If Purger handle it. if Wanderer run away… If Limbo, pray to the Saints!
"Those are the guidelines. If you hear me say any of those names, act accordingly. Understood?"
"Purger, Wanderer and Limbo"
Lozo nodded.
"Alright then let's go."
***
Himo village was divided into two sects. Each sect was unique. Whether in shape, location or even people who lived there. But mostly there were two things one would notice first.
One was the size. The sect Lozo and Karin was were in was quite small relative to the other. A ratio of one to ten to be technical about it. This decision wasn't arbitrary. It was actually deemed to be so. Otherwise would be a crime. The laws of the kingdom dictated that of it.
Well that's because the larger sect of the village housed normal humans. The one's Lozo called Normals. And on the other lived Harmatia, like Lozo, Kisharu and Karin.
This was a serious law and wherever a village popped up even if at war-zone and there was a Normal to Harmatia symbiosis, the village would be divided into two with the ratio of one to ten, ensuring that the Normals had the larger Sect. It was an unquestionable law.
The second thing would be the large divide between the two sects.
At the branching point of the two sects, first was large path with a breath of twenty meters apart. The path was not to be inhabited or have any activities occur on it. it would be there, a large brown and dusty divide between the two sects. Second was the wall of large stakes surrounding the Normal's sect. These stakes were erected around the perimeter of the Normals for protection from outside forces. There would also be a gate that opened to the Harmatia Sect. Every entry would be recorded both for Normals and Harmatia.
…
Such was the sight that Lozo took in as he stood at the large brown path. The stake walls were high such that even he could jump over with one jump… or even two. A little farther on was what looked like a reddish gate with a small booth to the side. Inside the booth a grouchy looking man rested on a stool with some grass twirling in his mouth.
"Come on let's go. The corresponded is waiting." Karin called on Lozo. "Also remember what Mr Kisharu said. Don't stray too far from me."
Brown as it looked the path wasn't as dusty. It would take several jumps and bumps before any dust could rise.
Lozo followed Karin adhering to her earlier warning. It was quite the odd warning, he thought.
Their steps brought them to the red gate. The grouchy man inside glared at them and looked down on his record book.
Karin flashed the envelop and said. "We've been sent about the domain."
The grouch took the envelope and peered at it. It looked authentic.
"About time someone came to handle it. My daughter can't even sleep at night." He said handing back the envelope.
He tugged on a lever and initiated a clanking noise.
"The correspondent is on the other side. Also… get him a leash." He spat as the door opened.
"Don't worry… He's with me." Karin reassured. The grouch only scoffed.
The red gate creaked its way open. Some dust finally started to rise and spreading through the air. Karin and Lozo stepped in through and entered the Normals Sect of Himo Village. And suddenly, the air changed.
> Normals Sect of Himo Village<
Laughter could be heard from a far. It was joyous, carefree and expectant. 'Children.' Lozo deduced. But they were hidden by the long rows of two-story buildings standing at a distance. The place was quite serene compared to the gloom gray atmosphere back at the Harmatia sect.
That made the story they were currently being told less believable by the second.
Her hands were wrapped around her, making her look like she was hugging herself. Her eyes glared down, ridden in despair and hanging tears. Her brown hair dropped lazily along with her as she gave her account of what they called…
"The Cat Caller."
Lozo almost laughed. He trying everything to hide it even with his inflated cheeks.
The gloomy girl raised eyes and looked at him. Angry.
"Shouldn't he be on a leash or something?" Gloomy snapped.
"Don't worry. He's with me, I'll keep him in check. So, tell us more on this cat caller."
"Well, you better!"
"Go on. Tell the nice vassal and her Harmatia about the incident. They are here to help." An old lady standing next to gloomy intervened. She was the mentioned corresponded. Every time Harmatia are send to a village or town they are first required to meet up with a Corresponded, a Normal Corresponded, who justifies and validates them being there.
Gloomy took a deep breath in and continued.
"Fine..." Gloomy hesitated before beginning. "Lately every time I walk from home to school or even back from school, I keep feeling this presence loom behind me. It keeps following me and if I look back it disappears. And when I continue, I feel it again. I feel it looking at me. And when I look back…"
"It disappears." Karin finished her sentence.
"Yeah. But that's not all." Gloomy added.
"It's the reason I decided to ask for help. My friends hear it too but they don't want to say it. They are afraid. I am afraid…"
Hear?
Gloomy nodded. "Nowadays the presence began talking."
"But none like last time, when I look back… I see something crawl into an alley. It's almost rope like and tainted black. I walk faster but it's still behind me… closer." There was a shiver in gloomy's voice. The sun was at its zenith, so it wasn't from being cold.
"A cat… You said that it started talking. What did it say?"
The girl retreated back a little bit. She rubbed her shoulder before answering.
"…It didn't say much it just meowed. Over and over again until I entered our house."
"A cat meowing? Are you sure it's not a stray?"
"You think this is funny? You think it's funny to have a cat follow you over and over every day!"
"And you!" gloomy turned to Karin." I thought you were supposed to be in charge of him or something? Why did I even ask for help if all I was going to get are two worthless Harmatia?!"
"Please forgive him…"
"Please come down. This two are here to help. And I'm sure they are taking everything you are saying seriously. It is their purpose. So please come down." The correspondent stepped in.
"Arggghh! Fine. I don't care anymore…" Gloomy responded.
A while later the correspondent was patting gloomy on the back. Gloomy had begun tearing barely facing Karin or Lozo. The corresponded had a worried look on her face as she tried to console gloomy.
She turned to lozo and Karin washing away their worries.
"Don't worry about her, I'll handle it." she said smiling.
"As for you two, take this. "She handed them a paper.
"This map shows that are where these events have been occurring across the village."
"There have been many similar cases like hers. Families reporting that their daughters are been stalked. She's just the brave one of many. So please…"
"Handle the case with care."
Karin took the paper and schemed through it. It was map. Detailed in fact.
"Yeah, don't worry. We understand the importance of this and we'll handle it with care. "
"Both of us." Karin concluded giving a sharp side look to Lozo.
The elder chuckled and walked to the gloomy girl. "Good luck to you both." She wished.
They left with the girl tearing up into her hands. Karin shook her head in disapproval to the oblivious face of Lozo.
"You don't need to be dense." She said walking away.
"What did I do?"