The Binding Vow of Lazarus

Chapter 5

“We should follow her then,” Suguru suggested, his voice low, “See where she goes.”

Satoru nodded in agreement, already formulating a plan. "We'll need to be careful," he said, "If she’s staying in the headquarters, there are bound to be guards and barriers.”

They quickly discussed the logistics, figuring out how they would trail her without getting caught. When Sarah arrived a few minutes later, they played it cool, casually hanging out like they usually did— playing games, joking around, and talking about their day. As the evening wore on, Sarah checked her phone and announced that she was heading back, just as usual.

They all said their goodbyes, waving as she walked away, but as soon as she was a safe distance ahead they quietly followed.

Just as Shoko had predicted, Sarah entered the main headquarters building where two adult sorcerers greeted her. The three students watched from a distance, crouched behind a row of bushes. Satoru squinted, trying to place the two sorcerers, but their faces didn’t ring any bells. However, their uniforms definitely did. They were handlers, or more accurately, jailers— sorcerers assigned to keep watch over those who posed a significant threat.

Satoru’s fists clenched at his sides as he watched them. Why would Sarah need handlers? She was just a kid! The question gnawed at him, adding to the growing sense of unease.

They followed quietly, staying out of sight as the handlers guided Sarah past a barrier checkpoint. Suddenly Sarah gasped, clutching her head as a wave of cursed energy erupted from her, powerful and overwhelming. Satoru, Suguru, and Shoko all felt it, a tangible force that made the air around them thrum with intensity. One of the handlers quickly covered her mouth, the other steadying her as she struggled to regain control. She fought their grasp, her eyes wide and wild. Then after a few more moments, Sarah calmed down and she thanked the handlers with a shaky voice.

The three of them looked at each other from around the corner. Suguru and Shoko looked just as upset as Satoru felt. Suguru mouthed the words, "Vow unlocked past the barrier?" And Satoru nodded in response.

The handlers led her down a set of stairs towards the lower levels of the building where Satoru knew the special ritual chambers were located. The three students followed until they reached a barrier, an old wooden archway lined with talismans.

Satoru held out a hand, stopping Suguru and Shoko. “We can’t go any further this way,” he whispered, his voice tense, “There’s no way to get past this without getting caught.”

Suguru frowned, considering his options. “What if I send one of my smaller curses through?” he asked, his voice hushed as well.

Satoru shook his head, pointing out the details of the barrier. “The talismans aren’t the real problem," he gestured towards the walls, "The wood itself is inscribed with powerful runes. If we try to get through, it’ll injure us and alert the guards.”

Shoko bit her lip, her brow furrowed in frustration. “So, what do we do?” he asked.

Satoru exhaled slowly, his mind racing. “We back off for now," he said after a moment, "We need to figure out another way in.”

Reluctantly they backed away from the barrier, slipping back into the shadows. As they retreated, Satoru couldn’t shake the feeling that they had just uncovered something significant— something that could change the way they saw Sarah forever.

As the three of them made their way back to the main campus, Satoru, Suguru, and Shoko exchanged uneasy glances. The weight of what they had just witnessed was pressing down on them and it was frustrating to have the answers so close yet so far. The evening was still, the silence almost oppressive as they walked side by side with their minds racing with the implications.