That morning, I woke up to the soft sunlight streaming through the window. Stretching, I was still a little sleepy, with my face slightly crushed by the bed. When I opened the door to my room and peeked into the hallway, I saw a scene that made me blink a few times to make sure I was really seeing what was in front of me.
Choso left the room, with calm steps, with his usual calm posture, but what caught my attention the most was the presence of Taiga next to him. - "Good morning, little brother."
Choso looked at me with a welcoming smile. - "Good morning, Sakura."
Taiga seemed sleepier than usual, her hair a little messy and her eyes half-closed, still struggling to wake up. She tried to hide a yawn, rubbing her eyes as she walked beside Choso. - "Good morning, Sakura-chan..."
I was surprised and even a little curious to see the two of them together so early. Choso rarely got involved with others directly like that, always maintaining a reserved and observant air.
"Good morning, Fujimura-sensei," he said to her with a smile on his face.
Seeing Taiga next to him, especially with that expression of someone who had just woken up, seemed surreal. I wondered what could have happened the night before for them to spend so much time together.
As they walked down the hallway, Taiga glanced quickly in my direction and gave a sleepy nod, as if my presence there was something completely normal there, without noticing the surprised expression on his face. Choso, in turn, just gave a slight nod, his eyes still with that calm and expressionless glow.
"These two..." - I finally managed to compose myself, and, as they headed to the kitchen. With a sigh, I smiled to myself. - "Well, I guess that makes things more interesting around here…"
After seeing Choso and Taiga together, I decided to start my own morning routine, but first, I wanted to make sure everyone was awake. First, I went to Yuji-Sensei's room, knocking lightly on the door. - "Sensei…" - When I didn't hear an answer, I carefully opened the door and peeked in. Inside, Yuji-Sensei was fast asleep, lying on his side with his face half buried in the pillow.
I chuckled softly when I saw him so deeply asleep, almost as if he was oblivious to any worries in the world. I approached and softly called out to him:
"Sensei… Yuji-Sensei, it's time to wake up." - I said in a gentle voice, trying not to startle him.
Itadori mumbled something inaudible and slowly opened his eyes, blinking several times before recognizing me. - "Sakura?" - he asked, still a little groggy. - "Is it time yet?"
I nodded, smiling. - "Yes, yes. Let's go, we still have a long day ahead of us." - I said as I got up and let him wake up little by little.
Satisfied that I had woken him up, I then went to Saber's room, who was already awake and packing her belongings with her typical disciplined and elegant posture. - "Good morning, Mrs. Arturia." - Upon seeing me at the door, Arturia gave me a welcoming look and bowed slightly.
"Good morning, Sakura. I see you're waking everyone up this morning." - the golden-haired woman commented with a discreet smile.
I smiled back. "Yes! It seems everyone slept well last night." - I replied. Arturia nodded in agreement.
Finally, I went to Shirou's room. I knocked on the door and called his name. - "Shirooooou..." - But upon hearing a slight murmur on the other side, I decided to go in. Shirou was curled up in his sheets, his face calm, although he seemed to be caught between sleep and consciousness. On the other side of the room, Tachie was already awake, watching the movement of the house and getting ready for the day. Upon seeing me, Tachie smiled, noticing my effort.
"Good morning, Tachie." - I said with a friendly smile. - "I hope you slept well."
"Good morning, Sakura. Yes, thank you, it was a peaceful night." - Tachie replied. She stood up, fixing her hair, while Shirou finally began to move, still half lost between sleep and wakefulness.
I watched Shirou trying to get up and laughed softly. - "Shirou, you better wake up soon. Little brother Choso is going to make breakfast and we have a lot to do."
Shirou murmured - "I'm going now..." - As he stood up with more determination, I left the room, pleased to see that everyone was starting to gather to start the new day.
With everyone awake, I decided to go ahead and prepare breakfast as well. I walked to the kitchen and started organizing the ingredients and utensils, keeping his focus and care. To my surprise, Choso soon appeared, silent as always, but ready to help.
"Can I help you?" - he asked, with his calm and soft voice.
I smiled happily at the offer. - "Sure, little brother. Can you help me cut the vegetables and organize the plates?"
Choso nodded, picking up a cutting board and starting to chop the ingredients with precise movements. The two of us worked side by side, in a harmonious rhythm.
As we prepared the meal, my cell phone began to vibrate on the counter. - "Huh?" - I quickly wiped my hands and answered, surprised to see that it was a call from school. On the other end of the line, Mitsuzuri's voice sounded hurried: "Sakura? We need you here at school. There was a problem at the archery club, and we need someone to take care of the situation before practice starts."
