Shadows of Akademi: Deception

Chapter Four

AN UNNERVING FIND

"Many and multiform are the dim horrors of Earth, infesting her ways from the prime. They sleep beneath the unturned stone; they rise with the tree roots; they move through the Abyss; they dwell in the inmost Adyta; they emerge betimes from the shutten sepulcher of haughty bronze and the low grave that is sealed with clay." -Book of the Night

Ayano walked into the school building with reluctance, her feet basically sliding across the floor. Her hair was somewhat disheveled, and there were dark bags under her eyes. She had just gotten to bed at around 4:30 last night, and the only thing keeping Ayano from staying home and faking sick was that she needed to find a way to eliminate Osana. With her newfound knowledge, such a task would be much easier now. She switched shoes and began to associate with others to dispel any suspicion. Ayano went to the main grounds, skirting around Taro, whom always sat on the edge of the fountain. Her "group" noticed her appearance quite easily.

"Whoa, are you alright?" a guy asked, Ayano vaguely remembered his name being Karao.

"I, had a nightmare last night." Ayano lied to him. "I didn't get much sleep because of it."

"O-oh, that's…" Karao began, scratching the back of his head.

Suddenly an ear-piercing shriek from the roof racked the courtyard and silenced every conversation. Everyone began to rush to the roof, terror in their hearts. Was a student attacked? Was someone seriously injured? Ayano followed and noticed Shiro and Ms. Shiori out of the corner of her eye. They went around a corner and Ayano's legs were beginning to ache while chest starting to tense up. The small group that had raced up to investigate burst through the third-floor doors and stopped dead in their tracks. The first thing they noticed was a shell-shocked Midori Gurin. She stood frozen in terror, staring down at the bloodied and lifeless body of Musume Ronshaku. Ayano noticed two other things, the wounds were bullet wounds, and Shiro was… smiling? No, it was more like a mischievous grin.

"No, it can't be… This is a tragedy... Why would anyone do this?" Ms. Shiori gasped in shock, her mouth hanging open and her hands trembling as she dialed a number on her phone. "There's been a murder at Akademi High School... I need the police here right away!"

Ms. Shiori hung up and turned to look at the group. Shiro, was noticeably absent. Ayano left the group to tail after him, there was no doubt that he was connected to Musume's murder. She caught a glimpse of him turning the corner, and silently stalked after him. It seemed that Ms. Shiori's suspicions about him were right after all. Ayano trailed Shiro all the way down to the first-floor male's bathroom and waited outside.

"Phase One has begun." Shiro spoke, his voice low and sinister. "It took a bit of gritty work, but the plan is finally in motion. What about Phase Two?"

"Fufufu, you're taking much pleasure in this, aren't you?" A seductive voice replied. It was Yrelylia. "If I didn't sense it personally, you could be easily mistaken for one of us…"

"Can it be done?" Shiro pressed, his ire evident.

"Aww, are someone's panties in a bunch?" Yrelylia replied with a chuckle.

"Yes, now tell me, can it be done?" Shiro asked once more. "Or am I just wasting my time here?"

"It can, but it's a pain." Yrelylia sighed, and Ayano entered in as quietly as possible.

She looked around, but only saw Shiro. That couldn't be right, there were two distinct voices.

A bulge started to appear in the mirror as if the glass had been made of rubber, and something was pushing at it from beneath. The bulge pushed upwards and Ayano, who was at this point frozen to the spot, stared wide eyed and in disbelief. But the bulge didn't stop. It began changing shape, growing taller instead of wider. Almost like... a figure! For a brief second, the figure shaped formation floated in the air, dormant before abruptly tensing up into itself, transforming from an unclear entity to person Ayano fought the urge to gasp. She couldn't believe her eyes. Shiro was talking with what could only be described as a succubus. She floated in the air as if she were sitting on an invisible chair, her legs uncrossed, and deliberately opened just wide enough to give Shiro a teasing glance. Ayano quickly snapped a picture and kept watching, ready to bolt at any time.

"But can I trust you?" Shiro asked, and Yrelylia glared at him.

