I"M BACK!
FROM HERE ON OUT THIS PART OF THE STORY WILL TAKE A MORE SERIOUS TONE THAN IN THE FIRST PART!
SPOILER WARNING! (There's technically no spoiler here but eh…)
I will make reference to the manga in some scenes for future chapters.
DISCLAIMER, JJK does not belong to me, all rights go to Gege Akutami
The Lord is a strange one.
Cursed spirits roam freely in the same world teeming with human life. A select few could see them while the rest live on, unknown to the sinister creatures lurking in the shadows of the very same world they live in.
However, Olga does not detest what was considered an unacceptable existence.
The Secret Church and Jujutsu sorcerers were alike. They both abhorred these creatures and sought to protect humanity from their malevolent influence.
Olga could not find it in herself to resent them.
Strife. Anger. Greed. Sadness.
They were just another part of this world.
Anything harboring negative emotions attached to a particular concept or thought gives birth to such creatures, some would call devils while others call cursed spirits.
Olga's life has been one in search of meaning. Like a transverse wave, it has its highest and lowest points.
From a past tainted by scorn, considered by society as a great evil due to the amount of suffering caused, and then to the present as a 'holy woman,' supposedly turning over a new leaf.
Olga was the embodiment of a paradox.
There were other paths she could've chosen after growing bored of her former occupation, however, becoming someone who followed the will of God was what she settled on.
Although, she herself admitted that she wasn't wholeheartedly devoted as her fellow comrades within the organization.
"So what of the two unidentified cursed spirits? What grade would you put them in?" Principal Yaga asked Satoru expectantly.
Grade? Olga thought to herself.
Perhaps it was some sort of ranking system the jujutsu sorcerers use.
Yuji was immediately sent back to Satoru's residence by Kiyotaka, though the man became quite distraught by their current state of having encountered a high-leveled curse after explaining the situation to him.
Well, it was apparent about their encounter due to the mass destruction of the forest.
As per custom, since she was also at the scene of the incident, with the added excuse that Satoru wanted to show her something cool, Olga had to follow along with Satoru into his meeting with the Principal.
Besides, since she was another witness, so she had no doubt that she would have to give the Principal either a verbal account about what had happened.
"Those two were definitely Special-grade curses. The one that attacked me first was a fire type. He could manipulate lava and fire. Then the other had roots sticking put of their head. It was carrying some sort of pouch on one shoulder. With the techniques I've seen so far, I think that one was a nature type," Satoru explained candidly.
Olga observed the exchange silently, her eyes focused on the Principal, taking in every detail of his reaction.
Principal Yaga nodded thoughtfully as Satoru provided his assessment of the two unidentified cursed spirits. "I see. Special-grade curses are no small matter. It's unusual to encounter two of them together. Do you have any insights into their motives?"
Olga covers her mouth with her fingers stroking her lips as she lowered her gaze to the ground. "Well, I don't think anyone in their right minds would attack Satoru without a plan or for no reason. But seeing as the cyclops-like curse wasn't working on its own, and that the nature curse had to save it, I'd say there were some others watching Satoru's fight,"
Yaga leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled as he absorbed Olga's insights. His expression remained composed, but there was a hint of concern in his eyes. "An organized group of Special-grade curses is a grave matter indeed. It suggests a level of coordination and planning that we haven't encountered before."
Satoru added with a wry smile, "It also suggests that someone out there knows about yours truly and wants a piece of this handsome face."
If Yaga's eyes were visible, the two before him would see him rolling his eyes at Satoru's comment.
Lucky him.
The Principal was not amused. "Let's end this here today, it's getting late and I want to clock out soon. I'll need a report by tomorrow morning. And, Olga, if it isn't much trouble, I'll require one from you too."
"Of course, Yaga-san." Olga replied in her composed and measured tone. "I will provide a detailed report on the encounter as well."
Satoru, on the other hand, gave a casual salute and a wink. "You got it, boss. I'll make sure you get all the juicy details. I'll even sketch out how the curses looks!"
The Principal's expression remained stoic, but there was a hint of exasperation in his voice. "Please, Satoru, treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves. We cannot afford to underestimate these Special-grade curses or the potential organization behind them."
Although, as he said that, the principal knew his former student well enough to know that he might as well submit half-assed work in typical Gojo Satoru fashion.
The Principal turns to Olga, sensing she was more responsible of the two. "Make sure the reports are thorough and accurate." He then rose from his seat, signaling the end of the meeting. "You're both dismissed for now. Rest up and be prepared for any further developments."
"You have my assurance," Olga gives a slight bow in acknowledgement.
"You can count on me!" Satoru said as he mimicked Olga's serious tone.
'It was already weird enough that they appeared as soon as Yuji died.' The Principal thought, furrowing his brows.
Walking through the main school buildings with her companion Satoru, Olga carries a gospel and seems engrossed in its words.
"Sister Olga~" Satoru purred her name.
She gave him a short glance before turning her attention back to the gospel in her hands.
