Rin's eyes darted around the cramped space, trying to make sense of his surroundings. The air was thick with the smell of sweat and excrement, and the other men looked just as bewildered as he felt. He recognized a few faces from the monastery, but most of them were strangers.
Suddenly, the trunk door creaked open, and a tall, imposing figure loomed over them. The man's cold vision scanned over the captives, sizing them up like cattle.
"What are you looking at?" he sneered, his finger hovering over the trigger of his rifle.
Rin was hoarse with panic as he spoke. "Where am I? How did I get here?"
The soldier chuckled; a scornful sneer made Rin enrage. "Found you with all the monks at the monastery, didn't we?" he said. "We need more workers at the base, so here you are! Ha ha ha."
Rin kept his cool. He clenched his fists and maintained his composure till the truck began to lurch forward on the bumpy road.
After what felt like an eternity, the truck came to a sudden stop, and Rin's heart leapt as his opportunity to escape had come. He peered out through a small crack in the trunk and saw that their driver had exited the vehicle, leaving the guard alone and seemingly asleep.
With a burst of adrenaline, Rin scrambled over his fellow captives, ignoring their groans of protest. He landed on the ground with a thud, then sprinted into the darkness, his feet pounding against the steep terrain.
He could hear the distant barks of dogs and the shouting of soldiers, but he didn't dare look back. He ran until his legs felt like they would give out, until his lungs burned with over exhaustion.
.
☆☆☆
The clash of horse-drawn carriages against motorized vehicles thrummed over the muddy road, a cacophony of old and new world sounds, reverberating through the heated summer air. The road was littered with fragments of broken dreams and shattered lives, a constant reminder of the grim war time reality. Among this chaos, the city town hall stood tall and conspicuous, its post Victorian architecture bombast from rest of the traditional Japanese wooden houses. The building's once pristine facade was now marred by the ravages of conflict, but it continued to serve as a rallying point for commerce and administration of this small city.
Rin stumbled through the crowded corner, his gaunt figure a stark contrast to the vibrant and bustling surroundings. His tattered robes hung loosely on his skull like frame, the coarse fabric stained with the blood and grime of the harsh existence of past month. As a homeless monk, he relied on the kindness of strangers for his daily sustenance, his outstretched hand a silent plea for alms and warmth. But today, the sweltering heat of the unusual summer season wore him down instead, then interrupted by the seasonal tumultuous rain pour that threatened to flood the city in an instant. But even as his fragilis frame caused by hunger and illness, Rin refused to give up on his promise to Claus.
The heavy wooden door of the town hall swung open, spilling forth a tide of soldiers carrying haversacks filled with food and water. Their boots squelched in the mud as they made their way through the throngs of desperate mob and began to give out overnight food to the need. Amongst them strode a tall, blond man, his commanding presence and authoritative voice stood him out in the chaos. He called out Rin in flawless Japanese, he pronounced each syllable with practiced ease. Rin who stood in the pushing and clawing crowd that fought each other for the meager leftovers, turned but did not respond.
Rin's hollow eyes met the surveying sight of the blond officer, but he remained rooted in place, his gaunt hand clutching a piece of bread dropped by the muck. With as much dignity as he could muster, Rin began to move away. "Hey you! Stop!" the blond man yelled, his voice sharp and insistent as the soldiers dropped their supplies and formed a circle around Rin, their grim faces betraying a hint of curiosity.
Unfazed by the unwanted attention, Rin stood in resolute poise, his shoulders squared, and chin lifted as he faced the encroaching marauders. "You there, monk! What is your name?" The tall, blond officer yelled, his sky-blue eyes narrowing as he advanced toward Rin.
Rin's kept his lips sealed.
"Why didn't you scatter like the others?" The officer furrowed the corner of his mouth, his curiosity piqued by the enigmatic and noble figure before him.
A soft, but strong voice emerged from Rin's parched lips. "There was more than enough to share. With ample provisions, there was no need for a confrontation," he said.
The officer's piercing stare softened ever so slightly, as he gave Rin an appraising look. "You are different! I like you!" he declared; his decision made as he gestured exaggeratedly to his men. "Take him into town hall; clean him up and give him some fresh food."
