Undying Love – The Obex Murus Enchantment
Author's Notes: I hope everyone likes this new chapter! It was a little over four pages long on Microsoft Word. LOLz. Hopefully, you'll find things to be a lot more exciting from here on now! I've already finished the complete story outline for Undying Love! Heheh. I'm so excited to continue on with the story!
Anyways, I apologize for not updating in so long. I've got eight summative projects, simultaneously, and exams are coming up in June. I just completed one exam, one unit test, and two critical summative presentations during the past week. Busy, busy, busy for me.
Things are not getting any better in my school schedule. No holidays this month, except for Victoria Day, and I've got all these projects and exams to worry about. I'll try my best to update this story as much as possible. Now… enough of my ranting, and enjoy this chapter! Read and review!
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Special Dedications: This chapter is dedicated to a special friend of mine, Emily! Thanks a lot for always reminding to update! LOLz. I don't think I would have been able to update this fast without your support.
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Please read…
I'd like to thank everyone who has reviewed my story! Because of everyone's support, Undying Love has finally reached over 300 reviews! I couldn't have reached my goal of 300 reviews without all of your help! (Undying Love has also finally broken the 50000-word barrier!)
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Three hours later…
In the middle of the night, concerned voices from a cozy, well-lit cottage were heard. Looking through the windows of this comfortable home, five figures could be seen talking of an important matter. These five figures were none other than: Haku, Chihiro, Rin, Kamajii, and Zeniiba. All five friends were currently seated around the wooden table, a distinct frown on each of their faces. It was also strongly noted that Haku and Chihiro were sitting uncomfortably away from each other; they had not yet been able to get over their recent break-up.
Meanwhile, the results of the discussion were certainly not improving… "Are you sure that the doorway was completely shut? Are you sure it wasn't just the gate at the human world that has been closed off?"
"Granny… I know what I saw…" the brunette said firmly, staring directly into the old woman's eyes confidently. "The doorway was sealed off somehow… the doorway hasn't physically changed appearance, that's for sure. But, even still, I couldn't go through the doorway for some reason."
"Haku, did you check out the doorway?" asked Zeniiba, earning a slight nod from the distressed river spirit. "Is it as I feared?"
"It's worse…" Haku exclaimed ruefully, as concerned and depressed eyes turned directly to him. "This barrier seems to be a result of an enchantment that I thought was already banned long ago… a spell that I've heard about in my childhood days, but have only seen for myself until now. If I'm correct, I believe it is the Obex Murus spell."
Immediately, everyone in the room gasped, and started turning a ghostly white, except for Chihiro. Meanwhile, Chihiro noticed their reactions to Haku's words, and visibly frowned. "I don't understand… isn't this Obex Murus spell just like any other spell? It can be removed, right?" Silence reigned the tense room. "Right?"
Sympathetically, Rin glanced at Chihiro's hopeful eyes, and mentally winced at the harsh truth that she was going to say. "Chihiro… only very few have disabled the Obex Murus spell. It had an unquestioned reputation of being one of the most difficult spells to cast, and to break. It was because of the Obex Murus' unbelievable magical powers that the spell was soon banned from the Spirit World, in order to prevent spirits from abusing it. However, even those that did break the Obex Murus spell had gone through many difficulties to conquer such a strong enchantment…"
The faint optimistic sparkle in Chihiro's eyes immediately wavered, and completely disappeared seconds later. "But people have broken the spell before! What makes this situation any different? Are you saying that we can not disable this spell?" A pause, before the brunette said in a softer voice… "Are you saying that I can never return home, Rin?"
"There are ways to disable the spell, but…"
"But what?" asked Chihiro, her heart tightening; she had a strong feeling that there was something more to this spell than she was let on…
"In order to eliminate the Obex Murus, you either have to get the spell's caster to lift the enchantment, or…" Rin paused, taking a deep breath. "…you have to hunt down and kill the only magical source of the Obex Murus; its caster."
