thing to "win me over" huh?
"Nu uh, uh, uh, kid. It's an undead, tolerant to magical powers only." Zhuzhen instructed, holding Yuri back.
... It's worth a try.
Without a second notice, I raced toward the dead human and whammed it across the face with my Bible.
Sorry Dad, nothing else to use.
It groaned and reached for my left leg. The moldered zombie snatched it speedily, its bony fingers sinking in the cotton of my long white stocking.
This feels foul...
"Get off, get off!" I shook my leg frantically, the green rotted skinned man smelled horrendous.
Well of course he would of, he's dead.
There's no way for a proper exorcism, this spirit is long gone...
I kept shaking my leg, screaming like a banshee when suddenly, a wooden staff came into view and knocked the dead man's head straight off with a powerful repercussion. It rolled on the earth leisurely, the mouth outstretched upon its lurid features.
"You sure don't like to listen, missy." Zhuzhen puffed out of breath.
"Oh, many apologies, Great Absolute Sage Liu Zhuzhen of the Nine Heavens." I said full of sarcasm, adding a short bow to go with it.
I'm such a bitch.
"Don't you be a smart ass either! You have no respect, being a fine lady from Britain."
"What do you know? You know nothing about me, not all women have the same personalities and qualities..."
There I go again, my dumb talks.
"It's true young lady, you need to be courtlier to the one who had just saved your life!" He shook his finger wildly in front of my face, nagging me.
That fingers asking for it.
I lashed out at the sage's little finger, and bit it hard.
"What in the blazes!?" He cried out, holding on his now sore finger.
"Serves you right, no one raises their voice to me!" A cocky grin placed its way on my lips sourly.
"Uhm... Alice... ?" Yuri butted in, sounding desperate.
"Yuri, you get out of this, this is between me and the quack oracle!" I stuck my hand in front of his face, not wanting to take a look at him.
"But... Alice."
"Shut your mouth, I say! .. Ah!"
Unexpectedly, Yuri pushed me resulting me to topple over, him on top of my slender body.
"You dreadful, dreadful good for nothing! What do you think your doing?!" I kept battering his jacket with my fists at full blast in a fluster.
"Alice, knock it off! That zombie thing, it was gonna strike you. Jeez!" He pleaded guarding himself from my anger.
I stopped pummeling him and peered over his shoulder. The wrenching body of the headless zombie was striking Zhuzhen blindly. The scholar guarded the swift attacks with ease using his staff, chanting something softly in Chinese. Yuri and I both were now in crouching positions, staring blankly.
... A spell?!
A blazing radiance soon surrounded his dwarfish form. Fiery flames spewed through the whole encircling areaI screeched loudly and Yuri immediately held me close to him, as if shielding me from the intense heat and heavy smoke.
But... the fire, it didn't harm us at all, sure it was hot, but we were left unscathed. The zombie's body disintegrated instantaneously in the flaming mass, the fire making a mighty wind, ashes flying everywhere. They slowly died down decisively.
That... was remarkable... such power I didn't know existed.
I squeezed myself out of Yuri's strong hold, and embarked toward Zhuzhen, hearing Yuri sigh morosely.
"Y-your magic..?"
Zhuzhen viewed me, looking rather surprised that I didn't know about it.
"Yeah, a fire classed type of sorcery; it's named "Ogre Flame Dance." It's quite well known amongst us oracles."
I gazed at Zhuzhen, astounded. "Well, it was certainlyamazing, that's for sure."
I noted a small leaf gently lying in the same place the demon once sustained. Zhuzhen bent over to pick it up, looking it over.
"Appears to be a Thera Leaf, huh..."
I glanced emotionless at my brown haired accomplice, "... I still don't know what those are used for..." Yuri scratched his head modestly.
The Master Zhuzhen eyed at both my delicate hands in dismay. The right, with the shallow bat wound, and the left, bloody and gnawed on from the ghost girl.
"Put your hands out." He instructed.
"Huh..?" I asked, befuddled.
"I said put your hands out, missy!"
I complied, reluctantly thrusting my hands in front of him.
Zhuzhen split the light green leaf in half. Sparkles of bright yellow light glittered on my hands. The glitters assimilated into my hand, not hurting the slightest bit.
They looked as good as new. I examined them carefully; the wounds genuinely vanished off of my skin.
