The Ghost Who Cant Rest II

"Yes," I replied firmly. "Also, where have you been?"

"Somewhere," it answered cryptically.

Hana gasped, her eyes wide with fear. "Th-There's another ghost..."

My Harbinger turned to her. "I'm not a ghost, I'm a Harbinger," it corrected

My Harbinger turned to me, its voice grave. "That man has a strange aura," it said, its gaze fixed on Asmar. "It seems he's made a pact with a devil, or something similar."

Hana and I exchanged a worried glance.

"That aura is not human," the Harbinger continued. "Even a normal human who has killed another wouldn't possess such darkness. He's... disturbed, a psychopath who has made a deal with a malevolent entity."

I looked at my Harbinger, a chill running down my spine. "So that means he can see ghosts like me?"

"Hmm... not necessarily," the Harbinger replied. "But he's likely attuned to the supernatural in some way. He can probably hear things that normal people can't."

The revelation that Asmar was connected to the supernatural sent a shiver down my spine. If he was capable of making deals with dark forces, it meant he was far more dangerous than I had initially imagined.

"What do we do now?" Hana asked, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and anger.

"We need to gather evidence," I said, my mind racing. "We need to find a way to expose him for the monster he truly is."

The Harbinger nodded in agreement. "But be careful, Xian Ying," it warned. "This man is not to be underestimated. He is cunning and ruthless, and he will stop at nothing to protect his secrets."

I looked at Hana, then at the Harbinger, my resolve hardening. "I understand," I said, my voice filled with determination. "But I won't let him get away with this. I promise you, Hana, we will get justice for you."

Hana nodded, a glimmer of hope appearing in her eyes.

"Also, Xian Ying," the Harbinger added, "there's an old homeless man who can see me. You should speak to him."

A homeless man? I thought, surprised.

The Harbinger vanished, leaving me alone with Hana. I could still see her clearly, her spectral form shimmering in the afternoon light.

"Let's go find this old man," I said to Hana, a new lead emerging in this tangled web of mystery.

Hana nodded, and together, we set off to find the homeless man who could see the unseen.

We left the bustling city center behind, venturing into the labyrinthine alleyways that wound through the older parts of the city. The air grew heavy with the scent of spices and incense, and the sounds of street vendors hawking their wares faded into the distance.

Hana led the way, her ethereal form gliding effortlessly through the narrow passages. She seemed to know exactly where we were going, her movements purposeful and sure.

Eventually, we emerged into a small, secluded square, its center dominated by a towering banyan tree. Beneath its sprawling branches, a lone figure huddled on a tattered mat, his back against the rough bark.

He was an old man, his face etched with lines of wisdom and hardship. His clothes were threadbare, and his unkempt beard reached his chest. Despite his ragged appearance, there was a certain dignity in his bearing, a quiet strength that radiated from him.

"That's him," Hana whispered, her voice barely audible.

I hesitated, unsure how to approach the man. But before I could gather my courage, he spoke.

"I've been expecting you, Xian Ying," he said, his voice deep and resonant, like the rumble of distant thunder.

I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. "How do you know my name?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

The old man opened his eyes, revealing orbs that glowed with an otherworldly light. "I know many things, young one," he said, his voice filled with an ancient wisdom. "And I know that you are destined for great things."

I didn't know how to respond, a wave of unease washing over me. The old man's greeting felt too... knowing, as if he had been expecting us.

"Don't worry," the old man said, his voice a low rumble. "Your Harbinger has told me everything. He wants you to unseal your eyes, doesn't he?"

My eyes widened in surprise. The Harbinger spoke to him?

I nodded silently.

"Come closer, child, Let us see what secrets your eyes hold."

I hesitated, unsure of what to expect. But something in the old man's eyes, a mix of warmth and authority, compelled me to trust him. I took a cautious step forward, my heart pounding in my chest.

Hana stayed behind, her eyes darting nervously between me and the old man. I could sense her apprehension, but also a glimmer of hope. Perhaps this man could help us unlock the secrets of our past and understand our newfound powers.

As I drew closer, the old man extended his hand, beckoning me to sit beside him. I cautiously lowered myself onto the worn mat, the rough fibers scratching against my skin.

The old man smiled, his eyes twinkling with a warmth that belied his weathered appearance. "Your Harbinger tells me you are a young man of great potential."

"I... I don't know about that," I stammered, unsure how to respond.

"Don't be modest, child," he chuckled. "Your destiny is intertwined with the fate of the Unveiled. You have a crucial role to play in the balance between the human world and the Otherworld."

I swallowed, my mind reeling with the implications of his words. "But... I don't even know where to start," I confessed, my voice filled with uncertainty.

The old man reached out and placed a gnarled hand on my shoulder, his touch surprisingly gentle. "The journey begins with a single step, And the first step is to unseal your eyes."

He placed his weathered palm over my eyes, plunging me into darkness.

I can't see anything... Why is he covering my eyes? I thought, a wave of anxiety washing over me. The old man's hand smelled of earth and incense, a strange mix of comforting and unsettling.

< Chapter 019 > Fin.