The forest was deathly quiet in the aftermath of the battle, the eerie stillness only broken by the faint crackle of fading flames. Yuto stood in the middle of the clearing, panting, trying to steady his breathing. His hands still trembled, the black flames of Abyss barely extinguished. The memory of the Hunter's words echoed in his mind.
"Abyss will consume you… just like it consumed your brother…"
Yuto clenched his fists tightly, forcing the darkness to recede further. Seiji approached him slowly, his blade resting on his shoulder, eyes sharp as ever.
"You're still thinking about what that bastard said, aren't you?" Seiji asked, his voice low but firm.
Yuto didn't respond immediately, his gaze fixed on the charred body of the Hunter. Finally, after a long pause, he muttered, "I can't ignore it. What if he's right? What if I'm walking down the same path as Kaito?"
Seiji's eyes narrowed. He placed a hand on Yuto's shoulder, giving him a reassuring squeeze. "Your brother fought his own battles. Yours are different. Don't compare yourself to a ghost."
Yuto sighed, still feeling the weight of doubt. "I just... I don't want to lose control. I don't want to hurt anyone."
Seiji leaned in slightly, his voice softer now, but still filled with conviction. "Then don't. You've got a choice, Yuto. Abyss might be inside you, but it doesn't define you. You do."
"It's not that simple." Yuto shook his head, frustration bubbling up in his chest. "You don't feel it, Seiji. You don't know what it's like—how tempting it is to just let go. Every time I use Abyss, I get closer to… I don't even know what."
Seiji's expression softened as he crossed his arms. "You're right, I don't know what it's like. But what I do know is that you're not alone in this. We're here, man. You've got Shiro, Takeshi, and me. We've got your back."
As if on cue, Shiro stumbled over from where he had been resting, holding his side and grimacing slightly. "Ugh… did you really have to go full Abyss on that guy? Next time, give us a heads-up before you turn the place into a flaming nightmare."
Despite the tension, Yuto couldn't help but crack a small smile. "Sorry, I'll try to tone it down."
Shiro waved a dismissive hand, though the playful grin on his face showed he wasn't too upset. "Just make sure I don't get roasted by those flames next time, yeah? I prefer not being extra crispy."
Takeshi, who had been scouting the perimeter of the clearing, returned to the group with a frown. His Anima energy still flickered around him as he spoke. "We don't have much time. That fight made too much noise. We need to move before more of them show up."
Yuto's eyes flickered with concern. "How many more do you think are out there?"
Takeshi's brow furrowed. "Hard to say. The Hunters always move in packs, and this bunch wasn't acting on their own. They were sent to bring you back, Yuto. They won't stop."
Seiji scoffed, glancing at the darkened forest. "Let them come. They'll get the same treatment as the last guy."
Takeshi shot Seiji a look. "This isn't about ego, Seiji. These Hunters don't play by our rules. They don't fight fair. They're ruthless, and they'll keep coming until they have what they want."
Yuto nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "So what do we do? Running doesn't seem like an option, and fighting… well, it's not like we're in the best shape right now." He gestured toward Shiro, who was still wincing from his injuries.
Shiro waved him off. "I'm fine. It's just a scratch."
"You almost bled out last week, Shiro," Takeshi reminded him with a deadpan look.
"Yeah, well… I got better." Shiro shrugged, grinning despite the pain.
Yuto couldn't help but laugh a little at Shiro's reckless optimism, but the reality of the situation was still weighing heavily on him. He looked at Seiji, his expression more serious now. "We need a plan."
Seiji nodded, his eyes scanning the treeline. "Agreed. We can't keep running forever, and we can't afford another battle like this right now. We need to regroup, find somewhere safe to lay low."
Yuto's thoughts churned, a question lingering at the back of his mind. "But where is safe? The Hunters know who I am. They know what I carry. It's only a matter of time before they track us down, no matter where we go."
Shiro's grin faded as the group fell silent, the weight of Yuto's words sinking in. Takeshi, ever the strategist, spoke up, his tone calm and analytical. "We need to go where they won't expect us to be. Somewhere off the radar, somewhere their usual methods of tracking won't work."
Seiji crossed his arms, thinking. "There's a place. It's risky, but it might be our best shot at buying some time."
Yuto frowned. "Where?"
Seiji met his gaze, his expression serious. "The Abyss Ruins. Deep within the city, beneath Zenith's oldest foundations. The place is crawling with spiritual energy, chaotic and unstable. Even the Hunters avoid it if they can."
Shiro's eyes widened. "The Abyss Ruins? You want us to hide in the place where people literally go mad from the energy? Great plan, Seiji. Really, top-notch thinking."
Takeshi rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Actually, it could work. The Ruins are saturated with Abyss energy, which might mask Yuto's presence. The Hunters rely on tracking spiritual signatures. If Yuto's signature blends in with the Ruins, they might not be able to pinpoint him."
Yuto hesitated. "But if it's that dangerous, what happens to me? Abyss is already trying to consume me. If I go there, won't that just make it worse?"
Seiji's eyes softened, his voice calm. "That's why it's risky. But it's a calculated risk. Right now, we need time to figure out our next move. You're strong enough to fight back against Abyss, Yuto. We believe in you."
Shiro leaned against a tree, wincing as he shifted his weight. "Well, if the Hunters don't kill us, the Ruins might. Can't wait to see which one takes us out first." He shot Yuto a playful grin, though there was an edge of unease behind his eyes.
Yuto looked at his friends, all of them battered but still standing beside him. They were willing to take this risk for him, to dive into one of the most dangerous places in Zenith City, all because they believed in him. A surge of determination rose inside him. He couldn't let them down.
"Alright," Yuto said, his voice steady. "Let's go to the Abyss Ruins. But we do it together. No one's going in alone."
Seiji grinned. "That's the spirit."
Takeshi nodded, already calculating the route in his mind. "It's settled, then. We'll make our way there under cover of darkness. We need to avoid being seen as much as possible. The Hunters will be looking for us."
As the group began to prepare for the journey, Yuto felt a strange sense of calm wash over him. The Abyss Ruins might be dangerous, but they were also a place where he might finally confront the dark power inside him—on his terms. No more running, no more hiding.
As they moved deeper into the forest, the oppressive atmosphere of the night began to close in around them. The sky was dark, the stars hidden behind thick clouds. The path ahead was uncertain, but for the first time, Yuto felt like he had a real chance to face what had been haunting him.
"I'm ready," Yuto whispered to himself, tightening his grip on the black flames that flickered in his palms. "I won't let Abyss control me. Not anymore."
Seiji, walking beside him, glanced over with a smirk. "Talking to yourself now? That's the first step to going mad, you know."
Yuto chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Maybe. But I'll take my chances."
The Abyss awaited, and with it, the answers Yuto had been searching for. The journey was just beginning.