The soldiers, taken aback by the sudden turn of events, exchanged hesitant glances before responding in unison, their voices a chorus of gruff compliance. "Yes sir!"
☆☆☆
Rin's eyes widened in shock as he crossed the threshold into the opulent guest room, an obvious contrast to the harsh world outside. The plush furnishings, ornate wood carvings, and opalescent silk draperies were a far cry from the meager accommodations he had become accustomed to during his time on the streets. It was a veritable haven of complimentary that surpassed his highest expectation. He thudded with a mix of gratitude and apprehension as he gingerly stepped onto the rug carpet, fearful of sullying the elegant surroundings with his shabby appearance.
After indulging himself in a warm bath, washed with fragrant oils that seeped into his aching muscles, soothing his weary bones, Rin gulped the sumptuous meal provided by the staff, savoring each morsel as if it were a gift from the god. As he finally rose from the table, with his belly full and his spirits buoyed, he peered into the gilded mirror that adorned the lavishly decorated wall, shocked to discover that his hair had grown several inches long and his face was covered in a coarse stubble. The reflection that stared back at him was barely recognizable, the transformation so profound that it stiffed him for a few minutes.
The door slammed open with an abrupt bang, the force of it causing the delicate China on a nearby side table to rattle. A man wearing a marine uniform strode in without knocking, his boots thudding against the polished wooden floor then halted before Rin. "The lieutenant wants to see you now," the soldier demanded.
Rin followed him up the grand staircase that led to the second-floor office of town hall, its walls adorned with an eclectic mix of machinery and paintings from foreign cultures, the clash of western and eastern worlds an exhibition of the tumultuous times they lived in. Upon entering the office, Rin bowed deeply when he caught sight of the lieutenant, whose name was David Ford.
"You look much cleaner," Lieutenant David said in fluent Japanese, his voice tinged with approval. He smiled, radiating warmth that belied his imposing appearance. "I'm an avid collector of Buddhist artifacts, but many of my books are damaged due to the war. I wonder if you could help me restore them. It would be greatly appreciated."
Rin nodded eagerly, his eyes shining with anticipation as he followed the lieutenant downstairs to a dimly lit storage room. The space was lined with wall-to-wall shelves of ancient books and scriptures, they were ravaged into cracked spines and scattered pages by time and war. Most were beyond repair, their secrets lost to the ages, but some showed promise of being brought back to their former glory, wisdoms and knowledge just waiting to be unlocked.
"Can you copy the readable ones?" Lieutenant David asked Rin, his eyes hopeful. "You can stay here until you are done, eating and drinking on us!"
Rin's eyes glowed with awe at the sight of the vast trove of scripture, the likes of which he had never seen before. "Where do these come from?" He hushed, reverent, as he palpus his fingers over the hide texture of the old tomes.
Lieutenant David smiled at Rin's enthusiasm, although he didn't know the true reason behind it, he still gave Rin a warm glance, evident of his own passion for the subject. "I have been collecting them since I arrived in Asia. I am not a Buddhist, but I find its culture captivating. Some of those books come from China and the rest are from various shrines across Japan." He gestured to the room as he felt a great sense of accomplishment. He hinted to Rin's rapt his attention. "Take your time here. Let me know if you need anything—I will be in my office until then."
☆☆☆
Rin lied prone in the shadows of his basement; his gaunt frame hunched over a dimly lit table that was strewn with scriptures, and only he knew some of them were rare and sacred. The waving candlelight cast eerie shadows on the walls, the gloomy atmosphere a reflection of the darkness that had occupied his soul since Claus had been taken from him. His once bright and inquisitive eyes were now clouded by fraudulent and corrupt as he scoured the dusty pages for any inkling of the demon that had ripped his life apart. As looking for ways to withdraw demons had become his life goal, lieutenant Ford gave him the perfect opportunity to do just that. He barely rested and rarely emerged from his self-imposed hermitage; he believes this was a God given path to transform him into justice that this world need.
