Long ass chapter cuz I didn't upload for 2 damn weeks.
Midterms was a mess, I probably bunked my exams and barely passed my projects, College is a pain in the ass, Accounting even more so, *sigh* Enjoy the chapter, I probably missed or rushed something here, I apologize in advance.
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Adrian stirred, a hollow echo resonated within him, the vestiges of the dream still lingering in silence. His mouth felt like a desert, parched and barren, incapable of forming words. In his memory, a barren field stretched into an infinite void, a landscape of utter isolation where countless swords stood abandoned in the crimson earth, monuments to a forgotten purpose.
He'd been falling, endlessly plummeting through a pale void, drawn by the insistent pulse of the Imaginary Tree. Its roots, a vast and unknowable network, laced through the darkness, connecting everything and nothing. A single sword, driven with desperate force, had pierced the Tree's ancient bark. From the wound, a fragile sprout, impossibly white and pure, unfurled towards a light he couldn't see, a fragile spark in the face of overwhelming darkness.
His eyelids snapped open.
The familiar assault of the room rushed back—decay, rust, and the faint tang of smoke drifting from some distant fire. He wasn't there anymore. Just the ruined world, again.
For a long moment, he simply lay there, pressed against the cold wall. His eyes traced the damp-stained ceiling, the peeling paint like shed skin. He let his heartbeat slow, a metronome against the chaos in his head.
'Why does it feel so familiar though…' The thought drifted through him, a half-formed question with no answer, leaving him adrift in a sea of uncertainty.
It didn't matter. Not now. He forced the images down, burying them deep where they couldn't claw their way out.
Survival came first.
His gaze swept the room, settling on the figure silhouetted against the faint light filtering through the cracks in the boarded-up window. Ken stood still as a statue, tensed, glaring out at something far away. The faintest glimmer of his reflection barely visible on the glass.
Adrian blinked, the last vestiges of sleep clinging to his mind. As his thoughts cleared, a flicker of concern crossed his features. He watched Ken, his gaze sharpening as he analyzed the boy's rigid posture. What was he seeing? Or was he just lost in his own head? A wave of weariness washed over Adrian. He was too tired for this.
His voice came quiet, flat. "…What are you doing?"
Ken didn't acknowledge him. His reply drifted back, a disembodied voice, as if he were speaking to someone—or maybe himself.
"…What would a hero do…"
The word hung in the air, heavy and laced with unspoken meaning.
Hero…
Adrian's brow twitched almost imperceptibly. The word dug at him, a raw scrape against his nerves. Something cold settled in his gut, a knot of unease he couldn't ignore.
What would a hero do.
It sounded innocent enough, but something about it felt… wrong. Not in the way a direct threat did, but like a hairline crack in a dam. Small. Harmless. Until the pressure built, and it wasn't.
He thought of the stories, the games, the movies from his old life. Heroes... the bunch who charged headfirst, fueled by belief, convinced they could defy fate. But their victories were built on sacrifice, their triumphs paved with broken lives, unaware of the devastation they would leave in their wake.
People who thought being right was more important than being human. People who… never stopped to wonder if they were still saving anyone at all.
His grip tightened unconsciously around the worn leather of his bat handle.
Ken finally blinked, tearing his gaze from the window. He noticed Adrian was awake. The light caught the faint smudge of dirt across his cheek, the weariness etched into the lines around his eyes. He forced a smile, but it didn't quite reach them.
"You're up," Ken said, his voice a little rough around the edges. He paused, a flicker of concern in his eyes as he took in Adrian's exhausted state. "Looks like we both didn't sleep well," Ken continued. He glanced down at his wrist, checking his watch. "It's almost morning, though."
Adrian exhaled slowly, letting the tension bleed out of his shoulders. "…Yeah."
Ken stepped away from the window and grabbed his scuffed satchel, opening it to look for his rations. "You got any breakfast on you?"
