Pacific Ocean, Nili Island.
This uncharted, obscure island, invisible on maps, witnessed a private jet landing at its airstrip. Dr. Alexander, the island’s chief administrator, stood respectfully, awaiting the important passengers to disembark.
Soon, the aircraft’s door opened, and a tall, blonde woman emerged. Alexander bowed deeply, greeting her with utmost courtesy. ‘Welcome, Minister Ellen! I offer my deepest condolences on the passing of Mr. Westcott. We are all deeply saddened by the news.’
Alexander, in a display of false sympathy, shed a few tears. Ellen, however, looked displeased. ‘You needn’t feign emotion here. I’ve come on important business, to settle Isaac’s estate.’
As Ellen spoke, a small golden head peeked out from behind her. Although Alexander had never seen this little girl before, he quickly deduced her identity. She was Aili Westcott, the daughter of Isaac Westcott.
Recently, a group of spirits, the Nightmares, infiltrated a high-security shelter prepared for DEM’s top executives. Caught off guard, the executives, most in their sixties, were killed without a chance to defend themselves. Officially, their deaths were attributed to a spatial quake. As Isaac’s daughter, Aili became the controlling shareholder of DEM, with Ellen Mathers as her legal guardian.
Looking at Aili, then at Ellen, Alexander realized who Aili’s mother must be. The rumors about Ellen being Isaac’s mistress were true, though the extent of their secrecy surprised him. Despite his years at DEM, this was the first time he learned of Aili’s existence. It was no wonder Ellen didn’t seem overly grief-stricken; after all, her former lover had left her a substantial inheritance. Anyone in her position would be less affected.
The next person to exit the plane, however, left Alexander baffled. She was a stunningly beautiful Eastern girl. Her long black hair was braided into two ponytails, cascading down her shoulders. Her slender frame seemed fragile, as if it might break with the slightest touch. Her forehead was covered by a curtain of hair, revealing only her left eye, a mesmerizing right eye, and lips as delicate as cherry blossom petals. Her skin was as smooth and white as a pearl. She wore a black Gothic lolita dress, a purple ribbon around her neck, and black tights that accentuated her slim legs. Her feet were clad in sturdy black boots. She cradled a cat in her arms.
Although Alexander had never seen this Eastern girl before, he knew better than to question the leaders’ decisions. He was merely an employee, and his role was to ensure they were well received. ‘Please, follow me,’ he said, leading them to the underground laboratory.
Deep within the lab, a gray-haired girl lay strapped to an operating table, her body connected to various tubes and wires, her eyes tightly shut. ‘Is this Subject A?’ the black-haired girl asked.
Alexander, taken aback by the question, replied respectfully. ‘Yes, she is confirmed to be the second known spirit in the world—The Nun.’
‘What kind of experiments have you conducted on her?’ she inquired.
‘Well…’ Alexander glanced at Ellen, seeking her approval to continue. With a nod, he proceeded. ‘For instance, we would cut off her fingers one millimeter at a time, then use a device to reattach them.’
‘Or we would inject large amounts of neurotoxins into her body to test her resistance.’
‘Or we would conduct starvation tests to see how long she could survive without food.’
‘Or…’ he began, but was abruptly interrupted by the black-haired girl, her voice sharp with anger. ‘Is everyone involved in these experiments?’
‘Well…’ Alexander sensed something was amiss but continued. ‘Rest assured, all our researchers have worked diligently, and none have shirked their duties.’
‘Oh, I see. Now I understand what needs to be done…’
****
Natsumi was the first to be captured, and her confinement was the strictest. After enduring an unknown duration of torture, she had lost all hope of rescue. Just as she was on the brink of despair, she heard a familiar voice. ‘Wake up, quickly!’
Natsumi opened her eyes to see a golden eye, reminiscent of a golden clock. As she looked closer, she realized the eye belonged to a Gothic lolita beauty who seemed to have stepped out of a two-dimensional world. She found herself resting her head on the girl’s lap. ‘Kamisama, have I finally entered the world of two dimensions?’
‘Do you truly believe a spirit would exist in a normal three-dimensional world?’ a voice, clearly not her own, responded. Natsumi soon realized it wasn’t a hallucination, as a strange cat jumped onto her chest, gently patting it with its paws. ‘Indeed, you’re a forty-seven-year-old woman trapped in a seventeen-year-old’s body, yet you haven’t developed at all.’
‘What?! That’s too harsh, you naughty cat!’ Natsumi felt tears welling up in her eyes.
‘I’m not a cat; I’m just using this cat’s body to communicate with you,’ the cat replied, licking its sleek fur. ‘My name is Kamisama, but you can call me Thousand Night. My code name is Succubus.’
The Gothic lolita girl introduced herself as well. ‘I’m Kurumi, code name Dream.’
‘We’re spirits, just like you!’