I felt a twinge of concern, but I kept my cool. - "Understood, I'm on my way!" - I replied.
I hung up the phone and turned to Choso, briefly explaining the situation. - "It seems there was some problem at the archery club... I'll have to leave early."
Choso nodded in understanding. - "Don't worry. I'll take care of the rest of the breakfast. Here's your bento, have your breakfast there."
I smiled gratefully, picking up my bag and leaving the kitchen. - "Thanks, little brother. I hope breakfast is great. See you later!"
I took one last look at the group that was starting to gather around the table and quickly left towards the school. I picked up my carefully stored bow and arrow, checking the condition of the string and arrows. It was a personal piece, after checking everything, I put the items in my backpack and left the house towards the school.
A few minutes later...
As I walked through the quiet streets, something unexpected happened. I began to feel an unusual lightness, as if the sounds around me were muffled, distant. My steps began to seem automatic, as if I was being guided by an invisible force. My eyes became slightly unfocused, and my mind, which until then had been occupied with thoughts about the archery club, began to get confused.
...
My steps were robotic...
....
In a few moments I regained consciousness, but soon I became unfocused again...
.....
I walked away from the big city and it wasn't long before I woke up in a strange place...
.....
When I woke up, I looked around, confused, trying to understand how I had gotten there. The weight of my backpack was still on my shoulders, and the bow and arrows remained with me, but there was something unsettling in the air. It was as if the environment around me was impregnated with a strange energy, silent, but oppressive.
I stood up hesitantly, trying to remember how I had gotten there. - "What happened...?" - I murmured, almost swallowed by the silence.
Little by little, my senses began to return, and I realized that I was in a dark and abandoned place, surrounded by rubble and a dense atmosphere. The air smelled of mold and decay, as if the place had been untouched for a long time.
Suddenly, I became aware of a frightening presence in front of me. When my vision cleared, I saw a grotesque-looking creature, a misshapen and surreal figure, like something out of a nightmare.
The creature had several layers of stacked faces and empty, disturbing expressions. In its hands, it held a bowl of soup, steaming and strange-looking, offering it to me with a slow and firm gesture.
"W-what?!" - My heart raced, and an instinctive warning shot through my mind, telling me to retreat. But before I could react, a hand gently touched my shoulder. I turned and saw a girl next to me, with a calm but serious look.
"You better accept the soup and don't scream..." - whispered the little girl in a low, firm voice. Her hair was all messy and her clothes were dirty. As if she hadn't bathed in a long time. - "If you refuse or react abruptly, this thing can kill you."
I felt a chill run down my spine. I looked at the bowl of strange soup offered by the creature and then at the girl, who continued to observe her with worried but also resigned eyes. It seemed that this girl had been through this situation before, and that she knew what was necessary to survive there.
Trying to control my fear, I took the bowl of soup with trembling hands, the multiple eyes watching me carefully, as if analyzing my every move. I gave a slight nod, as if I was thanking it.
The creature didn't back away, as if it was waiting for me to drink that soup. So, I brought the bowl to my lips and pretended to drink some of the soup, even though the smell was sickening and the bitter taste in my mouth made me want to vomit.
The creature watched me closely, and after a few seconds, it seemed satisfied. It slowly turned around and disappeared into the shadows of the room, leaving me and the girl in a heavy but now relieved tension.
When the creature was out of sight, I whispered to the still trembling girl. - "What... what was that? Where are we?"
The girl looked at her, her eyes dark. - "That... is something everyone here calls 'The Mother'. But everyone knows that it's not our real mother..."
I swallowed hard, trying to make sense of the situation. - "So this is a curse..." - I thought. Something told her that this place was more than just an abandoned building.
Trying to remain calm, I looked at the girl next to me and asked softly: "What's your name? How long have you been here?"
The girl hesitated for a moment, but then answered, her voice carrying a melancholic weight. - "My name is Kurusu Hana... I must have been here for days... weeks... maybe months... I don't know, I've already stopped counting."
Hana seemed fragile, and the empty look in her eyes showed how much she had already witnessed. I felt a deep sadness for the young girl. - "My name is Sakura... And the other children? Where are they?" I asked with a hopeful tone, imagining that perhaps they were not alone.
Hana looked away, a veil of sadness passing over her face. - "They... They all died..." - she said, her voice barely audible.
The revelation hit me like a blow. - "D-died?!..." - I took a deep breath, feeling a surge of anger. Something very dark and cruel was holding Hana back and I felt that I could not simply accept it. - "Okay..."
Remembering Yuji and Choso's teachings, I knew that I needed to keep a cool head and assess the situation carefully. I took one last look around, my senses alert, noticing every detail of the dark and worn environment.
