The man aimed his gun at Izumi's head as her eyes widened, her face filled with fear.
"Your sacrifice is going to be greatly appreciated!" The man smirked as he shoved the gun up to her throat. She struggled to get free as she kicked her feet. A wave of fear and numbness washed over her body. She felt like her life was about to end.
Izumi looked over at the counter, seeing the silverware she knocked over. She opened her eyes wider as her vision began to blur.
Izumi kicked the officer in the stomach as hard as she could, But he didn't let go.
"You little asshole!" He yelled, Izumi kicked his groin as he fell over, letting her go.
Izumi quickly reached for a knife from the knocked over knife block.
The man tried to stand up, reaching for the gun he dropped.
Izumi screamed with a look of wrath on her face, running towards the man with a knife aimed out.
She stabbed him in his side as yelled, she pulled the knife out, about to stab his chest, but he pulled the gun up, hastily shooting.
BANG
The knife flew out of her hand as the bullet hit the blade.
The man gasped for air as he tried to get to her.
Izumi ran past him as he nearly caught her.
The man held his side, chasing after her as the rain started coming down hard.
Izumi ran across the street, losing her footing slightly as she slipped on the wet pavement.
She kept running as the rain poured down. The man managed to keep up somehow.
"The train to Ichibuko will arrive soon" The announcer said over the intercom.
Izumi made it to the platform, but the train wasn't there yet.
The man held himself up by the structure of the train platform.
Izumi looked frightened as he aimed his gun at her.
"You've been giving us hell for the last few months. What a fuckin' savage are you?" the officer said as he inched closer, the train just a bit away, the platform shook as a pipe stuck out from the railing next to Izumi.
"You aren't worth the life. Giving us chase. Avoiding us. Bitin' the pastor's finger off? What the fuck?" The man said as he inched closer, aiming his gun at Izumi's head.
"This will be quick, and your blood will be worth the life of a child." The man said as Izumi quickly turned, pulling the pipe out and smacking his face with it.
"Leave me the fuck alone!" Izumi yelled as she rammed the man with the pipe, pushing him against the wall. The pipe pushed through his stomach out his back. The officer coughed blood as Izumi fell down, crying.
The train arrived at the empty station, the train doors opened as she walked onto the train.
The few passengers looked at her with frightened looks as they saw the blood on her hands and clothes.
Izumi sat away from the others, looking down at her hands.
"I killed him" She said to herself quietly.
The train continued through the rain, Izumi walked out of the restroom as she washed as much blood off herself as she could.
"Excuse me, miss. Do you have a ticket?" The train attendant asked Izumi.
"Oh…" Izumi said, reaching into her pocket.
She pulled out the ticket to Amaia.
"Is there any way to transfer this?" Izumi asked, the attendant took the ticket, tsking.
"I'm sorry, but we can't transfer-" she said, seeing Izumi silently cry.
She sighed with a slight smile. "I'll see what I can do" she said, Izumi looked at her with a look of appreciation.
Izumi sat as she watched the landscape move outside the window, the rain stopped. She saw the neon lights just out of reach. "The train to Ichibuko will arrive in the next half hour." The announcer said as Izumi continued to watch out the window.
***
Izumi walked out the alleyway to the sidewalk across the church. The crickets chirped as she heard footsteps coming from the alley, she held her staff out as Koji held his hands up.
"What do you want?" Izumi asked in a stern tone, putting her staff down.
"I'm coming with you" Koji said as he walked past Izumi.
"No, you aren't." Izumi replied, "You're going to need help with this." Koji responded.
"Because I'm weak? No, I'm not letting someone else deal with this. It's been going on too long!" Izumi said as Koji crossed his arms.
"I know what you went through. It's not about if you're weak or not, It's about supporting you." Koji said as he tapped Izumi's shoulder.
"We're teammates." Koji added as Izumi looked at him with slight admiration.
