The Forgotten Sin (Purifiers Book 1)

by Mika B. Coit

  "You need to get away from here quickly!" The priest demanded before he too headed towards the creatures holding the silver cross out in front of him.

  Iliana watched as Kazuki slashed his sword at one of the dark creatures like a warrior ninja, but only missing it by an inch. The priest used his cross to protect Kazuki from the other creature while reading out phrases from the book out loud which seemed to make them agitated. Seeing Chloe collapsed on the chair in the middle of the fight made Iliana somehow and quite miraculously slip pass the fighting scene without being noticed or hurt, just to see if she was alright. Iliana bent down in front of her and was just about to sweep Chloe’s hair aside with her fingers so she could see her face when the priest shouted out.

  "Do not touch her!"

  Iliana turned round but suddenly felt something hit her chest with so much force she was thrown to one side. Her back smashed against the wall above the sinks then ricocheted to the floor face first with a splash. Groaning from the searing pain rushing down her back Iliana managed to lift her head up a little to find one of the creatures running towards her, so fast it looked like it was flying. But the priest suddenly appeared in front of Iliana holding out his cross making it stop in it’s tracks and hiss. Kazuki jumped up from what seemed like nowhere cutting the creature’s face with his sword. The dark creature screeched so loudly it left a ringing sensation in the ear.

  "She needs to get out of here!" Kazuki yelled before the other creature tried to attack him with it’s claws but he managed to defend himself by holding his sword above him.

  The priest just turned round to Iliana when the creature with a gash down it’s face grabbed him and threw him across the other side of the bathroom like an unwanted rag doll. He crashed into a couple of the wooden cubicles and the debris fell on top of him. The creature then dashed after him as the priest tried to lift himself up from the rubble.

  Iliana placed both hands steadily on the ground to lift herself up when she felt a familiar tingly sensation in her hands. She looked down to the ground, the water was up above her wrist. Iliana could feel the water all around her as if it was calling out and waiting for her command. Iliana knew exactly what she had to do. She picked herself up from the floor. Her uniform and her long hair was soaking wet that it dragged her down as she scrambled to get to Chloe as quickly as she could. Iliana took a deep breath before stroking Chloe’s cheek with the back of her fingers. The same prickly burning sensation rippled through Iliana’s skin. A deep roar came from behind Chloe and Kazuki shouted as the creature he was defending himself from pushed him aside and rushed to Iliana.

  "What are you doing?"

  Ignoring him Iliana watched as the creature flew closer towards her. She stood up straight with her arms beside her and her hands tingling. She waited until the creature was almost at arms length when she stamped her foot hard on the wet ground causing a big splash. Instead of the water falling back down to the floor it was lifted up by just a wave of Iliana’s hand. The jet of water followed her hand movement, firstly making a barrier between her and the creature. And secondly, encircling it into a water cacoon muffling the creatures screeches. Iliana elegantly clenched her fist and the big ball of water disappeared with a splash.

  Iliana spun around to find the other creature who seemed to have vanished. A growl came from up in the air behind her and as Iliana turned round Kazuki suddenly appeared in front of her swiping his sword. But the creature darted to one side just missing the sharp blade. Iliana forced another jet of water up into the air before the creature attempted another attack. The creature was completely engulfed within the water globe and it too disappeared with a splash.

  Chloe lifted her head up and breathed in deeply and out again as if she had been holding her breath for so long, Iliana fell to her knees in front of Chloe.

  "Chloe... are you alright?"

  Chloe gazed into her eyes breathing heavily.

  "Il-Iliana... wh-what is going on?"

  Iliana smiled knowing that Chloe was back to normal by looking into her warm green eyes. The priest limped over to Chloe and stood next to Iliana.

  "You fainted, but I think we need to take you to the nurse’s office just to make sure you are okay." He answered in a soft voice.

  Chloe looked from the priest to Iliana and back, utterly confused.

  Iliana and Kazuki sat in opposite sides of the priest’s classroom. Kazuki sat on the window sill with his head down and Iliana sat on one of the twenty odd empty seats. Her elbows were on the wooden table with her forehead rested on her hands and both of them still wet from earlier. Neither one spoke so silence did the talking in the large room. The door opened and both looked up. The priest walked in with his little black book and silver cross in both hands. He closed the door quietly behind him, walked to his desk at the front of the classroom. He laid down his book and cross on his desk then sat on the table next to Iliana.

  "Chloe is fine... just a little shaken and has been taken home with no memory of the possession... of course." He reported, then added in admiration. "Now... we come to you. Wow!... You have a very unique gift... So how long you have known of the Unknown World that we live in?"

  Iliana took a deep breath, a little nervous of telling her story which she has never told anyone. But considering what had happened today she could not keep it to herself any longer.

  "I know very little about the Unknown World... but I can tell you when I first found out of my powers. It was when I was about five years old, Mother and Father bought a cottage outside London, in the countryside. The cottage stood alone near the woods with a river which passed through behind our back garden. It was there when I played by myself that I found I had powers over water. I decided not to tell anyone of my gifts, but I practised hard to control my powers and I learned something new everyday." Iliana explained staring at the palm of her hands. "When I was ten I enrolled to Tai Chi classes just to understand body movements and mind concentration. I also attended some Kenpo classes for self defence. Mother thought it was absurd and unladylike, but Father thought it was good idea incase I needed to defend myself, of course I had different reasons."

