Chapter 5

Ijichi's expression was grim as he gazed upon the group. "I'm going to lower the curtain," he declared, his voice tinged with a sense of finality. "Be careful, and good luck."

Yuji's brow furrowed with determination, his usually carefree demeanor replaced by a steely resolve. "We've got this," he said, his tone unwavering.

Megumi's eyes narrowed as he considered the situation, his analytical mind already at work. Nobara's grip tightened on her weapon, as she prepared for the challenge ahead.

Kamo, on the other hand, remained outwardly calm and composed, his expression betraying no hint of the thoughts swirling within his mind.

As Ijichi spoke the final words, a black barrier descended upon the juvenile detention center, shrouding the building in a cloak of darkness.

"Emerge from darkness, blacker than darkness," Ijichi's voice echoed. "Purify that which is impure."

Yuji took a deep breath, steeling himself for the task ahead. The air around them had grown thick with tension, the weight of the situation bearing down on them.

"It's turning into night", Yuji says with a look of wonder in his eyes.

Megumi's brow furrowed as he studied the ominous black barrier that now shrouded the detention center. "It's because of the curtain," he murmured, his voice low and contemplative. "The residential area is nearby, so it acts as a barrier to hide us from the outside."

With a swift gesture, Megumi summoned his divine dog, the canine materializing at his side. "If the curse gets close, it'll let us know," he said, his tone calm and measured.

Yuji's expression hardened with determination. "Let's go," he said, his voice resolute as he stepped forward, ready to confront the threat that lay within the darkened building.

Nobara gripped her hammer tightly, her eyes narrowed with focus. "Right behind you, Yuji," she said, her tone laced with a hint of anticipation.

Kamo, however, remained outwardly composed, his expression unreadable as he followed the group towards the detention center. Inwardly, his mind was already racing, preparing himself for the batshit crazy plan he had in mind.

Yuji's brow furrowed in confusion as he took in their surroundings. The narrow alleyway, flanked by towering buildings on either side, was a far cry from the simple two-story dormitory they had been expecting.

"What's going on here?!" he exclaimed, his gaze darting around the unfamiliar environment. "This is supposed to be a two-story dorm building, right?"

Nobara's lips curled into a wry smile as she observed Yuji's bewilderment. "Calm down, Yuji," she said, her tone laced with a hint of nervousness. "It's a maisonette."

Nobara's eyes widened as she whirled around, desperately searching for the door they had just come through. "What?! It's gone?!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with panic.

Yuji's face mirrored Nobara's distress. "How is that possible? We just came that way!" He ran his hands through his hair, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by growing concern.

Megumi's brow furrowed as he surveyed their surroundings. "Calm down," he said, his voice steady despite the situation. "Divine Dog can pick up the scent of the exit." With a nod, he turned to the large canine companion at his side.

Nobara and Yuji's gazes brightened with hope as they turned their attention toward the divine canine.

"Beef Jerky! Bring all the jerky you got!" Nobara exclaimed, reaching out to give the Divine Dog an affectionate pat on the head.

Yuji's earlier panic gave way to a renewed sense of excitement as he grinned. "That's a good doggy!" he exclaimed, his eyes shining as he joined Nobara in showering the Divine Dog with praise.

Megumi's brow furrowed in irritation as he watched Nobara and Yuji's antics. "Hey! Stay sharp!" he snapped, his usually stoic expression morphing into one of annoyance.

Kamo chuckled, shaking his head as he stepped forward. "Come on, you guys. This is no time to be fooling around," he said, his tone slightly scolding but still tinged with amusement. "We need to focus on getting out of here."

Nobara's gaze shifted to Megumi, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "You're so reliable, Fushiguro," she said, a teasing lilt to her voice as she nudged him playfully.

Megumi let out a long-suffering sigh, but the corners of his lips twitched ever so slightly, betraying his exasperation. "Let's go," he said, turning his attention back to the Divine Dog.

Yuji's carefree demeanor vanished in an instant as the group ventured deeper into the ominous domain. The Divine Dog's nose led them down a winding path, and Yuji's expression hardened when they rounded the corner to find three lifeless bodies sprawled on the ground.

"That's brutal," Megumi murmured, his usually stoic demeanor shaken. "Are those... people?"

Yuji's heart sank as he recognized the battered form of Tadashi Okazaki, the son of the woman he had met earlier. The three bodies were mutilated beyond recognition, their limbs twisted at unnatural angles.

He swallowed hard, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. He had hoped, foolishly, that they would find the inmates alive and unharmed. But the grisly scene before them told a different story.

"We need to keep moving," Kamo interjected, his voice level but tinged with an undercurrent of urgency, simply not wanting to deal with the drama. "The curse won't wait for us."

Yuji's expression hardened as he stared at the lifeless body of Tadashi Okazaki. "We're going to bring this body back," he said, his voice firm.

Nobara's countenance reflected a melancholic disposition. "What? It's that woman's offspring."

Yuji shook his head. "His face isn't that messed up. We have to at least give her the chance to say goodbye. She's not going to be satisfied if we just tell her that her son is dead."

Megumi tugged Yuji back, his face grim. "We have to confirm the other two are dead. Leave him."

"Everytime we look back, the path is different," Yuji grumbled, his voice laced with frustration. "How're we gonna get back here?"

Megumi's expression hardened, his usually stoic demeanor cracking. "I never said 'we'll come back.' I said leave him." His voice laced with anger, a rare display of emotion from the typically reserved sorcerer.

"He's not even worth saving alive," Megumi continued, his gaze steely. "Why would I save his dead body?"

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here's a early chapter for you all...

Now give me power stones:)