"Still. I need you to stay with Rina. Those cops aren't on our side here." Izumi said as Koji looked confused.
"How do you know? What about-" Koji asked, Izumi cutting him off.
"He was new." Izumi said, "How could you tell?" Koji asked.
"The way he handled the situation was telling. Besides, I know the police around here. They are on someone's payroll." Izumi said as Koji sighed.
"Alright." He replied, "Don't get yourself killed." Koji said as he walked away.
Izumi nodded.
Izumi peaked through the windows to see if anyone was in the church. A faint light illuminated the dark nave.
Izumi saw the hand holding the candle as she looked shocked. The man holding the candle was missing a finger, she grasped her staff as she quietly entered the church.
The man stopped as Izumi tried to sneak in.
"Ah… Come back to bite more fingers off?" The pastor asked,
"Pastor Luthor. As a representative of the Ichiboku law, you are hereby under arrest." Izumi said as she held her staff out, pointing at him.
Luthor laughed. "Law? By whose ruling?? You're just a child! Besides, I have committed no crimes" Luthor smiled, Izumi losing her patience. "Crimes?? You kidnapped children, murdered innocent people. Used this church as a front for your crimes." Izumi said, slamming her staff down, hilt first.
"You groomed minors… You are part of something bigger, Something involving the Kitsune." Izumi said as she lifted her staff, standing in a fighting stance.
"I intend to find out what you did. I will make you confess before I rid you of your pathetic life!" Izumi said as she gave him an intense stare.
Luthor laughed, "You can try, but it'll be in vain." he replied, vanishing in a flash.
Izumi spun her staff, resting it under her arm as she tried to watch where he went.
Luthor appeared behind her as he grinned.
Izumi formed a cross with her index and middle fingers on both hands.
"Cursed Technique: Hell Fire!" Izumi yelled as a wall of fire formed around her
"You know the teachings of Saint Zara. But you aren't a woman of God!" Luthor said as he raised his hand, a burst of air ripped a hole in the wall of fire.
Luthor dashed towards Izumi, lifting her up and slamming her back into the ground, breaking the wood floor around her.
Izumi coughed up blood as she got lifted into the air, Luthor kicked her across the room as she slammed into the wall of the chancel.
Izumi tried to stand up as Luthor rushed her again. "Still not powerful enough to get your revenge!" Luthor yelled, Izumi used a hand sign. "Cursed Technique: Hail Fire!" Izumi yelled as Small stones of fire formed behind her, shooting towards Luthor.
Luthor put his hand up as a barrier formed in front of him. "You possess the powers gifted by God. Yet you deny him. You aren't a believer, yet you seek his guidance." Luthor said as he used the same technique as Izumi. The fire shot towards Izumi as she rolled out of the way. Hiding behind the podium.
"I believe, but I don't partake in your sick religion!" Izumi yelled, "You're a fraud!" Izumi yelled as stood up, spinning her staff and aiming it at Luthor.
"I believe in my own way! Apart from your sinful ways!" Izumi said as disappeared in a flash.
Luthor stepped back as he looked scared, Izumi appeared behind him as she formed a hand sign. "Red Sea!" she yelled as the ground between them caved in. Luthor jumped out of the way. But the ground only caved in partially, he looked up as saw the roof collapse above him.
He ran to try and dodge the debris as Izumi charged at him. She spun her staff again as she tried hitting him. He blocked as she swung.
Izumi kicked him back as he slid, standing back up and clenching his fist. Fire surrounded his hands as he threw his punches, Izumi circling him as she dodged.
"You just revealed your true identity!" Izumi yelled as she ducked his punch, she spun and kicked him again as he fell back into the pew.
Izumi walked toward him intimidatingly.
"It's over, Luthor!" Izumi said as he chuckled. "No, It isn't! You think I'm responsible for any of this? You think I'm the leader?!" Luthor asked as Izumi grew more angry.
"I will sacrifice hundreds of innocent lives in the name of Zara!" Luthor said. Izumi looked at him intensely, punching him across the face.
