Chapter 89 The Shroud and the Holy Image of Jesus (1/5)
Annabelle suddenly "cried" as thick blood flowed out of her eye sockets.
The blood didn't fall to the ground; it moved as if it had its own life, sweeping towards the Ferocious Spirit Janice and entangling her like a serpent.
Janice let out a piercing scream, even more dreadful than when she had been hit by an Exorcism Bullet, sending chills down anyone's spine.
Xu Yi had a bad premonition; the Annabelle doll didn't seem to be saving Janice but rather looked like it wanted to... devour her!
Janice offered no resistance, allowing the viscous blood to envelop her and form a blood cocoon.
The blood cocoon condensed, growing smaller and smaller, until it was the size of an egg and was swallowed whole by the Annabelle doll.
Xu Yi's premonition had come true; Janice was not only a Protector but also a Martyr in certain necessary moments!Nôv(el)B\\jnn
The pale blue pupils of Annabelle turned pitch black as an icy cold wind wandered through the room, making Father Bonne shiver uncontrollably as he approached Xu Yi.
But Annabelle was not satisfied, it opened its mouth and spewed out a large amount of blood, engulfing the entire scene.
The ghosts summoned by Janice had no time to react before they were enveloped by the blood, dissolving within it to become the purest nourishment.
All the blood returned to the doll's body, as Annabelle floated midair, with surging black mist behind it, within which one could vaguely discern a terrifying figure with long demon horns.
The demon hiding within the Annabelle doll finally revealed itself.
Xu Yi gripped the Alchemy Revolver, standing ready.
Annabelle drifted towards Mia, the Ethereal Flame that could isolate Ferocious Spirits appearing like mere sparks from flint in front of the demon, snuffed out with a simple stomp.
The pale gold flame extinguished, and the "Diamond Protection Circle" was breached.
Without hesitation, Xu Yi pulled the trigger, the bullet heading straight for Annabelle.
The black mist blocked in front of the bullet, reducing its kinetic energy and depleting its Exorcism power, and when the bullet hit the doll, it only stiffened for a few seconds.
Xu Yi's expression changed, becoming grave.
The bullets of the Alchemical Revolver Messiah could only delay the opponent for a moment, a situation that only occurred with Jason before.
Although what was terrifying about Jason was his "Unlimited Resurrection" and "Infinite Evolution," it also indicated the strength of the demon before them.
The Annabelle doll suddenly let out a laugh, a deep laugh that, to everyone's ears, sounded like thunder suddenly exploding.
Xu Yi's ears buzzed non-stop, his heart pounding uncontrollably as if it were about to burst from his chest.
Father Bonne was in even worse shape, clutching his heart and collapsing on the ground in agony, his pupils beginning to dilate. Had it not been for the protection of the Exorcism Cross on his chest, he might have already died on the spot.
Strangely, Mia seemed to be faring the best, with just a bit of paleness on her face.
It was highly probable that the demon deliberately avoided Mia, as it needed to lead her to self-sacrifice, and would not likely kill her.
Xu Yi drew the Dagger of Rest from its sheath, not charging towards the Annabelle doll, but towards the door.
Father Bonne was stunned for a moment. Was it because he saw that the demon was too powerful and he was planning to flee?
Xu Yi didn't flee; his target was the rope on the pillar by the door.
Mia's living room was designed with a double height, open in the middle allowing a direct view to the third floor, where the other end of the rope was tied to a large red cloth at the edge.
Wrapped tightly in red cloth, it seemed to be some sort of statue.
Father Bonne had long noticed this object, Xu Yi said it was part of the exorcism ritual, and should not be opened, nor did he reveal what was inside.
The sharp Dagger of Rest cut the rope, and Xu Yi pulled vigorously, the red cloth slowly falling like a red cloud descending.
"The Shroud!" Father Bonne exclaimed in surprise.
It was not actually for wrapping a corpse, but referred to a certain type of exorcism artifact that could isolate special magnetic fields.
The origin of the name of the artifact was because, according to legend, the cloth used to wrap the body of Jesus happened to be this kind of exorcism artifact.
The Shroud actually encased Jesus himself! Father Bonne's eyes widened in shock.
Below the red cloth was a statue of Jesus, tied to the Cross, head bowed as if in pity for the world.
Compared to the colossal statues of Jesus tens of meters high, the one before him was not very tall, only about three meters, and the texture of its surface was slightly worn, exhibiting the color of an ancient object.
All of a sudden, Father Bonne thought of something, opening his mouth wide in shock, his eyes round and wide, "Is... Is this the Jesus statue from St. Tacia Monastery?!"
Xu Yi smiled and nodded in affirmation, not denying it.
Getting confirmation, Father Bonne was even more astonished, looking at Xu Yi as if he was looking at a master thief from the last century who had stolen from the Royal Treasury.
To Bonne's knowledge, the statue from St. Tacia Monastery had once manifested a "miracle", a medium through which God had descended.
Together with the long-term prayers and blessings from St. Tacia Monastery, the statue held divine abilities, second to none compared to the most supreme exorcism holy relics.
How could the people of St. Tacia Monastery agree to move such an important item?
The Annabelle doll stopped, clouds of black smoke swirling around it, contending with the power from the Jesus statue.
Xu Yi felt the pressure on him lessen and he took a deep breath.
Knowing that a horrifying existence hid behind Annabelle, how could he possibly not be prepared?
"What are you staring for? Start praying!" Xu Yi urged Father Bonne, who stared blankly.
Father Bonne suddenly came to his senses, aware that only the prayers of devout believers could unleash the true power of the Jesus statue.
He took out the Holy Bible, his expression solemn.
The dignified prayer echoed through the living room, growing louder and louder, the single voice resonating like a choir in its grandeur.
Under the watchful gaze of the Jesus statue, amidst the solemn and grandiose prayer, the black smoke enveloping Annabelle was dispersed, and the inky depths of her pupils began to fade.
"Indeed, the effect is remarkable!" Xu Yi saw this and was overjoyed.
But he had underestimated the demon's determination and overlooked its background.
Annabelle's bangs were blown back, revealing the purple mark on her forehead, faint yet discernible. Xu Yi recognized the eerie symbol; it was the mark of the Church of the Ram.
Xu Yi felt the entire space begin to change, the surroundings twisted, and the air was filled with a strong sulfur smell, mixed with a pungent odor of blood.
As the mark appeared, a low murmuring filled his ears, growing louder and more numerous, coming from all directions, pervasive.
Xu Yi, in agony, clutched his head and crouched on the ground, feeling as if something was eroding his soul.
The prayer had ceased as well, and two trails of tears of blood ran down Father Bonne's cheeks. He knelt on the ground, his eyes empty, but still clutching the Holy Bible tightly in his hands.