As we approached the grand meeting hall, my heart raced. Fuwawa, Mococo, and I had been through the wringer, and now we were stepping into the room where the fate of the city would be decided. The air was thick with tension, but I couldn't help the surge of curiosity as the doors creaked open, revealing the elites gathered inside.
The hall itself is vast, with vaulted ceilings adorned with intricate carvings of celestial bodies and legendary figures. Light filters in from stained glass windows, casting fragmented rainbows across the stone floor. Rows of seats stretch out before a grand podium, where the Elites have gathered in a solemn circle.
My gaze sweeps across the room, and for a moment, I'm overwhelmed by the sheer presence of power in the space. Every Elite in the city seems to be here, their distinct energies swirling together, creating a symphony of strength and command. Some faces I recognize immediately — others, only from stories or clips that I saw my original world.
The room was massive, with high ceilings and walls lined with banners representing different factions. Around a large circular table sat several figures, some of whom I recognized immediately—and others who were complete mysteries. One of them was Kaimon, the cat-boy elite, who looked like he'd stepped straight out of a Tokyo Ghoul episode. He had that unmistakable Ken Kaneki vibe—white hair, the same intense black and red ghoul eye—but with cat ears perched atop his head. His aura was wild, pulsing with that same predatory energy I'd only seen in the most dangerous fighters on tv back in my world.
Beside him, Rini caught my eye—a cheeky, fun-looking cat girl with blue hair and eyes that glimmered with mischief. She seemed almost carefree, but I could sense something deeper. Her aura flickered with waves of blue, water-like power, and there was something… heavier, like time itself was bending around her. I knew immediately—time manipulation. Not something she could use freely, but when necessary, she could change the flow of events. Weirdly enough, I was suddenly aware of both their abilities as if I'd known all along, even though I definitely hadn't.
"Okay, that's new," I muttered under my breath. I could feel Kaimon's ghoul-like powers swirling around him and Rini's playful, yet oddly weighty aura. But then I glanced over at Ame—nothing. No aura, no sense of her abilities. It was like trying to tune in to a static channel.
"Great, another thing to ask later," I thought, scratching my head. "Why can't anything go right for once? Just once I'd like to walk into a room without feeling like I'm playing a side quest in a video game."
With a sigh, I pushed the thought aside, knowing full well I was in for yet another round of "let's figure out what the hell is happening."
Among the elites there was face I haven't seen yet—or rather, one I hadn't expected to see in person. Mysta Rias, the eccentric cat-boy detective, stood near the table, talking animatedly. He was dressed in his usual bold style: short, ash blonde hair with orange sunglasses perched atop his head, a kitsune-inspired hat adding to the flair. His outfit was an eye-catching mix of oranges and browns—an orange shirt with dog silhouettes, a white coat draped over his shoulders, and a black choker around his neck. He had a playful, confident energy, the kind of guy who could be cracking jokes one second and dropping some weird, obscure fact the next.
And boy, was he loud. Even from across the room, I could hear him chattering away, jumping from topic to topic in a way that almost made my head spin. "I swear, I had no idea chickens can't fly! Like, what's the point of having wings if you can't even use 'em? I mean, c'mon, that's like having a car without wheels!" he exclaimed, waving his arms around dramatically. The people around him chuckled, clearly used to his wild tangents.
But here's the weird part: just like with Ame, I couldn't sense anything from Mysta. No aura, no power signature. He was completely unreadable to me. Great, another one.
I scratched the back of my neck, feeling a mix of confusion and mild frustration. "Why is it always the weird ones?" I thought to myself. "First Ame, now this guy. Can I just get a break?"
I shifted my gaze quickly to Okayu, hoping to catch something—anything—off of her. But there was nothing. No aura, no flicker of power, just her calm, laid-back presence. Weird.
My eyes darted around the room, landing on Nekrolina. Same thing. Not even a hint of her energy. She stood there, casually flipping through some notes, completely unreadable to me.
Next was Korone, who was chatting enthusiastically with Merryweather. Korone's usual hyperactive energy was there, but still... nothing. I couldn't sense a thing. No aura, no power, not even a glimpse of the wild force I knew she was capable of. Come on, seriously? And Merryweather? He was just as much of a blank as the others.
