Purified Souls Ch.21 irregularities

Hello, it's Estelle. It's been a little over 2 weeks since we helped that priest's spirit pass on. Since then, I couldn't stop myself from thinking about our encounter and his last words.

His beliefs are to have faith in the Goddess Selene, but should I. With all the things that have happened in my life lately? I....am not sure....what to put my faith in anymore....

In the last few months, I lost my parents in a single night, I met a demon in a graveyard, it turns out that my mother wasn't human, and I am a half-yokai!

Presumably, my grandfather's brother, Rintarou is somewhere collecting power with methods that would probably make me feel ill. (Sigh)

The only thing I can do to move past everything is improve myself wherever I can. It is so overwhelming, but what else can I do?

I....want to make mother....and father proud of me, ....but how can I move forward?

Currently, myself and Marisa were closing up for the day. While I am thinking about everything.

Marisa asked, ''Estelle? You said these books go on that shelf, right?'' Estelle replied while somber, ''Mmm, yes.'' Marisa said, ''Right.''

Marisa told us, While picking up that stack of books, I suddenly sensed something strange and dropped them.

Marisa reacted, Hmm? . .I sense something arriving!'' Estelle asked, ''Wait. Marisa, your sensing somethi-(Gasps) . . . .I am sensing something coming closer as well! . .What....is it?''

Estelle told us, At that moment, we both were sensing something strange. Out of nowhere, we saw someone strange at our doors. They stood there for what felt like a eternity, then they opened the doors and came in.

Estelle asked in a serious tone, ''Hmmm.... Who are you? What's your business here?''

Mystery Female replied, ''Human girl. I wish to discuss something with you, that is very serious. Aren't you Estelle Lumia and Marisa?''

Estelle told us, In that moment, I was in awe with her strange appearance. She seemed to be a obvious non-human entity.

She had a very serious expression, with abnormal green eyes, and a closed third eye on her forehead. She had shoulder-length mint green hair with 4 horns. Two horns each above her ears.

She was wearing a red kimono with a red hakama, and was wearing a white shoulder cape atop it, and had black lace knee-high boots.

Estelle asked in shock, ''How....do you know our names?'' Marisa asked, ''You....know our names?''

Mystery Female replied, ''Yes I do. I also know that you are a half-yokai, while your friend next to you is a demon. I mean you no harm. I just wish to tell you some things.''

Estelle asked with a serious tone, ''Alright.... May I ask, who and what are you?''

Mystery Female replied, ''I am a non-human creature known as a Hakutaku. You may call me Reine. It's what another human named me generations ago.''

Estelle said more relaxed, ''Okay then. Reine? If you wish to tell us something, let us sit down on the sofa over there, if that is alright with you.''

Reine replied, ''Right. I have no objection with that.''

Estelle asked in a calm manner, ''Now, why would a Hakutaku like yourself want to talk with us?'' Marisa was staring.

Reine said, ''(Clears throat) First off, I have been both watching you two and your grandfather's brother for quite a while. You see, my duty is to make sure that history is on the right track.''

Estelle said, ''Alright.''

Reine said, ''It has come to my attention that this individual is a Irregularity in history. He should have passed on, but his hatred of humanity and his brother's bloodline is fueling his descent into madness.''

Estelle questioned, ''You mean, his actions weren't his original....destiny?''

Reine explained, ''Quite. He is somehow feeding on human negativity and growing too powerful. Soon, he will actually become something else other than a human.''

Estelle suddenly remembered his last words, 'I will bring a new beginning to this world.' ''Argh!! Sch!!'' Marisa cried out with concern, ''Estelle! Mm!''

Reine said with a somber tone, ''I see, that your still affected by his presence. He causes your soul unrest, doesn't he?''

Estelle said with the feeling going away, ''Ahh!! Hmm.... Yes.... For some reason, he just gets under my skin. . . . .Continue now.''

Reine said, ''I wish to stop him before his abilities break the scales of the world. I want you help.'' Marisa has a puzzled look, ''Eh?''

Estelle asked, ''I want to cleanse the world of his tainted ways, ....but how can we help you?''

Reine explained, ''I have a strategy, that hopefully shouldn't fail. You see, when he retreats, most ordinary people can't see him. Only pure yokai, spirits, and myself can see his shadow form.

He is constantly moving around the village searching for any negative feelings to fuel his power.

My strategy is to find him, weaken him, and then you use your methods to purify him before it's too late.''

Estelle said standing up, ''(Gasps) That's your strategy! . .Hmm.... It might work. I will help you.''

Reine replied with a tiny smile, ''Satisfactory. We will get started as soon as your sure that you are as prepared as you need to be.''

Estelle said, ''Alright. Let's get prepared Marisa.'' Marisa looked lost in thought.

Estelle told us, we prepared as we usually did. Afterwards, she took us outside. I felt so anxious, as just thinking about him again, makes me feel ill.

