"Guys, are you there?" Au shrieked. She appeared to be the one banging on the door. Glass immediately opened up for her since she does sound in distress.
"Au? What brings you here? Did something bad happen?" Glass asked.
"Ginto is missing!" Au exclaimed. "Please help me find him." She asked then started crying.
"Don't worry. We'll help you out. Where's the last place you saw him?" Glass asked.
"What's that? Who's missing?" Beast asked as he approached.
"Someone's missing? Let's go find 'em then." Surge barged in. "Oh, Au don't cry. We're here for you."
"She said Ginto is missing." Glass replied. "Reaper, what are you waiting for? Let's get going and find him!"
"Yeah, I'm coming." Reaper responded.
"Ginto's friends they went to the Whispering Meadow as a challenge for themselves but they didn't comeback with him." Au explained. "He must've been taken by the cryptids."
"Don't think that. He could've just been lost or something." Glass said. "As I've said, we'll help you so don't worry."
"Thank you." Au replied.
"Well, come on then. Time is of the essence here." Beast commented.
"Wait. If what we are dealing with are cryptids, this may be more dangerous than we imagine." Reaper said. "Au, I suggest that you stay here. We're the ones who'll find Ginto."
"No. I need to go with you. I want to help find my brother!" Au shrieked.
"I understand you want to help but Reaper's right. It's dangerous for you to be out there." Glass said.
"Trust us. We're going to find your brother, Au." Surge commented.
"Okay. I'll heed your request. I'll stay but please make sure to find him." Au responded. "I'll stay put and notify the golden warriors. We need all the help we can get to find him."
"I suggest you don't tell anyone else about Ginto's disappearance." Reaper said.
"But why?" Au asked.
"What are you thinking, Reaper?" Surge asked.
"You've gone mad, haven't you?" Beast reacted.
"Reaper, talk. You better have a good explanation behind this." Glass commanded.
"Think about it. It's best that we have the least number people finding Ginto because it gives us lesser chance to provoke any cryptids that are out there. It may not look like it but we're highly capable, Au." Reaper explained.
"I understand. I'll stay here and wait for your return." Au replied.
"Thank you. We won't let you down." Reaper said.
"Come on then. The sun is almost about to set." Glass commanded.
Reaper and the others went to the Whispering Meadow where it was said to be the place Ginto was seen. Since they don't have the whole day to find him and the sun is about to take its rest, Reaper suggested for them to split up to cover more ground and to increase their odds in finding Au's brother. Surge was tasked to check the number of boulders scattered throughout the meadow, Glass was assigned to sweep the path towards the nearby river, Beast will be the one to check the area the most wooded area of the neighboring forest and Reaper will look into the nearby cave.
"Remember that we don't have Pandora with so we can't communicate with the distances between our search points so we can meet up back here after an hour. No more, no less." Reaper firmly said. "Also, do not use your Anomalies under any circumstances. Someone might see us and get branded as a cryptid." He reminded.
"Roger that." Surge replied.
"That's a copy." Glass said.
"Fine." Beast muttered to himself.
Without any other further ado, they started their search for the missing Ginto. The guys went to their designated search locations but they weren't so lucky in finding Au's brother even after the all the efforts they did and how strongly they held back in using they're Anomalies. However, the same can't be said to Reaper's efforts. For some apparent reason, he couldn't make himself to go even deeper into the cave so he was only able to thoroughly search the surrounding area. After an hour, they all went back to the spot where they originally parted ways somewhere in the Whispering Meadow.
"Any luck with you, guys?" Glass asked. "I didn't find anything even a single strand of Ginto's hair."
"I found something!" Surge exclaimed. "I think it's a part of the gold accessories those villagers are wearing." He explained then showed the golden piece he found.
"Nice find but we can't tell for sure if this is Ginto's though." Reaper said.
"Did you find anything in your area, Reaper?" Beast asked.
"Unfortunately, I didn't find anything." Reaper responded as he recalled the fact that held himself back in exhausting all his options in his search.
