The house exuded an aromatic scent of aged timber, filling the air with a nostalgic fragrance that evoked memories of bygone days. Its structure was simple yet elegant, each beam and plank a testament to Hiro's grandmother's meticulous craftsmanship. Nestled in the dense foliage, the small cottage's rustic charm made it almost hidden from the world.
Despite being abandoned for only a week, it felt as though years had passed since it was last inhabited. Dust coated the wooden floors, and spider webs clung stubbornly to the corners of the windows, shimmering faintly in the dim light. The once vibrant garden was now a tangled mass of overgrown bushes and encroaching vines, as if nature itself was slowly reclaiming the house.
"Ah, gosh, I never thought our house would look like this," Hiro said, his voice tinged with sadness as he gazed at the scene.
"Yeah, it's only been a week, yet it feels like a year has passed," Gin added, walking toward a burnt house that stood beside Hiro's. "Sis, look at our house. How did it get burned?"
"Maybe someone set it on fire during the undead attack," Sasa replied thoughtfully.
"I guess so," Gin said, suggesting they enter Hiro's house.
As they stepped inside, an eerie yet welcoming aura greeted them. The small yet spacious house creaked with every step they took. Dust motes danced in the rays of sunlight filtering through the grimy windows, casting a warm glow on the old wooden furniture.
"Oh my, it's so dusty," Gin exclaimed, quickly covering his mouth with his hand. His voice was muffled by the thick layers of dust that seemed to hang in the air. Each breath felt heavy, and he could taste the particles on his tongue, making him cough slightly.
"Yeah," Hiro added, his eyes watering from the dust. "We need to clean this place up before we can do anything."
"Okay, let's clean up first," Sasa suggested. "Since it's only afternoon, how about we start now?" she added with a smile.
"Sure," Hiro responded, his face lighting up. "Thank you for helping me out."
They divided the tasks among themselves. Sasa headed to the kitchen, its counters cluttered with old pots and pans. Hiro took on the bedroom and attic, navigating the narrow stairs that groaned under his weight. Gin ventured to the garden and balcony, where overgrown weeds and vines had taken hold.
"Sasa, Hiro, look!" Gin called out from the garden. "The garden seems very well maintained on the inside."
"I guess the fairies are still here," Sasa said, her eyes twinkling. As she spoke, the garden seemed to come alive with a gust of air, flowers blooming and leaves rustling in response. "Yep, it seems they are."
The fairies' presence brought a sense of magic and wonder to their cleaning efforts. Tiny, glimmering lights flitted about, guiding their hands as they scrubbed and swept. The house began to transform, the layers of dust and neglect giving way to the warm, inviting home it once was.
They were halfway through their cleaning progress when they decided to rest as the sun began to set. The sky outside turned shades of orange and pink, casting a serene glow over the landscape.
"Hey guys, eat up first," Sasa said, handing them plates of her cooking. The aroma of freshly baked bread and savory stew filled the air, making their stomachs rumble in anticipation.
"I guess Sasa is not only a master craftsman but also a master chef," Hiro said, praising Sasa as he took a bite.
"That's my sister for sure," Gin said with a smirk, enjoying his meal.
After finishing dinner, Sasa approached Hiro with a mysterious book she had found in the kitchen, its leather cover worn and ancient.
"Hiro, I found something in your kitchen," Sasa said, showing him the book. "I spent hours trying to open it, but I can't. Maybe you can."
As Sasa handed the book to Hiro, he felt an immediate connection with it. The book seemed to pulse with a hidden energy, a faint glow emanating from its cover.
"Ahh, okay. Thank you, Sasa," he said, taking the book and hugging it close. He felt a sense of destiny intertwining with his own as he carried it to his bedroom.
Hiro lay on his bed, holding the book up high, its cover glinting in the dim light. "What secrets could this book contain?" he pondered, his curiosity growing with each passing second.
"Maybe I should just try opening it," he muttered to himself, fingers fumbling with the intricate lock. After several failed attempts, he grumbled, "Why on earth is this not opening?" Frustration tinged his voice as he examined the lock more closely.
Minutes turned into an hour as Hiro continued to struggle with the book. His determination began to wane, and his eyelids grew heavy. Despite his best efforts, the lock remained stubbornly shut, refusing to reveal its contents.
Eventually, exhaustion overtook him, and Hiro drifted into a restless sleep, the book still clutched in his hands.
The night grew deeper, covering the horizon with sparkling stars that lit the sky.
---
**System Notice:**
**[Notification]:** Target located.
**Details:**
- **Target ID:** GRD-1738
- **Status:** Active
- **Location:** Sector 7G, Western Empire
- **Coordinates:** 45.6897° N, 121.8919° W
**Action Required:**
1. Confirm target identity.
2. Engage as per mission protocol.
3. Report status updates to Command Center.
**Priority Level:** High
**End of Notice**
---
"Sister, the target is found. What should we do?" a mysterious girl said, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
"Don't fret, just confirm the target's identity first," a woman replied calmly, her tone reassuring.
"Okay," the girl responded, taking a deep breath. "System command:
Initiating the command. System received command. Confirming identity.
10%...Loading...
35%...Loading...
69%...Loading...
89%...Loading...
94%...Loading...
100%...Scanning complete
**System Notice:**
**[Notification]:** Identity Confirmation in Progress.
**Scanning Target...**
- **Target ID:** GRD-1738
- **Biometric Data:**
- **Facial Recognition:** 98% match
- **DNA Analysis:** 99% match
- **Voice Pattern:** 97% match
**Identity Confirmed.**
- **Target Identity:** Validated as Agni's Fragment
- **Status:** Active
- **Location:** Sector 7G, Western Empire
**End of System Command**
---
"Sister, the identity matches," the girl confirmed, her voice barely a whisper.
"Proceed with the next action?" she asked, eyes wide with a mix of fear and excitement.
"No, not yet. We wait. It's not time," the woman instructed sharply, her eyes narrowing.
"Understood," the girl responded crisply, tension tightening her every word.