Hours later, Ryusei found himself at Mordecai's doorstep, exhaustion gnawing at his bones. Relief washed over him as he saw Mordecai waiting on the porch, a worried expression etched on his face.
But the relief was fleeting. As he approached, he saw the grim set of Mordecai's jaw and the absence of a certain shrine maiden. His heart sank into his stomach.
"Reimu?" Ryusei choked out, his voice thick with dread.
Mordecai opened his mouth to speak, but before he could get a word out, a crumpled piece of paper fluttered down from the rooftop opposite, landing at Ryusei's feet. He bent down and picked it up, his dread solidifying as he recognized the mocking scrawl.
It was a ransom note, signed by Belloq. The message was clear: deliver the Zodiac Amulet, or Reimu faces the consequences.
Ryusei's face was drained of color. He crumpled the note in his fist, his voice a low growl. "We have to get her back."
Mordecai placed a hand on his shoulder, but Ryusei met his gaze, a steely glint in his eyes. "We can't just sit here and wait for Belloq to make good on his threats," he argued, his voice tight with barely suppressed panic. "Reimu wouldn't want that."
Mordecai sighed, his grip tightening on Ryusei's shoulder. "I know she wouldn't," he conceded, his voice tinged with worry. "But rushing in blindly is going to get all of us killed. We need a plan, Ryusei. A smart one."
Ryusei understood the logic, but the thought of Reimu in danger gnawed at him. He took a deep breath, trying to force down the rising tide of panic. "You're right," he muttered, his voice hoarse. "We need a plan. But getting Reimu back has to be part of it."
Mordecai nodded, a grim determination replacing the worry on his face. "Alright. Let's get inside and figure this out. Together."
As they entered the house, they heard some rustling in the bushes causing Mordecai to throw out several stun grenades to root out the intruder. Out of the foliage came Ephialtes with a forced smile.
"Ah, Mordecai," he greeted, his voice light. "I didn't know you had a guest. I was just popping in to see if you made it back alright."
The tension in the air thickened. Mordecai's eyes narrowed, his gaze cutting through Ephialtes' facade. A beat of silence stretched between them, broken only by the distant wail of sirens.
Suddenly, Ephialtes' phone rang, shattering the stillness. He fumbled to answer it, casting a nervous glance at Mordecai, who was already reaching for his own weapon. Just as he pulled it out, Mordecai's gun was already pointed at him.
"Hand it over," ordered the gunman.
Ephialtes begrudgingly surrendered the device to Mordecai who checked the caller's id. It was Belloq. Scrolling through the rest of the contacts, Mordecai saw that Ephialtes had been in contact with Belloq ever since the hunt for the amulet began.
"So," Mordecai growled, his voice laced with deadly calm. "Care to explain?"
"Oh come on now. I just needed some money and it just happens that he pays very well. Some of us have debts to pay, don't we?" defended Ephialtes. "Besides, he's not the only one offering a great deal of money is he?"
Mordecai knew where this was going. Pushing the gunbarrel to the head of their traitor, he got ready to pull the trigger unless he got some answers.
"Alright! Alright! Your employers know where they are. They're going to Gensokyo tonight! You can let me go now, right?"
"Right," responded Mordecai. He then squeezed the trigger before putting away the gun and pulling out his phone.
"Sorry to cut my help short Ryusei but I think you know what's happened, right?"
The samurai nodded as he handed Mordecai a loaded magazine.
"Do what you must. I'll rescue Reimu," declared Ryusei.
With that, Mordecai left Ryusei alone to contemplate his next course of action.
The stench of stale sweat and mildew filled Reimu's nostrils. She lay trussed on a grimy warehouse floor, the rough concrete biting into her exposed skin. Through the haze of anger and worry, a sickeningly sweet cologne wafted over her. Belloq.
He knelt beside her, his face a mask of predatory amusement. The dim light glinted off the gold chains adorning his thick fingers. "Stubborn little shrine maiden, aren't you? Though, I suppose I can't blame you. You humans have such a curious attachment to freedom," he purred, his voice dripping with false sympathy. "Such a shame to see a delicate flower like you wilting in such a harsh environment."
Reimu strained against her bonds, a muffled growl escaping the gag.
Belloq chuckled, the sound devoid of humor. "Trying to be feisty, are we? Don't worry, your little samurai won't be able to save you this time. We'll be long gone by the time he arrives, heartbroken and defeated."
He leaned closer, his eyes glinting with a predatory gleam. "Perhaps after this little business is settled," he traced a finger down her exposed cheek, sending shivers down her spine, "you'll reconsider my offer. You'd be surprised at the life I could offer you. Power, luxury, everything your little shrine could never provide."
Reimu spat at him, a defiant glint in her eyes despite her helpless position. Belloq recoiled with a snarl, wiping the spittle from his face with a handkerchief.
"Feisty, indeed," he sneered. "But don't worry, I have ways of making even the most stubborn spirit bend."
He gestured to a hulking man standing by the door. "Get the transport ready. We move out at ten."
His gaze flicked towards the windows, a flicker of worry crossing his features.
"Ryusei will come for her, of that I have no doubt. But by then, we'll be far away. Perhaps even in a place where his precious weapons won't be of much use."
A sliver of hope pierced Reimu's fear. Ryusei knew she was taken. He was coming. Now, she just had to find a way to escape, or at least stall them long enough for him to catch up. Her mind raced, searching for a solution, a hidden weapon, anything. However, it was all fruitless.
Belloq had been careful and made sure that nothing of the sort was left out for her to use. All she could do was wait, pray, and see.