Adrian gave a small nod, pushing himself upright. The stiffness in his legs screamed in protest, a reminder of how little real rest he'd actually gotten. His eyes swept the cluttered floor, snagging on a worn spare bag slumped in the corner. "Just some energy bars."
Ken's face brightened slightly. "I managed to preserve some bread. Want some? We can split it." He held out a piece of bread, carefully preserved in a plastic bag.
"Thanks, I'm starving," Adrian replied, taking the bread.
"Mind if I take this?" Adrian asked, already crouching to pick up the worn spare bag. The canvas was rough beneath his fingers, the straps frayed.
"Go ahead," Ken replied with a shrug, the movement a little too casual. "Less I have to carry."
They ate in silence, the only sound the rustling of wrappers and the soft tearing of bread. The food was simple, but it was enough to take the edge off their hunger.
After a few minutes, Ken swallowed the last of his bread and brushed the crumbs from his lap. "So..." he said, looking at Adrian expectantly. "What do you plan on doing now?"
Adrian sighed, leaning back against the wall. "I'm thinking about finding a more secure place to stay. This building isn't exactly a long term solution."
Ken paused, shifting the strap of his satchel across his shoulder."…Then maybe," he said slowly, "we could go together."
Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Together?"
"Yeah." Ken glanced toward the boarded-up window, the faint morning light spilling through the cracks. "Wandering around alone out there isn't exactly safe. At least if one of us gets in trouble, the other can help. And…" He hesitated, his voice softening just a fraction, "it'd be nice not to do this alone."
Adrian didn't answer right away. His gaze drifted to the cracked floor tiles, the faint scratches and scuffs etched into them like scars. The thought of relying on someone gnawed at him. In this kind of world, attachments could be dangerous. Still… Ken had a point.
'Two sets of eyes. Two sets of hands,' Adrian thought. 'A helper could be useful in this situation, I don't even know the area too well and I lack a lot of information…' He weighed his options. Going alone would mean complete control, but it also meant facing the unknown with very limited resources. Ken, despite his naivete, seemed resourceful and genuinely wanted to help. And there was something to be said for not facing this nightmare alone.
He pushed the thought aside and asked, "Where exactly would you even wanna go?"
Ken's expression brightened slightly, as if he'd been waiting for the question. "I was thinking of heading deeper into the city. There might still be people out there. If they're scared and hiding, they won't last long on their own."
Adrian studied him. Ken said it like it was obvious, like the only natural thing was to try and save everyone, and that everyone would be helpless and needing to be saved. That same word from earlier echoed in his head again like a dull blade—hero.
"…And after that?" Adrian asked.
Ken shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe figure out where to settle. One step at a time."
Adrian stared blankly at him. 'Is this guy for real?' he wondered, a flicker of annoyance sparking within him. 'Does he even have a plan, or is he just drifting along, hoping for the best? If he's being outright stupid, I might just leave him. Or maybe I can help him for now, I don't really know anything right now…' His bluntness slipped out. "Do you even have an idea where to head next?"
Ken's hopeful expression dimmed slightly at Adrian's bluntness. He seemed to deflate a little, his shoulders slumping. He looked around the room, as if searching for inspiration. "Well… not really. I just thought we'd look around and see what we find."
Adrian frowned. "That's not exactly reassuring. Are there any landmarks we should be looking for? Any places that might be safer than others? Or any areas we should definitely avoid?"
Ken hesitated, tapping his fingers against his satchel. "Well, the City Hall is pretty big. It's got a lot of open space around it, so it might be easier to defend. But it's probably crawling with…" He trailed off, the unspoken word hanging in the air. "And the docks are probably a bad idea. Lots of tight spaces, easy to get cornered."
Adrian nodded slowly, absorbing the information. "Anything else? Any places where people might have gathered? or maybe where supplies are abundant? Public shelters, anything?"
