Eclipse: CH 9

Chapter 9

He doesn't know how long had he been idly standing in the same spot since he returned. The flow of time never really registers to him, never felt significant. He was out on his usual business, leaving the little priest alone, unwatched. In his defence, the priest was unconscious. Then he came back and the room is empty.

So to say it wasn't that surprising to him. It bound to happen sooner or later, considering how much control the priest manages to retain even under his influence.

But what do surprises him is how he suddenly become unable to track the other man. He knows the other couldn't have gone too far, but the fact that he can't sense the other man annoys him. Like something is blocking him off.

Glancing off to the side, casting his gaze outside the open window. Could he be there after all?

Then that'll truly be a pain in the neck. But it’ll explain why their connection is suddenly lost.

 

And what is this? He'd been steadfastly ignoring it; this strange growing feeling.

Buzzing under his skin. Ringing in his ears; reminiscent of the metallic clinking of a long trail of chain links. How unsettling.

He has a vague feeling that something inside him is becoming undone. But his control remains unwavering, and that's all that matters. He can't do anything. He made sure of that.

How long has it been? Over a year? It should be close to completion already. Then, there shouldn't be anything to worry about.

 

 

[-..Are you sure?]

 

Tch. Awake already, human? Didn't think it was possible.

 

Really. How the hell is this possible?

 

[It got pretty bright in here after a long time. What happened?]

Don't say..-

[Ah, is that so. I suppose I should thank him.]

 

To think such thing is possible. Nevertheless, the reign is still in his hand.

You still can't do anything to me, human. Stay where you are.

He had a feeling the other is looking up at him, levelling him.

 

[For now.]

 

 

*

 

 

The pause that follows is thick and heavy, like a viscous gel; suffocating. The realisation hits him like a massive wave - he did something he shouldn't, he chased after something he couldn't fight against.

"You..ran away?" From what? It was not spoken aloud but he could hear it all the same. His hands crept up to grip his shoulders.

"It was…unbearable. I tried searching for the answers and-- I went up to him; didn't know what else to do. I don't know how long did he kept me locked in. The memories, they're all hazy."

Raiga was shocked. He did suspect that something more is going on, but he didn't think that it'll be this bad. And the story doesn't end there.

"I just managed to regain enough control to escape. It was somewhere unfamiliar, so I just ran."

For him to randomly end up here by pure luck, the place itself must've been somewhere nearby. Raiga reaches out and places his hand on the other's shoulder, shaking him out of his frantic thoughts.

"That must've been horrible to you. But you managed to get out of there. It's alright now.  As long as you're here, I won't let anything get to you."

"He wasn't someone that you can hold off against!" Ryuga had wanted to ask why. Why would he go that far? They had been strangers too; and one certainly does not simply do that kind of dangerous thing. Yet Raiga only face him calmly.

"I know, but that is no excuse to not try. You needed protection, even more so you needed my help. So, I will." His words are gentle but there is a note of finality to it. He's entirely determined to do it and nothing Ryuga say would change his mind. Then, maybe it will be fine.

"Then, I'll believe in you." It's the only thing he can do right now.

"Thank you."

 

 

.

 

 

The man had fallen back asleep shortly after that; his fatigue must've been considerably bad even for himself. That, and the feeling of relief. At least he managed to get a pretty good idea of what is actually going on with that case.

He returns to his office for a while to drop the finished documents. Opening the door, he found Crow standing inside, silently reading through one of the documents left there. The faint sound of the door opening distracts him from his activity.

"You're back, Raiga-san. How is he?"

"He's recovering well. More than that, I know what happens now." Quickly crossing the short distance to his table, he took his seat. "The situation is as bad as I had expected. Or maybe worse. But now I know what to do."

"Is that so. Then that is good." Crow looks back down towards the papers in his hands. It's the reports from the west.

"You do know something about that, right?" A rare flash of uncertainty crossed his features.

"Yes, I do. And I know that this should be impossible,-" He turns the paper around, displaying the image of the weapon inquired in the report. "-Unless.."

"-Unless?"

"-He really survived that tragedy." His expression set in a grim tone, his frown deepening.

That tragedy; the sudden annihilation of the Shadow Corps. Crow had told him of it in great details, or at least, most of what he could remember of it. Then he said that he felt like there was another person that escaped, but he couldn't affirm his memory; the shock and trauma is great enough to tamper with it.

"It couldn't have been anyone else." By the end of the sentence, Crow looks up straight to him with steel in his eyes.

"You're going?"

"Yes. I know there's a lot of troubles here too, but I have to see this with my own eyes."

"It's okay, you don't have to worry about that. Go do what you feel you need to do. I will leave that matter to you."

"Thank you, Raiga-san. I will be moving out shortly." He left after giving a curt bow. Looks like the conflict he'd been rolling with is cleared up; his expression before he left had sharpened.

Guess that part of the matter is in safe hands now.

Earlier today they sent a notification to the Eastern Church telling them that one of their priests is currently residing here. A reply should come soon. That leaves the pureblood - he can't deny the possibility that the man could come looking for Ryuga, more so if he's lurking somewhere nearby. He should notify the hunters to be extra careful on their way. There's no knowing what the pureblood would do in this situation.

Glancing towards the clock ticking on the wall; it's already late in the afternoon. The sky gradually changes from afternoon blue to orange sunset hues. Suppose it's enough for today, he'll leave the rest of it for tomorrow.