11:30AM Dungeon Floor 18
Labyrinth City Orario
"Samuel…" A soft, almost angelic voice calls out to me, but not enough to wake up me from the slumbering darkness I was in.
"Samuel, you need to wake up." The voice calls again, though this time a little louder. I being to stir a bit as I feel my fingers and parts of my muscles twitch.
"SAMUEL! WAKE UP!"
I jump to my feet in a panic as I bring up my M4 and frantically scan the area around me, trigger finger at the ready. I breath heavily as I put hand to my head that seems to be throbbing painfully.
"Agh, what in the actual fuck!" I groaned silently in pain as I pivoted around with my rifle up to scan the area around me for a few more seconds. I found myself in a heavily vegetative area with this abnormally huge tree. I gawk at the size of the tree as I slowly follow my gaze all the way up, but wince slightly as I look up at the sky. I put hand up to block out the brightness of the sun, but narrowed my eyes in bewilderment.
"What the hell?" I bring up my rifle and look down my EOTech Hybrid sight and find that the light wasn't emitting from the sun. The light was emitting from these crystals that stuck out from some cavern ceiling.
I couldn't wrap my mind around what I was looking at. Was this light supporting all the life in this place? Where the hell am I? What the hell is going on? Didn't I die? Question after question popped into my head but no one to ask or to be answered. I felt myself start to panic a little as I felt my hands trembling, struggling to hold my rifle.
'Jesus Christ, get it together Cruz. Now's not the time for fuck ups!' I thought to myself. I steeled myself as I took a few deep breaths. Once I felt myself calm and composed. I bring up a hand to my radio and hold down the push-to-takk radio and call in command.
"This is Petty Officer First Class Samuel Cruz to Command, do you copy?" Static is heard through the radio as no reply comes in. I try again. "Command, this is Petty Officer First Class Sam—" I quickly stop what I was saying as I felt an unnerving feeling of something watching me. I bring up my M4 and quickly scan the area around me once again. While doing so, I drop my mag and check if there's any rounds to spare. I pop it back in and hit the bottom of it to secure it in after seeing I do. I quickly check the pouches on my chest rig and find two more full magazines to spare.
The rustling continued as I kept my aim at the bushes. Then soon popped four white rabbits with these bitty red eyes. The weird thing wasn't their eyes, but it was the fact that all four rabbits stood on two legs! I couldn't help but stare in amazement at the sight of it. Soon my amazement turned to fear as the rabbits pulled out these axe looking weapons as they ran towards me.
I take aim at one jumping towards and far a single shot in between its eyes and sent it flying back. The loud crack of the gun shot made the rest of the rabbits stop in there tracks and stare at me for a moment. I don't waste no time and take out the three remaining rabbits. Once the threat was clear, I slowly walked up to the bodies. As I edge closer to all four bodies they just disappear into this black smoke and dust and what's left behind were these small pinkish purple stones.
I pick one up and look it over. It looks pretty expensive from what I'm seeing, but why did these rabbits turn into dust and drop these? I just couldn't wrap my head around anything at the moment. I quickly gather the three remaining stones and tuck them away in a pouch on my chest rig.
"I think it came from over there, I can see smell the smoke!" A female voice yelled not to far in from of me where it sounded like a small group was coming through some tall bushes.
I let out a tense breath that I didn't know I was holding and quickly settle myself. I keep a tight grip on mt rifle as I wait for them to get to me. Little did I know I wasn't expecting to see what I was going to see. Out popped out a five person group ranging from three females and two males. What caught my attention is that I seem to recognize them from somewhere, but I couldn't put my finger on it.
"Hey! What's an adventurer like you doing here all by yourself? Did you lose your familia?" One the females spoke up as she cheerfully looked at me. She started to walk up to me but I quickly got her to stop as slightly brought up my rifle.
"Stay where you are and don't come any closer. I don't know who you are, or where I'm at. So please, for my safety and yours, stay back." This got the female to look at me confused as so did the others.
I grip my the radio on my shoulder again to see if anyone will respond again. "Command, this is Petty Officer First Class Samuel Cruz, do you copy?" Static again rang out.
The female that was approaching me took a step towards with friendly smile. "So your name is Samuel" she happily said as she took another step. "Don't worry Samuel, it's ok we aren't go—" I took a shot near her feet which got her to put her hands to her ears and jerk back a bit.
"I told you not to—" I looked over at the group and noticed one of the females missing. Something in my head rang as I brought and arm up to the side of my head and clenched it tightly. I felt something heavy hit my arm as slid a few feet to the side. My arm throbbed painfully as I tried shaking the pain away. Before I can bring my rifle and engage my attacker, I felt my rifle get kicked away from hands. My attacker was this blonde haired female who looked pretty agile, though I wondered how she got to me so quickly and without me noticing.
I stumble back a bit as I raised my hands my arms up and got into a boxing stance. I had my sidearm, but I didn't want to use it until I know for sure I have to.
"Ais, he's not a—"
The blonde female rushed me and threw a solid round house towards my head. I quickly blocked it but couldn't help to hiss in pain from how heavy it felt. I countered back as I threw a straight right hand. She swiftly evaded the blow as she countered with a punch to my stomach.
