A/N: Hey everyone! Again, I am sorry for the late updates, working two jobs have been keeping me busy and thankfully with today being New Year's Eve, I thought to publish this chapter on the last day of 2018. And so, here ya go. And also, I am going to point out some facts to prevent further complaints:
EXPLANATION: Has Basara ever faced spiritual entities such as Ganma in the past? No, he has not. He and others of the Hero clan were trained to fight demons. In other words, Basara and other Heroes like him aren't fully knowledgeable of the understanding of Ganma nature. And they have never fought ghosts like them growing up. And have demons faced them too? Specter, on the other hand, does since he fights the Ganma for the Eyecons. In conclusion, Basara may use his skills but he has never been able to fully gauge a Ganma when they are invisible as a ghost and dangerous. However, it will change later on knowing sooner or later, Specter will have to request help so there you have it. Happy?
'Thought'
"Ganma"
After the attack, Basara made sure his sisters were okay. Albeit he held bruises and cuts, it didn't bother him. His family was more important. However he got bested by the invisible entity, a sense of defeat crossed his expression. And yet, the armored one, 'Specter', actually made the dark spirit flee in defeat.
Specter was experienced in the fight against the unseen. Question is, how was Specter able to see it as clear as day while himself, Mio, and Maria was unable to?
It left him with questions but also his mind making himself focus on his mistakes on the fight. While his senses helped him, it didn't do much against the unknown entity. It was unknown, new, and dark. While he was trained to fight demons, fighting an unknown entity that is invisible and not a demon was new to him.
With that said, he explained the recent incident to his father, the one who trained him and the reason why Mio and Maria are here.
"And the spirit was unseen. I was able to harm it a few times but after that, it used its spiritual abilities and took advantage." He stated to his father over the phone.
"What changed?"
"Someone fought it, and was able to see and harm it unlike us."
"Are you sure?"
Basara nodded, "I'm sure and he called himself Specter. I never got a chance to ask him questions the moment he vanished."
There was silence. "Describe him."
"Wearing a black jacket and armor with blue markings. His chest held the symbol of an eye."
"Did you say an eye?"
"Yes, why?"
"There have been similar incidents and sightings in the past." His father told him over the phone. "Based on your description of this armored 'Specter', it is the same one sighted around the world for the past 10 years."
"Really? This Specter has been around the world for years?"
"Yes. Whoever Specter is, you probably stumbled onto something he knows about that invisible entity and the antique I own." He stated.
"So that entity is aiming for the antique?"
"Based on what you explained, yes." His father's voice was serious. "You and your sisters need to be careful. Something tells me it will come back. Is that understood?"
"Yes, of course."
The call ended, allowing Basara to set down his phone. Realizing the situation, he had to keep his father's item close. If he said is true, the entity will continuously hunt them down until it retrieves it. He had to keep his guard up from now on, especially when the entity is invisible and unseen.
And then there was the armored combatant, Specter.
He saw the way 'Specter' fight the dark entity. The speech about what he is doing, it sounds like he has been chasing after them for years. A mission to eradicate them. He has never seen or heard of Specter until his dad told him over the phone about the similar incidents across the globe.
He was chasing the dark spirits.
And it all leads here to this very city. Question is why? Is there a connection between the dark entity, Specter, and the relic his dad owns?
"Just who are you, Specter?" Basara wondered.
A Specter's Testament
Chapter 2: First Hunt! A Warlord Appears!
A new day began at the academy as the foreigner is focusing on the history class lecture, quietly taking notes on the Sengoku era.
Deep down, he is thinking about the Ganma who is currently hunting for the Eyecons. Based on its weapon, it was a Nodachi Ganma, experienced with the use of the long blade.
Perhaps it could be related to the artifact that Basara holds, which could be related to the era itself. Now that he thinks about it, the Nodachi Ganma seems to know much about the document. As if the blade the Ganma took possession of has a history...
Maybe it's related on the Eyecons. He recalled a lesson earlier from Yurusen. To make the spirit appear, he needed to find three things: The item in question, the person who holds a deep bond or connection to it, and finally the Eye Seal.
The Seal was an Art to awaken the soul, manifesting itself into a spiritual form in reality. The Ganma however, use weapons based on the era the Eyecon belongs to in order to create a link. Question is… what does that frame hold? He never got a chance to see what it was exactly, he was more focused on killing the Ganma last night.
