Chereads / Wangdao : The dark funeral / Chapter 3 - chapter 3 : A martyred society

Chapter 3 - chapter 3 : A martyred society

In the darkness of the abandoned house, the little girl's stomach begins to gurgle, revealing her hunger after the ordeals she has endured. Merphis stands up with determination and searches the dark corners of the house for supplies. By chance, he discovers some vegetables untouched by the chaos reigning outside. Wasting no time, he channels his flame powers, lighting a makeshift fire for cooking.

With skill, Merphis prepares a simple but nourishing meal, using her powers to cook vegetables in a rudimentary pot. The soft crackling of the fire accompanies the calm that reigns in the house, contrasting with the tumult of the outside world. Soon, the tantalizing smell of food filled the air, awakening the little girl's numb senses. The young girl wakes up, her large sky blue eyes open in amazement upon discovering Merphis, her savior. However, overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty, she cowers against the wall, hiding under her duvet as if it could protect her from the outside world. Merphis, understanding of her reaction, remains silent, giving the young girl time to get used to her presence. He gives her a warm, soothing smile, trying to communicate a sense of security despite the difficult circumstances. Patiently, he waits, ready to reassure her when she feels ready to talk.

The little girl, barely daring to look over her duvet, discreetly observes Merphis. Sensitive to her shyness, Merphis pretends to look away, thus giving the girl the space she needs to feel safe. Slowly, with almost palpable caution, she pulls her blanket up further and grabs the bowl of food Merphis has prepared for her.

With initial hesitation, she begins to eat, her small hands holding the bowl carefully. With each bite, a hint of confidence seems to arise in his eyes, his wariness diminishing little by little. Merphis continues to appear relaxed, giving the girl the reassurance needed to allay her fears. They share a silent moment, broken only by the gentle sound of the spoons against the bowl, symbolizing the beginnings of appeasement in the little girl's heart.

The young girl finishes eating with surprising speed, but an involuntary hiccup surprises her at the end of her meal. Blushing and embarrassed by her own voracious appetite, she instinctively hides under her duvet. A slight benevolent smile appears on Merphis' face, perfectly understanding the young girl's adorable awkwardness.

Gently, he approaches her and speaks reassuring words: "Don't worry, there's no shame in being hungry, especially after everything you've been through. Take your time, there's no shame in being hungry. 'There's no rush here.' His calming and understanding tone aims to comfort her, allowing her to feel safe even in these vulnerable moments. The young girl, encouraged by these comforting words, slowly emerges from her duvet, her gaze meeting Merphis' with a glimmer of recognition mixed with shyness. The young girl, still enveloped in the sweetness of sleep, silently gets up from the bed and walks towards the window. The silver glow of the full moon caresses her face, accentuating the natural grace of her features. In this luminous halo, his blue eyes shine with a mystical glow, reflecting the radiance of the night. She then turns to Merphis, her gaze marked with a certain shyness but also with a nascent determination. "My name is Aika," she whispers in a soft voice, letting this simple name carry the hope of a new meeting and a friendship that is forged in the darkness of uncertainty. 

Merphis, touched by the little girl's courage and strength, smiled warmly in return. "That's a lovely name, Aika," he said softly, moving closer to her. "I'm Merphis. We'll find a way out of here, in the meantime, you're safe with me."

Moonlight caresses Aika's face, revealing a glimmer of hope in her once fearful eyes. In the face of darkness in the world around them, this simple exchange of names seems to light their path, symbolizing a new connection and an opportunity to find light even in the darkest of times. Together, Merphis and Aika prepare to face the unknown, united by the bond of friendship and budding trust. 

