"They're closing in on us!" Miram shouted, her voice laced with urgency as she glanced over her shoulder. "We have to be swift!"
Mike turned to face their pursuers, his eyes straining through the dense fog. The enemy was mere meters away, their forms indistinguishable except for the faint outlines of their figures. The fog's veil was their only salvation, concealing Mike and Miram from immediate detection. However, the Bingos' exceptional speed and hunting prowess allowed Dahra's warriors to close the gap rapidly.
"We can't continue fleeing like this," Mike said, his breathing labored. Flying had proven to be just as exhausting as running, a fact he hadn't anticipated. He turned to Miram, his expression resolute. "If we don't stop and confront them, we'll be too drained to defend ourselves when they catch up. We need a plan, a destination – something."
Miram's gaze flicked to Mike before refocusing on the path ahead. Her head shook subtly. "Engaging them in combat would be futile. If only you possessed the strength to take them down as you did earlier, we might stand a chance."
"I can handle them," Mike countered, attempting to sound confident despite his inner doubts. "I'll defeat them all." His voice trembled slightly, betraying his bravado.
Miram's eyes narrowed, her expression unreadable. She knew Mike's boasts were empty, that he wouldn't stand a chance against the sheer number of enemies. "You can't," she said gently, stealing glances Mike.
"You're not the one who fought them earlier. My father told me you haven't unlocked your memories yet, which means I'm your protector until you do." She turned to face him fully, her expression softening. "Don't worry, my Jyuran. I'll shield you with my life on the line. You're safe with..."
Her words were cut short as an unseen force grasped them, pulling them through space. The world around them blurred, and they stumbled, landing hard on the ground. Mike and Miram sprang to their feet and poised for battle, scanning their surroundings.
As they regained their footing, Mike's gaze swept across the vast cavern, searching for clues. Towering stone walls enclosed them, the air thick with the scent of unknown fragrance. A massive, roughly rounded entrance loomed behind him, the source of their mysterious transportation. Outside, the sky had darkened, as if night had fallen prematurely, casting the cavern in an eerie gloom.
A shiver ran down Mike's spine as a strange, unsettling familiarity crept over him. He felt as though he'd been here before, despite knowing he hadn't.
Suddenly, an unnerving whisper slithered from the shadows, sending a chill through the air. "Seems we have two uninvited guests." The presence behind the voice remained elusive, invisible, yet palpable.
Miram's eyes narrowed, her hand instinctively seeking Mike's. "Who's there?" she called out, her voice steady.
They spun around, their eyes scouring the darkness for the source of the voice. Mike's night vision kicked in, but he saw no one. The air was heavy with an ominous presence, making his skin prickle. Miram, however, remained calm, her composure unwavering.
"Who are you?" Miram shouted again, her voice echoing off the cavern walls. "Show yourself!"
"How did you two breach the gastral barrier? Do you know you've crossed a boundary you shouldn't have?" The voice responded, louder and more menacing.
Miram's ears twitched independently, trying to pinpoint the voice's origin. Mike's worry grew, but Miram's resolve never wavered.
"We didn't cross any boundary! We were kind of… pulled in beyond our control," Mike intervened, attempting to clarify. "Could you—"
"Did you say 'pulled in'?" The voice cut him off, its tone sharp with interest.
Footsteps echoed from a corner of the cavern, growing louder. The darkness receded as a dim lantern cast flickering shadows on the walls. Mike and Miram darted toward the sound, their eyes locked on the emerging figure.
An elderly Anthropter woman stepped into the light, her gaze fixed intently on the duo. Her steps were calculated, yet her face betrayed curiosity. Deep lines etched her face, and her silver hair cascaded down her back like a river of moonlight.
Mike and Miram halted, wary, as the woman's eyes scrutinized them. Her lantern cast an eerie glow, illuminating the cavern's ancient stones.
As the woman's gaze met Mike's, her eyes widened in astonishment. "The Jyuran from beyond our world?" she breathed, her voice tinged with awe. Her eyes roamed over Mike, drinking in every detail.
Mike's brow furrowed. "Do you know me?" he asked, his eyes locked onto the Anthropter, now standing a few paces away.
The cavern's walls began to radiate a warm, yellowish glow, as if ignited by an invisible force. The sudden illumination revealed the cavern's grandeur atmosphere.
"Not personally," the Anthropter replied, "but I know your destiny." Relief washed over her face, and she let out a sigh. "I foresaw your arrival in my dreams yesterday. Though, I didn't expect our meeting to be under these circumstances."
