Osaka, Japan
Kaminari Academy
April 5th, 2023
As the other girls swiftly scaled the fence to escape from the school, Rika focused her attention on the flying damned creature, determined to keep it at bay. With a swift motion, she commanded her vines to wrap tightly around the creature's body, restraining its movements.
Gritting her teeth, Rika extended her arms, commanding the vines to constrict further. The pressure intensified, causing the damned creature to writhe and cry out in agony. Rika held her ground, refusing to let up, as the vines squeezed tighter and tighter.
Finally, with one last surge of power, Rika retracted the vines, releasing the lifeless body of the damned creature. It dropped to the ground with a thud, a defeated foe in their battle for survival.
Turning her attention to the escaping girls, Rika quickly joined them, following closely behind as they made their way to safety. With each step, she felt a renewed sense of determination, knowing that they had managed to overcome yet another obstacle in their fight against the damned.
As they walked through the streets, searching for a safe place to spend the night, some of the girls expressed their desire to part ways and return to their respective families. Rika understood the urgency of finding her friends, but she couldn't deny their plea. Reluctantly, she agreed to let them go, wishing them well and urging them to stay safe.
Now, only Rika, Karin, Mimi, and two other girls from the university remained together. They continued their journey, their footsteps echoing through the empty streets as they searched for a refuge amidst the chaos.
As they walked, Rika's mind was consumed by worry for her missing friends. She pondered where Mike and Alice might be, and the best place to start looking for them. The weight of uncertainty burdened her, but she pushed on, determined to reunite with her companions.
Their eyes caught sight of a shabby bakeshop across the street, and a glimmer of hope sparked within them. Perhaps they could find shelter and respite inside. They cautiously made their way towards the bakeshop, stepping over debris and broken glass.
Entering through the broken door, a wave of putrid stench assaulted their senses. The air was heavy with the smell of spoiled food and thick blood, a chilling reminder of the grim reality they faced. Rika's heart sank, but she knew they had to press on, for there were no guarantees of safety in this new world.
Rika searched the entire bakeshop and discovered a few spare rooms. However, in one of the rooms, she stumbled upon the horrifying sight of mutilated bodies. Determined to give them some semblance of dignity, she used her plant powers to bury them, a solemn act of respect in the midst of chaos.
After cleaning up the room, they decided to make it their temporary sleeping quarters. Rika conjured her vines, creating a protective barrier around the room to ensure their safety for the night. As they settled in, Rika sat beside Karin and Mimi on the bed, while the two other girls made do with makeshift beds on the floor.
As they prepared to sleep, Rika's mind was filled with thoughts and questions. She looked up at the ceiling, her hands resting on her lap. She couldn't help but think about the challenges that Karin, Mimi, and the other girls who were unfamiliar with the tales faced. She turned to Karin and Mimi, a curious expression on her face, and asked,
"Why didn't you go to your families like the other girls did?"
"I had no one. I lived alone in an apartment across the school. But now that it's been reduced to dust, I don't know where to go," Karin replied, a hint of sadness in her voice.
Mimi's voice trembled as she spoke, her eyes welling up with tears.
"I live with my brother. He's actually a teacher at the school. Have you heard of Ohta Ryu? He's the English teacher. He's my brother. He was teaching a night class when all of this happened. I was with him at the time. Then, those shadowy creatures appeared and began attacking the rooms, killing everyone in sight. I closed my eyes, trying to block out the horror. And when I opened them again, everyone was gone. I was then taken by a woman with a demonic appearance, wielding a sword. She took me and some other girls, but I don't know what happened to my brother. Given what happened to the others, I fear... I fear my brother..." Mimi's voice trailed off as she couldn't hold back her tears any longer.
Rika and Karin held Mimi tightly, comforting her as she continued to cry. The warmth of their embrace and their soothing words provided solace in the midst of their despair. Gradually, Mimi's tears subsided, and Rika gently wiped away the remaining traces from her cheeks, offering a reassuring smile.
"You're still here, Mimi. And you're not alone. We're all in this together, and we'll get through this. You're a strong woman, and I believe in your strength. I promise, I'll always be here for you," Rika whispered, her voice filled with sincerity and support.
