Chapter 27: City of the Dead
Day 9: 1600
Masako and John
Masako opened her eyes and saw John's spirit standing before her. He looked over to her and smiled.
"So this is what it feels like to astral project? I feel so light," John said looking down at himself.
Masako chuckled. "Yes, well it is your spirit. It is lighter than any gas. More buoyant than anything we know. It is powerful but fragile. We need to keep together. The deeper into the astral plane we go, the more likely the spirits and entities of this realm will use illusions to try and trick us to separate us. They are all very lonely here, and they will try to latch on to our energy." she said.
"From my studies, going into and out of Limbo requires being able to hold onto the reality of the living world. So long as we remember why we're here, we should be good," John said.
"Good, let's get moving."
They began walking in a direction, following their instincts and training. To go into Limbo requires going deep into the astral plane. Time does not flow normally as you get closer and closer to Limbo. One hour in the living world could equate to one year the deeper you go. They know this and are mentally preparing to suffer through it. They see shadows of spirits that fade in and out of their sight. At a certain point they could always see a spirit just out of the corner of their eyes, but every time they went to look, it disappeared. This was one of the many tricks. To make you walk in circles for eternity constantly questioning reality and one's sanity.
They march on, holding hands the entire time. Time begins to pass. The ever-expanse of white void not changing visually. The area is cold and empty. Still, they march on. Masako doesn't let up on John's hand the entire time. She clings close by as the maddening expanse of white surrounds them both. She saw a shadow of John now outside her periphery, but when she turned to look, he was just next to her as usual. Another trick.
"This is quite the trip," John commented.
"Yes," she replied. Her voice sounded so odd to her all of a sudden. Did it always sound so…breathy? Distorted? Distant?
"Masako…come over here Masako, I found it!" She heard John's voice so distant as she looked to where the voice was. No one was there. She kept her breathing even as they walked.
How long has it been? How far have they walked? The void is so cold and empty. Yet she feels so hot and almost feverish. Is John still with her? She looks at their hands and yes, he's still there. This is insane. Maddening. Is she still walking? She couldn't feel pain as she pinched her skin so…
"Masako!" John yelled at her, shocking her out of her trance. "Stay with me. Stay focused. We need to do this. For Oliver and Mai."
"For Oliver and Mai," she repeated. She felt more clear-headed now. "For Oliver and Mai. For Oliver and Mai. For our family."
"For our family," John repeated.
"Our family is being tortured. Held against their wills. They're in pain," she said.
"Our family has asked to come home. They've asked for our help getting them home," John said.
"Our family. Oliver and Mai. For them we travel," Masako said.
"In the name of The Lord thy God, I command: show us the gates to Limbo! For we seeketh an audience with Death!" John commanded, pulling out his crucifix.
"Spirits who roam this land, allow us entrance to the City of the Dead!" Masako commanded, opening her eyes wide and allowing her powers as a medium to flourish.
The white void began shifting and soon it melted into a dark red and black landscape. The gates on either side rise from the ground before them and stretch tall. The sound that erupted around them can only be described as bones grinding, cracking, and snapping as they rose from below. Finally, it stopped and the gate began to open. Once opened, the two walked forward.
"For Oliver and Mai," Masako said.
"For our family," John said.
They stepped forward. Ahead of them was…an apparition? A spirit? A construct?
"Helllloooo young onesss," the apparition spoke. The voice had no tone and every tone. It had a voice that sounded otherworldly. Terrifying and yet quite calming. They could tell that this being was powerful, and yet, exuded a sense of calm and understanding.
"Greetings," Masako said bowing respectfully.
"Whaaaaat brings you twooo here on thisssss journey?" it asked.
"We seek an audience with Death; the guardian of the souls in Limbo," John said honestly.
"You alllllready have it," it said.
"You're Death?" Masako asked.
"Indeed I aaaam young Medium," it drawled.
"You…are not quite what I was expecting to see," John said.
