The energy in the room buzzed as Okayu outlined the plan: we would be dividing into teams to take on each of the various problems plaguing the city. The stakes were higher than ever. Adrenaline surged through my veins. This was our moment-our chance to prove what we were capable of. I exchanged a look with Tricky, who practically vibrated with enthusiasm
"Alright, everyone!" Okayu's voice cut through the murmurs, commanding attention. "We need to act quickly. We'll split into groups to address the barrier issues and prepare for the haters' assault. Who here has experience with barrier magic?"
Ame stepped forward, her expression serious and determined. "I do. I've handled barriers before—patching them up, reinforcing them. I can lead the team."
"Perfect," Okayu said with a nod. "You'll head to the ley lines and do what you can to stabilize the barrier's weak points. I need a few more people to go with her."
"I'm in!" I spoke up without hesitation. Beside me, Tricky immediately jumped in as well, her enthusiasm undiminished.
"Count me in too!" she chimed in.
But before Okayu could respond, another voice, sharp and full of playful mischief, rang out from the back. "Actually, I'll take that spot instead of Tricky."
I spun, my heart folding over itself, as Nyana took her turn. She was loose, open, but her eyes were real. There was the threat of something sinister lurking behind a playful grin—a flash of ambition. Her vibe was an unsettling mash of casual defiance and razor-sharp focus, jarring compared to Tricky's pure rawness.
"Nyana?" Okayu's expression hardened immediately, her eyes narrowing. "This isn't a time for your games. You know what's at stake."
Nyana shrugged, her smile widening. "Oh, don't be like that, Okayu. I'm serious. I'll be useful. Besides," she added, her eyes flicking to Tricky with a knowing smirk, "Tricky's better off in the sky anyway. You know, for aerial advantage. That's what harpy-dragons are made for, right? Someone's got to keep an eye on things from above."
Tricky's wings twitched slightly at Nyana's comment, and for a split second, I could see her considering a sharp retort. But then, she let out a small, begrudging huff, her tail flicking back and forth. "Hmph. You're not wrong. I am the best lookout. Who else would keep an eye on you ground-dwellers?"
Nyana's smile turned smug, her eyes glittering with satisfaction. "Exactly. You'd just be wasting your talents down here, Tricky."
Tricky crossed her arms, her gaze flicking between Nyana and Okayu. Despite the reluctance of her tone, I knew she wouldn't further argue the point. For a flash, there was competitiveness in her eyes, but something softer stopped the edge-almost concern. She nodded slowly, conceding the point. "Fine. But if you mess up, Nyana, I'll be the first one to swoop in and set things straight. Got it?"
Nyana gave an exaggerated, mocking bow, her smile widening. "Wouldn't dream of it, Tricky-chan."
"Enough." Okayu's voice cut through the brewing tension. "Nyana, if you're going, you better keep your word. No funny business."
Nyana's grin turned almost predatory. "You have my word," she said lightly, though her tone suggested anything but innocence.
I glanced between Tricky and Nyana, feeling the shift in dynamics. Tricky's absence would be felt—she was one of the few people I felt comfortable around, her chaotic energy a bizarre sort of anchor. But Nyana was… something else entirely. Unpredictable, ambitious, and with a shadowy past that made me question what she really wanted.
"Alright then," I said, meeting Nyana's gaze evenly. "If you're coming with us, we're a team. We stick together, no matter what."
Her eyes sparkled with mischief, but I caught the briefest flicker of something deeper—something almost like approval. "Of course, Astro. I wouldn't have it any other way."
Okayu sighed, shaking her head slightly as if resigning herself to the inevitable. "Fine. Astro, Ame, and Nyana—it's settled. Head out to the ley lines and see what you can do to stabilize them. The rest of us will prepare for the battle ahead."
I nodded, adrenaline thrumming through my veins. This was it. The ley lines, the Forbidden Chamber, the haters lurking outside our walls—it was all coming to a head. And now, with Nyana joining us, I had no idea what to expect. But one thing was certain: we'd be facing the unknown together, for better or worse.
