Purified Souls Ch.19 Vengeance

Good day. It's Estelle. We've surprisingly gotten no requests in over a month. I don't know why, but I should be happy about that, right? I hope it isn't a bad omen though....

The fact that there isn't any requests scares me a bit. I've been trying my best to both take care of our bookstore while also finding some time to train.

After some harsh outside training and attempting to calm my mind. I've managed to improve, ....at least I think?

Today, I am training outside once again.

Estelle said to herself, ''Ahh! My time..is improving. I finally managed to keep my full half-yokai form for a few minutes, but it's still exhausting. (Sigh)''

Estelle thought in her mind, ''Mother. I wish you were here to instruct me how I should go about unlocking my abilities. (Exhausted)''

Narrator said, ''The next day at Lumia's.''

Marisa asked, ''Your not training today?'' Estelle replied, ''Yeah. I don't want to overexert myself again. Marisa. Let's open up.''

Marisa said, ''Okay....''

Estelle told us, After we opened, we were relatively busy as any other alright day. We had a slow and steady flow of customers. Most likely, because the weather was just perfect outside.

Loyal Male customer said, ''Can I have this book?'' Estelle replied, ''You may.''

Loyal Female customer said, ''You've got a great little business. (Chuckle) I want this one.'' Estelle said with a smile, ''I'll get right on that.''

Craftsman said, ''I need this book for something.'' Estelle said, ''Okay. Just a moment.''

Estelle told us, After a good day of business, it was now just a hour before we closed, usually we don't get more then one of two customers in the last hour.

Estelle said, ''Hmm. This is a great day so far. We made a decent profit today.'' Marisa said, ''I....guess....so....''

Estelle said in a somber tone, ''Yeah.'' Estelle thought in her mind, ''I wish I could go back to those nice and peaceful days when they were around. Mother. Father.

Past Nicholas said, ''Estelle! Want me to read to you some more? I'll share with you some more crazy tales. (Chuckle)''

Past Yumemi said in a concerned tone, ''Listen to me. When your with others, you should always be polite and ladylike! Don't look away from your mother!''

Past Child Estelle asked, ''Father? Can you show me more of the village today?'' Past Nicholas replied, ''Sure I can! It'll be fun! I know just where to start!''

Past Yumemi said, ''My dear. Always be mindful of others. Remember, you actions have consequences. If you do good things, then good things will happen to you.''

Past Estelle said, ''Mother?! Father?! What happened?! Don't leave me!! Please, don't leave me!!!! Don't die!!''

Estelle thought in her mind with tears, ''Why did he have to kill them?! Why?! Why?!''

Marisa was yelling, ''Estelle!! Est-elle!!!''

Estelle said in surprise, ''(Sniff) Sorry, I got lost in thought.'' Marisa said with slight irritation, ''This strange girl came in..and she wants to talk to you.''

Scholarly female said nervously, ''Um.... I wanted to ask for your help, ....if your n-n-not busy.'' Estelle said, ''Okay? (Sniff) Sit down over there, if you would. I need a minute....to compose myself.''

Estelle said too happy, ''Alright! (Clears throat) Why are you here?''

Scholarly female said anxiously, ''Uhh, -right! First off, I am Fuuka Mayuki. I-I am on the staff of Hikaru academy.''

Estelle said, ''Alright.... Go on.'' Fuuka said more nervously, ''You see, in the last few years, me and the staff have gotten complaints and heard rumors of hauntings in our school.''

Marisa asked, ''Hauntings?''

Fuuka said, ''Yes. We've heard reports of kids walking through the hall, and they suddenly feel paralyzed for less then a few seconds and hear a girl's voice behind them, saying 'You will get punishement soon'

Estelle asked, ''What? A girl's voice? Hmm.... . . . .Continue.'' Marisa asked, ''Punishment? Being paralyzed?''

Fuuka continued, R-right. We've also gotten reports of girls hanging in small groups when they suddenly hear echoes of a girl's laugh, and insist that it wasn't any of them.

The other staff members have also been hearing rumors from various girls around the academy. When they are in the bathroom by themselves, that for a few microseconds,

they feel as if they are being choked, then when the feeling goes away, they feel drained.''

Estelle said with a thinking tone, ''Hmm.... This sounds quite strange, and concerning. That's really what you heard?''