He should keep an eye on Basara for tonight. The Ganma could attempt to take the item from him again.
The Ganma use the darkness, the night to their advantage. While in the day, they simply do the same thing: attacking, searching, and manipulating but at night? They wreak havoc. Like dark spirits, darkness makes them stronger and have more plans than in the day. He should know, he has seen what they are capable of in the night like before.
He needed to be careful this time. He won't let any innocents caught in his battles. He swore to this ever since he became Specter. And the reason why he went after the Ganma. No one would ever lose everything.
Like he did.
He still remembers that night where everything changed for him. Once he gathers fifteen Eyecons, he can finally get back what he lost. To bring back the peace he longed for.
The class bell rang, earning the students attention as well as the teacher's own. The bell was signaling the end of the first class.
"Alright students, we will continue where we left off next class. Remember to study the beginning of the Sengoku Jidai during the 15th century. You will be tested once we finish the subject of the era."
The phantom rider heard a few quiet whines. Seems a few didn't like the fact they had to take a test soon. He didn't care since he needed to ace it. That was all that matters.
With the second class in the next ten minutes, he waited as he looks at his notebook. Staring, he sees a drawing of Yurusen appear on the left page.
"Any luck?" He whispered.
"No. Based on what Sennin explained to us last night, the document Basara has clearly is of historic origin."
"Do you know to who exactly?"
"Hey, don't ask me! It isn't easy and the fact I can barely get a chance since that guy is protective of it." Yurusen crossed his arms with a slight frown.
"I don't blame him. He was attacked by a spirit he can't see." He spoke in understanding. "He is probably not gonna let anyone else take a look at it."
The spirit sighed, having to agree with the phantom rider. "I guess you're right. He can fight, but it's almost impossible to fight something you can't see."
"We'll wait till the second class is over. We can figure out what to do next."
Lunchtime….
With the lessons ending for the first half of the day, he leaves the classroom to eat lunch. Traveling downstairs to the main floor, he noticed Basara and Mio getting ready for lunch. Seems they are wary due to the attack by that Ganma yesterday. He wouldn't blame them for that. The brunette seemed more on guard than Mio who was concerned. Due to the Ganma being seen as a spiritual force, they would attack at any given moment should the opportunity arises.
"Are you going to follow him?" Yurusen asked, knowing what the young man will do.
"Basara has some kind of item that the Ganma want. Whatever it is, we can't let them take it." He stated.
He then follows Basara without being seen, hoping it will lead him to the Ganma.
Basara is currently with Mio going outside to eat their lunch for the day. While this is their time to relax, they cannot do so due to the unknown spirit's presence. While they are saved due to Specter's interference, it might attack again for the antique they have.
"Basara-niisan...are you okay?" Mio asked.
"Just keeping watch of that invisible spirit." He explained. "We never encountered anything like it before and it beat us just because we can't see it."
"At least you harmed it, right?"
"I did, but I was just lucky. We're helpless if we don't find a way to make it visible like last time." Basara frowned.
When he fought it, the damage it took allowed him to see it but then vanished immediately. The dark spirit was no demon nor was it any known race. In fact, the spirit was completely unknown, unlike the spirits a few Heroes use for their combat. It reeks of hostility and dark with the capability of physical damage.
"Did you bring the antique your dad asked to protect?"
Basara nodded, pointing at the bag he's carrying. "But I am left with questions…"
"What do you mean?"
"Specter. He mentioned that phantom rider has been seen around the world for 10 years." Basara pondered. "And based on the interaction towards the dark spirit… he's been hunting them."
"Do you think he knows more about these spirits than any of us?"
"If he can see them… then it's possible… but how can he see a spirit clearly?"
Spirits were seen as an invisible force for a reason. But to learn someone can see spirits like a human being? It was unheard of. Could Specter have been a banished Hero or was he something else entirely?
"Could it be related to the armor and belt he's wearing?" The redhead recalled Specter's armor.
"Now that you mentioned it–"
A cluster of rocks was thrown towards Basara and his sister, both using their arms to shield themselves. When the pelting stopped, Basara looks around, seeing nothing or no one.
Who would throw rocks at the two? Was it an insulting prank or–
"GUH!" Basara coughed, kneeling on the ground and clutching his stomach from the sudden, harsh blow. He nearly felt his insides caving from it from the impact.
