No one's POV:
A weekend rushed by during which the three of them enjoyed the relative calmness brought upon them.
Angelica's POV:
I woke up in an abyss. Again? But this time I was standing on a black lake, in my angelic form. Suddenly I heard all around me pained cries. Fire and blood started to appear, the blood staining the lake. A wave came over me a wave of dust. My ears were struck with pricing high pitched sound, physically pushing me away. I heard a faint heartbeat before the blood gem appeared. I reached for it and as I touched it, it disappeared. With it, the noise disappeared too. The flames died out and the water cleared. Everything was peaceful. In the middle of the lake, my sword appeared and I slowly walk up to it. I wanted to touch it but before I managed to do that, three chains that emerged from the lake wrapped around my neck and both arms started to drag me into the lake. I desperately reached for my sword to cut them off, but as I grabbed it, it just disappeared and I couldn't call it back. Sudden and strange pain was coursing through my body, but I ignored that concentrating on trying to escape. Nothing worked, the pain even intensified as I was pulled into the water. It brought tears to my eyes.
„Somebody please, help me!" I shouted. I was scared, as only my head was above the water. The pain at this point was unbearable. I reached my hand above the water surface hoping for someone to grab it.
„Please!" I managed to shout before being fully submerged in darkness.
„Help!" I screamed as I jolted awake, cold sweat pouring over me and I was breathing heavily.
I was shaking. What did that mean? It was still night.
„What happened?" Ritsuka woke up.
„What's wrong?" Lindo came into the room.
„It's nothing, I just had a nightmare. I am sorry that I woke up both of you. You can go back to sleep, I will calm down a bit then I will go back to sleep as well," I apologized yet I was still shaking.
Lindo sighed, came closer, and sat where I would lay my head.
„Just lay back, " he said. I was uncertain.
„That always helped me, don't worry, " Ritsuka assured me.
I slowly laid my head on his lap. I was so thankful that the room was so dark because I was blushing like crazy. He gently stroked my hair, it calmed me down. After a while, I closed my eyes and drifted back into sleep.
The warm rays of sunshine woke me up. The room was empty. I guess they already woke up. I sat up and started to listen. I heard them talking in the kitchen. I stood up and went that way. As I got closer I could make up their conversation, I stopped behind a corner and leaned on the wall, and started to listen. I shouldn't be eavesdropping.
„You know that Grandfather studied folklore, right?"
„Uh-huh,"
„He was at the top of his field. Ironically enough, his research wound up attracting some rather sinister types, "
„Sinister?"
„Yes. Devils and vampires, to be precise. And...they killed Grandfather,"
„But Grandfather was sick,"
„Stricken with a deadly curse. I couldn't let you see him, no matter what. Grandfather's final moments a year ago... He was no longer human. That was the curse. Grandfather was worried about you and Mom to the very end. He charged me with keeping the family safe,"
„But...Why you?"
„I'd had this folklore, this devil and vampire stuff, hammered into me since I was young. And that my job was to protect you, Mom, and the Tachibana family,"
„And so you became an exorcist? Did Mom know?"
„Yes. That's why she gave you that pendant. Potpourri repels evil,"
„Why wouldn't you tell me?"
„We were going to tell you everything the day before your 17th birthday. Then they came along,"
„I can't believe it! Red eyes..."
„That was a vampire. So was whoever took Mom, I'm guessing,"
„But why? What reason could they have for coming after Mom and me?"
„According to Grandfather's research, the devil's once-overwhelming power has been dwindling, and the vampires are seizing their opportunity. That's where the blood gem comes in... I see that you've heard of it, "
„Just the name, "
„Blood gem is a powerful ancient relic. Rumored to be made from the first blood droplet of the first vampire king and part of three powerful artifacts called together Grimoire. If someone would put the artifacts together they would be able to rule all realms. But it alone should give them the power to defeat the devils. They're confident that the key to knowing the blood gem's whereabouts lies in the Tachibana family, "
„That's ridiculous! I have no idea! I don't know anything!" Ritsuka exclaimed. If I knew where the gem would end up, I would just hide it somewhere deep with a curse attached. They wouldn't suffer like this.
„Lindo it seems like you telling me that there are demons around, "
„There actually are. It's the student council. Shiki Natsumezaka, Mage Nanashiro, Urie Sogami, and Ram Kaginuki are all demons, "
„But...Ram's protected me, even risking danger himself. He said the ones who attacked me and Mom were devil worshipers, "
„He was not protecting you!" Lindo shouted after that was silence.
„So where is the blood gem, really?"
„I don't know. What I do know is that those sinister types are after the blood gem, which is why Grandfather was killed and Mom abducted. I just want to keep you safe, "
„I know, just like you always do... I should wake up Angelica, " Ritsuka said I quickly disappeared back into her room. I'm so sorry for both of them.
