Renewed vigor in her blood, Akane jumped up from her chair. Something deep within her still told her that she was slowly going psychic; after her conversation with Susanoo, more than ever before, but she just pushed it to the back of her mind as she grabbed her coat and headed out her door. A feeling of warmth within her chest overcame her momentarily when her nostrils were struck by the faint smell of detergent mixed with a hint of cologne.
I'm really grateful to have such a supportive mom.
She always helps me when I need her.
I just hope her actions don't stem from guilt.
I wouldn't want her to feel guilty over the past; it wasn't her fault.
Akane pushed the front door open and was hit by a surprisingly warm gust of wind. She already began to regret wearing a coat, but she had no time to change her mind, so she just continued, closing the door behind her and stepping down the dark path leading up to her house.
10th of January, 8:00 pm, Akane's house
Regardless of what it is, I should be happy.
Most people aren't as lucky as I am. Kana, for example.
Her mom is the worst.
I just wish I had known this back when I first met her; maybe I would've understood her better.
Akane's steps seemingly echoed around her as she walked through the just dimly lit streets of Setagaya. It was already dark, but most houses still had their lights turned on, so the setting was rather comforting than creepy.
Or Aqua, he lost his mom while he was a child…
No, it's more than that; it happened twice.
I couldn't imagine what it would feel like to lose a parent.
Especially like that. Ruby too, it must've been horrible for both of them…
Hmm, I wonder if Ruby was reincarnated too…
Akane continued to walk, her steps quickly echoing through the quiet neighbourhood around her. Akane's house was in a rather prestigious area of the district. The house in her vision, on the other hand, while certainly looking quite expensive too, was definitely part of a more rundown area.
…
Minutes later, she arrived, and she instantly saw why Aqua had picked this house. Sure, he couldn't have been picky about his choice, but it looked somewhat secluded, standing on quite a big plot of land.
Weird, such a big plot with an abandoned house in the middle of Tokyo?
There is definitely something fishy about this, but I can't afford to wait any longer.
Akane pushed the weird feeling in her stomach to the side as she stepped closer. She noticed only now that every window of the house was barricaded with thick wooden planks.
Okay, there is no way in hell Aqua did that.
I wonder if all of this is a part of Amaterasu's plan.
Akane walked up to the front door, placing her ear against it to listen for any noises. She remained like that for a good minute, but when she couldn't hear even the slightest sound, she pulled away. She stood for a moment, deeply breathing in and out, "Let's do this." Then she pushed down the door handle. She had already expected it to be unlocked, but getting the confirmation felt weird regardless.
A long hallway stretched out in front of her; it was void of any furniture, the only thing in it was the door connecting it to other rooms, and a disconnected lightbulb hanging from the ceiling. "Dang, why does this have to be so spooky? I can't back away now, I'm too close," she whispered under her breath.
A quiet thud, and the door was closed again. She tried to be as sneaky as possible to not alert who- or whatever might be waiting for her in one of the rooms. She went systematically through each and every one of the doors until only the one the furthest away from the front door was left. She placed her hand on the knob, not feeling ready for what she might see when she pushes further.
Okay, breathe, Akane, in and out.
Whatever is behind that door, it won't be as bad as you believe.
You already opened the rest of them.
Why do you suddenly fear continuing? It doesn't make sense, Akane.
She toyed with the handle of the door for a moment before she shook her head gently and pushed the door open.
"Damn it,"
The sight was not as she expected. "No, no, no." She had expected Aqua to be standing there, some ominous creature behind him telling him what to do, but it was nothing like that. Not a single soul besides her is in the room. "Where is he? Why isn't he here?"
She sighed; half in relief, half in disappointment. Then she stepped deeper inside, walking a few steps until she stood in the middle of the room. She looked around, but apart from a few sticks of incense lying on the ground a bit deeper inside the room, there was nothing else. That is, until she looked down.
"Ahhh," she screeched as she jumped back.
