5 Yoma

Ha!

Kyak

Akira lowered his body and swept his Bladestaff in a semi-circular motion in front of him.

His body then followed the sweeping motion, turned around and swung his blade staff into a forward lunge.

Hyak!

Sharp whistle sounded as air in front was cut through.

Akira was panting as his posture of the forward lunge paused.

He then stepped up, spun the Bladestaff left and right in circular motion before he sheathed it behind his back.

"Phew, that's all for today."

Usual training would always take place in the yard beside his house.

It was the next day since he and Mako came back from his first assignment. Since there were unanswered questions in his head, he decided to distract the messy thoughts with training.

Akira was alone in the house though, his grandfather was away for some Exorcism Society business and Mako followed him to deliver the report of the anomaly last night.

"An unnatural Yoma…" Akira was in deep thoughts as he sat down on the side porch. His put his Bladestaff behind him, took the bottle of water and took a few good gulps off it.

He reached out to the towel beside him to get rid of the sweat, since he was wearing a judo uniform, it was easier for him to take his top off and cool himself down.

"What is that purple shard? Did it cause the transformation?" Akira talked to himself.

Whenever a person dies, his or her soul will leave the body but the time taken for a soul to take form varied depending on people. Some souls formed right after they died, some might take days or even weeks.

Souls couldn't remember what happened during the blank period between the time of death and time of formation.

After a soul took form, it will have access to the natural malevolence, or yin energy of the realm. If the soul was powerful enough, it could harness the energy and strengthen itself, the malevolence would be his or hers to command; if the soul was weak, the malevolence would corrupt the soul instead, turning it into a mindless Yoma.

Yoma were fallen souls succumbed to the dark side. After a successful transformation, it will gain all sorts of new abilities with a huge power up from its previous form. Unlike a soul, which was basically pure energy, a Yoma's malevolence was condensed enough to allow it to touch things and affect human with its presence.

However, the transformation process required a huge amount of malevolence and it was nearly impossible to achieve it within a short period of time. Hence, there were the other kind of transformation: unnatural transformation.

Unnatural transformation happens whenever a soul was injected with a surge of malevolence, willingly or unwillingly. Compared to their natural counterparts, the power that they gain would be more volatile, things could easily go out of control from there onwards. The dense the malevolence, the more dangerous it would be, to itself or to others.

"That shard obviously is some sort of external energy, is it from some stronger Yoma or some intentional individuals?" Akira further pondered upon the question.

The strength level of a Yoma depends on the amount of malevolence it gathered. In other words, the longer a Yoma had formed, the higher chance it could be stronger by cultivating or reaping malevolence from various things and people.

"Something or someone killed the chubby kid and caused it to transform? Why?" Akira crossed his arms and frowned upon the questions.

"The kindergarten is under Tenjou Shrine's jurisdiction, so any anomaly caused will only attract our attention. Mako had never encountered such weird transformation before during her solo assignments and coincidentally it's my first assignment from the society… Hmmm."

The more Akira thought about it, the more he felt weird, as if the whole thing was a show to lure him out.

However, coincidence or not, Akira with limited information couldn't theorize further. He gave up the thought temporarily, stood up and wanted to find something to eat, but before he could go to the kitchen, his phone rang.

The caller ID displayed Taka's name.

"Hello my friend, what can I do for you today?" Akira said in a joyful tone after answering the phone.

"Nothing in particular, I just want to remind you about the appointment we have with Domon-sensei. Don't be late okay, and remember to properly dress yourself, it's been a while since we met Domon-sensei, try not to look bad in front of him." Taka said from the other end of the phone.

"Alright, alright, I got it. Why are you being so nervous, the meeting is two days from now! All those study in doctor school gives you a lot of tension I supposed?"

"I'm not nervous, I just want to be prepared! Both of us owed Domon-sensei a lot, so I just want to make sure everything is prepared before we meet him."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, my future doctor friend, call me again a day before."

"You bet I will! That's all for now, I'll call you soon."

