Purified Souls Ch.13 Downfall....

''Good morning. I'm Estelle. After what old man Gensei told us before, we went back to the bookstore to prepare for our journey. Apparently, finding Kokoro Cave will take a full day, so we had to both leave early & camp there as well....

Luckily, my parents taught me camping basics. The next day after we met Gensei, me and Marisa left for Kokoro Cave. Meanwhile....''

Rintarou said upset, ''Agh.... Thankfully, that-wound she gave me healed.... But I lost a fraction of that energy I collected! -How could she still be such a challenge?! What is-That Lumia girl?!

Hmm....'' Rintarou thought, I will have to think of-some other way to gain the power I need for my goals! ....How can I collect more? . . . . . . . .

Voice inside Rintarou's mind, ''Do you want more power? ..I can give you more.''

Rintarou replied in his mind, ''Yes! I want more. I desire more! (Evil chuckle)''

Narrator said, ''Meanwhile, with Estelle....''

Estelle thought, On the way to this cave, me and Marisa didn't encounter any trouble. We had to walk past a few other small villages. Some of which, Marisa said she recognizes for some reason....

Then we made it to the forest where this cave is supposedly somewhere deep inside....

Marisa said with realization, ''-I recognize this forest! I think, -this is where..I was born!'' Estelle asked, ''Truly? This forest? You were born in a place like this?''

Marisa replied, ''Yes. I can't....agh....forget how lonely....this forest..felt....'' Estelle started looking around lost in thought....

Marisa asked, ''Wait. Is..that it over there? The cave..with the water in front?''

Estelle replied looking at the scroll, ''Hmm.... According to the scroll...., this must be it. We are really deep in this forest after all....'' Marisa replied, ''Wowwww....''

Estelle thought, There we saw a cave leading down, with a shallow stream of water surrounding it's entrance. After looking at it, we noticed that there was a couple stones to walk on like a bridge....

We went inside....

Marisa asked, ''So, this..is it?''

Estelle thought, After a minute of walking in, we were following the stream inside.... Ahead, it split into two streams going left and right. Between the streams was the cave going further in. We walked ahead.

Marisa said, ''Hm? What's all this?'' Estelle said looking around, ''I'm....not..sure....?''

Estelle thought, After we walked into this long tunnel past the split streams, the cave further ahead was a round-ish room with a shallow pond. Their was no further to go.

Marisa asked, ''What..do..we do? There is nowhere else....to go....?''

Estelle said while examining the pond, ''I don't think there is anything else here....''

Estelle thought, After we started standing next to each other looking around, suddenly we both heard a 'Click!' sound, then under us, 2 trapdoors opened and separated us as we fell down!

Marisa yelled falling, ''Est-elle!'' Estelle yelled, ''Ma-risa!!''

Estelle reacted after hitting solid ground, ''Ugh!! . . . . . . . .Hm? . . . . . . . . Where....am...I?''

Estelle thought, When I got up, I saw that I was in a misty room with Crystal Mirrors on every side. It was as big as my room. I saw no way out....

Estelle reacted, ''Huh? What's happening?''

Estelle thought, Then some of the mist around me moved to the mirror in front of me, and formed into a male I didn't recognize....

I saw a old male with silver shoulder-length flowing hair and silver headband. He had a grim facial expression. He wore an olive green sleeveless vest, black trousers, black samurai chest plate, and had big arm muscles.

Estelle asked, ''Who....are....you?''

Muscular male in the mirror said with a echo, ''I'm Hector Lumia. I know who you are....'' Estelle gasped.

Hector said with conviction, ''You're Estelle Lumia, My granddaughter who I never met.'' Estelle asked in shock, ''You're....my grandfather?''

Hector explained, ''I knew my son had a daughter, but I never went to meet you face-to-face. I'm sorry. I had my own agenda.''

Estelle asked with realization, ''Wait! My father told me that you left before I was born....and never came back! If....you're here? Doesn't that mean....that..you're dead?''

Hector replied, ''Yes. I died some time ago. I don't remember how. However, we don't have time. There is something I wish to tell you.''

Estelle said, ''Alright. What is it, you wish to say?''

Narrator said, ''Meanwhile.... somewhere else.''

Marisa said after hitting solid ground as well, ''Argh! . . . . . . . .Hm? . . . . Where....is..this? . . . .What am..I doing..here? (Ah) -I fell on my broken arm....(Oww....) . . . .Where's....Estelle? (Gasps) Es-telle!? Est-elle?!''