The heavy wooden door creaked open, causing Rin to startle and look up from his intense study. Lutenin David strode into the room, his face showed concern as he took in Rin's skeletal and haggard appearance. "You must eat!" he exclaimed, the urgency in his inquest betraying the worry that weighed heavily upon him. "You've wasted away your health since I first met you! Come with me to the shrine. The abbot is ill; there have been strange illnesses cropping up around town. Maybe you can help me better understand what the old monk is saying."
The words broke Rin's concentration like a tree branch hitting his head, jolting him out of his trance-like state. His eyes narrowed as he processed the information, his mind racing with possibilities. "Weird illnesses?" he queried, his voice strained and hoarse as if uttering the words required great effort.
"Yes. People have become unwell out of nowhere. The doctors can't seem to pinpoint the source," David replied, he cleared his throat then continued with unease. "Now even the abbot at the shrine has fallen ill. I must pay him a visit. Do you want to come along?"
Rin contemplated Dave's request for a moment, his eyes distant as he weighed the pros and cons of abandoning his search, even temporarily. His counted by his fingers as though he was making an estimation or predicament of an event.
Rin then drew in a deep breath, as if ensuring himself for the journey ahead. "It's been a month since I came," a revelation that only he knew of its importance. He straightened his spine, his eyes meeting David's with confirmation. "Alright. I'll come with you."
☆☆☆
Rin's knuckles turned white with tension as the metal contraption that Lutenin David had called a car rattled and rumbled along the pockmarked road. The sound of the engine roared in his ears, drowning out the peaceful melody of nature that he had grown so accustomed to in the highland. The scenery outside the windows whipped by in a blur of color and made his head spin and nauseous. An hour later, they arrived at the shrine perched atop a hill, its imposing presence demonstrate the significant spirituality of the shrine, and how it was set apart from the chaos of the world below.
The massive wooden structure towered before them; its walls painted a deep red that spoke of divine power. Tall bamboos surrounded its tranquil existence with their thick trunks that swayed in the warm autumn breeze, wondered who the rare visitors were. Two lower-ranking soldiers stood guard, Rin and Lutenin David entered the low-set door, embarking on a trail up thousands of stone steps that wound their way towards the heavens.
Lutenin David lagged as he struggled up the steep ascent, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as his breath came in gasps. Amazement was written on his face as he marveled at Rin's unearthly agility, the monk ascending the steps with a fluid grace that seemed almost supernatural.
At last, they reached the hilltop, where a young monk greeted them with a bow and a pensive hush. He ushered them into the Abbot's chamber, a still room cloaked in near darkness as all windows were sealed shut to protect the ailing man within.
A middle-aged man wearing glasses stood from his vigil beside the bedside, his eyes reflecting the casualty of his concern. "I am Doctor Yuichi," he said quietly in introduction.
"Geez! I can't see anything! Get me a flashlight!" Lutenin David demanded, he elaborated his irritation as he fumbled his way through the darkness.
"Sir, I apologize. The light is dangerous for our sick Abbot," the doctor cautioned somberly.
Rin could sense it like a heavy present of malevolence that clung thick to every corner of this place, and it was watching them. Lutenin David gaped in dismay at the abbot, the once sturdy man now a shrunken corpse, a shell of his former self. His face had been drained of all its life, leaving just a skull-like form lying atop the bed. Bruises and purple hues spread across his parchment skin like ink on paper, and red dots scattered across the tips of each finger, a macabre to his strange illness.
Doctor Yuichi took out his hand towel to dab off his sweat as he scanned the room for further signs of misplace. That's when Rin saw it—a black mold clinging to the corner of the ceiling, its eyes that stared straight back at him, as if daring him to challenge its sinister goal.
A chill ran through him, the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end as he came to a horrifying realization. This wasn't a sickness; it was a possession. He'd read about creatures like this before: Bakeneko lurking in the shadows, waiting for their chance to steal away souls.
Rin knew what must be done. "We need an exorcism," he proposed, his voice steady and resolute as he confronted the darkness that threatened to dominate their fear.
"Are you certain?" Doctor Yuichi spluttered, shell-shocked, his hands shivered at his sides as he struggled to process the revelation. "How do you know?"
Rin responded with calmly, he kept himself firm to détente the others. "Kakeneko is a catlike entity that winds its way through human hearts," although he never encounters one himself, he read many things about this deity from different sources. "If treatment is not received within days, the abbot will pass away, his soul forever ensnared."
