Korina realises their urgency and hurriedly takes them to the inside of the church.
Korina (looks around): Looks like he is not inside here. (Looks at Ash) He might be somewhere in the garden though. Let's check there.
Ash (nods): Sure let's go. (looks at Drew and sees that he is looking at something) Drew?
Drew (shakes head): Sorry about that. That object (points to it) gives off an unrealistic vibe and I feel like I have seen it before.
Korina (grins): Yes it is something unreal indeed. You can ask father about it. I am not allowed to tell about it to the outsiders.
Drew (nods): Okay, got it. (turns back) Let's get going then. We need to be home soon too.
They go towards the garden and split up in order to find the priest as early as they could. The weather which was perfectly sunny before they had left had suddenly taken a turn as the rain clouds seem to gather and a grayish atmosphere fills the once bright day. It had been more than 10 minutes when Korina yelled for Ash and Drew and they quickened their steps as the downpour was on the verge of starting. They draw in closer and see the tall figure in front of them.
Ash (gasping and bows a little): Hello father. Do you remember me? (looks up at him)
Priest (smiles at him): Yes I do my child. Has it the started its moves? (concerned)
Ash (stands straighter): Yes it has. (tells him the story) What should be our course of action now father? He was able to take control of her body and the effect of the bottle that you have given us is declining as time passes. Could it be because he is regaining his strength back?
Priest (nods): I see so that has happened. Yes you are right and even as we talk he is gaining more power and it would indeed be difficult for us to stop him. But we should use everything at our disposal for it. I will give you another bottle which has a stronger spell than the last one as this is the best I can muster. I am not a priest who practices exorcism. The one who usually does is out of station. It might be too late by the time he comes back.
Ash (looks down): So would we not be able to save her at all? I can't accept this! (shivers) There must be something I can do for her.
As if trying to bring down the spirit of the young man, the thunder growled loudly, bringing with it the cries of the heaven.
Priest (with wide eyes): Let us go to the church, there is something I need to show you.
All of them quickly leaves the place as their almost drenched self finds their solace in the heat inside the church.
Priest (takes his handkerchief out): I may not be able to help with saving her but I can at least show you what she had seen and the reason why she suddenly fainted. Come with me children.
He took them inside and it was the most magical room they had ever seen. On the alternate sides of them were pictures of Jesus helping people to stand up as he smiled in way that soothes the heart. It wasn't a very big room per say but spacious enough for someone to be amazed. It contained some of the most beautiful artifacts one has seen. There was a table on their right which held a glass ball intricately beautified. It had numbers on it and resembled a clock if seen from the correct angle. On their left sight was a big solar system on a stand. It moved the way time moves slowly and steadily but always moving. If taken a closer look, one could see the real gold pieces attached around the planets as they moved around the spaces. It was truly a marvelous sight. The priest smiled and cleared his throat to gain the attention of the youngsters.
Priest (looks at them): These are all artifacts and relics know to be built by the most astonishing and brilliant craftsmen. They were the only people who could carve the intelligences of the geniuses into shape and make the common man see the wonder inside the world of the gifted. This church was also used to be the symbol of intelligence and peace during it's time but slowly lost its self the more modernization came and people began to question the existence of God. This is a story of another time and hence, we shall now look at the single object which we are here for.
In front of them was the picture of Jesus sitting on his throne to the heaven and under it was a big bowl like object which had a blue colored liquid inside it.
Drew (realises): It looks like a pensieve! The one I saw in Harry Potter. Does it shows memories too father?
Priest (laughs): Quite close I would say. This is a magical item which was passed down from generations to generations in this church. It was created at this very place and word has that if we are to move it even an inch then the whole world would collapse. It is considered to be a symbol of time which was given to Jesus as a gift from the heaven. It might look unbelievable but this is true. We can witness the events of the past inside it but only if you have a special connection to the person. It also takes a lot of time around 4 months before we can use it again so we need to use it wisely. I usually do not let people know about it as human greed knows no boundary but I have seen the sincerity in your eyes. I will let you use it just this once. Now come forward to me. (stretches his hand to Ash)
Ash moves forward and stands beside the object as his mind can't help but worry about what Serena saw but at the same time he is determined to save her.
The priest starts chanting a prayer which seems to make the fluid boil harder and harder over. Even when some fluid drop down to the floor, his words don't stop and in a second he takes the hand of Ash dipping it inside the water.
Priest (chanting): Oh gracious father, with the power I am enlightened with please let us seek the past before pacing to the future.
