Purified Souls Ch.15 Demon Kidnapping

Greetings, it's Estelle. It's been a week since myself and Marisa got back from Kokoro Cave. We have both been acting different since we got back. Treating each other differently than we did before....

Marisa has been resisting her jobs less and less. I've also changed as well.... At least I think so? I took my mom's words to heart. I had to think about how to best live up to what she told me.

It's a windy and rainy day today. We have very few customers. (Sigh) This is a pitiful day for our business.... While sitting around inside, I kept trying to think of ways to train these strange new abilities I have now.

I realized that the first time I transformed, ..I was furious about what Rintarou was doing at the time. Maybe I can channel those same feelings.

Estelle said under her breath while looking at her hand, ''Picture your emotions.... Remember what you felt that day....''

Estelle thought, When I quickly opened my eyes, I grew those same horns and claws again, but only half-way. They quickly disappeared once again.... (Sigh).

Marisa asked coming from upstairs, ''Is everything alright, down here?'' Estelle said surprised, ''Yes! -I'm fine!'' Marisa said, ''Al..right? If you say so....''

Estelle said remembering, ''Oh. I need to clarify something in the backroom. Be right back.'' Marisa said, ''Right..''

Marisa thought, Estelle seems off lately.... Hmm.... I wonder what's the problem? (Sigh). Marisa said to herself, ''Wow! It's really pouring out there....! Geez. Hmm?''

Marisa thought, When I started staring outside at the crazy weather while waiting for Estelle. I saw strangely enough what looked almost like a person out there. For some reason, all I could see was a shadow.

What was strange is that it almost looked like the shadow's head was almost floating from it's neck. What the heck?

Strange echoing creepy female voice called, ''Come to me.... Walk outside.... Come outside....'' Marisa asked non aware, ''Huh? Who's...that....voice?''

Strange echoing creepy female voice continued, ''You. Come here.... Come to me....'' Estelle shouted coming out of the backroom, ''Ahh! Marisa?! What are you doing?! Why are you walking like that?''

Estelle thought, When I came out of the backroom, I saw Marisa walking like she was half-asleep to the doors. I couldn't get her to notice me. After she made it outside, she....

Strange echoing creepy female voice said with a laugh, ''Ahh! That's it! Come with me!! You there!! If you want her back, find us at a abandoned mansion outside this village, North of here!! (Crazy laugh)''

Estelle yelled, ''Marisa?!!!''

Estelle thought, Right after Marisa went outside, I suddenly saw a strange woman form out of nowhere and grab Marisa! I was distraught. Feeling like I failed.

After a few minutes of thinking about it, I reclaimed my courage, grabbed my gear and left. When I went outside again, I could actually feel that woman's energy coming from a certain direction.

I could feel hate, grief, and anger from her energy.... Who is she? As I was running in the direction of behind the bookstore and through the village, I could hear some ladies talking.

Street Lady A said, ''Is it just me, or have these newspapers been filled with reports of multiple human attacks?''

Street Lady B said, ''Yeah! A whole bunch'a of victims like ourselves have been attacked at night, with almost all of their blood sucked!''

Street Lady C chimed in, ''I know! Luckily, they are all still alive! It's been getting crazy around here lately!''

Estelle stopped and asked, ''Pardon me, but did you just say, 'Reports of blood sucking'? Street Lady B said, ''Yep. You heard us right! Multiple attacks of victims on the streets at night! What? You interested?''

Estelle replied, ''I am. Thanks, that's all I needed. Continue.''

Estelle thought while running, ''People having their blood sucked? . .Marisa, I hope your alright.''

Estelle thought, After a while of running and following what I assume must have been her energy, I made it. A Japanese mansion which seemed to be abandoned some distance from outside the village.

I could see lights on. When I walk up to the entrance, the doors just opened for me. Hmm.... I had no choice but to go inside. I could tell that the inside was quite extravagant. Lots of furniture and things everywhere.

After taking in how surprising this place was, I suddenly heard someone scream. Estelle yelled with a gasp, ''That must be Marisa!! I got to hurry!''

Estelle thought, It took me a while to navigate this place. It's not the biggest, but it's confusing. After I made it to some grand doors, I took a moment to compose myself.

When I entered with my weapons prepared, I slowly took account of everything. It was a throne room, with a few windows on both walls left and right of us.

I saw Marisa tied up with a rope around her mouth and hands. I finally could see that strange woman's appearance.

She was a beautiful women with elegant black hair, striking red lipstick, and red hairpins of both sides of her hair. She looked like she was wearing a jade colored wedding outfit with a gold sash.

Marisa was yelling though the rope over her mouth, ''Est*lle! Est*lle! H*lp me!!'' Elegant Woman said with a laugh, ''Greetings, my guest. I see you have come for this girl.''

Estelle asked with anger, ''You said if I came here, you would let her go, right!?'' Elegant Woman said with a laugh, ''You couldn't have really thought I would actually let her go, did you?''

Marisa shouted through her rope, ''Mm! Mm!!'' Estelle said, ''I thought about that possibility. What then?''

Elegant Woman said, ''I lured you here, to drink both your blood! Think about it. I drank tons of blood before, but-you! Your different. A demon and a half-yokai. Can you imagine-what a feast that will be?!''

Estelle said in disgust, ''Your sick! Let Marisa go right now!''

Elegant Woman said, ''Maybe so, but I can't let this chance go. Remember my name well, as it's the last name you'll hear!