... Wow.
And to think I thought these were to replace toilet paper.
"How did you... do that?" I inquired, tremendously amazed.
"Simple, the work of the Thera. That's what Thera Leaves do, they have remarkable healing powers. Though they can only work on small wounds, not on large bodily injuries."
"It's still very impressive..."
I also remember Yuri buying another type of leaf, Pure Leaf was it?
"Master, I have a question, what are Pure Leaves?" Yuri coughed and I peered at him with irritation.
"Ah, they change the secretions of your brain, usually used by the utmost of shamans. You see, fighting monsters can make you lose your sanity, slipping away in outraged derangement."
I gulped, "... Why?"
Zhuzhen shrugged his shoulders, "Beats me, the evil aura I suppose, but the more you are around them the more stable you become."
I don't think I'll lose my sanity.
Nothing can scare me as much as that loathsome Roger..
"But what if-"
A bright spark interrupted me. "The cat demon!" I shrilled, taken aback.
Yuri went into a fighting stance while the old man stood still laughing quietly.
I don't understand old folks!
Or old geezers, for that matter.
The despicable woman jumped back holding her nose, a foul emotion on her ugly features.
"Ugh! What-is-that-smell!!" And well, she disappeared... again.
"Hey, I think she was right, something really does stink!" Yuri remarked, swishing his hand in front of his face.
I bet it's Zhuzhen's decomposing body.
I lifted my left arm smelling my arm pit, and then lifted my right, doing the same I looked at Yuri and Zhuzhen, shrugging my shoulders idly.
"Not me!"
The old sage grinned in humor, and Yuri smacked his forehead embarrassed by my benighted action.
"Man, Alice, do you have to go and announce the whole freakin' world about your nasty body odor!?"
"Well I was just being honest, you don't smell like roses yourself, you wastrel!"
Zhuzhen laughed loudly, tuning his eye spectacle,
"Now, now kids, it's not either of you. It's the special leaves I carry around, perfect for that cat woman. I think this is the one ingredient that would stop her vanishing for good." He glanced at them and faced us again,
"Currently, if only we had some type of holder, wood, and an open fire... then I could make the anti-cat powder."
I tapped my foot deep in thought and then it hit me. "Hey! That old crone has a cooking pit in her house, I'm sure of it!"
"Oh yeah!" Yuri blurted out putting an arm around me, "Alice, yer pure genius! Can't believe you noticed it when you were shoving your mouth full like a gluttonous hog! Perfect to be my lawful fitting wife!"
"Oh you, quit it!" I pushed his arm off of me roughly.
Zhuzhen gave a jesting smile, "Ah, you two seem awfully close, are you a couple? Engaged?"
Great... Just great.
"No way! I just meet the creep a few hours ago. He's just the biggest flirt known to man!"
Zhuzhen gave another wholesome laugh. "Ha, ha. Raging hormones, my boy? Now, I suppose you know the way to cat demon's residence, yes?"
I pointed to the direction with my index finger, "Yeah, right across from the well in the middle, biggest house, you can't miss it."
"Alright then. I trust you two will find the tools needed around here or anything of importance as well."
"Yes, sir!" I gave a firm salute, standing straight like an upright solider from the civil war.
"Such a comical girl, I think I've already began to forgive you from biting my finger like a savage carnivore." He began to walk off towards the dwelling, leaving me and dim wit solitary.
I didn't say anything, I just started to pick through branches and Yuri had been looking at an old merchant counter top.
I found a good sized branch, but dropped it deliberately, feeling a familiar sensation fill my head. I held it, gritting my teeth in agony.
No, not now! Please...
Yuri saw me, confusion filling his eyes, as I was on my knees experiencing myself twinge.
"Oh... Yuri... It's happening..." I panted gently, trying to catch my breath.
Yuri gave a witty smirk and chuckled softy, "Oh really now? I'm just so irresistible, you gettin' off already and I didn't even have to touch you!"
I could hardly hear him, buzzing was in my ears, getting louder and louder. I practically screamed out his name as I felt the frequent pain.
"Whoa! Shit, stop playin' around like that, Alice. It's not even funny! You don't want me to get all hot and bothered do you!? That's what you're doing!"
I couldn't even hear him anymore, I passed out on the debris of wood and yes, I found myself in the past again. I was in the village in its good days. A young looking man was walking with a poofy chow dog that trotted happily beside him.
