"Hello…Hello… Anyone there… Dammit!" says Mei.
"What's wrong with the pager?" asks Jax.
"It's not the pager. I'm getting a good signal here. The problem is the caller isn't answering."
"That's odd. Why wouldn't someone in the distress call answer the phone to the Supernatural's trying to rescue them?" asks Astran.
"Beats me. I'm going to call one more time," Mei pages the caller again. "Hello…. Hello… Damn… no answer again…"
"So what are we goin' to do now?" asks Navar.
"We'll split up into teams to search for them. Seiju, since I know you're bound to do something stupid, you're with me. Jax, you're with Chitose. Miri, go with Navar and Astran. Once you guys find the caller, notify the other groups. Got it?"
"Got it!" They say.
"Good, let's go."
The group splits, and Mei and Seiju embark on their quest through the rural landscape. They stroll through the bustling markets, filled with the sounds of haggling vendors and the chatter of locals. The scent of fresh produce permeating the air, mingling with the aroma of sizzling street food.
As they approach a fruit stand, an older woman greets them, offering a variety of vibrant, ripe fruits. The colors are dazzling, with rich oranges, deep purples, and bright greens. "Hello, you two. Would you like some fresh organic fruits?"
"Sure, I wi-" Seiju's words are cut short as Mei smacks his hand away. Seiju recoils in surprise, staring at Mei with confusion and irritation. "Woah! What's your problem?! Why would you do that?!"
"Didn't you listen when Dad told you not to eat random food strangers give you? Well nevermind, you never listen to Dad anyway, so why do I bother."
"Screw what Dad says! I haven't eaten in a long time, and I'm hungry as hell!"
"Hold on a minute.." Mei's eyes dart to the elderly lady standing before them, presenting them with a basket of vibrant fruits. The sweet scent of the fruits wafted towards them, mingling with the other smells of the bustling marketplace.
"Don't you worry, young lady? They're fresh and organic," Mei hesitates, her gaze flickering between the fruit and Seiju. She decides, reaching out to pick up a fruit from the basket and handing one to Seiju.
"Glad to see you changed your mind," As they sink their teeth into the fruit, the juicy flesh bursts into their mouths, releasing a sweet and tangy flavor that tingles their taste buds. The more Seiju eats the fruit, the more skeptical he becomes about the situation. "Hey, Mei, why did you change your mind?"
Mei smiles, but the smile lacks authenticity, and Seiju can sense that something is off. "Because they're delicious, Seiju, that's why."
"That's odd. Mei isn't this trusting with strangers," Seiju aims his bow at the woman. "What the hell did you do to my sister?"
Suddenly, the woman's eyes turn into a spiral shape, and Seiju feels a strange sensation in the pit of his stomach. "I said the fruits were tasty and organic, didn't I? She might have just been drawn to them."
Seiju drops his bow and gives an unauthentic smile, just like Mei, eating the fruits given to them. "These are so good."
"These fruits are delicious. Thank you, Mother," says Seiju and Mei.
"Glad you enjoy them," says the elderly woman. After a brief amount of time indulging in the fruits, Mei and Seiju pass out. "Take them to the area,"
Upon order, a shadowy figure takes Mei and Seiju away, their limp bodies carried through the forest.
We now enter the POV of Jax and Chitose, exploring the rural town section of the planet Malan. Chitose walks far ahead of Jax at a quickened pace, making her way through the narrow streets, causing Jax to struggle to keep up with her pace. "Wait, wait up, Chitose. Why are you walking so fast?"
"Well, Jax, we have to find the distress caller, and you're walking like we have all day."
"It's not like I'm a Supernatural like you. Slow down."
"Well, if you can't keep up, then d-" Before Chitose can finish, she squeals with joy, her eyes lighting up as she spots an extravagant set of clothes in a clothing vendor. "Oh, my gosh! Those clothes are so cute!"
As she arrives at the vendor, she sees an attractive creature with a chiseled physique selling the clothes. He turns his attention to Chitose, who is lusted by him. "What's your clothes size, beautiful?"
Chitose's cheeks became flushed as she gazes into his piercing eyes. "Well, I- uh, I-I wear m-missy and p-petite…"
The vendor walks behind Chitose's back, his fingers grazing her arm, sending shivers down her spine. "I think this dress would look great on that delicate figure of yours."
Jax facepalms in embarrassment from Chitose being distracted by the clothes vendor. "We don't have all day. Hurry up," says Jax imitating Chitose. Jax walks up to Chitose and taps her shoulder. "Hey Chitose, we didn't come here to get clothes. We came here to find that distress caller."