Marisa felt afraid after hearing that.

Fuuka replied quite nervously, ''Y-yes! As I am a staff member, I feel it's m-m-my duty to do what I can.''

Estelle asked, ''How did you figure out about our business? We're not that well known....''

Fuuka replied, ''Uh, I was wondering if there was anybody that could help us figure what was presumably haunting our academy.

After a lot of debating, I decided to ask people around the village, if they could recommend someone who would be able to help.

After a lot of questioning, more then somewhere between fifteen to thirty villagers said, that your business could help us.''

Estelle said in surprise, ''Astounding.... I guess, our business has been around for years. It's so hard to take in....''

Fuuka said with anxiety, ''O-oh! Right! They also told that requesting you isn't free, so I should bring payment for your services. U-Um. U-um. Ahh! Here it is!''

Estelle asked, ''really? You came that prepared?''

Fuuka said nervously, ''Yes! I only had enough, for 35 dollars. Will this be sufficient?''

Estelle replied, ''Uhh.... Yeah. I will accept it gracefully. Thanks for your payment.'' Fuuka said, ''Great. I'm glad I could find you. (Deep sigh)''

Estelle said, ''Don't be too happy yet. We haven't done anything. . .Um, could you wait till tomorrow though? Our business is about to close, and tomorrow is a off day. Is that alright?''

Fuuka said with too much excitement, ''Yes!! We are alright with that! I'll let the academy know, to let you in tomorrow! Hmm? . . . .Excuse me, there is something I am curious about?''

Estelle asked, ''Yes. What's wrong?''

Fuuka asked, ''That girl over there? Is it just my vision or does she have demon horns?''

Estelle replied, ''Huh? . .Oh! Right. Marisa over here, is a demon girl.'' Fuuka asked in shock, ''What?!?! Are you for real?!''

Estelle said, ''Don't worry. She doesn't hurt anyone unless you really push her. You'll be fine.''

Fuuka said calming down, ''Your sure? . .Um. How curious. I've never seen anyone like her before.... She's really a demon? . .If your sure, then I....guess it's o-okay....''

Marisa looked confused.

Fuuka said, ''Ahh! I have to leave now. I have a lot to do. See you tomorrow!''

Estelle thought in her mind, ''After all she told us, what could be happening at that academy?'' Marisa thought in her mind, ''This sounds....so strange....''

Estelle told us, The next morning. We woke up and prepared to investigate the academy. The academy just outside our village is for kids six to twelve and because it is a small village,

Only has usually between thirty to 40 kids each year. Parents can also decide if they want their kids to enter in the academy or learn from life and their jobs.

Fuuka was waiting for us outside the main entrance and looked really nervous. She explained to us how the building's layout was.

Fuuka said, ''Alright. If that's it, I have my duties to get back to. Good luck! Ahh! They need my help!''

Estelle said with amazement, ''Wow! Look at this place.'' Marisa asked, ''This is the academy?'' Estelle said in a serious tone, ''Let's investigate, alright.''

Estelle thought, After we got in, everyone was going to their next classes, and we decided to first check out the empty rooms and areas themselves.

Estelle asked, ''Marisa? Do you....sense anything? I can't....'' Marisa said, ''Not yet....''

Estelle told us, We could only check around so much while class was in session. After a while, everyone was out for lunch and playtime. After waiting for a while, we could investigate more.

Estelle thought in her mind, ''Mmm.... I don't sense anything off, or have experienced anything.... What is going on here? . . . .Marisa doesn't sense anything either....''

Estelle thought, After finding nothing, I was going to talk some more to Fuuka. Right as I found the faculty office, and started walking towards the door, I suddenly stopped in my tracks.

I couldn't explain why, but I just felt pure fear. Marisa asked, ''Hmm? Is something....wrong?''

Distant voice said, ''I..almost have all of the energy I need.... Soon, ....they will pay!'' Estelle thought in her mind, ''Ugh! Who....was....that....voice? It....felt....so....filled with....hatred....''

Marisa asked, ''Are....you..okay?'' Estelle said, ''Ah! . .I can move! Hmm? (Deep breath) . . . . I can feel something.... Some kind off negative energy....''