"Not sure about the public shelters, I don't actually know where they are," Ken shrugged again. "How about the shopping district? It's got a lot of stores, so there might be supplies left, and maybe people took refuge there." He paused, a hopeful glint in his eyes.
"We could... wait," Adrian tilted his head thoughtfully. "Didn't you mention a school where a lot of you where holding up there trying to fortify it? …Chiba Academy, right?"
Ken blinked, then nodded slowly. "Yeah. It's part of Academy City. Why?"
"Wouldn't that place be… secure?" Adrian asked. "A school district that big, with its own walls… it could be a possible shelter. Plus you said your classmates were trying to fortify it, and if they were really organized that place could've been secured by now. Wouldn't that place be ideal? You also know people there."
Ken's expression darkened slightly. "I don't know, Adrian. It's… complicated. I told you before that I had a bit of a disagreement with some of the people there before all this happened. I'm not exactly eager to run into them again." He hesitated, then added hurriedly, "Besides, it's probably overrun by now, anyway."
Adrian sighed silently, 'that's grim coming from him, considering it was his friends. Though going to the school would probably be me walking into the tigers den, potentially straight into the heart of the collapse. But, it could be where I ascertain if this life is even livable moving forward, at least I would've tried to live.'
Adrian paused, choosing not to mention Chiba Academy anymore. "If so, then is there an ME Corp building in this city?" 'Since I am in the Honkai universe then an ME corp might exists here as well, and if its ME corp, then it would have connections to anti entropy or at least some weapons designing project there'
Ken blinked. "ME Corp?" He frowned, thinking. "Yeah, actually. There's a branch here in Nagazora—a really big research facility. Rumor is they had their own security, heavy stuff. Automated defenses, maybe even energy weapons. There's another smaller research institute stablished in Academy City, but the big one's here, just on the opposite end of the city."
Adrian was silent for a long moment, considering his options. He knew that Ken wanted to find other survivors, and Adrian kind off understood the impulse. But he also knew that they needed to be strategic, to avoid unnecessary risks. Ken shifted his weight nervously, fidgeting with the strap of his satchel, unsure of what Adrian was thinking.
"Alright," Adrian said finally, his voice firm. "How about this, we'll head out together towards the outskirts of the city. We'll keep an eye out for other survivors, but we won't search every little nook and cranny just to search for people. If we can make it to the ME Corp building, that could be a good long-term goal. It's likely to be well-stocked and relatively secure. A powerful and prominent company like that is sure to have its own security measures in place, maybe even a fallback shelter. It's a better bet than wandering aimlessly or holing up in some random building. Deal?"
Ken hesitated for a moment, his expression thoughtful. Finally, he nodded slowly. "Deal," he said, his voice barely audible.
Adrian nodded in agreement, his gaze fixed on Ken's face. "Okay. But first, we need to get there safely. What have you got on you for defense?"
Ken patted his satchel, a nervous gesture that betrayed his unease. "Uh, not much, really. Just some rope and a few energy bars. I've mostly been trying to avoid… well, everything."
Adrian gestured to the worn spare bag he'd claimed earlier. "Got a metal bat, some bandages, and a few other things I scavenged from the building." He hefted the bag slightly, testing its weight. "Not much, but it's better than nothing."
Ken nodded, his eyes darting towards the door. "Alright, should we go?"
Adrian took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead. "Let's go."
They gathered their meager belongings and approached the door, Adrian leading the way with the metal bat held ready. He paused, listening for any sounds from the hallway. Silence. He exchanged a look with Ken, a silent acknowledgment of the danger that awaited them.
Adrian carefully opened the door and peered out into the hallway. It was deserted, the silence broken only by the faint creaking of the building. He stepped out, followed closely by Ken, and they made their way towards the stairwell.
The stairwell was dark and dusty, the air thick with stale smoke and decay. They descended slowly and cautiously, Adrian checking each landing before proceeding.
The silence was unnerving, amplifying every creak and groan of the old building.