"Well then, before you guys go off, why don't you smell these fragrances?"
"Why not? Suppose we have some time," says Jax.
"Agreed. As long as I can look at this guy's dreamy face, I'll stay as long as I can," said Chitose.
Jax and Chitose smell the fragrance then, they pass out. "We got them," says the man at the vendor.
We now enter the POV of Navar, Astran, and Miri walking through a densely forested area, their feet crunching on the leaves and twigs that lay scattered on the ground. "Hey, Astran, how much longer until we reach that residential area?" asks Miri.
Astran glances at the map, gauging the distance of the requested area and squinting her eyes against the bright sun that shines down on them. "We should arrive there in a couple more minutes."
Once they arrive at the string of houses, Navar scans the area, his eyes darting from one house to another. The houses are small and quaint, with trimmed lawns and colorful flower beds. "Well, should we start knocking on doors?"
Miri lets out a deep sigh, her face contorted in agitation. "I don't think we have any choice."
They start knocking on doors, hoping to find the distress caller, the sound of their knuckles rapping against the wooden doors echoing in the silence. Hours pass, and they stumble upon a house deep in the woods. "Let's hope this is it. Fingers crossed!" says Navar.
Miri rolls her eyes and folds her arms. "This is the thousandth time you said 'fingers crossed.' Let's just look in another place."
Navar walks up to the front door of the house and knocks on it. A few moments later, an older female creature comes to the door, her wrinkled face filled with concern. "Hello there. Can I help you, children?"
Navar holds up a crumpled piece of paper, the ink on it fading away. "Well, we're looking for someone who knows the number of the distress caller, and we were wondering if you recognize it."
The older woman puts on her thick-rimmed glasses and surveys the paper, her wrinkled hands shaking as she takes it from Navar. She squints and then gasps, her eyes widening in surprise. "Know this number. I was the distress caller!"
"Wow, Thank you!" says Navar.
Miri, however, grabs Navar's arm, her eyebrows furrowed in suspicion. "Wait, Navar, are you sure about this? Something about this doesn't seem right."
Navar shakes his hand loose from Miri and walks toward the Elderly Woman, his footsteps echoing through the silent house. "Yes, I'm sure."
The older woman opens the door and gestures them into the house, the smell of old furniture and books hitting them as they step inside. "Why don't we talk about this with some sweet Voranboria pie? Take a seat right there," The elderly woman gestures to them to a table with fresh-smelling apple pie over it.
"Wow, Voranboria pie!" Navar walks toward the table and starts eating the pie, the warm filling melting in his mouth, while Astran and Miri lean against the wall, silently rejecting the offer.
"Don't you little girls want some apple pie? It's my special recipe."
"No, thank you. Do you mind if I use the bathroom?" asks Miri.
"It's down the hall to your right."
"Thank you."
"Anyway, I know that woman. Her name is Chiyo, and she went missing a week ago. I was worried, so I made a distress call to see if you guys could find her."
Navar's lips curl into a content smile as he takes a large bite of the warm pie. "We will find her right after I finish eating this pie," says Navar with his mouth full.
The elderly woman smiles at Navar. "I'm glad you like it, young man."
As Navar indulges in the delicious dessert, Miri searches the house, her footsteps silent on the creaky wooden floorboards. Suddenly, she hears muffled screaming coming from a nearby closet. Her heart racing, she quickly makes her way over and flings open the door. Inside, she sees Jax, Chitose, Mei, and Seiju all tied up with JōKai disabling cuffs. Miri rips the tape from Mei's mouth but, before she can finish, Mei points behind Miri. "Behind you!"
Miri turns around just in time to see massive green arms wrapping around her, pulling her into a tight bear hug. She struggles and writhes, trying to break free, but the grip is too strong. "Guys, get out of here! It's a trap!"
At the sound of her voice, Navar and Astran's ears perk up. "Did you hear that, Navar?"
"Ignore that, guys. Just eat the pie for me.."
Navar unsheathes his sword and dashes towards the back of the house. "Don't worry, Miri! I'm on the way!"
As Navar rounds the corner, he sees Olly holding Miri in his grasp. Navar's heart races as he realizes the gravity of the situation. "Navar, I told you to get out of here!"
Suddenly, multiple goblins burst through the window, their Ion blasters pointed at everyone. The elderly woman's appearance morphs into that of a goblin with three eyes. "We will avenge Overlord!"