3.10 OBSESSIVE LOVE: Black bracelet

Rev. Kyden stands out like a sore thumb.

The establishment does not hold grounds for much interest. It's dimly lit, with a few neon signs along the walls and behind the bar to add a bit of flare. The smell of vomit is superseded by cheap alcohol and perfume. There's a tired rock song that plays in the backdrop. 

Rev. Kyden sits at a booth by himself, nursing a non-alcoholic drink. He wears a black turtleneck and fitted jeans. Voir assumes that this is to seem casual but still, he stands out. His attire is neat compared to the other patrons and his posture stiff, too straight.

In contrast, Voir is much more comfortable in his casual clothes; with a leather jacket over a loose-hanging crew neck. He wears faded jeans and runners that are a bit worse for wear along with some rings on his fingers, just for an added flare. A few girls around the bar steal a few looks but Voir is decidedly uninterested, making a bee-line for the priest.

It's Voir who gulps when the reverend looks up and their eyes meet. 

Kyden puts down his drink. "Voir," he greets with nothing more than a nod.

"Erm, hey," Voir flashes a bashful smile and rubs the back of his neck. He sinks into the cheap faux leather couch opposite of the priest and does his best to seem nonchalant.

"I'm sorry to put you through this. You really don't have to follow my whims…" Kyden's smile is a bit shy, troubled and it steals Voir's breath away, making all of the risks feel worth it.

"No, no! It's fine. Totally fine I uh…we're buddies, aren't we? And buddies help each other out!"

Kyden shakes his head, a soft sigh on his lips. "Your definition of both 'buddies' and 'helping out' are concerning. But I suppose I haven't the right to comment on those things, huh?" 

Voir gulps. He watches the way Kyden's slender fingers tightened around the glass. "Have you found any leads on Raziel?"

From the investigation? No. The investigation has been mostly pointless but that doesn't mean that Voir's completely clueless. He has other sources. "Yeah, I know where he is."

The atmosphere thickens. Kyden weaves his fingers together, his lips are taut, brows furrowed. "Tell me."

Voir doesn't really think things through when he divulges the information, because there's no way for him to come up with a believable story as to how even knows these things in the first place. He's just too distracted by Kyden to care.

And luckily, Kyden is also too distracted to notice such discrepancies, because he buys the stories without too many questions.

The next thing they know, they're going on a trip.

…

There's not much left in the world.

Salemo was once part of a prosperous country but that country has since collapsed. Cities all operate now on their own rules, their own terms. That is if they can scrounge up enough to survive in the first place.

But there are still pockets of advanced civilization like Salemo and other locations scattered about.

Nekata is one such place; a rare seaside resort that has retained all of its vacation sight glory from the old world. It's luckily not that far from Salemo, and can be accessed via a low-risk eight hour train ride. 

It's a place worth traveling to for many, even if they have to make a more arduous trip through the desolate and hostile landscape.

But for Kyden and Voir, they only need to hop on a train.

"Chief's going to kill us," Voir chuckles as he leans against the window, eyes watching the tranquil landscape that stretched outside. There's nothing much to see in a barren desert, but Kyden supposes it's still a change in scenery compared to the concrete jungle that they're used to.

"…She will." Which should irk Kyden because he's sacrificed much for his career. Oddly, he's not that bothered because all he can think about is that stupid demon he allowed to get away. That stupid damned demon that now has Raziel in its clutches.

He's drowning in his thoughts, in his rumination, and Kyden is exhausted by the time they reach Nekata. 

The sky is black, clouds obscuring stars when they check into the hotel. From the hotel room window, Kyden spots the sea, dark and stretching out endlessly. His thoughts wander back to the fish he saw back in the aquarium that were plucked from such a place. A rare itch to draw gnaws at him, but he ignores it.

"It's almost like we're on vacation, huh?" Voir hums pleasantly as he fumbles through his small suitcase. 

Kyden makes a face. They didn't come to have fun. It's not long till they go to sleep. Rest doesn't come easily but it's necessary. 