"You fucking brat!-" Luthor yelled as she punched him again.
She punched, and punched, and punched. Beating him senseless as she took her anger out on him.
"You won't win! You won't kill me! You're too weak, and you know you don't have the guts!" Luthor yelled, smirking. His mouth was swollen as his voice cracked.
"Shut the fuck up!" Izumi yelled as she punched him again, knocking a tooth out. He spit up blood.
His eyes and face were swollen. Izumi's knuckles bleeding and bruised.
She cried silently as Luthor looked at her with fear.
"I'll tell you anything, please!" Luthor begged as Izumi gripped his collar.
"What did you need those kids for? Why did you need their blood?" Izumi asked.
"They needed it for the rituals." Luthor said, coughing.
"What about the rituals? Who is in charge?" Izumi asked as she raised her fist.
"They're trying to revive the Demon King, Kuma!" Luthor said in fear.
"They aren't telling you everything, Your teachers are keeping secrets!" Luthor added.
"Tell me who the leader is!" Izumi yelled, "I can't. They'll kill me!" Luthor said in fear, his eyes widened.
"So will I. Now spill it!" Izumi yelled as a shadowy figure appeared in the hole of the roof.
"You don't understand. They're worse than death. If they find out, you'll suffer a worse fate than all of us!" Luthor said as Izumi lifted him up more. "You already made me suffer that." Izumi said, grinding her teeth.
"T-The teachers. They're hiding something from all of you! I don't know what, something about a ghost!" Luthor said as Izumi looked confused.
"She was related to someone they need blood from. They're trying to revive someone!" Luthor said as Ren used his shadowy arms to separate Izumi and Luthor.
"Hey!" Izumi yelled as she looked up, seeing Ren.
"Ren, thank God you're here!" Luthor said as Ren dropped down, staring at Luthor intensely.
"The boss isn't happy with you…" Ren said as he stood over him.
"I was about to bring her to you. For the sacrifice!" Luthor said as he raised his hand towards Ren's shoulder.
Ren used his shadows to form a blade, cutting off Luthor's other remaining fingers.
Luthor fell to the ground as he yelled.
"You nearly spoke his name, for that you have to pay with your life." Ren said as his shadow grabbed Luthor by the neck.
Izumi watched without pity.
"H-Help me! Please!" Luthor said as he reached out to Izumi.
Ren turned his head to face Izumi. Izumi glared at Ren.
Ren's shadow consumed Luthor, he screamed.
His body was gone in an instant.
Ren and Izumi stood there quietly as Izumi sighed.
"You're sick…" Ren said as Izumi walked away.
"How so? You murdered him, not me." Izumi said as she stopped.
"You stood by and watched it." Ren said
Izumi looked down as she sighed out of sadness.
She turned around, her eyes carrying grief.
"He deserved it…" Izumi said as Ren looked at her with intense eyes.
"I know what you went through. But do you think you can decide someone's fate like that?" Ren asked. The room fell silent.
Rina and Koji ran into the church as Rina gasped.
Ren got into a defense stance.
Rina looked up at Izumi, then looked at Ren.
"I should be the one to decide his fate, and I say he deserved it." Izumi said, walking out of the church.
Koji watched her walk by as Rina ignited flames around her hands.
Ren gave a two finger salute as he jumped through the hole in the roof, disappearing from the scene.
Rina watched as she put the flames out.
The distant sounds of sirens grew louder as Izumi stood outside the church.
***
The sirens wailed as Izumi stood on the platform.
The city lit up with neon and smoke from street vendors.
The train roared as it left the station.
Izumi walked down the steps as she put her hands in her pocket.
Izumi walked through the city as distinct announcements and ads played on screens and store speakers.
Izumi stopped at an outside restaurant as she sat at the table.
She played with her hands as steam from the kitchens grazed the neon streets.