... Is that the old man from the cavern?
The dog?
The image faded, showing the young man cutting off the ears of the rueful dog madly, and poking its poor eyes with a sharp small knife.
Probably so it couldn't see or hear, for he threw it into the stone well. It fell in with a splash, whining consistently.
Was that the same one I had kicked in the well? Pitiful thing, it has to suffer its fate even in death...
"Alice! Dammit, Alice, get your ass up!"
Yuri..?
My eyes eased and fluttered a bit, not opening. I heard the sound of an animal running and the pants of a dog. Soon, it growled and barked but abruptly after, it whined in response to the sound of a punch.
My eyes shot open and I sprang to my feet, my head still pounding. And there I saw Yuri, beating back... the dog creature I flung into the well, its body still soaking wet, blank eyes radiating vehemently.
"No, Yuri. Stop it!!" I yelled as hard as I could, holding out my arms in front of the injured laying dog.
"What the hell?! This things gonna kill us, kills us, damn it!" He repeated it twice, like I didn't understand and shoved me out of the way; kicking the dog in the face, sending it sprawled to a corner.
"No! You don't understand! It needs a proper exorcism!" The wolf creature lay on its side battered; I ran to it and opened my Bible chanting the melodic prayer as it glared at me with hurtful eyes.
"Tainted lost soul, may you be reborn again to the Firmaments, afresh..."
... Nothing.
The soul was condemned. Just a hollow shell was all that remained.
"I'm sorry..." I whispered closing my eyes in defeat. "Yuri... Go ahead. It's... It's... gone."
"Alice..?"
"Do it, just do it, damn it! Or do I have to do this myself!?
I went up to my feet, and started to bash the dog's face with the heel of my shoe continuously.
Its whole body quivered one last time as its breathing expired, water flowing out of its head replacing blood.
"It... never made it to the skies. Its doomed in eternal torment forever..." I soughed silently keeping my eyes away from the remains.
Yuri lowered his head soundlessly and then put a hand on my shoulder.
"Hey... We still have to get that stuff for pops to use."
You don't want to talk about what just happened, do you..?
"A-alright..."
I left the phantom's corpse on its own and selected the branches I once discarded, walking ahead.
"Let's go..."
Please, let there be spirits that can still rest in peace.
All of a sudden, a man's yell was sounding in the near distance. Dropping the branches, I rushed to the old woman's hut, Yuri running hurriedly behind me.
I busted open the door finding Zhuzhen fighting off a huge gray cat like creature, with paws almost the size of my entire body.
"My goodness..." I murmured, remembering the small old cat that drank the young girl's pure blood.
It's the cat demon, in her true form... It has to be.
"Well doesn't this look like fun, hey gramps, leave some for me!" I heard Yuri behind me cracking his knuckles.
Zhuzhen contemplated towards Yuri but as soon as he did the beast swatted him right dab in the head with its monstrous claws. Zhuzhen fell over, his blood spilled on the floor.
"Master!" I called out, worried about his wound, and also built up with indignation.
Why don't you want to be sended off..?
You'll never give up...
"Alice, go take Zhuzhen outside, now! I'll deal with this bastard." Yuri advised me, preparing to fight.
"But-"
"Get out, now!"
I conclusively complied, grabbing hold of Master Zhuzhen, and dragging him out the door dodging a swift swipe from the cat demon, which scratch the wooden wall instead of my meek body.
"Yuri, please be careful!" I called out as I stumbled down the stairs, holding the fainted Master firmly on my back. Before he could answer, the door closed on him by its self, as if trapping him.
I mean it... Don't die on me.
I slumped the fallen sage against the well. I grabbed the well's bucket dipping it inside its hollow pit, and poured the cool water on Zhuzhen's bloodstained face to clear off the gore.
His eyes sidled open.
"Wha..? Where's the demon? The kid?" He questioned holding his head, touching the gaping wound and winced.
"Yuri is... still inside, resisting her. You got attacked when you saw us barge in. Here, don't touch it, I'll help you."
I reached in my book and pulled out the other half of the Thera Leaf he used on me. I mimicked what he taught me and watched the sprinkles enter his wound, closing it completely. I smiled joyfully at my handiwork.
"Just returning the favor." I said full of prestige.