Noticing that Hana looked exhausted and hungry, I remembered the bento that Choso had prepared for me. I took the meal out of my backpack and handed it to Hana. - "Here, have some food. This will help you feel better."
Hana looked at the bento in surprise and, after a moment of hesitation, accepted it with a grateful nod. She began to eat slowly, visibly touched by Sakura's kindness. "It's... Very tasty..."
"I know... It was made by the sweetest person in the world!" - I said to Hana while smiling at her.
While Hana ate, I prepared myself by picking up my bow and arrow. I felt the familiar weight in my hands and took a deep breath, focusing on strengthening my resolve. I knew that if I wanted to get out of this place with Hana and ensure her safety, I would need to be ready to face this thing.
I looked at Hana, who now seemed a little more refreshed. - "I'll find a way out for both of us..." - I said with a firm tone. - "I promise."
Hana watched her with eyes that were a little more hopeful, but still cautious, as if she was torn. I gave a slight smile, trying to convey confidence.
After Hana finished eating the bento, I crouched down next to her, gently holding her hand. - "Since you're done eating, shall we get out of here?"
Hana looked at me with a mix of hope and fear, but ended up nodding slowly. I squeezed the girl's hand and began to guide her through the abandoned environment, our steps were careful and we were alert to any movement.
The place seemed like a maze of dark corridors, walls covered in moss and cracks, while the air seemed heavy, almost suffocating. Every sound, from the dripping of water to the creaking of ancient structures.
As we walked, Hana, still holding my hand, broke the silence with a low and worried tone. - "The 'Mother'... she's always watching. She knows everything that happens here. No matter where you go, she always finds you."
I frowned, feeling a chill at hearing the girl's words. - "She watches everything? Even now?" - I asked, quickly looking around, trying to find something that could confirm what Hana was saying.
Hana nodded slowly. - "Yes. She has eyes everywhere... it's like this place is part of her. If we do something she doesn't like, she'll show up, and then..."
"Okay..." - I breathed, trying to control the growing uneasiness in my chest. - "Don't worry, Hana. We'll be careful. But if she shows up... I'll protect you." - My tone was firm, although inside I was scared to death.
As we continued walking, I began to notice strange markings on the walls, like symbols made of dried blood or something similar. - "Hana, do you know what these symbols mean?" - I asked, stopping for a moment to analyze the marks.
Hana shook her head negatively. - "I'm not sure... but I think it's something 'Mother' uses to keep a closer eye on us. It's like... her eyes."
"Okay. Let's avoid touching them... Just stay close to me."
Hana tightened her grip on my hand, as if seeking reassurance. - "Do you know if there's a safe place here?" - I asked, trying to gather as much information as possible.
Hana hesitated before answering. "Safe... no. It doesn't exist. But there are places where it appears less... maybe we can find one of those."
I nodded. - "Okay... Help me identify it."
Hana agreed, and together we moved forward, I still had my bow in my hands, ready for any eventuality. Each step was taken cautiously.
After walking for a while longer, the two of us finally found a place that seemed relatively "safer." It was a small, cluttered room, with broken furniture scattered around and a partially obstructed window, allowing a slight light to enter, although it was still insufficient to dispel the oppressive atmosphere of the place.
I closed the door behind us and sat Hana in a corner. - "For now, let's rest here for a bit." - I said as I inspected the room. My gaze fell on the dark holes in the ceiling, which seemed strangely out of place. They had an unsettling presence, as if they were more than simple structural flaws. - "This... Isn't normal."
I picked up my bow and arrow, taking a deep breath. I remembered everything my father Yuji and Choso had taught me about manipulating cursed energy. Closing my eyes for a brief moment, I tried to concentrate, visualizing the energy flowing through my body and into my weapon. It was something I still hadn't fully mastered, but I knew that at that moment, I had to try.
When I opened my eyes again, I felt a slight warmth in my hands. A subtle but visible aura began to surround the tip of the arrow. It was the first time I had managed to manifest the cursed energy so clearly, and it surprised her. - "It seems to be working..." - I muttered to myself.
Hana, who was watching everything in silence, seemed fascinated. - "This feeling... it's the same as 'Mother'." - the girl said.
I nodded slightly, but kept my focus. "So this creature is a curse... It's the first time I've seen one other than my brothers... That seemed offensive."
I positioned the arrow on the bow, aiming directly at the dark holes in the ceiling. Something about that place felt wrong, as if there was a hidden presence, watching us. - "These holes... Something tells me that this curse is right here." - I said, pulling the bowstring.
