Unknown castle
The silhouette of a large castle loomed against the darkening sky, a jagged crown against the fading light. Within its walls, chaos reigned. The clash of steel echoed through the stone corridors, a symphony of desperate parries and brutal attacks.
"Hurry!" a man's voice boomed, strained with urgency. "Seal the entrance! Don't let them through!"
A soldier, his armor dented and scratched, rushed to his side, his breath coming in ragged gasps. 'Commander!' he reported, his voice tight with panic, his eyes wide with fear. 'Squad Four is lost. Squads One and Three are defending the main gate, but they're being overwhelmed. I don't know how much longer they can hold!'
"Dammit!" the commander roared, his fist clenching, his frustration bubbling over. "We were so close... We can't give up now! Order Squad Five to reinforce the gate defenses. We must not, I repeat, must not let them pass!"
"And you, sir?" the soldier asked, his eyes filled with concern.
"I'm going to do something I should have done long ago," the commander said grimly. "Now go!"
"Yes, sir!" The soldier turned and sprinted away, leaving the commander alone in the hallway.
The commander watched him go, his expression a mixture of determination and regret. 'I can't believe it's come to this,' he thought. 'If only I had known... But dwelling on the past won't change anything. The only thing I can do now is try to make it right.'
He turned and ran down the long, echoing hallway, his footsteps heavy on the cold stone. Finally, he reached the throne room and paused before the imposing doors. "Alright," he muttered to himself, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "Time to end this."
With a deep breath, he threw the doors open.
A figure was seated on the throne, bathed in the room's eerie light. As the commander stepped into the room, the figure chuckled, a sound that slithered through the hall like a viper. "Hehehe, I've been expecting you, 'Commander.' "
"Give up. It's over. We've defeated you," the commander declared, his voice firm despite the weariness in his bones.
The figure on the throne laughed, a chilling, dismissive sound. "Hahahaha, you truly believe that? I still have a few tricks left." He raised a hand, revealing a gleaming object in his palm. "You see this?"
"It's just a ring," the commander said, his voice flat.
"Just a ring?" the man on the throne scoffed. "This is no ordinary trinket. It's the ring of Tabitha, passed down through generations."
"The ring of Tabitha," the commander repeated, a flicker of understanding in his eyes. "The artifact was said to hold the power to travel between dimensions. What does that have to do with this?"
"Everything," the man replied, a cruel smile spreading across his face. He pointed the ring towards the wall. A beam of pinkish-purple light shot out, striking the stone and opening a swirling portal. Beyond it, a town was visible. "This is Nakamura Town," the man stated, his voice laced with dark satisfaction. "A rather... quaint place, wouldn't you agree?"
The commander remained silent, his gaze fixed on the scene within the portal.
Undeterred by the commander's reaction, the man continued. "In fact, I believe this would be an excellent place to... extend my influence."
"Get to the point," the commander said, his voice dangerously low.
"Patience, commander," the man said, his smile widening. "Why don't you take a closer look?"
The commander stepped closer to the portal, his eyes scanning the image. He saw a bustling town, and then his gaze settled on a black-haired girl wearing a school uniform. His breath hitched. "No… it can't be," he said, his voice a mixture of disbelief and horror.
The man on the throne chuckled, a sound devoid of any warmth. "Don't believe your eyes? Then perhaps this will convince you." He reached into the portal, his hand disappearing into the swirling light. A moment later, he pulled the girl out, depositing her roughly onto the cold stone floor of the throne room.
"Where am I…?" the girl murmured, her voice filled with confusion and fear.
000
Nakamura Town is a bright and bustling place, and it is here where our story begins. The day was lovely and sunny, and a 12-year-old boy with green eyes and short blonde hair, wearing a school uniform, was seen walking with a light golden-colored dog.
"Ahh, this is great, huh, Tomo?" the boy said to the dog. "Great day for a walk, especially after last night's dream."
"Arf," replied the dog.
'I still wonder what that dream was about,' the boy thought. 'Maybe I should—'
"Eek!!"
"What?" The boy's thoughts were interrupted by a scream. He looked over to see a group of men harassing a girl in a high school uniform.
"I said, let go of me!" screamed the girl.
"Oh, come on, don't be like that," said the man, most likely the leader, tugging on the girl's arm while his friends cheered him on. "We're just going to have a little fun with you."
"No! Get away!" she screamed before slapping him across the face.
"Ow! That hurt, you bitch!" The leader growled as he raised his fist to strike her.
"Stop right there!" someone yelled.
"What…?" the leader said as he and his men looked over to see a little boy and his dog.
"Huh?" the leader said, stepping forward. "What do you want, kid?"
"I want you to leave that girl alone, or else," said the boy as the dog growled by his side.
The leader and his gang grew quiet and then burst out laughing. "Listen, kid," the leader said. This is grown-ups' business, so why don't you run home?" The leader stepped forward and touched the little boy's shoulder.
The boy stood silent and closed his eyes. He took a deep breath, opened his eyes, and glared at the leader before grabbing the leader's arm and tossing his whole body over his shoulder. Everyone stood in stunned silence. After a few seconds, the leader angrily yelled from the floor, "Don't just stand there, you idiots! Get him!"
The gang looked at each other before charging at the boy. One gang member swung at the boy with a fist. The boy dodged the fist and punched the gang member with a right hook, knocking him out. Another member came from the boy's left side and swung with his left hand. The boy sidestepped the attack and landed a roundhouse kick to the gang member's jaw. A rather plump member came charging at the boy. The boy jumped over the member and delivered a dropkick to the back of the member's head, knocking him out. The boy dusted himself off as all the members were laid out.
"Well, that takes care of—"
"Kyah!"
The boy was speaking when the girl screamed, causing the boy to turn and see the gang leader holding the girl at knifepoint.
"Alright, 'hero,'" the leader began, "if you don't want the girl to get hurt, just back off!"
"Tch!" The boy lowered his hands and, unbeknownst to the leader, began snapping his fingers three times.
"Okay, good," the leader said, still holding the woman with the knife at her throat. "Now I'm just gonna—"
Before the leader could do anything, he felt a sharp pain in the back of his leg. It was the boy's dog biting the leader's ankle.
"Arghhhh!" the leader screamed, letting the girl go and clutching his injured ankle. "Why you little…!" the leader yelled, turning his attention to the dog, which was a big mistake on his part because as soon as he turned, the boy was quickly on his back.
"What?" the leader said, stunned. The boy grabbed him from behind and delivered a German Suplex.
"Ugh," the leader said, semi-conscious, but the boy was not done yet. He then picked the leader up and put him in a fireman's carry position. He tossed the leader off his shoulders as he dropped to his knees, causing the leader to land on his back.
"Ohh..." the leader groaned, then went unconscious.
The boy got up and said, "Humph, let that be a lesson to all evildoers that as long as Linn Tsukiyomi is around, good and justice will always triumph!" Linn then struck a hero pose while his dog barked cheerfully around him. The girl just sweatdropped at the scene.
Linn noticed the girl and asked, "Are you alright, miss?"
The girl blinked a few times and said, "Oh, yes, I'm fine, thanks to you."
"Hehe, a hero must help a girl in trouble," Linn said. "If you're ever in danger, just know that I, Linn, the hero, will be there to save you." Linn struck another hero pose as his dog circled around him, barking excitedly.
The girl giggled and said, "Yes, yes, my hero." She walked up to Linn and pecked him on the cheek.
"Seriously, though," the girl said, "Thanks for saving me."
"S-sure… no problem," Linn said, blushing madly.
The girl smiled and walked away, waving goodbye. Linn waved back and thought, 'That's another good deed done; I'm one step closer to becoming a hero.'
For as long as Linn could remember, he had always dreamed of being a legendary hero like the ones in his manga and TV shows or his favorite wrestler, Jim Chena. John China? Whatever. The point is that Linn wanted to be a hero and had taken steps toward that dream by helping out, saving people in trouble, and beating up bad guys. As long as Linn followed that mindset, he believed he would achieve his dream.
"Okay, let's go, Tomo!" Linn said.
"Arf," replied the dog.
000
After a long day of various good deeds, Linn finally decided to head home. He opened the door to his house and stepped into the dining room.
"Hey, I'm ho—"
Linn's words were cut short as a motion blur slammed into his face. He was sent flying across the dining room, his head colliding with the front door with a sickening thud. He landed in a heap just inside the doorway, the world spinning.
"You're late, Linn Tsukiyomi!" a voice scolded, sharp and accusatory.
Linn groaned, pushing himself up to glare at his attacker. Kaila stood over him, slightly taller. Her blue eyes were blazing, and her blond hair was tied in pigtails that seemed to crackle with energy. She wore her school uniform, every inch of it radiating indignation.
"What the heck, Kaila?!" Linn shouted, rubbing his jaw.
Kaila scoffed, tapping her foot impatiently. "Do you know what time it is? You're lucky your parents aren't here. They would have been worried sick."
"What does that have to do with you kicking me in the face?!" Linn yelled, finally getting to his feet and stepping into Kaila's personal space.
"Maybe I just felt like it, ever thought of that?!" Kaila retorted, meeting his gaze head-on, her forehead practically touching his. The two stood there, growling and glaring at each other, while Linn's dog, Tomodachi, barked loudly at Kaila, adding to the chaos.
"That's enough, you two," a voice said, firm and calm, cutting through the noise like a knife.
Linn and Kaila immediately stopped their bickering, their attention snapping to the source of the voice. Erica sat serenely on a chair, her purple eyes observing them with a patient, yet unwavering, gaze. She, too, wore a school uniform, her black hair framing her face.
"Linn started it, Erica," Kaila said, though her voice had lost much of its earlier fire.
"Nuh-uh, it was all your fault," Linn countered, but without much conviction.
"I don't care who started it," Erica said, her voice brooking no argument. "I'm ending it!"
Linn and Kaila quickly shut their mouths and stood straighter, their postures shifting into something resembling attention. Erica sighed, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. "Now look, Linn. Kaila's sorry for kicking you. She was just worried about you being out for so long."
"Was not," Kaila muttered under her breath, but not loud enough to be heard clearly.
Erica continued, unfazed. "And Kaila, you don't need to worry about Linn. He can take care of himself. He is a hero, after all."
Linn blushed, a sheepish grin spreading across his face at the compliment, while Kaila rolled her eyes and muttered something about that not being the case.
"So, can you two just apologize and move on?" Erica asked, her voice softening.
Linn and Kaila hesitated for a moment, then turned to each other, letting out a simultaneous sigh.
"I'm sorry," Linn mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I'm sorry too," Kaila said, though she didn't quite meet his eyes.
"There, now don't you two feel better?" Erica asked, a small smile gracing her lips.
"I guess," they both replied, the last vestiges of their anger fading away.
At that moment, Linn's dog, Tomodachi, who had been watching the exchange with canine interest, began running toward Erica, jumping up and enthusiastically licking her face.
"Hahaha, stop, Tomodachi, that tickles!" Erica giggled, trying to push him away gently.
"Hey! You stupid dog, get off her!" Kaila yelled, making a half-hearted attempt to pull Tomodachi away. Tomodachi ignored her, continuing his assault of affection.
"Tomodachi's not stupid!" Linn said defensively. "He just really likes Erica for some reason."
"He likes her too much if you ask me," Kaila grumbled, crossing her arms.
"Hey guys, ha ha ha, a little help here, hahaha." Erica laughed, her face now thoroughly covered in dog saliva.
"That's enough, Tomo, come here, boy," Linn said, snapping his fingers twice. Tomodachi immediately stopped licking Erica and ran toward Linn, tail wagging.
"That's still a nice trick for a dumb dog," Kaila said, unable to resist taking a jab, even now. She reached out to pet him, but quickly pulled her hand away as Tomodachi growled at her, a clear warning snap in the air.
"Hey, Tomo, be nice!" Linn scolded, his voice hinting at amusement.
"I don't know why you even try," Erica said, wiping the saliva off her cheek with a grimace. "You know he doesn't like you, Kaila."
"I'm more of a cat person anyway," Kaila pouted, turning her nose up at the still-growling dog.
"Anyway, Linn, why were you so late?" Erica asked, changing the subject before another argument could erupt.
"Oh, I ran into a couple of bad guys bothering a girl, so I beat them up," Linn said. "Afterward, I picked up some garbage and walked an old lady across the street."
"So once again, the world is saved thanks to Linn, the almighty hero... yay," Kaila said sarcastically, her voice dripping with playful mockery.
"Shut up!" Linn snapped back, his cheeks flushing slightly.
"No, you shut up!" Kaila retorted, mirroring his tone.
"No, you!" Linn insisted, digging in his heels.
"No, you!" Kaila shot back, refusing to yield.
"Ahem."
Linn and Kaila ceased their bickering as if a switch had been flipped, shuddering slightly. They glanced at Erica, whose eyes were closed and smiling sweetly, though a dark aura seemed to emanate from her, a silent warning to stop their squabble.
"We're sorry!!" They both bowed deeply, apologizing in unison.
Erica just sighed, a long-suffering sound. "Honestly, you two, what am I going to do with you?"
"I'm sorry, Erica," Linn said, his voice contrite. "Kaila, maybe we should—what?" Linn stopped as he saw Kaila staring at him with an unreadable expression.
"Linn," Kaila said, her voice oddly steady. "Let's fight."
The room fell silent for a few seconds.
"Eh?" "Huh?" "Aroo?" the three questioned, All eyes were on the twin-tailed girl.
"I said, let's fight," Kaila repeated, her blue eyes gleaming with a strange intensity. She dropped into a fighting stance, her posture low and balanced, her hands held up in front of her.
"Again, why?!" Linn shouted, throwing his hands up in exasperation.
"No questions allowed!" Kaila shouted back, a fierce grin splitting her face. She launched herself at Linn, a blur of motion, and jumped on him, starting a chaotic dust cloud fight between the two.
Erica sweatdropped, a bead of perspiration trickling down her temple. She sighed, the sound of long-practiced patience. "Honestly."
As she considered breaking up the fight, her phone began to ring.
"Ah," she said, her attention momentarily diverted. Then she answered, "Hello... Oh, father... Yes... Well, no... But I... Yes, Father." She hung up the phone with a sad look, her usual composure slightly shaken.
Just then, Kaila flew out of the dust cloud, soaring over the table, and landed awkwardly on the floor with a crash.
"Ow! That hurt, Linn!" Kaila complained, rubbing her backside.
"You started it!" Linn exclaimed, his voice echoing from within the swirling dust.
"You didn't have to be so rough. I'm a delicate girl," Kaila whined, though the competitive glint in her eyes belied the words.
"Delicate girl, my butt! You're a—"
"I wish I could disappear somewhere…" Erica suddenly muttered, the words slipping out before she could stop them.
Linn and Kaila, mid-banter, stopped their fighting and turned to Erica in surprise,
"What do you mean?!" they both said, running to her side, their faces etched with concern.
"Huh?" Erica blinked, startled by their sudden attention. She had been lost in her thoughts and had not noticed the two standing before her.
"Why would you say such a thing?" Kaila said, her voice laced with worry, her bravado momentarily forgotten.
"Yeah, why?" Linn echoed, equally worried, his playful demeanor replaced by genuine concern.
Even Tomodachi looked at Erica with sad puppy eyes, his tail drooping slightly at her words.
Erica blinked a few times, taking in their concerned expressions, before offering a weak smile. "Oh, sorry guys, I was just talking to myself. No need to worry."
The two stood silently, their worry still etched on their faces, unconvinced by her reassurance.
"Anyway," Erica said, quickly changing the subject, "I have to go home now."
"Already?" Kaila said, her eyebrows furrowed.
"Yes," Erica said, a note of finality in her voice.
"Ok," Linn said quietly. In that case, I'm going to go to bed before my parents get home," Linn said, turning and heading to his room. Tomodachi followed close behind, the dog's usual cheerful bounce replaced with a subdued gait.
"Good night, Linn," Erica said, her gaze lingering on him momentarily. "You should probably go home too, Kaila."
"Oh, man, I don't want to return to the old hag," Kaila groaned, a shudder running through her. She then glanced up at Linn and said in a sweet tone. ''Linn, can I stay the night here, pretty please?''
''Go home!'' Was Linn's response as he shut the door.
''Jerk'' Kaila pouted. Erica giggled.
''Oh well, come on, I'll walk home with you,'' Erica offered.
She then looked at Linn's closed door and back at Erica, a conflicted expression on her face before finally relenting and saying, "Fine." Kaila sighed. The two girls headed towards the door. "Oh, and Erica?" Kaila said, stopping Erica with a hand on her arm.
"Yes?" Erica responded, turning back to face her.
Kaila then gave Erica a stern glare, her blue eyes narrowed and intense, that sent a shiver down Erica's spine. "Don't you ever say you want to disappear, got it?!"
Erica nodded, swallowing nervously. "Yes, I'm sorry."
Kaila's expression softened slightly. "As long as you understand. Come on, let's go," the two girls said as they headed out of the house and towards their own homes, the earlier boisterous energy replaced by a more subdued and thoughtful silence.
Linn was in a dark place, a suffocating void that pressed in on him from all sides. The air was thick and stagnant, heavy with the scent of decay. "Where am I…?" he muttered, his voice echoing strangely in the oppressive silence. Linn began walking, his hands outstretched, hoping to find some exit, some sign of life.
"Hello? Anybody there?" Linn called out, but his words were swallowed by the darkness, leaving no response. "Man, it's dark in here. I can't even see where I'm going." He continued walking for what seemed like hours, his steps slow and hesitant.
'Where am I even going?' Linn thought, his frustration mounting. 'I don't know—' Linn stopped walking as his foot hit something solid, and he spotted a faint outline in the distance. "Ah-ha! an exit!" Hope surged through him as Linn ran to the door and opened it, only to recoil from the stench immediately. A nauseating wave of rot and decay made his eyes water and his stomach churn. "Ugh, what is that smell?" Linn gagged, closing his eyes and holding his nose, trying to block out the overwhelming odor.
Taking a deep breath, he opened his eyes and peeked cautiously through the door. Linn paled, his blood turning to ice as he stumbled upon a gruesome scene. "W-what…?"
The room was a charnel house, filled with nothing but corpses. They lay strewn across the floor, their limbs twisted at unnatural angles, their faces frozen in expressions of terror and agony. A thick, cloying silence hung in the air, broken only by the occasional drip of some unknown fluid.
Linn, in a state of shock, absentmindedly walked into the room. As soon as he crossed the threshold, the heavy door slammed shut behind him with a resounding boom that echoed through the chamber.
"Hey, wait!" Linn cried out, his voice trembling. He turned and tried to open the door, but it was locked tight and unmoving. "Darn it," Linn said, his panic rising. What is going on…?"
He scanned the room, his eyes darting from one horrific sight to the next. As he kept looking around, his gaze snagged on three familiar figures.
"No, no way," Linn said, his voice a disbelieving whisper.
They were the dead bodies of his two friends and his dog. Tomo, Kaila, and Erica lay still and lifeless amidst the carnage, their faces pale and cold.
"Tomo! Kaila! Erica!" Linn cried out, his voice cracking with grief. He ran to the bodies, falling to his knees beside them. Come on, wake up," Linn pleaded, tears streaming down his face. He shook Kaila's shoulder gently and reached for Tomo's fur, but there was no response from the bodies, no sign of life.
Linn was kneeling, sobbing uncontrollably, his heart shattering, when a dark hole began swirling open in the sky above—a vortex of shadows and swirling energy pulsed with unholy light. A giant black and blue dragon-like creature emerged from it, its massive wings beating the air, and landed heavily in front of Linn, the ground trembling beneath its weight.
Linn stopped sobbing, his breath hitching in his throat. He looked up at the beast, his eyes wide with fear and awe. "You again…" Linn said, a strange sense of familiarity washing over him despite the terror.
This was not the first time Linn had seen this creature. The same creature had appeared in Linn's dreams for a year now. The dreams changed occasionally, the scenarios shifting, but the beast always remained the same, a constant, ominous presence.
"What do you want now?" Linn asked, his voice weak and trembling, not in the mood to deal with the creature, not when confronted with the bodies of his friends.
The creature stared down at Linn for a long moment, its eyes glowing with an ancient, otherworldly light. Finally, it spoke, a deep, resonant rumble that seemed to vibrate in Linn's very bones.
"Save them," it said, each word echoing with an eerie finality.
"What?" Linn said, confused, his grief momentarily pushed aside by bewilderment.
"You must save them. They need…your aid," the creature repeated, its voice slow and deliberate, as if each word were a great effort.
"Huh? Who? What are you talking about?" Linn asked the creature, desperate for clarification.
The creature repeated its cryptic words, its gaze intense. Then, without another word, it spread its massive wings, soared into the air, and disappeared back into the dark hole, the vortex closing behind it as if it had never been there.
"What was that about?" Linn said, utterly confused, his mind reeling from the encounter.
Suddenly, the corpses around him began to stir. Their eyes snapped open, glowing with the same eerie light as the creature's, and they began to rise, their movements jerky and unnatural. They turned towards Linn, their faces contorted in silent screams, and began to shamble towards him.
"AHH! No! Get off me!" Linn screamed as the bodies lunged at him, their cold, decaying hands reaching for him. He was overwhelmed, buried under a mountain of corpses, their weight crushing the air from his lungs.
"Ahhh!" Linn shot straight up from his bed, gasping for breath, his heart pounding.
Linn looked around frantically, his eyes darting across his room, he was indeed in his own bed. Sweat plastered his hair to his forehead, and his body trembled with lingering fear. 'Another bad dream,' Linn thought, trying to calm himself, but the vividness of the nightmare clung to him like a shroud.
Linn recalled the creature's words, the cryptic message echoing in his mind. 'What did he mean by 'save them'?' Linn pondered this for a few minutes, the question nagging at him, but his exhaustion won. "Oh well, I'll go back to sleep. It's not like anything bad will happen," Linn muttered, dismissing the dream and its warning. He lay on his bed and closed his eyes, drifting back into the embrace of sleep.
How soon Linn would regret his words.
000
After school
It was another dull day at school. The hours had stretched out with agonizing slowness, each lesson a monotonous drone that Linn had struggled to stay awake through. Finally, the final bell had rung, and Linn was outside the school gates, waiting for his friends.
"Ah, so tired," Linn yawned, the sound ragged and drawn out. It had taken him a long time to finally fall back asleep after his nightmare, and even then, his rest had been fitful and disturbed. This was the third nightmare he'd had that week, and the lack of sleep was starting to take its toll on him, both physically and mentally. He'd been unable to focus in class, forgetting his homework assignments, and even skipping out on his usual after-school cleaning duties, something he genuinely enjoyed.
"I wonder what that dragon meant," Linn muttered to himself, the creature's cryptic words echoing in his mind. 'You must save them.' What did it mean? Who are they? And why does he have to save them? As Linn pondered these questions, his brow furrowed in concentration, and he failed to notice Kaila approaching him from behind, calling his name.
"Linn… Linn…" Kaila said, her voice patient at first, but gaining a sharp edge with each repetition.
Linn was still lost in thought, oblivious to everything around him. 'What does it mean?' he thought, chewing on his lip in consternation.
Kaila's patience finally snapped. With a frustrated huff, she delivered a sharp kick to the top of his head, knocking him out of his reverie and sending him sprawling onto the ground.
"Linn! Stop ignoring me!" Kaila yelled, her voice combining irritation and worry.
"Ow! Kaila, that hurt!" Linn complained, rubbing the now-aching bump on his head.
"Well, that's what you get for ignoring me," Kaila said, turning her head away with a haughty sniff,
"I wasn't ignoring you!" Linn said, his voice tinged with hurt. "I was just...thinking." He looked down at his feet, his expression crestfallen.
Kaila's annoyance melted away, replaced by genuine worry. "H-hey, you okay? I didn't hit you that hard, did I?" she asked, her voice softening.
"I'm fine," Linn said, managing a weak smile. "I just didn't have a good night."
"Those nightmares still bothering you?" Kaila asked, her blue eyes searching his face. Linn had confided in Kaila and Erica about his nightmares after a particularly bad one had left him shaken and distraught during one of their hangouts.
"Yeah," Linn said, his voice low. "And they're getting worse." He hesitated for a moment, then began to explain the dream to Kaila, the words tumbling out of him in a rush. "First, I was in a dark place, and then I was in a room full of dead bodies, and you guys were there, but you were dead, and then the dragon thing showed up again, and then...and then..." His voice cracked, and he began to tear up as the full horror of the dream washed over him again.
Just then, Kaila stepped in front of Linn and wrapped her arms around him in a comforting hug.
"Hey now, it's okay, it was just a dream. We're still alive and well," Kaila said in a soothing, caring tone, her voice a warm balm to his distress.
Sniffling, Linn hugged her back, burying his face in her shoulder. "Thanks, Kaila."
"You're welcome, Linn," Kaila murmured, gently patting his back.
"Oh my," a drawled voice laced with amusement said. The two looked up to see Erica standing a short distance away, a sly smile playing on her lips. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything," Erica said, her purple eyes sparkling with teasing intent.
Linn and Kaila froze, suddenly self-conscious. They looked at each other and realized they were still embracing, their faces mere inches apart. A wave of heat washed over both of them, and they blushed heavily. Kaila then pushed Linn away from her with a flustered squawk.
"I-it's not what you think!" Kaila stammered, her cheeks burning.
"Sure~ it's not," Erica said, her smile widening, clearly enjoying their embarrassment.
"I-I-I was just teaching him a new move!" Kaila insisted, her blush deepening.
"And what move involves doing that?" Erica raised an eyebrow, her tone playfully suggestive. "Oh, I know! The 'move' might be more effective if you involve your lips, if you know what I mean."
"Erica!!" Kaila exclaimed, her face now a vibrant shade of crimson. She lunged at Erica, grabbing her by the shoulders and shaking her playfully, while Erica dissolved into laughter.
Linn, meanwhile, picked himself up off the ground, a small, genuine smile gracing his lips as he watched his two friends. 'Yeah, it was just a dream,' Linn thought, the lingering fear receding in the face of their familiar antics. 'Nothing terrible is going to happen. This is our everyday life; everything is going to stay the same. Thanks, Kaila.' A warm feeling settled in his chest as he gazed at Kaila, his expression softening.
Kaila and Erica, having exhausted their playful banter, stopped their mock scuffle and noticed Linn staring at them. "W-what are you staring at?!" Kaila said, her voice regaining some of its earlier gruffness, though her blush still betrayed her lingering embarrassment.
"Oh, nothing," Linn said, his smile widening.
Erica giggled, the sound light and melodic. "Well, let's go home, shall we?" she said, linking her arms through theirs.
The trio started heading home, the earlier tension replaced by a comfortable, easy camaraderie.
000
As the three walked home, Linn explained his nightmare to Erica.
"Oh my," Erica said, her expression filled with concern. "That must have been a horrible experience."
"Yeah," Kaila said, nodding in agreement. "But I already told him it was just a dream."
"But it felt so real," Linn insisted, a shiver running down his spine as he recalled the vivid imagery.
"You'll get over it," Kaila said with a reassuring pat on his shoulder.
"So, what are everyone's plans for today?" Erica asked, changing the subject to lighten the mood.
"I plan to hit the dojo and practice my moves some more," Kaila declared, a competitive glint in her eyes.
"Oh? Are they the 'moves' you were 'teaching' Linn back there?" Erica teased, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.
"S-shut up, Erica!" Kaila retorted, her face flushing crimson.
Linn chuckled, the sound warm and genuine. "Well, I plan to help around the town again."
"Boooring," Kaila groaned, rolling her eyes dramatically.
"It's not boring!" Linn snapped back, a hint of defensiveness in his voice. "It feels good to do good deeds, and it brings me a few steps closer to being—"
"Yeah, yeah, being a hero, we get it," Kaila interrupted, a playful smirk on her face. "Don't you have a better dream than that?"
"My dream is better than yours," Linn retorted, puffing out his chest slightly.
"Is not," Kaila countered, crossing her arms defiantly.
"Is too," Linn insisted, sticking his tongue out childishly.
"To be honest," Erica interjected, thoughtfully expressing her feelings, "Linn's dream is more honorable than yours, Kaila."
"What's wrong with becoming the strongest female fighter in the world?!" Kaila exclaimed, her voice filled with indignation.
"Nothing," Erica said, pausing for dramatic effect before deadpanning, "Except for the fact that you want to do it for the fame and fortune." Linn nodded in agreement, adopting a similar deadpan expression.
"What do you two know anyway?!" Kaila growled, her cheeks flushed. "You'll see!" she declared, fire in her eyes. "I'll be stronger than everyone and become so rich and popular that everyone will respect me and bend to my every whim. I'll rule the world! Hahahaha!" Kaila erupted into laughter, lost in her grandiose vision.
Linn and Erica exchanged weary glances, sweatdropping in unison.
"Jeez, there she goes again," Linn muttered under his breath.
"She'll stop eventually," Erica sighed, resigned to Kaila's eccentricities.
"By the way, Erica," Linn said, turning to Erica as Kaila's laughter subsided, "What's your dream?"
"My...dream?" Erica said, her brow furrowing in puzzlement.
"Yeah," Linn said, nodding encouragingly. "You know, what you want to do or be when you grow up. You already know our dreams, but we don't know yours."
"Oh," Erica said quietly, her gaze drifting away. 'I haven't really thought about it,' she thought, a tinge of melancholy in her heart. 'Especially since my life is not my own. Sometimes I do wish someone would whisk me away from here.' A shadow of sadness crossed her face.
Linn, noticing Erica's change in demeanor, looked at her with concern. "H-hey, Erica? Are you okay?"
Before Linn could finish his sentence, Kaila, ever vigilant, kicked him sharply in the back of the head.
"Ow! Kaila, what are you doing?!" Linn yelped, rubbing the back of his head in pain.
"That's my line!" Kaila retorted, her eyes narrowed suspiciously. Linn visibly flinched under her intense gaze. "What did you do?! Why does it look like Erica's about to cry?!"
"I don't know! I-I-I—" Linn stammered, his face a mask of confusion and guilt.
Kaila ignored his sputtering protests and rushed to Erica's side, her expression softening with concern. "Hey, it's okay," Kaila said soothingly, gently placing a hand on Erica's shoulder. "Whatever Linn said, he didn't mean it."
"Kaila..." Erica sniffed, her voice thick with emotion.
Kaila shot a fierce glare at Linn, her eyes flashing dangerously. "Linn! You apologize to her right now, or so help me..." Kaila growled, shaking her fist threateningly at him.
"Alright, alright!" Linn said quickly, holding up his hands in surrender. "Erica, I'm sorry for whatever I said; I don't even know what I said, but I'm sorry?"
At this, Kaila face-faulted, collapsing into a comical heap on the ground, while Erica blinked, utterly bewildered.
"What kind of half-assed apology was that?!" Kaila yelled, getting up and getting right in Linn's face.
"I don't know!" Linn yelled back, equally exasperated. "I can't sincerely apologize if I don't know what I did wrong!"
"You're such an idiot!"
"You're an idiot!"
Erica watched the two bickering, their argument escalating into a full-blown shouting match. All of a sudden, she started giggling, the sound light and airy. The giggles soon turned into full-blown laughter, bubbling up from deep within her.
Linn and Kaila, mid-argument, stopped their shouting and turned to Erica with matching expressions of confusion.
"H-hey Erica? You okay there?" Kaila asked, her earlier anger replaced by genuine worry.
"I'm fine," Erica replied, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. "I was just thinking how silly you two are."
"We're silly?" they both said in unison, cocking their heads to the side with identical expressions of bewilderment.
"Don't worry about it," Erica waved off nonchalantly, her smile still radiant, which only caused Linn and Kaila to sweatdrop in exasperation. "Anyway, it's fine, Linn; you didn't do anything wrong, and Kaila, thanks for worrying about me; that means a lot."
"Heh, dummy. Of course, I worry about you," Kaila said, a soft smile gracing her lips. "You're my best friend; I don't know what I'd do without you."
"What am I, chopped liver?" Linn muttered under his breath, a hint of playful jealousy in his voice.
"Oh hush, you," Kaila lightly scolded, giving him a playful shove. "You'll be fine on your own. Erica's like a delicate princess; she needs to be protected. But don't worry, I'll protect you too if that's what you want."
"If you're the one protecting us, then we'll be in even more danger," Linn chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Kaila glared, her hands on her hips.
"Oh, nothing..." Linn smirked, enjoying her reaction.
"Why you—" Kaila began, taking a step towards him, but Erica intervened.
Erica giggled, the sound melodic and infectious. She then pulled Kaila and Linn into a tight group hug, her arms wrapped around them both.
"Huh? H-hey, what gives?" Linn and Kaila exclaimed in surprise, their faces flushing slightly at the sudden contact.
"I just want to thank you both for being my best friends," Erica said sincerely, her voice filled with warmth and gratitude. "I don't know what I'd do or where I'd be if it weren't for you two."
Linn and Kaila exchanged glances, a mixture of surprise and affection in their eyes. They then looked back at Erica and smiled, their earlier bickering forgotten.
"Hey now, no need to thank us," Kaila said, her voice gruff but gentle. "We'll always be there for you."
"Yeah," Linn said, nodding in agreement. "If you have any problems, just leave them to us!"
Erica's smile widened, her heart swelling with affection for her two best friends. The three friends remained in their group hug for a moment longer, basking in the warmth of their friendship.
"Aww, isn't that sweet?" a voice said, dripping with sarcasm.
The three friends broke their group hug and glanced in the direction of the voice. A shiver of unease ran down their spines as they took in the sight before them. It was a group of menacing-looking men, all carrying various weapons.
"Ah! It's you guys!" Linn recognized the group instantly. It was the same gang of thugs he had confronted and beaten up the previous day.
"Long time no see, kid," the leader of the gang sneered, his minions nodding and cheering in agreement, their faces twisted in expressions of malice.
"Friends of yours, Linn?" Kaila asked, her voice unimpressed, though her eyes narrowed slightly as she assessed the threat.
"They are the bad guys I beat up yesterday," Linn explained, his tone a mixture of annoyance and weariness.
"After doing some 'persuading' around town, we finally found you," the leader said, his voice laced with venom.
"What do you guys want?" Linn asked, his posture shifting slightly, ready for a fight.
"What do you think?" the leader sneered, taking a step forward. "You humiliated us yesterday, and now we're itching for payback."
"Wow, Linn. You must have beaten them really badly," Kaila said, a hint of amusement in her voice, though her eyes remained cold and calculating.
"Watch your mouth, girlie! Or we'll beat you down too," the leader threatened, his voice a low growl.
Kaila stared back at him, unfazed by his threat. "Try it," she said, her voice dangerously soft.
"Hey boss, she's pretty cute," one of the members said, ogling Kaila with a lecherous grin. "Maybe we should take her as a prize."
"Yeah, she's my type of girl," another member chimed in, his eyes gleaming with lust.
"I like the black-haired one. She seems shy and obedient," the pudgy member said, his gaze fixed on Erica. He took a step towards her, his expression predatory.
Visibly frightened by the man's intense stare and suggestive words, Erica took a step back, her breath catching in her throat. "N-no! Please stay away!" she shrieked, her voice trembling.
"Oh, come on, don't be that way. Let's get to know each other better," the pudgy member chuckled, reaching out for Erica.
In a flash of movement, Kaila was at Erica's side, her body a blur of motion. She delivered a devastating kick to the pudgy member's face, the force of the blow sending him flying backward.
"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH ERICA, YOU PIG!" Kaila yelled, her voice a furious roar, her eyes flashing a dangerous crimson.
"Woah, you okay?" a member asked the fallen member, his voice filled with concern.
"I see stars," the pudgy member groaned, dazed and disoriented.
"Wooo," the standing member whistled, impressed despite the situation. "Like I said, she is my type of girl."
"Eh, fatty deserved it," the leader shrugged, seemingly unconcerned about his comrade's well-being.
Meanwhile, Linn sweatdropped, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. 'Great, they angered Kaila of all people, and now they're in real trouble,' he thought, bracing himself for the inevitable onslaught.
"YOU JERKS PISSED ME OFF!" Kaila yelled, her voice a terrifying battle cry. She dropped into a fighting stance, her muscles coiled and ready to strike. "AND NOW YOU'RE GOING TO GET AN ASS WHOOPING COURTESY OF KAILIA SAOTOME!!"
Linn sweatdropped again, the situation rapidly spiraling out of control. "N-now, Kaila, let's calm down a second," Linn said, his voice trembling slightly as Kaila shot him a murderous glare.
"DON'T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN! YOU SAW WHAT HAPPENED! THEY GOT IT COMING! THEY ARE THE ONES PICKING A FIGHT ANYWAY! SO I MIGHT AS WELL GIVE THEM ONE! NOW YOU CAN EITHER HELP OR STAY OUT OF MY WAY!!" Kaila turned back to the gang, her eyes blazing with fury, ready to tear their limbs off.
Linn sighed, the sound of resignation. "Fine, but let's try not to seriously injure them, okay?"
"No promises," Kaila replied, a feral grin spreading across her face as she and Linn entered their respective fighting stances.
Initially taken aback by Kaila's outburst, the leader just laughed with a nervous edge. "Oh no, we're so scared," the leader said sarcastically as the pudgy member slowly and groggily got back onto his feet. "Right, boys, ready your weapons! We'll give these kids a beating they'll never forget!" The leader ordered, drawing his own weapon as he and the other members brandished theirs.
The gang charged at the two kids, a chaotic mass of aggression and desperation. The kids, however, stood their ground, their eyes focused and determined as the gang closed in.
Suddenly, just as the clash seemed imminent, a strong gust of wind swept through the area.
"W-what the hell…?" the leader said, startled and disoriented. The gang stumbled, halting their advance as they tried to shield themselves from the unexpected force. "Boss, what's going on?" a member yelled over the howling wind.
"How should I know?!" the leader shouted back, equally confused and annoyed.
Meanwhile, Linn and Kaila stared at the gang, their expressions a mixture of confusion and bewilderment. "What are they doing?" Kaila asked, her voice barely audible over the wind.
"Beats me," Linn replied, equally perplexed.
As it turned out, the strong gust of wind was blowing exclusively in the gang's direction, leaving Linn and Kaila untouched.
"Dammit! This wind is annoying!" the leader complained, his hair and clothes whipping around him violently.
"Yeah!" the two members agreed, struggling to maintain their footing.
"Hey guys, is it just me, or does it feel like we are...floating?" the pudgy member said, his voice filled with a strange mixture of fear and disbelief.
The other members looked down at their feet, and their eyes widened in shock. They were indeed floating in the air, rising higher and higher with each passing second!
"W-wha—" the gang began to scream, their voices a chorus of terror as they were lifted off the ground.
"Waaaaahhhh!" the gang cried out, their forms growing smaller and smaller as the mysterious wind carried them away. They flew through the sky, their cries fading into the distance until they were tiny specks and vanished altogether. Just like that, the gang was gone.
The three friends stood in stunned silence, staring at the empty sky where the gang had disappeared. "...what just happened?" Kaila asked, breaking the silence, her voice filled with incredulity.
"Beats me," Linn replied, shaking his head in disbelief.
Meanwhile, Erica, who had been watching the bizarre scene unfold with a mixture of fear and fascination, let out a shaky sigh of relief. "Thank goodness… they're gone," she whispered, her hand pressed against her chest.
Linn and Kaila walked over to Erica's side, their expressions filled with concern. "You okay, Erica?" Kaila asked, her voice softening as she looked at her friend.
"Yes, thank you," Erica replied, managing a weak smile.
The three friends exchanged relieved glances, a sense of shared bewilderment and relief passing between them. "Alright then," Linn said, trying to regain some semblance of normalcy. "Let's go, ho—"
Before Linn could finish his sentence, a strong gust of wind came rushing back, this time aiming directly at them.
"Woah, what's going on?!" Linn panicked, grabbing onto Kaila's arm for support.
The girls, caught off guard by the sudden gust, were too busy trying to hold down their skirts, which the wind whipped around to offer any coherent response. The wind grew stronger and stronger, buffeting them with increasing force.
"Eek!!" Erica shrieked as the wind, with a mighty gust, knocked her off her feet and sent her tumbling down a nearby hill.
"Erica!" Linn and Kaila shouted in unison, their voices filled with alarm.
Thankfully, the wind abruptly stopped, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. The two friends rushed down the hill, their hearts pounding with worry. They found Erica lying in the grass at the bottom, her body still and unmoving.
"Erica, are you okay?!" Kaila asked, her voice trembling with fear. Linn looked on, his face etched with equal concern.
After a tense moment that felt like an eternity, Erica stirred, groaning softly. "Yes, I'm fine," she replied, slowly pushing herself into a sitting position. She looked a bit disheveled but otherwise seemed unharmed.
Linn and Kaila breathed a sigh of relief, the tension draining from their bodies.
"Thank god," Kaila said, rushing forward and pulling Erica into a tight hug. "Don't scare me like that!"
"I'm sorry," Erica apologized, hugging her back.
"Hey, it's fine," Linn said, forcing a reassuring smile. "Everything's okay now."
"Everything's not okay!" Kaila suddenly shouted, pulling away from Erica and turning to Linn, her eyes blazing with anger.
Linn and Erica were both startled by her outburst, jumping slightly at the sudden vehemence in her voice.
"What's wrong now?" Linn asked, his voice laced with confusion and apprehension.
Kaila stormed up to Linn, her hands on her hips, and poked him hard in the chest with her finger. "WHAT'S WRONG is that Erica almost got seriously hurt, not once, but twice, because we had to deal with some stupid gang that was looking for you!" Kaila snarled, her voice dripping with fury.
Linn stiffened slightly under her accusatory glare, his eyes widening in surprise. "How is that my fault?!" he protested, his voice rising defensively. "You were the one who wanted to fight them!"
"Because they were going to hurt Erica if I didn't!" Kaila retorted, her voice filled with exasperation.
"Oh please, you just wanted to fight somebody, you violent tomboy," Linn scoffed, rolling his eyes.
Kaila's face flushed crimson with rage. "How dare you! Take that back!" she yelled, her hands flying up to Linn's cheeks. She pinched them tightly and began stretching them outwards, her eyes narrowed into slits.
"Shee! Viowent!" Linn muffled out, his words distorted by the painful stretching.
Erica watched the ensuing squabble with a weary sigh, a familiar scene playing out before her. She then felt a sudden chill run down her spine, as if someone, or something, was watching her. She turned her head and saw a shimmering, pink-purple portal hovering in the air behind her.
"Uh, guys?" Erica called out, her voice unusually subdued, her attention fixed on the strange phenomenon.
The two stopped their fighting and looked at Erica, their argument momentarily forgotten.
"Yeah?" "What is it?" Kaila and Linn both said, turning to face her, their expressions a mixture of annoyance and curiosity.
"Has this portal...always been here?" she asked, pointing a trembling finger at the swirling vortex.
Linn and Kaila stared at the portal, their eyes widening in shock and disbelief. Where had this strange portal come from? Had it been there the whole time, unnoticed?
"Wow, I've never seen anything like this before," Linn said in awe, his voice hushed with a mixture of wonder and apprehension.
"First the gang, then the weird wind, and now this? This day keeps getting weirder and weirder," Kaila said, shaking her head in disbelief.
Meanwhile, Erica, who was the closest to the portal, found herself drawn to its ethereal beauty. She felt an inexplicable pull towards it, a sense of both fear and fascination warring within her.
"So pretty..." Erica murmured, her voice barely a whisper, as she took a tentative step closer.
Kaila, noticing Erica's entranced state, reacted quickly. She grabbed Erica's hand, her grip firm and urgent.
"Wait, Erica! Don't go near it!" Kaila shouted, her voice filled with alarm, but it was too late.
Suddenly, a pale, slender hand emerged from the swirling depths of the portal and shot out like lightning, grabbing Erica's arm with surprising strength!
"Eh? Huh? What the...!" All three exclaimed in shock and confusion, their eyes wide with disbelief as the impossible scene unfolded before them.
The hand began to pull Erica inexorably towards the portal, its grip tightening with each passing second.
"N-no!" Erica shrieked, her voice filled with terror as she struggled against the unseen force.
"Let go of her!" Kaila yelled, her voice filled with desperation. She grabbed Erica's other arm, digging her heels into the ground as both girls were dragged towards the mysterious vortex.
Linn, who had been momentarily frozen in shock by the surreal turn of events, was snapped out of his trance by Kaila's frantic cry. "Linn!" Kaila called out, her voice pleading. "Don't just stand there like an idiot! Help us!"
"R-right!" Linn stammered, his mind finally registering the gravity of the situation. He rushed to the girls' side, adrenaline coursing through his veins. He grabbed onto Kaila's waist, adding his strength to the effort to pull Erica away from the portal.
Due to Linn's considerable strength, he succeeded in pulling the girls away from the portal, but the hand didn't relinquish its hold. The portal, as if sensing their resistance, then produced another hand from its depths. This new hand opened its palm, and from it, a powerful gust of wind erupted, even stronger than the previous ones.
"Not again!" Linn and Kaila cried out in unison, their faces contorted in a mixture of fear and frustration.
The wind was incredibly strong, buffeting them with gale-force intensity. It was strong enough to loosen Linn's grip on Kaila, sending him stumbling backward, and to knock Kaila off her feet, sending her crashing to the ground.
"Erica!" Kaila shouted, her voice filled with horror as she watched helplessly from the ground.
"Erica!" Linn shouted, scrambling to his feet and running towards the portal. Erica was struggling in vain against the relentless pull, her hand outstretched towards them, reaching for salvation. Linn stretched out his own hand, desperate to grab hers, but it was too late. She was slowly, inexorably, being dragged into the swirling vortex.
"Kaila...Linn...I'm sorry," Erica mouthed, her voice barely audible over the roaring wind. Her eyes were filled with a mixture of fear and regret.
Then, with a final, heart-wrenching tug, Erica was entirely engulfed by the portal. The swirling vortex shimmered briefly, then vanished without a trace, leaving only empty air behind.
Linn and Kaila stood there, frozen in shock and disbelief, unable to process the sudden and devastating turn of events.
"What...just..." Linn began, the words failing him as he struggled to process the impossible event he'd just witnessed.
Meanwhile, Kaila, having recovered from her shock, pushed herself up from the ground and stalked towards Linn.
Linn turned to face her, his expression a mix of bewilderment and concern. "Hey, Kaila, are you ok—"
*SLAP*
'Linn's words were cut short as Kaila's hand connected sharply with his cheek. The sound echoed in the sudden silence.
"Wha…?" Linn said, his hand flying to his stinging cheek. He stared at Kaila, his eyes wide with disbelief and hurt.
Kaila glared at him, her face streaked with tears, her entire body trembling with grief and fury. Her breath hitched in ragged gasps, and her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white. "WHAT THE HELL, LINN?!" she yelled, her voice raw with emotion. "YOU WERE RIGHT THERE! WHY DIDN'T YOU SAVE HER?!"
Linn looked down, unable to meet her gaze. He couldn't bring himself to argue; deep down, he knew she was right.
"Some hero you turned out to be," Kaila scoffed, the words laced with bitter disappointment. She turned away from him and stumbled towards the spot where Erica had vanished, her shoulders shaking.
"Erica... Erica!" Kaila cried out, her voice cracking with each repetition. She collapsed to her knees and finally gave in to her grief, sobbing uncontrollably.
Linn remained where he was, his head bowed in shame. 'YOU WERE RIGHT THERE! WHY DIDN'T YOU SAVE HER?!' Kaila's words echoed in his mind, a relentless accusation. He had no defense against them. It was true; he had been so close. If only he had reacted faster, been more decisive, and been more heroic. 'Some hero you turned out to be.' The barb struck deep, hitting a raw nerve.
'Kaila's right,' Linn thought, the self-recrimination a painful litany in his mind. 'Some hero I am. I'm confident about beating up petty thugs and doing my little charity work, but I completely freeze up when something terrible happens, something beyond my control. I want to be a hero, but when it really mattered, I couldn't even save my own best friend from being kidnapped right in front of me. I'm pathetic.'
As Linn and Kaila stood there, each lost in their own private torment, a voice called out to Linn from afar.
"Linn!"
Linn turned towards the sound, his head snapping up. At the top of the hill, he saw two familiar figures, an adult man and woman. The man wore a simple white shirt and black pants, while the woman wore a plain blue dress.
Linn broke into a run, rushing up the hill towards them. "Mom? Dad? What are you doing here?" he asked, surprised by their unexpected presence.
"Nothing much, dear," his mother said, her expression softening with concern as she took in his distressed state. "We came home a while ago and noticed you weren't back yet, so we decided to come check on you."
"Oh," Linn said, his voice flat.
"We also took the liberty of taking Tomodachi out for a walk," his father added, holding up a leash to reveal a golden-colored dog. Tomodachi barked happily at the sight of Linn and immediately bounded towards him, jumping up and licking his face with unrestrained affection.
"Yes, I missed you, too, boy. Now get down," Linn ordered, managing a weak smile. The dog whined sadly but obeyed, lowering himself to the ground.
Linn's parents exchanged worried glances. They knew their son well, and his subdued demeanor was far from his usual cheerful self.
"Hey, you okay, son?" his dad asked, his voice gentle but probing.
"...Huh? Yeah, I'm fine. Why do you ask?" Linn replied, avoiding their eyes.
"Well, you seemed kind of spaced out when you came up here," his mom began, her brow furrowed with concern, "And you're usually much more excited when Tomo plays with you."
"Oh, that? I'm just tired, that's all," Linn lied, forcing a casual shrug. His parents, however, were not convinced.
"I don't know, son, you look kinda down," his dad observed, his gaze sharp and perceptive.
"Are you sure you're alright?" his mom asked, her voice filled with worry.
"Yes, I'm fine," Linn insisted, repeating the lie with a little more emphasis.
Linn's parents continued to look at him unconvincedly, but they decided not to push him for now. They knew he would tell them if something was genuinely wrong.
"By the way," Linn's father said, changing the subject, "Where are Kaila and Erica? They're usually with you, aren't they?"
Linn cringed inwardly at the mention of Erica's name, the pain of her loss still raw and sharp. Fortunately, his parents didn't notice his reaction, but Tomodachi, ever attuned to his emotions, looked up at Linn with a curious tilt.
"Oh, they're um..." Linn stammered, struggling to come up with a plausible explanation.
"Oh, there's Kaila," Linn's mother said, spotting the pigtail-wearing girl sitting at the bottom of the hill. "But I don't see Erica anywhere."
"Oh, that's because..." Linn floundered, the weight of the truth pressing down on him. He couldn't possibly tell his parents that some unknown entity had abducted Erica into a bizarre portal. He had to come up with something, and fast. "We're...playing hide-and-seek!" Linn blurted out, the excuse sounding flimsy even to his own ears. "I found Kaila, and now I'm looking for Erica."
His parents stared at him for a long, silent moment, their expressions unreadable. Linn laughed nervously, a thin sheen of sweat breaking out on his forehead as he desperately hoped they would buy his ridiculous story.
Linn's parents continued to regard him with those inscrutable expressions for a few more seconds before finally saying, "Well, that's okay then."
Linn sighed in relief, the tension draining from his body.
"Well, we've got to go, son. We can't miss our show, you know how your mother gets." His father clapped him on the shoulder. "Could you make sure you find Erica soon? We don't want her father to worry."
"And make sure Kaila gets home to her mother," his mother added, her voice softening slightly. "She may not always look or sound like she cares, but I know she worries about her daughter deep down."
"Ok, I will!" Linn said, managing a genuine smile this time.
His parents smiled back, their earlier concerns seemingly alleviated, and began walking towards home, leaving Linn alone once more.
"OK, now I need to figure out how to find Erica," Linn muttered to himself, turning to face the daunting task ahead. Tomodachi, sensing his master's distress, stayed close by his side, following him down the hill.
Linn reached the bottom of the hill and found Kaila still sitting on her knees in the same spot where he had left her. She was no longer crying, but now she was...praying? The unexpected sight dumbfounded Linn.
"Um, Kaila? What are you doing?" Linn asked hesitantly, not quite sure how to approach the situation.
"What does it look like I'm doing?" Kaila replied, her voice flat and devoid of its usual fiery energy. "I'm praying."
"Why?" Linn asked, his confusion growing.
"If I ask God, maybe he'll bring Erica back," Kaila said, her voice barely a whisper, "Or maybe...maybe he'll let me go to wherever Erica is."
"I thought you didn't believe in gods," Linn said, stating the obvious.
"I don't!" Kaila shouted, her voice suddenly cracking with a renewed wave of grief. "But what am I supposed to do?! Erica just got kidnapped into some weird portal, and I don't know where she went or how to get her back, and...oh, Linn!" Kaila launched herself at Linn, burying her face in his chest and sobbing uncontrollably.
Linn was shocked by this sudden and complete breakdown. He had rarely, if ever, seen Kaila display such vulnerability. She always acted so tough and self-assured, especially around her friends and family. It surprised Linn to see just how fragile she could be, how much she truly cared. He knew that Kaila was fiercely protective of Erica, and their bond was a complex mix of friendship and sisterhood. Despite their constant arguments and bickering, Linn also knew that Kaila cared about him, though she rarely expressed it openly. This made Linn wonder, just for a moment, if she would have reacted the same way if he had been the one who had been taken.
Linn shook his head, pushing the thought aside. 'That's not important right now,' he thought, his focus narrowing. 'Right now, I need to find a way to get Erica back. I can't let Kaila down, and I can't let Erica down.'
Linn wrapped his arms around Kaila, holding her tightly as she wept. "Don't worry, Kaila," he said, his voice firm and resolute, a stark contrast to his earlier uncertainty. "I'll find Erica, no matter what. Even if it takes years, I promise you, I won't stop until she's safe."
Kaila sniffed, her sobs gradually subsiding. She pulled back slightly and looked up at Linn, a faint glimmer of hope shining through her tear-filled eyes. "Thanks, Linn," she whispered, her voice hoarse and raw.
"You're welcome," Linn replied, with a reassuring smile.
The two broke the embrace and stared at the empty space where Erica had been just moments before, the silence heavy with unspoken grief and determination.
"Alright," Linn said, taking a deep breath. "Let's think of a way to get that portal to open up again."
"Ok!" Kaila said, her voice regaining a bit of its usual spirit, though still tinged with sadness. "But...how do we do that?"
"I have no idea!" Linn said, throwing his hands up in the air in a gesture of comical exasperation.
The two stared at each other for a moment, the absurdity of their situation hitting them. They both sweatdropped in unison. "Okay, this might be harder than we thought," Linn sighed, the weight of their mission settling upon him.
"Maybe it would open up if we asked nicely?" Kaila joked weakly, attempting to inject a bit of levity into the grim situation.
"Eh, worth a shot," Linn laughed, the sound strained but genuine. "Hey, portal! Can you open up, pretty please?" he called out to the empty air, his voice echoing in the stillness.
A minute or two passed, but nothing happened. The air remained still and silent, the pink-purple portal stubbornly absent.
"Oh well, I tried," Linn said, shrugging in defeat. "Come on, let's see if we can find another way."
"Ok," Kaila agreed, turning to leave.
The two turned around and began walking away, their shoulders slumped with disappointment and uncertainty. But before they had taken more than a few steps, they both sensed a shift in the atmosphere, a subtle disturbance in the air.
"What?" they both said simultaneously, turning back to look at the spot where the portal had been. And there it was again, the same shimmering, pink-purple vortex, swirling into existence as if responding to their earlier, half-hearted request.
"Wow, I can't believe that worked," Linn said, his eyes wide with surprise and disbelief.
A blur of motion caught his eye before he could fully process the implications of this sudden reappearance. Without thinking, without even a moment of hesitation, Kaila took off running towards the portal, her face a mask of fierce determination.
"Kaila, wait!" Linn shouted, instinctively grabbing her arm in an attempt to stop her headlong rush.
Kaila spun around, her eyes blazing with a mixture of grief, fear, and a desperate urgency. "Why are you stopping me?!" she yelled, her voice raw with emotion. "The portal is right there! This is our chance!"
"We need to find out if that's the same portal that took Erica," Linn insisted, his grip firm on her arm. He knew they couldn't afford to be reckless, not when Erica's life might be at stake.
Kaila glared at him, her expression incredulous. "What are you talking about? Of course, it's the same portal! Are you stupid?" Kaila questioned, her voice sharp with disbelief.
"I'm just saying there's no need to rush," Linn assured, trying to reason with her. "Let's just think about this for a minute."
"Fine! You can think, I'm going!" Kaila declared, turning to run towards the shimmering portal.
Linn, however, was quicker. He reached out and kept a firm grip on her arm, preventing her from going any further. "Let go of me!" Kaila yelled, struggling against his hold.
"I said, wait!" Linn yelled back, his voice firm and unwavering.
"Why?!" Kaila questioned, her frustration reaching its peak. "This is our chance; we might not get another one. It's now or never."
"I know, but…" Linn began, hesitating slightly.
"But nothing! Don't tell me you're scared. Aren't you supposed to be a hero?" Kaila challenged, her eyes flashing with defiance.
"It's not that," Linn said, his voice softer now, but still resolute.
"Then what is it?" Kaila replied, her voice demanding an explanation.
"I'm saying that I'll go..." Linn started, taking a deep breath.
"Then let's go—" Kaila interjected, eager to get moving.
"Alone…" Linn interrupted her, the word hanging in the air between them.
Kaila stared at him in shock, her initial anger replaced by stunned disbelief. "What?!"
"I'm saying that I'll go in and bring Erica back; you stay here," Linn explained, his gaze meeting hers with unwavering determination.
"Are you crazy?!" Kaila asked, her voice incredulous.
"We don't know what's in that portal," Linn reasoned, his voice calm but firm. "It could be dangerous if both of us go."
"And you think I'm just going to sit here while Erica could be in danger?!" Kaila exclaimed, her voice rising in disbelief.
"Kaila, please..." Linn begged, his eyes pleading with her to understand.
"No way!" Kaila said adamantly, shaking her head. "Why do I have to stay while you go?"
"Because..." Linn muttered, his voice barely audible.
"Is it because you think I'm weak? Is that it?" Kaila asked, her eyes searching his for any hint of condescension.
"No…" Linn replied softly, his voice filled with sincerity.
"Then is it because you think you're some big-shot hero that you must do everything yourself?" Kaila challenged, her tone accusatory.
"That's not it either!" Linn replied, his voice a little louder now, tinged with frustration.
"Then what is it?!" Kaila demanded, her patience wearing thin.
"I…" Linn hesitated, his gaze flickering away for a moment.
"Yes?" Kaila pressed, her voice urging him to continue.
"I just…" Linn began, then trailed off into silence.
"What?" Kaila prompted, her voice softer now, sensing the internal struggle he was facing.
Linn remained silent, his jaw clenched, his eyes filled with a turmoil of emotions.
"Oh, for god's sake! If you're not going to say anything, then let me go—" Kaila exclaimed, exasperated by his hesitation.
"I DON'T WANT TO LOSE YOU TOO!" Linn blurted out, his voice filled with raw emotion as he pulled Kaila into a tight hug.
"What?!" Kaila said, shocked by his sudden outburst and the intensity of his embrace.
"You were right!" Linn said, his voice thick with tears. "It was my fault that Erica was put in danger, and it was my fault that I couldn't save her! You were right all along!"
Kaila, initially taken aback by his emotional confession, was confused until she recalled her harsh words from earlier. A wave of guilt washed over her, and she looked down, her anger dissipating.
Kaila sighed, her expression softening as she realized the depth of Linn's feelings. "Ok, ok, I'll stay. Just stop crying already," Kaila said, giving in, though her voice still hinted at her usual tough exterior.
"Thank you," Linn said, releasing the hug and wiping his tears away, his voice filled with gratitude.
"Just make sure you bring Erica back in one piece," Kaila said, her voice firm, though her eyes betrayed her worry.
"I will!" Linn smiled, his determination renewed.
Linn turned towards the portal, which surprisingly hadn't dissipated yet, its pink-purple glow still beckoning.
"Wait, Linn," Kaila called out, causing him to stop in his tracks.
"What is it?" Linn asked, turning back as Kaila walked towards him, her steps hesitant.
The two locked eyes, a silent understanding passing between them. "I just want to…" Kaila began, her voice barely a whisper as she closed the distance between them.
Linn's heart began to race, his pulse quickening as Kaila moved closer, her gaze intense. 'She's so close,' Linn thought, his breath catching in his throat.
Kaila moved even closer, her face just inches from his, the air crackling with unspoken tension. Then, instead of what Linn expected, she hugged him tightly.
Linn, confused by the sudden turn of events but not entirely displeased, hugged her back, his arms wrapping around her small frame.
'I just want to say…' she whispered in his ear, her voice low and intimate.
"Yeah?" he whispered back, his voice barely audible, his senses heightened by her closeness.
"...I'm sorry," Kaila said, her voice filled with a strange mix of regret and mischief. Before Linn could process her words, she delivered a sharp knee strike directly to his private area.
"Ugh..." Linn crumbled to the ground, clutching his injured area, his face contorted in pain.
Kaila looked down at Linn apologetically, her expression a complex mix of guilt and determination. Then, without another word, she turned and ran towards the portal, her figure disappearing into its swirling depths.
"Kaila, wait!" Linn groaned from the floor, his voice filled with a mixture of pain and disbelief.
Kaila glanced back at Linn, her face etched with a somber resolve. "I'm sorry, Linn," Kaila said, her voice filled with a newfound determination. "But I can't stand here and wait any longer. I have to be the one to save Erica, no matter what." With those parting words, Kaila jumped into the portal, leaving Linn alone.
Linn slowly got up, his body aching, his mind reeling from the betrayal. He sighed sadly, a sense of loneliness washing over him. "First Erica, and now Kaila. What am I going to do now?"
He pondered this for a second, his gaze fixed on the spot where Kaila had disappeared. Then, he noticed that the portal was still open, though its edges were beginning to shimmer and fade.
"Wait, it's still there?" Linn said, surprised, a glimmer of hope igniting within him. "Maybe I can still make it."
As Linn spoke, the portal began to close more rapidly, its pink-purple glow dimming with each passing second. "Wait, wait, don't close yet! I still need more time to prepare!" Linn panicked, his voice filled with desperation.
The portal, however, seemed to have a mind of its own, paying no heed to his pleas as it continued to shrink. Meanwhile, Linn's mind raced, weighing his options and battling his fears.
'What should I do?!' he thought, his heart pounding in his chest. 'I don't know what's beyond that portal, or if I'll even make it back, but Erica and Kaila are inside, and I have to save them. They're my best friends.' Linn slapped his cheeks, trying to gather his resolve. 'Argh, I don't have time to think! My two best friends could be in danger. I want to be a hero, and a hero saves people no matter the cost. It's now or never!'
Linn made up his mind, his eyes blazing with newfound determination. He took a deep breath and rushed towards the portal, which was now a mere slit in the air. Linn reached the closing portal just in the nick of time.
"Ahhh!"
With little time to spare, Linn jumped into the closing portal, and Tomodachi jumped in from behind.