They were right

 In an alley connecting two roads, a humanoid demon wanders, cracks covering its torso and arms. Its blank stare is only interested in finding new prey.

A stick breaking can be heard behind it.

The creature turned its head one hundred eighty degrees, looking for the source of the noise, only to find nothing. As it was about to leave, its chest was suddenly pierced by a cold fist and, before it could scream to alert others nearby, it vanished in thin air, exorcised.

- Rest in peace - Tien whispers, saddened to see the tragic fate of another innocent civilian.

As the party sneaks their way to Maruxiang, they find the entire Fesolgu in a dire situation. Even the strongest warriors of the capital can only helplessly watch as their loved ones turn into enemies by this diabolical plague, corrupted demons that only seek the destruction and sorrow of their victims. The once joyful and agitated streets are now taken over by a dark green, unnatural fog. A small breath could greatly weaken their bodies and play tricks on their minds. Thankfully, the young exorcist protects them with his aura.

- Argh…

Pietra falls to her knees, dizzy. Her vision is blurry.

- Pia! You okay? - Nicholas grabs her arm and puts it over his shoulder, giving her support to keep moving.

- Yeah. I think I just forced myself a bit too much using my sword back at the bar - she speaks in a low tone, catching her breath.

They don’t have the luxury to stop and rest here. Getting spotted in the middle of the streets could mean their demise, even with Tien’s help.

- We can use that building over there as a shortcut - the exorcist points out.

- Urgh, really? It looks scarier than the rest of the city… - Kai is not willing to follow that way.

Despite his usual pessimism, he is not overreacting. The place has a creepy symbol poorly carved on its door, a rocking chair that moves on its own, and two rag dolls that proudly stand in front of some scattered bodies. However, the most notable feature is a brazier on the wall, holding a bright, purple flame.

- Wait a minute…

- Don’t worry. It’s just an antique shop. I never saw anyone going in or out there, though.

- I have the feeling we will soon know why.

Walking closer to the macabre building, the rag dolls remain still as if not recognizing the group as a threat. Kai could swear their button eyes followed him each step he took, mocking him with sarcastic smirks.

- Those pests think we are too weak for them to bother - he speaks, visibly frustrated.

- It’s just dolls, man - Nicholas replies, concerned for his mental condition.

- It’s what they want you to think!

Paying no mind to him, they keep going. Before Tien could knock, the knob made a sound. The door slowly opens.

- Ragh… - A figure exhaling a dry, raspy whisper creeps out, partially hiding herself behind the entrance.

Wearing rags and purple bandages over her entire body, a woman, no taller than Pietra, greets them, gesturing for them to come in with her arm. The only part left exposed is her round, hollow eyes.

- A Fagusio? - Pietra asks.

- Dah… - a word slithered out. A cracked, brittle sound with no real meaning. Perhaps an answer.

She walks inside, trembling slightly. The party follows.

The fragile figure opens her arms, showing her merchandise. Products that seem to be all cursed and dangerous to mortals, to keep them.

- Tehn hfr… Ragus… Narh… Adyl… - the bandages move as she speaks, working as her improvised lips.

- Miss, we don’t understand anything you are saying.

- How rude, Pietra. Her voice is raspy, but it's not that bad.

- Kai, you are the one being rude for joking around.

- Joking? - he genuinely questions.

- You are not?

- She first said Welcome. Then, yes. Lastly, she said her name is Rafika Fagusio, and that it’s a pleasure to have us.

- You just made that up.

- The pleasure is all ours - Nicholas tries to be polite.

- No, he is right. She’s speaking “mortês”. The language of the dead. Hmm, this is a rare opportunity to put my hands on some powerful artifacts. How much for that damned mask over there - Lirika negotiates.

- Trua… Hak…

- She said three souls.

- Dammit, I should have known the currency of a merchant of the dead would be something like that.

- Unbelievable. Are we really negotiating with this thing? And how do you understand her, Kai? - Pietra argues.

- I don’t know - he shrugs.

- No need to worry. The items for sale are surely cursed, possessed even. However, I can’t sense any devilish corruption coming from any of them - Tien reassures Pietra. Unsuccessfully.

- Uh… Raf… Zarth…

Rafika shows them a huge empty glass on discount, claiming an attached spirit lies inside.

- No, thank you. I have enough of those already. What can I get for this idiot? - Kai whispers the last part, trying to bargain Isaac.

She offers him a lollipop.

He ponders the deal.

- I am way more valuable than that, fool! - he protests, infuriated.

- Okay, what about this one? - now he offers the sorrowful knight who laments his fate, haunting Kai to hurt Nicholas sometimes.

- Kill him… Break him… Curse you all!

Rafika pulls out a black, stylish grimoire. A red gem fills its center while its edges are made of high-quality silver metal.

- Deal!

- Why is the nameless soldier way more pricey than a genius like me?! - Isaac is very offended.

The second Kai takes the grimoire, Rafika's bandages unravel like pale serpents, snaking out to entangle the poor knight. They wrapped around his limbs, binding him and dragging him closer. When he was pulled before her, screaming in despair, her hollow eyes slowly sucked his very being in, leaving nothing behind.

She let out a little burp afterwards.

- What is that? Were you telling her to do a magic trick for us? - Nicholas, unaware of what is actually happening, watches a bit confused.

Kai and Isaac exchange a glance of pure horror.

- Uuh… yeah? Anyway, why don’t we keep going? We have a fox lady to save, and it’s not like we have the currency the Fagusio wants - he hurries his companions.

- What about this grimoire she just gave you? - Lirika asks, curious.

- It's a gift.

- Asai! - the child looks at Kai, interested in the book he acquired.

- Here, all yours. I bet you can learn a magic considered a war crime with this.

- Yay! - she strikes a pose of happiness and thanks him with a quick hug.

- Yeah, yeah… You are welcome.

Without wasting more time, they leave using the back door. A satisfied Rafika waves them farewell.

As Tien previously mentioned, it worked well as a shortcut. Maruxiang’s temple is by their view. Her subordinates bravely hold the line as she protects a spiritual beacon that creates a barrier around the temple from a bigger threat. The barrier blocks the dreadful fog from entering, but not the demons.

- Oho? If it isn't my new favorite cuties. Missed me already? - her tone is playful, but her wounds are no joke. Blood falls from her head and mouth, and one of her eyes barely stays open.

- We are here to help! - Kai declares.

- Please, do. Don’t make a lady beg~

The group pushed forward towards her, taking down all the enemies on the way and relieving some of the pressure for her combatants.

- Lady Maruxiang, is that...? - Tien’s attention goes to the structure using exorcist arts to energize the barrier.

- Indeed, boy. The monument was constructed by no other than your fallen master. If only I had taken him seriously when he insisted this catastrophe would happen. At least I wasn’t prideful enough to refuse his gift. This beacon is our last line of defense against the beasts. Without it, my toys and I are as good as dead.

Did she really just refer to the people who are sacrificing their lives for her as her toys? - Pietra calls out her casual cruelty.

- Wait, he knew this would happen?!

- Somehow, yes. Unfortunately, we have no time to chat about it. After all, he came back to make me pay for this mistake.

- What…?

- See for yourself - she glances at the roof.

A menacing figure patiently waits for them to finish their chat, arms crossed. His wide white mantle billowed behind him while long hair and beard whipped around his face in the wind. Different from the other demons, his body is unaffected by the disease. A man of age, pale as a corpse, strong as a lion.

- It can’t be… Master?

- Tien, I don’t want to interrupt your moment, but how strong is he? - Kai whispers to him.

- The strongest exorcist to ever live… - he replies, still in disbelief.

- Amazing.