Chereads / The Lockheart's Ruin / Chapter 37 - Chapter 37

Chapter 37 - Chapter 37

(As Kate drifts through Dante's mind, she begins to see flashes and glimpses of countless memories stored with Dante's head. She then finds a memory that takes place two days before the Nanbu District incident when Dante was speaking to Lenneth.)

(Flashback)

Lenneth: If you could follow me. There is something I think I will need your assistance with.

Dante: If it is yet another one of your hunts, I'm afraid that it'll have to wait. I want to know more about the Black Crow.

Lenneth: It's dealing with my daughter Eden and if I can recall correctly, once upon a time you cared deeply for her.

Dante: And despite the fact that we have history, you are aware that I haven't seen her years. Has something happened to her?

Lenneth: No, but if she continues on with her the path she has chosen, she could find herself in deep trouble.

Dante: Talk.

Lenneth: Follow me to my study. I will explain everything in detail there.

(The memory then speeds up to a few moments later when Lenneth reveals to Dante the existence of Amastu Mikaboshi and his following.)

Lenneth: The Order of Amatsu goes against this very establishment. This place, the Yatagarasu Temple was created to prevent Divine Interference. Meaning anyone who threatens to make contact with the Gods in any way must be dealt with. Since you've known me, you've probably thought that every mission that I've sent you on, every assassination were random, but I assure you they weren't. Each person that I've had you kill was either a member of the Amatsu or an Amatsu Worshiper.

Dante: So this whole time we've been fighting a secret war?

Lenneth: Indeed so. To the outside world, we are mass murderers, assassins with no remorse, but in hindsight, we are the ones who are keeping the balance. Knowing this and fighting this endless war, this is the burden of being The Black Crow.

(Immediately, after hearing this revelation Kate breaks her concentration.)

Kate: I can't believe it. She was right the whole time. She tried to warn me, to show me, but I never believed her.

Dante: What are you talking about?

Kate: Years ago, before you or Stephen was born, Lenneth and I were allies...Friends even, but there were times that she would just simply disappear for several weeks at a time. So one time I decided to follow her and I found out just what she had been doing.

Dante: She was one of her hunts.

Kate: Yes. I couldn't believe it at the time. There were so many bodies, in multiple piles. Burning buildings, homes destroyed. It was like she was death personified. And when I looked at her, for a brief period, there was a look that I'll never forget. A look of pure emptiness. It was like she wasn't even there.

Dante: I know that look. Place your hands on my head, she later explains it.

(Just as Dante says this, Late continues on with the memory.)

Flashback ensues...

Lenneth: When I was younger, my mother left me and brother with our father and never returned. She didn't say anything, she just disappeared without a trace. At the time I blame my father because I thought it was his fault, but one day he told me that I would understand. So when my brother and I were old enough we traveled out here to find her. We had heard about multiple villages and cities being wiped out so we decided to follow the destruction.

Dante: How were you sure it was your mother?

Lenneth: Because it wasn't the first time she had left cities in her wake.

Dante: Did you ever find her?

Lenneth: We did. We found her completely covered in blood, standing in a pile of all the enemies she had killed. It was at that moment I saw that look in her eyes again. There were moments when she with us, enjoying our lives together as a family, but there seconds, moments when you could see it. That dark and cold gaze in her eyes. She was completely emotionless. When she turned to us she wore the same mask that I do now.

Dante: Your mother was the Black Crow?

Lenneth: She was the original.

Flashback concludes...

Kate: She never told me about that or anything regarding her mother.

Dante: She told me that, that very gaze was passed down for generations. Even her daughter, Eden has it. She even found a way to pass it on to others. Even I have it now. At the time she told me that it helps when we would go on hunts for The Order.

Kate: Were The Order responsible for what happened in Nanbu?

Dante: You're about to find out.

(As Dante says this, they both close their eyes as Dante guides, Kate, to that fateful night in Nanbu.)

Flashback commences...

(As Dante and Eden enters the temple, they quickly notice writing all over the walls within the temple.)

Dante: This language....I've never seen it before. How about you?

Eden: I've learned many languages during my training, but I've never seen this before either. This language is definitely ancient.

Dante: Come. Let's continue on, Gaya cannot be too far. After all, it is a temple.

Eden: Just look at this place. It's completely empty.

Dante: But this writing is everywhere.

Eden: You think this is a trap?

Dante: I do. I know nothing of them. With nothing, I can't predict their patterns or even know where to start. This group has been around longer than books can tell. So if anything is for certain, this is most definitely a trap. Potentially a life-altering one. We must be on guard at all times if we hope to come out of this alive.

Eden: It's not like you to be so serious, Dante. But if you are, then that means the gravity of this threat is insurmountable. Do you think we can stop them?

Dante: Yes, but it's not likely that we will be leaving with our lives. There is an immense level of magic flowing beneath us, do you feel it?

Eden: I do, but I wasn't aware of it earlier. How long ago did you find out?

Dante: The moment we entered the forest. At that point, it was weak and I thought it was nothing. Once we arrived at the temple, I knew.

Eden: Can you sense how many people are underneath us? Your sensory skills have always been better than mine.

(Dante squats down & places his hand on the floor. As he tries to sense the enemy, his focus gets demolished as he begins to hear an imperceptible chant and along with it, is an immense wave of dark magic unseen by Dante and Eden. Subsequently, Dante is visibly shaken up upon feeling the power seeping through the cracks.)

(The Flashback continues as Kate and Dante begins to talk.)

Kate: Those etchings on the walls and on the floor...I never seen or heard of them before in any of my teaching in the magical arts when I was living in Ataria. Is this what you've been going up against this entire time?

Dante: Yes, but it gets worse. We're nearly what transpired underneath the temple.

(As Dante says this, Kate begins to see the long drawn out battle between Gaya and his forces against Dante and Eden. The flashback proceeds to show what happens next.)

Dante: Enough! I've heard all that I can from you! We're ending this now!

(As Dante says this, he and Eden both go in for an attack, but Gaya pushes them back with a force wave.)

Gaya: I must say that in this grand display, you both have impressed me, but the time for games is over.

(As Gaya says this, a black magical pentagram appears underneath Dante and Eden, making it impossible from them to move.)

Dante: Tch! Just...What is this?!? I...I can't move!

Gaya: I'm afraid that its impossible to break free. You two made sure of it as you slaughtered everyone here.

Eden: How is that possible?!?

Gaya: Sacrificial Magic. As you were killing away, I've been absorbing all of their magic and channeling it into myself creating this spell. Now for phase two. Rise, my fallen friends!

(Just as Gaya says, every single one of his forces suddenly begins to come back to life as if nothing happened. Upon seeing this, Dante & Eden are a loss for words.)

Gaya: Now then, enlighten them.

(As Gaya says this, everyone begins to chant the same imperceptible spell. This time though, as they continue to chant, the entire complexion of the room changes to a dark red glow while the magic within the well shoots out in full force breaking through the roof and into the sky. This magic along with the chant takes hold of Dante and Eden in their weakened state, putting them in a trance chanting the very same chant in a language unknown to the human tongue.)

Kate: What is he doing to you?

Dante: He was forcing chaos into us. Trying to convert us into Amastu's congregation of followers. Ever since then, that chant starts to stir up in my mind and I can not get it out!

(Just as Dante says this, the chant begins once again. However, this time it throws Kate to a distant memory. This causes both Dante and Kate to pass out.)