"...And please God, guide them towards happiness in the afterlife. Amen."
The cold of winter was more persistent than it ever had been in years. It was not normal for March to come around and the snow was still to be on the ground, or perhaps it was. All Yui knew was that she was cold in a stone memorial, laying down freshly purchased flowers from the store to the feet of the departed brides.
She would come often to visit and sometimes talk to them and typically talk about her daily lives with the brothers, school, and among other things with the supposed spirits that loom over this grave. But this time she was more selfish. "I'm not sure what to do anymore with them…" She would say, "I think I made a mistake in not trying to escape when given the chance, and now I'm caught up in something else I don't quite understand…" Yui would explain her part of this grand plan she was thrusted into and the recent murders and disappearances of innocent students and people.
Shu would be the only one that seemingly was not under this weird spell that his other younger brothers were facing. Hungrier than usual, irritable, and overall less themselves. Yui would contact Mifuyu about it but scarce responses would occur. She seemed to be busy too.
And it made her incredibly lonely.
The only company she seemed to have was the weird disembodied voice of a woman in her head, the one who previously told her the story of Lilith.
In her own research for when she was taught about the bible, none of what was discussed with the blonde a couple days prior even existed. There was no first wife of Adam. Yui thought she could be finally losing her mind as punishment for staying with such cruel monsters but, it had to be more than that. Yui would rise from her knees and pull over her coat, quietly bidding farewell to the wax dolls and heading towards the manor. The wind was not the only one to greet her.
"You're troublesome to make me come all the way out here." The eldest Sakamaki says leaning up against the stone. He had no coat to protect him from the chill.
Yui jumps in surprise but quickly disregards the feeling to immediately take off her coat despite her body protesting against it. "Shu-san, you're cold–"
"Keep it on, idiot. I'm always cold. I don't need it." Yui stands there for a moment with the coat before another gust of wind blows. She yelps and drapes it over her shoulders before Shu starts to walk away. "You…didn't have to come out here for me," Yui sniffs as she catches up to him, "I always come out here by myself…"
"Ah? So you don't appreciate me coming out here to check on you? What an ungrateful woman you are." Shu dryly jests, making Yui protest more before he interrupts.
"Don't go out on your own for now on. Actually, don't go to school tonight." Shu shoves his hands in his pockets. (Don't go to school….?) Yui ponders, raising an eyebrow. "Why? Is something wrong?" Yui asks.
"Don't worry about that, just listen to what I say."
Yui looks up at Shu as he continues to look straight ahead. He always looked tired from how much he slept all the time, but even in the brisk chill it seemed a little different than normal. Yui silently pouts. "I don't want to miss out on homework or meeting with friends if it's something I shouldn't worry about…" Shu's eyes glaze down at her which makes Yui shrink into her coat. "I'll collect that for you and tell that unattractive girl you like that you're sick."
"Huh?! Unattractive–?! Don't call Satomi-san such things!" Yui shouts.
"How'd you know I was even talking about her? You must have other friends, don't you?" Shu teases with a smile before taking a couple more steps ahead of her.
"Ahh…! Shu-san! You're so mean!"
"I'm serious when I say don't go to school, alright?" Shu says over his shoulder. There is a brief pause between the two before Yui nods, admitting defeat. Shu brings his arm up close to his face and sniffs.
(I told him to wear a coat…) Yui chastises in her mind. (But…his eyes are serious. What's going on at school again?)
Soon enough night would come and the wind from before would be less harsh as before. It was entirely pitch black outside as the clouds covered the moon and stars. Yui is laying in her bed and writing down in her journal. The house had once again been eerily quiet. Not even a sound of footsteps could be heard or common bickering between the brothers. It was strange. It was not normal. It was driving her crazy.
Soon enough her watch that was beside her on her nightstand would beep to remind her that it was time to get ready for class. She turns off her watch. (Was Reiji-san okay with this? Normally Shu-san wouldn't be the one to tell me these things…It must be serious…) Yui closes her journal and puts it in her drawer. "Maybe if I sleep…things will be better by tomorrow."
