Damned Desire

Chapter 7: Preparation

- Hello, Ike.

- Sorry it took so long. Creating the items necessary to take care of your condition took more time than expected, but we managed to complete it in time. I've attached the talisman and wards that we've made along with this letter.

- From the curse's signature that we've collected and its' ability that I've experienced firsthand, it's safe to say that your curse is a powerful reality-bending curse. Creating a clone and altering everyone's memories to conform to the clone's existence requires a tremendous amount of power from the curse, something beyond anything that I have ever seen.

- However, the curse signature that we've obtained from you doesn't contain that ridiculous strength. It's unknown why this curse decided to fulfill your wish instead of running amok with the original strength that it should've possessed, but it gave us a chance to do something about it.

- Unfortunately, the curse has rooted deep within your soul, as if it's taking your soul as a hostage. If we attempt to carelessly remove it, there's no doubt that we will inflict irreparable damage to your soul. That's why we'll have to make our move carefully.

"That parasite..." Vox gritted his teeth. The thought of that curse threatening Ike's wellbeing was enough to ignite his anger. He barely reined in his emotions before continuing to read the letter.

- Place the wards around the corners of your house while putting the four main wards inside the room that you will designate as the "core room". This will create a sealing barrier that will trap the curse inside your house during periods where it takes over your body. Refer to the chart included with this mail for more information on the placements.

- Then, place the talisman anywhere inside the "core room". It will power the wards and also obscure the "core room" from the curse's perception. In addition, I've placed a condition that will unconsciously attract your friends towards the "core room" when they're in close proximity to it. We'll need them to handle the talisman for everything to work.

"Was that why we were pulled towards this room during our escape?" pondered Shu.

"He's meticulous, I'll give him that," commented Mysta.

- You might be against it, but your friends' help is necessary for this. There's no doubt that they were the root of the current situation, and we'll need their help to dispel this curse. ...I'll be honest, this plan is flawed at best, but this is the only way.

"..."

They couldn't help but feel the tension after reading that statement. The letter had described and dissected the curse that had been unknown to them, suppressed the curse for Ike, and yet he claimed that the only plan they had was a gamble.

- This curse utilizes the power to alter reality through the will of its words. Which means if everyone's will to break free is stronger, we will be able to exorcise him.

- Now everything is up to you and your friends. Trust them, and they shall repay your trust.

- Stay strong.

- Your good pal, Banzoin Hakka.

"It was Hakka, after all." Mysta nodded to himself.

"Oh, I've seen him collabing with Ike before! To think he would help Ike this much, we'll have to thank him later," said Luca.

"Agreed, but we probably should figure out a way to get that curse out of Ike first. This letter's been a great source of intel, but at the end of the day, it just ended with 'Let's do our best!', doesn't it?" mentioned Shu.

"I'd say that he'd already done as much as he could through mail... Wait, there's something else in this envelope." Mysta began pulling something out of the envelope.