Disclaimer and content warning: This story contains depictions of violence, implied death, self harm, and paranormal activity and can be distressing to some readers.
AGE RATING: 17
Set in the same world as:
Detective Hispida and the Coin of Temptation
The chat was wild and filled with trolls. “Well, that’s that for the exploration of the Dark Grove, folks! Lucas here, signing out…” Said a vlogger to his camera, standing on the outskirts of a gloomy, abandoned rural village, delivering his outro to the live stream and reading the chat.
Anon.: Wait! There’s one more spot you need to check out.
“Huh? One more spot?” He asked, speaking to the camera on a tripod while reading the chat.
Presea D.: Presea Diamond Gifted 5 subs
M’iyu F.: Strimmer bad lol fake i can see the green screen from here
“A shrine, it’s just to the west, a short hike up a small hill, overlooking the city?” Lucas read aloud with obvious curiosity in his tone. He checked his watch – it read 16:00. Nodding, he added, “well, never mind, folks, we’re not quite done yet! Ayo, thanks for the subs! Are you enjoying the exploration?” He removed the camera from the tripod and ventured onwards. Finding a path, albeit overgrown, laid out with stone leading into a forest, he followed it up a hill.
Lunamana Z.: Strimmer exposed for using greenscreen on travel vlog !??
Kazu M.: It’s all fake anyway, ghosts dont exist
M’iyu F.: Thats what big Ghost wants you to believe
Lunamana Z.: I love foxes!
Nii’na N.: lol rip
The hike took merely 15 minutes. He found himself standing before a wooden barn-gate leading to a shrine not far behind. The entire perimeter was surrounded by an old wooden fence, but it was still intact, although the gate’s rusted hinges squeaked loudly as he pushed it open.
“What? What do you mean, ‘fake’?” He exclaimed, “I’m right here, look!” He directed the camera to his hand touching the weathered wooden gate’s top plank.
M’iyu F.: Is Strimmer tresspassing??
Orlena F.: Would be trees-passing, nyo?
Full A.: 100bits 100bits 100bits alexa play despacito
Kazu M.: LUL
Gumi G.: Watch out you dont want to anger the spirits kek
Presea D.: i’m scared alreadt pepeScream
M’iyu F.: miyufhTailL miyufhHeartL miyufhHeartR miyufhTailR
Lunamana Z.: This chat is rubbish i can’t see any of these emotes >:(
“Tresspassing… Uhh, we don’t talk about that!” He replied to the chat, when suddenly something rustled in the bushes behind him while he was gently pushing the gate open. He turned swiftly with the camera and glanced behind. The forest was eerily silent. Something moved in the bushes once more.
“Oh crap, did you guys see that? What might it be?” He swiveled the camera to capture his face. “Folks, if I meet my demise here, tell the FloorWiper dude that he’s too yellow! Tell him to use more purple!” He let go of the gate and slowly approached the bushes where he had spotted movement earlier. “I’m also spooked! But don’t worry, together we got this!”
“CAMERAMAN NEVER DIES!” He shouted as he took a few quick steps towards a tree, leaned on it, and pointed the camera at the bushes behind it. There sat a creature, its ember eyes blinked at the camera. Lucas peeked from behind the tree and gasped in shock. “Whoa! A black fox! I’ve never seen one in person before! You guys seeing this?” However, the chat was flooded with allegations of fakery. To them, there were nought but bushes.
M’iyu F.: Gues syou didnt install Tales+
Lunamana Z.: And stop spamming please my pc is heating up!!
Lunamana Z.: I thought you needed a subscription for that
Cin N.: no sub no emoji
Kazu M.: Dont worry, cameraman never dies
M’iyu F.: Anyone else fed up with fake reactions??
Presea D.: Yeah FloorWiper is cringe ngl
Gumi G.: this dudes delusional
M’iyu F.: Another donation squeezer, i am out
Full A.: vtubers are more real than this crap
Lunamana Z.: I love foxes!!!
Rapu R.: cgi rofl
M’iyu F.: Are foxes even real, never see none oonly in anime
Lunamana Z.: Flat Eorzea is real don’t believe the conspiracies!!
“What the hell do you mean?” He directed the camera toward his face, then slowly panned it back to the small, ember-eyed black fox sitting a meter behind the tree. “It’s right there!” He pulled out his phone and checked the stream. “Wait, what? OMG, guys, I’m not lying – it’s literally right there! I swear on all that is holy!” He took a step closer. The fox tilted its head to the side, observing him carefully.