She tumbled, only stopping once her back hit the wall with a damp thud. Her heart raced as she gazed ahead onto the ground just a few meters before her. Her gaze shot to the door to the room while she made herself as small as she could, already expecting her cover to be blown, but the house remained perfectly still. After a few moments, she rose again and looked around the utter silence. She sighed before she stepped closer to the center of the room. Right there, where she stood just a moment ago, was blood; to Akane, it looked like litres of it. But it wasn't a body of it, it was deliberate, letters, words.
Some of it was still wet enough to stick to her finger when she knelt next to it to inspect it more thoroughly. "This is not good," she murmured as the strong scent of iron hit her nostrils, almost enough to make her vomit.
What is all of this? Is this Aqua's blood?
It is so much. Okay, maybe it is not so much.
Maybe it just looks that way, Kamiki bled way more.
But where is Aqua? This is still wet; he must be close.
Unless it is already too late.
No, no, no, no, no, don't think that, Akane.
You still have plenty of time to save him.
But for that… You will first need to know where he is…
10th of January, half an hour prior, Aqua's hideout
"Tera, I need to get this tape back as soon as possible," Aqua said while he paced around the dusty living room, still a little lightheaded from the blood he had used to write the letters on the ground. "God damn it… I wish I were more sentimental, then I would have lots of stuff, like Ruby does," he murmured a moment later.
Tera was standing, leaning against the wall of the room, silently listening to Aqua's rambling monologue.
"I mean, I cannot just go back there and say 'Hey, yeah, it's me again, I actually forgot my videotape, I need it to perform a ritual'..."
Suddenly, Tera spoke; his voice made Aqua stop in his tracks. He sounded as kind as ever, but also just as weird, too. "Why can't you? It's just a quick in and out, and you got the tape. Then you are finally able to fulfill your wish."
Aqua remained silent for a moment, evaluating his options. Then he spoke, "You are right. It might be risky, but I cannot just sit around and do nothing… You stay here, you must tell me when something happens."
…
Okay. I go in, grab the tape, and then I leave. Simple as that, then I finally have everything I need to do it.
Fulfilling my last great purpose, Ruby will be so happy…
And I can even help Tera out since I am the one who managed to look through the web of illusions.
I always knew my second life had a great purpose. I knew my death would not be in vain.
Aqua's nostrils were hit by the strong smell of detergent and a hint of cologne as he passed by someone. He didn't even look up from the ground, though; instead, he kept walking with his head lowered. Soon, he returned to the thoughts that the strong yet gentle odor had ripped him out of.
But I never thought that Tsukuyomi would do something like that.
She really wants to use me to gain more power?
Good thing that I got away from her before she was able to pursue her plan further…
But was she not the one who broke off contact with me?
No, I am misremembering things. I looked through her veil of deception and managed to free myself from her shackles.
…
Aqua quickened his step as he walked onto Miyako's house. While here too the surrounding houses had still been lit up, his was as dark as always.
Today must be my lucky day. It seems like Miyako and Ruby are still working.
Okay, I should be quick regardless. They could return in 2 minutes for all I know.
Aqua quickly unlocked the door and pushed it open. He hastily stepped through the dark hallway, doing his best to make as little noise as possible. The stairs to the second floor were the last obstacle between him and his room. He slowly made his way upstairs, making sure not to accidentally step onto one of the bad floorboards. A bad feeling he couldn't quite place came over him as he saw the hallway in which he had fought just one day prior. It was clean, like nothing ever happened to begin with. He kept going regardless, pushing the bad feeling to the back of his mind. The feeling only grew the closer he came to his door; it became so bad that he even thought about turning around for a second before opening it. What he expected was to find his room, dark and empty, maybe some stuff gone.
And he was partially right.
There were indeed a few of his things gone, most prominently the mysterious book. But that was not why he stood paralyzed in the doorframe, completely unable to move. His room was bright, not dark like he had expected. And it wasn't empty either, Ruby was right on his bed. She sat leaning with her back against the wall and had her knees pulled against her chest. The two of them just stared at each other in silence for what felt like minutes, both startled by the other's presence. Ruby was the first one to find her voice again. "Aqua?..." she said as she hurriedly got up, "No, no, no. That's not good, you shouldn't have come here."