?Grand Ecstasy and Eunice continues their exploration of Diplomat Hotel and now they're in the second floor's hallway. Unlike before, the paranormal activities are more rampant as they notice objects being dragged, making multitude of sounds.

  Some sounds are just soft creaking while others are violent, like an object is thrown in full force.

  ?Eunice continues to take photos, each pictures always showing apparitions. Some are just white smokes while the most disturbing ones are those with clear humanoid shaped smokes. Some even showing glimpse of faces and clothing.

  ?The group stays silent as they traverse the path, their silence continues until they reach a part of the hallway with rows of rooms in the sides which they feel the sinister chills engulfed them again.

  ?And sounds of muffled sobbing of women becomes audible. As they walk closer, the sounds become even more intense. Now with partnered screaming and shoutings from both men and woman alike.

  ?"Those might be the room where they do those disgusting acts." Mateo speaks solemnly.

  ?"The rapes..." Sophia frowns as she realizes the implications.

  ?Claustrine gags when she hears the crying of what clearly was a little girl mixed alongside the wails and screams. Eunice and Sophia teared up as they also heared soft childish cry.

  ?"Fucking Vielaratas." Beltrand grinds his teeth out of rage.

  ?"You can't expect that humanity would remain in a war. Especially on such scale as World War 2. That also applies to your place right?" Shiva's commentary.

  ?"I know that! It's just... Nevermind." Beltrand clenches his fist as he can't deny what Shiva said. In her life as a combatant in Yhigressia, he's well verse on the brutality a human can inflict to one another if the opportunity calls for such desire.

  ?Eunice wipes her tears and goes back to her job of taking photos. She go to one of the empty rooms where she can still hear the voices of the dead and...

  ?Click!

  ?The flash illuminated the room for a fraction of a second. Eunice views the resulting photo in her DLSR.

  ?"aaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAA."

  ?Eunice's camera shakes in her hands as her body fells numb and freezing due to fear. She slowly look back on the empty room and see it empty, then back to the Camera screen.

  ?On the display screen is the same empty room or not as on the left side of the frame is a woman surrounded by grayness. She's wearing a tattered clothes, have a long disheveled black hair, bruises are visible on her arms and face, and her full black schlera eyes are staring directly to the camera.

  ?Her expression is full of rage and misery.

  ?Filled by fear, Eunice run and joins back Grand Ecstasy who's waiting for her with concern.

  ?"What did you see there?" Mateo asked.

  ?Eunice shows the photo to everyone and just like her, they also fell intense fear.

  ?"Eunice, can you take more photos?"

  ?"I w-will try." Eunice seriously agreed.

  ?Thus Eunice takes even more photos of the rooms and hallways. Then she show the results to everyone to their horror.

  ?Each photos is clearly have person in them that not even there in the first place.

  ?One of the photos shows two female ghost standing in the corner, one of them is facing the window while the other is just sitting on the floor, crying.

  ?Another picture of the rooms shows a floating woman in the ceiling.

  ?The picture of the hallway is filled of different kinds of ghost. Females, males, soldiers, priests and nuns. some of them is missing their head.

  ?And the final photo. It's supposed to be a picture of an empty room. But now it's just a picture of a wrath-filled face of a ghost woman.

  ?"Lets leave this place..." Mateo hastely walks away followed by the others who also have the same pace.

  ?~~~~~~°~~~~~~

  ?

  ?The group is now resting on one of the fountains of the indoor park. Not a single word is spoken for a while as they recollect their thoughts on what they just experienced.

  ?Finally, the silence is broken when Beltrand starts to speak.

  ?"Wait. Why we run away?"

  ?"You not making sense Beltrand. In fact, you should be the one the propose to leave given that you're against on this plan." Claustrine's critIque.

  ?"I have no idea what's happening, I'm too stunned." Beltrand's reasoning.

  ?"This place really makes us messed up in some ways." Sophia's comment.

  ?"Where are we now? This is look like a neglected garden." Shirna observes the overgrown shrubs and trees of the indoor garden. Even the fountain who decrepyt and filled with still water.