At this point, I was beginning to feel like the universe was messing with me. "Great," I muttered under my breath. "Okayu, Nekrolina, Korone, Merryweather... how can nobody have an aura? Am I broken or something? This can't be real. Did I get nerfed and no one told me?"
I glance to the right side of the room, and then I freeze. Someone immediately catches my eye—someone I recognize right away. SquChan.
SquChan stands out with her mid-length blonde hair, the ends tinged with sparkly lilac highlights that shimmer slightly under the light. Her hair is tied into two loose ponytails, held together by black bows, and framed with small black clips, adding a playful vibe to her look. An ahoge pokes up in the middle of her head, nestled between her cat ears. Her ears, blending seamlessly with her hair, show fluffy white fur underneath, and I notice two piercings in her left ear. But what really grabs attention are her eyes—mesmerizing shades of red, orange, and purple, with little hearts decorating them. Her round pupils are surrounded by a black circle, making her eyes look even more otherworldly.
Just beyond SquChan, there's Minineko. Her short blonde hair is adorned with dark bow ribbons near the ends, and she's got a wild collection of hair clips—some shaped like a gamepad, and even one that looks like a Space Invader. Her blue eyes gleam with curiosity behind round glasses, and like SquChan, she's got cat ears and a tail. But it's her oversized jacket that catches my attention next, covered in pins, with a cat bell hanging near the front. The jacket's hood also has cat ears, and underneath she's wearing a loose, oversized T-shirt. Her look is completed by platform boots and socks. The whole vibe screams techy yet playful—especially with that blue fish tag hanging from her collar that reads "mini."
I blink. I can see Minineko's aura—it's like nothing I've ever seen before. Her aura flickers with high-tech energy, shifting in blocks and geometric patterns like something out of a futuristic grid. It even has this strange, reality-bending quality, like parts of it are breaking the rules of space-time and glitching slightly. It's impressive, a mix of cybernetic pulses and fragments that remind me of a digital world.
But SquChan? Despite her striking appearance, I can't see a single thing. No aura. Nothing. It's like she's completely shielded from whatever weird aura-vision I've got going on.
"Of course," I mutter under my breath. "I can see Minineko's cyber aura, but SquChan? Not a single clue. Reality-bending tech aura here, but no sign of hers.
Suddenly, the door swings open, and a figure steps into the room. My eyes widen as I immediately recognize him, and I feel a surge of excitement—it's a dog guy, but not just any dog guy. He walks straight towards Korone, striking up a casual conversation with her as if they've known each other forever.
I quickly check to see if I can pick up anything on him, my strange new aura-vision kicking in. And... yep, I can see it. As a huge fan of VTubers, I instantly know who the dog boy is: Kageyama Shien.
Shien has short, two-toned black and white hair that frames his face, his pointed ears twitching ever so slightly as he talks to Korone. His golden eyes glimmer with mischief, and he's dressed in a mostly black outfit with purple trim, a white tie standing out against the dark fabric. He's got that suave, mafia-boss look, but there's something softer underneath it.
Amazingly striking aura he has. It carries this distinct yin-yang quality, with two opposing forces coexisting in him. Swirls of black and white are constantly moving and shifting almost as if trying to balance each other out. It is quite hypnotic, watching the manner in which light and dark make their way into one another but never actually merge. The contrast is almost perfect to his personality: tough on the outside with an underlying softness and perhaps a little bit of naivety.
I grin to myself. Of course, Shien's aura would be this yinyang type deal. Fits him to a tee. He's the kind of guy who's got that cool, deep voice, but half the time doesn't know what to do with it. I remember a clip where he was described as the type who'd get the world's best baseball bat and then try to use it for soccer.
Mafia boss? Maybe in title. But in practice? He's more like the lovable goofball who can't do anything without his subordinates backing him up. The way his aura flickers between sharp and soft makes it all too clear.
I watch him for a moment longer, still grinning at the thought of him misusing that deep, handsome voice of his in the most ridiculous ways. But then I catch a slight shift in his aura—just a flicker—and a chill runs down my spine. The playful black-and-white swirl hardens for a second, and I realize something important.