Rin had unleashed demons upon the world when he unsealed the holy rock and pried open the entrance to Heaven and Earth. He knew very well that this creature could very be the result of his betrayal to heaven.
He continued after taking a moment to catch a breath, then inquired, turning to the physician with a piercing stare, "Tell me, Doctor Yuichi, have you seen any strange felines in the vicinity recently?"
The doctor, his eyes wide with admiration, nodded slowly. "Indeed, I have. A white cat with emerald eyes appeared outside the temple door several nights ago." His hands wringing together in a gesture of unease. "I assumed it was a stray, an innocent creature seeking shelter."
Rin quirked an eyebrow, his expression contemplative, as though he were piecing together the final fragments of a complex puzzle. "Leave some food by the door for that cat," he instructed, his tone authoritative yet compassionate, "and leave the rest to me."
☆☆☆
The night of the shrine hung still in the full moon's light, its drastic contrasts with bamboo stalks' shadows that piled across the worn stone steps, like an ink brush painting. Rin sat, bottle of sake gripped tightly in hand, on the step leading to the Abbot's room. Minutes had passed since midnight, yet every detail was illuminated by a silver light through the night cloud, bathing the landscape in an ethereal glow, anything of unusual could be spotted easily.
A small lean shadow slinked into view at the base of the door. A white cat, its fur reflecting a pale glow, made its way up the stairs with uncanny grace. Its emerald eyes pierced the very fabric of Rin's soul, hinting at an intelligence and power far beyond its feline form.
"Care for a drink?" Rin said, his voice steady and measured, recalling his research that Bakenekos were drawn to those whose cups overflowed. He tilted the bottle and let a stream of sake pour onto the stoop, the liquid pooling like an offering to the intruding deity. "What kind of guest doesn't partake? Such a pity."
The feline stopped short and spun around to face Rin, its glowing eyes displayed its proud nature, their depths filled with untold purpose but playful intent. In a voice deep as midnight and cold as the void, it sneered, "Ahh...so you are the Gatekeeper. You don't understand what you had unleashed."
Rin stood tall and moved slowly. He had locked on to the creature before him. "I know very well what I had done, and I don't regret it. Now it's you turn to tell me if you are responsible for these people falling ill? Where are others?" he demanded; his voice unwavering.
The cat cackled mirthlessly, a sound like shattered glass scraping against wood. "Do you really believe I am behind this? I'm sure you've noticed the red marks and white fur—the tell-tale signs of possession courtesy of Bakeneko like myself—but not all seek out old monks." Its lips curled into an outré smile, as if it were savoring a its true purpose.
"You speak of another?"
The cat went silent for a moment, its attention suddenly diverted. It perked up its ears, listening to something on a nearby rooftop, its eyes narrowing as it scanned the darkness. With a flick of its tail and a chilling grin, it disappeared in a flash, bounding towards the direction of the moon, leaving Rin to ponder the implications of its cryptic words and the sinister forces at play.
☆☆☆
The abbot stirred from his coma, his pallor fading as he regained strength, the deathly hue of his skin slowly receding like a retreating tide. His limbs shook with the effort, muscles trembling from disuse, as he sat upright for the first time in weeks. His eyes fluttered open, revealing a hint of their former vigor.
"A true miracle!" exclaimed Lutenin David, his face beaming with amazement and relief.
But Rin knew better than to celebrate just yet. His eyes narrowed, and his jaw clenched tense. "We haven't resolved anything. The demon still roams free, and I fear it's not alone."
"There's no more we can do," replied Lutenin David, his voice gentle, trying to assuage Rin. "Only God himself can deal with these demons now." He placed a comforting hand on Rin's shoulder, hoping to convey his empathy and support.
Rin quietly seethed; his fists clenched in pure anger as he recalled the vision of Claus being torture. He knew that they were at the mercy of powers beyond their control, and it rankled him to be so powerless against the unseen forces. His heart pounded with a mix of self-blame and hate, a potent cocktail that fueled his resolve. "Exactly," said Rin through gritted teeth, his eyes thirsted justice. "I'm counting on it."