"Onii-chan!"
Then, he felt it. There was killing intent permeating in the air. His green eyes travel around him, trying to find it. Just as he was about to close his eyes, he felt a kick to his head, creating a distance between him and his sister.
The brunette grunted before he suddenly felt his bag being tugged from his person, no doubt the invisible assailant is trying to take it away from him by force. The predicament making them realize what is happening.
"It's the spirit from yesterday!" Mio recognized.
Basara's arm was covered in armor before he swings the blade but it met the invisible spirit's own sword based on the impact that was delivered.
"Good eye. But you won't stop me." Basara noticed the silhouette of the spirit. It was the Nodachi Ganma.
The silhouette slowly vanishes, the Ganma using its spiritual abilities to take advantage. Basara grimaced, keeping his focus on his surroundings.
He closed his eyes, taking deep breaths and quickly swings the blade to his back, blocking the blade but he feels a change in the air. He quickly glides back but a lock of his hair fell to the ground at the close call. The attack would have beheaded him.
At least he knows when it attacks but it isn't enough to detect it. He felt the change of the air again, forcing him to evade once more.
"Do you seriously want to fight me?" He heard it mock.
The first year student swings his silver blade to the right but met nothing. He felt a slash from the back, forcing him to wince and horizontally swipe the sword but nothing came in contact with anything again.
A sliver of annoyance scrunched his face. The spirit was practically trying to humiliate him. Immediately, he holds the blade up, blocking the invisible nodachi. He held his ground but stumbled when the spirit's sword was no longer against his own.
That was until he felt the sudden swift push in the air. Evading with a barrel roll, he was unscathed but it served as the right chance. The blade cuts through Basara's school bag, the encased document soaring in the air. Seeing the document, Basara attempted to reach for it but he quickly dodges the invisible attack of the Ganma. He swings his weapon but only cuts through the air.
His green eyes travel across his surroundings, trying to locate the spirit. The brunette quickly spins with his sword around but nothing came in contact with the steel of his blade.
He felt a push from the front, sending him flying onto the ground. Getting up again, he looks around as Mio watches her brother fight the spirit.
The Nodachi Ganma was taunting the brunette with its attacks. It was amused to the young teen's adamant effort to strike it. Unlike Specter, the boy couldn't see it at all. Without an Eyecon, he was at a disadvantage.
"Give it up. Then again, you can't hear me or see me without an Eyecon." It sneered and was prepared for the final attack. Sheathing the weapon, it bends its knees and was preparing its ultimate attack.
"HEY, GANMA!"
It stopped itself before everyone took notice of Enrique glaring coldly at it.
"You…"
The teen's eyes were filled with cold fury as if he holds a major, murderous grudge towards the invisible entity. He was slowly approaching them as his hand brushes across his waist swiftly, blue flames igniting around it. When the flames died down, it revealed the familiar buckle they recognized, especially the Ganma.
"You… you are the damn Specter!?"
"Yes, and you're about to experience pain." He brings up the odd eyeball from before and drops it into the buckle and closes it.
EYE!
BATCHIRIMIRO! BATCHIRIMIRO!
A parka hoodie flies out of the belt and around the foreigner. He glares at the 'Ganma' and said, "Henshin…" He quickly pulls and pushes the lever, running towards the enemy.
KAIGAN! SPECTER…
READY GO, KAKUGO! DOKI DOKI GHOST!
He leaps into the air and punches it in the face, sending it reeling and hitting the tree. Unlike most spirits, it was capable of damaging its surroundings as the tree trunk carved in. The Ganma moves aside the debris, grabbing its blade and charge towards Specter with the intent to kill.
Specter evades the attack from the Ganma, before punching its body a few times and kicking it in the stomach.
With the sword in its grip, it swings the nodachi but the Rider uses his forearm to hit its wrist. The block sent anger and annoyance towards the Ganma. Its blue eyes narrow angrily before using its knee but the phantom rider uses his other arm to stop it in place. Looking at each other, they quickly shove each other back. They kept their distance looking for a chance to attack.
"Enrique-senpai… was that Specter from last night?" Basara uttered, surprised to the event that has unfolded. He didn't expect the foreign student to be the fighter who they saw last night. Let alone capable to do this.
When they first met, he didn't look like a fighter but seeing the ongoing battle, his eyes were truly deceived. As they say, 'looks can be deceiving'.