But that's what she always said before. She hoped the brothers would be normal when she woke up. She hoped that the weather would be normal when she woke up. She hoped everything would be back to normal.
And she would keep hoping until it happened.
…
All of the brothers would be gathered in the living space as Reiji inspected all of their uniforms and made sure everyone showed up for the limo. It was unusual however as it was Shu the first one down to wait and not Yui. Shu rests on the couch nearest to the window.
"I'm surprised to see you are here so early. For such a deadbeat, I expected to leave you once again." Reiji coldly says as he takes out his pocket watch. Shu doesn't respond. "She is late. Normally she is early…"Reiji mutters. It didn't matter. She would come down eventually before the rest of his brothers. But that would come quickly. Ayato would be the next to come down, then his two brothers, and last would be Subaru. But Yui was nowhere to be found.
"Where's Chichinashi? I thought she'd be down here by now…"Ayato grumbles.
Laito keeps to himself while Kanato dotes on Teddy, muttering "There, there…you'll feel better soon…" Subaru was hiding behind a pillar. Reiji closes his eyes in frustration and clicks his pocket watch that he had been holding this whole time, shut.
"Then go get her," Reiji says as he turns away from his brothers. Shu now opens his eyes, staring at the window across from him.
"She's not coming today."
"Dumb bitch probably got sick or somethin'..." Ayato insults before relaxing more on the couch.
"What do you mean she is not coming today?" Reiji asks.
"Exactly what I mean. She isn't coming." Shu says simply before slowly rising from the couch. He can feel Subaru's eyes on him along with Laito's.
"And you did not think to run this by me to make sure I would approve? Is she even sick?" Reiji asks. His tone was becoming increasingly more annoyed.
"Why does that matter?" Shu answered. "Something is up recently and I think she should just stay here. As a matter of fact," Shu turns his body directly to his brothers. "I'll be staying here with her to make sure she doesn't run off."
Reiji looks over his shoulder. They lock eyes.
"Who cares," Ayato grumbles again. "Let's just fucking go or I'm not gonna go at all. Sure that whore just wants to stay home with a sleazebag like him–"
"You did not communicate this to me?" Reiji interrupts Ayato as he turns towards the rest of his brothers. He was ignoring everyone but Shu. The atmosphere was slowly starting to become more dense. Shu sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. "I mean- who is in charge of this house? You always do the finer details, but I deal with the big boy stuff, y'know? I am your big brother after all."
Reiji was about to speak before Shu continued. "That guy says it is in our best interest to keep Eve away from school. From everyone."
All of them tensed.
"...That guy?" Subaru mutters to himself. "Tch," Reiji clicks his tongue. "You think this was the opportune time to tell us and not earlier?" Shu shrugs and leans back. "He told me not to tell you guys anything but, I'm a nice guy. Thought I'd tell you cause I care."
"Don't be ridiculous," Reiji snaps. "Miss Komori is coming to school regardless of what our Father says. Laito, go fetch her." Laito doesn't respond to Reiji's command, making Shu shake his head. "Why'd you want her to go so bad, Reiji?"
"Because you're lying about Father," Reiji says quickly. "Why would you wait to tell us now and not tell us beforehand?" Shu merely shrugs again. "Like I said. He didn't want me to tell you–"
"You're lying," Reiji snarls, baring his teeth at his brother. Ayato's eyebrows raise. "You two, shut up." Subaru growls after coming out of his hiding spot. "So what if that old man did tell Shu not to tell us, it doesn't matter to us. Lets just fucking leave them here and go." Reiji's eyes pierce Subru's ruby orbs. It only took but a second for Subaru to step back.
The blonde yawns. "You're either leaving, or I'm forcing you out, Reiji." Shu casually says as he stands, walking towards the staircase. Reiji in a flash, grabs Shu by the hem of his shirt and the brothers stand to watch the potential fight unfold.