Ritsuka walked inside.
„Oh, you are already up?" Ritsuka asked.
„I woke up moments ago. You look a bit nervous. Did something happen?" I asked her.
„Not really. But you do too. Is that stage-fright?" she asked with a smirk.
„No and yes. I'm not afraid of the performance of judges. It's the competition more like it's a reaction. I don't like their notes, " I explained.
„Yeah, I get, that they can be annoying, " she nodded.
„Hey, we have the same pendants, " she noticed. I forgot to hide it.
„Yeah, " I nodded.
„Do you have something inside?" she asked.
„There's Potpourri inside, "
„Potpourri? That should repel evil, no?"
„Yes, you are right, "
„Did Lindo give you that?"
„No, it's actually mine, "
„So why do you have it?"
„Well, to be honest, I feel that something is wrong here, so I have it just in case, " I answered. That wasn't really a lie, wasn't it?
„Oh, I see. Should I go out, you want to change don't you? " she asked.
„If you would be so kind, " I smiled and she left. I changed into a school uniform and left for the kitchen.
„Good morning, " I announced.
„Good morning, " Lindo answered. The whole kitchen smelled beautiful.
„What do we have for breakfast?" I asked with a smile.
„Well since you know English cuisine we decided to treat you to our Japanese cuisine. We have white rice, miso soup, fried fish, and green tea, " Lindo smiled.
„That sounds to me more like dinner, " I smiled.
„Yeah, it actually does, " Lindo smiled too.
We sat around the table and started eating. The food was delicious.
„You have a very unique and delicious cuisine, " I said after finishing the meal.
„Thank you, " they both answered.
„Will you two come during the lunch break to see the competition?" I asked them.
„Well of course, " Ritsuka happily nodded.
„Will you go with us or will you stay here?" Ritsuka asked.
„I have some errands to run so I will be in the 3rd period, I said and looked at Lindo.
„Got it, so we should get going. See you there, " Ritsuka said and waved goodbye to me and they went to school.
I went through the streets full of people to my destination. I arrived before a large white building. I hope that this is the right address. Lindo does have beautiful handwriting but it's a bit unreadable. I went inside and looked around.
„Do you need anything miss?" a voice asked and I turned to the voice.
On the staircase stood a man maybe in his late 20's maybe 30's with silver hair and dark eyes, dressed in a rich catholic robe.
„I'm looking for a man named Noel, " I said.
„That is me. So you are the girl Lindo said that will be visiting us. How can I help?" he said.
„I will need some holy water, I ran out of it thanks to an accident, " I explained.
„I see, come with me. If I may ask in what accident?" Noel asked.
„Well, I guess I can say it here. A group of vampires set my house on fire destroying it, " I explained.
„Vampires? So you are initiated in our craft, "
„Of course. I know about the activity of vampires AND demons in this city, "
„So it's true what Lindo said demons are involved too, "
„Unfortunately... You seem close to Lindo. Are you perhaps his mentor?" I asked.
„You are right I taught him in England, " he said.
„Was he a good student?" I asked.
„Maybe the best I ever had, " he smiled.
„That's really nice, " I smiled.
We came before a large mahogany door.
„You know that I must test you before you can enter, right?"
„Of course, ask whatever you need to ask, " I smiled.
„Alright, I will give you an easy one. I want to know the names of seven princes of hell, " he said. Is that even a challenge?
„That's easy. Belphegor, Azazel but most people are thinking that it's Satan, Mammon, Beelzebub, Asmodeus, Leviathan, and Lucifer. Princes of sloth, wrath, greed, gluttony, lust, envy, and pride, " I said like I was talking about the weather.
Although I wanted to add that Azazel's name is actually Glax Arlond. But that would reveal my identity. He looked at me with a surprised expression.
„That's correct. But no beginner knows about the Azazel/Satan mistake. Where have you been studying?" he asked.
„I'm actually self-taught. From where I come we needed to protect ourselves from the dark creatures, " I said. First, he was surprised but after a moment he nodded.
„Well, then ladies first, " he opened the door and let me in.
We ended the whole process and I took with me two full bottles of holy water.
„Thank you very much, may the Lord repay it to you, " I said smiling and we said our goodbyes.
I slowly left for school. It ended sooner than I expected, I will have to wait before the whole thing starts.
I ended up roaming the school a bit before it all started. Then I went to the auditorium. When I entered, there already were some people and the murmur had started. Not this again.
„What are you doing here? You came to this school after applications were due. So you shouldn't be able to participate!" one girl spoke up.
„I'm glad that there is somebody who says things straight and doesn't mutter them under their breath. But the student council permitted me to attend. You can even ask them since they will be judging us, " I answered calmly. That visibly angered her.
„Anyway, I grant you all the best luck, " I added. That angered her even more and others too. I certainly won't act like some ragdoll. After some while, those three came.
