The room's aura had grown heavier, darker. Religious rituals intertwined—colliding belief systems pulling reality in opposite directions. The very atmosphere bent beneath their weight, turning dense, distorted… unsettling.
Shamsiddin was not alone. Accompanying him was Yuichi Aizawa, the senior custodian of the very observatory in which they now stood. It was Yuichi who, acting on a special commission, had assembled this unlikely gathering of exorcists.
Wasting no time, Yuichi addressed the group:
"First and foremost, I extend my deepest gratitude to each of you for making the time to be here. Today, in a break from tradition, we will also be giving space to the perspective of science—through the man who stands among us now. I urge you not to see this as a slight to your faiths or rites. His presence reflects a desire for a broader, more unified approach—a way of seeing what perhaps we have all missed. Your thoughts and practices remain equally valued."
He turned to Shamsiddin.
"Now, if you will, I’d like to show you what you came to see. This way—there’s a boy, just a little apart from the circle."
"Of course. No problem, Mr. Aizawa."
They approached a young boy sitting on a plain wooden bench. The child appeared frozen, his gaze fixed, unblinking, on a single point in the void. After a minute of silent observation, Shamsiddin saw no use in trying to "read" the boy any further. He looked away and turned to Yuichi.
"What do these… exorcists say?"
"They claim the boy is currently in a state of astral projection. According to them, his soul has been… taken."
Yuichi hesitated. "Forgive the fantastical phrasing. I know such words can be difficult for a man of science."
"It’s fine," Shamsiddin replied calmly.
He thought for a moment, then asked:
"Forgive my bluntness, but if the doctors of Tokyo could do nothing for him and now you've handed him over to ritualists, then I'm afraid I may be out of place here."
"I understand… But the matter concerns a soul trapped in the astral realm. These four religious practitioners have all tried—and failed—to retrieve it. Perhaps, with your scientific method, you can reestablish a connection between his body and spirit?"
"What do you want me to do, hold a ritual myself?" Shamsiddin chuckled. "Just kidding, Mr. Aizawa. Don't take it seriously. I’ll do my best. Let’s return to the circle."