Chapter 5)

It came from the street, a small murmur, barely audible, but I could hear it through the silence. 

Is that Iris?!  Where are all the civilians then?!

There was not another whisper heard, as I kept my focus on the approaching nightmares, still snickering as they tip-toed towards me. The black mist from each of their bodies still fuming and covering the area of the alley.

Damn, I'm going to have to deal with this myself. I can't even hold my own katana without forcing my body!

Taking slow steps backwards, I kept the distance between me and the nightmares, not allowing them to get close to me. As they stepped, they taunted me with false swipes and laughing, clawing their hands against the air to agitate me. I kept all three nightmares within my view, not allowing them to slip past and attack me from behind.

"Ogata."

The whisper, louder, could be heard again. It seemed like it had been close to the alley that I was in, so I yelled out desperately.

"Iris! I'm in the alley! Help me fight these nightmares!"

I got no reply, so I decided to yell again.

"Iris?!"

No reply once more, nobody had responded to my yelling.

Can she not hear me? Why isn't she responding?!

"No need to yell!"

The sounds of steps entering the alley could be heard, as I saw the long, blonde hair of a familiar face emerge from the darkness. Wearing the same robes he wore in the shop, he stood waiting at the entrance.

"Barsanti?"

"Yo, Ogata!

I felt a wave of relief flow through my body, as a smile formed on my face as I saw Barsanti, grinning, step towards me. His robes fluttered with each step, his blonde hair bobbing on his shoulders.

"Looks like you need some help."

"Yes, please!"

He smiled at me, then turned his attention towards the three nightmares, no longer snickering as they stood warily against Barsanti and I. He didn't take out a weapon, or stand in an attack position, he just stood there with his hands in his pockets.

"These are some crazy looking nightmares, huh? Looks like they would have licked the skin off a body, then eat the bone. They don't belong here in Modena."

The three nightmares began to hiss, slowly crouching as they took steps backwards, the black mist from their bodies no longer forming. Their eyes had now only pointed towards Barsanti, not me.

Are they... intimidated by Barsanti? Why? He doesn't even have a weapon!

"Listen, Ogata. You may be wondering why they might be afraid of me, and in due time you will learn exactly why. But for now just think of this as a favor of mine. You can pay me back later."

Not a moment later, a fierce, unknown force had launched from Barsanti, his hair began to wave backwards and his robes dancing. The three nightmares that had began to back away from us had now been roaring, as they tried to crawl their way from the alley, appearing to be hit by the force. The attack hit their bodies, slowly withering away as black particles formed in the air as the nightmares groaned in agony, their hideous form turned to mist, disappearing into the night sky.

The only thing I could do was stare in amazement, as Barsanti turned his heads towards me, the same grin on his face as before.

"What was that?!"

"Pretty cool huh? I'll tell you more about it once we get back to my shop."