The Cardinal, though clearly confused by some of her explanation, nodded slowly. "I see. You've been through much... far more than I first imagined." He paused, lowering his head into a brief, silent prayer before looking back at her with newfound resolve.
"Well, seeing as time is of the matter, we must not waste a second longer. There is a place, a church—Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini—that holds the knowledge you seek. When I became a Cardinal, I gained access to certain texts that are not available to the public, stored in a hidden chamber. I believe God has brought you to me, and I will do what I can to help."
Aylin's eyes widened. "Where is this church? Can we get there in time?"
The Cardinal gave a determined nod. "It's in Rome, not far from here. We will travel there at once. The knowledge you need is kept in a sacred archive beneath the church."
Without wasting another moment, they quickly exited the church and stepped into the cool Roman evening air. The city bustled around them, but time felt like it was pressing in on them from all sides.
The Cardinal flagged down a car, motioning for Aylin and Jiang to follow. "Come quickly. We'll travel to Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini immediately."
The car ride through the winding streets of Rome was tense. Aylin stared out the window, her thoughts racing. "What exactly is hidden there?" she asked, her voice filled with urgency.
"The archive beneath the church holds texts that have been passed down for centuries," the Cardinal explained, keeping his gaze forward. "These are not texts known to the public, nor even to most of the clergy. I was granted access to them when I took my position as Cardinal. They contain knowledge of the spiritual and supernatural, and I believe they may contain the ritual you need to sever the Yokai's connection to this world."
The car pulled up to the church, its baroque structure towering over them in the dim light. Without wasting any time, the three of them exited the vehicle and entered Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini.
The grand interior was dark and quiet, with only the faint glow of candles lighting the sacred space. The Cardinal led them through the church with purpose, bypassing the public areas and heading deeper into the structure.
The grand interior was dark and quiet, with only the faint glow of candles lighting the sacred space. The Cardinal led them through the church with purpose, bypassing the public areas and heading deeper into the structure. Each step echoed softly off the stone floor, adding to the heavy silence. Aylin's eyes drifted upward, taking in the grandeur of the vaulted ceilings and the intricate artwork that adorned the walls. But what lay ahead was far from anything she had ever seen.
As they descended deeper into the church, the air grew cooler, and the faint scent of incense mixed with something else—something more ancient. The glow from the candles flickered as they passed, casting long, eerie shadows along the walls.
Suddenly, the walls began to shift, not with stone or marble, but with bones—skulls and femurs arranged in intricate, macabre patterns. Aylin stopped in her tracks, her breath catching in her throat. "What... is this place?"
Jiang, too, was silent, his small eyes widening as he took in the grotesque beauty of the bone-lined passage. The weight of the atmosphere pressed down on them, and for a moment, even the persistent sense of the Yokai watching from a distance felt far away.
The Cardinal noticed their shock, pausing briefly to explain. "This is the Capuchin Crypt—a sacred place where the bones of Capuchin friars have been arranged for centuries. It serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of life, and a reflection of our mortality."
Aylin stared, the reality of the place hitting her. The bones weren't just decoration—they were a message. "Why would they... do this?"
"The bones are arranged in these patterns as a symbol of our spiritual journey and the passage of time," the Cardinal explained, his voice soft but steady. "This is a place for contemplation. Life is temporary, but the soul, eternal."
Jiang let out a soft squawk, his unease apparent. Aylin glanced down at him, knowing that even in this place, the Yokai was still watching them, lurking just beyond reach. The oppressive atmosphere made the air feel heavier, and for a moment, she could feel the Yokai's presence just outside the boundaries of the church, waiting. Always waiting.
The Cardinal continued forward, leading them through corridors adorned with more intricate designs of human remains. As they moved deeper, the walls became more ornate, with skulls and bones arranged in arches, alcoves, and even chandeliers. The further they walked, the more unsettling the beauty of the place became.
Aylin's thoughts raced. "Why bring us here? Is this where the knowledge is kept?"
The Cardinal nodded as they approached a smaller, more secluded section of the crypt. "This is no ordinary crypt. Beneath this sacred place lies an archive, one not known to the public. The knowledge stored here has been safeguarded for centuries, and it may hold the key to what you seek."