Hiko and Piko kneeled as they arrived inside the grand hall of an ominous palace, the air thick with a suffocating aura.
Hiko: "We have arrived, my lord."
Hikari: [resting lazily upon a throne carved from obsidian, his eyes gleaming crimson] "Good… and where is the vital core?"
Piko: [grinning] "Hehe, right here, my lord."
Hikari: [leaning forward] "Ohh… so she's the one."
Hiko & Piko: "Yes, my lord."
Hiko: "Do you require us to do anything more?"
Hikari: [raising a hand dismissively] "No. I will handle the rest myself. Go. Rest."
Hiko & Piko: "As you wish, my lord." [They bow deeply and vanish into the shadows.]
---
A lone figure stepped closer.
Someone: "Hikari, is everything prepared?"
Hikari: [smirking] "Yes… now the real game begins."
Mineko stirred faintly on the cold floor, bound by glowing crimson chains.
Mineko: [weakly] "U-ugh… wh-where… am I?"
Hikari: [walking closer, voice dripping with malice] "Finally awake, little worm."
Mineko: [startled, her voice trembling] "W-who are you? Where am I!?"
Hikari: [spreading his arms] "You stand in my palace. In other words… you've been kidnapped."
Mineko: [tears welling in her eyes] "K-kidnapped…? But why? Why are you doing this?"
Hikari: [kneeling so his face hovers inches from hers] "Because… you are the core."
Mineko: [confused, choking on her words] "C-core…? What… does that even mean?"
Hikari: [dark chuckle] "You'll find out soon enough. But don't worry… you won't be lonely. That boy you care about will be here too."
Mineko's eyes widened.
Mineko: "…F-Flux…?"
Hikari: "Exactly. Just wait."
---
Meanwhile—Flux lay unconscious at his home, his breathing shallow. Mike sat nearby, guilt plastered on his face, while Flux's mother silently wept.
Suddenly, the skies split open. A figure descended, landing before the house with godlike presence.
Someone: [calmly] "This is the place, right?"
Hikari's voice echoed inside the figure's mind: "Yes. Do it."
Someone: [nodding] "Very well… God's Sector: Divine Hypnosis."
A blinding light swept over the house. Flux, Mike, and his mother collapsed instantly, rendered unconscious without resistance.
Someone: [coldly] "It's done. Take them."
---
Hours later…
Flux awoke in pitch darkness. A faint whisper echoed in his ears.
Voice: "Wake up… wake up… wake up, you bastard…"
His eyes snapped open. He found himself shackled in the same palace, his mother, Mike, and Mineko bound nearby—helpless.
Flux tried to scream, but a cold hand clamped over his mouth.
Hikari: [leaning close, whispering] "Shut up. I hate noisy insects."
Flux's thoughts raced. Why… why is this happening? I didn't want anyone to get hurt… but what can I do?
Flux: [trembling] "C-can I… t-talk?"
Hikari: [smirking] "Go ahead. But if you scream… I'll rip your throat out."
Flux: [swallowing hard] "Y-you're my enemy, right? Then… d-don't hurt them. If it's torture you want, take it all out on me. Just me. Please…"
For the first time, Hikari paused—then laughed quietly.
Hikari: "Heh. Noble. Pathetic. Fine… I won't touch your friend or your mother. But your girlfriend?" [He tilted Mineko's chin up with a cruel grin.] "She's the only thing that can truly torture you."
Flux's heart stopped.
Flux: [panicked] "W-what… what do you mean!?"
Hikari: [whispering in his ear] "You'll find out soon."
---
Author's Note:
Brace yourselves, readers. What comes next will not be easy. Some of you may find it… traumatizing.