Both Lysandra and I were focused on our mission. After our conversation with Yumiko, we were determined not to make any mistakes like in the past. However, I couldn't shake the feeling of nervousness that crept into my mind.
"Feeling unwell?" Lysandra asked, noticing my unease.
"It's not that... How should I say this? I'm not getting any good vibes from this mission. Something feels off," I admitted.
"Not getting good vibes, huh? Since when do you get those?" Lysandra asked, laughing.
"Don't make fun of me, okay? Now I won't tell you anything," I said, feeling a bit defensive.
"I was just teasing you a bit. No need to be offended," she said, her tone softening. The tension between us eased, and we both relaxed, maybe for the better.
It is for the good. Believe in yourself and your training. It is bound to do good, just don't get reckless.
"I won't, and I'm not a 5-year-old child who needs to be reminded of that," I replied to Fulminor, a hint of irritation in my voice. Well, he is right. One wrong move could cost us our lives. I still remember our fight with that wraith on the rescue mission. If we'd been a little off, Lysandra, you could have died, along with me.
It's okay to dwell on the past but not to get stuck there. He won't be the last enemy you have a tough battle with. There are countless more coming. Getting cold feet now?
"How can I? Remember who I'm fighting for," I said, my resolve strengthening.
That's the spirit appropriate for my holder.
Now I was fired up. The anticipation of the mission ahead surged through me like a jolt of electricity. My nerves were calmed by a sudden ping from Yumiko. The blueprints were ready. Without wasting a moment, Lysandra and I made our way to the analysis room, our steps echoing in the silent hallway.
Inside, the atmosphere was charged with focused energy. Analysts were hunched over screens, the glow of monitors reflecting off their concentrated faces. Yumiko stood at the center, holding a tablet.
"Here are the blueprints," she said, projecting them onto a large screen. The intricate network of tunnels and platforms of the subway station sprawled out before us. It was a maze, with multiple entry points, potential ambush spots, and hidden pathways.
"The wraiths have been spotted near the maintenance tunnels," Yumiko pointed out, highlighting the area in red. "This is where you'll need to be most vigilant. We've marked the known locations of wraith activity and potential safe zones."
As we absorbed the information, the gravity of the mission sank in deeper. This wasn't just any mission—it was a crucial strike to thwart the wraiths' plans.
"Remember," Yumiko said, her voice steady but intense, "this mission is critical. The wraiths are becoming more aggressive, and we need to stay one step ahead. Trust in your training and each other. And whatever happens, come back safely."
"We've got this," Lysandra said, her voice filled with unwavering determination.
I nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility on my shoulders but also the burning resolve to see this through. "We won't let you down."
With our plan in place and every detail etched into our minds, we left the analysis room, ready to face the challenge that awaited us in the depths of the city.
It took us at least two hours to reach the subway station. The journey was filled with anticipation and a bit of anxiety. We had a backup team ready with us this time, but I couldn't shake off my worries.
"Still hung up on that incident?" Lysandra asked, noticing my unease.
"I know I should let it go, but still, asking them to come with us even though it's dangerous..." I trailed off.
One of the members of the strike team interrupted me. "It's not us you should be worrying about. You're at least 50 years early for that. We know what we're doing, kid, so don't mind us. If anything, it's you guys who should be careful."
Lysandra smiled at me, her expression telling me she knew exactly what I was feeling and reassuring me that I was worrying for nothing. The atmosphere lightened a bit, and we felt more at ease.
They told us to be careful, and we made our way inside the subway station. The air was thick with the scent of mustiness and the echo of our footsteps.
"So, how long has it been since this place was evacuated?" I asked, trying to break the silence.
"Yumiko said it has been 19 hours since this place was evacuated. They covered it up with something like a gas leak or some kind of inspection," Lysandra explained.
As we moved deeper into the station, the reality of the mission settled in. The flickering lights cast eerie shadows on the walls, and every sound seemed amplified in the abandoned tunnels.
As we descended into the subway station, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. The once bustling hub was now eerily silent, the usual cacophony of rushing commuters replaced by an unsettling stillness. The air was thick with the scent of mustiness and dampness, typical of places left neglected.
The station was dimly lit, the flickering fluorescent lights casting long, erratic shadows across the walls. Dust motes danced in the beams of light, adding to the surreal and almost otherworldly feel of the place. The occasional drip of water echoed through the empty tunnels, creating a rhythmic but unsettling backdrop to our quiet steps.
Graffiti adorned the walls, remnants of a time when this place was alive with activity. Some messages were cryptic, others merely the work of idle hands. The tracks, now silent and still, seemed to stretch on endlessly into the darkness, each turn and bend a potential hiding spot for danger.
The platforms were littered with scattered debris: an abandoned suitcase here, a forgotten magazine there. Everything was coated in a fine layer of dust, untouched for hours. The silence was only broken by the faint hum of electrical equipment and the distant, almost imperceptible rumble of the city above.
As we moved deeper, the maintenance tunnels loomed ahead, dark and foreboding. These narrow passages, meant for workers, now felt like a labyrinth of potential ambush points. Every sound and every shadow seemed amplified, heightening our senses and our nerves.