Finally, they reached the ground floor. The lobby was a shambles, the furniture overturned, the windows shattered, still the same when Adrian passed by. They moved quickly and silently towards the entrance, Adrian scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger.
He reached the door and paused, taking a deep breath. He pushed it open and stepped out of the relative safety of the building and into the quiet morning.
Unlike the previous day, the air was clear, but the sky was still tinged with an unnatural purple hue, looming overhead as if waiting for something to break. The streets were still deserted, still littered with debris, but the absence of the oppressive smog made the city feel less claustrophobic, less immediately threatening. Cars lay abandoned, their windows smashed, their doors hanging open like gaping mouths, silent witnesses to the horrors that had unfolded. The air carried a faint, lingering scent of decay, but it was less overpowering than Adrian had expected.
'That's ominous, just like the calm before the storm' Adrian thought, a shiver running down his spine. 'Especially now that I have an idea of what's going on.'
Adrian's senses were on high alert, his eyes scanning every shadow, every alleyway, every potential hiding place. The city felt different now, viewed not as a familiar landscape but as a hostile hunting ground. The silence was unsettling, broken only by the occasional creak of a swaying sign or the distant caw of a crow.
They moved quickly and silently away from the building, putting as much distance as possible between themselves and their former shelter. After a few blocks, Adrian stopped, gesturing for Ken to do the same. "Which way to the ME Corp building?"
Ken hesitated, looking around uncertainly. "Uh, I think it's that way," he said, pointing down a street to their left. "But I'm not sure. I've never actually been there."
Adrian frowned. "Great. Just great." He sighed, then continued, "Let's try to find any stores first," Adrian said, his voice low, barely above a whisper. "We'll need supplies if we want any hope of making it."
They moved cautiously through the streets, sticking close to the buildings, using the shadows as cover. After a few blocks, they spotted a small pharmacy. From the outside, it looked like a scene from a nightmare. The windows were boarded up haphazardly, some planks missing, revealing glimpses of a dark and chaotic interior. A faded sign hung crookedly above the entrance, creaking ominously in the breeze. The air around the building was thick with the stench of disinfectant and decay, a nauseating combination that made Ken's stomach churn. A trail of dried blood stained the sidewalk leading to the door, a stark reminder of the dangers that lurked within. The whole place seemed to breathe with a life of its own, the kind of place you find in a horror movie and knew — something was waiting inside.
Ken hesitated, his face pale, his hands trembling. "Are you sure about this, Adrian?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper. "Look at this place… it's looks like a death trap."
"We need supplies, Ken," Adrian replied, his voice firm. "As much as I want to hide as well, we aren't going to last long without them, and hiding isn't always the solution."
Ken swallowed hard, his gaze fixed on the bloodstained sidewalk. He knew Adrian was right, but the thought of going inside that place filled him with dread. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. "Alright," he said finally, his voice trembling slightly. "Let's do it."
Adrian pushed the door open, and they slipped inside. The pharmacy was a mess, its shelves ransacked, its contents scattered across the floor. But after a thorough search, they managed to find a few useful items: bandages, antiseptic wipes, painkillers, and a couple of bottles of water.
As they left the pharmacy, Adrian couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. He glanced around, but saw nothing. Still, he couldn't shake the unease.
"Let's keep moving," Adrian said, his voice low. "Something doesn't feel right."
They slipped back into the street, sticking close to the buildings, using the shadows as cover. Adrian's words still hung heavy in the air — Something doesn't feel right. . The quiet pressed in again, that unnatural silence where even the wind seemed to hesitate. Adrian adjusted the grip on his bat, his eyes sweeping every window, every doorway, expecting movement that never came.
Ken tugged the strap of his pack higher and glanced at the street ahead. "Convenience stores are probably cleaned out by now. Everyone goes there first. But… smaller places like these?" He nodded toward a faded stationery shop, a boutique with its front glass cracked, and a small bakery cafe that seemingly looked untouched. "if were lucky maybe people skipped them. Could be worth a look."
