Chapter 3: The Village of Elysia
The Village of Elysia was the first scene. Chuuya and Shuusei studied the documents closely. There were seven cases. And everything started with the Village of Elysia. Chuuya and Shuusei had found the first location odd compared to the remaining six new scenes. The serial deaths have to stop. They realized if this goes on, more causalities will happen.
The Village of Elysia was in the far east of Yamazaki town. Secluded by mountains and wild nature, the people of Yamazaki know nothing of the strange village. The village was once known as the Abyss of Tartarus. It was the capital of hell. It takes an hour by bus from Yamazaki mainland to the Village of Elysia. Rumors says it was a village of half-bloods. The village consists of outcasts and shunned clans. They were people of human and Infernus descent.
"Let's go, Shuusei." Chuuya's gentle voice spoke.
Shuusei nodded. If their deduction was accurate, they predicted it will reveal the mastermind behind this incident and put a stop to the serial murders. The municipal office was desperate to bow down to the external investigation organization to deal with arcanist incidents. The chief was certain that the mastermind was an ARCANA. Thus it was a reason why Chuuya and Shuusei were dispatched.
They stared at the entrance to the village. A warning sign was written in blood. The blood was centuries old, had dried and hardened on the wooden surface. Chuuya and Shuusei were veterans. A threat or two meant nothing. They were unfazed by the deadly rumours that could possibly cost them their lives. Stepping into the village, the entrance doors slammed shut. Chuuya and Shuusei stared at the doors.
Shuusei bit his tongue. "Tch. 'You'll never make it out alive' huh? What a joke. They're underestimating us."
In front of them, were residents who reside beyond the great walls of Acacia. It was impenetrable, the absolute défense of Village of Elysia. Chuuya was overwhelmed by immense presence of Etherius. He hid himself behind Shuusei. He quivered, gripping tightly onto Shuusei's sleeves. Shuusei frowned at Chuuya's behaviour. He knew when Chuuya there is a drastic change in his calm behaviour. This place was filled with Infernus manifestations.
They walked through the empty streets. Eyes were observing outsiders from within the shadows. Chuuya and Shuusei assumed they must have perceived them as humans, patiently waiting for the right opportunity. The next thing they knew, they had arrived at the foot of the ruins. They were relics of the past. The Thalia ruins. Judging by the remains and the carving left at the ruins, Chuuya was positive that this was the original motive of the perpetrator. This was a human ritual. An ancient ritual, grave taboo forbidden by the law and blasphemy of the heavens' teachings.
"You're sharp, to be able to determine the source of deaths. Who are you?" Several residents from the village had followed Chuuya and Shuusei in silence. Finally making their appearance, Chuuya and Shuusei could tell from the first glance. They truly do carry the bloodline of half-bloods. They possess features humans would call 'monster'. Crimson eyes, albino hair, claw-like fingernails, and protruding fang-like canines. A child approached Chuuya. "You look pale. Are you okay, little brother?"
Chuuya expression darkened. Little? It was true that Shuusei was a bigger built of the two. Chuuya was delicate and short for his age. He was even mistaken for a female until awhile ago when he finally developed more masculine facial features. Shuusei had teased him when he had discovered that Chuuya was unable to grow facial hair. It was hilarious. Chuuya hated being called 'little'.
The chief of the village frowned. He was the village's grand elder. "You. Those golden hair and eyes. Are you from the Hattori clan?" he questioned.
Chuuya nodded. "I'm surprised, grand elder."
The grand elder had collapsed upon confirmation of the outsider's ancestry. He had a sorrowful expression. The villagers rushed to the elder's aid. The old man's hoarse voice broke the pregnant silence. His eyes were full of regret and anguish. They were eyes of sinners.
"I'm sorry…... I'm sorry…..."
Chuuya frowned. "Old man, tell us what you know." Shuusei helped the elder onto an empty chair.
"It was my fault…. I couldn't stop him…. Exorcists…. Please, you have to exorcise him. The public persecution office will be next…." The old man muttered. Chuuya discern the harden expressions and dissatisfaction from the villagers. Even though it was a fleeting moment, nothing escapes under Chuuya's judgement. In a sense, Chuuya possess an even more observant ability than Chief Superintendent Renjo.