The moment of tranquility between Merphis and Aika is abruptly interrupted by a deafening crash. A patrol of humanoid robots, equipped with resistant exoskeletons and advanced technology, breaks down the front door and enters the house. Their luminous eyes scan every corner of the room, analyzing the environment with mechanical precision. Merphis grits his teeth, aware of the imminent danger. Protecting Aika behind him, he prepares to face this new threat, determined to ensure their survival in this increasingly hostile world. Their destinies are once again put to the test, faced with a new technological and implacable obstacle. Thanks to her mysterious power, Merphis uses the art of discretion. He turns invisible with Aika, enveloping them in an imperceptible aura. Standing silently against the wall, they observe the robots which continue to scan the room, ignoring the invisible presence of the two fugitives. The lights from their luminous eyes scan the space around them, but no trace of Merphis and Aika is detected .

The already tense atmosphere becomes even more electric when, suddenly, an individual dressed in imperial attire enters the room. His presence exudes an aura of power and authority, accentuated by the falchion he carries with deadly grace. Despite his appearance, there is nothing Japanese about him; his complexion is rather pale, his jaw strong and his gray eyes determined. His gaze crosses the room, analyzing every corner with disturbing acuity. The moment is suspended, imbued with palpable tension as the invisible occupants of the room, Merphis and Aika, observe this strange individual with suspicion. A heavy silence reigns, suggesting a new mysterious element in their already tumultuous epic. 

Merphis, carefully observing Oswald Forceman, analyzes the falchion he holds in his hands with a keen gaze. The weapon's shape and Forceman's posture reveal European origins, confirming Merphis's suspicions. It recognizes the distinctive characteristics of a Western fighting style, distinct from traditional Japanese martial art.

This deduction arouses Merphis' suspicion. He realizes that they are now faced with an individual from a completely different culture, with skills and techniques that might be very different from those to which he is accustomed. This realization strengthens his resolve to protect Aika and develop a strategy to escape this complex situation. They are faced with an adversary of enigmatic origins, and Merphis knows that he will have to be even more vigilant to ensure their safety in this unexpected confrontation.

One of the robots, with its glowing eyes, activates a video transmission. On the screen, a man in military fatigues appears, greeting the mysterious man as Oswald Forceman from England's special unit. His voice is cold, revealing unquestionable authority. "What good have you discovered, Oswald Forceman?" he asks in an imperious tone. 

Oswald Forceman's words echo through the room, bringing grim news. "We found Agent Connor, horribly killed moments ago," he announces in a deep voice. This revelation leaves a heavy silence, evoking a brutal murder perpetrated by a still unknown fugitive. The tension in the room rises, adding a sense of urgency to the already critical situation , The weight of guilt weighs heavily on Merphis' shoulders. He realizes that his act of saving Aika's life has triggered a series of tragic and unpredictable events. Special Agent Connor's death is directly linked to his decision to intervene, and now he finds himself pursued not only by ruthless robots but also by a mysterious organization he knows nothing about. The situation becomes darker and more complex with each passing moment. Merphis feels a mixture of anger at himself and determination to protect Aika at all costs. He knows their escape won't be easy, but he's willing to do anything to ensure the safety of the innocent girl who is now unwillingly involved in this dangerous situation. 

The mysterious man, whose authority seems absolute, orders Oswald Forceman to find the murderer and eliminate him without hesitation. Furthermore, he emphasizes the need to put an end to any possible rebellion that could arise from this act, emphasizing the crucial importance of maintaining order as part of their plan. Oswald Forceman, faithful to his orders, accepts the mission with a determined look. The gravity of the situation is felt, revealing the complexity of the issues that Merphis and Aika now face. As the shadow of threat intensifies around them, Merphis realizes that they find themselves at the center of a much larger and sinister conflict. The video call ends, but tension lingers in the air. The robots, methodically programmed to search every corner, turn the house upside down, overturning everything in their path. However, Oswald Forceman's vigilance did not weaken. He enters the kitchen and notices signs of recent use. The sight of still-warm kitchen utensils and the remains of freshly prepared meals catches his attention. Oswald shouts for the robots to continue their search, insisting that they search even more thoroughly. He senses that they are on the right track, that the discovery of this recently used kitchen could lead them to a crucial clue. The robots resume their search with redoubled intensity, scrutinizing every clue left behind. 