  ?As his friends bicker with each other. Mateo is now on deep thoughts. Everything just don't make sense if his knowlegde about his very own world is to believe.

  ?"If this place is really haunted... Why we're the only ones experiencing such intense sightings? This level of paranomal activity should be already a big deal." Mateo's self-pondering..

  ?Years of paranormal history of the Diplomat Hotel, the only records of paranormal events are the occasional blurry photos with supposed ghosts, a very few cases of possession and numerous paranormal experts feeling something as they use their expertise not proven by science. Such inconsistency makes the very own concept of ghost and mystical beliefs questionable.

  ?But here they are, experiencing the most powerful ghost hauntings. Mateo can't understand why of all people who visits the hotel, the ghosts decides to show their full power on their group.

  ?Eunice looks on Mateo who's in deep thoughts. Even her are in complete disbelief yet wonder on what just transpired.

  ?Eunice opened her DLSR Camera and proceeds to start filming again. She starts to walk around, hoping that ghost would be caught in video format?

  ?.

  ?.

  ?.

  ?Eunice stops. She suddenly get an unexplained feeling inside her. A turmoil of intense emotions is boiling and her conciousness is like drifting away.

  ?The turmoil of emotions finally reveals itself. Intense grief, hopelessness, misery and...

  ?Pure rage.

  ?"What's happening to me?!" Eunice inner scream as she feel drifting away further.

  ?Thud! Clack!

  ?Mateo is startled by the sudden sound and he looks on the source. Only to see Eunice unconcious on the ground.

  ?"Eunice!!!"

  With Mateo's scream, the others got alerted and see Mateo kneeling in front of the Eunice lying to the floor. She's twitching erraticly while Mateo is in panic.

  Eunice's eyes are wide open, her eyes are only white and black coloration suddenly appears around her eyes. Her skin also become unnaturally pale.

  "What's happening to Eunice?!" Sophia also become hightened.

  "I don't know! She just suddenly become like this! Eunice come on!" Mateo is holding the still shaking Eunice.

  "She might have a medical condition! Lets bring him to the hospital! Beltrand help us!"

  Shiva and Beltrand joins Mateo and they attempted to lift Eunice to bring her to the van.

  "Be careful! Huh?!"

  Eunice didn't even move an inch when the trio attempted to lift her. They try one more time, only to fail again.

  "Why she's so heavy?!" Beltrand complains.

  "GAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

  Everyone becomes even more alerted when Eunice starts screaming and slowly floats to the air.

  "My god..." Shiva is in disbelief. As what's happening now is clearly not caused by some health issues.

  "What we do now Mateo?!" Beltrand shouts but Mateo is also stunned.

  Eunice now standing straight on the air, looking on the group. She was surrounded by a sinister aura everyone can feel.

  Eunice then proceeds to scream. Her screams echoing and explosive.

  "MASUSUNOG KAYONG LAHAT SA IMPYERNO!!! MGA DEMONYONG HAPON!!!"

  The Auto-Translate didn't work as Eunice continues to scream words full of uncontained rage. Screaming using different voices of both men and women.

  "WALANG KAPATAWARAN ANG MGA KASALANANG GINAWA NYO SA AMING LAHAT!!!"

  "PANGINOON BAT MO KAMI PINABAYAAN?!"

  Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

  Mateo is having a terrible flashback as he suddenly remembers Dereia. But Mateo snaps back to reality and slaps himself. It's not the time to drown himself from his previous failures.

  This time, he would make things right.

  "She's getting posessed by a ghost!" Mateo's scream.

  The air surrounding them suddenly becomes turbulent, light objects flunged everywhere. The trees and shrubs dances aggressively as everyone looks at Eunice with worry and fear.

  "Ghosts can do something like this?!" Claustrine's panicking question.

  "YES!" -Mateo.

  "What we should do Mateo?! I don't know how this world deal with this type of situation?!" Sophia worried question.

  "We needed a priest!" Shiva's answer.

  "Priest?! I'm a Cleric!"

  "No! A priest of my world that can exorcise the ghost out of Eunice's body!"

