Putting the belt back on, Yuul rushed after the others and they all got into an elevator. Denken pressed a button and she sneaked a glance. Level 48. She bit her lip. Even though she had only visited the Institute a couple of time, she had heard the whispers. The underground section had fifty levels and the bottom five were off-limit for those without the highest clearance.
A red light flashed on the panel.
"Ah, right," Denken muttered. He patted the pockets of his waistcoat and took out a card, then pressed it to the sensor.
The light switched to green and the elevator started descending.
Yuul tried remembering what else she had heard about the bottom levels. One of them could be the rumored vault where Magi-Tech stored their prototypes, failed products, artifacts found on expeditions across the universe and only gods knew what else. Then there might be a level or two for government projects, like battle androids and the city's warding system, as well as one for testing them.
But what could be on Level 48?
"So, will you explain already why we are here?" Kotaro asked squashed at the back.
"In a minute," Denken said and typed a message on his phone. "I'm letting Yuzuki know we are on our way. She and her friend will tell you the whole story. I only know some of it."
"And this friend is the afflicted? Tormented by an artifact they found?" Yui guessed glancing at Yuul. "Or a distraught parent?"
It was an age-old story. Someone came across an item with a long and bloody history but ignored the warnings and took it home. To joyful, innocent laughs of children. The pure soul awoke the entity within the object, attracted it… Then the nightmare began.
Anyone in V-city had heard of at least one such case. Schools did their best to hammer the danger of these artifacts in the children's minds. But there would always be someone…
Kotaro huffed. "Cleaning up after ignorant fools. Don't you just love it?"
"I'd advise to reserve judgment until you know the details," Denken said.
The tone of his voice made it clear he wouldn't talk. Yuul fidgeted sensing Kotaro's displeasure. But the mood quickly changed as the elevator walls blurred and became transparent, then so did the shaft.
A cavern came into view. It was wide and deep, like a bowl, with crystals meticulously spread over its ceiling, walls and floor. They emanated a soft blue glow that reached every corner of the cavern. Revealing the patches of moss that claimed any surface it pleased, the stone houses lined up on the bottom and ledges of the walls. Railways slipped around the structures, climbed to the ledges and disappeared in tunnels leading to other parts of the underground kingdom.
But all of that was on the fringe, a respectful distance away from the colossus that stood at the center of the cavern. A pyramid of seemingly uniform design, as if carved from one giant obsidian block. Slick, polished, yet no image, no glint sullied its surface. Even those who build the pyramid didn't dare to put signs on it. And there was no need either way. The obsidian titan had long since become an emblem of its own.
And that was where the elevator was taking them, to the true Magi-Tech.
Kotaro huffed, a note of awe slipping through his voice. Yuul glanced back and saw him study the cavern, his face plain, if not for a slight curve of the brows.
"First time in the Undergleam, Kotaro-san?" Yui asked.
"No, I've hunted here… but it was in the tunnels and other caverns." Kotaro's eyes wandered over the pyramid. "Never this one."
That wasn't surprising. Undergleam was practically a city under a city, another layer of the marvel built by craftsmen from all across the universe. Railways ran through a network of tunnels and each cavern was like its own settlement. Even those living underground rarely strayed far from home. Visitors would come down to do their business, see the sights, only to quickly return to the surface, back to the warm sun and playful breeze.
But whether it was deep or surface dwellers, Magi-Tech didn't like strangers on their territory.
As if on cue, Denken said, "We make sure no one fools with dark magic around here."
Kotaro snorted. "No fooling around, only government approved experiments."
"All the research we conduct is within the bounds of the law."
"A perfect epitaph for when this whole place goes up in smoke. If I get to see it, I'll put the sign up myself. After cutting down whatever monstrosity you people end up creating."
Yui raised an eyebrow. "I didn't take you for a fan of the tabloids, Kotaro-san. Or a conspiracy theorist…"
A smile slipped on Yuul's face. This little exchange reminded her of the banter between her friends. She could practically hear Watoto's going on another crazy tangent. But then her smile withered. The atmosphere in the elevator was anything but friendly.
"This isn't a theory," Kotaro said and breathed in loudly. "This place reeks of corruption."
Denken held his stare, face just as unreadable as before. "And our research has led to a lot of good things. I'm sure you are aware of it."
Kotaro scowled and the air grew heavy. Yuul turned away. The elevator entered the pyramid and she faced solid steel again. Yui made an attempt to lighten up the mood, but nobody wanted to talk. The uneasy silence hung over their heads all the way down.
Honestly… Choco-sensei, why couldn't we have talked about it over the phone?
The elevator dinged arriving to Level 48 and the doors opened. Snapped out of her thoughts, Yuul stepped out and, out of nowhere, a young girl walked into her. There was a surprised yelp, then they both backed away, giving each other confused looks. The girl was about fifteen, tall and thin like a rake. She had long raven black hair, tied in a messy braid, and blue eyes with dark circles that could rival Yuul's.