"H-Hey, c'mon nooow…" Laito finally speaks, lifting his hands. "Let's just…listen to Shu-san, yeah?"
"You're takin' this really personal, Reiji…" Ayato mumbles. "Chill out a bit."
"All of you be quiet," Reiji snaps at his brothers and pulls Shu closer to him. "Move this instant."
Shu smirks. "Or what? Gonna make me?"
The two brothers stare at each other a bit longer before Reiji gnashes his teeth together, ready to fight Shu before Ayato gets in the middle of them. "Ya both are fucking stupid. Calm the fuck down or Oresama is gonna beat the two of you shit–" Suddenly, the smell dampens. Everything starts to become more intense. Reiji lets go of Shu and steps back, holding his nose along with the rest of his brothers.
"...?" Shu does the same but continues to step back towards the steps. That was when he took a look at the window he was gazing at before and saw a moving object from outside coming towards the window. His eyes widened. The glass shatters quickly with an onslaught of wolves flooding the manor. The Sakamakis were surrounded by creatures that were unlike any other.
An unfamiliar aura radiates around them. The wolves bare their teeth at the vampires and the more that piled in were more of the supernatural with weapons at the ready. Without warning a werewolf jumps at Ayato from above and tackles him to the ground and sinks their giant teeth into Ayato's shoulder and he yells in pain. "AGH!"
"What the hell?! What is going on here?!" Subaru shouts before dodging another wolf that was going to attack him and another from behind goes at his back, attacking him to the ground. Shu quickly looks over to the wolves and to his brothers to Reiji, who looked just as surprised and as confused as the rest of them.
"We will liberate ourselves from the shackles!" One wolf said.
"We will make sure the King is no more!" Another said
"We will be the race that takes over all!" A seemingly younger voice said from the back.
Reiji grit his teeth and goes to attack one of the wolves that was going for Kanato but is quickly bitten by another one, and he grunts in pain. "Damn you…!" Reiji grabs the back scruff of the wolf and throws it into the farthest wall. It howls in pain and even more wolves jump through the window. Their whole manor was overrun with wolves. Ayato soon gets up by mustering enough strength to snap its neck and staggers to his feet while holding his injured, nearly torn shoulder.
"Ayato, are you alright?!" Reiji calls out to him.
"I fuckin' obviously ain't! But…ghh…! Shit…!" Ayato falls on one knee, bleeding profusely. Laito gets in front of Ayato, blowing back the wolves with sheer force. They all wine but howl for more and more wolves to come. It was becoming too much. "What are they talking about…?!" Laito yells.
"The King will be no more!" All of the creatures say in unison before the shouts of Kanato are heard. "Stay away from me, from Teddy…! I WILL BURN YOU ALL TO ASH…!" One of the wolves sank their teeth into his leg and arm before he went down quickly, his stuffed bear falling from his arms.
"Kanato–!" Subaru shouts out and goes for the dogpile, trying anything to throw off the wolves from his brothers. Another bite to his ankle. The sudden feeling of dizziness was overwhelming. The albino threw a couple more wolves before diving to the center to grab Kanato.
Reiji runs past Shu and knocks him to the side of the railing. Angry, Shu goes to call out for his brother but is quickly attacked by one of the sea of wolves. "Reiji–!" All the strength that was in his body just before was sapped out of him like a leech out for blood. The Sakamakis were dinner to the wolves that claimed liberation. Reiji runs hallway to hallway, being chased quickly by the wolves from behind him.
(I have to protect her…! That damned woman…! She is…she's–!)
A smile flashes in his mind.
When Reiji slams open the door…
Yui's bedroom was wrecked beyond belief. Her bed was torn to shreds, her mirror was broken, everything and anything had huge claw marks in anything it can get its hands on. His magenta eyes hazes more in fury to see two individuals standing near the window, now that the clouds had parted…the moon shone to reveal the perperters.
