Keepers Of The Occult (NaNoWriMo 2024) Chapter 18: Chapter 16: Back To Work

Read chapter 18 of Keepers Of The Occult (NaNoWriMo 2024) by Mercynarie on NovelPedia.

“I hope you brought that magic gun along with you because this might get a little messy,” Liam muttered without turning his head to look at Hazel. Red light bathed the girl the moment she stepped forward. The magic screens that Luca had conjured were covering every corner of the room now, each and every one of them emitting the same flashing light. “Why do you say that?” Hazel squinted before putting up a hand to cover her eyes from the light pollution in front of her. Liam must have noticed her discomfort as well, because he turned around and snapped his fingers. Hazel blinked as the flashing screens promptly dissipated into the air, except for one. “We’ve just confirmed the Rokurokubi’s location,” Luca answered. “Liam has already recounted these past few days to us. It would seem there’s a reason why the monster attacked him in your school.” “Thanks to your journal about Yokai that you accidentally left on our table— Sorry for reading it without permission— We found out about the nature of this Yokai.” Liam waved Hazel’s Yokai journal. The girl creased her eyebrows in confusion. Didn’t I leave that on my table back at home? “Turns out the Rokurokubi isn’t just a floating head,” the boy continued. “She has a body stashed somewhere while her detached head flies around causing trouble. Guess where?” He tapped a white circle on the magic screen. “In our school. Or to be more specific, the janitor’s storeroom. That must be why she attacked me that night; I would’ve sensed something was wrong.” Liam folded his arms. “And as long as her body remains intact, she can’t be destroyed.” “No wonder the room vanished suddenly; it was that Yokai’s doing.” Hazel nodded. “So if we destroy the body, we destroy the Rokurokubi?” “Yes, but keep in mind that what we need is information,” Ava said quietly. “We need her alive at all costs. Or at least until she gives us a lead about Komyo’s whereabouts. I suggest we threaten her until she tells us something useful. This has to work. I have to get my boy back… I have to—” She hung her head. “—I have to tell him I’m sorry.” Silence choked the room as Luca gripped his wife’s shoulders gently. “The Yokai has a time limit,” Hazel spoke up before the atmosphere got any darker. “A Rokurokubi can only be away from its body for no more than twelve hours at a time. If we shift her body’s location and hold it hostage, she’ll be pressured to return. That’s how we force the information out of her. But where could her head be?” It was Luca’s turn to tap the glowing screen. “There.” He pointed at a pulsating red dot. “Upon further research, we found out that the head releases heat while the body gives off cold when separated. They only cancel each other out and maintain a normal temperature when connected again. That’s how we located it in the first place: by looking at the temperature anomalies across Oklahoma. You’re really knowledgeable about these Eastern monsters, girl.” Hazel flashed an abashed smile. “Luca and I will break into the school and locate the headless body,” Ava stated. “A simple unveiling charm should reveal the hidden room. In the meantime, you two will go after the head. We’ll use mind-link magic to let you know when we’ve secured the body, so feel free to use all sorts of threats.” “Sounds simple enough.” Liam punched his palm and turned to Hazel. “You did bring that gun, right? We might need it.” Hazel nodded, feeling the cold metal press back against her fingers in her bag. “There’s also… one other thing. My grandfather restored my memories, so I can use my House’s gift now.” The boy dropped his mouth in pleasant surprise. “Didn’t see that one coming.” “I’ve never used it properly before, though. And I have a feeling I won’t be using this gun at all anyway—” Hazel stammered as doubt rose in her chest again. “—But it’s just a feeling! Aww man, I should’ve asked Pops to at least tell me how to use my gift properly before rushing over. I’m sorry, Liam. I’m not sure how much use I’ll be later.