Akira and Taka talked about the upcoming meeting with their old high school teacher.

As mentioned, the high school teacher helped the pair of friends a lot during school days, and if it wasn't for the teacher, they or more precisely Akiran, would not even finish high school at all.

Before he kept his phone away, he saw a message from Mayuri.

'Akira, when are you free? There is a new pastry shop in town that I'd like to introduce you to.'

"Seems like Mayuri got over the last incident pretty well." Akira smiled.

'Sure, how about this Saturday night? I've got a meeting with Taka earlier that day, so we can join you later.'

Akira sent the message and waited but to his surprise, Mayuri did not reply him right away despite her online status and 'seen' notification.

Akira was confused but he wasn't overly bothered, so he kept away his phone and went for a bath. He still has to meet Mako later for her to debrief him about the report on the previous assignment.

…

Shinzo and Mako were currently walking towards the cottage behind the main shrine.

The little cottage acted as a storeroom for all the supplies for the shrine, such as the ema plaques, souvenirs etc.

However, the mentioned was just the surface usage. Its true purpose lies in the corner of the little cottage where a painting of a sun was located, behind it was a secret door that led underground.

The underground was actually a communication hub for the Eastern Branch of Exorcism Society: the Crimson Sun.

All the shrines in the Eastern region were connected to this hub via an encrypted network created by a single genius. Although it seemed impossible for technology to be implemented into the traditional and supernatural world, it was made possible by the combined efforts of the said genius and cooperation of all three branches of the Exorcism Society.

Despite its name as the communication hub for the entire Eastern Region, it wasn't run by a lot of people, in fact none at all.

When the communication hub was first built, shikigamis were implemented as the operators in all the hub as effort to lessen the workload of human operators.

After the two flights of stairs from the secret entrance, Shinzo and Mako arrived before a rather long corridor. There were 3 doors on both sides of the corridor and a bigger one at the end.

Behind the door was the core of the communication hub—where all the messages and reports were managed and complied.

In the middle of the room was a large circular space surrounded by three control panel operated by shikigamis. A large mirror was installed on the ceiling right above the circular space.

Shikigami, meaning a summoned spirit, ran the place meticulously and there were three behind each control panel. This shikigami looked like a blue-colored soul of a human being, the attire it wore was traditional priest clothes but they were all in blue.

The shikigami didn't have a head though, above the collar of the robe was a floating talisman charm infused with blue spiritual energy.

When Shinzo and Mako entered the room, all three of the shikigamis 'looked' at them.

It was a rather weird feelings for Mako when she was 'looked' at without a face, despite she came down here many times before, she still couldn't get past the eerie feeling.

Nevertheless, she did not show her feelings on her face or action, instead she gave orders to one of the three shikigamis, "A, contact Sapphire Moon and Silver Polaris."

A, the shikigami with an 'A' drawn on its talisman responded to Mako's order with a little spark of blue flame from its collar.

All three of the shikigamis then started to key in things on their holographic control panel while Shinzo and Mako waited for the call to get through.

The white circular space on the floor started to shine in white and the light was reflected back by the giant mirror on the ceiling.

As the light shone and reflected back and forth rapidly, it soon formed images in the center and when the light stabilized, two blurry contours of a human were formed in the middle.

Shinzo and Mako stepped into the white circle, the two blurry images then cleared up and formed the figure of a woman and a man.

"Madam Tsukishima, Lord Shirogane." Mako greeted the woman and the man.

Shinzo nodded at the two of them.

Shirogane, overseer of the Northern Branch, Silver Polaris. He was wearing a white long and thick robe with fur over his shoulders; he was bald but his gray beard was long. His right hand was holding a wooden staff and it set off his image as a wise elderly with a kind looking face, despite his eyes were crumpled into a single line by the wrinkles.

Tsukishima, overseer of the Western Branch, Sapphire Moon. Compared to the other two overseers, she was the youngest of the trio. Despite her in her late forties, she looked extremely elegant and grand, especially with sophisticated yet minimalist hair setting.

