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Chapter 24
The Mantra Device
Emerging from the vile bowels of the sewer system, Apricot clutched her chest, gasping for air like a fish cast upon a barren shore. Through the iron bars of the grate above, she strained to observe the city streets, her eyes focusing on a police patrol that scuttled by with a reckless disregard for her presence. A gust of air seeped from her lungs in a sigh of relief, dissipating into the dank atmosphere as she slumped against a dumpster overflowing with refuse. Suddenly, a pair of shoes cut through the grime-streaked void between the buildings, causing Apricot’s eyelids to flutter open in anticipation.
A familiar voice echoed through the narrow alleyway, “Apricot.” Heaving herself up from her makeshift resting place, Apricot spotted Solenne, standing across the alley, clad in her crisp uniform. “Don’t move.”
“Solenne?” Apricot’s voice was barely a whisper, her words a mixture of surprise and dread. “I don’t know what you think—”
“Stop!” Solenne’s words sliced through the air like a dagger as she drew her pistol, the weapon aimed directly at Apricot. “Don’t move!”
“But it’s not what you think!” Apricot pleaded, her voice laced with desperation.
Solenne’s face reddened as she gritted her teeth in frustration. “I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t want to. I knew something was off.”
“I swear!” Apricot tried to mount a defense, but the words died in her throat, the futility of her protestations apparent.
“Shut up!” Solenne’s voice was sharp, her words punctuated by a lethal blend of anger and betrayal. “You’re a terrorist. You tried to murder the ruling family. All those odd occurrences, your shady movements, your incessant questions! It all makes sense now. Apricot, you betrayed my trust!” Her voice cracked as she continued. “Because of you, people have died. You’re a traitor!”
Apricot shook her head vehemently, her hand trembling as she held it up in a futile gesture of defense. “No, it’s not like that! Solenne, you have to understand. I need to get to the old shrine. You wouldn’t believe me, but there’s an evil entity threatening the city, the world!”
For a moment, Solenne’s hardened expression softened, a single tear tracing a path down her cheek before she quickly regained control. “I don’t know what’s happened to you,” she whimpered. Her voice, shaky and trembling, echoed through the alley as she commanded, “Put your hands up!” Apricot complied. “Behind your head. You’re lucky I found you. Left your cell on. Stupid. I’ve been tracking your movements across the city. I know what you’ve been doing today.”
“Solenne, you need to trust me. Please. I’ve wanted to tell you so much. But just take me to the shrine. Arrest me after I get there!” But her pleas were met with a pair of mechanical cuffs, her face forcefully pressed against the cold, unforgiving brick wall by Solenne. Her wrists were bound tightly by the cuffs, their ratcheting noise echoing through the alley. With a firm tug, Solenne pulled Apricot from the wall, lifting her to her feet.
“Spread your legs,” Solenne commanded, her authority resonating in the narrow passageway. As Apricot complied, Solenne patted down her leg, her hand brushing against something rigid and solid. A look of surprise crossed her face.
“It’s a sword, a rapier to be precise,” Apricot explained as Solenne removed the blade from her waist band.
Solenne’s attention was captured by the archaic weapon. She looked up at Apricot, her expression one of sheer disbelief. “This is made of silver, isn’t it?”
“It is,” Apricot replied, a wry smile playing on her lips. “It’s a long story.”
Solenne exhaled a sigh of resignation, nudging Apricot’s ankle with her boot as a signal to draw her legs together. Mechanically, she cuffed Apricot’s ankles together before taking hold of her wrist, guiding her towards the entrance of the alley.
“I must inform you, you are now a state possession. The Okabe government has officially revoked your rights. A tribunal will be chosen for you to defend your innocence. Until further notice, any social credit you may have is rendered invalid. All funds will be confiscated and returned only upon reinstatement of your personhood.” Solenne’s hand moved to a button on her shoulder. “I got that 52-50.”
Apricot watched as Solenne’s expression morphed into one of confusion. “Excuse me, Joji, this is a police matter,” she protested, her voice ringing with uncertainty.
Apricot strained to listen to the conversation over the earpiece. “Orders are coming from the top. From Empress Kyo herself. She is to be handed over to the royal guard.”
“That cannot be,” Solenne muttered, her gaze meeting Apricot’s.
“Beats me too, Miss Solenne, but what can you do? You’ve kicked a hornet’s nest, and the swarm is coming. I’m sorry, but I had to lock your car. They’ll pick her up soon. In the meantime, keep her close,” came the reply.
“Understood. Thank you, Joji,” Solenne responded before switching off her headset. She turned away from Apricot, leaving her in quiet contemplation.