I am Scarlet Ekitai, of the Ekitai clan that died off decades ago! Now, you girl, come to me. Let me drink your blood.''

Estelle thought, She was trying to hypnotize me into doing her bidding. My mind felt some minor headaches, but her hypnotism wasn't working on me for some reason.

Marisa yelled through the ropes, ''Est*lle! Est*lle!! Mmm!''

Scarlet said confused and angry, ''Huh? . .Why....isn't my....power working on you?'' Estelle asked, ''Huh?''

Scarlet said confused and angrier, ''Why..isn't it working!?''

Estelle thought, While I wasn't completely sure what was happening, I took that moment that Scarlet was confused to run up and try to untie Marisa. I managed to cut Marisa's ropes. Right as I did, Scarlet....

Scarlet yelled, ''Argh! If I can't hypnotize you, I'll have to mortally wound you! Ugh!''

Estelle thought, In that moment, her head started floating from her body still attached to her neck. She released a whole burst of energy, we were thrown backwards, and I could feel something strange.

Estelle asked putting her hand on her head while in pain, ''What....am....I....feeling? Ugh!''

Estelle thought, I could feel overbearing emotions of hatred, sorrow, and anger. Is this....her emotions....?

I got back on my feet and asked Marisa now free to help me. When Marisa summoned her grimoire, it was behaving strangely....

Marisa asked in surprise, ''Huh?! What the heck?! . . . .My grimoire's having new pages added to it! What..is..that?''

Marisa thought, ''I..can feel....new spells..coming to me.....''

Estelle said to herself, ''What's up with my energy? Ugh. (Pains)''

Estelle thought while looking at herself, ''Wait. Is my energy....combining with dark energy? What is ..happening?''

Estelle shouted, ''Ahh! My horns came out! . . . . (Deep breath) Marisa! . .Let's use this chance and stop her!''

Marisa said figuring everything out, ''Ah.... Right!''

Scarlet shouted, ''You think..you can stop me! You must be joking!''

Estelle thought, In that moment, she began moving around everywhere while floating with her elongated neck. She kept trying to attack us while avoiding us.

Scarlet shouted, ''Good food should just know when to give up and die!'' Estelle yelled, ''Ack!''

Marisa thought, She used her neck to grab Estelle like a snake and try to choke her. Marisa yelled, ''You..let go of her!''

Estelle said while choking, ''Ma-risa! Ack!''

Marisa said under her breath, ''What's this new spell coming to my mind? Ahh! . .I get it.... . . . .'Omnipresent Lighting!!'

Scarlet yelled, ''You fool!----Oww!''

Estelle said calmly, ''Thank you.'' Marisa said reserved, ''..Welcome.''

Marisa thought, When I used this new spell I never used before, dark lighting struck from different directions a few times. It hurt Scarlet and she dropped Estelle.

Estelle said furious, ''She's still not done yet....

Scarlet yelled, ''I need your blood! Your tasty blood!!'' Estelle and Marisa, ''What's she doing?!''

Estelle thought, She jumped backwards and was going to release a huge mass of pure energy. We were panicking. Marisa shouted, ''Ah! . . Protection Sphere!''

After the energy imploded and we could see. I realized something. I usually make a barrier putting energy into my talisman, which I did this time.

Besides my usual barrier, Marisa somehow put up her own barrier to protect both of us. Estelle asked her, ''Did....you just....protect me?''

Marisa replied, ''I'm....not..sure.'' Estelle laughed and said, ''..I'm thankful. (Gasps) Marisa! She's down! Let's strike!''

Estelle & Marisa shouted.

Scarlet shouted, ''Nooo!! Get away from me!!!!''

Narrator said, ''My daughter did it again. (Chuckles)''

Estelle thought, After we both purified her, she began screaming tremendously. When everything calmed down, Scarlet disappeared. I could feel her energy dissipate.

Estelle said with a deep breath, ''Finally. She's been dealt with. Hopefully, that's the last we see of her. Marisa? Are you all right?''

Marisa replied while disoriented, ''I'm....alright.... . . . .Er?! I realized! Your-Um..-Your hurt! You have scratches and bruises!!'' Estelle realized and said, ''Hm.. I'll be fine. I was just doing what I had to do.''

Marisa said, ''Your hurt....because of me.... . . . .Ahh!''

Marisa thought, I can feel another spell coming to my mind! ....Is this?

Marisa shouted, 'Aura Healing!' Estelle asked, ''What....are you doing?'' Marisa said, ''Ah! Look. It looks like I'm healing you!''

Estelle said with surprise, ''Eh? Your right! I can feel my scratches healing!''

Estelle thought, When she started up the spell, it looked like she was collecting different kinds of energy from the atmosphere, and it was healing my body and spirit.

Estelle said raising her voice, ''Thanks a lot, Marisa! (Stretch) I feel a lot better. Let's leave now. Okay.''

While walking back to Haruka Village....

Marisa said, ''I..didn't..realize.... Before, she was carrying me there. Now we have to walk back.'' Estelle said, ''Just think of it as exercising. It's what my father taught me.''

Marisa said, ''Riiiight....''

Marisa thought, As we were walking back, we both noticed that it stopped storming finally, and it was sunrise. I started thinking. Maybe....these new abilities I got....were to protect Estelle....

Protect..Estelle.... Hmmm.....?