Gumi G.: zzzzzz
Then, in the blink of an eye, the fox sprang up to its feet and rushed past him. The bushes moved and rustled as the fox ran through them, this was clearly visible on the camera and to all the viewers. However, despite that, the viewers still insisted he was resorting to tricks for clickbait. He followed the fox’s movements as it ran up to the gate and sat there.
“What? Guys, I think it’s um, telling me to follow.”
Lucynia L.: hahahahahaa, he is blind!! put some light there, there is nothing!!
Lunamana Z.: chat going by so fast nobody’ll know i’m actually a lizard
Gumi G.: maybe its a ghost lol
M’iyu F.: Furrys in chat?
Kazu M.: Great idea let’s follow a weird fox in a random forest KEKW
Presea D.: What fox? Kappa
Cin N.: another trash person faking disorders for clout i bet
Lucynia L.: Nibble its ears if you see it again!! :33
He approached the gate cautiously, with the fox sitting as still as a statue just before it, its piercing gaze tracking Lucas’s every move.
“Alright, umm… well, let’s head inside. I think it’s telling us to head in? Maybe it’s a guardian spirit or something… Should I… try to pat it?” He zoomed the camera in on the weather-worn wooden gate, the bottom part of it, where the small creature sat for him.
Presea D.: Pet the damn thing!
M’iyu F.: this guy never watched a horror movie KEKW. you are so gone
Lunamana Z.: PET THE FOX
Presea D.: 69 viewers, nice!
Kazu M.: Pet it !!
Full A.: watch out he might have rabies!
Cin N.: do invisible fox ears taste like bubble chocolate?
Presea D.: @Cin Good question!
Lucynia L.: WE DEMAND ANSWERS!!!
Cin N.: PET and NIBBLE
“Sheesh! I’m not going to nibble anything!” He replied as he zoomed out for a wider-angle view, squatted down carefully, and reached toward what the viewers saw as nothingness. His hand trembled on the stream as he carefully extended it toward a fox that only he seemed to see. The creature watched, remaining unmoved, until his hand was almost touching its ear. At that moment, the viewers saw a bite mark appear on Lucas’ hand. Blood seeped from the fresh puncture wounds. He swiftly jerked his hand away, dropped the camera in surprise, and cried out in pain as he crawled away from the creature, “OUCH! FUCK! AAHH!!”
M’iyu F.: Ad 1 of 80 playing (5:14) NICE CASH GRAB
Presea D.: MonkaW
Kazu M.: KEKW
Cin N.: feelsbadman
M’iyu F.: Did i miss anything?
Full A.: FullAHOY
M’iyu F.: oh convinient that he gets bidden during the ad block
Gumi G.: is that blood?
Kazu M.: no sub pleb KEKW
M’iyu F.: looks like kethcup tbh
Presea D.: @Miyu_Fhey here’s the clip: [Clip link]
Lucynia L.: That looks juicy!!
After a brief commotion, whimpering, and interacting with the chat, he composed himself, and wrapped up the minor wound with a bandage after showing it to the chat again before doing so.
“See, guys? I’m not insane! That creature evidently bit me.” The injury resembled a small dog’s bite mark with extremely sharp teeth that punctured the skin. As he bandaged it, he noticed strands of darkness, similar to tiny hairs on his skin, spreading out from the bite, but dismissed it for the moment.
Full A.: hope you have a doctor near to get checked for that rabies
Gumi G.: I dont think thats normal
Kazu M.: Clean the wound at least ! It’s gonna get infected
Lucynia L.: It’s fake anyway!!
Full A.: and rabiefied!
“I don’t have alcohol on hand, just a bandage, it’ll be fine, I got a kit in the car.” He commented, while glancing around. The fox had seemingly vanished, leaving no trace except for the mark it had left on the urban exploration streamer’s hand. He recollected his thoughts, reminding himself that the chat frequently trolls him about the things he sees and experiences. The fox must have been real and they just pretended they couldn’t see it, ‘I mean, they did tell me to pat it when I asked, so they should’ve seen it. Some called it CGI, yeah, they’re just trolling me…’ He convinced himself and then at last he walked through the gate, camera firmly held in hand, filming and streaming his experience for the world to see. Somehow the air and atmosphere changed when he walked through the barn-gates, as if he had stepped into a different realm. It was slightly misty, but clear, although light felt different too, unexplainably so.
Presea D.: Ok this is spooky now, what’s going on?