Gliding left from the incoming sword, Specter slams his fist against the Nodachi Ganma's chest, shoving him at a good distance for him. The dark spirit sees the incoming Rider, prompting it to barrel roll.
Its cyan eyes noticed the encased document, forcing it to quickly crawl to it. The second-year student prevented its progress by slamming his foot on its right leg.
The phantom rider grabs the Ganma by the ankle and pulls the spirit with force. Seeing its head, Specter punches its face, its body flipping over upon impact. Landing on its back, it rolls aside to avoid a foot to the ribs by the bastard rider.
Standing on its feet, the Nodachi uses his sword to parry the attack as well as the gunshots the rider was delivering. They continued to clash their weapons until they broke off to gain some distance.
"Why do you want to stop us from achieving our goal, Specter?!"
"To protect more lives from evil spirits like you. After what you bastards took from me, you deserve it." There was anger in the slightly distorted voice.
The dark spirits were the reason for his pain and he intends to see it through they are dead.
The Ganma growled before it glanced at the witnesses for a good moment. Its facial features move up slightly to an idea in mind. It was giving a mocking grin.
"Then let's see if you value life, Specter!" It turns around towards Mio. While she couldn't see it, she could feel the killing intent it holds.
He saw the Ganma unleash his attack at Mio, making Basara take action but what he didn't expect was Specter to get in front of them and take the attack, sparks bleeding off his armor.
"Guh…" he fell on one knee, his armor emitting smoke as if it delivered considerable damage to his body.
"Senpai!"
"Huh, is that all you got?" The Ganma mocked.
It strikes Specter across the chest, sparks bleeding off his black armor. He held back a scream of pain from its attack, the blade nearly close to cutting through his armor.
Clutching its claws, the evil spirit slams his fist against Specter's helmet. The impact sent him across the ground, his armor and coat covered in dust from the ground beneath.
As he stands up, the Ganma slashes him twice creating more spark before punching him in the stomach and kicking him away, sending him tumbling on the ground once more.
The Phantom Rider grimaced, his mind screaming at him to stand up. While his body was in pain, he did his best to ignore it. The pain was nothing compared to the pain of what they have taken from him in the past.
"Face it, Specter! You won't win this time! When you die here, I will be praised as the one able to slay the bastard who has been killing our kin!" The Ganma gloated, shoving Specter across the ground with its foot. "What can you possibly know about the value of life that is worthless?"
"What I know…." his right-hand grips the dirt. "I know life is everything! I will continue the fight to provide the peace I need. To provide a chance to take back everything I lost! To live my way of life!"
The antique suddenly glowed to his words, catching their attention.
"What the…"
"Impossible…."
Specter remembered what Sennin told him. He approaches the antique and with his hands, he begins to draw a seal over it. The seal he drew was in the shape of an eye, identical to the symbol on his chestplate.
Soon, an item comes out with wisps of purple smoke, revealing a floating parka hood that was purple in color but it held piercing violet eyes. It flies around before descending down to Specter.
"Onii-chan… are you seeing this?" Mio asked her brother.
"Yeah... a spirit just came out from that document…."
The ghost rider stares at the spirit, its eyes giving tales. "Nobunaga…."
"Nobunaga…? As in the great Daimyo?" Basara recalled the history of the man who unified Japan in the Sengoku period. He was also one of the few to have brought inspiration to some heroes. This was a discovery; the spirit of Nobunaga manifest itself to Specter. Many questions run in his mind to the possibilities of how Specter was capable of such a feat.
Specter stares before he said, "Lend me your power. To stop them from destroying the life they seek to remove! To wipe them out of existence!"
It stares before nodding and flew into his belt, a glow forming in the buckle. Specter moves his hand over to it and out came a new Eyecon. It held a purple color with the words NOBUNAGA.
"An Eyecon…" He then opened the Ghost Driver and replaced the one in his belt before closing it.
EYE!
BATCHIRIMIRO! BATCHIRIMIRO!
The flying parka jacket flew out of his belt and around Specter, the group noticing it made a pose as they swore they saw someone else in its place before Specter pushes the lever.
KAIGAN! NOBUNAGA!
WARE NO IKIZAMA! OKEHAZAMA!