"You really can be a kindhearted girl when you want to be, missy." He smiled back touching his newly healed head, and fixed his cap suitably.
Ouch... My... Body...
I felt myself getting dizzy, sticking both my hands in the dirt, gasping.
No, not another...
"Alice?! Did you over work yourself?" The Master interrogated, thunderstruck.
I found myself gazing at the interior of a small Chinese house. A storm scourged outside, rain drops hitting the roof heavily.
There, to the left was a woman and a small boy. The woman for certain wasn't Chinese, her hair was a light shade of auburn, and her skin was pale. I don't think the boy was either...
A flicker, and then the room was filled with Chinese men making catastrophic uproars, reeling with an eye to the woman and boy. The little boy pressed onto the woman, looking petrified as she held him protectively.
Another beaming glint, the woman laid on the floor her body unmoving. The Chinese men cackled, coming closer to the boy, who quavered with fear.
Is she... Dead?
The boy held his own body trembling, and then suddenly screamed out. A bright illumination filled the house and it shook feverishly like a tremendous earthquake.
As the light died down, I saw all the men's body parts strewn here and there, all over the house.
The boy huffed sitting next to the breathless woman, his clothes torn, and started to cry gripping her body close to him.
"Darkness loses his mother, awakening the blood of his deceased father."
..The voice?
Darkness...?
I shifted back to reality, digging my fingers in the dirt, sobs escaping my throat.
"Master Zhuzhen... I had a vision."
The Master seemed bewildered, so I told him briefly about my six-sense and the power to see things others couldn't.
"Zhuzhen... There's a boy out in this world, alone... with no mother or father. Alone I tell you! Both of his parents dead, and his mother... murdered right before his very eyes." I choked on my cries and watched my tears splash into the earth.
Dear little boy, I can relate to your pain...
I wish I could come comfort you... How are you doing?
"So, you must be the girl with the magnificent Demon Eyes... The English girl with remarkable powers, it must be you, the one Dehuai can't wait to get his hands on... The infinite key." Zhuzhen said aloud, deep into a trance.
I wiped away a few tears, and turned my head to Zhuzhen.
"What? Demon Eyes?! What's with this Demon Eyes business, I'm not associated with Satan in any kind of way..."
"No, Demon Eyes is what your six-sense is named in our country's language." Zhuzhen provided, staring at my tear drenched faced. "But... Yours seems much more powerful... If you can see so many events, such as that."
"What are you talking about?! And who is this De-"
A clamorous shatter entered my ears and I turned my head to the sound instinctively.
The cat demon broke through the door landed on its back, eyes wide open... Lost. A figure stepped out of the broken down house. Yuri...? No... It had wings... A skeletal like face and hooves of a horse. Another demon.
I shrieked, completely horrorstruck. Leaping to my feet, I stood in front of the slouched adept, guarding the weakened man from this creature of pandemonium.
"Leave us alone! What do you want from us?! If you come any closer, you'll regret it! I'll take you on, no matter how tough you are!" I threatened, stepping back.
The heinous creature fell to its knees a white light emitted from its form, inducing me to shade myself with my arm. The light faded and the creature was... Yuri?!
I knew your body parts could drop-off... But, this?!
So you really are a demon. My first thoughts were right.
Yuri was panting slowly, sweeping the sweat off his forehead. "Damn, that took a lot outta me. Stupid cat."
At breakneck speed, I unpinned my cross that was close to my neck and flew towards Yuri thrusting it in his face chanting the words of God to destroy this monstrosity.
Yuri knocked the cross out of my hold and grabbed my hands. I squealedwith anger, flapping around like a helpless fish out of water.
"Don't you dare put your wretched hands on me, you devil! Not telling me the truth, you sick fuck! Plotting to kill me, were you?! I was beginning to rely on you!"
I spat on his face and he wiped it off irately, pulling me closer to him with anger in his eyes.
"Cut the crap, Alice. I ain't no damned devil. If I was a fuckin' demon do you think I would of rescued you from that old bastard back on the train?! I don't think so; I'd probably be workin' with him to murder your sorry ass!"
He shoved me away bitterly, making me fall to the ground on my side.
"You... traitor."
Zhuzhen rushed over and helped me up. "I'm sorry to say the kid is right, Alice. It appears he has the art of Fusion."