Sendoku R.: KEKW F in the chat
Full A.: F
Gumi G.: F
M’iyu F.: F GIGADEADGE
Anon.: F
It felt cooler, yet calmer here. He experienced a sense of peace, and utmost serenity. The shrine, though small in stature, stood tall. Its wooden structure was surprisingly intact and showed little signs of weathering. He approached the shrine’s entrance and read the placard:
“Shrine to the goddess of love, Zofi.” He read aloud. “Wow, this place is amazing, guys!” He then glanced through the chat, “nah, I highly doubt I contracted rabies from that. I should be okay. I’ve got a first aid kit back in the car, I’ll get the wound properly cleaned and dressed once I’m back. Cheers for the concern though. F lol”
Lucynia L.: FFFFFFFigafenfienut.aerduired
Lucynia L.: uh, my cat walked over my keboard
Presea D.: classic
Cin N.: is your cat invisible too?
M’iyu F.: dont get bitten by your cat
Gumi G.: Zofi? why does it sound familiar
Kazu M.: @CinNamon TRUE LUL
Lucynia L.: how did you know??
Rapu R.: sooo how expensive is the roaming
Lunamana Z.: Goddess of love ? dont go turning off the stream on us now!! it’s getting spicy!
Cin N.: cash grab! introducing their OF
He walked up the four steps toward the shrine’s door, oddly, they didn’t make a sound. Not a single creak from the old planks. That caught his attention and he walked up and down the steps about a dozen times. The viewers were awestruck at him seemingly pointlessly walking up and down the silent wooden stairs.
“Do you all see that? Or rather, hear? There’s no squeak nor creak! As an urban explorer, I’ve visited dozens of abandoned buildings, and the stairs are always squeaky! This is quite eerie and unusual.” He ascended the four steps for the last time and pressed his palm against the shrine’s door with a hint of hesitation in his movements. It swung open silently and with ease.
Kazu M.: monkaS
Lucynia L.: why don’t I see the emote??
Gumi G.: your browser probably doesnt support the emote engine KEKW
Inside, in the light that shone through the slightly dusty window, he noticed a cushion on the floor in front of a small altar. The small prayer room carried the smell of a typical wooden building on a hot summer day, but surprisingly, it was neither hot inside nor was the air stale. It appeared as if this shrine was in daily use. In the light, on the cushion, sat a woman, in a praying posture, she sat on her knees, hands held together at her chest and head bowed down.
Full A.: oh so it was just a LOVEbite from the fox earlier KEKW
Gumi G.: yo whos that
Orlena F.: soo fake, clearly staged!
Full A.: paid actor
M’iyu F.: IKR LENA. Shrine of love and he mets a woman there FAAAAKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
She heard the door open, completed her prayer, and then slowly rose, turning to face the awestruck and dumbfounded man who stood in the doorway.
“Ah, sorry, I was just leaving, I believe…” She tilted her head to the side, eyeing the device in his hand – the handheld camera. Lucas’s jaw dropped, he found himself lost for words.
“Uhhmm, s… sorry to interrupt, I uhh, didn’t expect anyone to be here…” She was breathtakingly beautiful, with jet-black hair, slightly pale skin, Asian features, and dressed in a lovely summer dress. The chat could see her, and excitement ensued, though many expressed skepticism, calling it fake or staged. However, a few seemed just as surprised as Lucas. Her voice was sweet and mellow.
“Ah, not to worry. As I said, I was done,” she reassured him, before giving him a slight bow and approaching him, stopping half a step away. “Mind if I?”
Lucas gasped and stepped aside from the door. “Ah yes, of course! Sorry! Uhm, yeah… Wow, erhm, enjoy your day!”
She returned his sentiment with a warm smile. “Thank you, likewise.”
Presea D.: It’s fine guys, she’s not blond! He’s not gonna die
Sendoku R.: SUSGE
Kazu M.: She seems nice, you should invite her to your podcast KEKW
“Oh, wow, um…” He spoke to his camera, slowly panning the view through the shrine’s interior. The redwood interior was beautiful, and the hand-crafted decorations perfectly complimented the special feeling this redwood interior bestowed upon the visitors.
One element caught his attention: a statue of a small black fox that sat above the door. On the opposite side’s wall was a torii, a small wooden gate like decoration.
“Did you guys know that the torii,” he zoomed in with his camera, “those gate-like structures, in Japanese culture, represent an entrance and are used to symbolize the transition from the mundane to the sacred?”
Orlena F.: boooring imma here for scary stuff not cringe weeb education
He glanced at his chat. “Right, yes, invite her… Well, let’s be on our way then. Beautiful shrine, though it’s genuinely giving me the creeps.” He stepped out and closed the door behind him. When he turned, he noticed the girl standing by the opened, decayed, wooden gate, staring above it intently. He showed her on stream. “Huh, why is she just standing there? Wow, that’s creepy…”
Sendoku R.: NEGATIVE RIZZ LULW
Kazu M.: Streamsnipers smh
After mustering the courage, he carefully approached the stunning girl, maintaining a safe distance.