Apricot cast her gaze downwards, avoiding the sight of her friend in such a state of humiliation. “You should let me go, Solenne. The Okabes aren’t what they seem.”
Solenne’s expression was unreadable. Apricot could see the shift in her gaze – the once friendly conversation now an official matter. “I’m sorry, but this is the way it has to be,” Solenne replied, her eyes flicking to the device on her wrist. “They didn’t even let me log your arrest.”
“They’re going to kill me, Nay-nay,” Apricot warned.
“Shut up, Apricot. Don’t try to pull at my heartstrings right now,” Solenne responded softly. “I have a duty to uphold the law. You’ve broken it. I can’t ignore my orders.”
Apricot sighed in frustration. “I understand, Sol. I forgive you.”
“That’s good to know,” Solenne retorted, her eyes scanning the horizon for the approaching cruiser from the Empire Guard. “But I don’t need forgiveness from a traitor. You’re still a killer, regardless.” The black vehicle pulled up beside them, its menacing presence underscored by the tinted windows hiding its interior. Two men emerged from the vehicle, their black suits and sunglasses enhancing their intimidating presence.
“Officer Solenne,” one of the guards addressed her, “Thank you for apprehending this rogue agent.” The second guard gripped Apricot’s arm, wrenching her away from Solenne. As Apricot cast a glance back at her friend, she saw Solenne avert her gaze.
Solenne held up her arm, the screen on her device illuminating her face. “It won’t let me log her arrest,” she pointed out to one of the guards.
“This is no longer a public matter. Best you forget this incident,” the guard replied, his face betraying no emotion.
Abruptly, Apricot was manhandled into the back of the cruiser by one of the agents. “Get in there, sit,” he grunted, his grip firm on her arm.
“She is under my charge while she is under my arrest,” Solenne interjected, her tone brusque.
The guard laughed dismissively. “Cute, but she is not your concern anymore.” Apricot felt a chill run down her spine as the doors closed, sealing her fate. The world outside was now a muffled reality, and the guard’s presence next to her a grim reminder of her impending doom.
The look on Solenne’s face as she watched the cruiser drive away was one of deep conflict. She had apprehended Apricot, fulfilled her duty, and yet, something gnawed at her conscience. The once familiar alleyway now felt foreign, its dimly lit expanse echoing the hollowness she felt.
In the confined space of the cruiser, Apricot stared at the opaque tinted windows. The shadows danced, mirroring the turmoil inside her.
From her high-rise tower balcony, Empress Kyo observed the traffic coursing along the interstates below. The headlights of the cars seemed to challenge the fading glow of the setting sun. She was lost in thought when a gruff man approached and knelt before her, his head bowed in reverence to her authority. The gold hem of her red long-tail dress shimmered as she shifted her attention to him.
“Report,” Kyo commanded, her voice steady and firm.
“Your majesty, we have apprehended the traitors. They are en route to holding cells to await your judgment,” the man explained, maintaining his subservient posture.
A satisfied smile graced Kyo’s lips as she glanced at Natsukawa, who leaned against the balcony rail, his neck bandaged. His own vicious grin grew increasingly sinister. “Very good. The prophecy has been fulfilled. Now, it is our turn to act.”
Natsukawa chuckled in response to her words. “Are you ready?”
As the man remained bowed, Kyo replied confidently, “I am.” She reached out and gently touched the back of his neck. “Rise. You have served me well. Inform the others that Natsukawa shall accompany me as my escort. I require only a small retainer.”
“Yes, Empress,” the man said, pressing his hands to his chest and bowing once more in humility.
As he began to leave, Kyo raised her hand, signaling him to pause. “One more thing,” she said, her voice laced with anticipation. “Initiate the ritual cleansing. I want everything prepared before I arrive.”
“Get in there!” barked a guard as he shoved Apricot onto the icy, unforgiving floor. Her elbow dug into her ribcage as she tumbled. “You’re done, girl. You’re so done,” he sneered, his footsteps echoing down the hall.
Gritting her teeth, Apricot struggled to sit upright against the wall of the desolate cell. Uneven bricks jutted into her back, while the cracked floor seemed designed to induce perpetual discomfort. “So they got you too,” Shiori’s voice called out from a nearby cell.
“Shiori!” Apricot exclaimed, feeling a flicker of relief.
“Yeah,” he replied, his voice tense.
“Are you okay?” she asked, concern lacing her voice.
“Yeah,” Shiori confirmed, pausing before adding, “Looks like this is the end of the line for us.”
The metallic clank of the cell gate opening filled the air. “Damn it! Let go of me!” Hunter roared. Apricot watched as four officers restrained him, binding him tightly. They hurled him into the cell across from hers with a fluid, practiced motion. He crumpled to the floor, gasping in pain. “You bastards,” he wheezed.
“I told you to shut up, kid. You’re all going to hell soon enough anyway,” an officer sneered as they left the room.
“Hunter! You’re alive!” Apricot cried out, her voice tinged with disbelief. “Shiori, are your arms free?”
“Afraid not. They tangled me up pretty tight. How about you?” Shiori inquired.
Apricot slumped, defeated. “I’m bound too.”
“Figures. They consider us dangerous,” Shiori mused. “Even in these cells.”
“Shiori?” Apricot ventured.
“Yeah?”
Her voice shaky, she asked, “Where’s Cortez?”
“He got away, I guess,” Shiori grunted. “Heh, he was always good at that. Last I saw, he was being treated by the street doc I left him with.”
“Shiori, how did you get captured?” Apricot probed, suspecting there was more to the story. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Shiori was lying, though she couldn’t pinpoint why.
“Heh, I didn’t make it far. I dropped Cortez off and got jumped by the police about three blocks away,” Shiori explained. “Hey, this is a bit much right now. I think I’ll sleep some.”
“How can you rest at a time like this?” Apricot blurted.
Shiori chuckled. “Not much else to do. Might as well get rested for whatever comes next.”
“You can sleep when you’re dead,” Hunter growled. “We need to figure out a way out of this mess.” Shiori’s laughter erupted, a chilling sound that unnerved Apricot. “What’s so funny?” Hunter demanded.
“Can’t you see? We’re already dead.”
Apricot felt Shiori’s words pierce her heart like a dagger. He had no means to save them, and neither did Hunter. They were as good as dead, and the realization was agonizing. The best they could do was rest. As Apricot laid her head on the cold floor, her eyes welled up with tears.
Sleep was shattered by the abrasive grip on Apricot’s forearm. She was yanked to her feet as a voice grumbled, “Get up.” Her grasp on the situation was blurred by a lingering haze of sleep. After a few moments, her eyelids fluttered open, and she gained a sense of her surroundings. A sudden shout echoed halfway down the hall. She found herself enclosed by sterile white walls, a harsh light glaring above her. She blinked as a well-groomed man placed a black blindfold over her eyes. They didn’t linger. “Get your mitts off of my face!” Shiori bellowed.
“Shut up.” The man said, after Apricot heard Shiori emit a guttural retch.
Something wet splattered on the floor. “Heh,” someone chuckled.
Another man grumbled, “Ah, shit. Seriously, did you have to puke?” There was a resounding thwack.
Shiori gasped and groaned, “Damn you!”
“Hey, cut it out. Empress Kyo wants them alive,” another man hissed.
“Yeah, yeah,” a female voice replied.
A hand pressed against her back, urging, “Walk.” Wearing the blindfold heightened the eerie sensation. They traversed a considerable distance in complete darkness. When she detected the stench of street filth and the creak of twin doors opening, she realized she was outside. At first, she contemplated screaming but eventually opted to play along. She soon heard the sound of a truck door opening. “Get them in the back.”
Her exact location and the direction she was being taken in were unclear. It was evident they were inside a moving vehicle. She felt herself slipping in and out of consciousness. The smell of exhaust lingered at first, but after the motion ceased, they guided her down several flights of stairs.
“Where are you taking us?” Shiori demanded.
Shiori gasped audibly as Apricot heard what seemed like a punch. “Speak again, and I’ll leave your tongue behind. That goes for any of you.”
As the journey continued, Apricot began to wonder where they were being taken. The city’s sounds faded away, replaced by a low hum that grew louder as they progressed, blindfolded.
She sensed the incline changing as they descended a series of ramps, spiraling deeper and deeper. It became apparent they were heading toward an abyss, thousands of feet below the city to the place where it all began. Cold air brushed against her. As they continued forward, she discerned that the narrow walls led to a more expansive chamber. Pressed against something cold and rigid, she understood the room was vast. Hands gripped her arms, and she felt a coil wrap around her wrists. A hissing noise accompanied the tightening of the mechanical device, securing her arms around a thick pole. Then, the blindfold was removed, forcing her eyes to strain as they adjusted to the sudden brightness.