"The noble young priesssst. I can take whaaaatever forrrrm I wisssh," Death shifted from a human, to a wolf, and to creatures neither Masako nor John recognized as being of this Earth. "For I am everything," Death shifted to a ball of light. "For I am everywhere," Death shifted into a cloud of space dust. "For I am at every tiiiime. There is always…death. From the smallest of creaturesss," Death shifted into the form of a mouse and a cat creeping nearby. "To the death of even the graaand Universe…" Death shifted into a visual of a star going supernova and then fading from existence. "I am theeere to reap it."
Masako and John were stunned and silent. Unsure of what to say after that amazing spectacle. This certainly was Death itself. And yet, a feeling of calm certainty overwhelmed them. They were not afraid, because they knew more than others would, that Death does come for them all. For some, it is a terrifying concept, but for others, they know when it is their time to go. Masako and John know this idea well; they've invested their lives in this.
"Nowwww. Whaaat brings you two befoooore me? Whyyyy do you seek my audience? And be truthful aaand loyal in what you say…forrrr you cannnnot trick Death. You cannnnnot escape Death. For Death will know."
Masako held her resolve. She and John both knew what they were there for. "Our family. Two of our own were taken from us. Those who are sworn to defend and help have abandoned them and abandoned us. They are hurt. They are suffering. We need to get them back home safely. We can't do it alone though. Our family is not big enough or strong enough," she said.
"Aaaand whom do you speak of?" Death asked.
"Oliver Davis and Mai Taniyama," John replied.
"Aaahhh. I know them wellll. For I have visited them recentlyyy. Ollliver was first. Theeen most recently Maaai. Theeey both have seeen me. It isss not their tiiiime to go," Death said wistfully. "But what do you intend to dooo?"
"We wish to take 200 souls from Limbo and have them fight with us. Souls who have died failing to protect their loved ones. Souls who regret leaving their children in danger or too early. Then, when we win and rescue our family, our other family members can help them pass on to their final afterlife," Masako replied. Honesty and sincerity in her voice.
"We are a family of exorcists and we've helped many spirits pass on peacefully. We know we can help them as well," John added.
The sounds of multiple metaphors filled the air. Crackling bones, waves crashing harshly on a shore, an eruption of a volcano, gurgling noises of an abyss, screeches of creatures not of their time, and what can only be described as the noise heard at the event horizon of a black hole. This was the sound of Death laughing.
"I haven't haaaad such a goooood laugh in eons! Two huuumans. It would be twooo humans that would give me such a feeling. Yoooour honesty, yooour love, yoooour perseverance have left the impression you wish to make. Very well. You willll have your sooouls. You will have your army," Death said.
Masako and John looked at each other in amazement and happiness.
"But ooonly if you meeeet my demaaaands."
They stopped and looked at Death. "Your demands?" John asked.
"These sooouls are miiine to oversee and protect. Many of theeem have diiiied and were sent heeere due to the wicked tongue of mankind. Theeey don't take kindly to flattery and false promises. You two must recruit your army yourselves without being able to speak to them. Iiiiif your mission is true, if your misssion is pure, iiifff you wish to recruit your army, you must be able to do so without using the tongue of Man," Death explained. "If you caaaan express your mission without language toooo even one soul and they accept, both of your voices will be restored. For they will all know your purpose."
John and Masako looked at each other. They've come this far, they'll hold true to the end.
"We'll do it!" They both said simultaneously.
"I knew you two would. Weeeelcome to the City of the Deeead." As Death raised its form open and expansive, a city that stretched onwards and onwards was revealed.
The both of them marched onwards.
-o-
An expansion of time and space drove on as they traveled. Still, they did not let go of each other. They quickly realized just how powerful Death's demands truly were. Not only could they not speak, they could not use hand gestures to speak, they could not write, they could not use any form of communication.
Masako and John however were quick to understand each other. Through looks, pointing, and sensing each other's auras, they were able to communicate the basics. Time moves differently in Limbo. As John had said, an hour in the real world is a year in Limbo. To make eternity pass a little bit faster. But to Masako and John, minutes were days and they traveled for years.
