Gaea's Locket Ch. 12

~World Cuisines~

“That's so awesome!” Chiharu said excited as she listened to their explanation. “Wow, powers of the gods?! Do you know how much you can do with those?!”

“No, This is crazy!” Yuri stated. “The God's powers?! They're just myths!” Yuki answered, “How else would you explain their powers? These powers emerged from Gaea's Locket, which held the powers of the Gods. What other explanation is there?” Everyone remained silent as Hakufu thought, “Is... is that all you know on the powers?”

“As of now.” Keito said.

“Then you don't know how... to take it back?” she wondered. “This... fire power. Isn't exactly the best thing to happen to me...” Daiki then said, “We could try to find out. Then whoever doesn't want their powers can return it to the locket. But we need your cooperation. We have to find out about these powers.”

“Great. I'm in. As long as I can get rid of these random transformations.” Kaori said. Yui then asked, “So, 8 god powers right? What do you think will happen when they're all together?” She counted Shirika, Kaori, Yuto, Rena, Ryosuke, Kota, and Hakufu, “There's only 7 here.”

“We're still missing one.” Keito sighed. “I'm not sure. Hopefully answers...”

“Kaori, Kei. I still want to know whats going on with you guys.” Yuki asked. “The first time the locket showed Artemis' symbol, it pointed at Kei. I don't understand why the locket got it wrong that time.”

“It didn't.” she replied. “I was with Kei.” Yuki then said, “But Kei was the only one--”

“There was a bird with him. I was the bird he was yelling at.” she stated. “I really don't have a good control on my powers, so he was scolding me for that.”

“What do you mean?” Yuto asked. “The rest of us seem to have it working fine.” Yuya then asked, “Well first of all, how do you guys use your powers? Is there some sort of special way?”

“Well, my just kind of popped out when I needed protection...” Hakufu stated.

“I just need to put my hands on the injury and focus on it.” Shirika responded. Rena explained, “My is just speech. I tell the guys to do what I want... and most follow. Only girls and guys with god powers are unaffected.” Yuto explained, “I just need to be near anything electrical. I can bend the electricity at my will with just a thought.”

“I just focus on plants and they grow.” Kota smiled as Ryosuke stated, “And I just focus on water and move it with a thought.” They all looked at Kaori as she sighed, “Well, I haven't actually tried to use my powers...”

“What?! Then how did you change?!” they all said as she continued, “On my own will! I've changed randomly without wanting it.” They all gave her questioning looks as she explained, “I'm exactly sure why, but I have a theory. You know how sneezes are uncontrollable?”

“Yea, but what does that have to do--” Mai asked as Kaori explained, “Well, when I first realized my powers... it was accidental. I sneezed and changed into a fish. Kei happened to be with me at the time so he was able to help me get into some water. I finally changed back when I sneezed again. I've been freaked out about the whole experience so I never wanted to use it again. But every time I sneezed, my powers were uncontrollable and I changed into an animal.”

“And that's why she was always disappearing... luckily I was there most of the time to cover up for her.” Kei added. “I'm not sure how she covered up for the last couple days-”

“That's thanks to me.” Shirika smiled. “Kaori found out about my powers a while ago and told me about hers. So I covered for her at work for the last couple days.” Mai asked Keito, “Do you know why they have the powers?” He shrugged as they were all silent. Kaori thought, “I think I might have an idea...I'm seeing some similarities between us and the gods.” She looked at Ryosuke, “What do you do for a living?”

“I'm a lifeguard and swim instructor.” he said as Yuki lit up, “Poseidon was the God of water...”

“Not only that. Poseidon has many wives. I'm sure this flirt has had many girlfriends.” Kaori added. “What about you, Rena?”

“I'm a Model Intern.” she stated.

“Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty. Loved by all. A model is fitting.” she thought. “Yuto?”

“Computer engineer.” he answered. She asked, “What's your position there?”

“I'm the head of my department.” he responded as she stated, “And I rest my case. He has the power of Zeus. He works with technology, which is operates thanks to electricity. And he's the lead at work, just like Zeus is in Olympus.”

“But what about me?” Hakufu asked. “I have fire power. But I'm a vet.”

“Same with me. I'm an actress yet I have healing abilities?” Shirika wondered.

“It's still the same thing.” Keito thought. “Kaori's right. You guys have these powers because you resemble the god's the most. Shirika, you're an actress right? Apollo was known as the god of music. Another form of performance.”

“As for Hakufu...” Daiki thought. “Well... He's a god of blacksmiths and fire... what else...”

“He was actually like when he was born. Of course, Hera didn't like any of Zeus' children of other women, but the second he saw him, she threw Hephaestus out of Olympus.” Yuki explained.

“He wasn't liked.” Hakufu sighed. “So I resemble him the most huh?”