You will know once you climb to the top. I believe you will be able to make good use of the altar. I'll never forget you, young master of the Hattori clan.
Watching the old man retreating figure, he had encouraged Chuuya and Shuusei to find out the truth that lies beyond. Chuuya materialized his signature staff, an ancient heirloom that was passed down from generation to generation. The Staff of Asclepius. The rod was as tall as Chuuya, his people had been amazed by Chuuya's ability to manoeuvre and utilize weapons to the best of their abilities. He was a genius meister.
The circle carved on the altar glowed brightly when Chuuya's staff grazed against the floor of the barren ruins. Chuuya and Shuusei were astounded. They had assumed the ritual was no longer alive and power stored within was lost. The sight of the blinding light spoke for themselves. Even the villagers were surprised.
"Someone had been tampering with human life." Shuusei pulled out his favourite guns.
Chuuya's intimidating presence pierced through the residents' wavering resolve. They were not prepared to protect one who has walked ashtray. Chuuya intuitively realized he was the mastermind behind the recent serial deaths. This was the true identity behind the sleeping beauty syndrome. They needed to pay a visit to their old school. The mastermind was the one who inherited the purest blood of Infernus. He had made use of the ritual to his advantage.
The residents grinned, their Infernus malice were seeping from their bodies. The negative influence was so dense that even Shuusei could see without special abilities. The villagers had no intention of letting the investigators go. Shuusei finally realized the reason why Chuuya felt intensive foreboding feelings since stepping foot into the village. None of them were planning to let them live.
They had transformed to their Etherius form. Chuuya glanced at the Etheriuses calmly. "Chuuya." Shuusei warned. "Don't be reckless. There're tons of them."
"You can't defeat us! You underestimate us, human." The residents screeched.
Instead of being in distress and fright, Chuuya and Shuusei were calmly observing the scene. Their thirst for knowledge knows no bounds. And Infernus were creatures they will never forgive, much less half-bloods.
"Don't overestimate yourselves, Etherius. You should've taken your elder's advice and scatter. Baring your fangs at me will not bring a peaceful outcome." Chuuya pointed her holy staff at the villagers. "Come, if you do not fear death. I shall pierce you to death. Return to dust, Etherius."
The residents charged at the trespassers who had entered their den. This was their home. How dare exorcists kill out kin! Parts of their bodies transformed into weapons and displayed abilities inherited through their demonic blood. This was the race of Etherius. Shuusei fired bullets around the villagers. They were foolish to surround arcanist investigators in a pack. It made their work easier.
"You had your freedom taken. What are you going to do now, pawns of Lucifiel?" Chuuya smirked. The people of Elysia glared at Shuusei and Chuuya with eyes of resentment.
A bow flew past Chuuya and grazed his delicate skin. The villagers had refused to surrender. "Aim for the shorter man. He has a staff in his hands. He's that watchdog's young master! The young master is weaker than that crazy watchdog!"
Shuusei had burst in laughter. "You underestimate Chuuya." Shuusei needed no worry for Chuuya. Their puny attacks were nullified and deflected. That feat alone had been a shocking sight. He watched several of the villagers burnt to ashes. "Chuuya is much, much stronger than me."
Chuuya stepped over the ashes and was crushed under his feet. "Ah, ah. I did it again. You made me destroy public property again. How are you people going to make up to me, huh?" Chuuya dispersed his staff, and summoned his single-edged swords, Funeral Bell.
"The flames are still intense as ever, Chuuya. I haven't seen that in awhile." Shuusei retorted. "Well! Shall we get started?"
Chuuya nodded. "Are you not here to lecture me again?" Both of them activated their abilities.
"Oh, I will. After we get out of here." Shuusei's flames swallowed one-third of the enemy forces. It was a devastating sight.
"Purification." Chuuya's sword changed forms. With one swing, the enemy forces were annihilated. Only a single child was left. Shuusei released the barrier confinement. The child was too shock to react. Just like the watchdog had commented. The young master of the Hattori clan was truly stronger. With just one swing, the residents had been annihilated and exorcised. There is no way for his comrades to return to this world. Their souls were destroyed from the purification process.