Two golden hairpin were poked through the bun behind her head and two long strips of her side hair lingered around her collarbone; her collarbone and upper part of her chest were exposed, in a beautiful way. Tsukishima was wearing a black kimono with golden floral patterns loosely.

"Just in time for this week's meeting. I see we have an extra guest today, what brings you here, little girl?" Shirogane started the conversation and asked Mako for the reason of her presence.

"Lord Shirogane, I wish to make a report about an anomaly during an assignment that me, Mako Asai and Akira Amaki carried out last night." Mako replied with a serious tone with her head slightly bowed down.

"What is this anomaly?" Tsukishima looked at Mako with a raised puzzled brow.

"Last night, we encountered an unusual transformation of a Yoma. We managed to defeat it but we saw a purple spiritual energy shard, possibly from some higher evil. It has been almost 2 months ago since the last sighting of an unusual transformation, I'm afraid something is brewing in the dark."

"I see. It's an uncommon but not unheard of. Asai, do keep an eye for any unusual activities and stay alert all the time—for now, stay in observation. Report back when you encounter anything out of the blue"

"I understand, Lord Shirogane. That is all for my report, I'll take my leave now. Excuse me."

Shirogane nodded at Mako; Tsukishima looked at her with an affectionate gaze.

Shinzo stayed quiet the whole conversation, he only nodded at Mako when she left.

After Mako bowed and walked out the room, Shinzo was left alone with the three shikigamis and the two holographic images of his peers.

"Shinzo, what do you think?" Shirogane looked at his friend and asked with a puzzled tone.

"Nothing in particular, we've been preparing for rough waves for almost 20 years now. Whatever can go wrong, will eventually go wrong. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it, like how we did it back then." Shinzo said with a casual tone.

"Lord Shinzo, you are always this carefree, I hope that I can learn some from you." Tsukishima said with a chuckle.

"Well then, let us proceed with the meetings this week." Shirogane said.

…

The day flew by very quickly.

Darkness clouded the sky after the sun sets and yet the city's nightlife had just begun.

A certain red light district of Tokyo, Roppongi.

The infamous street was filled with people shuttling around with different goals.

Some men were there roping in customers for their bar; some salarymen were looking for some leisure after work.

The crowded street and corners were filled with possibilities, one could satisfy their lust or thirst there with enough money.

Beautiful escorts, expensive wine, getting handsy with a lady or striking a deal with a potential customer in some social meeting, everything was happening in the clubs and bars.

However, not all was happening for Ken.

Ken was chased out from a hostess club a third time tonight, he almost got beaten up by the bouncers for poor attitude towards the hostess and being a cheapskate.

He was actually a regular in the red light district, his lousy attitudes towards the girls tonight did not result him in some serious beating was considered courtesy from the clubs since they knew him.

Ken wasn't really poor, neither was he a pervert but today was the day he broke up with his girlfriend of 5 years, the reason was because her girlfriend couldn't stand his ill-tempered at times and the disrespect. He ought to vent his frustration and spend some money to ease his broken pride.

Ken couldn't accept it, he thought he had given enough to his girlfriend, but in the end his 'efforts' were not appreciated and the girl ran back to her hometown.

He couldn't do anything to hold his girlfriend back as she left him during work time. The lousy break up further fueled his anger and shamed his pride, hence the hostess clubs and the following throw out.

Slightly drunk on alcohol and frustrated, Ken was walking back to his apartment after a lousy day.

"I can't even spend money to vent my anger, what are those damn girls so scared about? It's just a grope on the boobs, I paid for so much in the past and they still throw me out?"

"I will get those bitches one day. Just you wait!"

Ken was grumbling as he made his way up the stairs to his apartment.

He clumsily opened the door and tumbled into his living room.

His apartment wasn't all that luxury. Situated on the second floor, the apartment has almost nothing other than a mattress and a barely functional kitchen.

Since he always spent money in hostess club, he barely furnished his living place.