Though... if he ever got serious....
As I looked around the room even more as I waited for this meeting to finally start, my eyes landed on yet another face I had never seen, a petite catgirl standing towards the back. She had long, flowy yellowish hair, almost down to her waist, with a pair of fluffy cat ears poking out from the top of her head. Her light yellow eyes sparkled with the playfulness, but a spark that made you think she was always up to something. In what she wore to show this-a white T-shirt with a large, imposing fishbone design emblazoned across the front, the words "Mamabichos" in bold, sharp font. It was the kind of outfit that felt simultaneously laid-back and punk, fitting her carefree vibe perfectly.
"Who's that?" I muttered, narrowing my eyes. There was something about her that felt oddly familiar but also out of place, like she didn't quite belong here. My instincts told me to give her a quick check, just to be sure.
I reached out with whatever strange aura-vision I'd developed since coming to this world, trying to sense even a hint of her energy. But as I focused, I felt... nothing. No aura, no power, nothing but an unsettling void, like I was staring into an abyss that had no end.
Suddenly, a chill ran down my spine, and I straightened. This one wasn't like the others-the ones I couldn't sense had at least felt like they existed in some sort of tangible way, but this girl… it was as if she was there and not there at the same time. And somehow, despite not having any trace of an aura, I could feel her getting closer, like a shadow falling up behind me.
She turned, her lips curving with a bratty smile, like she knew exactly what I had been doing. Her light yellow eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, I felt like I was staring into something far more dangerous than I'd originally thought. Her gaze was sharp almost mocking, like begging, Go ahead, try to figure me out.
A cold sweat broke out on my forehead, and I quickly averted my gaze, my heart pounding in my chest. "What the heck is she?" I thought, my mind racing. I felt like I'd been in some sort of trap and hadn't even known it.
I had barely digested it when a loud clap resounded in the hall and got me out of my reverie. I looked up to see Okayu at the front, raising her hands as if for attention.
"Alright, everyone," she announced, her calm voice cutting through the chatter. "The meeting is about to begin."
The room fell silent, all eyes turning toward her, but my thoughts were still spinning, unable to shake the unsettling feeling that lingered in my chest. She was more than just another face in the crowd, and as I turned back to steal one last glance at her-long blonde hair, bratty smile-she stared at me, her smile still there, yet seeming to tell me that she knew something I did not.
The doors burst open with a loud thud, and in ran two figures, heaving and panting in exertion. All eyes whipped to them as they slid to a stop in the middle of the floor, looking like they had just run a marathon.
"Sorry we had some delay!" they chimed in unison, flashing sheepish grins.
Okayu gave them a warm, reassuring smile, her calm aura settling over the room like a soothing blanket. "Don't worry about it, Tricky, Filian," she said, waving her hand dismissively. "We haven't started anything important yet."
The room settled into an almost eerie silence as Okayu stepped forward, her eyes scanning the gathered Elites. Her presence alone seemed to demand respect, and even those who had been murmuring seconds before fell into a hushed quiet. The stained glass windows continued to cast their fragmented rainbows, dancing across Okayu's calm expression as she took a deep breath.
"Thank you all for being here," she began, her voice clear and steady. "I'm sure you're all aware that things have been… off lately." Her eyes flickered to the door where Tricky and Astro had just entered, still catching their breath. "Our newest arrivals here—Tricky and Astro—managed to stumble into our city. Normally, as you all know, the barriers prevent any outsider from even knowing this place exists, let alone finding it. However, something is wrong. The barriers are weakening."
A murmur swept through the room, faces twisting with concern and confusion. Even Kaimon, usually so composed, couldn't hide the flicker of worry in his eyes. Rini's cheeky demeanor shifted, her gaze sharpening as she locked onto Okayu, waiting for more details.
Okayu continued, "It was due to this weakening that they managed to find the entrance. The door to the city—the one that's been hidden for generations—can now be seen by outsiders. And as much as we welcome newcomers…" She paused, glancing back at Tricky and Astro. "This poses a significant risk to our security. If more outsiders become aware of our existence, the stability of everything we've worked so hard to build will be in jeopardy."