Her foot lashed out, catching him in the throat. Shiro slammed against the bathroom wall, and Yrelylia held him up against it with her foot. If looks could kill, everyone in the school would have dropped dead by now. Yrelylia tore open Shiro's shirt and revealed the tattoo on his arm.

"We have a formal contract, and we Demons make sure we honor ALL of our contracts." Yrelylia spoke in a deadly tone, her voice sharper than a knife. "Trust is essential for doing business with a demon, trust on BOTH ends that is."

Shiro's surprised look melted into a cruel smile, his grin just wide enough to reveal his canines and give him a more… feral… look.

"So you demons would grant any wish?" Shiro asked in a malevolent fashion.

"As long as we're compensated in full. If one were to desire for the end of the world, well, not even that would be out of the question." Yrelylia smiled, bringing her face closer to Shiro's. "Of course, as long as something is given in equal in return, any wish… any desire, can be granted."

Yrelylia slipped her shoe off and she trailed her toes down Shiro's chest, slowly reaching lower and lower to his groin. Yrelylia giggled as her foot slipped over his waistband.

"'Sorry, I'm not into that sort of thing." Shiro told Yrelylia calmly, surprising her.

"Ara ara! How curious…" Yrelylia giggled, raising an eyebrow. "Any normal man would be undressing right now because of the lust spell I just cast upon you…"

"Let's say I've been well prepared." Shiro told Yrelylia. "But enough of that, what happens when our mission is complete?"

"Do you wish to see?" Yrelylia smiled maliciously. "Allow me to open your eyes to the fate of this world."

Yrelylia stared into Shiro's eyes, and his light blue eyes turned blood red. Shiro's eyes widened as he saw everything Yrelylia was hoping for, her deepest desires, and the completion of their mission. Yrelylia placed her hands around Shiro's neck and began to squeeze, her touch so cold, it burned into his flesh. Her smile was downright sadistic, and Ayano could almost hear the tortured screams of her victims.

"Can you see it?" She whispered to Shiro with a sick smile, her hands bruising his neck. "A world made of dreams... A world where all your fantasies have come true. A world full of everyone's sick fantasies. A world lusting for you…"

She let go of Shiro and he dropped to the ground, gasping for air and retching as his body fought the urge to throw up. He looked very afraid.

"And all this time…" Shiro began, chuckling like a madman.

"That, was only a glimpse at what I can do. I promise you, there are nightmares beyond the horrors of Hell." Yrelylia sneered sadistically. "We Succubae are more than just demonic sluts, we know exactly how to turn your best pleasure into your worst hell."

Ayano quickly exited the bathroom without making a sound. She decided to stick around and head back up to her classroom. She noticed that Ms. Shiori was sitting at a desk, her face in her hands. It wasn't long before the police had arrived, and investigated the scene. The best that they could conclude was that Musume had been in a drug deal gone wrong. They left with her body and everything tried to return to normal. Ayano walked out of her classroom and headed straight for the Info-Club. She needed answers, anything at the moment. Ayano waited outside the windows patiently.

"I know you're there." Info-Chan told Ayano. "Run along now. There's nothing for you to see here."

"I have something." Ayano replied back, waving her phone. "Something important."

"I don't need any pictures of your Senpai." Info-Chan rolled her eyes, returning to her computer screen.

"It's about Shiro…" Ayano pressed further. "I, I don't think you'll believe me though."

Info-Chan paused. The moment she got ahold of Shiro's demonic ritual footage, she had sent it to her most trusted "lieutenants", eventually convincing them that the footage was legitimate. Whatever it was, Info-Chan had to know about it.

"Let's just say I'll believe you…" Info-Chan finally spoke up. "Can you send it to me?"

"Yes." Ayano nodded, taking out her phone.

Ayano sent the picture of Shiro and the succubus to Info-Chan, and waited for a response. Info-Chan's phone buzzed and she received a picture of Shiro talking with the succubus. She had two options right at the moment. Either to tell Ayano that she knew of Shiro's deadly summoning, or to laugh it off to Ayano and send her away. She thought for a moment, and stood up. Info-Chan was about to do something she had never thought she'd do in a million years. Each step brought her closer and closer to the doors. Her hand trembled as she raised it to the locks. It was now or never. With a breath of finality, Info-Chan unlocked the doors.