“Its probably for another reason.” Kaori answered. “We've all got our difference between the gods. I mean, Artemis is great and all, but she doesn't favor men. Kei and I ave been inseparable since we were kids.”

“I guess.” she sighed again. Satomi then wondered, “So now what? You found these powers, you can start researching, but what's gonna happen?” Daiki answered, “Well, that's still all in progress. We'll start talking to the powers, getting some comparisons, but the main thing we need to do right now is locate the last power.”

“We're hoping something will be revealed. Uniting the powers will be like uniting the gods together. So hopefully we'll find out about the mystery of Gaea's locket... why does it hold the God's power? Why only these gods?” Keito stated. There was a silence as Kaori took a look at the silent young girl. Her sister hasn't said a word since she found out about her animal transformations. Ryutaro then asked, “So... is there anything we can do to help? Us... um, non-power people??”

“Well, its just searching for the last power...” Yuki stated. “I guess just helping with the search for who it is. Looking into the remaining gods and finding someone similar to them.”

“And we'll need to stay in contact with each other.” Daiki stated. “Maybe even if the god powers get acquainted with each other, that might be able to work out.” Keito then turned to Yuri, “And if you don't mind, can we use World Cuisines as our meeting place? We all won't be able to fit on our apartment.”

“... only after closing time.” he sighed giving in. “And you'll have to let me know ahead of time.” Keito nodded, “We can meet your requirements.” Yuki then sighed, “Alright. Recap. We went over the powers, the search for the last power is our goal, we need to start looking into the powers we have found, get acquainted with each other and whatnot, and World Cuisine is now our official meeting place.”

“That's sounds right.” Hikaru stated.

“Great. Then let's get to this final search--” Keito said as Yuki interrupted, “Keito? It's 11pm. We'll start tomorrow.”

“Wow... its late already? Alright. Search when you can.” he thought. “We'll meet again next week here. That sound good?” They all nodded as Yuri said, “Alright. Then let's get outta here then so I can lock up.”

“Hey, Kaori.” Kota stated as they walked out of the restaurant with their siblings. “Want to go with me to bring these two kids to class tomorrow so we can talk about our powers?” Ryutaro pouted, “We aren't kids...”

“Sorry, Kota. I'm working overtiming tomorrow. I've already missed some days of work. I got a lot of catching up to do.” she answered. “Maybe some other time.” He nodded, “Alright then. Just let me know. Come on, Satomi, Mai. I'll give you two a ride home.” The two smiled, “Thanks Kota.” They headed off as Kaori then look to her sister next to her. Kei emerged from the restaurant and said, “Hey, I'll get the car. You two wait here.”

“Alright.” she said as he headed off.

“... Rini?” Kaori called to her. “You've been quiet for a while... you don't have anything you want to say?” She was still silent as Kaori sighed, “I get it if you're upset with me, but I'd like some feedback on this whole weird dilemma I'm in.”

“Do... Do you not trust me?” she finally spoke up. Kaori answered, “Why would you say that?” Rini replied, “Why else wouldn't you tell me?” There was silence as she finally said, “I trust you, but I couldn't believe that these powers are real. It was just too weird.” Rini thought quietly to herself when they heard, “Hey! Kaori!”

“What's up, Yuki?” she turned as Yuki smiled, “Wanna get some lunch together tomorrow?”

“The day after. I got things to get done tomorrow since I've been multiple animals these last few days. I haven't gotten any work done at all.”

“Alright then. I will see you later.” she smiled as she left. Kei then drove up, “Ready to go?”

“Well finish our talk at home okay?” Kaori stated as Rini nodded and they got in.

~That evening elsewhere~

“Another one?” the police murmured as they investigated the crime scene. The stood around within a house. It was warm in the house, they place was dark. Three dead bodies were found here. All adults. Two were parents, not that old, maybe in their late 50's. The other, still young. Maybe in his early 30's. They were all sitting on the dining table, preparing to eat, when they were killed. They were all pierced from behind, blood oozing out of their backs, but that wasn't the only spot. There was a slit in their chest as well. The blood from the chest, flowed on their plates, making it look like watery ketchup. There didn't seem to be any sign of a struggle. Their skin still had some color, meaning they were killed not too long ago.

“The killer must have surprised them...” one predicted. “But I don't understand how they didn't see it coming. Their seating positions are all looking at each other... so one of them must have seen the killer. How is it that none of them struggled or resist the attack?” All the officers were baffled.

“... Could this be connected to the other murders that have happened this week? Like this, the other two were the same, a surprise attack with no struggle.” another officer stated.

“They might be the same killer...” the officer concurred. He took another look at the family. “The other families... what were their names...”

“The Watanabe's.”

“... These are Watanabe's too...” he confirmed as the other officers nodded. “So whoever this killer is. They're killing off this family. See if there's any remaining family members. Cousins, aunts, anyone... they could be this killers next target.” All the police scattered away as someone watched from the shadows. A large smirk was planted upon his face.