Finally liberated from the pressure of the village, Chuuya and Shuusei walked the route they came from. They were the first to return from the Village of Elysia unscathed. The grand elder bowed. He was thankful for the things the exorcists had done for the village. Although they had lost great number of their comrades, it was time for the village to walk a new path. No longer bound by the negative influence of Infernus, nor taken captive by the murderous intent of their blood, the elder believed the Village of Elysia could walk a different direction from their ancestors. No, they will make sure to find a different outcome.
Chuuya and Shuusei boarded the express bus back to Yamazaki mainland in silence. They were exhausted and overwhelmed. They needed a moment of silence to digest the information they had discovered. They got off at the bus station next to Yamazaki Academy. The pair sighed heavily at the familiar sight of their old school. With the insignia engraved on their patrol hat, the guards at the entrance had no reason to stop Chuuya and Shuusei from advancing in their path. Everything about the school was a nostalgic reminiscence. They made their way to the teachers' office. There was a teacher they had to visit.
Professor Silas Meyers. He was an expert in folklore and history studies. Chuuya and Shuusei possess strong presence. Everyone had their attention landed on the pair as the pair wove their way towards Professor Meyers's office. They were Yamazaki's living legends. The dean of the faculty they used to belong found herself staring at two of her former students. She clearly remembered Chuuya and Shuusei because they were her brightest students she had ever taught.
She peered through her reading glasses to take a clearer look at Chuuya and Shuusei. "It's you two…. What are you doing here?"
"Where is Professor Meyers?" Shuusei asked. "We are here on urgent business."
The former dean sighed. "He should be where he is supposed to be. Why don't you run along now?" Chuuya and Shuusei nodded, thanked their former teacher for her advice.
It was not unusual to see people bearing the ARCANA crest asking for Professor Meyers. He was an individual with exceptional perceptive sense that allows him to conduct investigation on arcanists and Etherius from the Infernus. With his help, the municipal office have gained knowledge for offense and defense without completely relying on ARCANA experts from the Investigation Department commanded by Chief Superintendent Renjo. They were guardians who possess absolute power to protect holy land under Kuranosuke's protection.
"Come out, you fake teacher!" Shuusei kicked the door open with a loud bang. Professor Meyers was privileged to conduct his research in the dusty archives' storage room. Since his arrival, new methods and technologies had been developed to counter the Etherius. No one could refute his extreme flashy ways of combat.
Chuuya and Shuusei frowned. They heard a small groan from the other end of the room. Shuusei and Chuuya glanced at each other. He was buried under the piles of books that were fallen from the bookshelves. Shuusei squashed Meyers head onto the ground with his sturdy boots. "What are you doing, Meyers?"
"That hurts. That's so mean." Meyers retrieved himself from under the rubble of books and documents. "So, tell me. Why are my former students doing here? I don't suppose you have business with these dusty records, do you?"
Professor Meyers was a youth with pitch-black hair and black hair tied in a ponytail. His lab coat was coated with dust and filth from falling under the rubble. His features were similar to Shuusei. He was often bombarded with questions. Shuusei and Meyers could pass off as brothers. The similarity was horrifying significant. After all, no one believed it was just a coincidence. Even after eight years, his connection to the Renjo clan remain a mystery.
Chuuya had sighed, pulling out a report and pictures of the Village of Elysia. Meyers grabbed his reading glasses from the table and spread the data on an empty desk. His expression hardened, and his brows had furrowed into a frown.
"Where did you get this?" his voice broke. His hands had quivered from the astounding shock the report contained. "Answer me, Chuuya, Shuusei!"
"Well…. At the Village of Elysia, of course." Shuusei casually answered.
The colors of his expressions had changed. He had paled. Meyers had never imagined Chuuya and Shuusei would find the bravery to step into the Village of Elysia itself. It was the black hole of Yamazaki even Kuranosuke was at loss. Meyers sighed.
"What recklessness!"
"So, can you analyse the data?" Chuuya asked. "I'm afraid we don't have time. Another student will become its next victim if we do not hurry. And give us the list of counsellors and the counselling service checkout lists."
"Of course. Who do you think I am?" Meyers crackled his knuckles. "Twenty-four hours. Come back after twenty-four hours."