"C-Come in." She ordered Ayano.

Ayano was stunned. She entered the dark room and Info-Chan locked the doors behind her. Ayano got a good look at Info-Chan. She had crimson eyes, shoulder length red hair, and wore red framed glasses. Info-Chan was actually just a small amount shorter than Ayano as well.

"This never happened." Ayano offered, and Info-Chan nodded. "I won't ask for any personal details."

"Good. Now come over here."

Info-Chan brought up the video feed of Kenji murdering Masami Shiroma in cold blood. Ayano listened as Info-Chan then told her that Kenji had been found dead in his apartment from carbon monoxide poisoning.

"It was no accident." Ayano told Info-Chan, confirming her suspicions. "To anyone but a trained assassin, this would appear as coincidence at worst."

"So, that means Kenji was murdered the same day he killed Masami." Info-Chan figured, and then brought up another video feed. "To which I think that Shiro may have done it."

"And Why's that?" Ayano asked and Info-Chan showed her another video.

They watched as Shiro met up with Kenji, the two talked, and then Kenji left the room. Shiro kept looking for something, and then shot out the camera.

"That was hell replacing." Info-Chan sighed.

"So, it was Shiro who murdered Musume…" Ayano realized and Info-Chan nodded.

Info-Chan switched feeds, and Ayano watched as Shiro entered the school talking to someone on a burner phone, but his tone was too quiet for the cameras to pick up. He made a beeline straight for the Occult Club room and closed the flip phone. He then began to ransack the area, obviously searching for something important.

"Do you think that he was looking for a way to summon the succubus?" Ayano wondered, and Info-Chan shrugged.

"He didn't find it here." Info-Chan pointed out.

They watched as Shiro trashed the Occult Club room and then proceeded to the Janitors closet. He opened the door and threw a table out of the room. There was a door closed shut by a padlock. Ayano watched as Shiro kicked the door open.

"I would investigate myself, but…" Info-Chan spoke up, and Ayano got the hint.

"Do you want me to do it?" Ayano asked and Info-Chan shrugged.

"No." Info-Chan told her. "We'll both do it together tonight."

"Are you sure?" Ayano asked her.

"You can hide in here after school ends." Info-Chan told her. "No teacher will ever check in here."

"Alright." Ayano agreed, and Info-Chan switched feeds again.

It showed the complete ritual, and the summoning of the Succubus. Ayano watched in horror as the two made a contract.

"I recognize those notes," Ayano told Info-Chan. "Shiro was trying to decode them in class."

"So, he may not have had any other choice but to summon a demon to help him."

She showed Ayano the rest of the video, and paused the frame as at the clearest moment of Shiro holding a gun.

"What's this about?" Ayano asked Info-Chan.

"This is an American imported weapon." Info-Chan explained to Ayano. "It seems to be designed for stealth."

Info-Chan showed the clip of Musume's execution, and the cover-up. She explained to Ayano that she had a group of informants spread everywhere, and then told her that she had sent one to investigate the bombing. The next day he was found dead, and Ayano believed that Shiro may have been scouting around the school for something.

"Whatever the case is, I know for certain now that Shiro is connected to the Ritsumeikan bombing." Info-Chan said to Ayano. "Although, now that he has demonic alliances, confronting him seems to be a poor decision."

"As long as we stay out of his way, and keep it secret that we know he's up to something, Shiro should leave us alone." Ayano replied with a nod.

"I've had someone look into his past, and nothing shows up." Info-Chan sighed. "His parents aren't in any fields that would require a weapon, and Shiro had absolutely no criminal record."

"We have absolutely nothing to go on then." Ayano summarized. "If Ritsumeikan had some secrets, dark secrets, we may just be at the tip of the iceberg."

"That's just it, whatever Shiro found, it led him to actually summoning a demon." Info-Chan agreed.

"Shiro mentioned something about Phase One just starting, and then the demon showed him something." Ayano replied and put a hand on her chin.

"I doubt Shiro has any qualms about working with a demon," Info-Chan told Ayano. "I think that may be why he joined the Occult Club."