  Both Kazuki and the priest listened to Iliana’s story quite intently as she carried on.

  "I was about thirteen when I encountered my first demon. I was by the river when an elderly man appeared from the woods and his demon came out of the body by itself. I was petrified and the only thing I knew that could protect me was water. It was then I realized my powers had... like a purifying effect. The elderly man returned to normal and I thought I could help others... But the more I purified the more I grew scared and alone." Iliana looked up at the priest. "So I stopped two years ago and that was when I started to get bad dreams."

  For a moment the priest did not say anything as if he was still sinking Iliana’s story slowly in his mind.

  "Right... now let me tell you a bit about the demons and the Unknown World." The priest said standing up. "In our world every human being has a spirit, a soul... whatever you want to call it... And within that spirit it has two sides... the good and the dark side. Usually there is a good balance between the two. But depending on how strong willed the person is, the dark side sometimes over rule and the good side of the soul is trapped in it’s own darkness. And that is when a demon or demons is born and arises from the body in it’s own physical form... But when that demon or demons comes out... it still needs the human body. Because without it, they turn back into a spirit form and go into limbo... and no spirit likes to go into limbo."

  Iliana nodded as the priest paced up and down in front of her.

  "So that is why they do not like it when you touch the human body... like with Chloe earlier." She said remembering the priest telling her not to touch Chloe.

  "Exactly... they are very protective of their human. That is why most of them do not come out at all... They stay inside and take control of the human body... and that is where I come in. I am a Chanter... and I have the power to call out the
demon from the body so it is easier and safer for the human body to purify it." The priest explained, he stopped pacing and stood in front of Iliana. "The demons physical form needs to be destroyed for the soul to be set free and be purified, then the human’s soul is returned to it’s body, and the human has no memory of the possession."

  "How does one get possessed to start with?" Iliana asked.

  "Anything negative which darkens the soul... like depression, severe obsession with things like drugs... alcohol and sex. Killing a fellow man, a loss of a loved one... those are just naming the few that could trigger the inner demon... But only a holy weapon or a gift from god can purify demons, whom we call the Purifiers."

  The priest pointed to Kazuki who Iliana completely forgot was still in the room.

  "Kazuki had been chosen by God to wield the ‘Sword of the Spirit.’ A double edged sword that is used with his touch only... to anyone else just a blunt sword and you..." The priest said now pointing at Iliana. "You have the power over water and also to change any liquid into holy water. An old Italian friend of mine told me stories of the kind of powers you possess... and I must confess until now, I had never believed him."

  The priest placed both hands on the table that Iliana was leaning on, his hazel coloured eyes gazed into hers.

  "Recently and for some unknown reason there have been more and more people being possessed by their own demon. I have a small team of Purifiers that purify’s as many as we can find whilst investigating what or who is behind this abnormal amount of possessions... and I am going to need your help and the powers that you own."

  Without a minute to even think about it, Iliana gave her answer.

  "I will help."

  The priest quickly stood up looking surprised.

  "Whoa!... I was not expecting you to answer so suddenly!"

  "I have ignored those who needed my help for too long. I cannot run away from this any longer. I was given these powers for a reason and so I will use it." Iliana felt a surge of determination shooting through her veins as she said it.

  "It is not always going to be as easy as it was earlier." Kazuki warned still sitting on the window sill.

  "I am aware of that!" Iliana snapped without turning round to face him. "I will do my very best to not drag the team down."

  The priest smiled.

  "I am sure you will not. Also to inform you... the Unknown World is invisible to the humans. That fine barrier between our World and the Unknown prevents the humans to see the demons, feel their touch or even feel their presence. If the human is invited to the Unknown World, they will see the true nature of the world we live in. So it is best to keep it silent unless it is unavoidable." He warned then changing the subject he added lightheartedly. "You know... I do not think we have properly introduced each other yet."

  "Oh..." Iliana stood up from her chair and put her hand out. "My name is Iliana D’Coye."

  The priest instantly took her hand and shook it but his eyes wandered over to Kazuki, looking slightly awkward.

  "Does my name bother you in some way?" Iliana asked frowning.

  "Not at all!" The priest answered shaking his head. "Anyway... I am Father Benjamin, a priest from St. Mary’s cathedral... just down the road from here."

  "Well, now that we are acquainted, may I be dismissed?" Kazuki said getting up from the window sill and making his way to the front of the classroom.

  "Of course Kazuki... Thank you for your help today." Father Benjamin praised patting a hand on his broad shoulder. "Oh actually Kazuki, I am going to need you to keep an eye on Iliana."

  "What?" Both Iliana and Kazuki shouted out in unison.

  Iliana threw Kazuki a mean look.

  "I do not need him to babysit me... I can look after myself!" She exclaimed.

  "And I have far better things to do with my life than waste it by just watching over her!" Kazuki responded coldly.

