Chapter 125: Supernatural Encounter & Professor Aanya

The sun had barely begun its descent when Ruchir, accompanied by Senior Catcher Ji, set out for the village where Lila had encountered the mysterious man.

The village, a small cluster of houses on the outskirts of the capital, was surrounded by thick woods. The air was heavy with the scent of pine and damp earth, creating an eerie atmosphere as they approached.

Senior Catcher Ji, a seasoned veteran with years of experience, walked beside Ruchir with a steady, confident gait.

His eyes were sharp, constantly scanning their surroundings as if expecting trouble at any moment. "Keep your senses sharp, Ruchir," he advised.

"Ghosts and spirits often leave traces in places like these. It's not just about what you can see but what you can feel."

Ruchir nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. He had faced criminals and petty offenders during his patrols, but this was different. The supernatural was an entirely new challenge.

They reached the village just as twilight began to settle, casting long shadows over the cobbled streets.

The villagers, upon seeing the catchers, quickly gathered around, their faces filled with a mix of hope and fear.

An elderly man, who seemed to be the village head, stepped forward.

"Catchers, thank the heavens you're here!" he exclaimed, his voice trembling. "That man… the one Lila saw… he's been haunting us. Strange things have been happening ever since."

Ruchir stepped forward, trying to project confidence despite the unease gnawing at him. "We're here to help. But we need to know everything you can tell us about this man and what's been happening."

The village head led them to a small gathering hall, where the other villagers began recounting their experiences.

One by one, they spoke of eerie noises at night, shadows that moved on their own, and livestock disappearing without a trace.

One woman, her voice shaky, mentioned seeing the man standing at the edge of the woods, his eyes glowing faintly in the darkness.

As the stories continued, Ruchir began to piece together a pattern.

The man seemed to appear only at night, always near the woods, and his presence was often accompanied by a drop in temperature—a sign of ghostly activity.

But there was something else, something more sinister lurking beneath the surface.

Ruchir turned to Senior Catcher Ji, who had been quietly listening. "What do you make of this, Senior Ji?"

Ji frowned, his brow furrowed in thought. "This isn't just a ghost haunting, Ruchir. The man they describe sounds more like a specter, a malevolent spirit that hasn't fully crossed over. It's being drawn here by something… or someone."

"Could it be related to the destruction of Lila's household?" Ruchir asked, the pieces starting to connect in his mind.

"Possibly," Ji replied. "If the man was involved in whatever happened to Lila's family, his spirit might be bound to this place, unable to rest until justice is served or a certain ritual is completed."

As the night deepened, Ruchir and Ji decided to investigate the woods where the man had been seen.

The villagers, too terrified to accompany them, watched anxiously as the two catchers disappeared into the forest.

The woods were silent, eerily so, as if the trees themselves were holding their breath. The only sound was the crunch of leaves underfoot and the occasional rustle of wind through the branches. Ruchir felt a chill run down his spine, the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end.

"Stay close," Ji whispered, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "The air is thick with yin energy. We're getting close."

They continued deeper into the woods, their breath visible in the suddenly cold air. The trees seemed to close in around them, the darkness becoming almost palpable. Ruchir felt the pressure of something unseen pressing down on him, making it hard to breathe.

And then he saw it—a flicker of movement out of the corner of his eye. He turned, his heart pounding, but there was nothing there.

He shook his head, trying to dispel the growing sense of dread. But the feeling only intensified as they moved forward.

Suddenly, the ground beneath them began to tremble, and a low, mournful wail echoed through the trees. Ruchir's blood ran cold as a figure materialized before them—a man, his form translucent and ghostly, his eyes glowing with an unnatural light.

Ruchir and Ji both drew their weapons, but the ghostly figure simply stood there, staring at them with hollow eyes. Ruchir felt a wave of cold wash over him, seeping into his bones.

The specter's mouth opened, but instead of words, a chilling wind blew past them, carrying with it the sound of a thousand anguished voices.

Ruchir gripped his sword tightly, his mind racing. This was no ordinary ghost.

Ji stepped forward, his voice calm and commanding. "What do you want, spirit? Why do you haunt this place?"

The specter's gaze shifted to Ji, its eyes narrowing. For a moment, there was silence, and then it spoke, its voice a hollow whisper. "Justice… vengeance…"

Ruchir felt the weight of the words, the sheer despair that clung to them. This spirit had been wronged, trapped in a cycle of hatred and pain. But before he could ask more, the specter suddenly lunged at them, its form twisting and elongating into something monstrous.