  "Oh no!" Sophia is panicking.

  "Wait!"

  Mateo looks at Sophia and Claustrine as he realized something. Maybe the real reason why the ghosts are extremely powerful on their presence is because.

  "Sophia! Trinne! You two didn't hide your mana?!"

  "No!" -Sophia.

  "But our mana always in minumum so it must not be an issue right?! Wait... Do you mean?!" Claustrine is baffled.

  "Yes! These ghosts are reacting on your mana! Now you two unleash all of them and lets see what happen!"

  "Are you sure that's a good idea Mateo?!" Claustrine is unsure on the proposal.

  "We gonna save Eunice so you going to unleash them anyway! Now go!"

  Claustrine and Sophia unleashed their mana as instructed. Sophia's yellow mana and Claustrine's sky blue mana mix and expands like a cloud of dust swept by the wind.

  And as the mana moves further, the more it reveals the reality.

  "U-unbelievable..." Shiva's spine shiver as he see the extent of their situation.

  The entire interior garden is full of hundreds of ghosts. Men, women, children, elderly, soldiers, nuns, priests and headless individuals surrounds Grand Ecstasy. Some are even floating in the air and others are even visible on the windows.

  "I knew it... They're being fueled by strong mana especially by you two." Mateo's conclusion on his theory.

  "B-but mana or it's equivalent in this world is so different." Claustrine's question as there must be complications if it's the case.

  "Apparently it doesn't matter, as long as it's a suitable power source." Mateo continues.

  "Hey! You forgotting something!" Sophia is mad as she points on still possessed Eunice.

  "Ah sorry."

  Mateo notices a white smoke engulfing the ghosts and Eunice. The white smoke that also visible on the haunted photos earlier. An idea comes on his mind.

  "Sophia, cast divine coating on Eunice!"

  "Are you sure about this?" Sophia questions Mateo's plan.

  "We have no choice! But, if the way to exorcised them is to use the power of a God! Perhaps the power of Goddess Vivvily might also work!"

  Sophia smile as she understands the logic of Mateo's plan.

  "Ok!"

  Sophia opens her bag of storage and pulls her wand which she aims to still floating Eunice.

  "Our Lady of Perpetual Selfishness Vivvily. Give us your unconditional embrace..."

  Sophia's wand starts to glow a slightly dim yellow which perplexed Sophia as on her previous usage of the spell, it's always bright yellow.

  "Divine coating!"

  A shockwave of equally dim light engulfs Grand Ecstasy and Eunice. The moment Eunice is enclosed on the yellow coating, the smoke around her dissipates which make Eunice unconcious and stops the chaotic winds around them.

  "Oh shit!"

  Beltrand quickly moves and catch the falling Eunice. Thankfully, he catches her with ease.

  Mateo looks on the ghosts and see their faces.

  Lonelines.

  Rage.

  Fear.

  Despair.

  Hopelessness.

  The ghosts expressing multitude of emotions. Emotions that might be the last thing they feel before their death and now etched on their ghastly representations. Mateo frowns as he can't really do anything about their old fate.

  "What we should do now Mateo?" Claustrine's question.

  "It seems that they still want something to us Mateo." Beltrand looks on the hundreds of ghosts staring at them.

  "Worry not. They can't do anything anymore as we finally remove their host."

  "You mean... Eunice?" -Sophia.

  "Not only Eunice. It seems that they can only unleash their full potential once they possessed an individual with weak willpower. We already saved Eunice and its clear that we're not an options either." Mateo explains his theory on how the ghost works.

  "So what now?" -Beltrand.

  "Lets leave this place."

  Everyone seems agreed on the plan and they start to leave the hotel, Beltrand still carrying Eunice while Mateo picks up Eunice's camera which thrown far away from them. They reach the exit while ignoring the ghosts that surrounds them. The ghosts even gives them because of the holy barrier surrounding them.