The gravity of her words hung in the air, the atmosphere thick with tension. Okayu let it sink in for a moment before moving on. "As for Nyana," she said, her eyes flicking to the elegant figure standing near the back. "I'm sure you've all noticed her presence. Yes, she's out of jail, but I don't need to remind you why she was there in the first place. It's not a matter we need to revisit today—everyone here already knows the story."
Tricky and Astro exchanged a confused glance, clearly out of the loop, but wisely chose to stay silent. The last thing they needed was to draw more attention to themselves.
"More importantly," Okayu continued, "our best strategist, Merryweather, has devised a solution to our current predicament." She gestured toward Merryweather, who stepped forward with an air of confidence and poise, his neatly tied hair and impeccable suit giving him the appearance of a refined gentleman. He adjusted his glasses, clearing his throat with a slight, deliberate cough.
"Thank you, Okayu," Merryweather began, his voice carrying the smooth, noble tones of a seasoned British diplomat. "Ladies and gentlemen, the weakening of the barrier is no random occurrence. It is the result of a disruption in the magical energies that sustain our city's defenses. As I have deduced, this disruption stems from an imbalance caused by the very fabric of space and time within our realm. The recent influx of visitors has only exacerbated this instability."
He paced around the center of the room, every step measured, like a general preparing to address his troops before battle. "The solution, however, is quite clear. We must stabilize the core magical ley lines that flow beneath our city—an intricate web of power that binds our reality together. These ley lines have been damaged, but they can be repaired. If we manage to redirect the flow of energy, the barrier will regain its strength, and our city will be hidden from the outside world once more."
Merryweather paused, allowing a dramatic silence to fill the hall. He glanced at Okayu, who nodded in approval, then continued. "There is, however, a complication." His tone grew heavier, more serious. "In order to access the central ley line, we will need to journey deep into the heart of the Forbidden Chamber—a place that has not been entered in over a century."
A collective shiver ran through the room. The Forbidden Chamber was a place that everyone had heard about, but no one dared to speak of. Its secrets, its dangers—it was the stuff of legends.
"We will need a team," Merryweather stated firmly. "One capable of facing whatever lurks within. The process will not be easy, and I expect resistance from the entities that guard the chamber. They will not take kindly to our intrusion."
Okayu nodded once more, her expression resolute. "For the safety of our city, we have no choice. We must act swiftly."
The room fell into silence again as everyone processed Merryweather's words. It was clear this mission would not be for the faint of heart, but they were the Elites—if anyone could succeed, it was them.
"Any questions?" Merryweather asked, raising a brow, his noble demeanor unwavering.
Astro timidly raised his hand. "Uh… just one. What happens if we fail?"
Merryweather's eyes snapped to Astro's, and for the smallest of moments, the playful glint vanished, a cold, unyielding seriousness replacing it. "If we fail," he said slowly, "then our city falls. And the world as we know it… disintegrates."
Merryweather's voice was still ringing in my ears, each word seeming to weigh upon me like it had been set into stone. I had to admit, there was something about the way he spoke that made it hard not to hang onto every syllable, like he'd been doing this sort of thing for centuries. As he took a step back, I could see Okayu straighten herself, and something in her eyes made me stand up a little straighter too. This wasn't over. Not yet.
"There is one more matter we must address," she began, and I could feel the tension in the room thicken, like we were all suddenly breathing the same air. I glanced around at the other Elites; they were all leaning in, waiting. It's not just the disturbance in our city that's weakening the barrier; there are forces operating outside our wallsEXTERNAL FORCES-driven by envy and malice and the need to pull down what they do not comprehend. The haters.
The murmurs were instant, rippling through the room like a wave. I'd heard about these so-called "haters," but to hear Okayu say it, that made it real, other than just some rumor or bedtime story intended to scare kids into behaving. I felt a chill crawl up my spine. Yeah, I was new around here, but I could tell this was serious. More serious than any of us wanted to admit.