“Hey, are you alright? Did you forget something?”
She turned to him, puzzled.
“No? But they’ve locked us inside? The gates are closed… How are we supposed to leave?”
He glanced towards the gates, then back at her.
“Uhm, what? They’re small and dilapidated stable-like gates. You could easily jump over them even if they were closed. But they’re wide open – I just opened them.”
She turned her head and examined the gates before her, then returned her confused gaze back to him.
“What do you mean? The shrine’s gates are grand in scale and magnificence. Before me are metallic gates so impressive that even the emperor himself would be envious, and they are securely sealed.” She glanced around the shrine’s perimeter, seeing something obviously different from the half-height, weathered wooden fence that Lucas can see. “This holy place is well guarded from the evil spirits, but it seems the watchers have shut the gates early,” she concluded and let out a muffled sigh.
M’iyu F.: is this guy making ad content for his onlyfans or what?
Presea D.: She’s kinda sus ngl
M’iyu F.: this is so cliche
Sendoku R.: So… she’s stuck?
Gumi G.: oh no what are they gonna do…
Kazu M.: Just open them if they’re closed 4Head
M’iyu F.: i am stuck step strimmer
Lucynia L.: So, how do I install that emote thing??
Sendoku R.: Deadge
Kazu M.: wtf KEKW
M’iyu F.: wow nice work streamer you brought the evil inside you are literally the guy that kills everyone in the zombie movies Madge
Gumi G.: bro you better run
Sendoku R.: Elbow her and run wtf
“Oh well, they’ll be back tomorrow,” she seemingly regained her composure and spoke calmly, then turned around, and headed back towards the shrine.
Lucas shuddered. “Wh…uhm…Y…yes!” Confused by what had just happened – he hesitated before responding to her and then switched his focus to the chat.
“What was that?” He whispered. “No, seriously, what the heck is she talking about? Grand gates? Emperor?”
Kazu M.: found the crack addict KEKW
Cin N.: don’t do drugs kids
M’iyu F.: wow streamer travels to <insert country> and doesnt know that they still have an emporer smh
Sendoku R.: So you’re going by “Lucas” now nerd? Haha whats up douche bag, it’s Sendo from Highschool. Remember me? Me and the guys used to give you a hard time in school. Sorry you were just an easy target lol. I can see not much has changed. Remember Bella the girl you had a crush on? Yeah we’re married now. I make over 200k a year and drive a mustang GT. I guess some things never change huh loser? Nice catching up lol. Pathetic..
Presea D.: I don’t know man, I would just leave if I were you, she sounds even more crazy than you are
Lucynia L.: nvm, I found it! Hahahahahaa! KEKW LucaDead
M’iyu F.: Stop believing this make up stuff is real!!!1111
Cin N.: cool emoji @Lucynia
Full A.: so i just googled it, and it says you can catch ligma from a foxes bite
Sendoku R.: What’s ligma?
He glanced at his hand.
“In a show I once watched, they said foxes are evil spirits, or sometimes witches or something. And she just mentioned it’s well guarded from the evil spirits,” He shuddered at the thought. “What the hell guys? I know about emperors and stuff! And stop insisting that I’m going to die! Oh god I hope I don’t catch a ligma…. But uhm, she’s probably, just… I don’t know, schizophrenic or something?” He reached for his phone. “I suppose I should call the paramedics and inform them she’s here. Should I?”
Full A.: ligma balls! omegaLUL
Lucynia L.: nuuuuuh, LICK HIS EARS!!!
M’iyu F.: I would call the docs for your evil spirit wound KEKW
Cin N.: KEKW
Kazu M.: KEKW
M’iyu F.: F in chat for strimmer
Sendoku R.: KILL HER BEFORE SHE TRANSFORMS
Lucynia L.: maybe call the ghostbusters instead…
Nii’na N.: i can fix her biblethump biblethump
Cin N.: slimer can just eat the whole shrine ez
Kazu M.: @sendoku maybe she transforms only for second phase KEKW
Full A.: waiting for the dark souls music…
“Right, screw you guys!” He replied with a hint of irritation in his tone as he walked through the gates, closed the creaky gates behind him, and returned to his car in haste. He set the camera on the tripod and proceeded with his outro, showing his wound once more and recapping his experience while cleaning the wound and dressing it.