  The group safely reach their van parked outside the building.

  ~~~~~~°~~~~~~

  Eunice slowly opens his eyes, only to see an unfamiliar ceiling, she squints as the ceiling looks like it doesnt belong to a house room due to how low it is.

  Then she feels that the room is moving and the sound of a vehicle is audible. She sit up and finally realizes that she's in a stranger's car which make her alerted.

  "Oh you finally awake!"

  "Epp!"

  Eunice panics but calms down when see Sophia's face. She's sitting next to her.

  "Where are we?"

  "We're in our van." Mateo answered.

  "Van?" Eunice looks outside and she see that they're really on a moving vehicle.

  "W-what happened?" Eunice's memories are foggy. When she tries to remember, her head only hurts.

  "You got possessed by the ghosts."

  Eunice's eyes widen. Then she frowns as she remembers the last thing before she lost control of herself.

  "Makes sense. I'm sorry."

  "It's not your fault Eunice." Mateo honestly put Eunice at ease.

  "Thanks... How you guys saved me?"

  "We quickly carried you out of that building and we make a prayer session. Hoping that we might somehow exorcised you." Mateo's fake reasoning.

  "Thank you so much for saving me guys." Eunice's sincete gratitude.

  A seconds of silence.

  "I still can't believe it. They're truly exist. Unbelievable." Eunice smiles softly.

  "I feel the same. To think that there's more mystery to this world than what I can imagine." Mateo smile gently.

  "I know right?! It's like a out-of-this world experience!" Eunice suddenly becomes excited.

  "Hoy hoy don't tell me aliens also exist?" Shiva joins the conversation while driving. Eunice smile slyly.

  "Who knows?"

  "What's an... Alyen?" Claustrine's honest question which makes Eunice look at her with confusion. Claustrine remembers what Mateo just warned them and back out.

  "Nevermind. I'm just glad that you're safe. For a recently possessed person, you surely cheerful about this." Claustrine chuckle.

  "She's right! It's like your life being in danger is nothing to you! We are worried you know!" Sophia pouts.

  "Hehe sorry Ms. Sophia. It's just everything is just bizzare yet amazing. This is something I will never forget."

  "Good grief." Sophia just sigh.

  "So what you gonna do next Eunice?" Mateo asked.

  "Of course, I gonna share this experience on my vlog. I'm sure people gonna love everything that we witnessed there."

  Mateo looks at Eunice with seriousness.

  "Eunice I have a request."

  "What is it Mr. Mateo?"

  "Can you leave us out on your article?"

  "Huh? But why? This is surely gonna be a big hit." Eunice is saddened and confused.

  "We just want privacy. We're not really the kind that wants the spotlight." Mateo smile honestly.

  "Ah I see.... I promise I gonne leave you out. But I might still hint that I'm with someone but make it anonymous. Is that ok?"

  "That's fine for us I wish for your success Eunice."

  Eunice smile sweetly.

  After some time of driving. The group finally reach the hotel where Eunice is staying. The door opens which Eunice exits and stretches her body. Grand Ecstasy also leaves the vehicle.

  "Phew... I can finally rest."

  Mateo gives her camera.

  "I hope its not damaged." Eunice inspects her precious camera. Then sigh with relief as there's no damage.

  "I guess this is a farewell huh?" Mateo starts the goodbyes.

  "Yes. We only just met yet we become so close that we're like we're close friends. I'm so happy." Eunice's sentimental words.

  "We feel the same way." Sophia smile.

  "So where you going next?" Eunice's question.

  Mateo ponders a little bit.

  "I guess we're going to Pangasinan, Zambales then Pampanga. To be honest, we want to explore the entire Luzon if possible."

  "Just to remind you Mateo, we only have 2 weeks worth of days left, your wish is impossible." Shiva's reminder which make Mateo sigh.

  "I know I know." Mateo laugh softly followed by Eunice.

  "But that time will still bring you on many beautiful places. I hope you enjoy your more of your vacation guys."

  "Yes. That's what our vacation plan to begin with." Claustrine's words.

  "If that's the case. Entering that cursed place should be out of question." Beltrand disagrees which make everyone chuckle.

  "Eunice. We going to leave now. Good bye."

  Eunice walks closer to everyone and give them a short hug, they hug back in kind as they appreciate her sincerity.

  "Good bye everyone."

  Eunice watch as the white van drives away, slowly disappearing on her sight. She smile and enters the hotel to give herself a well earned sleep after everything that just happened.

  But suddenly remembers something.

  "Oh crap! I forgot their social media contacts!"

  Eunice scratches her hair out of frustration, the guard on the entrance is watching her, looking at her confused.

