49 Chapter 49
"Hello? Hellooo, Ko? Why is it so fucking dark!"
Yoru floated in a sea of darkness, an endless void stretching out in all directions. Her mind felt hazy, and her thoughts were fragmented, struggling to piece together the events that had led her to this place.
"Where am I?" she wondered aloud, her voice echoing in the emptiness. "What happened?"
She tried to move, but her body felt heavy and unresponsive. The ground beneath her was wet and cold, seeping through her clothes and sending a shiver up her spine. She forced herself to sit up, her fingers digging into the damp, unyielding surface.
"Is this some kind of dream?" she mused, her voice barely a whisper. "Or am I... dead?"
The thought sent a surge of fear through her, and she struggled to her feet, determination fueling her actions despite the heaviness that clung to her limbs. She began to walk, each step echoing in the void, the sound a lonely reminder of her isolation.
"Rin... Ko... where are you guys?" she called out, her voice trembling with both fear and hope. "Aruno, are you here?"
There was no response, only the oppressive silence of the void. She clenched her fists, frustration and helplessness welling up inside her. "What the fuck is going on?!" she shouted, her voice raw with emotion.
As she continued to walk, her mind raced with questions. Had they been attacked? Was this some kind of trap? And if so, by whom? She tried to remember the last thing she had seen before losing consciousness, but the memory was elusive, slipping through her grasp like smoke.
Her steps faltered, and she crouched down, touching the wet ground with a sense of resignation. "I can't stay here," she muttered to herself. "I have to find a way out."
Suddenly, a flicker of light appeared in the distance, a tiny, wavering beacon in the vast darkness. Yoru's heart leapt with hope, and she began to move toward it, her pace quickening despite the weight that seemed to pull at her every step.
As she drew closer, the light grew brighter, revealing a narrow path that stretched out before her. She hesitated for a moment, fear and uncertainty warring within her, but the drive to escape the void propelled her forward.
"Serenia, Rin, Aruno, Ko... please be okay," she whispered, her voice filled with a desperate hope. "I need to find you. We need to get out of this."
With renewed determination, Yoru followed the path of light, the darkness around her seeming to pulse and shift with every step she took. The way forward was uncertain, but she knew she couldn't give up. Not when her friends were counting on her.
As she pressed on, the light ahead seemed to pulse, a rhythmic heartbeat that echoed in the void. It was as if the path was alive, guiding her toward something unknown. And though fear still gripped her heart, she clung to the hope that she would find her way back to her friends and uncover the truth behind the darkness that had ensnared her.
After what felt like an eternity, she reached a point where the light coalesced into a doorway. Taking a deep breath, she stepped through it, finding herself in another part of the void, eerily similar to the one she had just left. But this time, she wasn't alone.
"Aruno?" she called out, her voice trembling with a mix of relief and fear.
From the shadows, Aruno emerged, looking as confused and disoriented as she felt. "Yoru? Is that really you?"
She nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "Yes, it's me. I thought I was alone in this place."
Aruno moved closer, his presence a comforting anchor in the swirling darkness. "I thought the same thing. I don't know what's happening, but at least I'm not alone now."
They stood there for a moment, drawing strength from each other's presence. In this strange, dark void, the sight of a familiar face was a beacon of hope.
"Do you have any idea where we are?" Yoru asked, her voice soft.
"No clue. But we need to figure out how to get out of here. We can't let the others worry about us for too long."
Yoru nodded, determination flickering in her eyes. "You're right. Let's find a way out, together."
As Yoru and Aruno walked through the endless pit of darkness, their footsteps splashed in the shallow puddles that dotted the ground. The air was thick with a damp, cold mist that clung to their skin. The oppressive silence of the void was broken only by the sound of their steps and occasional sighs of frustration.
Aruno glanced over at Yoru, trying to lift the heavy mood. "So, Yoru, you and Ko, huh?" He grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief despite their dire situation. "I bet he's going to be frantic when he realizes you're not there to keep him in line."
Yoru rolled her eyes, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Yeah, well, Ko can take care of himself. Besides, it's not like he's helpless without me."
Aruno chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, come on. We all know he's a mess without you. Remember that time he tried to cook for everyone? It did end well if you recall."
Yoru laughed despite herself, the memory bringing a bit of warmth to the cold void. "That was a disaster. I still don't know how he managed to set pasta on fire."
Aruno's grin widened. "And let's not forget the way he always looks at you. It's like a puppy dog waiting for approval. You've got him wrapped around your finger, you know."
Yoru's cheeks flushed slightly, but she shook her head. "He's just… Ko. We've been through a lot together. It's more complicated than just being wrapped around my finger."
Aruno nudged her playfully. "Yeah, yeah. Keep telling yourself that. But seriously, you two make a great team. You balance each other out."
Yoru sighed, her smile fading slightly. "I hope he's okay. This place… it's so isolating. I hate not knowing what's happening to everyone."
"We'll get out of here, Yoru. And when we do, we'll find Ko and the others. They're tough; they can handle themselves."
Yoru nodded, determination flickering in her eyes. "You're right. We just have to keep moving."
They continued their trek through the dark void, each step splashing through another puddle. The endless darkness seemed to stretch on forever, but having Aruno by her side made the journey a little more bearable.
Aruno glanced at Yoru, a smirk playing on his lips. "You know, when we get out of here, Ko's probably going to be all over you, making sure you're okay. Might as well get ready for the hero's welcome."
Yoru chuckled softly. "I wouldn't mind that. As long as we all get out of here in one piece."
Back in the world of light and reality, Serenia and Ko hurried through the streets, their minds racing with worry and determination. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows as they made their way to Mr. Takamura's office. The encounter in the dungeon and Rin's sudden disappearance weighed heavily on them, and they knew they needed answers.
They burst into Mr. Takamura's office without knocking. He looked up from his desk, a composed and neutral expression on his face, as if he had been expecting them.
"Mr. Takamura," Serenia began, her voice edged with urgency, "Rin has been taken. We need to know what's going on."
Ko stepped forward, his eyes narrowed. "Something pulled her through a portal right after we cleared the dungeon. It was the Arcanum devices. They were hacked or something. We need your help to find her."
Mr. Takamura leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled under his chin. "This is very troubling news," he said slowly. "I assure you, I had no knowledge of such an occurrence. The Arcanum devices are supposed to be secure."
Serenia's eyes flashed with frustration. "But something went wrong. We can't afford to lose anyone else. You must know something."
Mr. Takamura shook his head, maintaining his calm demeanor. "I wish I could be of more help, but this is the first I'm hearing of this. The dungeon summonings and the devices are managed by a different sector. However, I will initiate an investigation immediately. Rin's safety is a priority."
Ko clenched his fists, anger simmering just beneath the surface. "We don't have time for an investigation. We need action, now."
Mr. Takamura nodded, his expression sympathetic. "I understand your urgency, Ko. I will do everything in my power to expedite the process. In the meantime, you should both stay vigilant. Whoever is behind this could strike again."
Serenia studied Mr. Takamura's face, searching for any sign of deceit. He seemed sincere, but something about his unwavering calm unsettled her. "We're counting on you, Mr. Takamura. Please, don't let us down."
He stood, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I promise you, we will get to the bottom of this. Rin will be found."
As Serenia and Ko left the office, Ko's frustration boiled over. "He knows something, I'm sure of it. He was too calm. Too prepared."