"Let's go," I said, looking between Ame and Nyana. Tricky gave me a small nod, her usual competitive grin back in place.
"Watch your back out there, Astro," she called, her voice teasing but her eyes serious. "And don't let that brat get you into too much trouble."
"I'll try," I replied, flashing a grin. "You take care too, Tricky. Keep us covered from the sky."
She nodded, her wings fluttering slightly as if already anticipating taking flight. "Don't worry. I'll be watching."
With that, we set off. Nyana fell into step beside me, her presence a strange mixture of comforting and unnerving. Her confidence was palpable, almost intoxicating. I could see why she'd been so dangerous in the past. But now, standing on the same side, I couldn't help but feel… curious. What was it that drove her? What was it she was really after?
"Looking forward to this?" she asked suddenly, her tone light but her eyes sharp.
I glanced at her, surprised. "What, fighting off magical disruption and ancient threats? Or dealing with a wildcard like you?"
She laughed, the sound bright and almost musical. "Both. But mostly, I'm curious to see what you're made of, Astro. After all, you're the wildcard here too, aren't you?"
The question caught me off guard, but I didn't flinch. "Maybe," I admitted. "Guess we'll find out."
Her smile widened, and for a moment, I saw something more than just mischief in her gaze—something almost like respect. Then it was gone, replaced by her usual playful expression.
"Guess we will," she murmured softly.
I glanced at Ame, trying to get a read on her, but it was like looking at an empty canvas. Normally, I could at least sense something—energy, emotion, an aura of some kind. But with Ame? There was… nothing. It was unnerving. It felt like staring into the void and expecting it to stare back.
I shook my head. No point in getting distracted. The mission was clear: get to the ley lines and patch them up before the entire city fell apart. Simple, right? Except nothing felt simple when you were working with someone as unpredictable as Nyana and someone as mysterious as Ame.
It was Nyana's sly smile that caught my eye as she sauntered up beside me. "Hey, don't look so tense, Astro," she teased, playfully shoving at me. "We're just heading into a chaotic, magic-infested zone with more risks than rewards. What's the worst that could happen?"
"Gee, I don't know," I replied dryly. "Maybe we all get blown to pieces, or the barrier collapses completely, and the haters swarm in. Just a few possibilities."
Nyana giggled, a sound that was somehow both lighthearted and chilling. "Relax. With me and Ame, you're in good hands." Her eyes sparkled with a mischievous light. "Besides, Tricky's got the sky covered. She's better off up there anyway. A cute harpy like her is more suited to swooping in and providing aerial support. Don't you think?"
I almost flinched at how easily she'd brushed off Tricky. "She's… not just cute, you know. She's a fighter."
"Oh, I know." Nyana leaned in, her gaze sharp. "But facts are facts. The air's her domain. And even Tricky couldn't deny it." She gave me a wink before twirling away, leaving me with a head full of confusion and irritation.
She was right. Tricky hadn't argued. In fact, she'd only folded her arms and let out a defeated grumble, something about how it would be "easier to rain down destruction from above." But still, I felt uneasy. It was strange seeing Tricky so quickly agree to step back from a challenge.
"Stop worrying," Ame's voice broke through my thoughts, calm and steady. Her unreadable eyes met mine, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. "Nyana likes to push buttons. Don't let her get to you."
"Easier said than done," I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck. "She's unpredictable."
Ame tilted her head, her ears twitching slightly. "She's ambitious. But she knows her limits. If she's with us, it's because she believes she can make it work."
"And you?" I asked, curious despite myself. "Why are you here?"
For a moment, Ame's expression softened, but the emptiness I felt from her didn't change. "Because someone has to keep everything from falling apart. Someone has to make sure we survive. And I know how to fix the ley lines"
Her words were like ice water down my spine. I didn't say a word, but merely nodded, swallowing the angst building in my chest. The Ame of this world. how strong is she, anyway? I had no idea. And it was starting to feel like the less I knew, the better. She's been mystical in my world sometimes even a bit crazy.And that's behind a VTuber avatar. But here.
