Chapter 8
Tuesday May 3rd
Night
Case 1: Day 3
"What's going on?!" Gene urged "Mai is losing all control"
"I told you this would happen! You refused to listen to me" Kat rolled her eyes and knelt beside Mai's unconscious body "It is only going to get worse from here"
"How so?"
"That stupid spell! It should have never been cast. I should have ripped it from the grimoire's long ago" Kat cursed under her breath "She's running a fever"
"Maybe it's best if we allow her to sleep. The breaking of the seal seemed to drain her energy" Gene sat next to his sleeping friend. "The Markings, they went away"
"They will come back. The process isn't over. It has just begun. Mai is in serious danger. Her body may not be able to handle this amount of power in such a short time frame" Kat analyzed Mai's body.
"What do you mean? Will she die from this?!" Gene started to panic
"It's a strong possibility that she can. The nullification spell is only supposed to be used for emergency cases. Hunters tracked us down by the waves of our magic, they could sense it, smell it. Even when we didn't use it. Our magic is apart of us. When Hunters first began, my people were slaughtered. After many massacres and running. One elder of a nearby clan developed the nullification spell. The purpose is to nullify our magic, throw Hunters off our trail. But it didn't last long, maybe a week. Depending on who cast the spell and to whom they cast on"
"A spell is only as strong as the Caster?" Gene asked
"Correct, in many cases." Kat sighed "We draw our energy from our emotions, the earth and certain objects" Kay began to rip some fabric from the skirts of Mai's golden gown, with the help of Gene they wrapped Mai's bleeding wounds "But there is the bloodline."
"Bloodline? You mean the House of Roe?"
"That's just the house name, but yes. The House of Roe is direct descendants from Nature. We are her children. The guardians of this world. Created in the image of her. The first humans I guess you could say"
"What!" Gene was dumbfounded. An overload of information he wished he could share "But what about the others. Ones that were not in the House"
"They are the offspring of the second generation humans. Created in the image of the gods."
"Wait? What?" Gene was so confused. Kat giggled at his confusion
"Legend says that Earth was created as a gift to Nature from the Heavens. She was the creation of the Gods. Pure and beautiful, with each of their talents running through her. She was the ultimate creation. The Gods filled this gift with water, air, and earth. Nature filled it with life. She created us, Carpe's; to protect and care for the gift she received. Gave us her direct power to do so. She then asked the Heavens to place their own creations in this world. Some made fish, animals, flowers, and others who were so amazed by the creation of the human copied and made their own after them."
"The second generation," Gene stated. Kat nodded with agreement.
"But the Gods were so afraid that their humans would cause mass destruction and war if they received their talents. So they left them bare. And allowed Natures Carpe's to service and care for this new found world. Some Carpe's found love with the second generation and left the clans. Slowly over many years the powers nature bestowed upon us dwindled and was lost in the mixed bloodline. Mine was the very last direct line to Nature. It ended with my daughter. So it should have"
"Then how does Mai have this power? How did this bloodline continue?" Kat looked away. Sadden with the information she held.
"W-when I brought back Alana to life. Her soul was replaced but her body was long dead. Nature felt pity for my daughter. She was in the land of the living when she shouldn't have been. And it wasn't her choice. Maria was killed soon after I left her in the care of my daughter by a Hunter. And right before Lana was to be slaughtered, Nature took her. Placed her with a family in a nearby village and through the years secretly trained her in her ability. And when the time came, Nature gave the gift of life to Alana in a form of a baby."
"Hold on. Alana became Mother Theresa?" Gene was over the moon dumbfounded "This can't be true"
"Because it is not. Alana was not Mother Theresa, idiot" Kat hit Gene on his head
"Alana got pregnant with her husband" Gene robbed his head while sulking. Katerlina continued "Nature was afraid that her descendants would lose their ability to care for the earth that she counter out the second generation blood. She made sure that her blood was dominating for future generations."