With heavy hearts, they eventually settled down on the bed, closing their eyes in an attempt to find solace in sleep. The room was enveloped in a peaceful silence, the weariness of their bodies gradually giving way to the tranquility of slumber. As the night slowly waned, the girls found respite in the deep embrace of sleep.
As the night grew darker, the walls of the bakeshop began to shake, the sound of thuds and bangs reverberating through the air. Panic filled the hearts of Rika and the other girls as they woke up to the unsettling disturbance.
Rika's eyes widened with alarm as she quickly spread out a few vines to peer through the cracks in the walls. Outside, she saw a terrifying sight—a horde of gigantic damned creatures relentlessly pounding against the building, their massive forms causing the walls to tremble.
Realizing the imminent danger, Rika wasted no time. She urgently motioned for the other girls to follow her, and they hurriedly made their way towards the exit, the ground quaking beneath their feet.
Stepping out of the nearly collapsing bakeshop, they found themselves encircled by a swarm of damned creatures. The eerie glow in their eyes and their monstrous forms sent shivers down their spines. The girls huddled close together, their fear palpable in the air.
Mimi's hand tightly clasped Rika's, seeking comfort and reassurance. Rika's mind raced, searching for a way to protect the other girls and ensure their survival. She knew that their lives depended on her ability to come up with a plan.
Summoning her strength and determination, Rika looked around, assessing their dire situation. The damned creatures closed in from all directions, their sinister presence overwhelming. Rika's heart pounded in her chest as she scanned the area for any possible escape routes or weapons.
Rika's vines sprang into action, lashing out at the nearest damned creatures. With fierce determination, she unleashed her strength, striking at the damned creatures with all her might. The air was filled with the sounds of clashes and grunts as Rika fought valiantly against their monstrous adversaries.
Rika's vines entangled the limbs of the damned creatures, restricting their movements and creating opportunities for the other girls to escape.
Rika's eyes blazed with determination as she unleashed her full power against the remaining damned creatures. Vines erupted from the ground, snaking and coiling around her body, forming a protective armor. Her hands extended, each finger transforming into a razor-sharp thorn, ready to strike.
With a swift motion, Rika lunged forward, her movements fluid and precise. Her thorned fingers sliced through the air, cutting through the damned creatures with unyielding force. Vines whipped and lashed, ensnaring the creatures and constricting their movements.
As the battle intensified, Rika's powers grew even more formidable. She tapped into the depths of her abilities, summoning towering plant constructs to aid her. Massive branches and roots sprouted from the ground, forming a barrier that shielded her from the damned creatures' attacks.
With each strike, Rika's strength and speed increased. She became a force of nature, her attacks devastating and relentless. She leaped and twirled, evading the creatures' attacks with uncanny agility. Every movement was calculated, every strike aimed at vulnerable spots.
The air crackled with energy as Rika's vines emitted a pulsating glow. The damned creatures roared in agony as the vines tightened around them, squeezing with an unyielding grip. Rika's power surged through her, fueling her determination to protect herself and eradicate the threat that loomed over her and her friends.
Amidst the chaos of the battle, Rika's mind remained focused and composed. She analyzed the damned creatures' movements, exploiting their weaknesses with precision. With a flurry of thorned strikes and entangling vines, she struck down one creature after another.
But the battle was far from easy. The damned creatures fought back ferociously, their sharp swords and fangs gnashing at Rika's defenses. Their supernatural strength tested her limits, but she refused to yield.
Rika summoned her inner strength, channeling her powers to their fullest extent. Vines coiled around her arms, transforming into whips that slashed through the air. The earth beneath her feet trembled as she unleashed a wave of pulsating energy, knocking back the remaining damned creatures with a powerful shockwave.
As Rika was immersed in her fight, she failed to notice the looming danger approaching her. A giant axe hurtled through the air, aimed directly at her. Time seemed to slow down as Rika caught a glimpse of the impending threat, but it was already too late.
Before Rika could react, Mimi sprang into action, pushing Rika out of harm's way. The axe, now redirected, found its mark in Mimi's back. Rika's heart skipped a beat as she watched in horror.
Mimi stood there, her body impaled by the massive axe. Despite the pain, a brave smile adorned her face, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her eyes met Rika's, filled with gratitude and a sense of fulfillment.
"Thank you," Mimi whispered, her voice barely audible. And with those words, her eyes closed, and her body slumped to the ground.