[Chapter 115: Sending Off on the Last Journey]
"Thank you, Sir Exorcist, for helping us get our revenge."
Six figures bowed in unison to Daniel, their voices ethereal and charged with dark energy.
These six were the vengeful spirits from the plane. After exacting their revenge, they had silently followed Daniel, for he had promised them that once their vengeance was complete, he would send them to their final rest.
Daniel asked, "How did it go with the Captain?"
The vengeful spirit holding a baby replied with a joyful gleam, "After we tormented his soul enough, we tore it apart and devoured it."
The other five spirits shared pleased expressions, the satisfaction of justice served shining in their eyes.
Daniel nodded. "In that case, I shall send you off on your last journey."
Under their expectant gazes, Daniel began forming hand seals and reciting a spell:
By heaven's order and earth's foundation, let corruption be scattered.
Let hidden darkness be dragged into the light and undone.
May the guardians of every direction stand witness and enforce judgment.
What was owed is paid.
What was unfinished is ended.
Depart without malice, depart without return.
It was the Incantation for Purifying the Soul, but when spoken by Daniel, an Archon of Mandate, its effect was far stronger, more miraculous.
Especially with the phrase "Depart without malice, depart without return," a fantastic resonance stirred between sky and earth.
As the power descended upon the six vengeful spirits, their forms gradually began to fade. Yet none were afraid -- they all sensed their fate clearly and welcomed it.
By the time Daniel finished the incantation, the six spirits had vanished completely, leaving behind only sincere gratitude.
"Thank you, Sir Exorcist!"
[Ding! You have guided a G-rank Ghost and gained 500 Merit points.]
[Ding! You have guided a G-rank Ghost and gained 500 Merit points.]
... Six identical sounds rang out in quick succession, and Daniel earned 3,000 Merit points in total.
Looking up, Daniel noticed a police patrol car slowly approaching the garden entrance. Rich neighborhoods really were something else -- 24-hour police patrols.
Public safety here was notably better. At night, it wasn't uncommon to see people walking their dogs or jogging. Things like that would be unheard of in most typical communities.
Daniel returned inside to his room, and the night passed without incident.
...
At 8 AM the next morning, Hank had already parked the minivan downstairs. Shortly after, Scarlett hurriedly washed up and changed clothes.
When she came to the dining room, Daniel was already sitting at the table having breakfast, accompanied by her mother.
"Morning, Mom."
"Morning, Daniel. You're up early. Didn't sleep well last night?" Scarlett asked.
Daniel smiled. "I slept very well. Maybe your family's bed helps with that, no need to sleep long to get rest."
"Really?" Scarlett said, surprised. "I didn't notice until you mentioned it. Even though I went to bed late last night, I woke up feeling energized, not tired at all."
Melanie nodded slightly. "My energy's also unusually high today."
Scarlett asked, "Daniel, is it because of that Elixir?"
Daniel answered casually, "Partly."
He didn't explain that last night he had used the Sleep Incantation, an Exorcist spell designed to induce deep, restorative sleep. Under its effect, one doesn't need many hours to fully recover both body and mind.
After breakfast, Scarlett said, "Daniel, I'll have Hank take me to the film set first, then he can drive you home."
Daniel replied, "I can just take a taxi home myself."
Scarlett insisted, "It's hard to get a cab around here. Besides, since I picked you up, I should see you home too. Otherwise, it'd be rude."
Since she insisted, Daniel didn't argue and nodded in agreement.
"Then let's go."
Scarlett, a bit impatient, tugged Daniel toward the door.
"Goodbye, Ms. Melanie."
Daniel waved to Melanie.
"Goodbye, Mr. Cross. Please visit again soon," Melanie replied, standing to see them off.
...
When Hank saw his boss and Daniel leave the house together and get into the car, an odd ache stirred in his heart.
"Hank, drive to the film set."
"Got it."
Setting aside his strange feelings, Hank started the vehicle and headed out.
The early filming location for The Island was Universal Studios, rented by DreamWorks.
This Universal Studios wasn't an amusement park, it was a dedicated studio lot used solely for filming. Many movies that look like they're shot across the country actually film most scenes here.
Still, many big directors preferred shooting location scenes. Michael Bay was only here for the initial stages; he planned to move on to other sites later.
Scarlett said, "After filming here, we'll head to Detroit where we've got permission to block eight blocks off for shooting. Then it's on to the Nevada desert."
Daniel remarked, "I heard public safety in Detroit isn't great. You should be careful."
Touched by his concern, Scarlett smiled warmly. "The crew has dedicated security, and we mostly stay in hotels, shouldn't be a problem."
Hank added, "I'll make sure the boss stays safe all the way."
Of course, Daniel knew all this and had said it just casually. Detroit wouldn't allow anything to happen to the crew, otherwise, who'd ever film there again?
As they chatted, the car reached the studio complex. After passing through the security gate, Hank drove straight to the crew's rented lot.
...
From a distance, Daniel spotted a middle-aged man with medium-length hair and a baseball cap sitting behind the monitors.
Daniel recognized him immediately -- it was Michael Bay.
Bay had started shooting commercials and went on making films like Bad Boys, The Rock, Armageddon, Pearl Harbor which caught Steven Spielberg's attention, who gave him the chance to direct The Island -- a film that ultimately flopped. But Spielberg didn't give up and let him continue, eventually directing Transformers series.
Thinking of Transformers, Daniel couldn't help but think of Megan. Her rise to fame hinged on this director.
The car stopped, and Daniel and Scarlett got out.
Scarlett opened her arms and hugged Daniel tightly. "Daniel, I'm heading in. Hank, take Daniel back home -- you know the address."
"Will do, boss," Hank replied.
Daniel noticed many crew members were watching him and whispering among themselves, probably guessing who he was, someone so close to Scarlett.
Daniel paid no mind, and Scarlett remained indifferent. She released Daniel and waved to him repeatedly.
...
Only after Daniel got in the car and Hank started driving away did she turn and walk back toward the crew.
"Oh my god, Scarlett, how did your skin get so flawless?"
"Look at how easy it is to apply makeup. What's your secret?"
In the makeup room, a flamboyant man with a buzz cut exclaimed repeatedly, clearly impressed.
His delicate fingers gestured animatedly, showing his shock was genuine.
Scarlett smiled. "Is it really that good? I think it's just okay."
"What do you mean 'just okay'? It's amazing, even a baby's skin isn't this perfect."
...
After Hank dropped Daniel at home, he quickly left.
Daniel entered his study, opened his computer, and saw a message from Marcus Hale.
*****
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