Adrian studied the buildings, his expression flat. "You sound like you've done this before."
Ken gave a short laugh, more nervous than confident. "Kind off, I stayed at a family store a few days ago, it was barely looted and the owners were nowhere to be found..." He paused, the implications clear, "It just… makes sense, right? Everyone grabs the obvious stuff first. So maybe the less obvious places still have a few things left."
Adrian's gaze lingered on the stationery shop. The cracked window and faded displays hinted at a place untouched by the initial chaos, a forgotten corner in a world gone mad.
"Stationery shop it is, then," Adrian said, his voice devoid of emotion. "Paper, scissors, tape… could all be useful. Lead the way." He gestured with his head towards the shop, his eyes scanning the street for any signs of movement. He wasn't expecting much, but in this new world, even the most mundane items could be useful. And besides, they needed to start somewhere.
They approached the shop cautiously, Adrian leading the way with his bat raised. The front window was dusty and cracked, but they could still make out the faded displays inside: colorful pens, stacks of notebooks, and rolls of wrapping paper. The door was unlocked, and they slipped inside.
The shop was dim and musty, the air thick with the smell of old paper and ink. The shelves were mostly empty, but there were still a few items scattered around: a box of sticky notes, rolls of duct tape, a handful of pens, and some scissors.
As Adrian was gathering the supplies, he heard a shuffling sound from the back of the shop. He froze, his senses on high alert. He gripped the metal bat tighter and slowly made his way towards the sound. As he rounded a corner, he saw it: a figure hunched over a desk, its back to him. It was wearing a faded blue uniform, the kind worn by shopkeepers.
The figure shuffled again, then slowly turned around. Its face was pale and gaunt, its eyes vacant and lifeless. It lunged at Adrian, its arms outstretched, a guttural moan escaping its lips.
Adrian reacted instantly, his movements swift and decisive. He swung the metal bat, aiming for the head. The bat connected with a sickening crack, and the zombie crumpled to the floor, its body twitching.
But before Adrian could catch his breath, another figure emerged from the shadows, its eyes fixed on him with a hunger that transcended death. It was a young woman, her face contorted in a grotesque parody of a smile. She moved with surprising speed, her arms flailing wildly.
Adrian sidestepped the first attack, narrowly avoiding her grasping hands. He swung the bat again, but she dodged the blow, her movements erratic and unpredictable. He realized that he was facing something different, something faster and more dangerous than the first zombie.
He fought with a desperate intensity, his movements fueled by adrenaline and a primal instinct to survive. He dodged, weaved, and swung the bat with all his might, but the woman was relentless, her attacks growing more frenzied with each passing moment.
Ken, who had been standing near the entrance, watching the scene unfold with a mixture of fear and fascination, finally snapped out of his stupor. He grabbed a nearby metal trash can and charged towards the woman, swinging the can with all his might.
The can connected with the woman's head, sending her sprawling to the ground. Adrian seized the opportunity, swinging the bat one last time. The bat connected with her skull, and she went limp.
Adrian stood there, panting, his body trembling, his heart pounding in his chest. He had survived another encounter, but he knew that this was just the beginning.
Ken dropped the trash can and rushed over to Adrian, his face pale with concern. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice trembling.
Adrian nodded, taking a deep breath. "Yeah," he said, his voice raspy. "I'm fine. Let's just get out of here."
They quickly gathered the remaining supplies and hurried out of the stationery shop, back into the quiet morning. They moved on, their pace quickening, their eyes peeled for any signs of danger.
As they walked, Ken glanced at the boutique they had passed earlier. The front glass was cracked, and the displays were a jumbled mess of mannequins and colorful fabrics. "Hey, Adrian," he said, "maybe we should check out that boutique? Might find some useful stuff there, too. Clothes, maybe some bags or something."
Adrian hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Alright," he said.