Marisa thought, When I took notice of my surroundings. I looked around and saw that I was in a small misty room surrounded by crystal mirrors. It's....too..cramped in..here....

Marisa asked looking afraid, ''Where....am....I? . . . .Ahh!''

Marisa thought, When not knowing what to do, I saw that some of the mist surrounding myself, starting to form a person in the mirror.... What..is this?

Marisa asked confused, ''Wait.... Es..telle....?''

Marisa thought, The mist..took shape..to form Estelle.... I..don't..understand what's happening.... I took note of her appearance.... Everything seemed to be....correct....

Mirror Estelle said, ''Marisa. I wanted to talk to you.''

Marisa asked, ''What?''

Mirror Estelle said, ''I know what's deep in your heart. I know what is it you fear most of all.'' Marisa asked in fear, ''What....are you..talking about?''

Mirror Estelle said, ''Think about it. Since you've been born, your afraid of someone being scared of what you are. -A demon girl!''

Marisa asked afraid, ''What....are....you..saying?'' Mirror Estelle said, ''Your afraid of people being terrified of your appearance. -Of them telling you to 'Get Lost!'

Marisa replied terrified, ''I'm-not! -That's not me!'' Mirror Estelle said, ''Look at yourself. Your a demon, and I know your starting to care for Estelle. When I fainted, you looked like you were actually worried for her. Don't-lie!''

Marisa said with a tear, ''I....didn't..worry..for..you.... I....didn't..worry....'' Mirror Estelle said, ''Your lying. I know you were.''

Marisa thought while afraid, ''Estelle? ..What's....wrong....with..you?''

Narrator said, ''At the same time, with my daughter and father's spirit....''

Hector started explaining, ''I wanted to tell you. Since I died, I saw fragments of your days since my son and my daughter-in law died. I know what you are. I saw my old friend explaining things to you.''

Estelle asked curiously, ''You have?''

Hector explained, ''I also know the identity of the spirit who killed your parents are.'' Estelle asked in surprise, ''Please! Tell me!''

Hector said, ''He's my deceased brother, Rintarou Lumia.''

Estelle asked in complete shock, ''. . . .Wha? . .are you..saying?''

Hector confirmed, ''Yes. You indeed heard me right.''

Estelle asked withdrawn, ''The....one....that..killed them, ..is....related...to....us?'' Hector said, ''I'm sorry. But it is indeed my brother. Even in death, he can't let what happened, go.''

Estelle said still in shock, ''So, ..my parents..were killed....by....my.... grandfather's brother....?'' Hector said, ''Sorry, but we don't have much time. I'll show you through my memories what went so wrong.... Here.''

Estelle thought, In that moment, the mist surrounding me started swirling around my body and I started seeing his memories play out. Hm? Who is that down there?

Old Priest said with conviction, ''(Cough! Cough!) ....My..sons.... Soon, my time will be up. I don't think my body can handle my powers of the Priest, much longer. (Cough!)'' Teen Hector and Rintarou yelled, ''Father!''

Priest Father said, ''I've had these strange abilities since I was born. (Wheezes) Though I don't know why I was born with this abilities, God has told me to make sure that they are passed on to one of my sons with a pure heart who won't use them for his own benefit.

When man has great power, it should be used to better this world.'' Teen Hector and Rintarou said, ''Right.'' Hector said, ''Father? Your sure, that your time is almost up?''

Priest Father said wheezing, ''Listen closely, and you can hear my cogs slowly dying.... I love both my sons, and I will announce my decision soon, who will-(Cough! Hack!)-inherit my holy abilities.... My sons.... -Dismissed!''

Estelle thought, ''That....must have been....their father.... I must be seeing..quite a long time ago.... Hmm....

Rintarou said with little care in his tone, ''Father's dying soon. How-terrible....(Hm-hm-mm!)'' Hector asked, ''You..don't seemed..too concerned about his approaching passing....''

Rintarou said trying to hide his smirk, ''I am.... I..am..just thinking, about what I'll do, when he's not in this world anymore.... Father always taught us..that everything passes eventually. This is just another fate of life....''

Hector said not convinced, ''Right. We are brothers, but we must move forward by our own paths.''

Rintarou said, ''I'll be going back to my quarters now. Let's wait for father's decision.'' Hector said, ''Alright. I'll be in my quarters deciding as well.'' Rintarou said with a curious smirk, ''Bye-bye.''

Hector thought, ''It..concerns me, ..that he doesn't seem to worried.... My instinct....tells me, that something is..off....about him.... Hmm''

Narrator said, ''A few days later....''