“And that concludes the Dark Grove trip, folks. Thank you for watching and tuning in. I’ll call the paramedics, return to the hotel, and be back online tomorrow from the airport. Our next stop is De Varsol’s castle! I heard there was some cultist involvement or something surrounding it, the town has the castle open to tourist attraction. Ciao folks!!!”
Presea D.: Good stream, bye <3
Kazu M.: Bye ! Ty for the stream
Sendoku R.: BEHIND YOU!! WHAT THE ****!!
M’iyu F.: Lamest scary stream ever!!! unfollowed
He decided against calling the paramedics, as exploring abandoned towns and urban areas is strictly forbidden and considered a serious crime in this country, and he hardly had a desire to be arrested in a foreign nation. He returned to the hotel, but his night was restless. He couldn’t stop thinking about the peculiar fox, the odd girl who saw things differently from him, and the unexplainable sense of serenity and peace he experience on the shrine’s land.
At last, the morning came.
“Very well, Mister Whithorn, your flight has been changed. Your new departure time is August 29th, in 7 days, at 13:00. Thank you for flying Spirited Airlines.” He thanked the agent and hung up. Having left his camera in the hotel that day, he traveled back and found himself standing before the dilapidated, rusty gates of the shrine once more.
“Ah, no, seriously, I must be out of my mind. But I need to check in on her anyway,” he said to himself as he observed the tranquil forest behind him. And while he minded his own business, the stream’s chat persevered and remained active, awaiting the continuation of the stream.
Sendoku R.: WHY ISNT HE STREAMING TODAY IM BORED
Full A.: probably got rabies xD
Sendoku R.: MODS, when is stream starting?
Rapu R.: offline chat for this guy is WeirdChamp
Sendoku R.: SEZ U KEKW
Rapu R.: Sadge
Cin N.: Then you were never here when he’s online lol
Sendoku R.: He probably went to sakon
Full A.: sakon?
Sendoku R.: sakon deez nuts!
The gates squeaked loudly as he entered the shrine’s sacred lands once more. The sense of serenity and peace greeted him as they did before. It was 13:16. He walked up the stairs to the shrine, the top step greeted him with a slight squeak. He ignored the sound, his focus was on what was inside the shrine. The door swung open effortlessly, just as it did yesterday, and there she was again, praying. The same black hair, the same beautiful dress, and the same silky smooth and pale skin that made his heart skip a beat.
Full A.: ah i knew that was a mistake when i typed it KEKW
Lucynia L.: hahahahahaaa, walked into that one!!
Orlena F.: If you wanna read some really scary stories, visit https://wondrous-tales.net
Sendoku R.: Guys, imagine if the girl is the spider lady from Dororo KEKW Deadge
He smiled, taken aback by his own reaction. He was relieved to know she was fine and still there, albeit uncertain as to why seeing her made him feel relieved. He took a step back and closed the door, a few minutes later, it swung open and she exited. She turned to look down at the man sitting against the wall by the door. Her mild smile revealed a slight hint of tiredness.
“Greetings,” she said. “Apologies if I made you wait.” She gave him a respectful bow. The man rose to his feet and replied as calmly as he could, stumbling over his words.
“Hey! No, it’s quite alright! Uhhhm, nice to see you again. Are you alright?”
M’iyu F.: Strimmer turned into zombie already just unfoll-ow and move on. Ther is this cute cat girl vtuber who is way better
Vikiridi M.: Know one I could follow? Somebody needs my prime-sub
Presea D.: Wow that was so impresive how you opened those big metal doors without any issues and with just one had! Super strong streamer!
Sendoku R.: messaged deleted
Presea D.: hand* my cat ate my n key
She tilted her head to the side, confusion was evident on her face. “Have… we met before?” He squinted at her, examining her features. It was indeed her, although she seemed more fatigued today for some reason.
“I… yes! Yesterday! I was here with… Uhh, I was streaming…” He said hastily, excitement in his voice was obvious, but it was met with a bland, unenthusiastic:
“I don’t think so, you must be mistaking me for someone else.”
Orlena F.: gnah, what ya here to simp for this time @Vikiridi
Cin N.: just check the hot tub section @Vikiridi
He gasped, at a loss for words and responses. He simply nodded, lowering his voice to barely a whisper.
“Y… yes, perhaps I am. My, uh, apologies. I’m Lucas, by the by! And yourself?” He extended his hand for a handshake, to which she responded with a gentle bow once more.
“Bella. Well, don’t let me hold you back. Have a pleasant day.” She descended the four steps, and Lucas headed inside after giving her a reassuring nod.
