Bab 18: Preparation for power
The old woman led Hiraku, Mira, and Lisa to a tree. At first, Hiraku was surprised when he saw her; he recognized her immediately because she and Zack had met a couple of times at the old church. She explained to Hiraku that she knew a way to find Shin. The old woman began chanting a spell, and an orb-like formation with a red aura glistened around them. In a moment, they disappeared into an invisible portal.
"You cast a spell in daylight? We could have just walked to the church," Hiraku said, helping the old woman through the entrance of the old church.
"I'm an old woman, boy. I'm not afraid of death. Besides, I cast an illusion spell to keep anyone from noticing," she responded with a weak grin.
Once inside the church, she sat at the front pew, her head bowing slowly as she began to pray. Lisa sat beside her, closing her eyes. Linking her index and third finger together, she focused, using her third eye to search for any demonic trails.
"Listen, I don't mean to be rude, but you said you know where the nerd is, right?" Mira asked, her tone exasperated.
Hiraku ignored her, mentally preparing the memory spell he intended to use to erase her knowledge of anything supernatural. He reached out to touch her forehead, but the old woman caught his hand in a surprisingly firm grip.
"She is the only medium to finding your dear friend, boy," she said calmly but with a subtle edge.
"What do you mean by only medium?" Hiraku asked, his hand still extended toward Mira.
Overcoming her shock, Mira quickly stepped back and attempted to run out of the church. She was almost at the door when it slammed shut in her face.
"Don't test me, young lady. I can tolerate your rudeness, but you will stay right there," the old woman said firmly.
"Okay, um, old lady, I don't know anything about magic or whatever it is you're talking about. Please, just let me go. I won't tell anyone about this, okay? Hira, please open the door," Mira pleaded, her voice trembling.
Hiraku slowly pulled his hand away from the woman's grasp, his stance shifting defensively as he moved a few feet away, as if bracing for an incoming threat.
"Who are you, exactly?" he asked, his expression tense.
The old woman rolled her wrists as if shaking off tension and slowly stood, her footing unsteady but her demeanor unwavering.
"If you keep asking that question, I'll keep giving you the same answer: I am nobody," she said, her voice calm but cryptic. She gestured toward Mira. "Your female friend over there possesses the power of a wandering spirit. In fact, she is the most powerful wandering spirit in existence."
The old woman pointed her wrinkled index finger at Mira as she spoke. Mira was taken aback by her words. Wandering spirit sounded like a terrible title for someone with supernatural powers, yet she found herself intrigued by what the old hag was saying. Curiosity piqued, Mira stepped closer.
Meanwhile, Lisa had finished her spell. She stood up and approached Hiraku.
"I've read about people called wandering spirits," Lisa said, her statement catching everyone off guard.
"In the book Clavis Salomonis, they are described as possessing the power of spiritual telepathy. They can locate lost souls trapped in any plane and find the location of any living being, whether in the physical or spiritual realm, with the pure intent of their heart," she concluded, her hands resting lightly on Hiraku's arm.
"Interesting. You are quite knowledgeable, little one. What is your name, if I may ask?" the old woman inquired, her gaze curious.
"My name is Lisa Daiya," Lisa replied with a polite bow.
"Well, Lisa, since you know what it means, you should also know that dusk is near, and the hour to face the darkness is at hand. No matter how hard you try to track the demons, it will be impossible—not with that leech standing by the side of the demonic prince," the old woman said gravely.
Hiraku wanted to ask more about the demonic prince, but his thoughts kept circling back to what the old woman wanted with Mira.
"If what you say is true, she won't agree to whatever you're proposing. Let her go. I'll find a way to save him myself," Hiraku said, holding Lisa's hand as they walked toward the closed door.
"I'll do it!" Mira suddenly declared, raising her right hand in the air. Slowly, she lowered it, her fingers trembling with apprehension. "I'll do it for him," she said, her eyes fixed on Hiraku.
He turned to speak, but she interrupted, her voice firm. "I'll do it to save Shin."
"Good, good, child. Don't worry too much. When I awaken your inborn spiritual gift, you will be saving a life," the old woman said with a grin as she moved closer to Mira.
But Hiraku quickly placed a hand on Mira's shoulder. "Are you sure you want to do this? Are you ready to see another side of the world? One filled with monsters and evil spirits? Is this truly what you want?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.
In that instant, Mira remembered the first day she met Hiraku—how mysterious he seemed and how terrified she had been upon learning he wasn't human.
"This isn't about me changing for you," she thought to herself. "This is me becoming a part of your world."
Mira gently slid out of his grasp, offering him a reassuring smile. "What matters right now is that we do everything we can to save Shin. Once that's done, she can seal my spiritual gift and erase my memory of ever seeing demons. Isn't that right, old lady?" Mira asked, her gaze shifting to the old woman, who stood waiting impatiently.
"Yes, yes, now let's begin," the old woman said as she pushed past Hiraku. She placed her right index and third finger on Mira's forehead. After a few seconds, Mira's eyes suddenly glistened with a brilliant purple hue, and a crescent-shaped purplish moon appeared on her forehead. Mira let out a loud cry of anguish before the old woman withdrew her fingers, causing Mira to collapse to her knees on the ground.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone