Exorcist of the American Nightmares

Alerted by the sound, the cautious Archibald instinctively looks towards its source and sees a tall man, also in a priest's robe, standing and observing him in the dim candlelight.

For some reason, upon seeing this man, Archibald feels like he's facing a fierce beast ready to pounce, and his body instantly tenses.

"Is it Father York?"

"Yes, wait for me a moment," York nods in confirmation, then returns to the rest room to get his equipment.

Archibald, slightly dazed, watches the renowned priest leave his sight and stands quietly in the church.

"This feels indescribable..."

Observing the time-worn church, Archibald scratches his head. Compared to others he's seen, this one can definitely be described as old. He can't fathom why the well-known Father York chooses to stay here.

As his thoughts wander, Archibald suddenly straightens up upon seeing York emerge from the room with a backpack, standing very erect.

"Father York! Hello, I'm Archibald Waters..."

"Let's go."

Interrupting him, York, with a backpack, passes the trainee priest indifferently.

"To your examination site."

"Oh..." Archibald nods dumbly, hurriedly following as York strides several meters ahead.

At 8:41 PM.

A sedan leaves the city traffic behind, speeding towards the outskirts.

York, sitting in the passenger seat, looks indifferently at the trainee priest driving, who appears eager and inexperienced.

Their states are entirely opposite.

"What is your relationship with Father Gabriel?"

"Uh..."

Archibald promptly answers upon hearing the question. "Father Gabriel is my mentor."

Of course. In this parallel world with supernatural events, social connections still matter. Social interactions, not just battles, make the world go round. A mentor is a close relationship, akin to a father-son bond in Eastern culture. Gabriel is essentially this young man's guardian.

With this in mind, York asks Archibald, "Have you been trained in exorcism?"

Archibald nods. "Father taught me a bit."

York calmly replies, "Once we get there, you take charge. I'll be watching."

Archibald grips the steering wheel tighter, understanding the importance of this test. He nods seriously.

"Okay, Father York."

The conversation ends, and soon they arrive at a farm, where a group awaits their arrival.

Archibald, undertaking his first major responsibility, glances at York for guidance.

York scans the dark-enshrouded farm and the approaching people, then advises, "Unless necessary, I won't interfere. Act as if I'm not here, try to handle it alone."

York then steps out of the car with his backpack, leaving Archibald to gather his courage, reassured by York's presence.

"Father Archibald, you're finally here..."

The first to approach is an elderly man with white hair and a weathered face, evidently hardened by labor.

Behind the old man are faces of various ages, but no other elderly ones. It seems to be a large family group.

York stores the first impressions in his mind and calls out.

"Archibald!"

"Here!"

Archibald quickly approaches, addressing the slightly bewildered old man.

"Mr. Mark, I'm Father Archibald who called you. Can you show us the affected person?"

However, the old man hesitates, comparing the mature-looking York and the youthful Archibald.

Sensing this, York speaks up, "Delay increases the danger. The situation will worsen over time, and it might be too late to save..."

The old man snaps out of his hesitation and leads the way.

"Please, follow me!"

York and Archibald follow, with the others trailing behind.

York advises Archibald, noticing his slight awkwardness, "If doubted, use such methods to ease their worries. The victim's family is more anxious than us."

Archibald ponders this and nods. "I understand, Father York. Thank you."

York remains expressionless.

"Exorcism requires intellect. Some demons are suspicious and cunning, so we must be even more cunning, or else..."

Archibald's curiosity piqued, asks, "Or else what, Father York?"

York glances at him. "The demon won't die, only you will."

Archibald's pupils constrict, a wave of nervousness washing over him.

The group moves from outside to inside the house, but at York's instruction, all family members except the father stay outside to prevent the demon from potentially jumping to another host.

As York and Archibald approach the room, they hear growls like phlegm-choked roars.

"Roar!!!"

"Arghhh!!!"

"Let me out!!!"

Hearing these beast-like sounds, York gestures to Archibald, then steps back, letting the trainee priest take the lead.

Archibald, gaining composure, asks the old man, "Mr. Mark, when did you start suspecting your son was possessed?"

When Archibald suddenly questions the old man, York internally nods in approval, giving Archibald a mental point.

This is the style of traditional exorcism: unaffected by external factors like the current growling and ensuring factual possession, differentiating it from mere mental illness.

Methodical, like the Warrens who seek sufficient evidence before requesting exorcism permission.

York doesn't need to be this thorough, but for a non-augmented priest, it greatly reduces the risk of misjudgment.

"Father, Marlon, he spoke French fluently with some tourists," the old man replies, still scared.

"I saw it myself. If I didn't know Marlon couldn't speak French, I might have been deceived. He's also become increasingly aggressive, smashing things daily..."

Archibald looks towards the closed door, continuing, "He spoke fluently?"

The old man nods. "Very fluently, laughing and chatting."

"Did he ever speak French before?"

"Never!" The old man asserts.

"Father, I'm not sure about other things, but I'm certain Marlon doesn't speak French!"

Confirming clear signs of possession, Archibald looks back at York.

York, glancing at the closed door, suggests, "Let's go in."