She stood in a large white room, her arms bound. An odd contraption dominated the center, featuring a massive, polished black circular mirror that reflected everything around it. The floor lay flat, with a trough-like depression leading to an open section of the ground. Her eyes darted around the room, spotting Shiori and Hunter also restrained to similar poles, alongside others. She noticed the black-haired man Cortez knew, chained up as well. Her heart skipped a beat. The devil man was among them, though she couldn’t recall his name—Geno, Genva, something like that. A sinister expression contorted his face, caught between his demonic and mortal form.
She counted five armored guards in the room. Two stood at a table adorned with metal and a large ceremonial blade. Her attention shifted to a group of people entering the room. Clad in a red dress trimmed with gold, Kyo sauntered in, her expression a mixture of glee and madness. Directly behind her was Natsukawa. A sly grin spread across Apricot’s face as she noted Natsukawa’s scarred and wounded visage. Shiori grumbled, “Well, she showed up today.”
“I demand to know what is going on? You can’t do this to us!” screamed another young girl bound in chains.
Apricot’s disgust for Kyo’s smug grin and her jaunty stride intensified. Kyo positioned herself before the altar in the center of the room, cradling a long, cloth-wrapped object in her hands. When Apricot saw the item, she assumed it was a relic or weapon. Instead of fearing death, she worried about the manner of their demise. Given Kyo’s penchant for rituals, she suspected it would involve some dark, forbidden torture to invoke a hidden power.
“When I get out of here, I will rip your spine out! I promise!” shrieked Geno, his jaw lengthening into something akin to a canine’s. As he snarled, his body convulsed like a violent seizure. His muscles bulged, and he transformed into the monster he had once been. The girls chained next to him screamed in desperate pleas for help.
Kyo tilted her head towards him, a coy smile playing on her lips. Her eyes, lined with bold eyeshadow, gleamed. Makeup caked her face, making her appear more like an artificial model than a person. Excited, she unwrapped the cloth, revealing a silver decorative knife. She handed it to Natsukawa, who bowed his head and held his hands out wide. Kyo approached the large black mirror and closed her eyes.
A vacant well stood before her. She grasped a red orb attached to a necklace around her neck. Lifting it overhead, she hung it from a thin chain above the basin. “The blood of the dead for you to drink.” The red orb emanated a torrent of blood. Kyo released the necklace, plunging the orb into the growing fountain of blood. As the contraption groaned, a glowing light shone beneath the pool. Blue orbs flitted through the darkness, reflecting in the black mirror. She whispered, “I have prepared the way. It is time to finish this bridge to evermore. Natsukawa, do the honors.”
His splintered face bore the marks of pain as he took a step forward. Geno roared, drawing Natsukawa’s attention. He locked eyes with the monstrous man. Slowly, he strode towards Geno with the poise of a butler. As Geno lunged, Apricot thought he had Natsukawa, but he evaded the grasp by mere inches. Natsukawa’s grin widened as the skin on his cheeks tore, exposing the muscle beneath. Saliva dripped from Geno’s jaws onto Natsukawa’s lapel. With inhuman speed, Natsukawa pressed the blade against Geno’s chest, causing it to sizzle and Geno to cry out in agony. “Silver!” he screamed.
“Such a weakness for all the power you’ve been given by your pact,” Natsukawa laughed. “Does it seem worth it now? Your transmigrations have certainly been worthwhile.”
“What do you mean?” Geno asked, his voice quivering. Another stroke of the blade elicited another scream of pain. Geno appeared terrified as his body tensed.
Natsukawa smiled as he stepped away from the hideous beast. “You see, without those arts, we never would have known the extent to which a person could be transformed. If we had known you could infuse people with Raka, we would have been producing our own blood for a sacrifice.” Natsukawa stared pensively at a pretty young Uchellan. As his torn face captured her attention, she wore a white mask of horror. “Nor would we have known how to find these witches.”
“Please, I am not a witch! I am nothing like that monster.” At that, he pressed the blade against her leg. She screamed and struggled with the same vigor as he did when the silver seared her flesh. “See, witches like you are perfect for sacrificing.” The other girl was rendered speechless by the terror unfolding before her.
Natsukawa almost danced as he returned to Kyo’s side. “So, what the hell do you have planned? If you’re about to slit our throats, just get it over with,” Shiori snapped, his face a picture of pure indignation.
“You, Prince Kinjo, shall be last. I want to savor that strong facade crumbling as we butcher your friends. But first, the strangers,” Kyo replied matter-of-factly.
Shiori snorted, “You think I care about anyone here.”
