As they stepped out of the restaurant, Jiang glanced around casually, but something caught his eye. Across the street, barely visible in the distance, the Yokai was there—its shadowy form lingering, watching them from afar. His stomach tightened, but he said nothing, only quickening his pace as they made their way toward the precinct.
Aylin's footsteps echoed beside him as they moved down the bustling street. She glanced sideways, clearly picking up on Jiang's sudden shift in mood, though she remained silent. The faint buzz of the city surrounded them, but Jiang's thoughts were fixated on the figure that had watched them—its presence unsettling, though it hadn't made any move to attack.
"We should head to the first location," Jiang said, trying to keep his voice steady. His mind ran over the research he'd done, the places he believed could hold some clue to stopping the Yokai. He'd narrowed it down to three, but now his thoughts felt clouded, each step feeling heavier than the last. They needed answers, and fast.
Aylin nodded, tightening her grip on her jacket. "Which one first?"
"St. Michael's Cathedral," Jiang replied, pulling out the scrap of paper where he'd jotted down the locations. It wasn't far, just a few blocks, and the church precinct had long been abandoned, left to decay in the shadow of the city's rapid expansion. He'd read stories about it in old archives—rumors of spiritual significance, forgotten by modern society. If there was any chance they could find a shrine rod or something to reveal the Yokai, it would be there.
As they walked, Aylin's eyes drifted toward the stalls again, her curiosity about this world clear, but Jiang remained focused. He couldn't shake the feeling that the Yokai was still watching, even though it couldn't fully manifest here. Something about its absence felt wrong—like it was biding its time.
"Why St. Michael's?" Aylin asked, breaking the silence.
Jiang shifted uncomfortably, glancing at her. "It's the closest church I could think of, and… well, it's a normal church. Priests, services, nothing too weird." He tucked the piece of paper back into his pocket. "Figured someone there might have answers, maybe a cardinal if we're lucky."
Aylin raised an eyebrow. "A cardinal? What are you hoping he'll tell you? I mean, you think they're going to believe any of this?"
Jiang let out a breath, pushing his hands deeper into his jacket pockets. "I don't know, but it's not like I can Google 'how to deal with Yokai.' These guys are supposed to be experts in spiritual matters, right? If anyone can give me a clue, it's them. I need something more solid than running around blind." He shrugged. "Plus, it's not like I have other leads."
They continued walking, the city bustling around them. Aylin fell silent for a while, though Jiang could tell she was still skeptical. His own nerves were getting to him as they neared the church. What was he expecting? A priest with a holy artifact just lying around, ready to battle monsters? He shook his head, brushing the doubt away. He had to start somewhere.
The entrance to St. Michael's was plain but welcoming, its large wooden doors propped open as people came and went. The afternoon sunlight made the church look almost serene, a stark contrast to the chaos Jiang had been living through. For a brief moment, he allowed himself to believe this place might offer a sense of normalcy.
"We're just asking questions," Jiang reminded himself under his breath, glancing at Aylin before they entered.
Aylin's eyes scanned the people walking in and out, her expression tight. As they stepped through the doors, the quietness of the church seemed to make her tense up even more.
She frowned, her gaze shifting from the peaceful faces to the candles flickering near the altar. "How can they just sit there? Don't they feel it?"
Jiang shook his head, keeping his voice low. "They don't. They're not part of any of this. Whatever's out there doesn't affect them."
Aylin didn't respond immediately, her gaze lingering on the people. "It feels… strange," she muttered.
Jiang didn't push further, leading them down the aisle until he spotted a priest. The man was lighting candles near the front of the church, his robes flowing as he moved with practiced grace. Jiang took a deep breath and approached.
"Excuse me, Father," Jiang said, his voice quiet but firm.
The priest turned, his eyes warm and welcoming. "Good afternoon. How may I help you?"
Jiang hesitated for a second before speaking. "I was hoping to ask about… spiritual matters. A shrine rod, specifically. Do you know anything about those?"