They approached the boutique cautiously, Adrian leading the way with his bat raised. The cracked front window offered a glimpse of a chaotic interior: overturned mannequins, scattered clothing, and a thick layer of dust. The door was unlocked, and they slipped inside.
The boutique was silent and still, the air heavy with the scent of perfume and decay. The shelves were mostly empty, but there were still some items scattered around: a few dresses, a couple of handbags, and a box of custom jewelry.
"Think we can find anything useful here?" Ken asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Adrian scanned the surroundings, his eyes narrowed. "Maybe," he said. "But stay alert. There could be more zombies here."
They began to search the boutique, carefully examining the remaining items. Ken found a sturdy backpack and a warm scarf. Adrian, while searching through the back, spotted a large, plastic-wrapped package tucked away in the back corner. He tore it open and found a pristine white and black school uniform with orange highlights, like the one Ken was wearing. It looked brand new, as if it had been waiting to be shipped out. He also found a few other sets of clothes that could fit him, but he decided to just take the school uniform. It just felt fitting, a feeling he couldn't understand.
They gathered their new supplies and hurried out of the boutique, back into the quiet morning. Making their way down the street, towards the cafe they saw earlier. The windows were intact, and the sign above the door read "Sweet Delights."
"Hey, look," Ken said, pointing to the bakery. "Maybe we can find some food there. And it looks like it might be a good place to rest for a while."
Adrian nodded, his stomach rumbling at the thought of fresh bread. "Let's check it out," he said. "But be careful. It's probably been picked clean."
They approached the bakery cautiously, Adrian leading the way with his bat raised. The front door was unlocked, and they slipped inside.
The Bakery was silent and still, the air heavy with the stale, cloying scent of old bread and sugary pastries. The display cases were filled with cakes, cookies, and pies that had long since gone stale and hard. A few flies buzzed lazily around the decaying treats. The tables were set with plates and silverware, covered in a layer of dust, as if the customers had just gotten up and left in a hurry.
"This isn't right," Ken said, his voice trembling slightly. "It's like everyone just disappeared. What do you think happened here?"
Adrian scanned the room, his gaze sweeping over the untouched displays and the eerily still tables. He reached out and ran a finger across the surface of a table, leaving a clean streak in the thick layer of dust. "It's as if everyone here turned to dust..." he muttered, then cut himself off. He didn't want to think about the possibilities, especially not the ones that were all too real in this world.
His eyes narrowed as he surveyed the scene. "There should've been signs of a struggle," he said, his voice low and thoughtful. "Maybe blood, overturned furniture, something… But there's nothing. It's too clean, too orderly. Like they just… left."
Ken shivered, his eyes darting around the bakery. "It's creepy," he whispered. "What do you think happened here?"
As they moved further into the bakery, Adrian spotted a poster on the wall. It was an elaborate art nouveau piece, dominated by blues, purples, and golds. The image depicted a young woman with long, flowing, lilac-silver hair and striking green eyes, adorned with delicate, glowing accessories that looked almost like halos. Her expression was serene and melancholic. Beneath the image, the words "Death of a Mocking Bird" were printed in elegant, stylized letters.
Adrian stared at the poster, a flicker of recognition crossing his face. "Hey, isn't that…?"
"Robin!" Ken exclaimed, his eyes lighting up, though his voice was still tinged with unease. "Yeah, she's amazing! She's like, the biggest rising star in the world with her music, part of a noble family but still tries to helps those in need, helping those who lost their homes, and more, and she still performs! She's like those Kaslana Family, a modern hero, you know? I really admire her. I wonder if I'll ever get to hear her sing live." He paused, a wistful expression on his face. "She was supposed to perform here at Nagazora by the end of March, but…" He trailed off, the unspoken words hanging in the air.
Adrian asked, "do you think she's okay?"
Ken blinked, then replied thoughtfully. "It's March 7th," he said. "The eruption happened on February 28th, so it's all just happened recently, maybe she hasn't even left Europe yet, if this disaster was only here then she would probably be fine."