Rintarou thought, ''Father asked us to meet again. I wonder if that means he..decided? (Smirk) I deserve his abilities.... I doubt he would pass it on..to my weak brother....''

Priest Father said, ''My..sons.... I have..made..my..decision.... The gods have spoken to me.... I weighed my judgement of your hearts.... I have decided....that Hector shall inherit my powers.... (Cough!)''

Rintarou's mind, ''What?!?! He....didn't..choose me?! How....can..this be?! I deserve it! I deserve father's great power!!''

Estelle watching, ''(Gasps)''

Priest Father said, ''The gods explained to me, that when I pass on, it's my choice who I will my abilities to. That is all. (Mumbles under breath) I need to go lay down in my quarters.''

Hector said under his breath, ''Father. I shall take your word and accept it.'' Hector said to shocked Rintarou, ''Brother. I need to prepare. See you soon.''

Rintarou was thinking, ''Brother! You don't deserve his powers! It should have been me! (Furious) Wait! That's it! (Evil laugh) I know what to do....!''

Narrator said, ''That night....''

Hector's consciousness explained to Estelle, ''I didn't know it at the time, but my brother was secretly envious that he wasn't going to inherit father's abilities. That night changed everything. Keep watching.''

Hector thought, I was sleeping in my room. Suddenly, I could feel murderous intent heading toward my room. I quickly woke up, grabbed my clawed gauntlets and hid by the wall.

My brother opened the doors, walking towards my bed with his dual swords. When he noticed I wasn't there, I tried to ambush him and knock him down. He blocked me with his swords.

Rintarou asked with anger, ''Brother! Why aren't you asleep?! Argh!'' Hector asked, ''What are you doing?!'' Rintarou said with a crazy laugh, ''I've had enough of being in your shadow! I deserve father's power! --Not you!''

Hector asked, ''-Your trying to kill your own brother?!'' Rintarou replied, ''-Father made the wrong choice! I will correct it!'' Hector said, ''Brother! -Your out of your mind!! Please, -I don't want to hurt you!''

Rintarou yelled with a crazy smile, ''Too bad! I must kill you! It's the only way!!''

Hector explained to Estelle, ''After a while, our fight moved outside away from father's property. We eventually ended up fighting on a bridge in front of that waterfall.''

Estelle reacted, ''He....tried....to..kill..his..own..brother..for-power!?''

Hector yelled half-exhausted, ''BROTHER!!!! I don't want to kill you! We need to stop this!!''

Hector thought, Deep inside. I probably knew that the only way to end this, was....to kill my own brother. ....He wasn't going to change....

Rintarou yelled, ''Shut UP!! I will get my revenge for -you messing with my goals! (War Cry)''

Hector thought, That's it. He's too far gone. Brother....? Your heart has been corrupted.... . . . . . . . .Farewell....my..brother.....

In that moment, I sliced through his heart, with a tear running down my face....

Rintarou said coughing up blood, ''Darn....you...bro....ther....(Faints)''

Hector explained to Estelle, ''That night, I grieved thinking of others ways this could have been avoided. Rintarou was too far gone. He wanted power to much.''

Estelle said shocked, ''You....killed....him? You killed....your..only....brother?''

Hector explained to Estelle, ''I..had no choice.... He....would have..killed me.... The next day, Father had a ceremony for his son, mourning his downfall.... A few nights later, father passed away as well....

After father passed, I indeed inherited his abilities. I moved on and traveled for a while around the world, deciding my own path in life....''

Estelle thought, in that instance, his memories stopped showing me anything else....

Hector said, ''That's what I wanted to show you. That is who was trying to kill you and killed my son....''

Estelle said still in shock, ''Oh my goddess.... How sad....''

Hector explained, ''Sometime after his death, Rintarou couldn't accept his death and is feeding of negative feelings of, fear, hate, and jealously everywhere. He's been doing that since his death decades ago....

Just a few months ago, he realized that his brother had a family and was trying to use his new powers to end every one of the Lumia's. Your all that's left. Please, stop my brother.''

Estelle asked in fear, ''How....can..I?''

Hector said, ''Agh! My time is up! Listen closely! Train your true powers inherited from your mother! That's the only way to stop my brother's plans! Train yourself fiercely!''

Estelle yelled, ''Wait! Don't leave yet! Wait!'' Estelle thought, What now? What do I do? Where's Marisa?''

Familiar Motherly voice, ''Don't worry, my dear.... I'm here for you.''

Estelle thought, I saw someone new in the mirror that I recognize. That loving voice....

Narrator said, ''To be continued....!''