A white haired male with golden eyes was holding an unconscious Yui Komori, blood was trailing down her neck and staining the carpet below their feet.
"LET HER GO THIS INSTANT!" Reiji goes to move toward the man that held her but was stopped by the tapping of a cane. His head whips over to the window sill to see a woman with long flowing crimson hair, eyes colored of the ocean, and a smile that was filled with nothing but cruel sadism.
"Hehe, why, Reiji-san? I thought you didn't care for this poor unfortunate soul?" Amelia giggles, hand stretching out to stroke Yui's hair. Reiji clenched his teeth in response. "A vampire to care for a human is nothing but a lie." Ryouichi says, his eyes staring directly at Reiji.
"What do you want…?" Reiji's hand went into fists.
"You know exactly what I want, Reiji-san! Don't tell me you've already forgotten?" Amelia then puts a single finger to her mouth. "It was a secret I told you a long time ago. I can't possibly repeat it again with more to listen to, yes?"
"I will remove both of your heads if you don't release her at on–"
Amelia then raises her cane at Reiji and he freezes in place, eyes shining with the moon. "I will remove yours. Slowly. Muscle by muscle until I can no longer hear your screams if you take another step closer to me and Ryu-chan. So be a good boy and listen to me, okay?"
The vampire does not move just as she says. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't. It was like his feet were stitched tightly to the floor. Amelia then steps closer to the tall vampire and places a warm hand on his cheek, trailing down a manicured nail. He was twice her height, but the power this woman held was unbelievable. "You are mothers little boy, right? You'll listen when I say to not interfere?"
"You…"
A curt smile, her eyelids lower. "I am?" She inquiries.
"You're…the witch…" It was if he was losing energy to speak the more Amelia stared into his eyes.
"Hah! I thought he was going to say I was a bitch! Wouldn't that be hilarious, Ryu-chan?" Amelia looks towards Ryouichi who initially doesn't react but nods. "You silent types are always no funn…" Amelia complains and turns back to Reiji.
"Yes, I'm the witch. The witch that corrupts all of the hearts around me. The witch of salvation, and I will bring back my race to conquer it all. You put it perfectly together, my lovely vampire." Amelia strokes more of Reiji's cheek before stepping back with a click of her heels. "All of you will be bowing before me, or die. I could care less, fufu! Here I thought I was this close to not capturing her tonight, but…fufu, I'm glad it worked out!"
Amelia turns around with the swish of her red hair and Reiji falls to his knees, breathing heavily. The weight that was once keeping him in place had lifted but his energy was no longer with him.
"I've had my fill. Let's get Eve back to our home. Shall we, Ryu-chan?" Amelia looks to Ryouichi and he only nods again. "Jeez you have her blood once and now you're all quiet all of a sudden. Is it really that powerful?"
"You…You won't take her…!" Reiji clenches his chest as he attempts to get up.
Ryouichi looks at the sleeping Yui. "You do not have a choice, Sakamaki Reiji." Amelia giggles at his stoic nature and hops back on the window sill. "Sorry for the damage, Rei-san! You'll just have to clean it up. Shall we go, Ryu-chan?" Amelia spins her can through her fingers and jumps into the night, seemingly disappearing in a mist.
The male vampire looks back at Reiji. "Run far away with your disgusting family." Ryou's eyes narrow. "And keep Mifuyu Satomi out of this."
"...?!" Reiji jumps back up on his feet only to fall to his knees again. Ryouichi jumps on the windowsill and he too, disappears into a black mist.
Yui Komori has been kidnapped.
Reiji punches the ground with his gloved hand, cursing under his breath. The presence of the powerful wolves had disappeared too. They had all retreated.
"...They have her…."
The voice from behind him belonged to Shu. He was also injured but didn't seem to be critically hurt. Silence fall upon the two men before he sighs. "Ayato's wounds are fatal, and so are Kanato's. Laito and Subaru will be fine. We need to get them to Makai."
Reiji spots Yui's phone near her bed, opened. He picks it up and spots an unsent message.
