Chapter 368 - Barrier

Earlier…

"Give me the keys. I will drive," Chiaki demanded as she held out her palm.

Earlier just after Kazehaya Gin left to answer the call, the other had also left to do their separate activities for the day. Alinea, Ryuu, and Ivan went off to do business-related things. Aki also left for Suzuki Raiden Group. Only the three girls, Yuuka, Chiaki, and Emi were left.

However, only a couple of minutes passed when Yuuka's phone rang. It was a call from her mother telling her that the house had been under attack. If she didn't come home, they would all be killed. It was unexpected since they knew that Homura House's people were there at that moment. But after hearing background noises and screams, Yuuka had been shaken, and a very strong dėsɨrė to go back home came to her.

"H-Here," Yuuka said absent-mindedly and Chiaki didn't waste time to grab it.

Yesterday, Yuuka's car was driven to the Cedar Palace by one of the servants so it was there. But she was not in a good state to drive so Chiaki, even though she knew that it would be dangerous to go to Yuuka's house still agreed to go.

First, it's because she knew that Homura House's people would protect them. Second, if she did not agree to go with Yuuka, the latter would drive there by herself which was more dangerous. Emi seemed to understand it too so she let the two of them leave. Chiaki knew Emi would inform the others of what's going on later.

Without further ado, the two hopped into the car and left with Chiaki driving. She didn't know where exactly Yuuka's house was, but there was a record on the navigator so she didn't have to ask. It took only more than thirty minutes to get to their destination. However, as soon as they reached it, Chiaki stopped the car.

"What's wrong?" Yuuka asked.

In her eyes, they were parked just in front of their gate. But it looked like Chiaki was not planning on moving the car. Then she understood.

"Oh, sorry," she said as she took a small remote from the compartment and the gate moved sideways showing the driveway. "It's okay now," she said but when Chiaki didn't move, she gave her a questioning look. "What's wrong?"

"I can't see anything. It's just a vacant lot there with a huge wire fence," Chiaki said with a frown. "But it should be here, right? The GPS said so," she continued as she tried to push the buŧŧons on the navigation to check.

"How can that be? My house is just there," Yuuka insisted as she pointed at the building in front.

"What?" Chiaki, of course, was confused as her eyes told her differently.

Indeed, there was only a huge wire fence and a vacant lot in the photo.

"But how can this be? My house is just there," she said as she took her own phone and took a picture with it. However, just as what was registered in Chiaki's phone, there was nothing there but the wire fence and the vacant land.

She was dumbfounded.

"What's going on?"Yuuka asked out loud.

Chiaki was about to answer her but stopped as she realized something. The Makis were encountering something that was not of this world. It was why Homura House decided to intervene in the first place. If so, there must be some type of enchantment placed on the Maki House. This must be the reason why she couldn't see anything.

"But I can see our house from here," Yuuka insisted, and Chiaki couldn't argue.

Perun already told them that Yuuka was a blank soul and therefore immune to enchantments. The people Gin sent must have erected a barrier to keep humans away from the place. But of course, it wouldn't work on Yuuka's eyes.

"Yuuka, I think it's better if we stay in the car," Chiaki advised.

If the people from Homura House wanted to keep humans away from the house, then there must be a very good reason. It would be dangerous.

"But my parents are there," Yuuka insisted as she got out of the car.

She stayed next to the vehicle though and just tiptoed to take a good look at the mansion that only she could see. She was still sane enough to know she couldn't go if Chiaki couldn't see the house just as she could. She didn't know the details, but she felt that there must be some reflectors placed in her house so that it would be covered and go unnoticed by unsuspecting people.

She, of course only said this because there was no other explanation she could think of unless she believed in magic. She even disregarded the fact that if it's indeed caused by reflectors then she shouldn't be able to see the house as well since her eyes were not that good.

"What are you planning to do?"

Chiaki had also gotten out of the car. However, as soon as she did, another car stopped next to them and a familiar old man stepped out of it.

Suzuki Daizo!

"Well, well, well," the old man commented as he leered at the two women. "It's surprising to see the two of you here together."

Chiaki automatically went around the car to stand next to Yuuka in a protective gesture. She had always disliked Aki's uncle, and now that she knew what he really was, she felt warier of him.

"Did you finally confront the mistress? It's best to put the sŀut into her place this early. You don't want a whore hanging around your husband," Daizo told Yuuka in approval.

It seemed the old Suzuki thought that the reason why the women were together was that Yuuka had confronted Chiaki about Aki.  

"What are you talking about? Who's the mistress?"Yuuka countered in anger, but Chiaki grabbed her hand to stop her from speaking.

"Yuuka, we should go," Chiaki said as she gripped her arm, and Yuuka finally remembered that the man was infected, and it's not wise to stay and talk to him.

"Yeah, " Yuuka agreed as they turned around, but it seemed the other had some plans.

"Where do you think you're going? If you're already here then it's better to clear the matter to your parents, no?"Daizo said menacingly. His expression was that of a lunatic's. "Let's go inside and explain to them. We can set the date for your engagement party as well."

"You're crazy," Yuuka muttered under her breath as she nudged Chiaki towards the driver's side while she opened the door to the passenger one.

They were able to get into the car. But just as they were able to start the engine, Daizo stood at the hood with his crimson eyes lit up.

"You women are rude. I told you to get inside," he said as he lifted the car by the front and started dragging it towards the house.

In her horror, Chiaki tried to start the car to try to get away but to no avail. She and Yuuka were not able to do anything when Daizo dragged the car until behind the gate and flung it like a toy inside.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

The two screamed as the car catapulted into the air and was about to drop hood first on the ground, but a blur of black appeared where they were supposed to crash and kicked the car so it'd land on its four wheels.

There was a cloud of dust when the car landed and Chiaki and Yuuka were both pushed back when the airbags were activated. The man who came to rescue them opened the car door and punctured the bags to free them.

"Quick! Get out of here!" Kuro ordered them, and Yuuka and Chiaki wasted no time into getting out.

However, as soon as they did, Daizo who looked at them with murderous eyes seemed to snap out of reality completely.

"I am trying to find a way to fix this but it seems you don't care! I will not return the money! The money is mine!" The old Suzuki screamed as his featured started to shift.

Everyone watched in horror as he convulsed; his clothes destroyed as his body stretched and stretched and a foul odor permeated the air. His head grew big, taking on a bird-like appearance as he sprung into a twelve-foot giant.

"Run! Run!"Kuro yelled at the ladies and Chiaki forced herself to move.

She grabbed Yuuka's hand and dragged her away. They couldn't get out of the gate anymore as the monster was there, so they ran towards the house.

Chiaki had seen this type of monster before, but this was a lot more menacing the ones she saw at the Cedar Palace.

A harpy!