Ayano and Info-Chan discussed their plan of action for a little bit, and Ayano left for lunch. She went through her normal routine, associating with others to avoid looking like she was stalking Osana. This time, however, she began to spread malicious rumors about the girl to Midori Gurin. Knowing her, these rumors were going to be spread all around the school by the end of the day. Lunch ended, and Ayano trudged up to her classroom. She made a sob excuse to Ms. Shiori about feeling ill from seeing the dead student when she got in, and was allowed into class. Shiro was noticeably absent from class, something that also irritated Ms. Shiori. She went along with the lecture, and when class was over, made a beeline to the restrooms to wait for the hallways to clear. She then made her way to the Info-Club and waited. The door unlocked and Ayano hid inside.

"So, how did this all begin?" Ayano finally asked Info-Chan.

"I first watched Kenji murder Masami. Then I began investigating why he killed her." Info-Chan explained to Ayano. "The next thing I did was have one of my contacts investigate the school after Kenji's murder. Shiro then came into the mix when he began to act mysteriously, and then murdered Musume. The problem is, there's too much evidence, and it can't be linked together."

"Maybe the Masami, Kenji, and your contact's murders aren't even related?" Ayano figured, and Info-Chan turned to face her. "Shiro may be acting on his own, and there may be someone else in the mix."

"A second assassin, that makes sense." Info-Chan sat up. "The killing patterns were different. Shiro's was a reckless murder that he had used drugs as a cover up."

"This second assassin is much more methodical, making sure that each crime looked like a freak accident." Ayano noted, and Info-Chan switched screens.

Shiro was walking through the halls, seemingly lost in thought. Yrelylia floated up from his shadow, giggling and laying her arm on his shoulder. Shiro said something to her, but it was too quiet for the cameras to pick up. Yrelylia pouted and curled her body around him, resting her head on his shoulder. She said something back to Shiro, and her snake-like tongue slipped between her lips and encircled Shiro's neck before sliding into his shirt. Shiro for the most part, seemed un-fazed by and curled her body around him, resting her head on his shoulder. She said something back to Shiro, and her snake-like tongue slipped between her lips and encircled Shiro's neck before sliding into his shirt. Shiro for the most part, seemed un-fazed by Yrelylia's teasing. He shrugged her off and She whispered something in his ear.

"I told you, I'm not into that." Shiro sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

Info-Chan raised an eyebrow, and Ayano told her that the succubus might have a foot fetish. Info-Chan sighed and they watched the two walk to the roof. Shiro stopped at the clock tower and peered over the edge into the horizon. He continued talking to Yrelylia. His smile became that of a shark's, toothy and predatorial. Shiro laughed as he stared up into the sky, his arms out at his sides. Yrelylia sat on the railing, and smiled.

"Fufufufu, you really ARE enjoying this, aren't you?" Yrelylia sneered to Shiro.

"Everything is falling into place." Shiro grinned sadistically. "Soon, a new Genesis will be at hand."

"But everyone you know and love will be dead…" Yrelylia crooned, floating over to Shiro. "And so will you…"

"I've been dead for a long time now." Shiro quipped back cryptically.

"Then why not indulge?" Yrelylia whispered to him. "Let your desires… you lust… roam free for a bit."

Shiro turned to Yrelylia, his bottom lip trembling, and his gaze lowering. Yrelylia had her left hand inside her wet folds, teasing Shiro with petite moans. She licked her lips in a lascivious fashion, beckoning to Shiro with her finger.

"My… desires…?" Shiro droned out, as if in a daze.

"Yes." Yrelylia breathed heavily. "Come to me…"

He took a cautious step forwards, and Yrelylia took her fingers out of her sopping wet womanhood. She placed them in front of Shiro, and he took a finger in his mouth. Licking off all of her juices in a perverse manner before Yrelylia offered her other hand to him. He took it, trailing light kisses up her body, and stopping only when his lips were inches from Yrelylia's face.

"If only that trick worked on me…" Shiro whispered to Yrelylia, and her eyes went wide.

Both Info-Chan and Ayano were stunned as well, Shiro had just out teased a succubus.

"W-wow…" Yrelylia stammered, and smiled. "I should congratulate you, you're the only one I haven't been able to seduce with magic."

