As Kaito and his companions reached the altar, the atmosphere shifted. The air crackled with energy, and the faint glow of the ornate box pulsed rhythmically, as if it were alive. Kaito felt an inexplicable pull toward it, a mix of curiosity and caution.
"Stay alert," Rylan warned, his eyes scanning the room for any remaining threats. "We don't know what this artifact is capable of."
Mira stepped forward, her gaze fixed on the box. "We need to secure it before they regroup. If they're after this, it must be powerful."
Kaito nodded, stepping closer to the altar. "I'll grab it. Just cover me."
As he reached for the box, a sudden chill swept through the room. The chanting of the cultists had resumed, louder and more fervent than before. Kaito's fingers brushed against the cool surface of the box, and in that moment, he felt a surge of energy course through him—a vision flashed before his eyes.
A Glimpse of the Past
In the vision, Kaito saw a dark figure standing before a massive throne, surrounded by swirling shadows. The figure raised the box high, and the shadows coalesced into a monstrous form, a creature of pure darkness that roared with power. Kaito's heart raced as he realized the implications: this artifact was a key to something far more sinister.
"Get it now!" Lila shouted, snapping Kaito back to reality. The urgency in her voice broke the trance, and he quickly lifted the box from the altar.
As he did, a wave of energy surged through the room, and the cultists froze, their chanting abruptly cut off. Kaito felt the weight of the box in his hands, and he could sense its power thrumming beneath the surface.
"Now what?" Mira asked, her eyes wide with concern. "What do we do with it?"
The Cultists' Fury
Before Kaito could respond, the remaining cultists, now realizing what had happened, surged forward with renewed fury. Their leader, a tall figure cloaked in shadows, stepped forward, his voice booming with rage. "You dare take what is ours? You will pay for this insolence!"
Kaito tightened his grip on the box, feeling the energy within it respond to his fear. "We need to get out of here!" he shouted, glancing at Rylan and the others.
"Fall back!" Rylan commanded, positioning himself protectively in front of Kaito and Lila. "We'll hold them off while you escape!"
"No!" Kaito protested, feeling a sense of responsibility for the artifact. "We can't leave you behind!"
"Just go!" Mira urged, her voice firm. "We'll find a way to catch up. You have to protect that box!"
A Desperate Escape
With no time to argue, Kaito nodded, his heart heavy with the decision. He turned and sprinted toward the back exit, Lila close behind. The sounds of battle erupted behind them as Rylan and Mira engaged the cultists, buying them precious moments.
As they burst through the back door, Kaito glanced back, seeing Rylan and Mira fighting valiantly against the encroaching darkness. "We'll come back for you!" he shouted, but the door slammed shut behind them, cutting off the sounds of the struggle.
They raced through the alleyways, the weight of the box feeling heavier with each step. Kaito's mind raced with thoughts of what they had just uncovered and the danger that still loomed over the city.
"Where do we go now?" Lila asked, breathless as they turned a corner.
"We need to find a safe place to regroup and figure out what to do with this," Kaito replied, glancing around. "There's an old hideout I know of, not far from here. It should be secure."
The Hideout
They made their way to the hideout, a small, abandoned building tucked away in a quiet part of the city. Kaito pushed the door open, revealing a dusty interior filled with remnants of old furniture and cobwebs. It was dark, but they had enough light from the moon filtering through the broken windows.
"Is this place safe?" Lila asked, looking around warily.
"It should be," Kaito replied, setting the box down on a rickety table. "At least for now."
As they caught their breath, Kaito examined the box more closely. The intricate carvings glowed faintly, and he could feel the energy pulsing beneath the surface. "What do you think it is?" he wondered aloud.
"I don't know," Lila replied, her brow furrowed in thought. "But whatever it is, it's important to them. We need to figure out how to use it—or how to destroy it."
Kaito nodded, feeling the weight of their situation. "