Ash feels the priest forcing his inside the water and his eyes closes thinking he didn't take enough breathe but before he could emerge from the water, his eyes open and realises that he can breathe inside the liquid. After a few more moments, the chanting of the priest stops and Ash saw what Serena had seen that day. His hand clenched tight forming a fist as he sees the absolute horror she had to face. As soon as the scene concluded, the priest pulls him back and to the youngsters surprise, Ash was fully dry.
Priest (joins his hands together): To think that her poor soul had to witness those moments. Oh lord have mercy on her.
Ash (looks down): Thank you so much father. Thank you so much. I won't leave her alone like that ever again. I am grateful for all the help you provided us with today. (bows)
Priest (smiles): My child I only do what the voices tell me to. This is good that you came so early otherwise we would have needed her to store her memory inside it first but for that she would had to relive them again.
Drew (steps forward): Father, may I ask for one more favor?
Priest (smiles): Yes child? (looks at him)
Drew (nervous): Is there anyone you could tell us about who can help us in any way that he can.
Priest (thinks for sometimes):Yes, I remember now, the land where no one bothers him is the place where he lives. His name is Father Xingyong. He is from American origin but he now lives here in Japan. He may help you more about this subject but it can be extremely difficult to first find him and then make him agree to help you. He is a priest but he has his own rules as well. So you need to be very careful and gentle with him.
Ash (nods): Thank you so much Father, again. (bows) We will definitely try our best to find him and request him to help us.
Priest (smiles): I am here for the welfare of the children the lord loves so much. It is our duty to carry our his orders. Korina, my child would you help these boys?
Korina (bows): As you wish father. (turns to them) You need my help? (grins)
Ash (grins back): Only if it doesn't bother you. (stretches his hand out)
Korina (laughs): It won't. (take his hand and shakes it well)
Drew (smiles): I guess we are done then. Let's go and check up on Gary and Clemont now.
Ash (nods): Yeah let's hurry and thanks for the help Korina. (looks at her)
Korina (smiles): The pleasure is mine. (bows to the church one last time)
The priest gives Ash the bottle he talked about and they leave the church as quick as they came as the rain still hasn't subsided and get inside the car to leave for their next destination.
Ash (in mind): Don't worry Serena. I won't let anything happen to you.
In the library
The two guys got to the library early in the morning to find clues in order to help but even after hours of searching, there was almost nothing they found, related to the content they were searching for.
Gary (sighs): Did you find anything glasses? (taking another book)
Clemont (flips a page): Not yet Gary boy. (finishing reading the last page)
Gary (tousleng his hair roughly): Hush!!At this rate we won't get anywhere near to our goal. (sits on the chair)
Clemont (puts his glasses on the table before taking them up again): Be patient Gary. There must be something left still. (puts glasses back on and reads the next book)
Gary (looks around): Yeah Yeah.. (widens eyes) Oi Clemont did we search there?
Clemont (looks up): Where?
Gary (serious): This one.(points to a little dusty shelf)
Clemont (nods): They don't use it much but maybe we can find something there. Let's check it out.
They move towards the shelf which contained five books each one dustier that the other. They were pretty thick so by the time it had gotten almost evening, there was only one more book left on the shelf.
Clemont (takes out the book): Okay so now the last one.
Gary (tired but serious): Hope we can get something here. (moves his hand over the book to remove the dust from it)
They hear the door to the library open and can vividly hear the hushed voices of their friends as they tried searching for them.
Clemont (puts the book on the table): Let's go and get them here. (Gary nods)
Drew (looks at Gary): Hey guys, did you find something?
Gary (laughs): Looks like the rain is pretty hard on y'all. (gives his handkerchief to Drew)
Ash (smiles and takes the handkerchief from Gary as he coincidently had two): Yeah it was but anyways did you two find something?
Gary (low voice): Not yet but there is one more book left. C'mon let's g---- Who is this Girl?
Korina (smiles): Nice to meet you both. I am Korina. -------Clemont? (stumbles)
Clemont(looks at her): Korina?? (blushes lightly)
Clemont (awkwardly): Nice to see you again. (scratches his neck with his hand)
Korina (nervously plays with her fingers): Same here.
Seeing the state of the two the other guys winked at each other as they could very well see what was going on there.
Clemont (clears throat): Let's go. We still have a book to finish (turns and leaves)
Korina (nods): O-okay! (leaves with his)
Clemont opens the book and starts reading it as the other guys follow behind them and they tell Gary about the events which went down with the priest.
After he reads half of the book, he calls for the the four and they start forming a group behind him trying to see what he was freaking out for.
Clemont (grins): Here!! (points to it)
They all look at what he pointed out at and their eyes widen. Finally, a clue!
Sorry for any grammatical or spelling mistakes.
The characters belong to their rightful owners and I own nothing but the storyline.