"So you're saying that Mai is pure Carpe?" Gene questioned again
"Technically speaking yes. Until the race is replenished. That's why Mai and I look alike. She is basically a clone of me. Because it was me who ended the Bloodline when I brought back Alana. It's kinda like I have another chance. They are all clones of me, my doppelganger's"
"But why?"
"Hunters. They keep tracking us down. Surprising enough. I thought their practices died long ago. Sadly each time one of my doppelgangers has the chance to reproduce, only one is born and given away to keep safe before the mother is killed. Mai's mother was almost the first to have two...to stop the cycle. When her Husband James was killed. Mira suffered a miscarriage"
"W-what?" a third voice sounded. The two spirits looked in the direction of the now awake Mai "She was pregnant?" Mai slowly rose off the cold ground
"Mai, you're finally awake!" Gene grabbed her arm to help pull her to her feet
"I'm glad you pulled through. But we have to get a move on." Kat stood and looked around the underground cavern. "I don't know when the next wave is going to hit."
"Stop." Mai yanked her arm away from the helping Gene and glared at the both of them "Tell me right this moment what the hell is going on!"
"We don't have time for that now Mai," Kat said with an edge laced in her voice.
"Oh, we have all the time in the world. Its called walking and talking. Now start to do both." Mai leaned against the stone wall and began to walk forward. Kat glared at her younger twin
"This little brat!" Kat spoke to herself as she followed in suit with Gene. Mai continued to balance her self as she walked down the unknown corridor. Both the following spirits refusing to speak about the situation, angering her further. Time seemed to slow, none of the surroundings changing or even an idea of how to escape the never-ending stone passage. Mai felt the presence of Gene beside her.
"Mai" he spoke softly. Ignoring him Mai continued as if she heard nothing. She felt wetness seep between her fingers of her hand that was pressed on her wounded stomach. Mai never one looked down at her hand, already knowing a crimson liquid was there
"Mai, please look at me!" Gene pleaded.
"I can't! I don't even want to speak to you."
"Mai, I didn't know!" Gene grabbed her shoulder and turned her towards him. He saw the anger in her wet eyes, her cheeks flushed red, from her ongoing fever
"Don't you dare lie to me Eugene. You are supposed to be my friend! Friends don't lie to each other!" Mai screamed out. Swatting his hand away, Mai wiped her tears of anger away
"Yes, they do. When they are trying to protect them" He said, a little taken back form the use of his given name
"Protect me?! Protect me from what Eugene" Mai got closer to him. The hairs on her arm and neck rose with her anger as she sneered
"Guy's stop the lovers spout," Kat said panicking. Both Mai and Gene turned to her
"We are not lovers!" they both yelled together, not noticing the already running Katerlina
"Good, glad we got that covered" Kat ran to Mai "Sorry, you're moving to slow" Kat went through Mai, but didn't exit
"Huh!" Mai's body filled with the sensation of ice water. Her mind felt like it was being torn into two "W-what!" She screeched out
"Kat what in the bloody hell are you doing!" Gene was shocked at the possession, watching as Kat ran in Mai's body
"Look behind you!" Mai/Kat yelled out as they ran the opposite way. Gene looked, and there stood yards away was the demon of Mr. Rosenberg
"Zoooeeeeee" he groaned out. His disjointed arms and legs slowly began to walk towards the already running Mai/Kat
"And this is where I'm grateful to be dead" He ran after to possessed Mai "Run faster Kat!"
"Are you serious!" Mai/Kat looked at the caught up Gene "I don't see you helping! This body is heavy!"
"Hey! I am not heavy! I am a healthy weight mind you!" Mai yelled at herself
"I sorry. Did I offend you?" Kat replied "Is this hoe you thank the person trying to help you"
"Help? This isn't helping!" Mai yelled back. Gene watched as both halves of Mai took over and argued with each other.
"This is honestly creepy." he said with hopelessness "I swear if I didn't know what was going on I'd think you were crazy"
"Shut it!" Mai and Kat both yelled.