Paying others no mind, the girl stared at Yuul. Her gaze went from the face and clothes to the old bag; a small frown turned into a scowl and she hissed, "You are the expert that woman talked about?!"
The way she said it tugged some string in Yuul. There was an echo of hope breaking into pieces. Lost for words, Yuul stood there like a deer caught in headlights.
Kotaro laughed. "Not very imposing, is she? Can't argue with that. Move, Alwright. Let the girl see the actual specialists before she lost all hope."
He nudged her with his briefcase and she stepped aside. The others walked out of the elevator. The girl's scowl softened when she saw Yui – only to deepen at Kotaro.
"A priestess, a wash out and some old man…" she muttered.
The exorcist's face darkened. "You snotnose…"
"Shinobu," Denken cut in, "you are supposed to be with your mother."
"And you need to hurry up. You already took too long getting here."
Ignoring her glare, Danken started down the corridor. "We will take even longer if you start making a scene."
Kotaro and Yui followed him, and the old exorcist scoffed as he passed the girl. She scowled, then stared at Yuul again. But, along with anger, there was also desperation. Yuul hurried off, with Shinobu snapping at her heels. A burning glare bored into her back. A prisoner escorted by a watchful guard.
And the place could very well pass for a prison. There were cameras everywhere and most of the doors they came across had electronic locks. Not to mention the magic emanating from the walls. Though Yuul didn't see any circles or inscriptions, she had enough experience to make out a particular feeling. Wards – strong, iron-clad, with a sole purpose not to let anything in. Or out.
Yui kept looking around, her nose slightly wrinkled. "I sense barriers. Layers upon layers of protection against all manners of spirits… To construct something like this… and keep it stable…"
"A work of art, isn't it?" Denken said and for the first time a semblance of a smile slipped into his voice. "In its early days, the Institute contracted priests from many prominent families to design this system. If I recall, there was someone from the Sakuras as well."
"I never heard about it…"
"Then it means they took that NDA very seriously."
Spurred by curiosity, Yuul couldn't help but mumble, "For a fifty year old enchantment, it still feels very strong. How do you maintain such a complex structure?"
"Unfortunately, that is confidential," Denken said.
Before the disappointment even got to settle in, Kotaro scoffed. "They aren't maintaining it. This magic smells old; it's been cast decades ago, one single time."
At those words, everybody stopped.
"You can actually smell magic? I thought it was just a manner of speech," Yuul said looking up at the exorcist in surprise.
He shrugged. "Demons and elemental spirits are a form of pure, concentrated magic. After spilling their blood for years, you start to pick up certain scents."
But elementals don't even have blood… Yuul wanted to argue.
Putting that aside, she considered the possibility. "If it's not maintained… then there would need to be some powerful artifact to anchor all this magic… to keep it stable and strong… and not just an enchanted gem… but something like a holy relic… or a divine…"
"That is confidential as well," Denken cut her off.
Shinobu hissed. "You didn't come here to talk about some old junk."
Yuul bit her tongue and didn't speak for the rest of the way. But in her head, questions kept piling up. Not just regarding the artifact, but also the nature of Magi-Tech research. Just what could they be studying here if they needed this kind of safety system? Demon blood? Cursed objects? Perhaps, all those conspiracy theories weren't that farfetched.
But then, if all of Institute's measures weren't enough for this mysterious problem…
Denken stopped at a door simply marked 0. He pushed it open revealing a room with a big oval table. Out of the numerous chairs, only two were occupied. There were a man and a woman debating over something in hushed, yet intense voices. But their argument immediately died.
Yuul's gaze glazed over the man and focused solely on the woman. She had long blond hair and a couple of short sharp horns. Her clothes were simple, if a bit provocative. Though for a succubus she appeared rather modest.
Yuzuki Choco beamed and Yuul found herself smiling too. For a moment, she was simply happy to see an old friend. But then Shinobu slipped past everyone and said, "Dad, look at these experts they called."
"Never judge a book by its cover, Shinobu," the man said standing up. "It might be plain or tattered, but there can still be something extraordinary hiding under it."
He looked at Yuul with a small, but welcoming smile. There was something familiar about him. Just like his daughter, he was thin and tall, with dark circles under tired blue eyes. But his hair was of rich purple color and his ears were long, not quite like an elf's, though still longer than human.
Right then, it struck her. "Issei?"
His smile grew slightly. "It's good to see again, Yuul. Though I wish it was under better circumstances."
As he was exchanging introductions with Kotaro and Yui, Yuul tried to fit in this new piece of the puzzle. Ninomae Issei, a fellow graduate of the Academy of Magical Arts. However, unlike her, he had a natural gift and had been studying magic in a fundamentally different way, under different teachers and in different parts of the Academy. Their paths would've never crossed if not for one course – the Nature and Effects of Aura.
Though those lectures hadn't been mandatory, the classroom had always been packed, with students being lured in by the charms of a certain succubus professor. Only a handful of people were passionate about the subject itself. Obsessed with all manner of energy, Yuul just had to attend. And Issei, an aspiring healer, believed the course would help him recognize afflictions better. The two bonded over this interest, as well as the different ways they practiced – or even viewed – magic.