"I'll tie everyone of them up and ravage them! Bloody bitches… Aarh!"

A clumsy step tripped him, sending him to the floor. He slowly pushed himself to face upwards before he swung his hands in the air.

Even though he was the one who did things wrong the first place, he assumed his girlfriend and the girls at the club disrespected him for whatever kind of reasons.

"Shit!! I will prove that I don't need her, that good for nothing bitch!"

"I'll teach those girls who is king!" he shouted angrily.

His eyes were red, he was frustrated.

"Feeling regretful?"

A sudden whisper entered Ken's ear.

"Huh?! Who's there?"

Ken was frightened up from his mattress, he looked around at his rather empty apartment.

Other than himself and the reflection in the mirror, he couldn't spot a second person.

"Feeling regretful are we? Do you need some help?"

"W-Who is speaking? Come out now or I'll call the police!"

Despite being slightly intoxicated, Ken knew what to do against the unusual voice.

Suddenly, his reflection in the mirror turned to him with an eerie wide smile. The reflection slowly stood up.

Ken was rendered speechless by the horrifying scene, he fell back down on his mattress and pushed himself against the wall.

He tried to scream for help but the words were stuck in his throat because of fear.

His reflection walked out of the mirror and looked down on him with the wide, eerie smile.

"Good evening, Ken. I see you are troubled by your anger."

Ken's reflection spoke with a rough voice but its wide mouth didn't even move, as if the voice sounded in Ken's head instead.

"A-Ah…Ugh!"

"Calm down, I am here to help you. As you can see, I am 'you'."

The reflection laid its hand open in a welcoming manner.

"Don't be afraid, Ken. Tell me your deepest desire and I will do my best to help you."

As the reflection spoke, it bent down and moved closer to Ken.

"H-H-Help me? W-W-What c-can you do?"

Ken gave his utmost effort to calm himself down before the supernatural situation. He was deeply afraid but a part of himself was attracted by what his reflection said.

"Well all sorts of things."

"Broke up with you girlfriend? I can help you get back at her!"

"Disrespected by the girls and bouncers at the club? I can give power to maul them down."

"Wanted to be popular among the ladies? I'll make you the most attractive person."

"What do you say?"

The reflection stated what it could do for Ken and everything it said was indeed the matters that troubled Ken right now.

"R-Really?" Ken asked curiously but he still stuttered.

"Of course, I help you, you help me. It's a win-win situation."

"What do you want in return?"

"Nothing much, I just need you to be true to yourself, release yourself from the emotions! Troubled by anger? Just find someone to vent it out!"

Ken was initially doubtful and horrified, but as the temptation and curiosity calmed him down, his mind began to ponder the words of his reflection.

If what his reflection said was true, it could really turn his miserable life around or reach new heights altogether.

The temptation was strong, more so because he was offered by 'himself', it sounded extra authentic.

"O-Okay! I agree! Help me, get back to her! I'm sick of being disrespected by women!" Ken slightly pushed himself up and said in a slightly louder voice.

"Very good, very good."

"What should I do?"

"Nothing, just sit tight!"

The reflection's body then wobbled and turned into a cloud of dark mist, only its face, which had turned into a white mask with an eerie angry face, remained.

All the dark mist was absorbed by the white mask; it floated in mid-air.

"What is this?" Ken looked at the still mask in confusion, he didn't know what was happening.

A little pause later, the mask threw itself to Ken's face and latched onto it tightly.

Ken was pushed back on his mattress, he started to twitch and struggle, he tried to pull to mask off with his hands but nothing worked.

Muffled voice sounded endlessly as he struggled, he turned left and right, kicking his legs in the air and his body would twitch violently.

A few seconds later, the struggling stopped. Ken lied down on his mattress like a dead person.

Suddenly, his upper body was pushed up by an invisible force.

The mask on Ken's face was gone, or more precisely, merged with his face.

Nothing really changed, except for the eerie angry face and the black eyes.

"Now I've got you!"

The rough voice of Ken's reflection came out from the stagnate mouth.