The damashii placed itself onto him, donning his new form as the faceplate connected to his helmet. His faceplate held the image of two rifles in a 'X' formation and retained his two horns on his mask. The hood was also kept in place with the coat itself. He could feel the changed power coursing through him.
The Nodachi Ganma took a step back, seeing the new form. Specter got the Luminary before it could. The tables were finally turned in this fight.
"Now… I will show you my way of life," Summoning his rifle, he quickly fired as the Ganma was distracted to the situation.
The Ganma got hit by the attacks before it uses its blade to defend. It managed to block again only this time, the bullets were pushing it back.
Specter draws closer to shoot but the Ganma attempted to behead the bastard. However, the human blocked the steel blade with his gun before forcing the blade down, the barrel aimed at its face.
"Oh shi-" With the pull of a trigger, the blast sends a wave of pain to the Ganma, its sword on the ground while clutching its face in agony.
To add another form of pain, the Rider slams the gun across its cheek, pushing it away while adding more damage.
"Now it's the end for you, Ganma." He moves his gun to his belt. A small beam came out of the center of the belt and contact the weapon's eye symbol.
DAI KAIGAN!
GAN GAN MIRO! GAN GAN MIRO! GAN GAN MIRO!
Aiming, the two teens witness three rows of guns appearing behind Specter, all aimed at the Ganma.
"This is your loss." He pulls the trigger.
OMEGA SPARK!
All the guns fired at unison, unleashing a barrage of bullets. The bullets hits the Ganma multiple times, then the cloth came to life as it separates from the Ganma leaving it all exposed, sparkling energy runs through the two entities before they exploded. Two objects fell on the ground, a nodachi and an Eyecon, then the latter shattered in pieces.
Seeing it destroyed, Specter lowered his gun as he turns around to look at the two.
"Are you okay?"
"We're okay but… you?" Mio asked more than replied.
"I'm fine…" he shoulders the gun. "Just another dark spirit dealt with." He begins to walk away from them.
"Now hold on," Basara called. "Just what was that thing and why have you been chasing them? And why are you capable of seeing it when we can't?"
The Rider stopped before saying, "It is none of your business, Basara. Just stay out of this."
"Look, there may be more of those dark spirits out there."
"All I see is them needing to be eradicated by my hands." He hissed. "Now lay off." He begins his leave, not wishing to hear more questions from Basara.
He has fought these spirits for a long time. He is already aware of how many. No matter the number, he won't let a single Ganma live until they are extinct.
A puff of smoke appears next to the phantom rider, revealing Yurusen. The said spirit looking at him with a questionable look. "Is it alright to leave that Basara boy in the dark?"
"This is my mission, Yurusen. No one else has to be involved in this."
"From what I saw earlier, he can handle himself if he can see the Ganma. Surely it wouldn't hurt to have some help."
"I said I can handle it myself. I have to eliminate the Ganma."
Yurusen moves, facing Specter. "But if what Sennin said is true, then all of the Ganma will arrive at this city. Sooner or later, you'll be outnumbered."
A short pause of silence was earned from the Rider before he said, "Just leave me be, Yurusen. I already have enough to deal with…" He gently moves Yurusen aside.
The spirit sighed before following him, unseen by the two relatives.
Unknownst to them, someone else watched the entire fight with narrowed eyes aimed at Specter.
The school bell rang not too long ago as students were finally able to leave school for the day. For Enrique however, he was on the rooftop of the school, staring at the moving clouds. He was using the few minutes to relax for a moment after having to deal with the Nodachi Ganma during lunch. Craning his head down, he reaches in his pocket and withdraws the Eyecon of Nobunaga.
"1 down… 14 more to go…" He murmured, gripping the new Eyecon.
He fought for answers and vengeance towards the Ganma. Now, he found his answers. The Eyecons. The objects of souls will give him back everything the Ganma took from him with a wish.
The Ganma took away his childhood.
They took away his peace.
They took away his life the moment they showed up on that night. That very night. He won't give up on this. Not a chance. If the Ganma plan to get the Eyecons before him? They are going to regret crossing his path. His vengeance towards them will not falter. Not until they are all gone.
Taking a deep breath, he lifts his head until he noticed the door open. Taking notice, he saw someone exiting it. A girl who looks to be younger than him, wearing the female school uniform. However, her short hair was a bright blue color with eyes like amber embedded against her delicate skin. There was also a hairband on her head as well. Her eyes were staring at him.