Marisa asked in surprise, ''Ahh! Where are you going?'' Estelle said, ''Forget talking to Fuuka. Follow me! I think I discovered something!''

Marisa asked, ''Huh? Wha?''

Estelle thought, Out of nowhere. I could feel pure hatred along with energy coming from one part of the academy. After attuning myself to it, I could lead myself to it.

After running for a minute, I realized that the energy I felt was coming from the girls bathroom. After bracing myself, I opened the door.

Estelle said with clarity, ''Marisa. Stay out here. Just in case. Alright?'' Marisa asked, ''Huh? . .Why?''

Estelle replied, ''I have a strange feeling. Just stay out here until I tell you otherwise, okay?''

Marisa said, ''Alright....''

Estelle thought to herself, ''Why would it be in here? What is this pure hatred....I am..feeling?''

Estelle told us, I looked around the bathroom, and then opened almost all doors except the last one.

Estelle thought to herself, ''Alright. Could it be in the last one? Let's see.... . . . . . . . .''

Girl Spirit said, ''You found me. -Now die!!'' Estelle yelled, ''Ahhh!!''

Estelle told us, As I opened that last door, I saw a small girl's spirit with blank eyes floating above the toilet. As she noticed me, she lifted up her arms, and some mysterious force shot me backwards.

Estelle asked in surprise, ''Who are you?!'' Little girl spirit said, ''I am Hanako, ....And I will kill you. (Laugh) I will kill all of the bullies in this academy who have wronged me and every other victim of bullying.

Estelle asked while getting back up, ''What are you talking about? What bullies?''

Hanako replied while looking irritated, ''I was killed by bullies in this bathroom years ago, and I will use all of the energy I've collected to rid the world of all evil.''

Marisa came in asking, ''What's all that noise, ..I am hearing?'' Estelle said, ''Ah! Marisa!'' Hanako said with a creepy smile, ''I will start my vengeance with you two, and then spread out from there.''

Estelle asked, ''Ehh? . .Where did she go?'' Marisa asked, ''Did I just see a small girl?''

Hanako's voice in the distance, ''(Psychotic laughing) It's finally time for my vengeance!!''

Estelle shouted, ''Marisa! I think we need to run!'' Marisa asked, ''Huh? Why?''

Estelle told us, After Hanako disappeared, the whole academy started shaking more and more.

As we were running into the hallway, the toilets were starting to overflow, and every kind of plumbing was shooting out water. The academy was crumbling and forming various cracks.

Estelle said, ''What is happening? What is she doing? How can she do all this? . .Spirits aren't usually this strong!''

Marisa asked, ''Uh, what do we do?''

Estelle said while debating, ''. . . . . . . .This is a unbelievable crisis. We need to tell everyone to get out now!'' Marisa said conflicted, ''Uhh, okay. I..suppose..so....''

Estelle thought, We ran and I decided, to tell every class to escape before anything got more destructive.

Estelle shouted in one of the classes, ''You kids need to get out now! You might be in danger.''

Estelle told us, We managed to get all the classes into the hallway, we told them to run outside before things got more dangerous.

Hanako said appearing in front of them, ''You.... You think I'll actually let you escape?! All of you must pay!!''

Estelle shouted, ''Don't hurt these innocent students! You!-You said that you wanted revenge for being bullied right?! You died years ago?!

. .Then that means, all the kids who bullied you are somewhere else, aren't they?!''

Hanako replied with a crazy laugh, ''Right, but don't pretend that these kids are bullies as well. I..shall start my..vengeance..by destroying this academy and it's jerks as well!!!!''

Estelle asked, ''Agh! Where did she go?! . . . .'' Hanako's distant voice, ''You won't leave! I won't let you!!''

Estelle told us, How terrible! Some of the path is starting to become blocked by various debris.

Class boy C said, ''Ummm, miss? I think the academy is starting to flood!''

Estelle thought in that moment, ''What do I do? It's getting too dangerous. . . . .Ahh!! Marisa?! Can you use your grimoire to destroy the objects in the way?!''

Marisa replied, ''Uh-Um! Right! I will! . . . .'' Estelle shouted, ''Everyone follow us, and hurry!!!!'' Marisa shouted various spells while moving, 'Dark Ray! Sphere Burst! Forced Gravity! Dark Ice!'