Izumi sighed as a hooded figure walked up behind her. "You know, when word got to me and you failed to show up, I had a sneaking suspicion that you'd be here" the woman said.
Izumi quickly stood up, grabbing a plate off the table.
The woman took her hood off, looking at the plate and then Izumi with a look of worry.
"Put the plate down, Izumi." Rina said
Izumi slowly put the plate down as she looked confused.
"I heard about Ethan and Eli… I'm not here to hurt you." Rina said as she walked closer to Izumi slowly. "I'm sorry…" Rina said as Izumi fell to her knees.
"Why are they after me?" Izumi asked as Rina kneeled down and put her hand on Izumi's shoulder.
"I'll do whatever I can to make sure you're safe. I have people who will make sure you're safe." Rina said with a look of care.
***
Izumi stood outside the church as Rina walked out, standing next to Izumi.
"You almost killed him…" Rina said as Izumi leaned down.
"I was trying to find out what he knew. Who was after us." Izumi replied.
Rina scratched her head as she sighed.
"You don't trust us, do you?" Rina asked, "You're keeping things from us!" Izumi yelled.
Quietness followed, Rina stared at Izumi.
"Who is the Ghost?" Izumi asked. Rina stayed quiet.
"You question why I give no respect, and this is why!" Izumi said in an upset tone.
"I saved you when you were little. I expect you to trust me, much less have your respect." Rina replied.
Izumi crossed her arms.
"You don't want to lose your humanity… there's no turning back." Rina said, Izumi shook her head.
"You don't get to decide my measure of morality. I saved lives, and stopped him from harming others!" Izumi argued.
"You didn't have anything to go off of!" Rina yelled back.
"You don't know what he did to me!" Izumi yelled with tears in her eyes.
Rina fell silent as she looked at Izumi with a look of worry.
"He ordered Ethan and Eli to be killed. He chased after me, waiting for me to take my blood. The things he did to me…my mother…" Izumi cried, Rina walked over to her and consulated her.
The group returned to the school as Izumi and Koji walked down the hall with Rina.
"You can stay in the teachers lounge for the night. Tano and Sumi haven't returned." Rina said as she walked off.
Koji and Izumi sat on the couch across from each other as Izumi rested her head in her hands.
The room fell silent.
"You don't trust her, do you?" Koji asked.
"I don't know…" Izumi replied.
"You can't trust what that asshole said. After everything he's done…" Koji said as he leaned back, closing his eyes.
Izumi folded her hands as she leaned forward.
Rina sat in her office as Sumi walked in.
"Man, what a day…" Sumi said in a tired tone as she slumped in her chair.
Rina looked over at her as she leaned back.
"Pastor Luthor. Found to be collaborating with the Kitsune, using a church as a front."
Rina told her, Sumi groaned.
"Rina, can this wait till morning?" Sumi asked, slumped over her desk, tired.
"He kidnapped kids… he…" Rina said, having a hard time talking.
Sumi sat up, looking horrified.
"Ren killed him before we could find out more. But Izumi knows we're lying. That you're the Ghost." Rina told her.
Sumi sat back, shocked.
"What happens now?" Sumi asked.
"I think it's time to tell them… everything." Rina said with a look of concern.
Ren and Mori met up on top of a rooftop in the city, smoke from the chimneys illuminated by the neon lights.
"Orders from the boss." Mori said, skipping over to the wall. She threw a small projector down as it lit up against the wall of the brick building behind.
A small humming from the projector made its noise as a dark figure appeared.
"The time to put our plan into action is soon. Our loyal members have almost completed their survey on the list of subjects we'll need." The voice said in a distorted effect.
"The revival of our vision will soon be met. Time will be on our side." The voice said as the projection stopped.
Ren looked down as Mori poked his cheek.
"What now, handsome?" Mori asked.
"We do as he says. Let's go hunt us some demons." Ren said as he turned around, jumping off the building. A bird formed from his shadow as him and Mori flew off out of the city.