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Two hours before midnight…
Bluish-green eyes faltered after hearing Yu-Baaba's inconsiderate words. "What? But have you heard anything that I've said in these last few minutes?" Haku said harshly, absolutely appalled by Yu-Baaba's decision. How could she just blow off the Obex Murus spell, as though it was nothing? More importantly, how could she be so cruel to Chihiro? Here he was, asking for her help… and she looked like she didn't have a care in the world. "This is the Obex Murus that we're dealing with; we can't just ignore it."
The elderly woman's lips had now pursed in an obvious and grim line, and her eyes darkened dangerously. "Boy, I think you need a lesson on how to shut your mouth!" Yu-Baaba screeched angrily, fuming at her unworthy subordinate. "How dare you put false words into my mouth?! I am your superior, and you will not question my orders! You, Hikaru, and I will leave immediately for Osaka, to investigate on the burning of the capital's sacred temple… and of its possible sabotage."
"Please…" Haku pleaded quietly, kneeling on his knees as a respect to his master. "Can you not leave me here, and take Raisuke with you instead? Chihiro needs my help to disable the Obex Murus…"
Meanwhile, Yu-Baaba was completely taken aback by Haku's desperate request. She sighed, her eyes softening just slightly in sympathy at the river spirit before her, before turning back to her papers. "There is nothing you can do for her at the moment. You know as well as I do that staying here will not help to serve any purpose to lift the Obex Murus, especially when you have no leads as to who is the spell's caster."
"I…" A hesitant pause, before Haku continued… "…but Chihiro also needs my emotional support. She's going through a tough time right now."
"Haku…" Yu-Baaba exclaimed sternly, not leaving a space for questioning. Her sympathy in this matter had certain extents. "She has Rin and Kamajii here, and I think that enough more emotional support than she needs. You, on the other hand, we cannot spare. Osaka needs us this instant, and you and Hikaru have both studied the art of fire magic under one of the most prestigious fire wielders in the Spirit World. Raisuke, on the other hand, has very little to almost no experience in this field of magic. If the burning of the temple is indeed a result of sabotage, as predicted by many, the elders at the capital may be in serious danger."
Haku stared at Yu-Baaba quietly, processing what she said. It was true; it wasn't like Chihiro really needed him. After all, she still had Rin and Kamajii here. On the other hand, Osaka needed his expertise on this important matter… and the elders' lives could be possibly in jeopardy, considering the fact that the temple was near their ancient abode. Raisuke would certainly not be suitable in this matter, since his only expertise was water and earth elements. He would more helpful at Osaka at the moment.
Haku sighed, dejected. Reality was that he also wouldn't be any help to lifting the Obex Murus. As Yu-Baaba had pointed out, he had no traces of evidence leading to a specific caster. There was nothing he could do here, at the moment, to lift the Obex Murus. "I agree to go to Osaka… only on one condition…" Yu-Baaba raised her eyes off the paper in front of her, now staring at her long-time apprentice. "…that I be able to ask the elders for advice on the Obex Murus, and to look through their ancient scriptures on this spell."
Yu-Baaba contemplated for a few moments, before nodding slowly in agreement. "I will talk to the elders once we get to Osaka on your situation…" Yu-Baaba quietly got up from her chair, leaving her unfinished papers on her polished, wooden table. "Now that's all settled… we shall head to the great capital to unravel this newfound mystery."
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Meanwhile, upstairs in Rin's bedroom…
Chihiro tugged lightly at the purple hair band, before her silky brown strands fell down and traced down her shoulders. Afterwards, Chihiro began to slip into the soft nightgown that Rin had lent her for the night. The brunette didn't feel like staying up as late as she usually did; after all, it was a long and tiring day.
After a few more minutes, Chihiro was all ready for bed, already under the plain, thin blanket. The brunette glanced quietly at her fellow friend, Rin, who was almost prepared for bed as well. The older female soon realized that the brunette was staring at her, and gave Chihiro a small smile in return.
Soon enough, all lighting had ceased, as the two females tried their best to get a good night's rest. On the left side of the room was Chihiro, who was moving her body restlessly… busy with depressing and worrying thoughts. 'Would I ever go home? Would I ever see my family and friends again? Could I bear to live my whole life in the Spirit World?' These were dreaded thoughts that plagued Chihiro's mind. However, on the other side of the room was Rin, who didn't have much luck falling asleep either.