Up and down houses and buildings and roads and rooftops they traveled. Unable to speak. The spirits they met were scared of their presence. They tried to communicate a sense of calm and project their mission, but none of it seemed to work. After three years of searching Masako and John were tired. They did not let go of each other. Not being able to speak drove them both to insanity by year five. John would often kneel down to pray with his crucifix in one hand and Masako's hand in the other. Masako would daze in and out of consciousness randomly which almost led to them both falling off a tall building neither of them remember even climbing.
Still, they marched on. For Oliver and Mai. For their family.
By the seventh year, they had grown accustomed to the buildings, roads, and spirits of Limbo. It was all so sad seeing so many spirits in search of their lost lives. Their regrets were so strong that they drifted on in agony forever. It was heart-wrenching. Masako cried, and John in his dazed state kissed her lips softly and wiped away her tears. Still, they did not let go of each other.
By the tenth year, Masako was feeling defeated and John was close to that himself. They stopped and sat down in front of a building. They hugged each other and cried together. Sorrow and agony ebbed off of them. They've searched and searched and searched Limbo for ten years trying to find a single soul that would talk to them. None of them would. They felt like they would never know the feeling of home ever again.
"Darling! I found them!" A male voice called.
They both looked up and saw a couple of souls making their way over to them. They both sat up and looked imploringly at the souls. They were an adult male and an adult female. The male had short-cut brown hair and broad shoulders. He had a plain but kind face. The woman had short brown hair that waved down past her ears. She was petite with gentle hands and even more gentle eyes. They kneeled in front of them and smiled. After no contact for ten years, this was a shock.
"I've felt both of your spirit's agony for years," the woman said. "We've been searching for you two for so long now."
John and Masako looked at each other in shock and amazement. Then they looked back at the spirits.
"I am Miiko, and this is my husband, Tanaka," the woman said, "I was formally in life a spiritual medium and Tanaka was a clairvoyant telepath. From the moment you two arrived we've sensed your need and desperation. It's been most difficult to find you two."
"We go around and calm the spirits when they need it most. But we've never felt the agony and desperation that you two have. You two also seem to have…a feeling of familiarity. We've never met you, and yet something feels…familial." Tanaka said. Masako and John started crying and feeling overwhelmed by gratitude.
"Oh, what is the problem young ones? You seem so lost. You and your partner here are together. There is no need to cry, little ones," Miiko said, bringing them both in for a hug. A hug that filled them with a mother's warmth. Masako and John fell into her arms and embraced her. "Now tell us, what ails you two?" John shook his head and pointed to Masako's and his throat and mouth.
"You two can't speak? Or communicate?" Tanaka asked. They looked at him in shock. Tanaka chuckled, "I'm a telepath remember? I can read your thoughts as clearly as anything."
John and Masako looked at each other in an excitement they hadn't felt in over ten years. Masako and John pointed to their heads.
'Can you hear us?' They thought.
"Why yes I can you two!" Tanaka said happily. They both started crying and holding each other. Finally! Finally! At long last.
'We're on a mission. For our family. They've been taken, hurt, tortured, and only we, their family, can save them. We need an army of the dead. Around 200 souls, to help us rescue them,' Masako thought desperately.
"Miiko, they're on a mission. To save their family from being tortured," Tanaka said.
"I can feel it. I can feel their resolve and desperation. They have so much love in them," Miiko said.
'We can help those souls who help us pass on,' John thought. 'Souls who will help us in rescuing lives, souls who have died trying but failing to save their loved ones. We can help them fulfill their regrets. We can exercise them and send them to the final afterlife.'
"They say that they are looking for souls who can help rescue loved ones. Souls who live in regret failing to save their loved ones. They can send them to their final afterlife," Tanaka reiterates.
'Will you help us?' They asked.
"They want to know if we'll help them," Tanaka said.
"Of course! I can feel it. I can feel their determination. They tell the truth. They've searched for ten years for this moment. We will help," Miiko said.
The feelings of chains around their voices and thoughts were broken and Masako and John took a shuddering gasp. "Thank you!" Masako sobbed.