"F-fusion..?" I stuttered, most terrified.
Everyone seems to have magical abilities except for me...
"Yes, a forbidden art in ancient Japan."
I've heard about Fusionists before, Father told me stories about them, but they truly exist?
"What're ya yappin' about, pops?" Yuri insisted, dusting off his coat.
Not paying attention to the two men, I looked at a negligible house next to the Granny Mayor's shambles.
What is... That sound?
"What's so wrong with it? Death Emperor is what keeps me alive. Without him, I'd be long gone."
Death Emperor? So that's the demons name.
"... Death Emperor... Wouldn't hurt us would he?" I asked cautiously, clasping my hands.
"Naw, he's harmless. I can just summon him in the blink of an eye if the going gets tough. The way of a Harmonixer I guess..."
"Oh, I umm, see."
I'm judging "Harmonixer" is another way to say fusionist.
Unless it's more sinister.
"Not very many people have your power, kid. In fact I once knew a man with your powers..." Zhuzhen recited slowly.
Baby wails immigrated from the small shack softly echoingSo that's what the noise was.
Another survivor? A real one?
A hand touched my shoulder before I could make a move, and a soft whisper embarked my ear.
"I'm sorry..."
The voice belonged to Yuri. I sighed and touched his hand lying on my shoulder.
"It's all right, I was the one that should be apologizing. I had no idea... So, I guess I'm sorry for that crazy acting I pulled back there..."
Why was I apologizing exactly? It still made no sense to me. Is it because I could care less, seeing so many demonic entities in the first place?
"Don't you guys get all lovey and friendly just yet. We still have to defeat the head honcho." Zhuzhen interrupted holding his staff in one hand inactively.
"Yamaraja..." I affirmed.
I have to save all these lost souls, they can't stay like this forever, there's not time to waste.
Father, if only you could bare witness to this...
The entire scene was more hellish the train with Roger's cunning masquerade. I fastened my pace, headed to the forgotten cavern where the shrine to Yamaraja was embedded, with Yuri and Master Zhuzhen by my side.
The baby cries kept going on, from that house.
"Oh no, a child really is in there!"
I rushed to the small wooden structure instead; I have to save an innocent life, no more killing, no more suffering.
Zhuzhen looked aghast and snatched hold of my arm just as I was about to grab the shutter door to fling it open.
"Master?!"
"It's not a child, missy. It's a hell cat, and I'm quite certain."
"What?! No, it's a baby, don't you hear it? Can't you see! It's going to get killed if we leave it!! It is, it is!! You dumb old man!"
I had much respect for him, so I saved the slap.
"Alice, listen," He grabbed my shoulders roughly, "Hell cats fake the sounds of babies crying, so the mothers would check on it. Then they would attack her with their sharp razor claws setting her to her death. I know these sorts of things, being an Absolute Sage, of course. So snap out of it!"
I started to sob loudly. "Yuri?! Yuri, do something!"
I called to him, but he just stood there, then he shrugged and faced away from me, kicking a stray rock.
"You men have no hearts!" I rapped out, as I pushed the small sage with all my brawn.
Zhuzhen fell down the small steps of the creaky old house, he was much lighter then I.
Kicking the door free, I hastily looked for the abandoned child. But, I saw something else was there to my horror.
What I saw was a demon, with a sharp toothy grin. It was like a kitten. But it was just all muscle, with large claws like the cat demon.
Master Zhuzhen was right...
I mentally damned myself for my weak intuition and my illogical female thought. The door shut its self with a quick slap.
I dashed to it, but the darn thing just wouldn't open. A demonic force had it closed tightly, much like what happened to Yuri previously.
"Open up! Yuri! Zhuzhen! Get me out of here!" I banged my hands against the old cracked door, my knuckles starting to bleed from my rapid knocking.
The "hell cat" came closer and closer, slowly reaching its prey, which was me. It took its sweet time, enjoying my fear. I bashed the door hard, screaming with panic and aggravation.
There was nothing I could do this time, I'm just a typical damsel in distress...
"Help me, already! I know you two are out there!!"
Do you guys wish for me to die?
Get such a burden off your shoulders?
What if they're out there laughing at my attempts to get rescued, and going off to defeat Yamaraja themselves?
They wouldn't do that? Would they?
