Purified Souls Ch.17 Set Free

Narrator said, ''Hello! I'm Nicholas Lumia. It's been more then a week since our bookstore was invaded by that cursed spirit. My daughter and her friend somehow managed to get rid of it.

Since then, they are doing fine, but I'm worried about my daughter lately. She was trying her best to unlock more of her yokai abilities, but she worked herself so hard, that she's now sick.

Currently, her friend has to take care of her. Ohhh....Estelle.''

Estelle told us, Today, I am sick and can't work. Unfortunately, I think I pushed myself to far. I was trying to make my transformation last, but I came down with a fever.

After debating, Marisa promised to work downstairs while I recover in my room. She surprisingly keeps coming to check on me, and helping me. I'm amazed by how much she's doing.

Estelle said to herself, ''(Cough, cough) ....I wish....I....wasn't....so..useless..today. (Cough) It's....my....own..fault....(Sigh)''

Marisa thought, Since this morning, I've been working at the register and helping any customers. We've got a handful of regular customers, who wish Estelle to get better.

It's amazing.... I didn't realize that so many people cared for her.

Female customer said, ''I hope she gets better soon.... May the goddess, Selena bless her and help her get better. I'll get going now. Farewell, little demon.''

Marisa started thinking, ''Wow. I've heard of this goddess mentioned before. Estelle explained most of it to me recently. . .What was it again?''

Past Estelle explained, ''Ohh, that. You see, we pray to goddess Selene. Goddess of the moon. There are many different stories about her. Many are from thousands of years ago.''

Past Marisa asked, ''That's who she is?''

Past Estelle said, ''You see, many people in our world, get their weapons blessed by a priest or firm believer of the goddess. The only few that I've heard of that don't have blessed weapons are the Shinsengumi and certain others as well.

There are a lot of firm believers in the goddess, Selene. You are guaranteed to find at least a dozen or so in each town. (Laughs) Did I explain it well?''

Marisa was thinking, ''So they believe in this ancient goddess, right? Hmm....''

Marisa thought, In that moment, two curious men came in, looking around.

Male A asked to the guy with him, ''Your sure, this is it right?''

Male B asked replied, ''Yep. This is indeed the bookstore I've heard rumors about.'' Male B said, ''Right. That girl behind the counter, must be this demon girl I've heard about. Let's ask.''

Male A said, ''Right.''

Marisa said, ''Huh?'' Male A said in a clear voice, ''Excuse me. We are members of the Shinsengumi. I am Commander Ruru Shinkoku. This guy next to me is, Vice Commander Shin Isami.

Marisa asked, ''What? Commander?''

Ruru said, ''We want to make a request. Who is in charge here?'' Marisa replied while pointing to the wall behind her, ''That would be, ....Estelle Lumia. That's her picture there, ....she's sick today. She..can't be bothered for a while.''

Shin asked, ''Do we need to come back, another day then?'' Marisa replied, ''Um....She usually discuses stuff....with customers, but I'm in charge for today....''

Ruru said, ''Ohh?'' Marisa thought in that moment, ''I don't like..doing this, but....I owe her, for all she's done....(Deliberating) Fine. I owe her....''

Marisa spoke up, ''Um....sir? I will listen to you, ....okay.'' Ruru said, ''I noticed. This is quite a fine business your friend has here. It looks relatively busy. (Chuckles)''

Marisa said withdrawn, ''Um....thanks....''

Shin said, ''Sir!'' Ruru said, ''Right. Pay close attention. You see, for years we've experienced small hauntings in our headquarters. It's never been serious, but recently, some of my men have heard rumors about your business.''

Marisa asked, ''Ohh?''

Shin said, ''I'm the one who's heard the most about this business, but I asked our men as well. Our men like to gossip a lot.''

Ruru said, ''My men have told me, that our place is haunted by a young female spirit. Frankly, I think I have seen her as well. Every once in a while, my men say they encountered her in the hallways, staring at them.

I've been really curious to know why she's been haunting only our place. Can you help us?''

Marisa was thinking, ''Hmm.... Interesting.... Doesn't sound that hard, but I've never done all that much.... Can I really do what Estelle does? Am I up to it? I....kinda want to know.... I suppose...I'll..try....''

Marisa replied, ''Uh....sir? I guess....I'll try. Can I have a few minutes to take care of things, before we leave?''

Ruru said with a smile, ''Sure. Like I said, it doesn't seem to be serious. Take your time. We'll be waiting outside.''

Marisa thought in her mind, ''Uh....right. I'll do what I learned....from watching her all this time and....close up the place, ....and I'll take some of her talismans just in case.... I..hope she....doesn't get mad at me....''

Marisa said to them outside, ''Alright.... Let's go....'' Ruru asked with a smile, ''Your ready? Alright! We'll take your there!''

Marisa thought, They lead me to their headquarters. A huge building near the edge of town. I was deep in thought the whole way there. I never done a case by myself.... I'm....not sure of....how to handle....all of this....

Ruru said, ''Okay, this is it. The headquarters of the Shinsengumi. We'll take you to our men inside. They will want to share some things as well.''

Marisa said withdrawn, ''Umm....okay....''

Narrator said, ''Inside the meeting area.''

Ruru shouted in a commanding tone, ''Men! We went to request help for out 'spirit problems' The girl in charge of the business is sick, so this is her little demon friend. Treat her kindly! Okay?!''

The various samurai started saying, ''Wow! Wow! She's a demon? Amazing! Ahh!''

Marisa thought, They spent a bit, telling me different experiences they have had the last few years. It was overwhelming. Especially, because I am....not used to so many people....

Later, after dark. I officially started debating what to do.... I didn't have Estelle with me to know what I should.

