Forgotten Memories

Conversations at Midnight

The shock brought about by Anna's revelation did not left their faces for quite sometime. Just the mere thought of her being powerless was way beyond their imagination.

"You're joking right, Anna?" Yoh was a bit in denial although he knew very well that his fiancée was not the type who would pull anyone's leg.

"Do I look like I'm kidding, Yoh? I, the future Shaman Queen am currently incapable of seeing, hearing, calling or even sensing spirits." There was a tinge of hurt in the itako's voice.

"When Mistress Jeanne's guardian spirit Shamash was devoured by the Spirit of Fire, she completely lost all her shamanic powers. However, we believe that she can gain them back through vigorous training," said Lyserg slowly.

"There is still hope," Jeanne agreed. "We can work hard for it."

"But unlike Anna, Jeanne did not lose her spiritual senses," Chocolove's careless words were instantaneously rewarded with punches on both cheeks from Ren and Horo Horo who were sitting beside him.

"Some sensitive guy you are," they both muttered harshly to him.

Old Kino cleared her throat. "This is really some serious matter. We should all be vigilant of Hao's new spirit. If he can steal furyoku and shamanic abilities as well as block someone's spiritual senses, then we are all in grave danger. He could take you one by one and render you helpless."

"Who could have thought that such a frighteningly strong spirit could exist?" Tamao felt disheartened all of a sudden.

"I guess we should train as a group to check on each other once in a while," Lyserg suggested.

"That is a logical recommendation young man but I have to stay at the inn to look after Ryuu and the rest of the victims," Faust VIII insisted.

"We could do rotations. One of us will accompany Faust in overseeing the inn while the rest train. We could just change shifts every hour," Ren proposed.

"That seems to be a very decent plan," Faust approved.

Old Kino stood from her chair when the resolution has come to its finality. "I'm going back to Izumo to relay to the Asakura elders of what happened here. Please contact me as soon as your friend and my trainees wake up. Suzume, kindly tend to everyone's needs while I'm away."

"Yes, Master Kino," the apprentice bowed.

The old woman turned to her grandson before leaving the room, "Yoh, please accompany me to the Shimokita train station. The sun will be setting in an hour. You wouldn't allow a poor old blind woman to walk all by herself in the almost darkness, would you?"

"Of course not, grandma," Yoh sweat dropped then followed her out of the room. "I'll be back right away guys," he waved before sliding the door shut.

Anna immediately stood up as soon as her fiancé and grandmother-in-law left. "I'm going to rest in my room. Don't bother me," she said firmly.

I wonder how Anna is taking it right now… Manta can't help but feel pity for her as he followed her out of the room with his gaze.

"I'll just check on my patients. You can find me in this inn's clinic if you need anything," Faust was the next to leave.

The remaining occupants of the small meeting room just sat still for the next few minutes. The silence may have been brought about by exhaustion, anxiety or distress. Everyone felt heavily caught up in the situation and was certain that they were in for one hell of a summer vacation. However, the grimness of the atmosphere did not last long due to an audible grumbling of someone's stomach.