Their alarm is set early, everything is set into motion before the break of dawn. Kyden and Voir are dressed like any beach-going tourists with swimming trunks and light runners. But Kyden brings his knife, and the precious holy water needed to exercise mature demons. They don't really get much of a chance to take in the sights. 

Unlike the previous night, the sky is mostly clear, with scant clouds that catch twilight's glow.

The truth is, the demon and Professor aren't even that hard to find. 

The beach they stroll is mostly empty. A glow of orange outlines two figures that etch their footprints into the sandy shores. And when the red orb of sunlight gleams above the horizon, glowing against the rippling water, the two stop to face each other. 

They lean in and kiss. It's a scene plucked from a fairytale. 

That's when Kyden and Voir decide to strike.

Kyden rushes in first, with his palm bloodied he grabs the demon's shoulder and yanks her back. She screeches, eyes wide with surprise. She tries to twist away, a purple glow was upon her pupils and Raziel is like a puppet on a string. He does not seem to recognize Kyden when he steps in for a lunge.

But the fist that the professor raises does not connect. Voir is behind the professor, his arms locking the other from movement. 

The demon panics when she sees the bloodied knife, trying to elbow Kyden in the gut but it doesn't do much. The host body is small, weak, and cannot stand up to him. So she tries to twist herself free from the priest's iron grip instead. Her eyes flash purple, veering towards the other two men. Voir's eyes connects with her gaze but—

She gasps, "You—!" 

For a moment, he looks a bit apologetic, his grip on the professor loosens and Voir's foot gets stomped on. He yelps. Raziel almost breaks free but Voir doesn't let go. The two of them tumble in the sand. 

Either way, it's already too late for the demon because the knife comes down into her throat. Blood spews as she gags with wet gurgles. "R-Raz…!"

The light in her eyes is extinguished; the host falls to her knees before dropping into the sand, fast turning dark. The black mist rises from the fresh corpse and Kyden is fast and efficient, his vials of holy water already out.

The demon is cleansed, a terrifying ear-piercing screech sounds out before there's silence.

Kyden's pants heavily before he steps away from the dead girl and rushes over to the other two. Voir groans, finally untangling himself from a disorientated Raziel.

The professor is dressed in a loose button-up t-shirt, baby blue with absurd palm trees printed on the bottom. Yet somehow, the professor makes it work. He's handsome with his swept to the side, even as he reaches up to nurse his head, face twisting in agony. 

Kyden kneels and he reaches out but hesitates and retracts his hand. "Professor…? Are you—" 

Raziel blinks up at him, looking lost. "Kyden…? Is that you? Where am I? W-what? Ow…" 

"Are you hurt? Is everything okay?" Kyden's voice is uncharacteristically shaken. He feels at a loss and wonders if they should call for paramedics. 

"I'm fine," Raziel frowns. He watches the way that Kyden reaches for him but then retreats. So the professor takes initiative and holds Kyden's hand. "I'm…fine. How about you, Kyden? Are you okay?"

The priest opens his mouth. For some reason, his thoughts are dazed and he feels odd, disorientated with his heart roaring in his chest going twenty miles an hour. Why would the professor be the one comforting him? He cannot fathom it, or understand how he's in this situation in the first place. But Raziel is safe, so there isn't a problem, right? Then why is it that his heart palpitates and his skin damp with sweat. 

Kyden doesn't even realize that he's dodging the question when he explains, "You are in Nekata now. Do you remember what happened?"

The professor wears a deep frown and shakes his head. "Frankly…I'm surprised. I have no idea how in the world I got here but…if I were to hazard a guess, I assume it's something to do with that." Hazel eyes rake over the corpse that dyes the white sand blackish red.

"Ah!" Voir cries out suddenly, "The Chief is seriously going to kill us!"

When Kyden escorts the professor away from the scene, Voir stays behind. To contact the authorities, or so he claims. Because as soon as they're out of sight he bends down to the corpse and lifts the sleeve of Belle's thin cardigan.

On her wrist was a thin, black bracelet. It's made of hair, tied together with a small silver band. With a switchblade, he cuts it loose and pockets it before finally calling authorities.