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Chapter Fifteen: An Ominous Encounter

In the heart of the day, the sky stretched out like a breathtaking canvas, adorned with shades of tranquil blue and milky white. These were the mornings Earth was meant for – green plastic lawns, garden chairs, weathered wooden porches, and delicate butterflies pirouetting above the steamy urban pavements. The sky, deep and serene, stretched infinitely, punctuated by sugary-sweet clouds.

Gaige inhaled the nostalgia-laden breeze, savoring the tranquility. There were no monsters lurking on the ground, no wyverns soaring through the sky. This serene morning would have been perfect if it weren't for the existence of the purgers.

"This is only the second day," Gaige muttered, his thoughts serving as a reassuring mantra, an attempt to quell the rising tension within him.

"Why are you breathing this polluted air?" Minka's voice pulled him from his contemplation as she stepped out of the glass door of the department store.

Gaige had decided to accompany Minka on their city stroll, his presence serving as a shield for the group's strongest member. Together, they had ventured out to buy groceries and parchment paper – a peculiar combination of items.

Gaige had discovered a way to preserve his divine powers by sealing them onto scrolls. These scrolls could even be used for healing, providing a lifeline when torn. Recognizing their potential, they stocked up on parchment paper, ensuring everyone had a life-saving scroll.

"Finished?" Minka asked.

"Yes, I'm done."

Minka handed him half of the shopping bags, then extended her left hand, silently urging him to take it. They strolled through the city, hands entwined. Minka's explanation that she didn't want to lose him made Gaige complacent, allowing her to lead the way.

Gaige gave the bags a gentle shake, suspecting that they contained alcohol. "That's booze. The boys seem to have small parties every night."

"Why?"

Minka shrugged, her curiosity mirroring Gaige's. "Who knows? They call it a 'fun to still be alive' party."

Gaige's gaze remained fixed on the shopping bags, his thoughts drifting to the recent events. "You want one? But I don't have enough money for that."

Minka's voice cut through his thoughts, reminding him of their current predicament. "You want one? But I don't have enough money for that."

Gaige snapped back to reality, whispering, "Spirits."

Minka became wary, her eyes scanning their surroundings. However, she couldn't perceive the spirit that Gaige seemed to see.

Spirits possessed the ability to choose who could see them, leaving Minka puzzled about what Gaige had done to warrant their appearance.

Meanwhile, Gaige debated whether to acknowledge the spirit's presence. It had been the same angelic entity as the previous night, which left him uneasy. Angels didn't appear to anyone at random; every interaction had meaning.

"One, two, three..."

Gaige counted down, keeping his eyes locked onto the angel. He was waiting for it to approach him, believing that there was little to gain by going to it himself. He sensed a trap.

"Zero! Let's go!"

He seized Minka's hand and sprinted away from the angel. Yet, no matter how fast they ran, the angel reappeared before them. It floated gracefully, its wings attached to its ankles, landing directly in their path.

Gaige dropped the shopping bags and wrapped his arms protectively around Minka, shielding her from the spirit's presence.

The angel spoke, its voice devoid of emotion, reverberating within Gaige's mind. "Do not fear, child."

Gaige's response was a mix of irritation and apprehension. "What do you want? I'll pray later!"

"I know you will pray. Pray more because I have another foretell."

Gaige's eyebrows furrowed in suspicion. "Who's asking? I'm not requesting your guidance."

The encounter felt foreboding. Receiving unsolicited information seemed ominous, and Gaige contemplated escape rather than engagement.

"Oh, damn!"

His exclamation, laced with frustration, echoed through the air. While it might have been inappropriate in the presence of the angel, Gaige couldn't contain himself as the angel closed the distance between them.

"Exactly 28 days and 15 hours from now, all purgers will go out to hunt. Be prepared."

"What?"

Gaige had more questions, but the angel departed as swiftly as it had arrived, leaving him torn between gratitude for the warning and irritation at the lack of details.

"Sir Gaige!" Minka tapped him, concerned by the intensity of his embrace. She couldn't perceive the spirit and was baffled by Gaige's reaction, though she could see the furrowed worry lines on his forehead.

"Sorry." Gaige released Minka and retrieved the fallen shopping bags. Some of the bottles had shattered, but they managed to salvage a few. He informed Minka that he would explain everything to the group later, reluctant to speak, particularly given his language difficulties.

Upon their return, Gaige relayed the news to the group. Their shocked reactions filled the room.

"All purgers will go out to hunt?" Strazz echoed, her voice trembling as she repeated Gaige's words.

Howl followed up, emphasizing the dire situation. "It's already tough dealing with one purger, but in 28 days, many will hunt us?"

Panic rippled through the group, their voices clamoring in hysteria.

"We're in trouble!"