Chapter 6 – Rumors Of Doom
Tusk
The guards started in surprised, then quickly recovered and saluted the approaching man.
"J-Jimu, sir! Are you going to shift somewhere?"
Jimu's one exposed eye gleamed. "Oh, indeed." One of the guards cleared his throat uncertainly. "If…if I may ask, sir, where will you go?"
"Hmm…I suppose Templar would be a nice place."
Templar
"Why have you summoned me?" Zed asked suspiciously.
The committee members looked at one another uncertainly, the wane, turquoise light illuminating their tentative expressions. "We would have rather preferred this to be a warm welcome," Sebastian at last admitted, "but there is grave news to be said."
"I expected that."
Shifting on his seat uncomfortably, Sebastian continued, "There have been rumors of dark forces at work, those who call themselves the 'Spirit Eaters'."
Zed blinked. "Spirit Eaters?"
"Their methods are unknown," another committee member replied. "However, it seems that they are able to consume spirits…"
"That is true," Sebastian interjected. "Something else that may be related to this strange cult is a number of kidnappings from local hospitals and infirmaries."
"Oh?"
"Indeed…all of the missing was those who are gravely injured or ill and not expected to live out the year, or else crippled for the rest of their lives."
Zed's eyes narrowed. Noa…
"What could they be after?" one man mused.
"It must be something that is truly powerful. But as to what it is, we can only guess at," Sebastian said, his face somber.
"Sebastian, sir!" An officer ran into the committee chamber.
"What? What is it?" Sebastian demanded, irked by the intrusion.
"An unknown shifting circle was detected, and with it a powerful shard caster energy—…"
"What! Where is it from?"
"Tusk!"
"It's a beautiful day, isn't it, Sagiri?" Noa asked, smiling. "Yeah," Sagiri muttered, downcast. Noa glanced down at her. "Sagiri, what's wrong?"
Before she could elaborate, a small troop of soldiers marched past. "An attack?" Noa murmured incredulously.