So much for his relaxation.
Approaching him, the latter turns around. "Excuse me." She called to him. "Are you Enrique-senpai?"
"Yes." He replied. "Is there a problem?"
"Who are you?" The blunette asked, but there was a hint of demand in her voice.
"... Excuse me?" Enrique raised an eyebrow.
"Who are you?"
Enrique felt his guard raise. Could she have witnessed what happened when the Nodachi attacked? While others couldn't see it, that doesn't mean they could notice the small glimpse of its appearance whenever he hits the Ganma. Especially witnessing his transformation to fight the Nodachi.
"I'm just a normal person." He replied. "I'm sorry if there is any trouble." He was about to open the door but she stopped him from doing so with her hand.
"You're lying." She narrowed her eyes. Ever since the fight, she had to find out anything to him but all she was told he was a recent transfer student, shortly before Basara's transfer to the school. "Are you from the Hero Clan?"
Enrique stares before he held back a laugh. If Yurusen was here, he would have done the same, minus holding back the laugh. Him, being part of the Hero Clan? Might as well be honest on that question. "Sorry, but I am not." He replied. "Not like you guys."
"...Demon?"
"Again, no. As I said, I am as normal as you see." He tightens his grip on the door and moves it open albeit with force. "And next time, don't bother me when I am trying to relax, got it?"
His kind demeanor now held a cold glare, unlike his normal personality. She slowly moved her hand away as he retreats back into the halls. There was something about her upperclassman. He wasn't from the Hero Clan, he was a normal human being yet had a power that is completely unknown to anyone. It didn't make any sense. Heroes were the only ones capable of having power yet he isn't a Hero.
She had to investigate his reasons being here, especially whatever that thing was. She wasn't blind when she saw minor glimpses of the invisible monster when he damaged it. Or when a nodachi just lands on the ground out of nowhere.
With Enrique, he felt relief from not having that girl to ask any more questions. "Hey, Enrique…" Yurusen replied, appearing in a puff of smoke. "That blue-haired girl has some kind of power inside her."
"Like Basara?" He assumed.
"Their power is somewhat similar but different." He stated. "She must be Basara's friend from the Hero Clan."
"You told me of Hero Clan before… just what the heck is it exactly?"
"What I recall, it is where those like her and Basara are raised and trained to fight demons."
"So...like an extermination team?" He assumed.
"Something like that… those people stick to their ideals no matter what."
"In other words, fixated."
"Pretty much."
The phantom rider contemplated over Yurusen's explanation. There were two students who were from the Hero Clan but since they considered demons as their enemy, Basara wouldn't be around Mio. To his assumption, Basara was possibly used to be part of the Hero Clan. As for the girl with blue hair, she is cautious of him. He was not a Hero or Demon despite having power unknown to her.
It unsettled him. What is her purpose for staying in this city? And why is Mio staying with someone who should be her technical enemy? Even if they are now family, he couldn't help but wonder why. He scratched his head in irritation, everything felt confusing to him.
Something else is going on that he doesn't know about. While it doesn't involve the Ganma, who knows what will happen if they decide to question him about his powers.
He needed a moment to think about all of this once he gets back to the apartment.
Leaning against the building of the rooftop, across from the school, a young man looks down at the last of the students who were leaving school grounds after a long day.
He has short, wavy black hair that had blonde tips. He was wearing a sleeveless grey shirt over a darker grey short sleeve shirt. It was mostly hidden by the super long high-quality scarf he had wrapped around his neck, the scarf being so long that it could serve as an improper sleeve for his right arm. He wore matching baggy gray pants, along with black boots. For accessories, he tied some gray rope to serve as a wristband, along with small white feathers for earrings.
His eyes drift to each individual before he found who he was searching for. The Foreigner.
"So...Specter has arrived." He hummed with amusement. "Looks like finding the Eyecons will get more interesting."
He has heard of the Ganma being terminated by the rider for 10 years. Seems it is still ongoing and Specter finally realized what they are aiming for.
"What are your orders, Alain-sama?"
"Send in more Ganma to go after the other Eyecons. Looks like our search will become competitive." He ordered.
"As you wish."
When his guard left, the now named Alain kept his stare at the phantom rider. He reminisces of how much time past since he has last been here in the realm. The last time he last spoke to a human. "Let's see how it fares for you, old friend." He walks away, leaving behind no trace of his presence.