  ~~~~~~°~~~~~~

  Inside the van. There's an air of seriousness among Grand Ecstasy. The event of the night still etched on their mind as they traverse the roads of Baguio city, going back to their own hotels.

  "So... This experience answers our questions now?" Mateo starts a conversion.

  "Yeah... It seems your world is not really a magicless one like what you expected." Claustrine's solemn answer.

  "There's still magic but it must be a very rare on this era. That's the only explanation I can think of why we only discovered mysticism now." Mateo is in deep thoughts as he reconsiders so many ideas.

  "I kinda agree on Mateo. Even the first time we set foot in this world. Mana is almost non-existent unlike when we're on Yhigressia where mana is still common. This world is a mystery." Sophia joins the deep questioning.

  "It seems my idea is holding water here you know?" -Shiva?

  "That magic in Earth is slowly dying?" Mateo looks on still driving Shiva who joins their conversation.

  "In general that's where it all leads. Just think of the folktales all around the world? The mythologies, the magical beast, the engraved belief on the occult. Hell even ancient religions. Looks like in the past, magic is more common unlike now."

  "Kinda makes sense. If mana or whatever its equivent here would be still common, those ghosts would not need to use mine and Sophia's mana as power source." Claustrine agrees.

  "And severe ghost sightings would be more common not only on Old Diplomat Hotel but the whole Earth as well." Beltrand also agrees.

  "Or we should already encountered a mystical creature back on the Mrs. Ligaya's hometown. Because the woods always hold wonders." -Shirna.

  "That's concludes our short research. What an intense finalle we got." Claustrine makes a sigh of satisfaction.

  "You surely making a satisfied smile huh Trinne?" Mateo smile.

  "You can't blame me Mateo. This is really fun."

  "Geez. We put an innocent life on the risk."

  "Yet Eunice is also enthralled on the experience. I think she's fine. Besides, we're there to save her." Claustrine smile.

  "We really the cause of all of that but I guess you're right. But from now on, you two should really hide your mana if we don't want to trigger more paranormal events."

  "Okaaay~" Claustrine and Sophia agrees followed by them shutting off their mana release.

  And with Mateo's conclusion. Silence comes back for while before Claustrine breaks it.

  "What are those ghosts really?"

  "To he honest Trinne. My previous knowledge is... Ghosts are vengeful souls who trapped in the mortal world but..."

  Mateo stares outside.

  "But it seems ghosts are more like historical recording of events created with the intense emotions of those people. Their strong feelings etched on the spot where they take their last breath.

  "So? A vengeful soul?"

  "No Shirna. Just like I said, they're not souls at all. Just imagine them as paintings of the person who left them before they depart. That's why they only showing strong negative emotions and requires powersource to manifest themselves.

  "But why they can possessed a person?" -Claustrine.

  "Their like an environmental hazards. You noticed the white smoke right?"

  Everyone nods.

  "Those smoke is the hazards and the amalgamation of all the negative emotions of the people who sadly died there."

  "I think I kinda understand now. So ghosts are not really a concious being but like what's left behind on their conciousness."

  "I think that's the correct answer Trinne."

  Mateo continues to look outside the van window.

  "I just wishing that the owners of those ghosts reached the peace on the afterlife."

  "Even the Imperial Jafanis Soldiers?" Beltrand asked as he clearly remembers that there's also soldiers among the ghosts.

  Mateo stays quiet for a while. Conflicted if he should answer the question or not. But still, he decides to give Beltrand an answer.

  "I just hope the soldiers we saw back there are not involved on the atrocities. Afterall, there's always a sliver of good in the evils of war."

  Beltrand look at Mateo who seems very serious as Mateo focused his gaze on the passing buildings and city lights.