Sendoku R.: Chat, did the girl say her name yday?
Lucynia L.: Sounds more fake than the fox ngl
Cin N.: AHAHAHAHA
Lunamana Z.: love that copypasta ♥
Sendoku R.: Chat, google the name of the city… WTF???
Though he didn’t close the door, he watched her walk to the gates that were widely swung open, and stand there, staring up at what seemed like nothingness. He scanned the interior of the shrine thoroughly but found no hints or anything of use. It wasn’t until he sat down on the cushion by the altar when he noticed a book stashed in the central storage of the altar. He pulled it out and peeked inside. The book was old, the pages were crisp and fragile. He was careful with it as he flipped through the pages.
Presea D.: I’m really good at geoguessr, i’m on it
Lunamana Z.: if you were actually good at it you wouldnt need google wth
Presea D.: Touché
M’iyu F.: Is this a dr who episode?
Lunamana Z.: actual negative rizz damn 🙁
Lunamana Z.: it’s “you come here often ?” you dummy!
Sendoku R.: fuck fuck FUCK
Cin N.: ofc he sucks with pick up lines sheesh
Sendoku R.: ACTUAL STALKER
The text was an entry log, the last entry was made in 1951 by Bella Aziawa. He squinted at the record.
“1951? No way…” He shuddered and exclaimed, “Nah! There’s no way!” After etching his initials and the year into it, he returned the log to its original place and then left the shrine. Bella was still standing in the same spot. He walked over and asked her, “Locked…?”
She responded, “Yeah, it seems the shrine watchers left early today. But, they’ll be back tomorrow.” As she turned to leave, he reached out and grabbed her wrist. “Wait! Bella! Uhm…”
With a gasp, she turned around, shocked by his sudden grasp, and jerked her hand away. “WHAT WAS THAT?”
He took a step back, confused by his own actions. “Sorry… Uhm… I just wanted to ask you something.”
After a brief exchange and an apology for his actions, he found himself sitting on the steps with her.
“How long… No, uhm, how often do you come here?” He struggled to find the right words for his questions.
“Every day, since I was a kid,” she responded simply, plainly, and briefly, her voice trailing off slightly, suggesting exhaustion.
“What’s, um, your last name?” he asked.
With a sigh, she replied, “You had to sign the log, my name would’ve been right above yours… Bella Aziawa.”
He nodded in acknowledgement, “Ah, yes, it was dumb of me to ask.”
She agreed with a nod, “Indeed, but…” Her gaze fixed on something invisible to him. “Has that always been there?”
“What has?” He queried, shifting his gaze to the same spot as hers.
An exasperated sigh escaped her lips. “The crack in the wall. Can’t you see it?”
His breath hitched, as he recalled her words of the magnificent walls and gates protecting the shrine, impenetrable to any evil.
“Uhh… No? Don’t think I’ve ever seen it there.” He responded uncertainly.
She nodded. “Yes, neither have I. We’ll need to notify the shrine watchers.”
Agreeing, he found his thoughts wandering and eventually turning to darkness. Upon awakening, he noticed her sleeping on the shrine’s cold floor. He left her undisturbed and started his journey back to the city. Back in the city, he decided to delve into the town’s history. At the library, he sifted through archives, punctuating the evening and night with research while streaming.
“Okay guys, I’ve decided to stay a bit longer, I found out that the city has been abandoned since the 1950s, crazy.”
Lucynia L.: yeah, like… even Wikipedia said that..
M’iyu F.: letmegooglethatforyou
He dug up the history of the shrine. The shrine to Zofi, the goddess of Love, was in the possession of the Azera family for several generations. The town was evacuated in 1953 due to a severe hurricane sweeping through the mountainous region, that posed a threat to the inhabitants of the small town. The inhabitants were relocated to a safer, more accessible area with better infrastructure and connections to major cities. He dedicated a significant portion of the night to tracing the Azera family tree and their history, finding evidence of their existence in the present day. He discovered an address. Sera Azera, Jela Azera, and Bin Azera were listed at this address. The following day, he paid a visit to their residence and met Sera, an elderly woman in her 70s, along with her younger daughter, Jela, in her thirties. Bin, Sera’s late husband, had passed away five years prior. Lucas spent a significant part of the day discussing their family history and learning about the shrine, the town’s history, and the fate of the quaint, abandoned rural area he had the chance to explore – all off stream, except for a photo album they willingly shared with him and allowed to stream.
