CHAPTER 2.3

We huddled against a distant pillar, stealing glances down the seemingly innocuous aisle. Other curious onlookers milled about, oblivious to the danger lurking behind the veil of secrecy. A silent vigil of men in shadow armour stood guard, their dark forms swallowing the entrance, a stark contrast to the carefree tourists. Minutes bled into half an hour, the silence broken only by our own breaths of aftermath. Still, nothing compelled us, just a gnawing tension that pressed against our chests.

"What is going on there?" I asked.

She heaved an exasperated sigh, "Do you have to ask the same thing again and again? Just join them and peek through—the view won't be any different."

Taking her words to heart, I rose, drawn by the promise of answers, if not complete, then at least glimpsed through my own eyes. The never-ending questions that tormented my mind felt like a burden, and perhaps in that crowd, amidst the shared curiosity, I could find some piece of grasp.

However, a few steps ahead, a familiar stern voice from behind called to us, "Hey, Janie! Ana!"

Janie?

Turning my head behind, there came Ayako approaching us, her face drawn disquiet.

"Ayako," I called back and approached her. "What are you doing here?"

"To get in touch with both of you at this dire time. Just worried that this particular incident might've gotten you involved."

"Aya!" cried Ana, rushing towards Ayako and then hugging her as if she finally reunited with her long-lost sibling. "Oh, Aya! Oh my… just seeing you makes me feel safe for real."

"Goodness," Ayako gently pushed her out, but struggled as Ana tightened her cuddling grip. "I'm doing my job here. Can't you just… back off for a while?"

"No, not until I fully satisfied my cuddle."

"Just back off!" Ayako's eyes morphed from pools of vibrant light to caverns of chilling darkness. Crimson embers flickered within their depths, and the veins surrounding them sprouted like black ink, tendrils crawling across her lids and brow. Most terrifying, a fourfold blade-like pattern etched itself around the irises. The sight sent shivers down my spine, for it emanated an aura of malevolent power, starkly contrasting her usually gentle demeanour.

Despite the chilling transformation, Ana remained steadfast, her embrace unwavering. Her eyes remained closed, seemingly oblivious to the dark forces at play. This only stoked Ayako's frustration further, her face contorting in disgust. The very sight of their affection, so unlike the prescribed roles of man and woman, twisted her insides.

And as Ayako's eyes turned towards me, heaviness crossed through my nerves, as if the gust was pushing me away from her field of sight. Thankfully, her glaring was in two shakes, so a relief, it was. But true, was even so, the power of her sight was speaking fear and menace.

"Damn, you literally know how to get away from it, eh?" groaned Ayako, clicking her tongue and shaking her head.

Just then, a strong whistle abruptly echoed from behind. And looking at it, there came a handsome redhead in a red suit coming towards us… and his name was Polo. His face filled with a queer smile, and his posture stood tall and mighty—as if he had gone out from a delightful rest.

As soon as Ana laid eyes upon him, her smile broadened, as expected from them in common blood and kinship.

"Oh, my dear long-lost bro!" cried Ana, releasing Ayako from a cuddling grip and instead rushing towards that fellow. She hugged him, tighter and quite more dramatic than she did with Ayako, and her weeping face rubbed against his cheeks. Surely, her height was taller than his, so there was that. "How you've been doing so far?"

"Now now, my sis," replied Polo, smiling whilst rubbing her head like a pat on the bitch's head. "You'd need no worry, we've taken care of things here."

"But you haven't taken care of answering my question yet."

"Should you see me clear and diligent, easing off would make me—your precious bro— proud, for my duties to the dead must be anointed."

"Umm," Ana lurched back and bowed her head. "Yes, if you say so."

Meanwhile, Ayako heaved an exasperated sigh and mumbled to me, "How can she be more obedient to him than to me?"

Her eyes came back to normal, as she finally calmed herself down after Ana got her arms out.

"Lithplia," I answered. "I've known their ancestor who was dearly loyal and obedient to my cause."

"Guess they're pretty much stuck in their own family tradition."

"Oh, and you ain't seen enough."

Polo then approached us and greeted, "How're you doin', my ladies?"

That word again…, I glared at him and cried. "Hey, if you keep saying a word like that, I'll make sure to pull your tongue out and nail your lips across."

"Goodness me," gasped Ayako, patting my shoulder and gently pulling me away from him. "What's getting you so worked up all of a sudden?"

"Fret not," chuckled Polo. "The address that I have must\ve angered the Gidden, so shall her child be urged to have me ridden."

"You mean, the la—"

"Shush," Polo patted his finger on Ayako's lips then and there. "Worsen it, and you shall face the gallows of heaven… no more"

After that, Polo glanced at me and bowed in a solemn pace, "Forgive my earlier discourtesy, Your Majesty. Time changes not only the world but also the mind of the people therein, so… please understand the place you're in right now."

"Oh, I see."

"Besides," Polo drew a faint smirk, his eyes studying my watchful look. "Even your way of saying has quite altered notably. It, too, sounds far more peculiar than the last time we crossed paths and exchanged words."

"Umm… thanks."

Polo's steady and heavy gaze kept me in an uneasy silence. My skin crawled under his unwavering gaze, like a predator savouring its prey. But then the tension broke. A piercing laugh burst from his throat, followed by two sharp taps to my shoulder. He walked past with a contemptuous wave of his hand as his only farewell, "Well, I've to resume my duty now. Come, Ayako. We've to unravel the case there."

"Oh," Ayako patted my back and followed Polo. "Gotta go now. Just walk around the mall for now. Entrances and exits are all temporarily closed at this rate, so wait for two or three hours… if you wish to get out of here."

"All right, may the holy ghosts guide you."