To: Satomi-san
From: Yui
I hope you're okay…
"Reiji-"
"You're right," Reiji breathes through his nose and exhales, beginning to text. "Have a few familiars prepare for their trip to Makai, and contact the Mukami brothers." He finds the energy to stand. Shu looks towards the ground and holds his arm.
"It's broken," Reiji says suddenly. "Do you need help to get back in place?" Shu chuckles and the sounds of crunching and clicking of bones sound in the cold room. "Not…necessary…fuck…" Shu curses. "You never ask if I need help, little brother. What's going on with you?"
Reiji turns towards his brother. "I want to get her back, that is all." He then walks past his brother and heads towards his lab with Yui's phone while Shu watches him escape once more.
(He isn't to be trusted.)
…..
The notes that were once in her fathers folder were now pinned against the corkboard with red string. Hair was all over the place, clothes were disheveled, Mifuyu was a mess. She would come out once in a while to make herself look good for her aunts and school, but she had locked herself up in her walk-in closet figuring all of this out. The conclusion and new information was this:
A grisly murder caught the attention of her Father and the murderers were never found after this. The case went cold after a year of investigation which Ryusei thought was peculiar. He believed it was covered up by the Kaminashi Police to avoid speaking to the public about it. Much like his daughter far into the future, he initiated a secret investigation to find out what really happened at this warehouse. The stranger that had informed him of the murder first had disappeared.
A lot of the documents went missing for reasons she deduced later but this investigation would go on throughout Mifuyu's childhood without her knowledge, which explained how stressed and closed Ryusei would be towards family at certain points in her life. The woman he keeps referring to in his logs does not have a name, but is referred to as "Her," the same "Her" that Ryouichi could be talking about. Ryusei starts to have nightmares after finally being able to sleep which would connect back to Yuma having crazy nightmares, and even Mifuyu- who also has had similar dreams but not to the extent of her father and Yuma. Her father had found something in the woods, a symbol, which he claims to be the cause of his night terrors– while Yuma's alleged magic.
The clear breaking point for Ryusei was when he asked his brother for help and Hiroshi declined. With hindsight, he was only trying to look out for his brother but that only made their relationship sour and by proxy, Mifuyu's as well. Multiple disappearances from the sewers, alleyways, child reports, the mountains– was all connected to this one incident in the warehouse. None of it was isolated. It was all connected to one another. Ryusei finally had the answer and decided to find it, leaving his sisters and daughter behind.
But he never returned. His body would be found a couple weeks later deep in the mountains.
Mifuyu covers her face. "It's all connected now…" The murders in the basement, the disappearances of the two students from school, Ryouichi's newfound vampirism, the attack of her uncle in the dead of winter in December, and the unusual behaviors of Yuma Mukami. It was all tied to magic. This investigation that was named 'Salvation' is the goal of whoever this group Ryouichi aligned himself with. Whatever they were trying to do, they wanted salvation from something and they were going to use this woman with magic to make succeed…no matter what it takes.
All under her nose, this had been taking place for years she thought…and Mifuyu had no idea.
Her phone buzzes. She picks it up to see a text from Yui. But it wasn't from her.
My brothers and I have been attacked and Miss Komori has been kidnapped. Tomorrow night, I need you to gather at my manor along with the Mukami brothers. We need to discuss what we need to do further.
Mifuyu grips her phone in anger. Now they have struck again and now they have lay claim to Yui. But why? Why would something massive like this attack the Sakamaki brothers and kidnap an innocent human girl? She quickly texts back.
…Understood.
Mifuyu gathers the notes she wrote down and evidence in her folder, quickly putting it in a backpack. Something told her that this was going to get more dangerous. Something told her that once she goes over there tomorrow, there is no going back. That this was the fate she chose.
(Will you still try to become like Dad?) Her younger self would ask her.
Mifuyu shakes her head. "...No. But I am going to get the justice that he and everyone deserves."
No matter what it took.