A/N: I apologize for the long wait. Thank you for following this and thank you for all the reviews. This chapter will conclude the case. I'm sorry if it's anticlimactic. Originally, this was going to be the last chapter before an epilogue, but I extended the story by adding the previous chapter and now there will be more involving England. Please enjoy!
Disclaimer: All characters in Ghost Hunt are the creation of the Goddess Ono Fuyumi-sama.
After checking the computer for the inventory of supplies and equipment they had brought, Lin stood up.
"I'm ready to begin the setup," he announced.
Naru nodded.
"Will the barrier interfere with the recording equipment?" he inquired.
"It's more than likely," Lin confirmed. "It will be a confined area, but if we use the wide-angle lens, we should be able to record from within the barrier."
"That should be sufficient," Naru responded. "What about the microphone?"
"That will also need to be inside the barrier," Lin answered. "Although, with the amount of spiritual energy that will be present, I'm worried about interference in the wave propagation. It's likely to cause an acoustic null zone."
"Either way, I'd like to at least set it up," Naru announced
"Alright," Lin agreed with a nod. He then looked towards Mai. "How confident are you in using Shichi Baku?"
Mai tilted her head in thought.
"For binding Ichirou-san?" she asked.
Lin nodded.
"I've only done it a few times," she admitted, "but I know I can do it well enough. Although, wouldn't it be better if you did it?"
"I'll be on the defensive from physical attacks," Lin explained. "I'm certain the demon will resort to violence once he realizes our identities."
Mai looked thoughtful for a moment.
"I can do it," she affirmed.
"Do you have everything you'll need for the exorcism?" Naru asked.
"I do," Lin confirmed. "However, some rope would be useful as well."
"Alright," Naru responded before he handed out orders. "Mai, go request the rope. Lin, setup the recording equipment where you think it would work best."
The pair nodded before going to their respective tasks.
~oOo~
By the time they had finished setting up, John had arrived and was escorted to the base by Jirou. They had spoken with Jirou about the exorcism of his son and were given permission to use whatever means possible to remove him from his room and exorcise the demon. As such, Lin and Mai were heading to retrieve the boy while John and Naru waited in the base.
Once they reached the boy's room, Lin checked the door knob. It was locked as expected.
"Please stand back," he requested.
When Mai did as he asked, Lin kicked open the door. It splintered and flew open into the pitch black room. An unpleasant stench wafted out.
"Ugh!" Mai exclaimed, covering her nose. "That's awful."
Lin immediately took up a defensive position.
"Be on your guard," he instructed.
"Right," Mai acknowledged, quickly shifting her stance.
The room was silent and there was no movement from the shadows.
"I can't see anything," Mai whispered.
"He'll soon make an appearance," Lin muttered.
It was then that he caught sight of movement from within the darkness. In the next instant, the figure of a boy came bounding out of the room on all fours. Lin swiftly tackled him to the ground and locked him into a grappling hold behind his back. He pulled himself up from the floor along with the boy.
"Mai, now," he signaled.
Mai nodded. She assumed a wide stance and began to form the nine cuts using the sword seal. She slashed the air nine times, five horizontal and four vertical, while chanting under her breath. Finally, she pushed forth her will.
Ichirou immediately stiffened before slumping in Lin's arms. Lin's eyes widened slightly before a small smile appeared on his face.
"Impressive," he complimented.
Mai blushed from his praise.
"Thanks," she mumbled. "Do you need help carrying him back to base?"
"I've got him," Lin responded as he hefted the boy over his shoulder.
~oOo~
When the pair returned to base, Lin set Ichirou down in the chair they had set out. He then tied him to it.
"Brown-san," Lin addressed, "if you'll join me over here, I'll begin setting up the barrier."
He stood beside a table with neatly arranged items. It contained golden bowls, which held white notes bearing kanji. There was also a long, golden sword and incense, which Lin had lit moments before.
"Alright," John consented.
He walked over to stand beside the man and Lin closed his eyes, beginning to quietly chant. After a short while, Mai noticed the air shimmer around the pair and Ichirou. Briefly, there appeared to be a clear, translucent film encircling them.
"How is the video feed?" came Lin's voice over the speaker.
Mai was surprised that there wasn't an echo. In fact, she had only heard him from the speaker.
"...that's so weird," she commented.
Naru checked the monitor.
"It's fine," Naru replied. "The audio is working fine as well."
Lin nodded and looked towards John to signal him to begin.
John took out his rosary and bottle of holy water. He sprinkled the water around Ichirou, whose head immediately snapped up. The boy bared his teeth as John lightly made the sign of the cross.
"I accost thee, damned and most impure spirit," John addressed the demon residing in Ichirou, "cause of malice, essence of crimes, origin of sins, thee who revel in deceit, sacrilege, adultery, and murder."
John extended his hand towards Ichirou's chest and drew a cross there.
"I adjure thee in Christ's name," he continued, drawing a cross on Ichirou's forehead, "that, in whatsoever part of the body thou art hiding, thou shalt declare thyself, that thou shalt reveal thy name unto us."
Strange noises were heard from the speaker as the sound began to distort and cut out.
John drew a cross towards Ichirou's right, then left ear. Ichirou's body convulsed slightly and his mouth began to move, but no sound could be heard. After he had finished speaking, John drew a cross over Ichirou's mouth, then he covered the boy's eyes with one hand.
Ichirou's head fell forward and a crimson miasma began to seep from his body. It formed an indistinct haze above him and John quickly stepped back.
Lin picked up the sword and held it upright in front of himself, tightly gripping the hilt. He stood firmly, his stance wide, and stared hard at the apparition.
Mai unconsciously clasped her hands in front of her. She was anxious about the outcome and the fact that she couldn't hear what was being said only further increased her anxiety.
Being unable to do anything about it, Mai watched the scene on tenterhooks. She furrowed her brow as Lin's hair lightly began to sway as if being tossed by a breeze. It soon became apparent that the phenomenon was being produced by Lin himself as a whirlwind erupted around him and John lifted his hand to shield his face.
"Damn it," Naru muttered from behind Mai.
Mai shivered in worry.
"What is it?" she asked, looking over her shoulder at Naru.
"The video cut out," he responded. "He's generating too much energy."
Mai looked back towards Lin. He was speaking authoritatively, though his words remained unheard.
Soon, the haze was engulfed in the whirlwind before it disappeared and everything became deathly still. After a moment, Ichirou slowly lifted his head. He blinked away the distant look he had held in his eyes and looked around, visibly confused.
"What happened?" he asked.
It seemed that Lin had removed the barrier. Mai released a sigh of relief and gently unfolded her hands, letting them fall to her side. The exorcism was through.