Marisa said to the commander, ''Uh....I decided.... Because I'm a demon, I will try to see in I can sense this spirit. ....Okay?''

Ruru replied, ''Uh? Whatever works....''

Marisa thought, In the left wing of the property, I began attempting to sense what I could. After a few minutes. I got something.

Marisa said quietly, ''I....think....I found her. Follow me.'' Ruru said, ''Uh.... Alright. Men! Follow us.''

Marisa told us, I could barely sense her energy enough to find it. She was in the main building at the right corner.

Ruru asked not convinced, ''Here? Really?''

Marisa shouted quietly, ''You! I can sense your energy! Come out, spirit girl!''

Sprit girl said appearing, ''Who..are you? Can you see me?''

Marisa replied, ''We can all see you now.''

Spirit girl said, ''(Gasps) It's about darn time! Took you long enough!''

Various Samurai said, ''Huh? Huh? That's what she look's like? She's the spirit?''

Marisa asked nervously, ''I....am..Marisa. I was requested to figure out why your haunting their place.''

Spirit girl said, ''These men are morons. I have needed someone's help for years!'' Marisa asked, ''Help?''

Spirit girl replied, ''Yes!, you fool! (Clears throat) I am Hinako. I was alive once. I was a young 16-year old girl, killed by a serial killer. He was caught, but he never said where the bodies were buried.''

Marisa thought in that moment, ''16-years old? That means, she's the same age as....Estelle?''

Hinako continued, ''I tried to tell these stupid men, that I need help, but they were always to scared to listen! I'm haunting because my body has been buried in their courtyard since before this place was built.''

Various Samurai said, ''So that's why? She's buried? How scary....''

Marisa asked, ''Your buried in the courtyard? You mean their training yard?''

Hinako said frustrated, ''Yes! Can you please get me out of this place?!''

Ruru said, ''Miss? That's all you needed? Then we Shinsengumi will indeed help. (Turning around) Right men!?''

Various Samurai said, ''Uh? We will? Really? -Of course we will!''

Marisa said while realizing, ''Uh. Miss, Hinako? Please show us the way.''

Hinako said, ''It's about time! Follow me!''

Marisa told us, She lead us to a spot in the middle of the graveyard where she was apparently still buried.

Samurai C shouted, ''Agh! Sir! I think I found it! Take a look!''

Marisa said, ''Ahh! Let me see!''

Marisa thought, Right as I got closer, we fully unburied her.

Hinako said excitedly, ''Ahh-ha! Finally!! Finally!!!! You found my body!!!! (Laughs)''

Marisa reacted and realized, ''Wait! ..Your glowing?!''

Hinako said with a slow smile, ''(Gasps) Thank you! I guess you fools finally helped me. I thank you for that. I've been trapped here for decades. But those men, never got my hints.

I can finally leave this place. Farewell, demon girl. Marisa....''

Marisa was shocked, ''Uhh.... Farewell!''

Hinako said with a tear, Thank you for everything. Good-bye!''

The Various Samurai said, ''Wow! That..was beautiful! -It's gonna make me cry! (Crying) So she's finally at peace?''

Marisa thought in her mind, ''What....is....this..feeling....in my heart? Why do....I feel so....at....peace? Why did....seeing her pass on....feel so....warm?! Is this what Estelle....feels like? All..the time? . . . .''

Marisa said quietly with tears, ''Farewell. . . .Hinako....''

Narrator said, ''A bit later.''

Marisa told us, They took her body and had a proper ceremony for Hinako. The commander and his vice commander were thanking me.

Ruru said with a smile, ''I thank you demon girl for all you've done. I guess she wasn't so bad after all.... Darn! I'm not crying! Don't look at my face!''

Shin said with a solemn smile, ''I thank you as well. Hopefully, we never have a problem like this again. It's all thanks to you.''

Marisa said overwhelmed, ''Uh.... But Estelle probably could have done it more better than me, though....''

Shin said, ''Who cares? We're grateful. Accept our thanks, alright.''

Marisa said, ''Al....right....''

Ruru said, ''(Sniff) Ohh, yeah. I forgot to mention. I also was curious about your business, because I heard about the bookstore from my grandmother. I think you know her.

She's the graveyard keeper of our own village's graveyard. Mm. She was right about your abilities. (Looks straight ahead) I wish I could've seen your friend as well, though....''

Marisa said under her breath, ''(Gasping) So that's it.... He's the grandson, she mentioned....''

Marisa thought, Two days later, Estelle was still sick, but she was improving. She could hold a conversation better. I was telling her everything that happened.

Estelle asked with a smile, ''Wow! You were able to do all that without my help!? (Sneezes) You assisted the Shinsengumi?''

Marisa said, ''Yeah, ....I did....''

Estelle said, ''You also....got paid as well!? (Gasps)''

Marisa replied embarrassed, ''Uh....yeah. Every one of the soldiers gave me some money, saying I deserved it.''

Estelle said with a amazement, ''(Gasps) Incredible!! Hmm.... (Sneezes) Marisa? Take some of the money and buy something nice with it. ..You deserve it.''

Marisa asked, ''Really?''

Estelle said smiling, ''You managed to solve a case without me. You do indeed deserve it!'' Marisa was in total surprise.

Estelle told us, 2 more days later. I was finally better. When I was fully recovered. It was our day off. After thinking about things, I decided to go outside the village, and practice transforming some more.

Estelle thought in her mind, ''Come on! Picture the anger, you had that night! Shape up! Estelle Lumia!! Collect all your rage! Your bottled up feelings!! Your EMOTIONS!!!!''

Estelle shouted in amazement, ''(Gasps) My horns! My claws!! I did it! Father! Mother!! I finally did it!!''

Estelle thought in that moment, ''Now.... to make it last a while. Hmmmm....''