Osaka, Japan
???
April 7th, 2023
"You hungry?" Rika asked as she grabbed a box of chips from a shelf and put it in her basket.
"I'm famished, but can't you just summon some fruits and vegetables with your plant powers?" Karin asked, munching on a bag of potato chips.
"Do you really want to eat something made out of dead people's energy?"
"Oh, sorry."
"Come on, what did I say? Stop being so awkward and timid. That shy personality of yours will gonna get you killed one day. Not happening with me by your side, though."
After their brief exchange, Rika and Karin continued to explore the abandoned store's aisles, scavenging for whatever non-perishable items they could find. The shelves were mostly filled with canned goods, chips, and snacks, but there were no fresh fruits or vegetables.
"I wish we could find some fresh produce," Karin sighed, looking disappointed.
"I know, but in this apocalyptic world, fresh food is a luxury we rarely come across, thanks to the damned creatures for that," Rika said, understanding Karin's longing for healthier options.
As they gathered their chosen items into their baskets, Karin noticed Rika's eyes glancing towards a small, dusty seed packet that had fallen behind a shelf. She picked it up and showed it to Rika with a smile.
"Maybe we can grow something ourselves," Karin suggested optimistically.
Rika's eyes lit up with excitement. "You're right! I can use my plant powers to cultivate these seeds. It might take some time, but we could have fresh produce eventually!"
Feeling hopeful, they decided to take the seed packet with them and left the abandoned store, their baskets now holding a mix of canned goods and snacks, along with the tiny seed packet filled with potential.
After Rika and Karin left the abandoned store with their baskets filled with canned goods, chips, and the tiny seed packet, they made their way back to the place they now called "home." It was a small, hidden hideout they discovered early on in their journey, tucked away from the prying eyes of the apocalyptic world they inhabited.
Back at the hideout, they carefully arranged the cans and snacks they had gathered, making sure to save some for later. With the seed packet in hand, Rika began preparing a small corner for their impromptu garden. They found an old wooden crate and repurposed it into a makeshift planter, using whatever materials they could find lying around.
"I hope this works," Karin said with a mix of excitement and uncertainty as she placed the soil in the crate.
Rika smiled reassuringly. "We won't know unless we try. Nature has a way of surprising us."
As they were about to place the seeds in the crate, a sudden commotion outside the hideout caught their attention. Rika and Karin exchanged worried glances, and without a word, they rushed to the small opening to see what was happening.
To their surprise, they saw a massive, bee-like damned creature, covered in sinister black markings, overpowering a frail girl who struggled to defend herself. The girl wielded a short sword with determination, but her attacks seemed feeble against the creature's immense strength.
Rika's heart raced with concern for the girl's safety. "Stay here, Karin. We need to help her," Rika said, her voice firm.
Karin nodded, trusting Rika's judgment. She watched with a mixture of worry and anticipation as Rika stepped out of the hideout.
Outside, Rika's tale, an extraordinary appendage that housed the remnants of a powerful being, began to emit a soft, ethereal glow. The ancient tale residing within her consciousness stirred, responding to her call. Rika's eyes locked onto the creature, her determination unwavering.
She knew she had to act swiftly. Focusing her thoughts, Rika used her tale's power to control the nearby plants. Vines and roots shot out from the ground, wrapping around the creature's legs and hindering its movements.
The creature roared in anger, but Rika's control over the plants was relentless. She used the forcefields created by her tale's power to protect herself from the creature's attacks while continuing to restrain it with the plants.
Yet, the creature was relentless, and despite Rika's efforts, it continued to overpower her. Its massive stinger posed a significant threat, and Rika had to use all her strength to stay one step ahead.
Inside the hideout, Karin watched in awe and concern. Rika's abilities were formidable, but even that might not be enough to defeat the creature on her own.
Seeing Rika struggling, Karin felt a surge of determination. She couldn't sit back and do nothing. Though she lacked powers, she wasn't entirely defenseless.