The phantom rider was staring at the Nobunaga Eyecon that rests on the table. After eating dinner, both he and Yurusen decided to discuss the start of their progress. That being said, the two study the object on the table. "Yurusen, what do you think?"
"Well, we sure are on the right track based on Sennin's explanation of the Eyecons." Yurusen floats around the Eyecon with an observant eye, no pun intended. "This explains a lot to why all the Ganma have been moving to this city and trashing antique shops."
"The possibility of them finding items that can connect to the historical heroes." Enrique understood. "At least we have a start in the search… Question is: What and where is the next Eyecon? And which historical figure does it involve?"
"I believe I have the answer to your question."
The teen quickly looks at the unoccupied–correction, occupied seat, finally noticing the person with them.
"Gramps?!" He gawked, surprised to the unexpected visit again. He then noticed the old man no longer wearing the tribal clothes. Instead, he was wearing a classy suit from the old era (late 1800- early 1900) as he was looking over a book with a monocle. This brought the reminder of Sennin once wearing a mailman uniform in the past. "What are you doing here?!"
"Yo, I see you have obtained a new Eyecon." The man replied. "I have got some leads that may help you find the next one."
This immediately earned the teen's attention. "What is it?"
"Ah!" He opens a book. "The next Eyecon is related to a person named Thomas Edison."
"Isn't that the inventor of the phonograph and the light bulb?" Enrique recalled.
"That is correct. As you recall, the Eyecons involve people of history." Sennin reminded.
"That explains that getup you are wearing." The phantom rider crossed his arms. He had a gut feelings Sennin would wear outfits of a certain era whenever he has to find a new Eyecon. "So all I have to do is find the Eyecon of Edison?" The sage nodded. "How will I know I am finding the right leads to it?"
The older man shrugged and said, "I don't know."
The Rider facepalms at the answer. "So I am basically going to start from square one and I have to find the clues of the object in order to get the Eyecon?" He grumbled.
"Pretty much. But you found the first one pretty quickly I'm sure it will not be a problem for you." Sennin stated. "Besides, the Ganma are also looking for the Eyecons, so any place they might attack is a possible lead."
"You have a point…" He remembered the dark spirits searching through antique shops. However, if there are people who own objects of history that are connected to the historical figures, no doubt the Ganma would divert their search to both sources.
If he goes after them, he will find the item they wanted. Follow the Ganma, and it will lead him to an Eyecon.
"Watch yourself out there. And try not to be reckless fighting them, okay?" With those words, Sennin vanished on the spot.
"Well… that's a start, right?"
"At least it's better than nothing." He replied. "We find the Ganma, we find the Eyecons. We have a plan despite how broad it is."
"And what? We just follow the crumbs?" Yurusen receives a look from Enrique. "Forget I asked."
The phantom rider shook his head before picking up the book. Observing the page, he noticed it showed a quick lesson involving Thomas Edison. Seems the book Sennin left behind explains historical figures of the past. It will be useful for future cases of the Eyecons.
Setting down the book, the teen decided to take a needed shower. Removing the clothes he wore, he twists the knob of the shower, allowing the warm water to hit his hair and skin. His dark brown eyes stare at the floor, before taking a deep breath at the memories. His fingers curled into his palms, enclosed as fists before relaxing.
What matters is what he is doing now. After getting himself cleaned up, he turns off the shower and dries himself with a towel. Putting on his sleepwear, the second-year sighed heavily.
Enrique looks at the Eyecon of Nobunaga. With one now in his possession, he has to find the rest before the Ganma does. Setting it down, he falls onto the bed and stared at the ceiling. At least now, he has a clue that will lead to the next Eyecon to fight the Ganma. He will destroy them for taking away his happiness.
He will destroy them all, or die trying to do so.
Unbeknownst to him, the moment he fell asleep, the Eyecon of Nobunaga blinked.
A/N: Well, there you have it, folks! The end of the Nobunaga chapter! To give you a heads up, the chapters will be one or two part long for each Eyecon. Next chapter will involve Edison, which is one part. As for the pairing, you may wonder? Well, the pairing is Chisato x OC! Now you know and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Don't forget to review, favorite, follow. I wish you all a good Last Day of 2018 and a Happy New Year! Stay in the shadows, everyone!