„Alright, we do the name-call to know if everyone is here, then we can start," Urie started.
I was still a bit iffy about Friday. They went through a list of names of the participants.
„Yagi Hideko,"
„Here,"
„Tokunaga Gina,"
„Here,"
„Angelica Ross,"
„Here," I said calmly and the list continued.
„You will be going in the order we named you, so the first one will stay here, others can go the back," Urie announced. I estimate that my turn might be at the beginning of the lunch break. Perfect.
We sat through some good and some terrible performances including that girl. All bark and no bite. Such a pity.
„Well then show what you got, newbie. It s your turn isn't it?" she mocked me. The bar isn't set very high.
„It is, I know that. And just listen," I said with confidence. I went before the judges and I gave them a little bow.
„The floor is your's, butterfly," Urie gestured to me.
The music rolled and I started singing. I immersed them in the song like it was some kind of a play. This song was very seductive with a hint of pureness and tragedy. I could feel that they are very interested and that was only the first song. Up came the second song just as seductive as the first with more pureness and a hint of manipulation. It was all about blame and that worked on them like a charm. It was visible they were immersed in this little play in my songs. I'm getting sick. The worst thing is that succubus would be jealous of such a performance. And the final song came up and I did complete one-eighty. The last two songs were about weakness and needing someone this was about not needing anyone, confidence, and fighting and not giving up. It surprised them but it was clear that they liked it. It was something like a taunt to them. A challenge to prove it wrong. I definitely put a huge target on my back, I hope the price is worth the risk.
When I returned to the back I was met with a mix of emotions most of it was a pure surprise that slowly turned to admiration and some of it was jealousy turning to anger. I didn't see Ritsuka or Lindo, maybe they couldn't make it in time. Pity, well I'm actually glad they didn't hear the first two songs. I need to cleanse myself after this.
„Wow, you were awesome!"
„You have such a lovely voice, "
„You have to win this!" a flock of students started.
„Thank you, for the compliments, " I smiled.
„You were flirting with them!" the same girl from earlier rose up.
„Oh no, I was just immersing them in the song. It's a technique how to keep your viewer interested, " I shoot her down pretty quickly.
She at least had enough sense of rationality not to answer further. I went to sit somewhere, then I suddenly felt a wave of demon magic strong enough to shake me a little. I looked at the three of them, instinctively. But it didn't seem that was coming from them. That wave was overcut by another one this time it seemed holy, but I heard a very faint shattering of glass or something like that. What is happening? I wasn't the only one confused here, those three looked as befuddled as I. So they did not know about this. Either Rem isn't transparent with them or there is another demon. I like neither of these. I sat down on the nearby chair taking a sip of water that I brought with me. I started mumbling a purification spell to cleanse myself from before.
After everyone got their turn those three went outside to discuss who the winner would be.
„Well, congratulations, "a few boys approached me.
„For what?"
„For winning, obviously, "
„But it isn't decided yet, "
„You kidding? You sounded like a literal angel, we compared to you sounded like trash, "
„Oh, don't say that. I am sure everyone gave their best, "
„You are really kind. They should really learn from you, " they noded towards the girls, jealousy eyeing us.
I sighed. Guess no matter what I do they will not like me. Oh well, I don't have to be on good terms with every single being that I meet.
The council gathered us to announce the winner. First came a little speech about not mattering if you won or lost, but both sides knew that was absolutely insincere.
„Now finally the winner of this competition and the one who will be performing at the school festival is- " Urie started.
„Cut it out they surely know who it is. Angelica come up here, " Mage interrupted him. He couldn't be more subtle. I reluctantly went toward them.
„I am very honored, " I bowed a little slipping a little smirk. It worked perfectly.
„The others can go, " Shiki exclaimed.
The other students left, some were reluctant.
„Congratulation, don't worry this will be quick, just some details about the performance at the festival, " Urie said and I simply nodded.
„Your performance should be about an hour and a half long, so choose the number of songs accordingly. You won't have to worry about the make-up and dress they will be prepared, but you most likely be in them throughout the evening ball so keep that in mind. The concert will be at 4 p.m. but be there around 2:30 because of the soundcheck and your preparation. And be sure to give us the list of songs as soon as possible, okay sweet butterfly?" Urie quickly explained.
„I understand, but I do have one request," I said.
„And that would be?" he asked.
„Do please stop calling me that," I asked him.
„I indeed use that nickname for everyone, maybe I should think of a special one for you," Urie said with a cheeky smile.
„That's not what I have meant," I told him and he just cheekily smiles again. He's teasing me.
„Anyway I have to go, my friends must be waiting for me," I said attempting to end this quickly.
„Very well, have fun," with those words they just let me leave.
I went to the place I thought I felt those energies. And on the way there I met Ritsuka with injured Lindo.
