Mystery of Otherworldly Waves: Blood Moon [Volume 1] [END]

Chapter 11: The Grief Behind the Light

...Chapter 11: The Grief Behind the Light...

...[.The Sorrow Behind the Light...

...•...

Running through a dark night, a figure appears—a mysterious man in black robes, his identity hidden behind a skull mask. He relentlessly pursued another man, just a silhouette under a hooded jacket, burdened by an inconspicuous brown bag.

In an attempt to knock out his target, the masked man aimed a shot at the runner's foot.

Bullets shot past, failing to find their target as the two figures matched each other's lightning speed.

With a quick movement, the bag carrier took out an object from her bag, revealing the smoke grade hidden within. Activating it, a dazzling cloud of smoke enveloped their surroundings, temporarily enveloping the masked pursuers in disorientation.

"Damn, get away again," the masked man complained, releasing a heavy, desperate breath.

Picking up his phone, the masked figure punched the number, connected with the contact at the other end. "It's MCH. Subject C-453 escaped my pursuit for now. Keep patrols and watch the city."

On a quiet morning, the city is busy with its usual activities. The city of Exariniel, a small town located within the Nexaris state, is thriving as part of a vibrant western nation, known for its diverse population.

A futuristic landscape unfolds before the beholder, with sophisticated vehicles gracefully navigating the streets. It was the year 2176 AD, a time when technology came to power while keeping the balance of nature in harmony.

Artificial intelligence serves as a benevolent companion to mankind, while robots can be found all over the country, helping humans in everyday life.

In the Nexaris capital, Astrixia, lives a married couple and their 15-year-old daughter, Yuka Olivia. However, due to professional obligations at Exariniel, they moved to this new place.

Yuka Olivia, the girl, goes through a school transition, says goodbye to Astrixia and begins a new academic start at Exariniel. Although just an odd semester (first semester) in the 10th grade of High School, Yuka inevitably has to change schools.

After a difficult search, they finally found a promising educational institution for Yuka—an important moment that marked the start of his remarkable journey.

In one of his classes, hidden behind, a 16-year-old boy bites his pen while pondering. His mind wandered amidst the sea of thoughts, while his pen danced on a piece of paper, capturing a picture of a figure brandishing a sword.

He muttered softly, "A person's weakness depends on their skill with the sword, if the sword is their weapon."

Amidst the thought, the teacher's mother's voice sounded in the air, attracting the attention of all the students in the classroom. The boy's daydream momentarily came to a halt as he shifted his focus.

And then, Yuka entered the room, having just moved to this school. Gracefully, the teacher introduces Yuka to the class. The boy, who listened attentively, observed Yuka—'s appearance of black hair without any decoration, and the birthmark under his right eye.

Yuka exuded shame, visible from the way she clenched her hands together, a touch of shame coloring her attitude.

After the introduction is over, the teacher instructs Yuka to sit right next to the boy. Glancing at his paper, he immediately put it into his notebook, temporarily putting his thoughts aside.

Sensing the awkwardness seen in the air, the man took the initiative to break the ice and get acquainted with Yuka. His name was Dreyl Satoruu—, a young man whose mind often ventured into the world of swordsmanship and strategic contemplation.

In this newfound friendship, Yuka and Satoruu gradually begin to forge relationships, find common interests, and exchange stories. They share their dreams, ambitions, and the charm of their respective worlds.

However, a known destiny is revealed unexpectedly.

Around noon, as Yuka walked home, a terrible incident occurred. A mysterious figure in black robes, wearing black gloves, appeared to emerge from the shadows, as if the darkness itself had swallowed it.

Disturbing a house, the man steps into the living room only to be met with a terrifying sight. Two lifeless bodies, drenched in blood, lying motionless before him—a man and a woman.

Squatting next to the lifeless couple, the intruder's true identity is revealed as he exposes a skull mask emblazoned with the MCH symbol on his robe the same individual who was chasing the subject of C-453.

With earnest purpose, he examined their bodies, assessing their pulse and heart rate. Unfortunately, it became clear that life had abandoned them.

"It's too late, huh?" he murmured, took a few steps back and stood up.

As his gaze was fixed on the two dead souls, a terrifying realization surfaced in his mindthe wide-open window, a glaring indication that the perpetrator might have escaped through that escape route.