After graduation, Yuul had joined the guild and slowly lost contact with most of her Academy friends, the few she had managed to make. Perhaps, the same would've happened with Choco if not for the contract her guild had with sensei's hospital. The Mythbreakers would get treatment there after their adventures and Choco always made sure to visit Yuul and chat. Issei would too, for as long as he worked with Choco. Yuul even got invited to his wedding.
Then Issei had moved on to another clinic, Yuul's team broke apart and she shut herself in, drifting apart from everyone.
Yuul tried remembering the last time the three of them had met. It might've been the wedding. Perhaps, there were brief moments here and there, but this memory was the most vivid one. A sunny day, with lots of flowers and smiles, like in some sappy movie.
And now her friends stood before her with dark, exhausted faces. Caught in something not even Magi-Tech could solve on its own. More so, Issei had brought his daughter here – yet his wife was nowhere to be seen.
"Issei, where is Ayako?" Yuul asked.
"Observation room 13. That's where we've been staying these past couple of days. They were kind enough to lay out futons for us. Not that we've gotten much sleep," he said with joyless smirk. "But she isn't the one who needs your help."
"Then who?"
"I'll tell, but first please take your seats. It is a long story."
"Or you could just say what we're going to fight," Kotaro grumbled. "Would save us so much time."
"There shouldn't be any fighting," Issei said quickly. "We only need your opinion…"
"Bullshit. You don't call a hunter to give you a chitchat. You want him to take down a beast."
"Kotaro-san, what we are dealing with here isn't your typical corruption or possession," Choco said. "I don't even think it's something you can fight."
Yuul looked her in the eye. "But it is dangerous, isn't it? So dangerous that Magi-tech hid it behind their best warding system constructed by the most skilled mages and priests."
"Seriously, what are we up against here? A fallen god?" Kotaro asked.
His tone was anything but serious – and yet Choco pursed her lips tightly and Issei looked away. Yui drew in a sharp breath, just as Yuul seemingly forgot how to breathe.
Pure excitement lighted up Kotaro's face. "Huh!"
Yui turned to Denken with a question in her eyes. He ruffled his beard collecting his thoughts. "This thing is beyond any dark object I've come across… But if I were to give it a category, it would without a doubt be Malefic."
Malefic. In simple words, it meant "stay the hell away". Better yet, you should make sure such objects would never be recovered. If they were in some abandoned temple in the middle of a jungle, blow it up and bury everything under the rubble. Burn all maps, collapse the bridges. And if the artifact did get out, throw it into the ocean.
Because the powers that made it were so vile it couldn't be allowed near people.
Decline, Yuul thought. I need to decline…
"Yuzuki-sensei! Come, quick!" a cry came and a man in a lab coat appeared at the door. "It started again!"
"So soon…" Choco muttered.
Issei and Shinobu pushed the man aside rushing out and Choco followed suit. Yui ran after them and so did Kotaro, his briefcase banging against every little thing. Before she knew it, Yuul was right there alongside the exorcists, not even asking herself if she should get involved. It was like an instinct.
They ran through a long winding corridor and barged into a big room. There, Shinobu stood frozen, helpless like a lost child, as she watched a man in a security uniform and a woman hold down a little girl lying on a futon. The girl's eyes were closed, but her body was shaking. The tremors were getting stronger, more violent. The woman was whispering something, maybe a prayer, eyes glinting with tears.
Two more people stood over them; they wore lab coats and their hands were glowing, magic circles appearing in the air. At a quick glance, Yuul recognized healing spells. Issei was about to cast his own, when Choco leaped past him and grabbed the girl's hand. The girl jerked one more time, then laid still. Her breathing evened as pain washed off her wax-like face. Choco grunted and swayed.
Issei caught her and kept her steady.
"I'm good, I'm good," Choco singsonged with a small smile. "It just got… a little tougher."
Yuul bit her lip. The succubi could switch negative and positive emotions in people through touch. Happiness and sadness, anger and peace. Pain and relief. But it never affected them. It shouldn't affect them.
What kind of power was involved here?
Yuul's gaze shifted to the small girl on the futon. God, how old was she? Ten? Eight? She looked so tiny… so thin. As if she was withering, colors drained from her – all but the lush rich purple of her hair.
Along with the others, she approached, subtle and solemn.
"So, this is the afflicted," Yui said as Kotaro studied the girl with a grim face.
"Yes…" Issei breathed out. "Our youngest, Ina."
The woman brushed off the girl's bangs and stroked the forehead glistening with sweat. Only now Yuul recognized Ayako, Issei's wife. Her sole focus was on the daughter, as if no one else existed.
Issei picked a bundle lying next to the little girl. "And this is what torments her," he said and removed the cloth.
It was a book. Thick, with a hard purple cover. There was a pattern of lines and circles, with something resembling an eye at the center.
"The Tome of the Ancient Ones, AO."