"Thank you both. By the grace of God thank you both!" John sobbed.
"Yes! They can speak now! Tell me who are these family members you intend to rescue?" Miiko asked.
"Oliver Davis and Mai Taniyama," they both said.
Tanaka's and Miiko's eyes went wide. "You…you two know Mai Taniyama? Brown hair, brown eyes, smile to melt hearts?" Miiko asked.
"Yes, how do you two know her?" Masako asked.
"She's our daughter!" Miiko cried.
Masako and John looked at each other in shock and awe. "You are Mai's parents?!" John asked.
"Yes, we both died at different times in her life, and…we're here because we both regret leaving her alone in the world. Our poor Mai. Our little golden light," Miiko was now sobbing.
"I'll share with you two our memories of her to prove it," Tanaka insisted.
He opened his mind to the two of them and projected his thoughts. Memories of Mai when she was a baby and singing a special lullaby when she was upset or scared played. She never had to wait long to get what she needed due to having a telepath for a father. To her being 3 years old when he died. Miiko's memories of raising Mai alone for many years played out. Masako recognized the old house key she used as a good luck charm. Taking care of her until her untimely death so early in her life.
"You…really are her parents!" John cried.
"You two," Tanaka said desperately. "You said she and this Oliver person are being tortured? They've been taken?!"
"Yes, that's why we are here. We need to help save them!" Masako said.
"Show me. Show me what you know. Both of you," Tanaka said.
They both opened up their minds and showed them everything they knew of Mai and Oliver. From meeting them to solving cases, to her and Oliver's growing relationship. Masako losing hope in Urado's mansion and Mai using astral projection and clairvoyance to give her the key to her old house to remind her she was still alive. Oliver using his PK to destroy a god statue that nearly killed him because Mai provoked him.
Then to finding out they were kidnapped, searching for them, meeting the doctor, seeing the videos of their torture and watching them struggle to stay alive. Their little daughter, screaming in agony at the hands of these yakuza and Akio and Alaina. Oliver, fighting with everything he has to keep her alive and safe.
Tanaka gasped and held his head. "Tanaka darling, what did you see?" Miiko implored, holding her husband close to her.
"Mai, our little golden light. These people are part of her new family! They're a family of ghost hunters, exorcists, and spiritualists. Mai has developed our powers and abilities. But Mai…oh Mai! She's been tortured. She and her love Oliver, have both been tortured. And these two. These two have traveled through Limbo for ten years to find help to rescue them," Tanaka said. He was shaking.
"Show me!" Miiko demanded. Tanaka shared his thoughts with her. She gasped, started crying, took a deep breath in, and let out an inhuman cry that rattled the City of the Dead. Spirits came out of the buildings and began to encircle them. A never-ending wave of ghosts and spirits who heard a mother's cry and call for action came instantly.
"Everyone!" Miiko shouted, "Listen to them! They have a cause that is close to our hearts. Close to our souls! Our child, and her love, need to be rescued and saved. The forces that have taken them are strong, but these two souls will guide us! We will destroy all who stand in our way! Once this is over, we will all pass on to the final afterlife! My brothers, my sisters, my friends. We shall go back to the living world and fulfill our regrets!"
Cries of the undead came through loudly. The city of Limbo came alive in triumphant justice. Masako and John looked at each other and looked at Tanaka and Miiko. They did it. They actually did it! They've got their army, led by none other than Mai's own parents! Masako and John hugged each other so tightly.
"John, thank you! Thank you! I couldn't have done this without you!" Masako cried.
"Don't discredit yourself, Masako. You did great getting us here. You are incredible!" John complimented.
Miiko and Tanaka came up to them. "When do we leave?" Miiko asked.
A bright portal opened up in front of them. It shimmered in beautiful ethereal light. "I think that's our way out, my love," Tanaka said.
"Yes, let's go!" Masako cried.
-o-
Chapter 28 is now up on ! Come check it out now and the first week is free. TheCreativityGoddess