"Let's focus on the task at hand," she said softly, almost as if she sensed my thoughts. "We've got to stabilize those ley lines. Once we're out there, stick close and follow my lead."
"Right." I tried to sound confident, but my voice shook. What the hell was I getting myself into?
As we made our way out of the meeting hall and toward the ley line access points, I couldn't help but steal glances at my two companions. Nyana was humming a jaunty little tune, completely at ease, while Ame moved with the grace and precision of a seasoned warrior. I felt like I was the odd one out—less experienced, less powerful. But I had to push that doubt aside.
We approached an opening to underground tunnels, housing the ley lines. The air was thick with energy, that kind that prickled your skin and stood your hair on end. I took a deep breath, steadying myself.
"Stay close," Ame instructed, her voice low and serious. "The ley lines are unstable right now, and the energy down here can mess with your senses. Don't wander off."
"Noted," I replied, swallowing hard.
"Lead the way, Captain!" Nyana chirped, giving a mock salute. I couldn't tell if she was being serious or mocking Ame's authority. Probably both.
Ame didn't respond, just turned and stepped into the darkness of the tunnel, her posture calm and unbothered. I followed close behind, Nyana bringing up the rear, humming softly to herself.
The deeper in we went, the heavier the air got. Like wading through a thick fog of magic and tension; every step seemed to send ripples of unease through my body. I could hardly see a few feet in front of me, yet Ame walked like she knew exactly where she was going.
"How do you know your way around here?" I whispered, half-expecting her to just tune me out.
"I have been here before," she whispered back, her eyes still fixed ahead on the path in front of us. "Long ago."
Something in her tone was different, something almost nostalgically distant. Before I could squeeze her further, however, there was a sudden, low rumble running along the tunnel, vibrating the ground beneath our feet.
"What the hell?" I staggered, catching myself against the wall. "Is the place collapsing?"
"No," Ame whispered, huddling back, squinting into the dark. "It's a disturbance in the ley lines. The energy reacts against something… or someone."
We froze to listen. Rumbling grew louder, then a chill swept over me. My stomach twisted, and I felt an oppressive force lean upon my chest.
"Uh, Ame?" I croaked, struggling to breathe. "What's happening?"
She said, and her hand rose slowly. In the dark her eyes were smoldering dimly; the air eddied round her. "Something's coming."
I barely had time to react, chaos erupting inside the tunnel. Dark, twisting energy exploded from the walls, tendrils of shadow and light whipping through the air like a serpent alive. I tumbled backward, my heart racing, my mind racing through for some little reason behind this magic tearing through the tunnel, sending chunks of stone and debris flying.
"Ame!" I shouted, panic clawing at my throat. "What—"
But she was already moving. With a single, fluid motion, she raised her hand and snapped. The energy around us rippled, then shattered like glass. I watched in stunned silence as the tendrils of magic froze in midair, then crumbled into harmless dust.
"What… the… hell?" I breathed.
Ame turned to me, her face serenely composed. "As I told you," she said in a soft, low voice, "stay by my side, following my lead."
At the moment, my mind still whirled about what I'd just seen. She had cut off the tide of energy with no more apparent difficulty than someone swatting a fly off their shoulder. What manner of powers were at her behest?
"You okay back there, Nyana?" Ame called over her shoulder, her tone almost casual.
Nyana's laughter echoed through the tunnel, bright and carefree. "Oh, I'm fine, Captain. But I have to say—" she leaned forward, her eyes glinting in the dark—"you're even more interesting than I thought."
Can't say I disagree. It's as though she's a different person altogether in here. I mean, I'd seen already some of what she was capable of, back in that church, but somehow, it's just incredible how powerful she actually is.
But one thing keeps bothering me: How did she know we knew each other? We're in this world, after all. It doesn't make sense.
Moving further into the tunnels, I started to feel out of my league. Ame and Nyana… they were both forces of nature in their own way.
And I was just a guy trying to keep up.