M’iyu F.: thats a lil creepy my dude and extreme stalking
Full A.: well he ain’t got the rizz so he better do the research
After explaining the situation, both Sera and Jela believed him. After all, Sera had taken on the role of the shrine’s maiden during her youth when she married Bin. Lucas then elaborated on the girl’s concern with the crack. Sera further elaborated on the erected barrier around the shrine. The simple-looking fence was designed to ward off evil spirits, and the shrine’s sacredness provided a sense of peace and serenity due to said barrier. If the barrier fell, the spirit of the girl trapped within it could fall victim to potential evil spirits yearning to feast upon the sacred energy of the shrine. Sera agreed to aid the unfortunate soul who found herself trapped within the barrier following the town’s abandonment, with the intent of releasing her into the spiritual realm. Returning from her bedroom, she wore an unusual outfit that Lucas had never seen before. It hinted at regional dress, but was adorned with seal-like patterns and embroidered with words that read like a chant: ‘No Evil Shall Resist My Will,’ ‘No Evil Shall Rest In My Sight,’ and ‘Be Free.’ Those were the chants he could decipher; however, there were more.
Lucynia L.: dead chat
M’iyu F.: strimmer?
Cin N.: dead channel
Lucynia L.: He said he would be online in 5, where is he??
Gumi G.: hi chat
Kazu M.: New stream !! 😀
Orlena F.: probably still setting up the green screen
M’iyu F.: This guy really fell hard when he had to start faking his streams
She held an old book in one hand and praying beads in the other. Lucas was impressed, she truly was a shrine maiden, and he felt honored to be in her presence. They returned together to the site. She did not object to him streaming her work. He positioned the camera on a tripod down the path from the gates where the maiden would perform the ritual. She went inside and met the spirit while Lucas chose to let them converse privately. When she emerged, she shook her head.
“Evil is corrupting the sacred lands,” she informed him nervously. “The barrier will have to be broken entirely. The girl spent a long time here, and is now bound to the shrine’s barrier, thus the corruption is consuming her too as it breaks the barrier.” She cast a glance around the forest. “However, evil spirits do not inhabit deserted lands and towns, so I doubt there’s any threat to her during the transition. Go, see her for the last time.” He gave her a nod.
Full A.: MrBeast is raiding your stream with 50.000 viewers!!!
MrBeast.: Last person to leave the chat wins 1 Billion Dollars!
Rapu R.: inb4 strummer gets trapped smh predictable
Gumi G.: wait is that a maiden shrine
He went inside for one final chat with the girl, but upon seeing her state, he hastily decided against it. She laid on the floor, barely able to lift a finger. Her gaze was filled with fear and was focused on the walls that he himself could not see.
“Crumbling… They’re crumbling,” she kept repeating to herself, paying Lucas no attention. He left as quickly as he had entered.
“Bid your farewell?” asked the shrine maiden, who stood in a circle of salt before the rotting wooden gates. As Lucas walked out the gate, one of the hinges snapped, causing half of the gate to fall to the ground. He stared at it with concern.
“Y… Yes… She’s very ill, please help her,” he pleaded.
Sera gave him a reassuring smile. “My brave boy, such a noble spirit you possess. Stand back, I will now break the barrier.”
She chanted in an ancient language that Lucas struggled to understand, standing further back and leaning against a tree. She danced to a rhythmic hum between the chants. The sight was spectacular. Lucas, an urban exploration streamer, had never imagined he would find himself in the company of a shaman performing a ritual to save a ghost he had, within a single meeting, managed to fall for. Yet, here he was.
Lucynia L.: Dafuq are we watching here?
Orlena F.: dancing with the stars – rural edition
Cin N.: Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels shrine version
Lucynia L.: That’s the worst actor he had yet…
Cin N.: probably not paying enough for good ones
Full A.: yeah what a cringe voice
The chant came to an end. Lucas’s eyes widened as a grand wall, previously hidden from his sight, collapsed before him in its entirety.
“It’s done, she’s free,” she declared. In that moment, a bone-chilling whisper arose from below. “Much obliged,” a screeching voice directed at Lucas spoke. A small fox leaped out of his shadow and darted straight for the motionless girl lying by the shrine’s entrance.
Lucas reached out with his hand, letting out a gasp as he observed the small fox, who had bitten him previously, leap over the collapsed wall.
The shrine maiden cried out, “NO!” However, it was far too late, as the malevolent spirit now sat upon Bella’s weakened body. Its ember piercing gaze sent Lucas into a stupor as it grinned at him. The livestream flickered briefly, revealing the fox to them before the camera shut off.
Gumi G.: did you guys see that??
Orlena F.: ye – worst effects evva
Cin N.: cgi?
Full A.: faaaake
Full A.: fox!