"Is that a hint of pride?" Shiro asked, raising his eyebrows.

Yrelylia suddenly grabbed ahold of Shiro's arms, and forced her lips onto his. Shiro went beet red almost immediately, and Yrelylia's hands dipped into his pants. She parted and whispered something to him, and she followed after Shiro as he stormed off and out of the school building. Ayano and Info-Chan waited for everyone else to file out, and then left the confines of the Info-Club. Not after Info-Chan set up her decoy though, earning her a look from Ayano. They made their way to the closet and opened the door. There seemed to be stairs leading into the basement of the school, and the two girls walked down cautiously. At the bottom of the stairs, was a small room. It seemed to be a study room of some sorts.

Info-Chan picked up an old note that read "The key to FUN is in the files, but beware the change, for once the day begins, your life ends. She follows without fail, through wall, door, and all. It's all a game don't you see? Once you know, you'll be me." Another note under it had a different message reading "xi, lto yner yi ufpr koa? ry gti. v muij u cqupj ca ybvx qbwfq. byyq, c jfm fzjctmri nb. rs hscijlfj cf nxrsnvhuy yi gmcf thr...bcgm iaj xvkzrwyahy. vs nunm hscijlfj, gl kugmye nhijhgjx zfhl ybvsaf. nh zd oanprwmr, rs sfnujl ufx wzmg thr riej caayaycbs. bvx gnhbvsy jfm ttcal nb hbnsar jprwsgmcal. cg icq. oofy hby nuj qnd br buayyq. ybr nhijmgtlf buayyq mcz yi cwiij nufn vy qnx mnky. gt xrriaxnefnr mcf hiakcqjhpj, br uog mcf tqa iuhlbgjl vsmviy. gmy zfwunhr buf yyfyyq th zfhl fhvruyx... vhy cg muq syijl ojya yyfyyq th n mozfh. ojcal mufngjlri upwifx nvry nsx fuupj qnx hby nuj qbwmg uuey. nuj qbwmg uuey qnx vrnht kieligyya. nh gmcf zhvayexy, zd znybrw iaqs ufx bsy qfotmnrw. muj'fy syijl xsij xbr muq f mvxnrw. c pfh fjy rayednunht. mynw yijllybvsa. ozn at iaj qvqf raye phbb nufn v jrvxnri."

"Do you think Shiro made these notes?" Info-Chan asked Ayano after passing them to her.

"I don't know, it doesn't make any sense." Ayano replied as she put the notes down.

They searched the room, and Info-Chan found a book, the pages were open to a ritual. The ritual to summon Yrelylia. On the pages were specific notes about the nature of this summoning spell. No-one must interrupt the ritual, or else the caster will be dragged into the pits of Hell. If there are others in the room with the caster, they may not behold the visage of the summoned Succubus Yrelylia. Finally, Yrelylia is the pickiest of all Succubae, and has not formed a contract in a millennium. The person summoning her must be desperate enough, or present something of worth that should catch her attention. If she does not find you worthy, she would rip out your soul and consume it without hesitation.

"So, whatever Shiro showed this 'Yrelylia'," Info Chan spoke, "It had to have convinced her to form a contract with him."

"So then why does he still need the Occult Club?" Ayano wondered.

"I think Shiro has a thing for Oka and Osoro." Info-Chan spoke up, "He's mentioned her a few times when talking with Osoro. I think he finds her awkwardness endearingly cute."

"I see." Ayano nodded and the two-kept searching for clues.

They were so engrossed with their mission, that they didn't notice a figure standing at the base of the stairs, watching the two with interest. They watched from the shadows, waiting for the right time to move in.

Due to unique circumstances, I have slightly arranged my schedule so that I can upload each and every chapter in a neat and orderly fashion even with a different work schedule. Every chapter update will occur on Mondays. Now this is not an every Monday schedule, each upload will have around two weeks to settle in. Other than that. I have played through your missions, NoticeMeSempai and Agent Archangel, they will soon be implemented within the story. I will now accept Mission Identifications with Nemesis in the mission. As such, that should be all for now. Please, my dear readers, do not hesitate to leave a review. Until next time dear readers. ~Agent Zenith