Ruchir barely had time to react, raising his sword just in time to deflect the blow. The force of the impact sent him stumbling backward, his heart racing.

Senior Catcher Ji moved swiftly, his blade cutting through the air with precision, but the specter was fast, its ghostly form evading every strike.

"We can't fight it like this," Ji shouted over the howling wind. "We need to find what's binding it to this place!"

Ruchir nodded, his mind racing. There had to be something—a talisman, an object of significance, something that tied the specter to the physical world. He scanned the area, searching for anything out of the ordinary.

And then he saw it—a small, weathered stone lying at the base of a tree, covered in strange symbols. It radiated a dark energy, pulsing with the same malevolence as the specter.

"Over there!" Ruchir pointed, and Ji followed his gaze.

Without hesitation, Ji charged towards the stone, his sword glowing with spiritual energy. The specter let out a furious scream, its form twisting and writhing as it tried to intercept him. But Ji was too fast, his blade striking the stone with a resounding crack.

For a moment, everything was still. The specter froze in place, its form flickering. And then, with a final, agonized wail, it began to dissolve, its body disintegrating into wisps of dark smoke.

Ruchir let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding. The oppressive weight in the air lifted, and the forest returned to its normal, peaceful state.

Ji sheathed his sword, turning to Ruchir with a grim expression. "This is just the beginning, Ruchir. Whatever happened here, it's part of something much bigger. We need to report this to the higher-ups and prepare for what's to come."

Ruchir nodded, still shaken by the encounter. But he knew Ji was right. This was no ordinary haunting—it was the first ripple in a wave that threatened to engulf them all.

As Senior Catcher Ji headed off to report the matter to the higher-ups, Ruchir found himself alone, pondering the strange events he had encountered so far. The eerie atmosphere around the valley still lingered in his mind, the woman's fearful cries echoing in his thoughts. He began to pace, trying to piece together the puzzle when suddenly, he sensed a presence behind him.

"Ruchir," a familiar voice called out, smooth and slightly teasing.

Ruchir spun around, eyes wide with surprise. "Professor Aanya? What are you doing here?"

Standing in the shadow of the trees was Professor Aanya, their supernatural subject teacher from the academy. She had been known for her enigmatic presence and extensive knowledge of the supernatural. Dressed in a flowing, dark robe that seemed to blend with the night, she gave him a wry smile.

"You've grown, Ruchir. But still as curious as ever, I see," she remarked, stepping closer. "I heard whispers of a strange occurrence in the area, and I thought I might find you in the thick of it."

Ruchir blinked in astonishment. "You heard about it already?"

She nodded, her expression turning serious. "I have my ways. The supernatural world is not one to be taken lightly, and it seems you've stumbled upon something quite dangerous."

"I'm trying to make sense of it," Ruchir admitted. "But the more I dig, the more questions I have. There's talk of a ghost, but the details are… vague."

Professor Aanya tilted her head, considering his words. "Ghosts are often the result of unfinished business, unresolved pain. But they can also be something more sinister—shadows of dark magic, or spirits trapped between worlds. What exactly have you encountered?"

Ruchir quickly recounted the events, from the woman's story to the strange occurrences in the valley. Aanya listened intently, her sharp eyes never leaving his face.

"This is no ordinary ghost," she said finally. "There's something else at play here. Did the woman mention anything else about this 'mysterious man'?"

Ruchir frowned, trying to recall. "She mentioned he was a traveler, someone who arrived suddenly and brought misfortune with him. But she was too terrified to give many details."

Aanya sighed softly. "Travelers often carry secrets with them, especially those who dabble in the supernatural. This man could be the key to everything."

Ruchir nodded. "But how do we find him? The valley is vast, and he could be anywhere—or nowhere."

"That's where I come in," Aanya said with a faint smile. "I've spent years honing my skills to track down those who meddle with the supernatural. We'll start by retracing his steps. He's bound to have left some trace, some clue as to his whereabouts."

Ruchir felt a sense of relief. "It's good to have you on our side, Professor. I wasn't sure how to tackle this alone."

Aanya placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You're never alone, Ruchir. The academy trained you well, and you've already done more than most would in your position. Now, let's find this man—and put an end to whatever dark force he's unleashed."

Together, they began to walk back toward the village, their minds set on uncovering the truth. The night was still, the only sounds their footsteps and the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. But Ruchir felt a newfound determination, knowing that with Professor Aanya's expertise, they stood a chance against the unknown.