Mike's curiosity piqued. "You dreamed about me? Why do I keep appearing in everyone's visions?" His eyes searched the Anthropter's for sincerity.
The woman's eyebrows arched. "Are there others who've seen you in their visions, apart from—"
"How can we trust you mean no harm?" Miram interrupted, her expression stern, leaving no room for deception.
The woman's face transformed, her slightly wrinkled lips curling into a warm, lopsided grin. "You don't, you have no choice but to trust me, nonetheless," she said, her voice gentle yet persuasive. With a subtle nod, she gestured toward the cavern's mouth, the darkness beyond the entrance seeming to press in. "You'll find more protection here than out there."
Taking a deliberate step forward, her eyes sparkled as she introduced herself. "My name is Cat, the oldest member of the Council of Arado." Beaming with smile.
Mike's brow furrowed in surprise. "Do you mean 'Cat'? Like, literally?" he asked, his tone laced with incredulity. He had heard of people sharing names with animals, but never thought anyone would bear a name like Cat's.
Meanwhile, Miram's reaction was instantaneous. Her eyes flashed with suspicion as she intercepted Cat's approach. With a fluid motion, she stretched her hands toward Cat, fingers splayed as if conjuring a magical force. Her eyes glowed with a faint, reddish light, and her posture screamed 'WARNING!'.
Cat flinched, shock etched on her face. "You're a witch!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling. "A witch is alive?" Her eyes widened further, disbelief mingling with astonishment.
Mike leaned in, whispering to Miram, "She said she meant no harm. Why are you still on high alert?" His gaze darted between Miram and Cat, sensing the tension.
Miram's eyes never left Cat, her voice barely above a whisper. "You don't know what Arado means?" she whispered back, her voice barely audible.
Mike shook his head innocently, his expression a picture of genuine curiosity. "I don't know them," he said, his voice tinged with inquiry. "Who are they?" His eyes fixed on Miram, seeking enlightenment.
Miram's face turned grave, her features clouding with a mix of concern and seriousness. "They are the Jyuran Slayers," she explained, her tone measured and deliberate. "The Arado is a clan tasked with eliminating Jyurans they deem threats."
Cat countered, her voice infused with conviction and passion. "Exactly!" she exclaimed. "But I don't see you as a threat. Rather, you're our savior, the only one capable of liberating us from Dahra's oppressive tyranny."
Her gaze locked onto Mike. "I see you haven't unlocked your memories," she observed, concern etched on her face. "Jran's soul still lingers within your power, hindering your recollection and true potential." Her voice was tinged with empathy and understanding.
"I vanquished his soul earlier," Mike explained, his jaw set in determination. "I broke free from him." A hint of pride and accomplishment laced his words.
Cat's surprise deepened, her expression transforming from astonishment to wonder. "That's why I'm more surprised," she said. "We'd given up all hope in the Jyuran due to the Krara's corruption and perversion. We never thought the next Jyuran could suppress Jran's vengeful soul. But seeing you now... rekindles my dead hope." A warm, radiant smile spread across her face.
With a deliberate movement, Cat dropped the lantern she was holding, the sound of it hitting the ground echoed through the space. She took slow, measured steps toward the entrance of the cavern, scanning the surroundings with a practiced eye to verify if the gastral shield was still functioning.
Finally, satisfied with her inspection, she turned around, her gaze fixed intently on Mike and Miram. Her expression turned solemn. "However, you haven't completely broken free from Jran's vengeful soul. His influence still lingers, and will continue to threaten to overpower you."
"Normally, new Jyurans inherit flashes of their predecessor's memories – their death, unfulfilled missions... This knowledge guides them, helping them avoid past mistakes."
Cat's gaze drifted, as if recalling a distant memory. "But the Krara's perversion has disrupted this process. We must resort to a riskier, yet necessary, method: Soul Drifting."
Mike and Miram exchanged confused glances. "What's Soul Drifting?" they asked in unison.
Cat's steps halted, maintaining a respectful distance from the duo. "Soul Drifting allows your soul to temporarily leave your physical body, traversing realms, dimensions, and time. You'll witness the past firsthand, acquiring knowledge inaccessible in your current state."
Mike's eyes widened as understanding dawned. "You mean I'm going to..."
Cat nodded, her expression resolute. "Yes, you'll time-travel to the past, bearing witness to events that led to the Krara's defilement and the birth of Dahra," she replied.
"What!? Time-travel!?"