The Dead Fights Back

// emeryx //

"Is it true that you were the one to get rid of The Phantom Brotherhood as a trainee?" The student asked, her eyes widened in excitement. Emeryx frowned, his arms folded over his chest. Banca and Claye stood beside him, while Viliana and the still-recovering Emberson stood in the back of the classroom.

"Who are you referring to?" Claye asked, his tone sheepish. There was a reason that the male was the team's 'healer', he was the type that cared more than to fight. Well, Claye was certainly the opposite of Emeryx.

"You." The student pointed at Emeryx, and the team leader sighed.

"Yes, it's true. Even as an After-Hunter, I had to complete my job no matter how hard. My task was to take down the spirits known as Blase, Daeva, and Shay. Daeva was a Level 5 Shade, while Blase was a Level 6 Banshee, and Shay was a Level 5 Shade as well. It was harder, because it was three against one due to how my mentor was incapacitated. I had to operate without my hearing because if Blase could use his scream, and I had to stay in lit areas as to combat the abilities of Daeva and Shay."

"Do you think The Phantom Brotherhood could come back?" The same student asked, her pencil scribbling rapidly on the notebook.

"Now now Marza, that's enough questions." The teacher spoke, but Emeryx raised a hand. He cut the teacher off and looked at the student who had been been dubbed Marza.

"If they truly wanted to, yes. I think that The Phantom Brotherhood could come back." Emeryx responded, "Now, as I understand it; you all are looking to be within The Crimson Pact. I also know that you have your teams." All the students nodded to indicate that what the team leader had said was right. "Get into your teams, which should have five members. You need to pick a team leader, a second-in-command, and a healer. The other two will be normal members, though there's nothing wrong with that."

"If you are part of the two normal members, please remember what Emeryx has said." Banca spoke, "Viliana and Emberson, our two normal members back there, are as helpful and powerful as if they were their own leaders."

Emeryx couldn't help but frown, but as he glanced around the classroom, he found that the student Marza was staring at him with either curious or suspicious eyes. He returned her stare and she looked away, his eyebrow raised in skepticality.

This wasn't what he'd signed up for.

He remembered the request from Abril, and he'd wanted to turn it down... If it hadn't been for the impression of excitement that his team had shown.

She owes me big time... Emeryx thought darkly, gritting his teeth together in frustration. 

Once all the teams had gotten together, they took buses over to The Crimson Pact building, Emeryx's team even riding on the buses with the students.

As they got there, they got to the training rooms, standing in the armory before they went anywhere.

"Since you all seem to be looking to be within The Crimson Pact, and those uninterested will be observing as part of your alternate assignment, we're going to do some team exercises than some solo." Emeryx sighed, "First, you will watch us, as a team, go through the simulation. Now since you're only students, your levels will be set at the highest of four. Regular practice for a team go to ten, which includes the rare Demon if the simulation sends it."

"Make sure to enjoy the show." Viliana winked as the team entered the simulation.

"Banca I want camera out as well as Viliana's camera out. We'll have to make up for Emberson." Emeryx called out, knowing that the still recovering team member was only watching. "Claye, keep ready for whatever may--" Emeryx was cut off as he was thrown into the wall. He groaned as he fell to the ground after impact with the wall. "..happen.."

"Emeryx, we got a Revenant!" Banca called.

"Banca, use your whip!" Emeryx exclaimed, coughing. He was winded, and fighting to get back up. "We also have a Shade."

"Emeryx, we can't combat a Shade with Emberson's flame magic!" Viliana exclaimed, her camera flashing.

"No we don't.." Emeryx hissed, trying to pull away from the shadows. The Shade was busy with him, keeping him trapped to the ground. Shit.. In front of kids too.. "I guess I have to.." 

"Eruption of Heat!" Emeryx claimed, and fire enveloped the floor of the simulation room.

"Emeryx!" Banca's shout made him look up, and they noticed the outlines of the Revenant.

"Now Viliana!" Emeryx commanded, and the flash appeared.

The Revenant disappeared and the simulation room lightened up. Emeryx panted, the fire along the floor also disappearing. He hadn't used that magic in awhile, normally resorting to his exorcism gear. Claye was helping Viliana and Banca with the slight burns on their legs while Emeryx shook his head to get himself to wake up. Black edged his vision, and the last thing he saw were the students and Emberson rushing into the simulation room.

There were inaudible voices as Emeryx fell forward and the world went black.

***

"Good morning sleeping beauty!" 

Emeryx groaned, opening his eyes to some students, Abril, and Banca.

"I'm sorry the kids had to see that." Emeryx muttered, his eyes staring at the blanket. He was in the infirmary, his hands curling into fists. "I didn't want to use it."

"It's fine.. You know the danger behind the simulations." Abril whispered, "The levels were lowered to a max of three for the students. There were two teams that were exemplary."

"Let me guess, that girl Marza's and Drick's, the top student in the class." Emeryx looked up, seeing Marza and Drick's eyes on him.

"You're right." Banca nodded, "The teams are in here to talk to you."

Emeryx threw the blanket off and stood, shaking his head to get rid of the dizzy feeling.

"What was that fire? Why did that appear out of nowhere? Why is everyone freaking out about it?" Marza asked as they followed Emeryx down the hall.

"That was a spell from the book of Phantomsong. I'm not allowed to use the magic since it not only hurts Phantoms, but Ghosts and people too. It's forbidden." Emeryx responded.

"Then why do you know it?" Marza asked again, her tone more accusing; even for a student.

"There were complications with The Phantom Brotherhood back when we were on the case." Abril muttered, "He had to.. He's the only one that knows Phantomsong. Thankfully, the other one to know Phantomsong was killed a long time ago. Once Emeryx dies, the only thing to know any type of Phantomsong magic would be Entities, and those are--"

"Rare." Drick finished for her, "So.. Why did he?"

"Because I burned the book after I retained the knowledge." Emeryx muttered.

"Who was the last one to retain knowledge of Phantomsong?" Marza wondered, and Emeryx could feel her gaze boring into his back.

"The last leader of The Phantom Brotherhood. Emeryx's brother--"

"Empyr."