FILE 19: HAUNTING OF THE HERITAGE SITE PART 4

"Who the (censor) are you?" Manager Kim asked, startled. Mars smiled reassuringly. "Nathan can't come right now. How about we talk outside?" He seized Manager Kim's arm and hauled him gently with him, closing the door. 

Was I wrong? Was Mars actually a pleasant person? I pondered. Nope, not really. I released another roar that damaged a bit of the pillar. I smiled toothily. Just a few more times.

I soared above the struggling monster. It had torn off its own limbs, and regrown new ones in its place. It tried getting up, but its legs were still ridiculously stubby. It reminded me of humpty-dumpty. If I could, I would've laughed at the sight. I practised my ROAR as it repaired itself. Amused, I noted it included new additions. 

It still had two arms and a massive frame. In addition to the mouth with teeth, the head had several staring eyes. Furthermore, it grew many times the previous size. By the time I was completely prepared, it had stood on very extended legs. It leered down at me with blank eyes. It was bizarre.

The mouth opened and revealed thousands of human teeth. "Goooo 'iieee." Wow. It can even barely speak. I'm impressed with its progress. Now it can perish. I hovered in the air, and breathed in while it pulled back and the arm shot forward like a whip. 

My wings flapped furiously as I veered. Dammit. It interrupted my attack.

Even as it tried to strike me, its swipes became faster and faster. Good thing I'm a rapid flyer. I was getting exhausted, though. I winged out of its reach, only for it to jump to capture me. I barely evaded its clutches. 

I'm dead once it captures me. Damn this ghost. It's very nimble. Should I give up on this one?

I merely had this fleeting thought when I marked an opening. I dived, wings tucked, behind the largest buddha statue. The monster remained a dimwit after all. I sneered at the figure as it looked around baffled. I sneaked behind it as it twirled around searching for me.

I leaped upwards and drifted out of its sight and breathed deeply. This will be my last chance. I'm tired, and my throat is starting to hurt. "HROAR!" It was the loudest one yet which, to my delight, a sharp heatwave formed and shot towards my target. 

The air around me vibrated, causing my fur to stand up. I can't wait for Mars to see this attack. I absolutely love it!

The wave struck the monster, making it cry out, its flesh melting away instantaneously. Even before I had time to stop my attack, there was a giant hole right through it. Ouch. It screamed as it bent over, arms waving. 

I attacked again, targeting the head this time. It got completely vaporised. This is the best! I soared to the ground as the figure collapsed.

I returned to my human form. I'm proud to say I have progressed enough that I can instantly turn back. I brushed myself before turning back to the fleshy remnants of what was a giant monstrosity. I'm speechless. It's so horrible I can't describe it, thus I'll leave it to your imagination.

I drew a rather large Spell of Release to forcefully convey them on their way. "Hold up," Mars interrupted. 

"Oh, you're finally back?" I peeked at him eagerly. "Did you see what I achieved at the end?"

"Yes. At this time, you shouldn't use the Spell of Release. Use Banishment." That's it? Where's the praise? I achieved something great you know.

Brooding, I did as he said. I'm no thief, so I made sure to leave an IOU when I borrowed some candles and incense from the temple. Mars and I observed as the ghosts were forcefully banished to hell by the magic circle. I sighed loudly and leaned against some debris.

"Hey Mars? Why the Spell of Banishment? It wasn't a demon," I inquired. He curled up beside me. "You're right, it wasn't. Nor was that a Fallen. It was a Devourer." 

"That sounds familiar," I said. Mars bit me on my thigh. "Ouch! What was that for?" I patted my poor thigh.

"Obviously it is! It's one of your dad's cases. He explained it to you, weren't you listening?" he asked in exasperation. If it wasn't on the test, then no.

"I always listen. But it might be nice if you could remind me a little bit?" I pleaded timidly.

"There are five types of ghosts or spirits. One is the Normal. Just your average ghost. Second is the Aggressive. Most psychics and mediums refer to them as poltergeists. 

Third is the Wicked. They are ghosts who develop violent behaviour to both humans and spirits. Devourer is fourth. It kills and consumes everything in its path, living or dead.

At the end is the Fallen. They are beyond help. You previously encountered them, so there's no need to explain."

"Therefore, this ghost ate the others? Is that why it looked so yucky?"

"Yucky? What are you, a kid?" Mars huffed. I cuffed him playfully on the ear.

"Anything else?" he grumbled irritably. I rose and gave stretches. "I'm all healed up. Is this part of FULL FORM?" I ultimately raised the long-awaited question.

"Uh-huh. Although in your case it seems to be delayed."

"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?" I flexed my arm spitefully.

"When using full form, one should regenerate automatically while injured. That is the entire power of Feile Maor," he said proudly.

"Is that why the fairy guards are so strong? Because they keep healing?" I asked unimpressed. He pulled a face. "Not fairy, Fae! Or Sith. And that's one of the reasons, yes."

"I like this power. So, how was my ROAR? Cool, right?" I nudged him. Incoherently, he muttered something that sounded like a compliment. "By the way, Mars?"

"Now what?" he snapped.

"Aren't we forgetting something?"

Two hours later, I was presented with a notice of restrainment. I am to never set foot in Haeinsa Temple for the next ten years. 

"I'm okay with that. What about my payment?" The faces told me I wasn't receiving any. Before I could argue Mars bit my ankle, halting me.

"Be glad they didn't bring up any charges. Let's just go home," he hissed urgently. All that work and all that pain for nothing? Not on my watch. Before leaving I offered a sly grin, making Manager Kim uneasy. I carried the signed contract in my hand as I departed. They are absolutely being sued. 

*

A young three-hundred-year-old Fae kneeled before his King as he reported.

"The human only requires the blood of the Sith," he ended. Finvarra looked staggered while Queen Nicneven grasped her chair in shock. "How could this have happened?" she choked. She peered at her husband.

His face was covered in the shadow. "A human collaborating with a hellcniht. This is unheard of in all of history. It's unnatural. What should we do, my king?" she pleaded desperately.

He sat in silence before answering. "I had hoped to give my son fifty more years, but alas," he murmured. 

He glanced up and commanded sternly, "Go. Bring Ailbhe back to this world. Liam Dankworth cannot get his hands on any Sith blood, or the demon horror will be unleashed once again."

Nicneven watched as their soldiers bowed in obedience. Poor little Ailbhe. He's not going to be happy about this, she thought sadly.

"I wonder how they managed to pass through the Veil?" she pondered out loud. The king peered into the distance as he replied; "It has been thousands of years since they were banished. 

Someone may have weakened the Veil, or it may have been tampered with. We can only speculate." Truly.

Worried about the future, Nicneven clasped her husband's hand tightly.

"It'll turn out all right. If they don't have the third key then nothing will happen," she comforted him.

"I hope so." He stroked his forehead. "I shouldn't have let Ailbhe go back. I should've—" His wife pressed two fingers on his lips. "It's too late. We can only do what we can for now, and protect everyone."