Why was I on top of a building?
I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Why was I suddenly on top of a building.
"Huh? W-What the hell's going on here?" I said, looking around for any sign or trace of the store, but...
There wasn't any.
My gaze fixated on my hand. The glowing stone was gone. My heart skipped a beat as I felt the air suddenly get heavy. No, whatever this was...it wasn't normal.
However, before I could even get the time to fully be aware of my surroundings, a faint gushing sound whipped across my ear.
It was small, hallow, almost 'not there' and when I turned sharply, I barely had anytime to think before I felt a massive gust of wind blow right past me.
My jacket flung around wildly, my hand immediately covering my face, whilst the manga got blown away before I could do anything to grab it.
"What the hell is happening!?" I screamed, though I couldn't hear it over the loud howling of the wind around me.
My balance was steady for only a moment longer before the wind rushed against my body harder. I got swept of my feet, falling face first, however my forearms broke my fall.
I tried to find the metal pole I used to get up, but by the time I'd realized it had been blown off, it was too late...
...I was already falling.
I didn't scream though, partially because I don't think I could. My mind did know one thing though.
I was going to die.
My body stiffened up, bracing for impact when, for only the slightest moments, I heard a voice speak in a hushed manner.
Whatever it said, I could figure it out yet, but when I opened my eyes I felt as though I was in a movie.
Right in front of my eyes.
I was in the grasp of a beautiful young maiden.
Her eyes were like dull magnificent silver, her hair, long and graceful, was like the purest kind of platinum.
But before I could speak, I felt this terrible cold settle in my chest.
It silenced me. My mouth agape but no words came out. I could only look at her with half terrified, half amazed brown eyes.
Then...
The beauty spoke.
"I'm fairly sure all citizens were evacuated from the city. Why are you here and where were you hiding?"
My mouth twitched a little. Throat bobbing before I swallowed the saliva and spoke, "I-I don't know...I-I was just in the store a few minutes ago—"
Her eyes darkened a little, "—Store? There isn't any store anywhere near here."
My heart was still fluttering. My chest rising and falling and yet...my mind was confused beyond belief.
Just where the hell was I and...
...why did this place feel so damn familiar?
She sighed softly before she eventually stood up: "No matter, whatever your excuse may be it means nothing if it's all a lie."
"B-But I'm not lying..." I said reaching out for her offered hand, though from my own tone, I doubt I could even believe myself.
"Doesn't matter." She said, pulling me up, "We need to get going. It's not safe to be here anymore."
"Why not?" I asked softly, still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I'm definitely not in the store anymore.
The young lady looked at me like I was somewhat insane, like I had just asked her the dumbest question imaginable.
"Are you...okay? Did you hit your head or something?"
"Uhm...n-no, I don't think so?" I replied, hand resting on my forehead.
She scoffed, "Well then I don't have any time for your games. We need to get out of here before that Junchiki releases more of it's essence around here."
My heart...stopped.
My hand moved on its own as I grabbed hers immediately, words tumbling out of control:
"W-Wait h-hold on, did you just say Junchiki? Like 'A Junchik'?"
She flung her hand out of my grip the moment I touched her hand, "Hey, hands off!"
I recoiled backwards, stuffing my hands in my pocket, "S-Sorry, I'm just...I just..."
The words died out in my mouth.
The young woman looked at me confused before she let out a breath and said, "Maybe all this panic is causing you to be confused. Come on. Let's go to the evacuation section. Maybe then we'll—"
Before her sentence could be finished, a loud, large shriek broke thought the air.
"Shit."
Her face went dark immediately before she took my hand and immediately thew me off the building.
Before I could even process what was happening, the building we were just on a literal moment ago, exploded into white mist and filled the air with burning rocks and debris.
My gut tightened as I felt her harsh grip on my abdomen, arms around me as she twisted the both of us to land into another building, crashing right through the window.
She landed back first, with me on top of her, before she swifting prompted me up on her shoulder and dashed right through multiple walls in the same instant.
I tried to open my eyes, but some debris found its way in.
I screamed in pain, and the scream made the maiden immediately shout the words, "ARE YOU ALRIGHT!? DID YOU GET HURT!?"
"I-I'm fine! I just...I got some debris in my eye!" I said, rubbing my eyes.
We kept moving and from the way my body kept bouncing up and down, I could tell we were jumping through buildings and very quickly too.
I could hear the sharp screams of what sounded like dying cries of people as loud and tremulous shakes filled the air, obviously the sound of buildings being broken apart.
"HOLD ON TIGHT!" She screamed, holding me close as she blitzed through the air, coming to a sudden halt in the next moment.
She lay me on the ground, "Are you okay? You said the debris entered your eyes? Lemme see..."
I forced my eyes open and soon as I did, she spat in my eyes.
"GYAAAHH!! GROSS WHAT THE HELL'S WRONG WITH YOU!?!"
"I'M HELPING YOU OUT, MORON!!" She shot back.
And it was true...
My eyes. I could see again.
She let a breath of relief out as she lay down next to me, "Geez! I'm glad that's over!"
My gaze shifted back to the distance, "What happened back there? What was that? Why did that building explode—"
"—Hold on." She said, sticking a finger at me.
She pressed her finger against her ear as she spoke:
"Sumi Konohara coming in. I've done a thorough relook, found a civilian, but they're secured. You're now free to begin the raid."
[Wait...]
[Sumi Konohara?]
She got up, stretched and began walking deeper into the streets.
"W-Wait a minute! Ms Sumi—"
She groaned, "Whaaaat!? Gosh, I get you might be confused, but don't try to make that annoying—"
"SHUT UP AND LISTEN TO ME!"
...
She turned around, her dull eyes blazing with irritation, "You got a lotta nerve tell me to shut up."
I didn't let her intimidate me, my patience had run thin:
"You're not listening to me, dammit! All I want to know is where the hell am I!?—"
"—In Tokyo, smartass! Now are done with the annoying questions, huh!? Can we get going?!"
"W-Wait..." I said, "What..."
"What year is it?"