With a firm movement, I fired the arrow imbued with cursed energy. The arrow quickly crossed the air, illuminating the environment with a faint blue light as it approached its target. When it hit the hole, a strange sound echoed, something between a roar and a scream. It was as if it had hit something alive.
"It worked!" - I immediately readied another arrow, this time aiming at another hole. - "She's there!" - I said in a deep tone. - "Hana, get closer to me!"
I fired again, and another scream was heard, this time louder. The holes seemed to begin to creak, as if something was writhing inside them. Suddenly a deep and grotesque scream, filled with rage and pain, reverberated through the environment. Before I could react, the ceiling shattered with a deafening crash, and the creature abruptly descended, falling right in the middle of the room.
It was the "Mother", she was huge and deformed, with disproportionate limbs and a distorted face that seemed to be constantly changing shape. Her eyes, glowing bright red, were fixed on us.
Without hesitation, the curse charged towards us. With quick reflexes, I pulled Hana to the side, dodging the attack by a hair's breadth. The impact of the monster on the ground made the entire room shake, scattering dust and debris everywhere. I quickly stood up, already placing another arrow on the bow. - "Stay behind me, Hana!" - I shouted, my eyes fixed on the enemy.
But, before I could shoot, something unexpected happened. Hana, who had been behind me until that moment, the curse rushed towards Hana, but I couldn't reach it in time, until suddenly, magnificent white wings emerged from Hana's back, scattering bright feathers through the air.
Before I could say or do anything, Hana's figure flew upward, hovering above the curse with grace and authority. Her very presence made the air around her seem lighter, as if purifying the evil energy in the room. - "H-hana?!"
The creature, which had previously seemed imposing and threatening, instinctively retreated, as if recognizing the power emanating from the girl. She raised a hand and a voice, which did not seem to belong to a child, echoed through the space. - "Impure creature, your unholy existence ends here."
The voice did not come from Hana, but from the palm of her hand. The golden light intensified around her. The monster roared in agony.
The curse that had weakened her had not given up its fury. Her eyes, now redder and more insane, were aimed directly at me. I barely had time to react when the monster advanced towards me, its claws ready to grab me.
My thoughts ran quickly. - "If I only use the cursed energy, it won't be enough... I need precision."
I planted my feet on the ground, pulling an arrow from my quiver. In a fluid, agile movement, I imbued the arrow with cursed energy, but this time I applied a new idea: channeling physical strength into the shot as well, using the concentration that Yuji-Sensei had taught me to create a single, more powerful strike.
The curse roared, advancing brutally. I waited, watching every move of the monster as it rushed towards me. I calculated the perfect moment, holding my breath and aiming.
"Shoot!" - I shouted in my thoughts as I released the bowstring. The arrow shot out with impressive speed and force, shining with the cursed energy that surrounded it. The trajectory was perfect, going straight for the creature's exposed throat.
The impact was devastating. The arrow pierced deep into the monster's throat, which stopped suddenly, gurgling and letting out a grotesque sound as it tried to breathe. Her cursed energy began to dissipate quickly. - "Oh my..." - I took a few steps back, keeping my attention as the gigantic body fell with a crash, already lifeless.
I lowered the bow slowly, taking a deep breath. The silence that followed was heavy, but filled with relief. I looked at Hana, who was watching everything with wide eyes, holding her trembling hands.
"Yeah... I may have missed school today, but it was for a good reason, right?" - I said, walking up to the girl and gently holding her hand. Hana, still scared, nodded.
With the situation resolved, I guided Hana out of the place, carefully, to avoid any other threats. When we left the abandoned building, the fresh air enveloped us, and I felt the weight of the tension begin to dissipate completely.
As we walked, I looked at Hana and asked: "So, Hana... Do you know where we are?"
The girl, still holding my hand, shook her head. "I don't know," she replied in a low but honest voice.
I sighed, looking around. "This is going to be a problem..." The deserted streets of the nearby city were dark and uncomfortable, but at least they were out of immediate danger. "Okay," she said wearily. "Let's just get out of here. I promise I'll get you out of this dirty place."
Meanwhile...
I was gathering her materials in the empty classroom, the echo of the dark hallways being her only company. Night had already settled in, and the school, which during the day was full of life, now seemed like a desolate place. I sighed, adjusting my backpack on my shoulder as I walked towards the exit. "Hm... I haven't seen Sakura all day."
When I reached the stairs that led to the lower floor of the school, I stopped. Something was wrong. I could feel a presence in the air, something that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Slowly, I looked up and saw a familiar figure standing at the bottom of the stairs.
It was Tohsaka Rin.
"Rin?"
End of Chapter 5