Gumi G.: where is the fox ears enjoyer?
M’iyu F.: wow thats the cheapest effect out there
Lucynia L.: overly dramatic! but the ears looked yummy for a fake fox…
M’iyu F.: Why are you so obsessed with fox ears 😀
M’iyu F.: Enough with the fake fox already, stuff gettin old
Lucynia L.: Is a secret! :33 But why is he now off??
M’iyu F.: strimmer sucks so bad wow wow wow uninstall
Sendoku R.: call the cops on this old fart, that’s assault right here. what is she on about anyway? Lucas is still a virgin, how is he going to stop an evil spirit?
Full A.: probably in bed crying cause the effects were so bad
Sendoku R.: I swear this dude is going to get natural selectioned very soon
Bella’s eyes opened slowly. She glanced at the small creature that sat on her.
“Foxy.”
She felt the creature tap her chin with its paw. Baring its fangs at her, Bella’s face distorted from pain. However, no sound escaped her lips. Shortly after, she disappeared, but the creature, in turn, grew in size. The fox glared at the maiden and the streamer, then laid down, curled into a ball, and closed its eyes. Lucas finally snapped out of his stupor when the creature closed its eyes. He approached the elderly maiden whose face was streaked with tears. She gawked at him and then yelled “STUPID BOY!” She clenched her teeth, her jaw and fist trembled.
“W…what happened?” he asked her cautiously.
“The girl is gone, you fool! You fed the evil spirit!”
Lucas shook his head.
“No! Bella…”
The maiden’s hand landed firmly against his cheek, a loud slap echoing through the otherwise eerily silent forest.
“Gone!” She spoke angrily, then glared at the fox. The animal opened a single eye as the maiden turned on her heel and walked away.
“I’m taking my leave. Live with your sins, boy!”
Dumbfounded by the events, the slap, and a notably larger black fox that was now occupying the spot where Bella’s soul was, Lucas seemingly zoned out for a brief moment. Upon regaining his focus, the black fox had disappeared, as had the maiden. Shaken up and dumbfounded, he returned to his car and drove back to the hotel. The ensuing sleepless night was no surprise. His flight was in three days, the camera was bricked, and the shrine was deserted when he revisited it the following day, and the day after.
Lucas leaned back in his uncomfortable airport chair, still shaken by recent events, but at last composed enough to resume streaming. He switched on the camera for a brief stream.
“At the airport now, with the plane delayed due to a stupid storm. De Varsol’s castle is the next stop! Can’t wait.” However, the viewers noticed something peculiar, those most attentive of them, saw a fox’s face in the shadow on the wall behind him. Its ember eyes glinted for the briefest of moments before disappearing.
Full A.: fox!
Gumi G.: where is the fox ears enjoyer?
Lucynia L.: Is that the fox coming back to haunt him or is that plant just happy to see him?? Nyahahahaha
Rapu R.: <<what did the fox say again?
Presea D.: Guys, what the fox said? kappa
M’iyu F.: Enough with the fake fox already, stuff gettin old
His dreams were often disturbed by the appearance of the fox, its piercing ember gaze tracking his every move yet its body remaining still as a statue. These frequent nightmares quickly became the new norm. Yet, as they became normalized in the night, the fox’s face began to appear in the daylight. In the shadows, he would see it lurking, watching, stalking.
He rebranded his stuff as the “Fox Explorer” and a black fox was his trademark symbol, specifically, a black fox with a piercing ember gaze. But as it stalked and followed him, bad luck trailed closely by. A few years passed, and Lucas learnt to live with the relentless bad luck and the stalking presence of the black fox, feeding upon his negative emotions and unfortunes. Its voice soon became clear, whispering to him every day, reminding him of every sin and misstep he had ever made.
One day, half a decade later, unable to bear the weight of his sins any longer, he found himself swaying in the wind off a tree.
“Much Obliged,” the fox’s voice spoke to him for the last time that night. Darkness took over one last time, and he found the serenity and peace he had been seeking since his first visit to the shrine. Such is the price he paid for his mistake.
Audience prompts for this tale
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How about a villain or hero of the story that always achieves the opposite of what they were planning to do
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Like a villain for example that wanna blackmail the world in destroying the moon, but then accidently hits an alien airship that wanted to invade the planet
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I uhm… I would like to see a spooky little foxy in the story if possible ^^ 🙂
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And old, nearly abandoned rural town with a handful of known habitants! I feel like that fits the stage for paranormal, right ? :3
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Modern setting
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What about- a haunted shrine at the top of a mountain? Not too high that is
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