The guys stayed at the Whispering Meadow to discuss what further options they can do until the sun completely sets on them. They started to consider going through the places where Ginto might've gone to once again but they can freely use their Anomalies this time to increase the odds to find him or anything that can lead to his discovery. However, they noticed Au approaching the Whispering Meadow from a distance so they weren't able to do another round of search.
"I'm sorry, guys. I know you told me to stay put but I really couldn't help myself so I sought assistance from the golden warriors." Au said. Moments later, a group of golden warriors showed up including their leader.
"Tell me this is a joke." Sir Chuma commented. It's obvious that he sounded disappointed or even angry.
"What?" Au asked while trying to hold back her tears. Reaper and the others were taken aback as well.
"Au, you told me Ginto is missing. So, who is that playing right over there? Tell me." Sir Chuma fiercely said as he pointed out at a near distance.
The moon light revealed Ginto playing almost at the edge of the Whispering Meadow. Reaper, Glass and Beast instantly looked at Surge who supposed to have turned everything in the area upside down to look for Ginto but Surge looked at them with the same level of confusion because he knows and he's sure that there were no boulder unturned just to look for him but it turned out that Ginto is just playing around the meadow.
"I'm disappointed, Au. I've summoned some of my best men for this but it turned out it's just for nothing." Sir Chuma commented. "As for the four of you, do you have anything to do with this childishness?"
"I think you got this all wrong, Sir Chuma." Reaper responded.
"What did you say?" Sir Chuma asked somewhat aggressively
"What he's trying to say is that this is not a prank or some kind of joke, sir. Right, Au?" Glass butted in.
"He's right. I won't dare lying to you, father. It's true that Ginto was missing." Au said.
"That's the truth, sir. Ginto was missing earlier. If you want you can ask his friends. His friends told Au that he was missing." Surge exclaimed.
"Don't you think this is caused by those cryptids?" Beast asked.
"This is enough!" Sir Chuma exclaimed. "We better go back to the village. It's not safe here. Au, grab you brother."
"Yes, father." Au replied and went fetch Ginto.
"Men, see to it that my kids and these boys here are escorted to my office." Sir Chuma commanded the four golden warriors he brought with him. "Also, find out who are those kids who told Au that Ginto was missing. We'll all have a chat."
In the dead of night, every one of them headed back to Sir Chuma's office at the barracks aside from the other two golden warriors who were tasked to find Ginto's friends. The atmosphere has become more intense as it can be. Au, Ginto and the guys were commanded to sit at the coach in Sir Chuma's office accordingly as they're going to be questioned as to what really happened. Sir Chuma asked the guys first.
Reaper and the others told them what happened from when Au knocked on their door until he and his team saw at the Whispering Meadow. Glass pointed out that they didn't ask for help right away since they want to help this village in every way they can. He said that it's a form of appreciation because the Elder and the rest of the village are treating them beyond well and are willing to help them create a boat to leave this island.
"I appreciate the thought but this kind of matters shouldn't be solved just in your hands. You should've sought for help so we could help you find Ginto in a timelier manner if he was really missing." Sir Chuma responded clearly implying that he's still not convinced about Ginto's disappearance story.
Au and the guys are starting to feel relieved as Sir Chuma seemed to warm up to them a little all of a sudden. He then moved along to question her daughter. Au was adamant that Ginto's friends told her that he was missing but she admitted that those friends she's referring to aren't the kids who Ginto usually plays with but they sounded sincere nonetheless. At first, she tried to look for Ginto by herself but wasn't successful so she asked help to Reaper and the others.
"Ginto, do you remember who were you playing with earlier?" Sir Chuma asked.
"I don't know." Ginto responded while playing along the stuff inside the office.
"What do you mean you don't know? Aren't one of those kids your best friend Kallen?" Sir Chuma asked.
"No. He's sick today so he's just in their house resting." Ginto replied.
"Are you sure you don't know who you were playing with earlier?"
"No. They didn't tell me their names but I had fun playing with them."
"Did they tell you to play at the meadow?"
"Yes. They told me it will be fun and they weren't lying. I enjoyed playing there, father."