The tall man slings a hand around Olga's shoulder in a playful manner as he jested. "You know it's not good to be occupied by something and not look where you're walking?"
"..."
"So, what do you think about working with someone?"
The idea wasn't a bad one. She understood that she still couldn't fully be trusted, so working with someone else was an appropriate guise to monitor her actions while simultaneously observing her interaction with Yuji.
"Whatever works with you. I don't mind." The gospel snapped shut, sending a gust of wind to her face, briefly ruffling her bangs. The book was promptly tucked away into the inner pockets of her coat.
"I'll be taking my leave now. And, may the Lord bless you, Satoru,"
She had somewhere else to be that day.
"So heartless~" He whined playfully as he nudged her shoulder. " But, bye-bye,"
She doesn't bat an eye, nodding her head in as they went their separate ways.
God? What a funny idea.
Satoru had already received plenty of blessings in life.
As it was the late evening, very few people populated the chapel. Among the small group of people was Olga who sat at the far back of the rows of chairs.
Due to her connection to the Secret Church, Olga was considered a high-ranking member of the clergy. Therefore, her attendance at an ordinary church's sermon was greatly valued.
To those associated within the high-seats of the church, Olga was venerated as someone extraordinary.
Yet, her personality was far from the saint-like image the painted her as.
She obliged to her duties as the Grand Holy Exorcist without fail, fulfilling every duty to perfection.
Although she also plays a role as a public figure as someone seemingly devoted to God by often attending church.
The sermon was in procession and Olga briefly closed her eyes, listening carefully to the words uttered throughout the sermon.
Despite being someone who admitted to constantly deem herself as unfaithful, she herself was able to find solace in the words of the Lord.
Perhaps it was because she had heard it so many times, it is to the point she's grown sick of it. Eventually, she felt as though she was forced to find meaning in them in order to continue to endure listening to them.
"Greetings, Sister Olga," A worn croaky voice greets her in a warm and welcoming tone.
She turned her head in the direction of the voice, meeting her gaze with an aged man adorned in a slightly altered robe compared to the rest of the clergy she's seen within the church that they were in.
He puts a hand over his chest, where his heart should be and crinkled the edge of his eyes as he smiled at her. "I am Yamamoto Ayase, you may call me Reverend Yamamoto. It is an honor to have you in attendance as an audience to our evening sermon,"
"Thank you, Reverend Yamamoto. It is always a pleasure to attend these services. Your words bring comfort and guidance to those who seek it," she replied in a respectful tone.
With their brief exchange concluded, Reverend Yamamoto took a seat beside her, and they both listened attentively to the rest of the sermon. Once the service concluded, the chapel gradually emptied out, leaving only a few lingering attendees, including Olga and the reverend.
The wrinkles at the ends of his lips follow his movements as he sighed. "I am saddened by the news I had heard about this evening. Would you listen to this old man's ramblings?"
"Tell me," Olga responded, her tone icy cold but well-mannered.
Reverend Yamamoto's smile held a hint of melancholy as he began to speak. "Lately, there have been unusual occurrence where people have been going missing. The victims are often people of varying backgrounds, so the authorities themselves are unsure."
His voice turned more grim as he continued. "However, when some of these people were found, their bodies were twisted into grotesque shapes beyond human understanding. Their deaths were horribly unjust. I can't help but express my grief on the matter."
He brings his hands that were clasped together to rub his temples, and bends his head foreward, resting on the knuckles of his as he made a solemn prayer. "I am convinced that this was not some sick science experiment. God himself would frown upon such vile deeds,"
Olga understood what the Reverend was implying.
He wanted her to look into the situation and investigate it.
"This must be the work of the devil," The Reverend's voice grew cold and dark. His eyes glared at a space for a moment before looking to the cleanly tiled ground.
"I have heard an inkling of your expertise, and that you are responsible for actively fulfilling God's work. So I ask of you." His determined eyes connected to her dull ones. But he himself, could not hold his gaze with her for not more than a few seconds before breaking away eye-contact from her.
"Please punish the devil responsible for this cruelty."
It was an odd request.
Most of them, the holy exorcists, generally specialized in vanquishing demonic entities possessing humans or in a jujutsu sorcerer's context; when a cursed spirit latches onto a person, causing harm and rapid deterioration to the person's well-being in the process, so they have to exorcized the curses within the person's body.
That means the reverend was not asking her as a 'Holy Exorcist' but instead for her role as the 'Executioner,' because she was sent to "punish the devil."
"Save them." He finally said.
There was no incentive nor praises for any exorcist under the Secret Church if they decided to take on such dangerous missions.
It was her own choice, and she will never receive a reward for it.
Olga stands up from her seat, her expression indifferent. She gives a slight bow to Reverend Yamamoto as she proceeds to leave the dimmed area.
But not before parting with the older man with a few words of reassurance.
"The devil shall be purged,"
This was neither a vow nor a promise.
With those words, she vanished into the shadows, leaving the place without a single trace of her presence.