After the two females attempted to fall sleep for the next twenty minutes, both Chihiro and Rin had officially given up; they were not going to get any rest tonight. In the dark, Chihiro could still see her tall friend's silhouette, as she rolled slightly under the sheets to face Rin. Apparently, the two friends thought alike… as Rin turned her body, both females now facing each other.
"Rin…" Chihiro whispered, pulling her knees to her chest. "I'm still a little confused about the Obex Murus. Could you explain it a little bit more to me? I'd like to know what I'm up against."
Rin sighed in defeat. "All right then. But you won't like what you hear…" warned Rin.
"I know, Rin. I know…" An audible sigh could be heard from the curious schoolgirl. "…but I don't want to be waiting for a false hope. Either way, I'll know the truth about the Obex Murus… sooner or later. It might as well be sooner; I don't like unpleasant surprises."
"If you say so, Chihiro…" Rin shrugged. Who was she to decline such a request? "The spell has been around for hundreds of years now, or at least… that's what everyone thinks. What makes the Obex Murus so special is that unlike most spells, the Obex Murus requires a constant and unchanging source of magic. Predictably, this source of magic is the sole caster of the spell. Since the power source must be unchanging and constant at all times, there can only be one caster for the Obex Murus."
Chihiro nodded in understanding. "What does this spell do exactly?"
"The Obex Murus can create any impenetrable barriers and walls."
Chihiro quirked an eyebrow in question; the Obex Murus only creates barriers and walls? "I don't understand though, Rin. If the Obex Murus can only form impenetrable barriers and walls, why was it considered so dangerous that it got banned to begin with? I mean, it's only barriers and walls, right? The most they could be used for is self-protection, right?"
"The danger is more like what the spell was utilized for, rather than the spell itself. About 600 years ago, there was a huge rebellion… and a full onslaught war between the radical outcasts, and the loyal spirits that supported the elders. The radical outcasts were unpleased with the elders, the leaders of the Spirit World. The rebels demanded change. At the time, it seemed like these rebels were on the verge of losing the battle. After all, about 85% of their original army had been depleted…"
"Yeah… and then what happened?"
"The rebels knew that they were in a no-win situation. As a desperate attempt, their best wizards were asked to form a spell that could create unbreakable barriers and walls. That spell that resulted was the Obex Murus."
"How would unbreakable barriers and walls help them win a war? I can see how that would effectively protect them, but it's no effective means to attack the enemy."
"Not true at all, Chihiro. Not true at all. In fact, they didn't even use the spell to protect themselves. The spell was used to trap their enemies in an enclosed shell. Before the shell was completely sealed off though, they released Zansatsu, mindless, soul-eating serpents, inside this shell. It is said that once a Zansatsu touches you, your soul is completely devoured… and you become a dead, empty shell. Zansatsu are creatures of hell, neither living nor dead; they can't be destroyed. A Zansatsu has no heart or mind; Zansatsu don't think… they just devour any pitiful soul in their paths."
Chihiro did not like where this was going…
"Zansatsu were the ultimate weapon… the supreme killing machine. Emotionless, heartless, and almighty powerful; they were a lethal and effective combination in war. Only problem was that Zansatsu took no sides; they could care less if they killed a rebel, rather than a spirit from the opposing faction. The Obex Murus was used to trap the Zansatsu, and the ten of thousands of innocent spirits, who were against the rebels, in an inescapable and indestructible shell." A brief silence overtook the conversation, before Rin took a deep breath…
"The Obex Murus was the key element that created the biggest massacre the Spirit World has ever known."
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My Ending Note: I hope this chapter has quenched your fanfiction craving. LOLz. Yes, these names do mean something.
By the way, I also got some reviews concerning the first chapter. (Some say that I should change some of the details in that chapter.) I've debated on this issue, and at first… I was planning to re-write it, but I've decided against it. I've gotten a lot of people strongly praising the first chapter, so it's a no-win situation for me. (I can't please everyone concerning this issue with, or without a change.) Therefore, I will keep the first chapter as it is.