Three Spheres

Chapter 94 - Hunt

After crossing the ocean again and traversing the Albam plains in carts dedicated to transporting only cargo, the ACU trio arrives at a village near the location on the map marked by Sayuri. None of them wear their important uniforms, and all the insignia are kept in Emília's purse.

As before, Amadeo feels tremendous anxiety. Not just the imminent fear of meeting a powerful enemy, but also the agony of what Eloah will do when she finds out what he's up to. "It's pretty weird that she hasn't figured it out yet... Did something happen?", he thinks, sitting on the floor, snuggled on Johan's back. He plays with the small gravel filled with memories. The feeling of having watched that is similar to what he experiences during his absurd dreams: A strange incongruous nostalgia, as if seeing an alternate version of himself...

Emília walks from one side to the other, filing her nails so hard that it almost creates smoke. She mutters "Where's Deodoro?" several times.

Someone knocks on the door and Emília opens it immediately. On the other side, with dark circles under his eyes, and exhaustion stamping his face, Deodoro smiles. They embrace; Emília spins him in the air, and closes the door behind her. Amadeo gets up and greets his tutor with a hug as well.

_ I apologize for being late. _ The man says _ After I received your message, my dear, I had to rush to finish my preparations. Fortunately, I think I have everything we may need.

_ What did you do, Deodoro? _ Amadeo questions _ You were researching about "Demons", right? _ He is clearly worried.

_ Yes. Everything is quite complicated, honestly. It is impossible for any of us to use the energy of the "Void", so I looked for ways to just neutralize it. _ He hands the leather notebook to Amadeo _ If you want to take a look, feel free to, but I do not recommend it.

_ How did you manage to do that, dear? _ Emília asks, feeling her heart flutter.

_ Oh, yes, it was all thanks to a certain someone. _ He turns to Johan _ By the way, "Jonathan", she asked me to give you this...

He pulls out a small box from his pocket. Inside, Johan finds a light-pink ribbon and a note that reads: "To use when your hair gets long again, or as a good luck charm if you believe in these things". Even without a signature, he knows exactly whose bad joke that is. He ties the ribbon to his belt, with his rare half-smile.

Amadeo asks about Keisha and the people of Sarauniya, especially the ones from the Executive, inquiring about possible suspicions that the visit to the library might have raised. Deodoro only replies that Keisha is a wonderful young woman with peculiar moral alignments:

_ I believe the saying "Live each day as if it were your last" means a lot to her, and yet she decided to "waste" her time with us, because she believes it will have a positive impact on the world. Cute, isn't it? I love teenage idealism. _ He smiles _ As for the Executive, I didn't meet any of the important figures, but I heard about a mission involving Godeve, Shina, and Eloah in Brazva. I believe that explains why Lady Fortescue is not hunting you yet, Amadeo.

_ So, let's take advantage of the fact that she's distracted, and investigate. _ Emília complements _ We don't have much time to follow this lead.

Everyone agrees, but... "It's craziness to go alone, right?", Amadeo thinks, while Emília informs Deodoro about all the events in the North Sea. "If we find more Doppelgänger or maybe even the Witch, we'll...-"

_ Amadeo, can you show me the "Memento mori"? _ Deodoro asks.

He watches those memories carefully; then concludes:

_ There is a principle in demonic magic that looks like our "life drainage" spells, but it initially involves a process of "corrosion" of the individual's Spheres. I mean, first the Spheres are corrupted, then their energy is drained. This causes this energy to lose its original "structure" and become "soft". It's like melting an ice cube to make water that can be used to make any other shape. _ Deodoro explains _ I believe that the disease in the region of Kesihatan has been derived from this. The symptoms probably occurred due to the process of "corrosion" itself. Do you understand?