Estelle asked, ''How are we going to find Rintarou if he makes himself invisible?''

Rintarou asked in a sudden manner, ''Ohh? Were you looking for me? (Smug laugh)''

All three were pushed back, ''Ahh!!!!'' Rintarou appeared and asked, ''Did you think....I really wouldn't notice that you were planning to take me down?''

Reine said getting back up, ''Uph! It's you!'' Estelle reacted with shock, ''Ahh! It's....him!'' Marisa said in pain, ''What....happened?''

Rintarou said with a smug laugh, ''I knew that the Hakutaku woman was watching me for most of the last few weeks. I was just looking for a opportunity to eliminate her.''

Reine asked with a gasps, ''You....knew? How....unfortunate.'' Estelle asked, ''What do we do now?''

Reine replied, ''We will just have to rework our strategy. Mmmm.... Follow me you two.'' Estelle asked, ''Where are we heading?'' Marisa said, ''Huh?''

Rintarou asked, ''Are you running from me? You know it is futile.''

Reine thought to herself while floating, ''We will have to lead him outside the village. I wish to not ruin the village in the process.''

Estelle thought to herself, ''Where is she taking us? I don't understand....'' Marisa though to herself while floating, ''I don't....recognize what this has to do with him....''

Rintarou thought to himself, ''Ahh.... I think I understand what their doing. Hm-hm-hmm.... I'll see where this takes me....''

Estelle told us, I think I understood it then, I realized that she was taking us outside the village and away from accidently destroying it. We made it to the plains on the outskirts of the village.

Reine said, ''Alright. Stop here!''

Rintarou said catching up to them, ''Ahh, I see. So this was your plan. Doesn't matter.... You'll still die by my hand.''

Reine said to the two of them, ''You two. Let me fight him. I might have a chance more than you do as of yet.''

Both shook their heads in agreement.

Rintarou said, ''So....you're first. Hm-hm-hmm.... Maybe you'll actually be a good warm-up.''

Reine said to them, ''Stay back, you two!''

Estelle told us, In that moment, her power began rising tremendously. I think we both felt afraid of her in that moment.

Reine said furious, ''You! You are a Irregularity I need to get rid of!''

Estelle told us, In that moment, they began fighting so amazingly. It was hard to keep track of what was going on....

She apparently fought using mass amounts of natural energy from the air. She could collect energy around her in the air, and release it in different directions.

It seemed that she could also have immense physical strength. He made sure that she didn't get close to him too much.

Marisa asked, ''Can you tell....what's happening here?'' Estelle replied, ''I....can't.... She's amazing....''

Reine said while almost exhausted, ''It....seems like my attacks....are barely....scratching him....''

Rintarou asked with a smug tone, ''Is that all you've got? I got so much energy left yet. (Crazy Laugh) Are you done already?''

Estelle shouted, ''Ahh! You've got scratches and bruises! Will you be alright?!''

Reine said still exhausted, ''Don't....worry.... I must....attempt....all I can.... (War cry) Rintarou!!!!''

Reine thought, In that moment, as I was charging towards him, he disappeared from my view. As we scoped around, out of nowhere....

Reine said choking, ''Ack! What....are....you....?'' Rintarou said with a smug smirk, ''That's enough.... I'll be taking your energy as of now.''

Estelle shouted, ''REINE!!!!'' Marisa reacted, ''AGH!!!!''

Estelle thought, In that moment, I tried to run to her as fast as I could and hit him with my fan, but he moved too quickly.

In that moment, Reine dropped to the ground. I was checking to see how she was....

Reine said now almost drained, ''Don't...worry.... He left me alive.... I'll be....fine....''

Estelle shouted, ''Marisa! I think you need to heal her quickly!'' Marisa replied while shocked, ''Uh, uh, -right! 'Aura Healing.' . . . . . . . .''

Reine said with a small smile, ''Much....better....'' Estelle asked, ''Did that....help?''

Reine replied, ''I'll....be fine....soon.... I just need....to....recuperate....for a while....''

Rintarou started laughing quite crazily, ''Ahh!! Ahh!!! I can feel it!! Look at me!!!!'' Estelle had a most shocked expression in that moment.

Estelle told us, In that moment, his whole form started glowing bright and flashing while he was just laughing. His whole form was starting to look more solid.

Lastly, he paused and darkness enveloped him. When the darkness spread out, we could all fully see his true form now, but something about him didn't seem right.

All three of us were in pure shock.

Rintarou said with a smile on his face, ''Look at how much her energy has helped me.... It's almost comical. I can feel it, I need just one more source of energy.''

Marisa asked in fear, ''What....just....happened?''

Estelle told us, In that moment, I could fully see his form. Fancy blueish black hair, glasses, deep red eyes. A gray business suit and pants, with a blue tie.

I realized, there was something strange with his legs. He now had constant darkness emerging from his legs.