"Their attacks grow bolder by the day," Okayu continued, her voice cutting through the murmurs like a blade. "And their hatred is gnawing away at the foundation of our reality. If we do not act, their influence will erode the barrier completely, and everything we've built will be exposed to the outside world. They'll come for us. They'll come for everything."
I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms. It was the kind of thing that made your blood run cold, but I refused to let fear take root. Beside me, Tricky's fox-like ears twitched, but she didn't say anything. Just stared straight ahead, eyes narrowed.
"So, what do we do? How do we stop them?" Rini spoke up, and there was no more of that playful edge in her voice. Just raw, determined fire. I liked that.
Okayu's gaze shifted back to Merryweather, and I felt my stomach twist into a knot. It was like watching a chess master make his move, every gesture deliberate. "Merryweather, if you would?"
The guy stepped forward with all the elegance of a noble from some old story, adjusting his glasses like this was just another day in the office. "Dealing with the haters is a matter of disrupting their source of power," he began, voice as smooth as polished marble. "They draw strength from the negativity they spread, using it to chip away at our defenses. We must starve them of that power. We must spread positivity, unity, and an unwavering belief in ourselves and this city. It is the only way to cut off the energy that fuels them."
I had to bite back a snort. Positivity? Unity? We were fighting monsters, not writing motivational posters. But there was something in Merryweather's tone that made me pause. Made me reconsider. He wasn't joking. He meant every word.
Mysta Rias, that cat-boy detective who always seemed half-amused by everything, raised an eyebrow. "So, you're saying we need to combat them with… good vibes?"
Merryweather didn't even blink. "Precisely. But more than that, we must ensure that their influence does not take root within our own minds. They thrive on fear, insecurity, and doubt. If any of us waver, we give them a foothold. We must be vigilant. We must remain united, no matter how hard they try to tear us apart."
It hit me then. This wasn't just about fighting some enemy out there in the darkness. It was about fighting the darkness inside ourselves. The doubts, the fears—every little whisper that told you you weren't good enough. I glanced at Tricky, and for a second, I saw the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes too. We were all feeling it.
Kaimon, who'd been leaning against a pillar with his arms crossed, suddenly stood up straighter, his voice sharp. "But can't we just… you know, fight them?"
Merryweather's smile was small, almost amused. "We can—and we will, if it comes to that. But physical strength alone will not be enough. The haters do not play by conventional rules. They infiltrate, they corrupt, and they twist your own thoughts against you. The real battle is not just outside these walls; it is within us as well."
A heavy silence fell over the room, the kind that makes every second feel like an eternity. And in that silence, I felt something shift inside me. A spark of resolve. I wasn't sure when I'd started caring this much, but there it was, burning brighter than ever.
Okayu stepped forward again, and her eyes met mine for a brief moment. I felt like she was looking right through me, seeing everything—every doubt, every fear, every hope I'd ever had. "This is not a fight that will be won in a day," she said. "It will be a long, grueling struggle. But we are Elites. We have faced countless challenges and emerged victorious. We will do so again."
The way she said it, there wasn't room for doubt. And for the first time since this whole mess started, I felt something settle in my chest. Confidence. Maybe even hope.
"Tricky, Astro," Okayu's voice drew my attention, and I stood up a little straighter. "You may be outsiders, but you've proven that you have a role to play in this. You stumbled upon our city for a reason, and now, whether you intended it or not, you're a part of this fight. We need every ally we can get."
I nodded, not even needing to think about it. "Whatever it takes," I said, the words coming out stronger than I expected. It felt good. Right. Like I'd finally found my place.
Tricky, ever the wildcard, grinned beside me, her eyes flashing with excitement. "Sounds like fun. Count me in."
"Very well," Merryweather concluded, adjusting his tie with that same practiced elegance. "Then it is settled. We will repair the ley lines, fortify our defenses, and confront the haters outside our walls. Together, we will remind them why this city has stood for so long."
The room erupted in agreement, and I felt the energy shift. It was subtle, like a current running through all of us, linking us together. For the first time since I'd stumbled into this strange city, I felt like I belonged.
Okayu gave a final, reassuring smile. "Thank you, everyone. Our path will not be easy, but we will face it together. Now, let's get to work."