“I do,” Kyo sang. “I think you care an awful lot about people. Why else would you have risked your life, Shiori? You gave up a cushy royal life just to stop me because of your dying grandfather’s wishes. Was it an omen that told him?” she asked mockingly. Apricot observed Shiori’s steel-like face, which was unnerved. “What’s the matter, quiet now?” The tension in his features told Apricot something was off. Could this be what Shiori looked like when he was afraid? Apricot’s heart raced. She glanced at Hunter, who appeared relaxed. “You seemed so confident and proud when you thought your naive peasants had ruined my ritual. Oh, I’m sure you knew it was a trap. I wanted you to think that. Amazing how poorly my guards aimed. Oh, it was worth the sacrifice. See, you made it happen, Shiori; you were my fated key. Foolish Shiori, I have orchestrated your every move this whole time.” Apricot watched as Shiori bared his teeth in frustration. It was the first time she had ever seen him so composed. Behind his eyes, he was dying, and she knew it.
“Natsukawa, I’m tired of waiting. Let’s start with the big brute. I’m offended by that face.” Natsukawa walked over to Geno, knife in hand. He toyed with the edge of the blade before piercing it into Geno’s right thigh. Geno’s arms flailed in a futile attempt to reach his assailant. Blood gushed from the wound, and as it flowed down the trough, it reminded Apricot of thin paint. Geno’s snarls and snaps slowed as his body grew limp and pale. Natsukawa merely smiled, savoring the gruesome spectacle.
“Please, no!” the girl cried, her eyes red and swollen from tears. “I will do anything, let me go!” Natsukawa plunged the dagger into her eye, eliciting a cry of agony from her. Blood flowed rapidly from her inner thigh, pooling at the front of the room in a divot in the ground. As the blood fell inside the circle, it began to glow. Purple flames erupted from Apricot’s arm, and she caught sight of Kyo’s malicious grin.
Hunter’s eyes were fixed on the dying girl, her blood draining from her body as she grew pale and weak. “Shiori!” Apricot called out, realizing she was next in line.
Shiori’s gaze remained focused on the scene, his grin growing wider by the second. His breaking point was palpable, and Apricot could almost feel the weight of his despair. Natsukawa plunged the dagger into the third girl’s hip, whispering to her that she would soon be dead. Apricot watched as he approached her, a sinister smile on his face. “Hello, sweetheart,” he said. “Would you believe this is the one who scarred me?” Kyo, however, was too engrossed in her bloodlust to respond. “I shall enjoy sending you to hell,” Natsukawa continued. “Piece by bloody piece, I am going to dismember you.”
The sound of boots walking down the hall distracted Natsukawa. The guards immediately drew their guns and pointed them at the entrance. Apricot’s stomach churned as a man entered the room. The guards tried to stop him, but he simply raised his hand, causing them to fall dead. “Who is this?” Kyo demanded, her voice filled with rage.
“You are performing my ritual,” the man, Urias, said.
Kyo burst into tears and embraced Urias. “You have returned,” she sobbed. “It’s been so long. I thought you were dead.”
“No, Kyo. I’ve been here, waiting with the black god,” Urias murmured. Kyo backed away, her eyes wide with shock. Apricot noticed the dagger sticking out of Kyo’s stomach and watched in disbelief as Kyo struggled to form words before falling back into the pool of blood. Her dying gurgles filled the room.
Natsukawa stared at the scene, his eyes filled with fascination. As he regained his composure, he looked at Urias and burst into laughter. “And the witch is dead!” he exclaimed. “Moments before she finishes her work, nonetheless.” He stepped over the rivers of blood and approached Urias. “Drowned in her own sacrifice,” he cackled. “No one’s left to complete this task, and I sure as hell am not going to let you do this.” He charged at Urias, who dodged and grabbed him by the hand. “What, going to strangle me to death, old man?”
In a sudden explosion, Natsukawa’s body burst into pieces, scattering gore everywhere. Urias brushed off the mess and turned his attention to the group. “Hello, Hunter,” he said, unfazed by the gruesome display. “I must admit my jealousy. I was hoping I would have been the one to capture you. But I will at least be the one to end you. Black god, are you watching? Allow me to be your vessel, and see what I can do for you. Come and dwell in me!”
Urias’s head contorted grotesquely, revealing its disfigured contents before he collapsed to the floor. Apricot glanced toward the entrance and saw Solenne rushing in, pistol drawn.
“Solenne!” Apricot screamed, her heart pounding. Shiori rolled his eyes and sighed heavily, while Hunter’s eyes remained wide with terror.
Solenne surveyed the room, her face twisted in horror at the carnage. Pushing past her shock, she focused on the group. “I don’t know what the hell is going on, but we’ve got to get you all down.”
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