Adrian nodded slowly, his mind racing. "This place… it's only been a week since everything went to hell. Everything's here, but everyone's gone."
Ken shivered, pulling his jacket tighter around himself. "Yeah," he said. "It's crazy. Everything was normal just a week ago, and now…" He shook his head, changing his words. "But hey, maybe... maybe things will get better soon."
Adrian sighed, pushing aside his thoughts. "Let's focus on finding some supplies," he said. "We can't afford to get distracted." He gestured towards a door leading to the kitchen. "Check the back," Adrian said to Ken. "See if there's anything useful we can salvage."
Ken hesitated for a moment, his eyes fixed on the poster of Robin. The image of the beautiful singer seemed strangely out of place in the desolate bakery. He shivered again, then forced himself to move towards the kitchen. "Alright," he said, his voice barely audible. "I'll check it out."
Adrian watched him go, his eyes drifting back to the sheet of glossy paper on the wall. Robin.
His stomach tightened. That name didn't belong here. Not in Nagazora. Not in this universe.
But there it was—bright colors, staged lighting, her image frozen mid-performance. A poster that shouldn't exist, staring back at him.
What the hell is she doing here? He was supposed to be in the Honkai universe, in GGZ or HI3. But Robin… Robin was from Star Rail.
A wave of dizziness washed over him as the implications hit him. Star Rail also had "Honkai" in its name. It wasn't a "what if" scenario. All the games of Mihoyo were connected, part of the same vast Imaginary Tree, just not necessarily happening on the same world or at the same time.
At least he knows that he is in the imaginary tree, Ken had just said the Kaslana Family, so that hopefully means Kiana, and Siegfried. Though, that would probably also mean the Schariac Family with Anna, and Cecilia. But... that also means the Apocalypse Family, AKA Otto Apocalypse, and given that Kyuushou is here, then maybe its GGZ Otto. That thought sent a shiver down his spine. 'I just hope it isn't, just let it be the HI3 Otto, at least that guy there is manageable with Kallen.'
Then the good news, if you could even call it that, was that maybe the immediate world-leveling threats he knew about hopefully wouldn't be a problem here. Maybe he wouldn't have to worry about suddenly running into a God Kiana or the Herrscher of the End's sudden descent. He hoped that was the case.
The bad news, or maybe the worse news, was that he had no idea what he was facing. Maybe it was Aeons, maybe it was threats from other worlds, maybe it was planet-class beasts he couldn't even imagine. He was out of his depth, adrift in a sea of unknowns.
Before he could delve any deeper into his thoughts, Ken called out from the kitchen, his voice filled with excitement. "Adrian, check this out! I think I found something!"
Adrian quickly made his way to the kitchen, his bat raised and ready. The air was thick with the smell of stale pastries and something else he couldn't tell. He found Ken standing in front of a large walk-in freezer, its door slightly ajar.
"I think there's still some food in here," Ken said, his eyes wide with a mixture of hope and apprehension. "It might be frozen, but it's better than nothing."
Adrian cautiously approached the freezer and peered inside. The air was frigid, and the interior was shrouded in darkness. But as his eyes adjusted, he could make out rows of shelves filled with frozen pastries, ice cream, some ingredients, and a few prepared meals.
"Well, I'll be damned," Adrian said, a hint of surprise in his voice. "Looks like we hit the jackpot."
They spent the next few minutes rummaging through the freezer, gathering as much food as they could carry. They found frozen pastries, ice cream, some ingredients, and a few prepared meals.
They gathered their supplies and made their way back to the front of the bakery. They found a table near the window and began to unpack their loot.
"This is… helpful," Ken said, his voice filled with a mixture of relief and unease. "I can't believe we found all this food. It's a start, at least."
Adrian nodded, but his expression remained guarded. He knew that their luck wouldn't last forever. They needed to find a more permanent solution, a safer place to call home.