Moments later, the door creaked open slowly, revealing Yuka who had just returned home. Unbeknownst to him, the intruder quickly escaped through the open window without leaving a trace.

Yuka stood frozen in shock as her eyes were fixed on the lifeless body of the two people lying before her, they were her parents. It was an irresistible sight to behold—consciousness lunged at him like a relentless wave.

His voice trembled with disbelief and weakness as he said, "T–no, i–this is unlikely to happen …."

In a feeble attempt to find solace, Yuka reached out, touched their hands, placed her palms in their veins, and pressed her ears to their chests. However, there was no trace of life, only a void that confirmed their departure from this world.

Shaky hands, stammered voices, and a heavy heart—Yuka rested her head on her mother's lifeless body, overwhelmed by overwhelming grief. Despair engulfed him as he could only cry, grieving helplessly in addition to their lifeless form.

Days pass, and Yuka's parents find their final resting place at the public cemetery. He continued to wrestle with the cruel reality, shedding tears in front of their graves.

His uncle, also weighed down by the weight of their loss, approached him, trying to offer consolation and provide an entertaining presence in his time of need.

From then on, Yuka's uncle takes on the role of her guardian, shouldering the responsibility of raising her without her parents present.

Days turn into weeks, and Yuka, who was once an ordinary girl among her friends, becomes a shadow of her former self— aloof, moody, and constantly alone.

Covering his true emotions, he appeared to his friends as someone unaffected, hiding his inner turmoil. Even Satoruu, the boy sitting next to him, remained unaware of the depth of his struggle.

Until one fateful day …

"It's police! Stay where you are!"

During the dark hours of the night, law enforcement resonant sounds echoed throughout their homes, surrounding them from all directions.

Yuka and her uncle were engulfed in panic, becoming helpless as they stood up without a fight. Amidst the chaos, an individual emerged from the crowd of officers.

A deep and commanding voice pierced through the air. "Well, whoa, whoa. Finally, we got you, subject C-453."

The man began to explain, his voice resonating with authority. "Indeed, I'm MCH, which stands for Mysterious Criminal Hunter. I'm also known as the Skull Man, the nickname given to me by the public."

The revelation unfolds, revealing the true nature of MCH's purpose. He is a criminal hunter who relentlessly chases and brings them to justice, ensuring that they face the consequences of their actions.

The revelation hit Yuka like a thunderbolt. The subject of C-453 is a codename created by MCH itself, each element having a significant meaning. "C" for Charles, signifying his uncle's involvement. The number "4" symbolizes the staggering amount of 4 million dollars he has stolen, while "53" refers to the jewelry company, "53rien" where he steals a necklace produced by that company.

"But that's not all, girl," interrupted MCH, her voice piercing into silence. "Charles was also involved in the death of your parents."

In a quick motion, MCH took his cell phone, revealing CCTV footage that captured the horrific event. Equipped with a self-designed program capable of detecting audio from surveillance footage, Yuka's parents are seen clearly mentioning Charles' name before being stabbed viciously in the stomach.

Yuka's mind was filled with disbelief. His heart was eager to defend his uncle, but incriminating evidence was revealed before his eyes, leaving little room for doubt.

Approaching, MCH placed a firm hand on Yuka's shoulder, her voice whispering in her ear. "In this world, anything can happen, girl. In other words, you have to stay patient."

"Evil is a crime" he continued, his tone resolute. "That knows no bounds, no exceptions. The truth will prevail, regardless of the nature of its evil. Any offence will be punished, without the slightest leniency."

MCH turned around, his back facing them, as he asked a sharp question without revealing his face. "Tell me, is there any justification for killing his parents, especially as his own uncle?"

His uncle admits that he holds an unimaginable personal grudge against Yuka's parents.

Interjecting sharply, MCH's voice dripped with anger and resentment behind the skull mask. "Rudge? What kind of revenge? Is that reason enough to take their lives?"

MCH asserts that no grudge can justify such heinous acts, unless Yuka's parents kill the wife of her uncle (the aunt). What kind of person would be willing to kill a married couple and leave their child orphaned solely because of personal revenge? This question continued after his uncle's confession.

With no other motive to show, his uncle confessed to the crime. He wanted the wealth of Yuka's parents, because they were indeed rich. Yuka, who is only 15 years old, has not been able to manage their inheritance, but her uncle, driven by his own poverty, yearns for their great wealth for himself and Yuka.

