Purified Souls Ch.23 Grand Nightmare

The Narrator said, ''Last chapter, my daughter finally purified Rintarou Lumia, but she couldn't rest for long as something worse may be making a grand entrance....''

Estelle said in pain, ''What is....this overwhelming sensation?! What is....happening?'' Marisa was stunned.

Booming male voice said, ''That mortal is....no more, so it is my turn!''

Estelle asked with the pain lifting now, ''Rgh.... Who is speaking to us? What's with the storm clouds?!'' Marisa shouted, ''Something is approaching us! Watch out!''

Estelle was in total fear, ''What is that?!''

Estelle told us, In that moment, we saw a being coming down from the dark sky that looked like absolute fear itself.

We saw a being with a pale gray face and lifeless dark eyes, with long black flowing hair.

It was wearing flowing black robes, and it had wispy legs that were hard to define. It was holding a staff bigger then a human.

Dark Entity said as it landed, ''Mortals! You ridded the world of my longtime pawn. Though I originally planed for him to lose anyway, since all I desired was his collected energy.''

Estelle asked in fear, ''What are you?'' Marisa was trembling where she stood. Dark Entity replied, ''I called myself a rival god, but that was not my reality. In truth I am the grand demon of nightmares, titled Epiales!''

[Pronunciation: E-pi-ales- *A in fact real Greek myth of the demon of nightmares].

Estelle said in absolute fear, ''Epiales? That's what you are? (Trembling in fear) You....you are what has been controlling Rintarou all this time?''

Epiales replied, ''Yes. I have been manipulating his fate since he was first born. Almost everything was guided by my hands.''

Estelle and Marisa were both afraid.

Epiales said turning around, ''Ages ago, I was once free to do as I pleased, but one fateful night, that accursed goddess sealed my away in another realm.

It took centuries, but that perished soul has finally set me free. Now I shall rule over this land and bring it into a eternal nightmare!

I have been awaiting all this time to get my revenge on that goddess, Selene!''

Estelle shouted, ''That is why you used him?! . .You intend to fight a goddess?!''

Epiales turned around with killer instinct, ''Exactly, and first I shall start with you for helping my plans all this time! It has been centuries since I last used a portion of my true power.''

Estelle yelled, ''We need to run, Marisa!!!!''

Epiales said, 'Flood of Nightmares.' Estelle and Marisa were caught in it.

Estelle asked, ''Where am I? (Chokes) What is this?'' Epiales said, ''All mortals nightmares, shall feed me ever more.''

Estelle told us, He trapped us in horrible nightmares. We were being tortured and had no way out.

Epiales said while looking over the horizon, ''Who should be my next target? Hm-hm-hmm.''

Narrator said, ''Unexpectedly, while the demon of nightmares was picking his target. Something strange was happening just below him. On the other side of the bridge.''

Hina's consciousness asked, ''Huh? Did....I....die? Where.....is....this....place? All....I..see..is pitch..black.... Huh? Right.... I....was..stabbed.... No way....I survived....ugh....that....''

A voice inside Hina's mind said, ''Human child. You did well. It is the fated time.''

Hina's consciousness asked, ''What....is that....strange..light? Wha? Who....is....this....calming....voice?''

A voice inside Hina's mind said, ''Child.... It is finally time for what you were meant for since you have been born. (Giggle) Don't worry, I will return your body to you afterwards.''

Hina's consciousness asked, ''Wha? AHHH!!!!''

Hina told us, Without warning, it felt like another being took over my soul and body.

Epiales yelled, ''Hmm?! Ehh? What's that strange blinding light down there?! Ah! Ahhh!!!!''

Estelle told us, In that moment, we were broken out of the nightmares he trapped us in. When we opened our eyes and sat up, we were looking upon a blinding light.

Estelle said, ''(Gasps) Is....that Hina?! Didn't she die?!?!'' Marisa was stunned.

Hina told us, When the flash of light was gone, something else was controlling my body. My appearance had changed. I now looked like a angel and had full angel wings.

Entity inside Hina shouted, ''Epiales!!!!''

Epiales said, ''That voice!! I know it!! It can only be....Goddess of the moon, Selene!!!!''

Selene said with Hina's body, ''Yes. You are right. I have taken over this vessel of the gods. I have prepared for this since this child was born.''

Estelle said, ''A....vessel....of the gods? Hina?''

Epiales said with irritation, ''The infernal Selene. I was going to give these mortals nightmares till you came down from your realm, but you came earlier then expected.

Very well.... I shall destroy you for locking me away for so long!!''

Selene said, ''Your so foolish. Did you ever realize that it was your own fault for inconveniencing these mortals in the first place?''

Epiales replied, ''I desire to take over this world and no gods shall stand in my way!''

Estelle thought to herself, ''This is unbelievable.... The goddess Selene inside Hina?! How did this happen? How?! Fortunately, my transformation undid itself earlier or I would have missed all of this....''

Marisa thought to herself, ''I don't....understand.... How has....she been taken over....by the goddess? I need....a bit to think about this....''

Epiales said, 'Flame of Shadow.' Selene said quickly teleporting, ''Did you think that would work?''

Epiales said with anger, ''You dare to wound me! You will have to try harder!'' 'Nightmare Ray'

Epiales asked, ''Where did she go? Hm? Hm? . .Argh!! (Screams)''

Estelle thought to herself, ''(Surprise) She....teleported above him....and blasted him?!''

