Eclipse: CH 12

Chapter 12

It's been well over a week since he got to the Northern Church (by pure accident, technically). His condition has improved by a great margin since then too and he's finally back in his optimal condition, or as optimal he can get in current situation. The buzzing under his skin remains, so did the mental link. But at the very least he's in control of himself again.

Getting here and meeting Raiga had cleared up most of his dilemma - everything that is going on, why are things the way they are - he had understood them. It was definitely a lot, and he had a really hard time trying to wrap his head around them, but nevertheless they were the answers that he'd been looking for. And now he has another objective to clear.

After going over the matter for a few days straight they were able to come up with a plan. Knowing that there is still a chance to reverse the situation is really great. The man is undeniably strong, likely too strong for him or anyone to handle in their current condition. The outcome of the plan should be to suppress the dominant personality (the demon) and bring out the original consciousness. It's a race against the time and they have at most only one chance at this; they have to make it.

For the past few days he has been actively trying to find the other man via the mental link. He knows the other is there somewhere around the area, but somehow, he couldn't really pinpoint his exact location. The most obvious reason would be that he's not used to using it since it's not originally his, or otherwise something else is blocking the connection. And he probably knows what - who - is causing it, though it's likely not being done consciously.

It was the day after the initial discussion; he woke up sometime after sunrise to the background clutter of the med bay. He noticed that the window is slightly open, allowing the soft morning breeze to flow in. The next thing he notices is a person sitting in the chair next to his bed. A young woman in a black dress with the church’s silver cross embroidered across the chest. Who is she?

"Are you awake?" He was lightly startled by the sudden remark, having thought that the other was sleeping from how she appeared.

"..Yes, just now." She slowly opens her eyes to look towards him.

"I am Mayuri. Raiga had to attend a different matter, so I'm watching over you until he returns." It was straight to the point and he has nothing else to say, but what is it? Something is nagging him.

"Are you..a vampire?"

"No. At least not like the one you know. And neither am I a pureblood." Though she's definitely not a normal human, not from how she feels to him. Regardless, Raiga trusted her, so he ought to do the same.

Her presence seems to act like a jammer of sort; it's keeping him from reaching out, but at the same time it should keep that man from finding him too.

 

That explains why.

 

That and this thing growing inside of him - a steady heat that beats along with his heart, different from the one he felt that time. It didn't burn him or give him that unbearable itch deep inside him; rather it felt comforting, like a gentle hug.

(It felt like his mother.)

Turning around, he looks toward his coat, spread over the bed. It's been a while since he put it on, having been down sick for that period of time. His memories while in captivity never returned - was it erased or was he simply kept unconscious for most of it, or otherwise blocked by his brain as a self-preservation, he has no means of knowing it himself. The one who would know something is him alone.

Raiga had gone out first to intercept; he couldn't reach out through the link but the man's presence is undeniably getting closer to this place. Regardless of his motives, they can't let him step into the vicinity - him being here alone is enough of a threat.

Shrugging his coat on, he makes his way out of the med bay.

 

*

 

By the time he got to the place, it's well past sunset - typical time for the vampires to be active. From Ryuga's tireless attempts, they managed to at least narrow down the man's location to this area somewhere south of the church, situated a distance away from the town centre. Inwardly he's relieved that they’re at least away from the people. Seeing as how Ryuga just barely recovered, he opted to go out first; he might be able to buy some time.

Exhaling; he's technically hunting alone tonight. Crow had gone off to the western region in search for the missing link to his old team and to uncover the mystery revolving around them. He had Mayuri stay on the stand by nearby the area. He couldn't let her in close since she's not a combatant but there are things that only she can do in this situation.

The area is wrought in silence. Half-moon looms over them with an ominous glow. The night air is cool and somewhat damp following the late afternoon rain.

 

A sudden sound coming from behind had him turning towards it, seeing a stranger - vampire - in white, standing not too far from where he is.

"You-" Physical wise, the man was someone familiar to him. However, the same does not apply to the one residing inside.

"I believe it's the first time we met, or rather you met me. You seem to know about me."

"Of course, I do, demon. You have no place here."

"Really? Well, I'm just here to take back what's mine. You have him, don't you?"

"He - Ryuga doesn't belong to you. What more he is your mortal enemy."

"Ah, 'the blessed ones'. I know." He knows and yet he still- "That to say, you too, aren't you? You have a similar scent."

"Yeah, so? It doesn't change anything." This is getting quite dragged out. The other man looks too relaxed it's throwing him off; there's no way to correctly gauge his reactions. He needs to do something.

If his calculation is correct, the takeover period is almost complete but there's still enough window for intervention. A just enough space. The possession will eventually become permanent as the period runs out - he's hoping that somehow the original still remains there.

"-And, there's another one beside you; the one with a strange scent." He shifted slightly in alarm. He noticed? "No need to hide, I can tell." Soft rustling came from behind as the one called out decided to make themselves obvious. He glances behind towards his partner.

"Mayuri-" She simply nodded with a serious expression. It's okay.

"So it's you, the one that Pride got sealed in. The so call halfblood."

"So what?"

The man only chuckled lightly in return. "You're trying really hard, human. Just so you know, I know where he is. There's no use trying to keep him from me."

"I won't let you get to him." He charged immediately; better to strike first than be taken in surprise. He's standing close enough to catch the other before he can escape. In a flash, a silver blade materialized to intercept his own, clashing in bright sparks.

"Do you think you can take me down?"

"I have to." He shot out his hand to grab the other by his shirt collar, tugging him closer. "-Jinga! Can you hear me?"

Raiga's action took him off guard; he should've seen that coming. Like I'd-

[-..Raiga?]

"You need to get out of there!"

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Kicking you out of this body."