Research continues furiously, with robots using all the technologies at their disposal: heat detectors, scanners and in-depth analyses. Yet despite their efforts, they find no trace of Merphis and Aika. Merphis' power of invisibility proves to be an invaluable asset, protecting them from detection, even by the most advanced technological means. Oswald Forceman, however, is not easily discouraged. Approaching the wall where Merphis stands invisible, he scans carefully, but does not perceive anything abnormal. Without realizing the presence of Merphis a few steps away from him, Oswald decides to leave the room, frustrated by their escape.

As Oswald Forceman and his robots leave the house, Merphis and Aika slowly return to their visible forms. The tension in the air begins to dissipate, but the little girl remains pressed against Merphis, still feeling the shadow of the threat hovering around them. The sound of the engine of Oswald's flying car echoes in the distance, confirming their imminent departure. Merphis gently hugs Aika, trying to reassure her. "It's over, Aika. We're safe for now," he whispers in a calm voice, trying to chase away the fear that has settled in the girl's heart. He takes one last look at the disintegrated door, aware of the danger they have just narrowly avoided. 

- Aika, after a moment of tense silence, takes a deep breath and looks at Merphis with determination. "I know exactly what organization it is," she says in a calm but confident voice.

-Merphis questions her, intrigued: "Which one, Aika? Who are they?" The young girl responds, her gaze reflecting the seriousness of the situation: "They are called the extremist organization. They are composed mainly of hitmen and foreigners. The Japanese government allowed them to operate in our territory on the condition that they help us suppress rebellions and maintaining order through fear."

- Merphis' face creases in an expression of dismay. He now understands the nature of the enemy they are dealing with, a ruthless organization willing to do anything to achieve its goals. "This is a dangerous situation, Aika. But we cannot let ourselves be intimidated. We must find a way to counter them and end their influence 

- Aika's eyes reflect sadness and anger when she talks about the extremists' organization. "They are partly responsible for the destruction of the city of Tokyo," she said, her voice trembling. "They are evil and incredibly powerful people."

- Merphis, taken aback, asks him: "How do you know all this, Aika?"

- The girl swallowed hard before answering: "Because I have already been chased by them. I have seen many innocent people being massacred or kidnapped before my eyes." His voice is tinged with the horror of these painful memories.

- Merphis, deeply troubled by this tale, cautiously asks, "Why is this organization after you, Aika? Is there a particular reason?"

- Aika shakes her head, her eyes full of incomprehension and fear. "I have no idea. I'm just a girl, I haven't done anything to deserve their attention. Maybe they see all innocent people as potential threats, I don't know."

Faced with the enigma surrounding Aika's situation, Merphis feels a mixture of compassion and determination. He knows they must find answers, not only to help Aika, but to stop the ruthless actions of this sinister organization. Together, they prepare to delve into the mysteries that surround them, ready to face the unknown and discover the truth behind the relentless pursuit. 

Merphis looks at Aika with unwavering determination in her eyes. "I promise you, Aika. I will protect you at the risk of my life. Nothing will happen to you as long as I am here," he assures in a firm voice, his promise carrying the strength of his conviction. Knowing that they can no longer stay here safely, they hurry to search the cupboards of the house in search of clothes. They find discreet outfits to blend into the crowd and avoid being recognized during their escape. By donning the clothes, Merphis and Aika transform into ordinary citizens, hiding their identities to escape unwanted attention , Hand in hand, Merphis and Aika leave the abandoned house, leaving behind the dark memories and dangers that lurked around every corner. They advance resolutely, ready to face the unknown that awaits them outside. In the darkness of the night, they walk silently, blending into the shadows, their determination guiding them. The glow of the stars is their only witness as they move away from the house, putting distance between them and the impending danger. Their journey is difficult, but the hope of a better life pushes them forward .