Sir Chuma and Ginto's exchange went on and on. Sir Chuma is trying his best to stay calm as possible so that he won't spook his child or even make him feel like he's being interrogated. As it goes on, Sir Chuma couldn't really get the names of those kids Ginto has been with. Ginto is adamant that he doesn't know their names. All of a sudden, the two golden warrior tasked to fetch the said kids came back empty handed.
"Sir, we couldn't find those kids you asked us to with bring us." One of the golden warriors announced.
"It turned out no one in the village knew who they are." The other golden warrior added.
"Is that so?" Sir Chuma muttered to himself. "Thank you, men. You're now dismissed." He said then the two golden warriors left.
"What in the world is happening?" Glass asked Reaper discreetly in which Reaper shrugged his shoulder indicating that he doesn't have any clue.
"Hey, father!" Ginto excitedly exclaimed as he's holding some pieces of paper.
"What is it, my boy?" Sir Chuma asked.
"These are the kids I've been playing with earlier." Ginto said presenting the pieces of paper he found.
Everyone was surprised as they realized what they are. Those papers Ginto was holding were reports of missing and deceased people. Sir Chuma immediately took the papers while Au grabbed Ginto. He confirmed that the kids in these papers were already dead for decades now. Sinister aura swiftly engulfed their surroundings. He and Au concluded that this event has been caused by the cryptids but reaper and the guys concluded something else. They started to have internal discussions to themselves as to whom or what might have been able to pull off this trick. They're contemplating if this is done by an Anomaly they're familiar with or it's something else entirely.
Their very intriguing huddle has been called adjourn soon thereafter but not before Sir Chuma announced that he'll be setting a curfew for the entire village and it's people to lessen the chance of them encountering a cryptid and the facing the worst. Although this may be troublesome for the golden people, Reaper sees this as an opportunity to execute their somehow dangerous yet highly anticipated plan of breaking into the Golden Shrine.
Reaper and the others were escorted by two golden warriors back to their hut to ensure their safety. Even though they're all beaten from everything that's happened earlier that day, they couldn't really make themselves take their slumber so an idea has been raised and that is for them to take advantage of the immediate curfew Sir Chuma put the entire village in. It may be risky but Reaper backed this idea up so they quickly prepared themselves.
"Is everyone suited up?" Glass asked.
"Yes, sir! Suited up and ready go." Surge responded.
"Quiet down, Surge. Remember that we're not going into a war. We're doing a reconnaissance mission." Beast pointed out.
"Oh, right. Sorry about that. I'm just so pumped for this. It's been so long since we've been in some kind of danger and action." Surge commented.
"But what do we do about the golden warriors patrolling the village?" Glass asked.
"That's the thing. We must get to a place high enough to overlook the entire village so we can monitor the golden warriors' movements." Reaper explained.
"Do you mean somewhere inside the forest?" Beast asked.
"Yes." Reaper confirmed. "You see, I happened to figure out that the cave entrance I saw before was actually an exit and the actual entrance is the one at the Whispering Meadow. That exit is situated in an elevated point at the mountain side that's perfect in overseeing the entire village." He explained.
"That's awesome!" Surge exclaimed.
"However, the part of the mountain where that cave exit is located is also facing a dangerous cliff. One wrong move and we'll end up severely injured or even worst." Reaper pointed.
"Do you even realize who are you talking to? We're Anomalies!" Glass proudly responded. "That kind of danger shouldn't scare us."
"He's right. Let's go already!" Surge commented excitedly.
"Well, I guess. Follow my lead then. I've figured out a way to the forest without us being exposed to the patrolling golden warriors." Reaper said.
Without them using any of their Anomalies they were able to get through to the village with such ease. Reaper was able to memorize the golden warriors' patrol routes so he was able to come up with counter measures to avoid them. They're like one with the shadows as they make their way out of the village and into the forest. But then, an unusual disembodied calling is heard from the cave near the Whispering Meadow.
"Hey, guys. Did you hear that?" Surge asked.
"No." Beast replied.
"I think I heard something too." Glass commented.
"It must've came from that cave but pay no attention to it. Those cryptids are probably playing tricks on us. Since we don't know anything concrete about them yet, it's not wise to face them head on. Let's just go through the forest so we can eventually get to the cave exit at the mountain slopes." Reaper said.