„Havens, what happened?" I quickly asked. Both were at a loss for words.
„Nevermind it's not important now, we have to get you first aid," I cut their unnerving silence.
„We should go home, it would be hard to explain what happened to the nurse," Lindo suggested.
„That would be perhaps the best course of action," I nodded.
We helped Lindo home. Ritsuka went to find the first aid kit and sat down with Lindo on the sofa in the living room.
„So what happened?" I asked again.
„Well I did tell her about the demons and she apparently decided to confirm it. And she got attacked..." he explained.
„And you were saving her, got it. I overheard your conversation. I'm sorry if I knew -" I hung my head in shame.
„Hey, this isn't your fault. You couldn't foresee this and times were different," he tried to calm me down.
„Who attacked you?" I changed the subject.
„Controlled students, that looked like Ram. First I thought that he controlled them, but he seemed surprised as well," Lindo explained.
„Well, those three are out of the question, at the time that occurred they were judging the contestants and they appeared quite surprised as well. Guss, I will look into it myself," I exhaled.
„Sorry, I took so long, I couldn't find it," Ritsuka finally came back and put the first aid kit on the table. I checked his wounds first.
„You're lucky these wounds aren't deep, I don't think we could stitch them," I said.
„Alright, let's begin," I took out disinfection and a few cotton balls.
I took one of them and put a few drops of disinfection on it, Ritsuka did the same.
„Now this might sting a bit...you know playing hero is good but not at the cost of your health," I sigh a bit and I start cleaning his wounds.
„You know about it?" Ritsuka asked.
„Yeah, I had my suspicions when a carnival suddenly materialized out of nowhere, it couldn't get more supernatural than that," I let out a little giggle.
„Woah that's way crazier than seeing copies of one person," Ritsuka said bit amused.
„This isn't a laughing matter," Lindo broke into our conversation.
„We known, just look at yourself. But sometimes you need a little bit of smile to conquer those curveballs life throws at you," I smile a bit when wrapping his wound with a bandage.
„I nearly forgot, how did you end up in that competition?" Ritsuka asked.
„Well, you're looking at the winner," I announced confidently.
„That's awesome, sorry that we missed it," Lindo apologized.
„As long as you attend my concert at the school festival, you're forgiven," I chuckled.
„We will be there this time, I promise," Ritsuka said.
After we patched up Lindo, Ritsuka went to sleep.
„Well guess I should get going, not sure how long those today's events will last," I exclaimed.
„I better be going as well, I sensed a few vampires around -" Lindo rose.
„Hold up mister, wasn't one beating enough for the day? I can take care of them too," I stood up.
„You already have a lot on your plate. I will be careful, I promise," Lindo said.
„Okay then, I don't really have the time to argue about that anyway," I sighed.
We both took off in different directions. I carefully approached the now-closed school. I went to the part where the basement would be, thankfully the windows were still broken so I easily slipped in.
„So, let's look at the details. Abiit iam res patefaciunt," I recited a little incantation.
Around me started to appear dark silhouettes or shadows. They started to reenact what I heard so far. I looked around to see if they missed something. I noticed another silhouette right outside of the window, I crawled back outside. The details of the shadow were very vague but it was recognizable as a boy.
„Oh that smell, it's faint but still enticing. I think I have seen enough for one day. This proved to be enlightening," thankfully the shadow commented on the happening in the basement let me catch his voice before seemingly disappearing. He is definitely a demon.
„Now where did you disappear to? Praeterita vestigia ostendit occurrit," I placed another incantation to trace the further steps of this mysterious shadow.
And they led me before the third library where tho figure met Rem.
„And where were you all day?" Ram asked with his typical cold tone. The figure didn't even flinch and just walked inside the library.
„Well, that's enough evidence. Inrita," I canceled all the incarnations and left for the house.
I sat comfortably on the sofa with some tea.
„There is a fifth demon," I announced once I felt Lindo's presence.
„It's that noticeable, huh?" Lindo asked.
„Your scent? No. The scent of dead bloodsuckers? Definitely," I answered.
„So about the fifth one, what did you find?" he asked relieved.
„He's the wild card. He knows how to hide his presence, I never felt him around, just the council. He is acquainted with them, but it seems they don't have quite a hold on him. I only know his outline and voice," I said putting the empty cup on the table.
„Well, that's at least something. But we should be vigilant," Lindo said.
„I fully agree. He could really complicate things, " I replied.
„But anyway we should get some sleep. You really need it," I continued. We said our goodnights and went to our rooms. I laid once again, on the matrice. I remembered today's dream. Nothing from it happened. Guess it was just an ordinary nightmare after all. Thank Lord. And with that, I went to sleep.
Well, Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, or whatever you guys are celebrating. I know it's been a long time so take this chapter as a present for being so patient. Hope you enjoyed it.