"Kat do something!" Gene yelled as he looked behind him. The demon right on their tail, gaining speed on all four limbs
"Of course the women have to do everything. Can't rely on a man anymore" Kat said she rolled Mai's eyes. She stopped Mai's body suddenly and turned to the tailing demon.
"K-Kat! What are you doing!" Mai screamed out. Terror taking over.
"I can feel some of your power. It's not a lot, but I can use it" She said. Kat rose Mai's arms and locked eyes with the fast coming demon. A white light appeared in the palms of her hands and the ground began to rumble
"Kat! Whatever you are causing me to do, do quicker!" Mai took over. Kat's portion ignored the frightened Mai. The shaking of the ground became rougher and piles of stone crashed to the ground. Kat focused all of Mai's energy on the stones. Moved the fallen pieces in front of the three, blocking the demons way. Dust filled the air. Mai coughed as it smothered her lungs.
A few moments and it cleared. Showcasing the wall of stone Kat had built.
"It's not going to hold for long. So we have to get a move on it." Kat walked out of Mai's body
"I did that" Mai looked at the wall in pure disbelief. Looking at her hands to the wall. Trying to register what had happened
"No" Kat turned to her "I did that. But this is just a small portion of what you can do."
"I feel like I'm going to pass out" Mai swayed
"Oh no, you don't!" Kat walked back it and stood Mai straight "We have to get you out of here. I don't have the time for you to pass out"
"You've got to stop doing this!" Mai yelled at herself. Gene stood there amused as he watched Kat and Mai fight using the same body. He looked to the stone wall in amazement. In all his life, even death he never saw power like this. His father talked about the myths of Carpe's. And that's what he always thought, they were just myths. But right in front of him stood two Carpe's. He sighed as he walked to the still bickering couple.
"Its fun to watch this circus possession, but how do we get out of here still?" both Mai and Kat stopped their spat and looked at him.
"I can help"
"I'm losing hope" Madoka sheepishly said as she turned Lin around in his chair and sat on his lap. He pulled her close so she could nestle her head between his shoulder and neck
"I wouldn't" He rubbed her back "Mai is the strongest most determine young women I know" He felt Madoka chuckle sadly. Knowing he was trying to cheer her up.
"Noll is upset." She sat up and looked to the sleeping form on the base sofa. It was late in the night, the crew could no longer keep their eyes open, Noll tried but soon sleep consumed him while reading over notes. "He's holding her necklace. I have seen him try to sense her. He's making himself weak by doing so"
"He's a boy in love" Lin smiled. Kissed Madoka on her cheek "I would be tearing this place apart brick by brick to find you. He's doing the same, just in his own way." Madoka blushed
"I'm just worried about him. I know he knows his own limits, but I don't want him to push himself farther. He won't be any help to Mai if he lands himself in the hospital"
"He's smart. I am sure he will do everything in his power to find her. Risking his own life in the process."
"I wish he would tell her. We all see it! Even his parents knew something was up with him. And for him to randomly want to come back to Japan?"
"Madoka, don't read more into it. Let him figure out his feelings himself. You know Noll, he's very calculated." Lin placed a warm hand on her legs, let out a soft chuckle when Madoka puffed out her cheeks. Knowing all too well his fiance wanted to see them together, she basically has a vision board of all the sneaky pictures she's taken of the pair.
"I watched them dance at the ball. I saw the look he gave her. He longed after her when she walked away, handing him over to Masako. Its just so frustrating!" she threw her hands in the air. Seconds later the base door slammed open, the team rushed in
"I can sense Mai!" Masako yelled. The sound of her name awoken Naru, he looked at the crew
"What are you all yelling about" He gave them all cold glares, sending shivers down Yasu and Monks backs
"Masako, she woke up in a fright. She said she can feel Mai" Ayako spoke out. Naru looked to the girl.
