The Demons of Shadow Moon

Part 28 - Liar

Later that day...

Kyou and Echo entered the library. Echo was determined to help them fix their teleportation device, hoping it would help them return to the underworld and clear up the truth once and for all.

"Hey, Casp," Echo called.

The ghost, Casper, came into sight from a bookshelf. The twins gasped to the sight of the ghost!

"Echo, how nice to see you again. Oh, and I don't think we've met before. I thought I heard new voices enter the castle yesterday," Casper echoed to the twins.

"This is unexpected. I didn't know there were ghosts in the castle," Haru shyly remarked.

"Yeah, Casper's been around since this place was built. He's harmless, though," Echo mentioned.

"How interesting," Kyou added.

"You know this place inside and out, right? Can you help us find some books about artefacts? We're trying to figure out if we can reactivate this coin," Echo explained as Kyou pulled the coin out to show Casper.

"Hm. I've never come across artefacts myself. My previous master did on his adventures, though. Let me see if I remember where the books he wrote on them are," Casper commented before shooting off into the shelves.

"What an impressive library," Haru gasped in awe as he wandered to investigate the books further.

"Thanks. Would you believe most of them were written by one guy?" Echo smirked as she and Kyou scanned the shelves for any books on artefacts.

"One guy? How much free time did he have?" Kyou asked.

"He must have had a passion for knowledge. How incredible!" Haru blushed, pulling out a book and reading it in awe.

"So, how are you guys settling in?" Echo mentioned, trying to make small talk.

"Pretty well, actually," Kyou smiled.

"Oh yeah? Not bothered by all the chaos of constantly being around people?" Echo joked.

"As a matter of fact, we're pretty used to big places with lots of people around. When Denkai took us in, we spent a lot of time in the royal manor, learning to be soldiers. That place was constantly filled with people. Although, nowadays, it's deserted. Guess it goes to show how the different kings run their kingdoms... Denkai would strive for community. But the current ruler... he just hides in his chambers, as if hoping when he opens the door, all the problems will go away..." Kyou went on a bit of a rant.

"You have a lot of respect for Denkai, huh?" Echo added.

"I respect anyone who cares enough to take us in and show us a brighter future," Kyou smirked to Echo.

Her cheeks darkened, but she quickly dismissed her embarrassment by focusing harder on the books.

"So, you must be pretty high up in the underworld hierarchy to be soldiers, huh?" Echo mentioned.

"Well, with the current king in demand, it doesn't really mean much. Denkai would train us and give us missions to help the underworld. But nowadays, it's rare to be given an order. We just sit in torment, watching the world fall apart. It's what drove us to steal the coin and come here," Kyou explained.

"I see... well, we're fighting for a future where our king is more like Denkia. I've heard tell of his amazing work to build up society in the underworld and utilise magic... It's the kind of future Luna wants to see too. Which is why we have to find a way back so Luna can finally understand it all properly," Echo explained.

"Certainly. So, Mistress, have you found anything yet?" Kyou asked, moving closer to her.

"Not yet," Echo kept her eyes on the books.