Female Teacher A shouted, ''We made it!!'' Various students were cheering once outside.

Hanako's voice said with anger, ''You actually escaped? . .How dare you!!!! -You strange girls are messing up my revenge!!!! You two.....are..bullies!!!!''

Hanako said appearing in front of them, ''That it!!!! I will need to get rid of you first!! Then I will rid this world of bullies!!!! (Psychotic Laughing)''

Estelle thought in that moment, ''Where is all this darkness coming from?! (Gasps) I can see....her hatred....and her evil....just rising from her spirit. How can one spirit have this much?!''

Estelle said while getting furious, ''You! You wreck their academy..for..what happened to you, years ago?! . .These students are trying....to learn and you're...destroying that! . . . .

HOW SELFISH CAN YOU BE?!?!''

Marisa asked, Estelle!'' Various students were asking, ''What's wrong with her? What's going on? Is it just me, ..or is that helpful girl transforming?''

Estelle thought, In that moment, I got so upset at so many things, that my anger almost took over me again. I was transforming into my half-yokai self once again. It felt just like the night, that I first transformed.

Hanako thought in her mind, ''What's going on with that girl? What is she anyway? . .Ohh well. It's her time to die.''

Marisa thought in that moment, ''I....think....I better....stay out of her way....'' Hanako shouted and asked, ''Argh! Are those claws!? Why do you have claws?!?! Argh!!''

Estelle shouted, ''I will protect these kids and save you!! I will!!'' Hanako said, ''Try! if you can!''

Estelle thought, In that moment, I tried to purify her all with all my might, by using a trick I've been trying to hone for weeks.

I learned how to charge my claws with light energy, which would hopefully slowly purify anything I hit multiple times.

Hanako shouted, ''Oww! That hurt-you bully!!''

Estelle was thinking, ''Alright! I'm actually affecting her. I managed to scratch her. But, ....I don't know how much longer this form will last. I must hurry.''

Various students were saying to each other, ''Wow! What is that girl? She's awesome!! She's both scary and amazing!''

One Teacher said to another, ''Is she a monster or a devil? I know. I think she's neither, she's a yokai. Is she really?''

Hanako said, ''Oww!! Don't mess with my revenge!!'' Estelle thought on the verge of exhaustion, ''Alright! I just about got her. I must hurry or I will push myself to far.''

Hanako said, ''Ahh! . .I can't move! Why can't I move?! I can't lose....before I get....my revenge!''

Estelle said, ''Ah! It's my chance! I must purify her quickly!''

Estelle thought, That moment, right as I grabbed my talisman. I just got the feeling to jump back and be cautious.

Hanako shouted, ''Huh? What's this energy I'm feeling?! Where is it coming from?! (Chokes)''

Familiar gentlemanly shadow, ''Uh-uh-uh! She is perfect for my energy consumption.''

Estelle said in complete shock, ''. .It's you!''

Hanako asked while struggling, ''Who....are..you?!'' Familiar gentlemanly shadow replied, ''Me? I am Rintarou Lumia, better know as Rintarou! And I'm the last person you shall see, little girl!''

Hanako said, ''Wait! Wait!! (Screams)'' Estelle asked in complete fear, ''Did....Did you just....consume her..soul?''

Rintarou answered, ''I did. Ahhh.... That was quite the treat. I've done that many times. I have consumed many other spirits and yokai over the decades.

Yes. Yes! Look at me. I'm finally on the verge of having all the energy I need.''

Estelle said in complete fear and exhausted, ''(Gasps) I can see his form more! He....He looks almost human! What is happening? . .What do I do? He's in my sight, but I'm in no state to fight.''

Rintarou said, ''Yes! You Lumia! You can almost see my full form, can't you?! Soon! Soon, I will be complete once again! Just you wait!''

Estelle said, ''You....(Faints)'' Marisa shouted, ''Estelle? Estelle?! Est-elle?!?''

Everyone was asking, ''Who is that shadow? How did he just consume that spirit? What just happened? Did she just faint?''

Rintarou said with a firm smile, ''Farewell, everyone. Soon, I will bring a new beginning to this world. Goodbye. (Psycho laugh)''

Estelle told us, Just when I was so close, I fainted from over exhaustion of using my abilities. He got away once again. I was so close!

Narrator said, ''The end?''