But then, disembodied cries began echoing from the depths of the cave. The cries were as clear as they can be so Reaper and the others' curiosity took the best of them. Before they knew it, they already are walking into the cave. They didn't even think about if they can see in it but then Glass used his Anomaly to utilize the moon light shining into the cave. He created numerous glasses to redirect the light making them able to see inside the cave.
"Wow! Nice trick, Glass." Surge commended.
"Sometimes I just don't know if you're genuine or just plain sarcastic." Glass responded.
"That hurts you know." Surge responded cheekily. "But now matter, I forgive you."
"That's so sweet of you, man." Beast teased them.
"Hush!" Reaper suddenly announced. "I'm sensing something." He said making the others alert.
"There's an Anomaly here?" Glass asked.
"I believe so." Reaper replied.
"How many are there? Are they hostile? Are we in for some combat?" Surge asked excitedly.
"I think there's one or two of them deep into the cave and I sense no hostility from their location." Reaper pointed out.
"So what's our next move?" Beast asked.
"We'll press on. Let's find whoever they are. After all, we promised to be some kind of help to our own kind." Reaper proudly responded.
"Wow! That's so noble of you." Surge teased.
"Cut that out, Surge." Glass scolded. "Go on, Reaper. It may be a challenge but I'll make to have out path illuminated." He added.
"Thank you, Glass." Reaper replied. "Beast, you can head on front while Surge can take the rear. We can never be too careful." He instructed.
"I want to be in the front!" Surge exclaimed. "If we get into a fight, I want to be the first one to retaliate and please don't hold me back."
"Is that fine with you, Beast?" Reaper asked.
"Just do whatever you want." Beast replied as he walks to the rear.
The four of them made their way deeper into the cave where Reaper is sensing what most likely believed to be Anomalies. Surge is excitedly leading the way followed by Reaper who tells which way to go then by Glass who manages well enough in illuminating the their path and finally Beast who is in charge in guarding their back. All of a sudden, Reaper felt a brief yet impactful shift in the air resulting him to feel anxious.
"Heads up! They just got hostile and they appear to be heading toward us." Reaper announced.
"They must've noticed that we're here." Glass commented.
"I was hoping this would happen." Surge excitedly said.
"Let's just get this over with." Beast responded.
"Whatever you do, do your best to not wreck the place." Reaper reminded.
As they're descending into the cave even farther, bloodcurdling screams echoed from its depths. The screams were so loud that it made the entire cave to shake. Then, cracks were heard from the ceiling followed by the falling rocks in all shapes and sizes. Surge saw this opportunity to store some energy so he intentionally let himself be hit by some of those boulders. Beast instantaneously transformed into his falcon form. Glass created a glass barrier for him and for Reaper.
"Thank you." Reaper said.
"I got you, man." Glass replied.
"Hey!" Surge called out. "Don't you think those screams sound familiar?" He asked.
"Don't you think those are uncannily similar to the twins?" Beast commented.
"Wait. You're actually right!" Reaper exclaimed as the idea that they may be facing the Banshee Sisters struck him but he still has his doubts.
"No way!" Glass commented wholeheartedly. "Let's go fetch them!" Then he ran towards where the screams are coming from and the rest of them followed him.
"Glass, wait up!" Reaper howled. "We're not that sure if these are coming from the Banshee Sisters. It's too dangerous rushing in!"
"Stop worrying and just keep running!" Surge commented as he's filled with excitement as well.
"Keep your guards up. Something doesn't feel right." Beast reminded them.
They eventually found themselves in a part of the cave that presents a huge space with multiple pillars situated everywhere. This place seemed to be designed for combat yet it looked naturally built by nature itself over time. They all realize that if they were to be attacked, this is the best place due to multiple blind spots. Nevertheless, Glass and Surge proceeded to call out for the sisters while Reaper and Beast are still on high alert.
"Mara!" Glass called out
"Clara!" Surge shrieked.