Reverend Yamamoto did not watch her leave, yet a thought gnawed at the back of his mind. The woman had a tough exterior and was certainly an enigma for someone who is of her stature. Yet, he muttered a quiet prayer as he was well-aware that her doing his bidding was also his own selfish goodwill for Olga.
"Sister Olga, I pray for your safety. May our Lord and his Son in Heaven, watch and guide you in the dangers you seek,"
The bitter smoke had left a disgusting aftertaste in her mouth and filled her throat with a shock of sensations. Many rounds had passed and her cigar had become a small bud, its light dulled.
Olga was a chainsmoker, not for the reason that she was an addict, but because she craved some form of stimulation when life seemed devoid of excitement. It's not often that smoking had bothered her to this extent, but there are times that she feels she could not revel in the pleasure of it's sensation.
Those times, such as now, were rare. But that just means that Olga was actively trying to bury something.
Nearing the closest bin, she dissipates the light and discards her used cigar.
The thoughts that had plague her mind was a mess as she herself could not exactly pinpoint what exactly was she trying to focus on.
Her mouth was dry. She swallowed down a gob of saliva, thinking that it would help but it didn't.
Olga realised she needed to wash down the acrid taste in her throat.
Olga was not particularly picky and since it was almost nearing closing time for most shops, she entered the first bakery she set her sights on as it was still fairly lit during that particular hour in the night.
An automated bell rang, signaling her presence in the bakery.
Instinctively, the young woman at the cashier lands her sights on her unexpected customer. She was weary of the woman with scar on her face but thought nothing of it as she didn't seem to harbour any ill-intentions.
Though what worried her was not Olga's intentions but the fact that the bakery was practically sold out from its goods.
The store had several display cases but all were emptied out. Since it was about to close soon, Olga doubt that they were going to prepare any more fresh baked goods at this point in time. That being said, she looked around the store to see if there was any bread left.
Eventually Olga came across the last piece of pastry in the display case. She doesn't hesitate to grab it for herself. She fully intended to take the last piece of her bread for herself, however, she stopped as another customer enters the store.
A man with blond hair held an air of authority around him. He wore a cream colored suit with an inner blue collared shirt. His polka dot tie and sunglasses supported on the rim of his nose was a peculiar but unique set and personal touch for the man. He too, began walking around the desolate store in search of the same endeavor as Olga.
Both Olga and the man seemed to have the same objective – getting the last piece of bread. Their eyes met, and in that moment, Olga decided to let it go. She puts back the bread, opting for a bottle of chilled water from the refrigerator display.
There were not many options but she knew that plain water was enough. She didn't need anything more than just that.
She makes a quick purchase at the cashier before heading out of the bakery.
Stepping out into the cool air of the night, she stares at the ground, her throat still dry.
The water itself was enough. It was a foolish thought that she felt the need to get the bread even though it was unnecessary.
As Olga unscrewed the cap from her bottle of water, she hears the same chime as the man exits the store. He was holding a paper bag, presumably with the last piece of bread.
"Ms, I apologize for having troubled you," The voice was deep and raspy but it was a soothing sensation for the ears.
Their eyes meet again.
Now having a closer look at the man, Olga could sift out the mix of European and Japanese descend from the features of man. His face held a stern expression despite the odd choice of sunglasses clipped onto the bridge of his nose on his face.
Olga simply tilted her head, looking boredly at the man. "I'm sorry, but I don't believe you have wronged me in any way,"
He takes out a paper bag of the bread Olga had initially wanted to purchase. "The cashier told me that you were staring at this before I came in. You seem to want this piece but then you decided not to get it,"
The scarred woman forces herself to smile at the stranger.
"I don't understand what you mean," Olga feigned ignorance. "I simply stared at it for too long. I only wanted to get water," She reassured the man.
"I insist you take the bread. I am a frequent customer at the bakery so the cashier had already set aside my usual purchases. I don't need another piece of bread when one is enough for me," He presents the paper bag to her, offering Olga to take it.
Olga did not reject the offer so she accepted his gesture.
"Thank you," she said genuinely, appreciating the unexpected kindness.
He nodded in response, giving her a small but genuine smile. "No, thank you, Ms, for your kindness. Enjoy your evening," he said before heading off into the night.
Who was the one actually being kind here?
The thought of letting him have the bread did not cross her mind. She simply forgot that she couldn't take 'more' but only take what was enough for her.
Olga takes a careful sip from the bottle of water. She watches him leave, the odd man with the odd set of sunglasses and tie was definitely someone she would remember as a passing memory.
In the dead of night, she turns her heel and strided with intent, beginning her investigation.
(A/N) DAMN, THIS STORY BLEW UP SO MUCH ON WATTPAD WHILE I WAS GONE! LIKE, WE'RE HALFWAY CLOSE TO 1K?!
THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH!
I love seeing the comments that you guys put on here and on and AO3! It was quite a delicious reward at the end of all my major exams!
I can get back to writing this fanfiction. We're going back to our usual schedule of updating every Sunday.
Also, we'll have longer chapters! (It's a good thing, right….?)
Anyways, stay tuned for more on Olga's journey!