Reine said before total exhaustion, ''It's....up....to....you....both....no-(Faints)''

Rintarou asked with a smug tone, ''What now Lumia child? . .What will you do? Will you avenge your friend or end up just like her? (Laughs)''

Estelle thought to herself, ''I feel so angry and useless. What are you doing, Lumia? Is this....how you want things....to end? No! no! I must . . . .''

Rintarou said, ''Hmm?'' Estelle said quite furious, ''You keep hurting my friends.... and everyone around me.... That's it!! . .I WILL TAKE YOU ON AND FINSH YOU!!!!''

Estelle told us, In that moment, I collected my feelings and transformed into my half-yokai form once again. In that moment, it was my chance as I wasn't exhausted like last time.

Rintarou said, ''Ahhh.... Your other form. Now that I have so much power, this should be fun. -COME CHILD!!!!''

Estelle told us, I began fighting him with all my might. I have trained so much since I almost beat him last time. I had to win. For everyone....

I didn't use my weapons at all, I fought now completely using my claws and abilities.

Rintarou asked while fighting, ''Wait. Are you actually using both light and dark magic....in tandem? Isn't that contradictory?''

Estelle shouted, ''Mmm-Ahh!!!!'' Rintarou said, ''Very well....''

Estelle told us, Our fighting was moving us all across the field.

Rintarou said, Look!! It seems I have new abilities now!! I can summon swords of dark energy!! (Laughing)''

Estelle thought to herself, ''Huh?! How is....that possible?! He's got....one..two-multiple swords surrounding him now?!?! . . . .I'll have to hurry!

I'll try that ability....''

Rintarou asked, ''Now, what is that?'' Estelle shouted, ''RIN-TAROU!!!!'' Rintarou panicked, ''Argh!!!! . .What-was-that?!''

Estelle told us, I attempted this recent technique I learned where I combine both light and dark energy into one giant sphere and release it into the air. He unfortunately dodged it.

Marisa thought to herself, ''She....almost hurt me.... She's....so focused on....him.''

Estelle shouted, ''Rrrggg.... Ahhh!!'' Rintarou shouted, ''Oww!!!! . .You insolent girl!!!! You can....still....scratch my form?!?! After all....I've gained?!?! . . . .I....refuse....to-PERISH!!!! OWW!!!!''

Estelle thought to herself, ''I'm....actually hurting his form! I might...still win. Huh? . . . .Argh!-(Falls)''

Marisa yelled, ''(Gasps) . .ESTELLE!!!!'' Rintarou said while starting to laugh, ''Did....you actually....just faint?! Again?!

Ohh, well. Time to absorb her energy and that will be it.''

Marisa shouted while running, ''DON'T GO NEAR HER!!!! . .Argh!'' Rintarou asked with a smug tone, ''Why did you think that tactic would work this time?''

Marisa reacted being blown back, ''Aghh!!!!''

Sudden voice in Rintarou's mind, ''Wait! Do not absorb that human's energy. I got a better idea.''

Rintarou said to the voice in his mind, ''Ah? Hm-hm-hmm.... That is a better idea. . .You live another day foolish Lumia daughter. Goodbye....''

Marisa told us, Rintarou for some reason, he changed his mind..and didn't kill Estelle. He just vanished. I was blown back and knocked out for a moment, but I was alright.

I was the only one in the best condition to help both of them. I realized that I had no way of bringing them back to the bookstore by myself. They were much bigger then me.

I ran to the village for help. The next day afternoon.

Estelle shouted waking up, ''RINTAROU!!!! Oww!!'' Marisa said with small excitement, ''Uhh! Your awake.''

Estelle asked laying back down, ''Argh! Snnh! What....happened....?'' Marisa replied, ''I....was....worried....about you.''

Estelle said, ''Ma..risa....'' Marisa said, ''Last night, Rintarou was about to take your energy, but at the last moment....he changed his mind, for some reason....''

Estelle asked, ''He....changed his mind? What for? Wait. What about Reine?'' Marisa replied, ''Ohh, her? She's resting right now in another of our guest rooms.''

Estelle asked, ''Wait a second.... How did you get us to the bookstore?'' Marisa explained, ''After Rintarou left, I ran around the village searching for help, and found mister Ayumu and his wife.

When I explained most of our situation, they came to your bodies and helped move you. Surprisingly, he didn't trip while carrying you that whole time....''

Estelle asked, ''Ayumu....and his....wife?''

Marisa said, ''Wait! I just remembered! This morning, I found this note on our door! Read it!!''

Estelle said, ''Hmm? A....note....? . . . .''

The note read, 'Lumia Daughter. I took hostage your human friend, the Hina girl. If you want her back, come to the waterfalls where I was formally killed by my brother. Signed, Rintarou.'

Marisa asked, ''Es..telle?'' Estelle said in shock, ''Hina!!!!''

The Narrator said, ''Next time.''