  "Look you two... obviously you are not friends."

  "Whatever gave you that idea!" Iliana interrupted.

  "But... I am going to need you both to get along to some degree... It will not be long until whatever or whoever will find out about Iliana’s unique gift and who knows what they will do... So Iliana, you are going to need as much protection as possible. Kazuki here wields the sword like a Samurai. He will protect you... won’t you Kazuki?" Father Benjamin proclaimed staring at Kazuki with a look as if he did not have a choice in the matter.

  Kazuki sighed knowing that he could not say no.

  Sitting down outside a coffee shop with Yuki lying down on the ground by her feet, Iliana watched the people bustling by under the warm sunny day and thought of how most of these people had no idea of the Unknown World that they live in, and the darkness that sleeps within them. It has been over three weeks since she revealed her powers to Kazuki and Father Benjamin. Even though Kazuki was told to keep an eye on her and both of them were in the same English and Science classes, neither of them even tried to make eye contact. Father Benjamin spent most of the time at the church and his lessons were covered by a different teacher.

  Chloe, Claire and Victoria finally came out the coffee shop giggling as they made their way to Iliana who smiled at them. Seeing Chloe back to her cheery self made Iliana even more determined and eager to help others fight against their own demon than ever. Instead of always cowering away as she has been for the last two years just because she was scared.

  "The cutest guy just served Victoria and she got so tongue tied and flushed." Chloe teased and giggling.

  "No I did not!" Victoria denied but her cheeks matched her candy floss pink dress.

  Chloe and Claire giggled hysterically as they took the mickey of her flustered face, even as they made their way to Beach Cove they were still teasing her.

  "You two are being mean." Iliana said.

  Pushing past Claire, Victoria grabbed Iliana’s arm and hugged it tightly.

  "See... Iliana is my friend and so is Yuki."

  As if she understood what was just said Yuki barked happily, her bushy white tail wagging as she walked the other side of Iliana.

  "Well... I do not think your Mother would approve of you going out with a shop boy anyway!" Claire remarked.

  "Too true... she would have a fit!"

  "Why?" Iliana asked.

  "My Mother wants me to marry into a very wealthy family from above our own rank in the rich list, like most of our Mother’s do." Victoria answered still tugging at Iliana’s arm.

  "What about marrying for love?"

  "Now that is a luxury that some of us girls can only dream of. I am sure your Mother Iliana would want you to marry a wealthy man." Claire said skipping ahead then walked backwards and faced the three of them walking in a line before her.

  "Most probably... but I want to marry who I love and who will love me back. I do not care what anyone says, even my Mother!" Iliana exclaimed keeping an eye behind Claire incase she was going to walk into something or someone.

  "I wish I had your courage." Chloe said sliding her Gucci sunglasses up on top of her head. "What about you and Kazuki?"

  "Kazuki?" Claire and Victoria chorused loudly.

  They all stopped walking and stared at Iliana in shock.

  "Yeah... Iliana talked to Kazuki a few weeks ago." Chloe informed raising her eyebrows.

  "It was nothing." Iliana reported as Victoria finally let go of Iliana’s arm and giggled excitedly. "In fact he actually irritated me with his ungentlemanly manner."

  "Ooh... do you girls remember Lilith Hale?" Claire asked chuckling as they continued their walk.

  Chloe and Victoria nodded as they squealed with laughter but Iliana frowned and shook her head.

  "Well, you would not actually know about it Iliana because it was a couple of years ago. A girl named Lilith Hale tried to ask him out but she fainted before she could even say anything. He had to carry her to the hospital wing which was over the other side of the school building. She was so embarrassed she left the week after." Claire
reported.

  "He carried her?" Iliana repeated in shock, thinking he would have just stepped over the girl and left her there. "Are we talking about the same Kazuki?"

  "He is so dreamy and mysterious. He is like a modern Mr. Darcy." Victoria said holding her hands in front of her in a daze.

  "But not as rich, his family is way down at the bottom ranks of the rich list." Chloe informed.

  "Still... he is handsome no matter what his rank is. My parents would definitely make an exception of his rank because of his gorgeous face." Victoria responded dreamily as if her head was in the clouds, but she then frowned as if she just remembered something. "Actually thinking about it... these past few weeks I have noticed him looking at you Iliana."

  "Ooh... Iliana, maybe he likes you!" Claire wooed, her eyebrows going up and down.

  "I highly doubt it... he clearly dislikes me just as much I dislike him." Iliana said now realising that he had been following Father Benjamin’s orders after all.

  "You know... I have noticed that Oliver Godson, Jason Casten and Martyn Lucker in my Maths and art classes keep giving me strange looks. As if I have done something wrong!" Chloe pointed out.

  Iliana quickly looked away. The day after Purifying Chloe she had told the three boys to keep quiet about Chloe and the drugs.

  "And why should we do that for you?" Oliver questioned that afternoon.

  "Because if you do not accept my request, then I might just have to involve my Mother." Iliana threatened raising her eyebrows.

  "You said your Mother had nothing to do with this." Jason quickly responded with a hint of concern in his voice.