Owen did a double-take. "That's not possible," he said, grimacing. "That's what you said, remember? That what happened last time was next to impossible. Beyond exceptional circumstances. Like one in a billion exceptional."
Masafumi's eyes were following a trail Owen could not see. His lips set in a flat line, he swallowed. "Exactly. Demons can't be summoned unless a) there's an authentic magic circle, and b) a powerful alchemic exchange. The second part is the big problem since Earth is no longer spiritual and that means even if you sacrifice a thousand virgins, nothing will happen. There's not enough energy for a gate between hell and Earth to be formed."
"And…?"
"The Bay, the land here I mean, is weird," Masafumi said. "It's like Chicago but for the wrong reasons. That city's issues were caused by human efforts. Decades upon decades of criminal violence and negativity. And then you-know-who appeared which brought the negative energy to a tipping point and spawned dozens of ghosts. Here, it feels more like…it's always existed."
"Right, back then…" Owen trailed off, scowling as the memories trickled in. "The ghosts we met were all that bastard's victims."
"He was doing the equivalent of a hundred serial killers in the span of a few years. He was artificially moulding the land into becoming what the Bay already is. Meaning…" Masafumi looked directly below him. "This must be a hotspot of some kind. Something must have happened a long, long time ago." His eyes were glued downwards and his expression was dead serious.
"No doubt about it?" He was a pro between the two. Owen was essentially the brawn of the operation. He wasn't stupid, just that he possessed less of a spiritual side in comparison to Masafumi and relied on his raw strength.
"I can't say for sure until I've searched the area," Masafumi clarified. "I don't think I'm wrong though. Something happened on the day of the Blue Moon and that something was already here."
"Like a demon sleeping underground?"
"Hmm…" Masafumi pursed his lips and looked around again. "No…if it was, there would be chaos. It feels more like an activated magic circle for a demon. Remember the priest we stopped?"
"The guy that almost summoned an angel?"
"Yep, it seems like the failed activation of a magic circle. Either the magic circle was wrong or there wasn't enough energy."
Masafumi, who suddenly turned to look elsewhere, showed his back to Owen. He noticed his overly upright posture and frowned. "What about your wound?"
"Meh, wound-shmound. I'm fine." Owen stared at him until he looked back. "Hey, look, I'm fine. I climbed that big ass tree, didn't I?"
"And you probably would have died if I didn't catch you."
"I wouldn't have jumped if you weren't here," he retorted. "So…I win!"
Owen ignored him and checked out the leak. "I'm going to fix this first, you just…stand around."
With a resigned sigh, Owen turned his attention back to the task at hand. He approached the area of the roof where the leak had been reported, his eyes scanning the surface for any signs of damage. Spotting a small crack in the roofing material, Owen retrieved his tools from his belt and set to work.
Masafumi loitered about with Owen needing to remind him to stay low and hidden. If the servants discovered he was here, it would be the end of their mission. First the shingles were dismantled and checked, then the applied a generous layer of caulk around the edges of the repaired area, sealing any gaps and cracks to prevent water from seeping through. It was all very technical and took a good fifteen minutes to complete.
Now, it was time to sneak in. The ladder was already set and Owen recalled a slightly ajar window at the highest floor. Owen and Masafumi climbed down the ladder till the window in question appeared. He didn't see anyone inside. Masafumi, above Owen and hanging off the ladder with one hand, was curious and asked, "We good?"
"Yep." With a deft hand and leaning forward with a balancing leg, he gently pry open the window, careful not to make too much noise. Owen slipped inside with Masafumi close behind,
The room was impeccably clean, with polished hardwood floors and pristine white walls. It bore the unmistakable traces of its former occupant, from the neatly made bed to the half-empty bookshelf lined with well-worn volumes. But there was an air of neglect hanging in the air, as if the room had been frozen in time since its owner's departure a month prior.
"It's not on the upper floor," Masafumi whispered. "I think we have to go way lower."
"I assume you've been checking this place out for a while now. Do you have a count of how many butlers there are?"
"Only four. A hot chick in a suit, one old man with a goatee, another with a beard, and the cafeteria lady."
A nod. Simple enough descriptions. Owen and Masafumi tiptoed through the immaculately clean hallways, their footsteps muffled by the plush carpeting beneath their feet. After a long, long minute of tip-toeing and walking, the hall merged out into a path to the staircase. An open area where there were chandeliers above. They were exposed yet they didn't have time. They ran down the stairs, which had another fleet parallel to it. Owen was glad they were at the left side since Senora Big had gone up the right.
Stepping into the foyer, their eyes scanned the surroundings for any signs of movement or activity. To the left was where the puddle formed from the leakage should have been. It was gone.
"Kitchen," Masafumi whispered, his eyes darting around the room. "I'm getting a vibe."
Nodding, Owen led the way for Masafumi to follow. It was a lucky gander judging by the fact that the female butler came from the opposite way. Entering the spacious kitchen, Owen and Masafumi scanned the area for any signs of disturbance. It was as silver and ridiculous as he expected. Even so, Masafumi gestured for them to go forward.
"No one is here," Masafumi mouthed. "I sense something close by…but it's lower?"
Lower? Lower where? This was just a kitchen. 'But Masafumi's instincts are never wrong. Meaning…there's something here in this kitchen. We just have to find it.'
*****
Main Character: Owen Hart (Username: Aloof_Heart)
Height: 6'0
Weight: 176 lbs
Date of Birth: January 1
MBTI: ISFJ-T
Representative Colour: Dark Blue
Favourite Food: Asado