Foxfire: Veil of the Nine Phantoms

15: Demon VI - Protecting Our Secret

October 31 - Melanie

After Hoshiko had entered the abandoned factory, Satsuki and I followed suit. The tengu spotted a window on a higher level which we could use as a silent entry point into the factory while Hoshiko distracted the oni inside. Although we could have used the two sets of metal ladders outside of the building to climb up toward the window, fortunately Satsuki had wings and we just flew up instead. Satsuki went through the window first, and after she took a circular look at the interior of the factory, she asked me to follow her inside. Carefully I put my left leg in first, then the other, making my way through.

We were greeted by a scene of industrial machinery, with various pipes scattered haphazardly throughout the trashed interior. Soot and grime coated the floor, giving the place a feeling of abandonment and decay. Amidst the wreckage, yellow tape blocked off some pathways that led deeper into the shadowy innards of this colossal industrial complex, urging us to proceed with caution.

As we ventured further, our main goal was to search for any survivors who might have fallen prey to the oni's sinister plans—to be kept alive and consumed later. The weight of this grim reality hung heavily on our minds as we carefully explored the building.

Stepping outside through a weathered door, we found ourselves on a flat rooftop covered in gravel. The outdoor breeze brushed against our skin, and we gazed up at the night sky, taking in the sight of a tall white water tower and the nearby railway line running alongside the factory. From this elevated vantage point, I could see the tranquil suburban houses of Leslieville below, their peace seemingly undisturbed. But the question nagged at me—how long had this malevolent oni been terrorizing this once serene neighbourhood, preying on innocent lives?

We ascended to another level to continue our search. Among this massive network of cramped pipes that hung low enough to force me to crouch, I felt a little nervous, even though I had Satsuki at my side. She walked ever vigilant, one hand always at her side holding her scabbard, ready to pull out her blade at a moment's notice. I couldn't help but feel that among these shadows a monster could attack at any moment. My thoughts went to my grandmother; I hoped she was safe.

Later, we ventured outside and proceeded to cross a rusty metal walkway that served as a precarious link between two separate buildings within the soap factory complex. Casting my gaze to the left, I saw the imposing sight of towering smokestacks that belonged to Toronto's Port Lands neighbourhood. The industrial landscape loomed large, reminding us of the abandoned grandeur of this once-thriving area. The bridge was about one floor above ground level, and I had to wonder if the bridge could carry our weight in its decayed state, but it held and we managed to get across safely.

As we stepped into the next building, I couldn't help but notice the stark contrast—it felt remarkably cleaner than the previous one. The lights struggled to pierce through the prevailing darkness, creating an eerie atmosphere. I hadn't expected to encounter working lights in this abandoned complex, which only added to the unsettling feeling.

This area appeared relatively emptier, with its white walls and lofty ceilings lacking the messy spider web of pipework from the part of the factory we had explored earlier. However, despite the tidiness, a lingering sense of unease persisted. The empty halls seemed as though they should be bustling with people working, but instead, they were hauntingly quiet.

Climbing flights of stairs, we studied the maps on the walls at each level to navigate our way through the maze. As we traversed an area filled with industrial machinery and broken stones, we caught glimpses of cars moving through the Don Valley Parkway from the windows, their lights illuminating the night. Passing by a huge vat that emitted the scent of soap, I couldn't help but take a moment to glance inside the empty container.