Touji Ito arrived at the edge of the forest just as the first pale light of dawn began. The air was crisp and still. It carried the faint scent of damp earth and pine.
He settled himself quietly beneath an ancient tree. He folded his legs and closed his eyes to meditate. This was his ritual, an anchor of calm before the unpredictable chaos of the day.
Each exorcist had their own method for dealing with goblins. Those elusive and malevolent spirits that haunted beneath the silhouette.
Some wielded voodoo dolls. Tiny effigies imbued with curses and protective charms. Others relied on ghost repellent machines, humming devices that emitted frequencies only spirits could hear.
Some carried bagua mirrors. Their polished surfaces reflected and confused the goblins' dark energies.
Some even brought pigs, dogs, and other animals. They believed the animals' instincts could sense and ward off evil.
The cross was a common talisman, but not always effective against these cunning creatures. And then, there were the absurd, orthodox methods, some rituals and tools so strange they bordered on superstition.
Unfortunately, the Vatican didn't give any help. They seemed not to care at all and turned a blind eye.
While Ansel, himself carried no tools. He trusted in his own spirit and intuition, knowing that each exorcist's path was unique. Preparation was personal, and today, he was content to wait and observe.
And then, the soft crunch of footsteps on fallen leaves broke the silence. Touji opened his eyes and rose to greet Ansel and Andrew. Two young fake exorcists had come to join him.
Without exchanging words, Touji gestured for them to follow him deeper into the forest. The three moved silently. Their footsteps muffled by moss and undergrowth.
The forest was a realm of shadows and whispers. Where even the light seemed hesitant to linger. They ventured into the quietest, most secluded parts. Where the air felt thick with an unseen presence. It was here that Ansel first wielded Viorenving.
Viorenving was no ordinary weapon. It had to be a guardian spirit in itself. However, the guardian spirit hadn't shown itself yet.
Hence, Ansel had struggled with his own inner turmoil. The coldness crept into his heart. Because he knew it would fail.
Thus he hoped the guardian spirit would reveal its presence. In this moment of suicide, he made a bet. The guardian spirit would never let him die easily. The way he got soul delivery was whenever he was half-dying.
He believed the spirit within the weapon resonated with his own nature. It prevented him from becoming trapped in a frozen heart, a fate that had claimed Hansel.
Mr McVeigh told him that he was very lucky because the Guardian Spirit that entered Viorenving had the same character as Ansel. So, he couldn't be completely trapped in a frozen heart.
As they walked, Touji started a conversation to break the silence. He said, his voice was low and steady. "Goblins are unpredictable. They can appear anywhere, at any time. Their presence is subtle, often masked by the ordinary. You must always be vigilant."
They moved forward, each carrying their own burdens and hopes. Ansel's heart beat steadily. Although he was terrified, he believed his vision. It was not his ending. Thus, whatever happened to him, he would definately fine.
Andrew, ever watchful, scanned the shadows for any sign of movement. While Touji was calm steadily. As he believed that Ansel would get rid of the goblin.
In this ancient forest, where light and darkness danced in delicate balance. The battle against the goblins was not just a fight against spirits. For Ansel, it was a test of will, courage, and the unbreakable bond between those who dared to stand against the unseen.
The forest around them seemed to hold its breath. As Ansel was glancing toward Touji Ito with a mixture of hope and caution, he broke the silence. His voice was low but edged with urgency. He asked. "Do you know how to lure it out?" .
Touji's expression darkened slightly. He looked away for a moment, recalling a grim memory. He began slowly, his tone heavy with reluctance. "There is one thing to get him out. But, I don't like it that way."
He took a deep breath and continued. "Once, an exorcist was accidentally injured. Then, the goblins appeared suddenly. His movements were so very fast. Just for a blink of an eye, the exorcist died. Then, he disappeared. I think the blood that came out caused the goblins to appear."
Ansel's eyes flickered with determination as he turned to Andrew. He suggested. His voice was steady but carrying an undercurrent of tension. "How about we try it?"
The forest seemed to grow darker around them. The shadows lengthened as the sun climbed higher. The silence between the three was thick with unspoken fears and the heavy burden of what lay ahead.
Andrew stepped back, his body language clear and firm. He shook his head, his face tight with concern. The idea of using blood as bait unsettled him deeply. He said quietly but resolutely. "I don't want to try that way."
Ansel met Andrew's gaze, unwavering. He said firmly, his voice carrying the weight of responsibility. "Only you can lure the goblins out. It's impossible to use the blood of monks. They're protected. And I can't use my own blood because it's poisonous to goblins. It will repel them, not attract them."
"No, I don't want to. I still want to live." Andrew said firmly. His voice trembled with a mix of fear and determination. His eyes were wide. It reflected the cold reality of the danger they faced.
Despite the urgency of the situation, his instinct for self-preservation was clear. He knew well what Ansel said. It was nonsense, an excuse to lie.
Ansel, however, was relentless. He stepped closer, his tone soft but insistent. He tried to coax Andrew into agreement. "Come on, don't worry. You won't die. You know I won't let you die."
Andrew's response was immediate and fierce. He said briefly."No!!!"
He stepped back as if to put physical distance between himself and the idea. His refusal was absolute. His fear of the unknown stronger than any promise.