The force from the hit made me lurch foward in pain. I then saw an opportunity to get back at her. I grabbed hold of her head and pulled back mine and send a hard head butt to hers with my helmet. This got her to stumble back in a daze as she held her slightly bleeding head in pain.
One of the males rushed in between us and shouted at us to stop. Though to me it sounded pretty hazy. My vision started to blurr as I violently coughed. I tasted iron in my mouth, which was a sigh of blood. I stublmed back, falling to a knee as I put a hand up and felt the urge to vomit.
I felt a hand on my shoulder and see it was the same girl who looked happy a few minutes ago. Now she looks at me with worry, which seems to intensify as I felt blood sliding down my chin. I looked down at my gloved hand and see blood splattered all over it.
"Aw shit, that's not good" I stated with a hint of worry in my voice.
A thin tube with this green liquid is handed to me by the tanned dark haired girl. "Drink this. It should make you feel better."
I look cautiously at her and then at the tube of liquid and back at her again. She rolled her eyes and shoved the tubed into my mouth, forcing me to drink the contents in the tube. I pulled away from her and coughed violently. I made a sour face at the taste, but like she said, I felt better. My stomach didn't hurt and my arms didn't feel numb anymore.
'Well it's good to know they aren't the bad guys.' I thought with in an internal sigh.
"You feel better?" The tanned skilled girl said with a soft voice.
I look at her and give her a nod. "Thank you, I appreciate you giving me that, but next time take me out to dinner before shoving things into my mouth."
This got a small giggle from her as she helped me up to my feet. "Isn't it suppose to be the other way around where the guy takes out the girl?"
"Heh, well seeing how you're being more foward than I am, it's only reasonable that you take me out" I chuckled, but hissed in pain as I put a hand to my stomach.
"Seems like the potion wasn't strong enough" she said worriedly. "We need to get you back up to the top and get you looked at. Looks like are lovable little Ais did a number on you." She shot a piercing glare at her friend who seemed to be getting scolded at by some little boy.
"It's alright I'll be fine, I just feel sore. I gotta admit though, that's one tough chick. Never have I ever been hit that hard, especially by a girl." That last part I said a little low, hurting my pride just a little.
The girl giggles as she draped an arm around my side as her other hand press up against my chest. I wrap and an around her shoulders to stable myself so I wouldn't put all my weight on here. Just taking into consideration that she's a lot small than me so I don't want to hurt her.
"My name is Tiona, Tiona Hiryute. It's nice to meet you Samuel" she said with a wink.
"Samuel, Samuel Cruz. The feeling is mutual." I replied back.
A voice chimes in as another tanned female of the group walks up to us. "Well well, aren't you two getting awfully close so soon."
Tiona rolls her eyes at this. "Tione, you know I can't fall for a man until he beats me in a fight, or I find him stronger than me." She looks over to me for moment and then back to her sister. "But don't you think he maybe be on our level if he stood his ground and even injured Ais?"
The one named Tione, which I'm assuming they are related somehow, crosses her arms under chest and looks up in thought. She then nods her head in agreement. "Yeah I guess you're right. No argument in that." She looks at her sister with a happy smile. "So does that mean you finally found someone?" She excitedly asked.
Before anything else is said, I let go of Tiona and painfully walk up to my rifle. I pick it up and sling the strap over my shoulder and let my rifle hang to the right side of my hip. Tiona looks at me a bit annoyed that I left her side, while Tione looks at her with a mischievous look.
"Anyways," I say loudly so I can get everyones attention. "I apologize for the trouble I've caused you all. I'm in unfamiliar territory and I'm very much on edge since I woke up here." I do a once over my rifle to see if everything is in working condition. I bring back the charging handle as a round is ejected out of the chamber. I quickly catch the round and put it in my pant pocket. I hit the bolt catch as the loud metalic sound of a round being feed echoes around us.
I let the rifle dangle back to my side as I unholster my SIG P226 and repeat the process. "Believe it, or not…" I pause for a bit as I look around still wondering how I even got here. "But I don't think I'm Kanas anymore."
A new voice speaks up, this time being the dog looking male with gray hair. "What the hell is Kanas?" He narrows his eyes at me, trying to intimidate me.
I ignore him and look at the blonde haired boy, assuming he's the leader. Two things I can tell he is just by looking at him. He's the one who's been doing the scolding and for some reason this guy has some weird fucking aura about him. On the outside he looks rather calm and passive. Yet the more I look at him the more I feel uneasy of what he's hiding behind that kind facade of his.
My thoughts are interrupted by a loud voice coming from the dog guy. "Hey! The fuck you ignoring me, I asked you a question you little shit!" He angrily yells at me, getting up in my face. The guy was pissed, but I pissed him off even more as I walked away from him and walked up to the blonde kid.
"I hope you don't mind me asking, but what's this world called?" The kid looks up at me genuinely confused at my question. Instead of anwering, he asks one of his own questions.
"Why do you ask me specifically?"