Rummaging through their supplies, Karin found a makeshift slingshot and grabbed a few metal balls that they used as ammunition. She loaded the slingshot with precision and stepped out of the hideout.
Karin's heart pounded as she joined the fray, positioning herself at a distance from the creature. With careful aim, she launched the metal balls at the creature, hitting it on its side.
The sudden impact caught the creature off guard, momentarily distracting it from Rika. It turned its attention to Karin, who braced herself for the impending danger.
Meanwhile, Rika took advantage of the creature's temporary distraction. Channeling all her strength, she unleashed a powerful blast of energy from her tale, striking the creature with incredible force.
The blast knocked the creature back, creating enough distance for Rika to approach the frail girl, who had fallen to the ground during the skirmish.
Rika extended her hand to help her up. "Come on, we need to get back to safety," Rika said, urgency in her voice.
She nodded, her face pale with exhaustion. She clutched her short sword tightly and followed Rika back to the hideout. Karin kept the creature at bay with her slingshot, providing cover for their retreat.
Once back inside the hideout, Karin quickly closed the entrance, preventing the creature from pursuing them further. Rika and the frail girl caught their breath, their adrenaline still surging from the intense encounter.
"You did well out there," Rika said to the frail girl, a mixture of admiration and concern in her eyes.
She smiled weakly. "Thank you. I tried my best, but that creature is stronger than anything I've faced before."
Rika nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "We'll figure out a plan together. For now, rest and recover. You're safe here."
"Hmmm, y-you seem familiar. I-I think I've seen you before," Karin said, her shyness getting the better of her.
"I thought so too. You seemed kinda familiar. Please excuse Karin, she's awfully shy around people. I'm Rika, by the way," Rika said while covering the whole shack with vines, stopping the bee-like damned creature from attacking them.
"Abandoned bakeshop," Karin softly whispered to Rika, her eyes slightly widening as she remembered something.
"That's right! We were together back at the abandoned bakeshop. We were surrounded by damned creatures back then, and... Mimi too," Rika said, her voice tinged with sadness as she remembered Mimi's sacrifice.
"I don't understand. I've been with the crusade this whole time," the frail girl responded. "I'm Iris."
"You've been wearing the same school uniform as us back th—" Rika was cut off mid-sentence as she glanced towards Iris. She may have the same ginger hair and freckled face as the girl they remembered, but she seemed more mature-looking and toned.
"Wait. Wait. Wait. Did you say a school uniform? Have you met my little sister?" Iris replied, her voice raising as she got up from her seat.
Rika and Karin exchanged glances as they recalled their memory from that abandoned bakeshop. With them was a ginger-haired girl with freckles on her face, the same age as Karin, and she exuded an optimistic energy.
After the battle where Mimi lost her life, the ginger-haired girl, along with an acquaintance of hers, asked Rika and Karin to part ways and continue their journey separately.
"I think so," Rika replied, and then Iris stepped closer to her.
"Tell me everything that happened," Iris said.
Rika and Karin recounted their experiences and the story of her sister, and Iris listened intently, her expression shifting from curiosity to disbelief as she absorbed the information.
Iris was dumbfounded by what she had heard, realizing the struggles her sister had faced and the challenges Rika and Karin had endured.
"I had no idea Ivan was with you all this time. Where is she now? Did you know where she went? Has she said something?" Iris asked frantically.
"We haven't heard from her since, and we don't know where she went," Rika replied. Iris just sat back down and sighed.
"She should be fine somehow; she's also a host, so I believe she'll manage on her own for quite a while,"
Rika and Karin's eyes widened as they heard what Iris had said.
"She was a host?" Rika exclaimed. "Why didn't she say anything? She could've helped me, and we could've saved Mimi."
"My sister's abilities are not for fighting; that must be why she remained silent and kept it a secret. Anyway, what are your plans? Are you planning on staying here and letting that damn bug rampage outside or what?" Iris said, grabbing her short sword, diverting the topic. She approached the door of the shack and glanced back at Rika and Karin.
Both of them smirked, knowing what Iris already had in mind.