Selene said, ''Fortunately, I arrived when your not up to your full power.'' Epiales said enraged, ''You....can still....FAZE ME?! (War cry)''

Selene said with a sigh, ''You demons are always so foolish....''

Estelle was watching with complete shock, ''This....is how Archdemons and Gods do battle. What a sight.... I never imagined I would set my sights on a battle of this magnitude....''

Marisa though to herself, ''Estelle looks like she's scared to move. I think....I might..be as well....''

The Narrator said, ''A battle between a Archdemon and a Goddess. This story has gotten unbelievable.... I can't help but watch myself in amazement.... Hang in there, Estelle.... After a few minutes of fighting....''

Epiales said both wounded and furious, ''No! No!! No!!! How are you doing this?! After my centuries of careful planning, how are you still stronger then I?!''

Selene replied while flying in the air, ''You should already know why....It is because of the two simple facts.

One: No matter how strong of a demon you are, a god or goddess always has more power to spare.

Two: Depending on the god ruling a world, and I am not bragging about it, but gods can have more ability based on their believers.''

Epiales said with fury, ''I desire these mortals nightmares and I won't be stopped now!!!!''

Estelle told us, That moment, he flew upwards and waved his staff at her, and she....''

Selene said with resolve, ''Farewell. Archdemon.'' 'Be exorcised.'

Epiales screamed in agony, ''ARGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!''

Estelle shouted, ''What is happening?!?!'' Marisa reacted, ''Urgh!''

Selene thought to herself in that moment, ''Epiales. The personification of nightmares. Beyond anything else, his desire was to give every mortal nightmares.... What a pitiful and unending existence....

Hopefully, his next reincarnation will understand peace....''

Estelle asked, ''What did....you just do? Where did....he go?'' Selene replied, ''He proved that even after centuries, he would never change.

I did what I should have done originally, and exorcised his corrupted existence. I weakened him, then I purified all of his essence....''

Estelle asked walking to her, ''So.... That is it? Everything is over finally?'' Marisa said with curiosity, ''Ah? Is it?''

Selene replied, ''It is. (Smile) I thank you half-human and demon. While I finished the job, it wouldn't have been possible without your help.''

Marisa was embarrassed. Estelle said with a smile, ''Your welcome. I am glad that I could actually help even a goddess. Ohh! I wanted to ask about the girl that your in?''

Selene replied, ''Don't worry. She was born to be a vessel for this day. I can revive her and refresh her like it never happened. My time is almost up. I will use my abilities to teleport you back home.''

Estelle asked, ''Huh? What is....that blue dust? Eh?'' Marisa said looking up, ''Uh?''

Estelle told us, In a instant, some blue dust rained above us, and like that, we appeared in front of our bookstore.

Nearby villagers, ''Huh? Hmm? Did those girls just appear? Where did those girls come from?''

Selene flew up a bit and shouted, ''Humans! I am the Goddess of the Moon, Selene! I am temporality inhabiting this village girl's body. Because of these girl's and my efforts.

This world's fate has changed. Always believe in my teachings and never stray from the path of righteousness and light.''

Estelle said, ''Uh? Mmm?'' Marisa was quite embarrassed.

Selene said, ''Thank you once more, half-human and I shall always be grateful for you help. Demon child, please always protect your friend from danger, and never get tempted into darkness.''

Marisa replied with a shy tone, ''Uhh, sure.... Alright.'' Estelle smiled and agreed.

Selene said with a thankful tone, ''Farewell, Estelle Lumia....''

Estelle said smiling, ''Farewell, Selene....'' Marisa said, ''Bye....''

Estelle told us, After her farewells, Hina turned back into her regular look with no sword wounds to be seen. As Selene left, I saw a blue light drift into the sky, and Hina fell to her knees.

Estelle said, ''Marisa. Let's take her inside alright.'' Marisa said with a soft smile, ''Alright.''

Estelle told us, After we got Hina inside. I went by myself to let Hina's parents know that she was returned alive and well. I told them the whole story.

They surprisingly believed us. I am glad they did. I told them that I wanted no payment, as Hina's life was fine.

A couple days later, while Hina was up and finally got some quality time with both of her parents. We got right back to opening up Lumia's Bookstore.

Of course, I have Marisa working with me again. Finally, Rintarou is at rest, and the being manipulating him is gone as well, things are more peaceful now.

Every one of our customers is living a peaceful life once again. Every once in a while, someone still sees Ayumu tripping down the streets, but that is nothing new.

You may be wondering what will I do about my half-yokai side now. Well, just because Rintarou is gone, doesn't mean that, spirits, yokai, and demons just vanish.

I just use my yokai abilities on my jobs afterwards. It doesn't change anything. There are always more jobs to be had.

Someone's voice by the entrance, ''Is this the bookstore of the Lumia's I have heard about?! I need help!!''

Estelle shouted from the backroom, ''Alright! Hold on a second!'' Marisa said flustered, ''Hurry up!''

Estelle said to us, ''With that, my story is over and my strange life continues. I am Estelle Lumia and I say, Farewell everybody!!!!''

The Narrator said, ''Yep! This is farewell everyone!! My daughter has grown up so much, and I can finally rest in peace! Farewell my daughter Estelle, and your friend Marisa!

I hope you live a happy life and never forget how much your parents love you!! I'm....-I'm not crying! I'm not!

. . . .Fare....well....''