"Call it a hunch, but I can feel this aura around you that tells me you're pretty strong. Not only that, but the more I look at you the more I can tell you're hiding something." I look up at the ceiling deep in thought. I look back down at him and see him smiling at me. Why is he smiling at me? I don't really know.
"What a strange person you are, Mr. Samuel." He said with a child like giggle.
"Yeah, I feel like imma be getting a lot of that till I find a way home." I said rubbing the back of my neck awkwardly.
"To answer your question, this lower part of the world is called Gekkai." He answers my question.
"Lower world? Gekkai? What the fuck does that mean?!" I felt myself start to panic again as my body started to tremble. The boy looks at me in worry as he puts a hand on my chest rig.
"Samuel… I don't know how to answer, but I'm sure we can figure something out. I just need to relax, alright?" He says with a soft tone. I step away from him as I grip my rifle in my hands. This got everyone to pull their weapons out, expect Tiona who looked at me, worry in her eyes.
"How do you expect me to relax?" I asked him with a shakey voice. "I'm not in my world. My world is called Earth. I died back on Earth. I died protecting my teammates to give them time to escape. I should be dead!" I yelled out.
I point my gun at the dog guy as he tenses up and holds up his weapon in front of him. "There are no humans that look like him. There's just humans with normal features." I then point my gun at Ais who stares at me with a plain look. "There's no one who has inhuman strength like that girl." I then point my gun at Tione. "There no such thing as fucking rabbits standing on two legs wielding fucking axes. Animals don't just turn into dust and leave stones behind when killed. They just die!" My voice started to crack a little bit as I felt tears slowly fall from face. I then pan my gun to Tiona lastly who just looks at me with sadness in her eyes now.
"Why am I here?" I asked as I shakily aimed my rifle at Tiona who slowly started to walk up to me.
Everyone yelled at her to stop, but she didn't listen. She kept coming foward as I slowly lowered my rifle down as I looked down at the floor in defeat. I let out a hiccup of a cry as I felt Tiona wrap her arms around my neck, lowering my face down into her shoulder. I couldn't help but wrap an arm around her and held her softly.
"It's ok Samuel, it's ok." She softly said as she softly rocked us side to side "I can't say I understand what you're going through,or understand what you mean. But, the most I can do is help comfort you and help you adjust here. I'll be there to guide you no matter what, and promise you that." Her words were soothing to hear and I felt safe with her. Dare I say felt vulnerable with her, like I can let her know all the feelings I'm feeling and I wouldn't be judged.
I slowly started to feel better. I leaned away from her, wiped whatever tears I had left away with my gloved hand, and wiped whatever tears I left on her shoulder. I sadly chuckled a little as I apologized.
"Heh, sorry about that. Guess I let my emotions get to me, even though I shouldn't." I gave soft smile to her as she locked her bright green eyes with mine. "I appreciate you telling me that. It really helped." Her eyes stayed locked with mine, as if looking to see if I was for sure ok. "I mean it, I promise." Even reassuring her, she still stays locked onto me.
Someone clears their throat to get our attention, and I look towards the blonde boy. He warmly smiles at me so smile back towards him. He opens his mouth to say something but stop quickly with an apology.
"I'm sorry." I locked eyes with each one of them. "I'm sorry for being so emotional and aiming my weapon at all of you. I'd understand if you all dislike or hate me for being the way I am right now." No one said a word as they looked at each other. "I've made you all uncomfortable in this situation, so I hope you don't mind pointing the way towards the way out of here. I will show my way out and be on my way."
"Pffft…" Tione puts a hand over mouth as she tries not to laugh. I raise a brow at this as I shoot her a confused look.
"Yeaaaaah," Tione speaks up, " I don't think it's possible to leave you, especially in the state your in. It'd just be a danger for the people you might meet outside of the dungeon and it'd be weighing on our minds if we didn't help you." Everyone agreed expect the dog guy who just tsked and looked away.
"Speak for yourselves. I don't care about an emotional little bitch like this guy. Real men don't show tears infront of women." This got hard kick to his ass from Ais, sending him into a tree.
"And this is why women don't like you, Beto. You're a absolute asshole." Tione shakes her head in disappointment. "Thanks Ais, he deserved that. The nonverbal girl nods her back to Tiona.
"Also," she points to Tiona, who still has her eyes on me. "I think my sister would be pretty mad if we just left you." She giggled as Tiona grabs a hold of my arm and pulls it towards her.
This got my face to heat up a little at the close contact with her chest. "I'm fine, Tiona. You don't have to be so close." I tried pulling my arm away, but she shoots a pericing glare at me which got me to stop.
"Wow!" Tione shouts out in surprise. "I've never seen her this way." Her eyes widen as she see's her sister cling tightly to me. "Finn, have you ever seen her this way?" She looks over at the young boy who even shows shock on his face.
"Nope. Can't say I have." Finn replies back.
Now here I'm stuck in the middle of everything as this girl I hardly know clings to me. I have no idea what I did to make her feel this way towards me. I have a feeling it'll get even crazier as time goes on.