"Is this true Miss. Hara" he questioned her
"I do. It came upon me suddenly. Like ice was thrown over me. It feels like a beating heart in a way. I can feel her energy pulsing."
"Are you able to feel we she is?" Yasu asked.
"I don't know. This hasn't happened to me, not like this." Masako stood in the center of the room and knelt to the floor. She closed her eyes and laced her fingers together, bringing them up to her lips.
"What is she doing?" John inquired
"Certain mediums can sense the energy of the dead and can help pinpoint their location. Others, like Miss. Hara, can just see them and communicate. Then there is the very few that have been reported that can feel the energy of the living if they have some sort of high energy levels. Miss Hara, said earlier that she was able to sense very few living people, and only if she knew and worked close to them. For example, she can feel mine and Lin's. Are levels are much higher than say Tokugawa or Ms. Matsuzaki"
"Hey! Are you calling us weak?" Ayako chimed a little annoyed
"In energy levels, yes"
"I guess Masako is getting stronger in her abilities as well" John praised
"So how come she all of a sudden sense Mai?" Yasu asked
"Her energy changed," Masako said "I could never feel her, just the rest of you, I can't feel your waves. But like Naru and Lin, they each have their own pattern. I can tell who is who without much thought. Mai, hers came suddenly. Like a tidal wave. When we saw her in the ballroom, her energy washed over me. She too now how her own pattern, but it's different. Strange, nothing that I ever felt before" Masako explained to the group. Never once opening her eyes.
"Well exactly do you feel?" Madoka pride
"There's another one – no two!" she yipped
"Two?" John questioned, "could it be the look-alike and Eugene?"
"Maybe…" Masako concentrated on the presence's "No. Their presence is neutralized. These are different – wait!" Masako began to shake "It's him" everyone looked towards Masako. Lin, looked at the ratings on the computer
"All temperature readings are reading off normal levels"
"Miss. Hara, are you positive?"
"Yes" Masako's head shot up, eyes wide with astonishment
"Masako! What is it?" Monk touched her shoulder
"The energy is growing…like a balloon filling with air." The room around them rumbled for a few seconds, the lights above them swung in the rhythm of the vibration. As quickly as it came, It left.
"W-was that her energy?" Madoka looked around the room. Masako nodded her head to answer
"Something is wrong. I can sense her energy but I can't locate her presence" she added
"Maybe you're not on that skill level yet" Ayako pitched
"No, I can tell where Lin and Naru are at all times due to the waves they put off. Mai is much stronger then theirs" the room got quite
"How is that possible" Lin spoke to no one in particular
"Do you feel it too Ms. Hara" Masako looked up at Naru "It feels like a barricade, a cloudy one"
"Y-yes. But how do-"
"Naru! You shouldn't be using your psychometry" Monk walked up to him "You know what happens to you"
"I know my limits Tokugawa" Naru walked away from the man to his chair next to Lin and Madoka.
"That's not the point," He said rolling his eyes. "Mai is missing, we can't afford you to go down as well"
"Thank you for your unneeded concern. But I'll be fine." Naru ended the conversation with the turn of his chair. "Miss. Hara, continue to feel for Mai. Tell me right away if anything happens"
"The second presence." Masako began "It's with Mai. But I can't locate it. Not while it's with her, it's like Mai is blocking everything."
"This is going to be hard to find her" Ayako sat down disheartened
"No. If Miss. Hara can sense any presence, that means they are on the property" Naru added
"That is correct. Mai is nearby. If she wasn't, I won't be able to feel her waves." Masako continued Naru's previous statement
"So why don't we just walk around the property and Masako can feel where Mai's waves are the strongest?" Yasu asked
"Sadly, it isn't going to work. There's a block on her"
"Of course, there is never an easy way to do anything" Ayako signed. Monk sat next to her and placed a hand on her knee
"We'll find her" he comforted her
Naru looked forward, listening to the others talk. He slipped his hand in his pocket and held Mai's necklace.
Mai, I promise I'll find you