Without any warning, a more ear-bursting scream came at them. It appears that the Anomalies Reaper is sensing doesn't respond calmly to their calls so something has to be done. If this keeps up, they'll leave the place having damaged hearing or them becoming completely deaf. Reaper took it upon himself to come up with a plan to get them out of this predicament. He then finally came up with something. He just waited for the unknown Anomalies to stop and take a breather so he can have a chance to relay his plan to the rest of them.
"Okay, listen up." Reaper said.
"Did you say something?" Surge asked.
"Just huddle up!" Glass screamed.
"What's the plan?" Beast asked in a raised voice. It appears that they are already temporarily affected by those horrible screams.
Reaper didn't realize that he's also raising his voice as he tells his plan to the rest of them. He instructed Surge to neutralize the effects of the screams coming right at them with his shockwaves which Surge agreed upon as he strongly believes that he stored enough energy to have that done. Beast was then instructed take advantage if the opportunity presents itself so lure out their unknown assailants. Finally, Glass is asked to continue illuminating every nook and cranny of the area so he can have a clear sight of them making him able to nullify their Anomalies.
"I can handle that!" Surge confidently said. "Just give me some time to power up. I swear it'll just be quick." He added to prepare himself in his Anomaly release.
"Get behind the barrier, man. Just let me know when you're ready." Glass instructed.
"I sure will." Surge responded.
"I'm going in! Keep your eyes peeled, Reaper." Beast stated then headed to where the screams came from earlier while now in his monkey form to move freely in this kind of terrain.
"Leave it to me." Reaper replied confidently. "Now, brace yourselves! They're about to scream again." He announced.
"Right!" The rest of them replied.
Reaper wasn't wrong that another wave of powerful screams echoed the entire place but they're prepared this time. Surge released his stored energy which rivaled the screams coming their way. The impact of the screams and Surge's shock resulted to even more powerful tremors in the place breaking and even pulverizing some of the pillars and rocks everywhere. Glass' quick thinking manages to shield them from those flying rocks. Beast also took advantage of the havoc to locate their assailant's.
"Glass, give me some light here!" Beast howled from a distance.
"On it!" Glass responded.
Glass quickly maneuvered his glass discs to reroute the light to where Beast was to give him a clear look to whoever they're up against. However, these people are surprisingly agile so they got away even before they got illuminated. Beast confirmed that they're getting away so he instinctively tailed them. Then, Reaper pointed out that they're heading towards the exit. Surge quickly propelled himself to where the exit is. Glass immediately created glass platforms for him and Reaper so they can swiftly get to the exit themselves.
"How much farther is the exit?" Beast asked.
"I'm not so sure. Just keep going." Reaper replied.
"Hey! I can see a light. It must be the exit." Surge announced.
"Those people are almost out of the cave!" Glass exclaimed as he saw their assailants from afar.
"I can catch up to them." Beast said then he transformed into his falcon form from being a monkey.
Every second passes and it's becoming evident that they're targets are about to escape but Beast in his falcon form did catch up to them. He quickly flew pass them and as soon as he's at the cave exit, he swiftly transformed into his lion form then let out a terrifying growl which made their targets freeze in place probably due to fear. Reaper then noticed that their targets are about to attack Beast so he instinctively call out to Glass to put up a barrier to shield Beast.
As expected, Beast was screamed at by those Anomalies but the attack was effectively blocked by Glass. However, the force of the screams is redirected to their direction. Luckily, Surge was able to store up energy moments prior so he was able to neutralize the attack. The accumulated force cooped up in one place destroyed significant parts the surrounding terrain. This made holes in the ceiling making the moon light shine brighter at them including their targets. Without even realizing, Reaper activated his Anomaly in the entire field making everyone's Anomaly nullified instead of just their targets.
"Reaper! What did you do?" Glass exclaimed.
"Crap! I can't feel my arms." Surge commented.
"On your feet! This place is collapsing." Beast howled from the exit. The place is starting to cave in from the inside out. It would be very dangerous if they'll be trapped specially with their Anomalies nullified.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." Reaper responded as he started to be filled with guilt.
"Quit moping!" Beast yelled. "Grab those to and get of there now!"
Reaper, Surge and Glass approached their assailants and they have confirmed that they are the Banshee Sisters. Although surprised, they didn't have the time to process every question that came to their minds or they'll be crashed by all those rubble. Surge grabbed Mara while Glass carried Clara and both of them seemed to become unconscious after all these racket so they focused all their remaining energy in escaping.
