Exorcism(1)

The three groups went their separate ways. San and Canus were sent to Holy Mary. Rain and Marcus to the Muddy Sand. While Lorian and Julio were heading to Don Marcel.

These three towns reportedly had a large number of possessions. Rising unrest among the masses made them anxious and afraid, and because of this, they became more vulnerable to possession. Some devoted and religious people spent most of their time in churches praying.

Some of the targets of these possessions were teens who were in their rebellious phase, depressed adults, and innocent children. Hospitals couldn't do anything about this, even anesthetic didn't work for the possessed.

Local shamans that were inexperienced in exorcism tried their best however, they could only calm it for a while before it started relapsing. The towns' mayors declared a state of emergency in their towns because of the increasing numbers.

Rain and Marcus arrived at a secluded area in Holy Mary, far from the busy market and streets. The area was covered in greenery, and at the center of it was a dilapidated hut. When they reached its doorstep, Rain stepped forward and knocked on the door.

"Aunt, it's your niece," Rain called.

The door creaked as it opened up. A beautiful lady in a white robe came out, her youthful face contradicting her long white hair. The lady smiled at Rain pinching her cheeks and lightly tapping them.

"How's Siquijor En-en?" the lady softly said.

Rain hugged her aunt tightly. "Wonderful I learned a lot of things," she replied.

"Very good. Now, what are you doing here, bringing a young man with you? A boyfriend? This will send you to jail, be careful," her aunt asked a series of questions.

"That's nonsense aunt Maya. I'm only babysitting this boy. You see I've been accepted to SDD, it's all thanks to you." Rain answered.

When Marcus heard that Rain was babysitting him, he couldn't help but become ashamed. But he shook his head to clear his mind and focused on the task. He also wanted to show off his skills to Rain while he was at it.

"Even if I didn't refer you, you would still be accepted by Pablo because of your excellence," Aunt Maya praised Rain.

Rain smirked when she heard this. She loved her aunt Maya and looked up to her. "By the way aunt, can you send a message to the resident of Holy Mary that we are here to exorcise all those who were possessed? This little friend here is an aspiring exorcist. His name is Marcus," she said while pointing at Marcus.

Marcus stood beside Rain and bowed his head. "Hello, Rain's aunt. The names Marcus disciple of Father Jupiter."

"Jupiter, huh? Haven't seen that guy's sun for a long time," Aunt Maya couldn't help but chuckle remembering Father Jupiter.

"Sun?" Rain and Marcus were confused.

Maya laughed while pointing at her head. "His sun is so bright,"

Marcus blushed from keeping himself from laughing because his master truly had the sun on him. "He's well and energetic," he managed to calmly say the words.

Maya brushed off the tears in her eyes, as she sighed from all her laughter. "Don't worry, a lot of patients will be here in a while. I'll let you do your job and observe you."

"Thank you,"

"Thank you, aunt Maya,"

Marcus and Rain thanked Aunt Maya.

.

.

.

Meanwhile, Sao and Canus were inside a gymnasium. A line of beds occupied by possessed people lay there, struggling from their bindings. They came here because of Canus.

Canus knew the priest of the town of Muddy Sand. He instructed him to group all the possessed people so he could perform the exorcism on everyone. Sao just followed the young man behind, he didn't interfere with his acts for him to practice what he learned and gain experience.

"Are you confident boy?" Sao asked.

"Don't worry sir Sao, I studied exorcism wholeheartedly. I shall leave my safety to you." Canus answered directly.

"No problem boy. Just focus on your job and I'll prevent any harm that may come for you," Sao assured.

"I thank you in advance," Canus thanked Sao. He then turned to the priest and instructed. "I need a bucket of holy water, incense crystals, and a thurible."

The priest started moving and getting all the materials asked by Canus. When the priest carried the bucket of holy water, Canus gave it to Sao instructing him what to do with it.

.

.

.

At Lorian and Julio's location. They rode on a motorcycle traveling toward one of the houses where a person who was possessed resides. The town of Don Marcel was rural. And the only means of transportation they had was motorcycles.

Lorian paid the motorcycle driver in advance and made a deal with him to drive them around and he will pay the rest after they are done. The driver gladly agreed with this and even gave them a discounted price.

"Sir are you really going to exorcise those people?" the driver asked.

"Yes, we are," Lorian replied on behalf of Julio who sat behind him closing his eyes while murmuring prayers as he embraced a thick book.

"Can I have a look?" The driver followed another question.

"Just look from a distance. It can be pretty dangerous," Lorian advised the curious driver.

"Thank you very much, sir. By the way, my name's Iku," Iku introduced.

"Hello Iku, you can call me L, and the young man behind me is called Julio," Lorian also introduced.

Iku was pretty talkative. Although Lorian hardly heard some of his words, he still tried his best to communicate with Iku. Their conversations saved Lorian from boredom as they traveled.

They arrived at a remote village, where houses were built out of wood and bamboo. The house where they stopped was made out of concrete. Their family was a middle-class one. Iku parked the motorcycle in front of the house's gate.

"Aaaaargh! Raaaaaaaa! Aaaaaaaah!"

Screams greeted the three. Nosy neighbors grouped beside the fence, gossiping with themselves.

"This is quite a crowd we have here," Iku exclaimed.

"Yes, it's only a natural reaction," Lorian said.

Lorian then turned to Julio whose eyes were still closed. "We're here Julio," he said.