The door suddenly busted open causing me to fall to the floor, my body making a loud pound on the wood. I carefully brought my fingers to my forehead.
A headache approaching, damn...
I saw Yuri, who must have been the one who knocked down the door. He kicked the demon in the face severely, his trench coat flying freely behind him. The disordered kitten fell back with a puling cry.
Yuri kept pounding it, mercilessly. Zhuzhen sailed over to support me.
"Alice, Alice, Alice." He upbraided, "How could you be so stubborn and naive!?"
"I know... I know." I rubbed my aching forehead, and watched in terror when Yuri gave the hell cat a quick last drive.
Tons of maggots spilled all over the dusty floor like horrific confetti.
"Ewwww!" I whined in disgust as they squirmed around aimlessly, one approached me close and I scooted back, totally revolted.
Maggots are just not my thing.
Yuri looked at the profane mess of baby bugs. "Yeah, that was pretty nasty!" He began to step on some; they squished under his boots as he crushed them.
"Ew-er!!" I picked myself up and headed to the door. Finally I could kill this Yamaraja, returning peace.
"... Shouldn't you have something to say, Alice?" I heard Zhuzhen behind me, not turning back I slumped my shoulders and sighed.
"I was foolish, I know. It's just... Maybe this whole time I was wishing it to be a real human. It could have killed us all. But... I... I apologize, alright?" I closed my eyes with regret, Yuri and Zhuzhen didn't even make a sound. Are they not accepting my excuse?
I found a sly smile coming to my lips. "...Well, what are we standing around here for? We have a God to destroy, now don't we?! Come on, guys!"
I tugged on my bone bracelet and retied my bandanna tightly on my arm.
I'm ready for this.
----------------------------------------------------
Oh ho ho, a cliff hanger ... Sorta.
And I think the hell cats are full with maggots or something, that's what I read on the enemy description, so I thought, why not? ;
Jeez, taking me forever to get them out of the village! The next chapter is the last of them in this place, so don't worry guys. It was rushed, I know, but I'm sick of this place. lol
Phew, I bet it was boring huh? This was the most boring chapter for me to write actually. Really.
I got more reviews, yes! I didn't know I'd get this many reviews I thought I'd only get like 2 outta the whole thing so far. Haha, seriously. But I need more people to read this, pout even though I love the few reviewers that keep reading, you guys are great.
Alex- Yeah yeah, go out and play it then, you bastard XD I keep bugging you to. sigh
Rinny- Thanks. - Alice the pig, heehee She's always gonna be oink-ish.
Vanir- Well, of course Yuri is a perv. - I didn't change his character. What do you mean; they seem to be doing something different? It's supposed to be like that -- Glad, you like it though.
Vi3t Girl MOMO- Yeah, the monsters are from the game, I'm glad you noticed. That's what I was trying to do. If you wanna see more Alice butt kicking, then you'll really like ch. 5. -;
aegis- Yep, I believe that's what happened in the village, animals getting revenge or whatever. Yeah, I made Yuri stupid in the language department, maybe he was closer to his mom then the streets in China? shrug Everyone just picks on the pig Alice. lol
She probably will cost Yuri money, she's always gonna be hungry. Zidane and Dagger? Yeah they sorta do, Alice is just more brash I think . On the Alice and mother thing, I know it seemed random at the moment, but you'll see. YOUR NOT SUPPOSE TO "GET IT" YET! pat pat lol
Wow, I just noticed about our changing character fanfics too, that's really eerie, maybe it was fate, darling? - And your wish is my command in this chapter, Alice beats on our poor little sage. Phew, I love answering to your big reviews, it's just so superb. lol I love you this ------------------------- much! muah
Tiger5913- About the Zhuzhen name thing, I guess I'll keep it Liu, it does sound more Chinese-ish, and you are Chinese. Oo Heh heh, of course Alice must get saved by Yuri! That's his job right? But I have a part planned for later of Alice saving Yuri, now thats different Your gonna wait hafta wait till like 6 more chapters until you see lemon stuff, girl. hahahahaha.
And about Margarete, I'll make her slut-ish if you really desire it, so. lol Alice can be jealous. Mwahahah more ideas popping in my head. Alice doesn't learn any powers till much later, she doesn't know she has them yet, so hush up! Thanks for reviewing again, doll. hug
- /A Lifeless Beauty/ -