"Come on, run!" Beast cheered them on.
"Surge, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Glass asked.
"I think I do, Glass. You ready?" Surge responded. Glass nodded firmly.
"Beast, heads up!" Glass shrieked.
"What in the world are you two thinking?" Beast responded. "What are you going to do?"
The two of them realized that if the sisters will continue to slow them down, they will all be buried alive. They've eventually decided to throw the sisters at Beast hoping that he can catch them and hope that they can quickly follow through so they can get out of the crumbling cave. Beast was able to catch both of the sisters though the three of them fell to the ground. The idea of giving off weight from them did help but it's becoming obvious that they're not going to get out of the cave in time.
"We're not going to make it." Surge commented. The almost always outgoing guy seemed to be the one lose hope.
"Keep trying! Do not give up." Reaper exclaimed firmly. "Keep running!"
"He's right, Surge!" Glass replied. "Do not stop running!"
The noise of the crumbling boulders quickly and steadily catching up to them that they can't even keep their balance but they still muster their strengths to escape the collapsing cave. Beast couldn't do anything but to cheer them on. Reaper realized that if it wasn't for him nullifying everyone's Anomalies, they will not be in this kind of predicament so he's decided to do the unthinkable. He knew at that moment that they won't survive if nothing will be done.
"Guys, keep on living." Reaper hesitantly said as he, Glass and Surge keep on running. "Don't let my sacrifice go in vain."
"What in the world are you talking about?" Glass exclaimed.
"This is no time for drama. Just keep running!" Surge commented.
Without wasting any more time, Reaper used his remaining strength to do his final act. He pushed Glass and Surge out of the cave with all his might to save their lives. At the very moment Glass and Surge got out of the crumbling space, the cave got completely demolished. Glass, Surge and Reaper were frozen in place knowing that Reaper was not able to get out of there. They couldn't help themselves but to feel puzzled as how will they proceed after everything that's happened.
"Reaper!" Glass howled as he rushed towards the rubble where the cave exit was before.
"Hey, man. Don't you dare die on us!" Surge exclaimed as he helped Glass dig into the rubble.
On the other hand, Beast just realized that the ones Glass and Surge threw at him were actually the Banshee Sisters, Mara and Clara. Questions started flooded his minds but mainly contemplating why the sisters attacked them seemingly with no hesitations at all and what really happened to Reaper. Then as they try to save Reaper, odd rustling from a distance was heard. This may indicate that they are not alone anymore so they have to decide what they'll do next and fast.
"We have to go!" Beast exclaimed.
"Are you mad?" Glass reacted aggressively. "Reaper is still trapped inside!"
"We have to save him!" Surge added.
"If we stay here, we will all die!" Beast yelled back. "Think back. Reaper said that to not put his sacrifice be in vain. If we are to get captured here, it's the end for us!"
"You're right." Glass replied. "Surge, we have to leave now. We need to regroup and think about what we'll do next."
"Not you too, Glass." Surge responded with great disappointment. "The next thing we should do is to save Reaper. No one should be left behind. I won't let anyone else die in my watch!"
"I know how you feel. You're not the only one who lost friends. Then again, this shouldn't mean that we should dig our own graves ourselves. We have to step back and think rationally on what we will do next." Glass explains. "We must honor Reaper's wish to live on."
"Stay alert! I see torches moving towards this area." Beast announced. "Those golden warriors must be coming here."
After all the predicaments they've endured, they eventually got where they initially intended to be which is at the slope overseeing the entire village. Specks of light started to light up from different parts of the village and some of them are congregated then headed to where they are. All that rumbling must've disturbed their peaceful night. It won't be good for them if they're seen outside all the while there's curfew in place.
"We don't have time to waste here. We must go!" Glass shrieked.
"What about Reaper? Should we just leave him here?" Surge asked.
"Leave him for now. We can go back for him tomorrow." Beast replied.
"We should carry Mara and Clara back with us. We can interrogate them back at the hut once they came to." Glass instructed.