"That's enough. Girl or what's your name? Yuka, right? Are there any words you want to say before we take your uncle to the bars?" MCH asked Yuka in a very heavy voice because it was blocked by her skull mask.

A deep MCH voice echoed through his skull mask as he spoke to Yuka, seeking her response before restraining his uncle. Yuka, her head was down, looking for the right word to express her thoughts.

However, fate once again intervened.

"Take him away. To the prison."

Yuka's head remained bowed, but a newfound determination appeared within her.

With determined determination, Yuka shouted, "He killed my parents out of his own greed. Take him to jail!"

MCH nodded in agreement, pointing to the police with a firm hand gesture. "The wise decision."

He used the pose of holding the wrist, suggesting that Charles should be handcuffed. "In conclusion, C-453, you're going to come with us and spend a lot of time behind bars."

Desperately, Charles uses Yuka as a hostage, brandishing a knife and pressing it against Yuka's trembling body. However, this feeble intimidation attempt failed to shake MCH's unshakable composure.

With determined determination, MCH looked at Charles, an unshakable sense of confidence emanated from him. "Are you really ready to hurt a little girl? You're his uncle, aren't you? Consider this, what thought would come to his mind if he realized his own uncle was willing to use him as a hostage, after claiming your actions were not solely driven by your greed for their wealth?"

The weight of the question enveloped Charles, leaving him motionless. Fear grips her, as she realizes the potential impact of her actions on Yuka's perception of her. Eventually, Charles surrendered himself to the authorities, his wishes shattered.

In the end, Charles finds himself imprisoned, facing the consequences of his crimes. His time behind bars will serve as a serious reminder of the many abuses he has committed.

The next day, after school, Yuka finds herself sitting alone in the park. With his head bowed low, he swayed on the swing, deep in thought.

The burden of grief is still attached to him, unable to fully accept the loss of his parents and the crimes committed by his uncle. His hands clenched tightly, trembling with emotion, as tears trickled down his cheeks.

It was as if by chance, a stranger stretched a tissue towards him. Yuka looked up, only to find out that it was Satoruu. Confused, he questions why Satoruu is in the park.

"I'm the one who should ask you that. This park is on my usual return route," replied Satoruu, his voice exuding tranquility.

Before Yuka can answer, Satoruu interrupts, assuring her that Yuka does not need to answer because she already knows everything. Since his uncle's arrest, news of the incident has been widespread. Satoruu, occasionally interested in the news, had dug deeper into the matter.

Curious, Yuka asks about MCH, seeking information from Satoruu.

With his calm attitude intact, Satoruu replied, "I know him. True to his enigmatic nickname, he remains shrouded in mystery. I've helped her several times, which has attracted me to any news involving her. But well, I can't understand his motive for helping the police. But one thing is for sure, he's not someone that criminals can underestimate."

Yuka found herself caught in confusion. On the one hand, he views his uncle as a bad guy, while on the other hand, MCH's cold and ruthless nature makes him question his character.

However, Satoruu's certainty that MCH's actions are skewed to the side of good despite its malign nature brings a new perspective on its dilemma.

"Sometimes, the nature of a person does not determine whether their actions are good or bad," Satoruu uttered words of wisdom, unaware of its impact on Yuka.

Although her sadness remained, this time Yuka held back her tears.

"You know, Yuka, moments like this require patience. Although I have never experienced the pain of losing a parent, I know that being sad for too long can damage your health" Satoruu said, reminding Yuka of the advice from MCH to be patient.

Placing a comfortable hand on Yuka's shoulder, Satoruu tried to convince her. "Trust me that you can stand tall even without your parents. I'm sure that in the afterlife, your parents want nothing but your success. Don't think too much about their absence."

Adding, he continued, "Even when they're not around, you have me. We might just be classmates at school, but I can be the one standing by your side. Maybe, one day, we could be more than that, Yuka."

Every sentence Satoruu said seemed to erode Yuka's sadness, little by little. Now that he realizes he is not alone, Satoruu remains as a friend within his reach.

He is not completely isolated, there is someone there to support him. Even with just one person, it felt like a thousand people, because Satoruu had managed to awaken his spirit.

Until one day, they were in another world, where a greater calamity could have occurred.

...~Connect~...