"Shiroi Hane"

Written by Calis

Chapter Three: Lost One

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Like a setting right out of a gothic novel, the ancient chapel loomed into view as Hane trekked up the narrow winding path. The setting sun overcast by gathering storm clouds only heightened the ominous atmosphere. A lone crow perched on the crumbling stone cross of the bell tower seem to be observing her approach and even from a distance Hane could tell that the bird was entirely too still to be normal the only sound she could hear was the howl of the wind.

Like a great black beast, the dilapidated church crouched under the shadow of the overhanging cliff and Hane could feel an almost physical sense of evil pulsating like a heart deep within. As she reached the end of the path, she could see that lewd and obscene graffiti covered the walls but to her trained eye, she detected the various arcane glyphs and symbols hidden among them, defiling the very elements that once made the place consecrated. Hane glanced up towards the bell tower but the crow was gone.

A silver brow rose as she beheld the huge rotting double doors that guarded the entrance to the chapel. The wood was covered from top to bottom with dark red runes that twisted and warped with perverted life before her eyes. Her arrival had been anticipated after all, someone or something had taken the trouble to set up a seal to block her. The damp surface and lingering stench also told her that a sacrifice had been performed to provide the fresh blood needed to write those runes.

Overhead, lightning streaked across the dark sky throwing everything into stark black and white. Hane felt a drop of moisture on her face and before long the heavens started to pour. The rain was cold and she could feel the chill even through the coat she wore. Reaching out with one hand, Hane touched the blood seal. A blinding flash flared as the dark magic etched onto the decaying wood sought to repel her. The runes reared free of the door metamorphosing into sinuous serpents that lunged for her with bared fangs.

" Blaze! "

From her outstretched hand, tongues of red-gold flames fanned across the sealed portal. The rune serpents retreated with furious hisses, twisting and convoluting across the burning door. The writhing forms melting like wax as the inferno engulfed them. The doors had been reduced to nothing more than ashes when Hane recalled her fire. Standing amidst the wind and rain, she raised dispassionate eyes to meet the silent challenge issued by the inexorable darkness within before she stepped over the threshold.

" Very impressive, I must say. " The sound of someone applauding accompanied the remark.

White flames suddenly flared into life on the wick of black candles with the unnatural fire provided scant illumination but it was enough for Hane to make a quick study of the place. Not a single pew remained within the chapel and near altar where the crucifix with the figure of Christ once stood, was an inverted cross with the inverted body of a man crucified. He had been the sacrifice victim for the blood seal and the slash that severed his jugular had been so brutal that the head was almost decapitated, joined to the body by only the skin. Hane walked halfway down the length of the aisle before she paused, her foot almost touching the perimeter of a pentagram sprawled across the floor to the altar. Black candles denoted the five points of the star but it was something else that drew her eyes. Placed at the base of the cross beneath the sacrifice was an ancient bronze vessel.

" I see you recognized it. The vessel is a relic used in the ancient Celtic rituals by the Druids. They believed greatly in sacrifices, human or otherwise, and I agree wholeheartedly with them. You've impressed me again, shinigami. "

A figure emerged from the shadows to stand by the altar. It was a man dressed in the dark vestments of a priest but it was the almost inhuman beauty of his face and form that surprised Hane but the surprise faded quickly. She had learned quickly enough to become jaded against the depravity masked behind the veneer of beauty. A huge black crow perched upon his shoulder watched her with the black malevolent beads that were its eyes and Hane was sure that the bird was the very same one she saw outside. An amused smile was on the perfectly sculpted lips of the creature's master as he deliberately moved towards her.

" What a lovely surprise... " Cold blue eyes raked her brazenly from head to foot.

" How kind of your superiors... We might as well enjoy each other. You are very beautiful, shinigami. Has anyone ever told you... "

His voice was low with sensual anticipation as he stopped right in front of Hane. The aristocratic face was inches from her own. The Lost One was trying to unnerve her with his blatant seduction. An elegant finger traced down her cheek and Hane felt his breath against her ear as he whispered softly.

" You look like an angel? "

" Is this putrid carcass what you exchanged your soul for? "

The Lost One jerked his hand back as if burnt and his eyes narrowed with hate. He moved away from her into the sanctuary of the pentagram before flinging one arm up violently, sending the crow on his shoulder flapping to the rafters above. Tossing the long platinum hair that flowed luxuriously down his back, the impossibly beautiful man laughed and fondled his body in private ecstasy. Obsessed with his own narcissism, he had betrayed his faith and fallen into the grandeur of the illusion that he was Lucifer reborn. Madness shadowed his expression, as he grew quiet.

" No, you are wrong. My beauty is eternal, promised to me. I am the one of the Chosen and when the Day of Reckoning arrives, I will stand by His side! I bring you an offering, my Dark Master! "

He screamed dementedly even as he slashed his wrist with a long dagger made of bone. Yet instead of the bright crimson blood of a living man, black viscous slime-like fluid spewed from the wound, gushing forth like a stream. The Lost One began to chant in Latin while he sketched arcane symbols wildly with the bone dagger. Fused with an ancient power called to life by the incantations, the dark fluid begun to coalesce together into a form.

" Come to me in the name of Lucifer! Rise and honor thy Dark Father, I summon thee, Ramcor! "

With its true name spoken, the summoned fiend took physical form. The massive horned bull's head reared as it let out a bestial bellow shook the old chapel to its foundations. Hane stood her ground before the towering monstrosity; her cool silver gray eyes impassive even at the massive claw that slashed down at her. At the very last moment, she raised one hand to block the savage attack. The impact should have reduced the shinigami to bloody shreds but the Lost One staggered back confounded to see the shinigami still whole.

It was minor demon that backed away from her, one muscled forearm falling onto the floor, severed cleanly. The same black fluid that had spurted from the Lost One, surged from the open wound of his summoned minion. A high pitched scream rent the air as his beautifully formed arm suffered the same fate.

" Flesh of your flesh, blood of your blood. From your condemnation, rose his existence...A mirror reflection of your soul. "

" No..... No....No... Spare me... please.... not my body... my beautiful body... " The beautiful face had turned repulsive, the fine features distorted with fear.

Her slender fingers moved, thin gossamer threads of flame entangling Ramcor until the beast resembled a puppet. Without a warning, Hane wrenched the threads. The filaments of fire bit deep, cutting through tendon and bone as she dismembered both man and demon. The sound of wings flapping threw Hane's attention as the crow sought to escape with the demise of its master. A talisman appeared in her hand and she flung it out, the paper turning into an arrow as it streaked towards its target. She did not miss her mark with the shaft taking the bird in flight, right through the breast.

Her part was done and the other JuOhCho divisions would take care of the rest. She walked out of the chapel but when Hane felt the piercing cold rain pouring down on her, her composure cracked. The Lost One's madness had distressed her, it was all too familiar. Madness touched her all her life and now even after death, it plagued her still. Hane shivered but it was not from the cold. Perhaps one day soon, she would cross the thin line and plunge into insanity.