The deep forest lay silent, with only faint leaf rustlings that break the stillness.
Hiroki's group had been walking for what felt like hours, yet their lantern was shifting its glow from one spot to another.
"I'm starting to get tired from that long walk," Kenji let out a deep sigh as he spoke, slumping his shoulders. "Feels like we're just running in a loop"
"I agree," Yoru added, glancing around at the endless long trees. "We're not making any progress here."
"Correct!" Kenji replied wearily, "I think it would be better for us if we just head back now, don't you think?"
However, returning wasn't an option for Hiroki's plan. He was fixated on the footprints on the ground, and kept visualizing the positions where it led to in his head.
"Something is wrong, these footprints don't make sense at all, they always lead to a dead end. I tried to overlook this from the start since it doesn't make sense, but… could it be that they were meant to direct each other to a certain path? Perhaps it acted as a reference for remembering the specified exact paths. But… to where?"
While lost in his thoughts and staring at the side area, he noticed a small mountain outline in the distance.
"That place…"
At that moment, memories hit him back, he had seen that mountain before, "It's the same view… the same one from the dream. It can't be…" He thought to himself anxiously.
"That way," Hiroki said suddenly after a period of silence, pointing towards the mountain.
"That again?" Kenji stated as he looked where he was pointing, "What makes you so sure?"
Yoru, however, seemed to understand "I think he's right. In a dense forest like this, a clear point like that is the best way to navigate and not get lost for anyone."
Kenji huffed, looking confused "Oh, really? Well I didn't actually think about that"
Yoru shot him a sharp look. "Of course you wouldn't notice this"
"Huh, what do you mean by that?!" Kenji shouted in some irritation.
She shrugged "Unlike you, I think before I talk."
Unable to respond to her comment, Kenji sighed, and turned around, waving her off. "Tsk… Whatever. Lead the way, genius girl."
As they walked towards the mountain, Yoru's sharp eyes caught something on the dirt. She stopped abruptly, gazing there.
"Is that… a circle?" She pointed to a small patch of ground facing her.
The group approached cautiously. Kenji crouched down, examining that circle etched into the dirt. There was a thin small line extending from one side, pointing slightly forward to the right.
"What the heck does this even mean?" Kenji muttered in confusion.
Hiroki studied the marking closely, "It's not an arrow, so it's not giving us a clear direction. But if the back of the line leads to the outside the forest, which is not an option here, then…" and he pointed to the other end of the line. "We will go on that way forward."
Yoru's eyes widened, kinda surprised. "Wow. I didn't expect you'd come up with such a smart idea like this very quick."
Hiroki nervously touched the nape of his neck, feeling a bit flustered, "O-Oh, really? I guess so…"
Kenji rolled his eyes. "Heeeh… I guess, let's just keep moving."
And they continued on their way. While Yoru was walking slowly with a different expression than usual, Hiroki was a little nervous, lost in churning thoughts.
"Wait, Why would there be a circle in the first place? If they know the area well, they wouldn't need markers. That mountain is already a clear point of reference, they literally have a better view above it for the whole area. This looks well-guided in the first place. Could this be… all planned? But why would someone do such a thing like this? Am I Overthinking?"
Questions churned in his head, and his expression revealed deepening anxiety. This caught Yoru's attention, which piqued her curiosity
"You okay?" Yoru noticed his expression, wondering about his worries, "Sure you want to continue?"
Hiroki offered a slight, forced nod, and replied with a quiet "Mhm," confirming that he was fine.
Minutes later, they arrived at what seemed like a dead end. huge rocks forward and thick side bushes blocked the path ahead, forming something that looks impervious.
The more they seek hopeful answers, the deeper they sink into confusion.
"Seriously? This is where it ends?" Kenji groaned.
"This complicates things further" Yoru muttered. "Why lead us here?"
"Something must be wrong, why do we look like we are trapped?" Hiroki's unease deepened, "This is too similar… Just like last time with Amaya. If this really is a trap—"
Suddenly, Hiroki broke the tense silence with his voice. "Guys, we need to leave now. As soon as possible."
Kenji turned to him, incredulous. "HUH? After coming all this way, you just want to retreat? That's just stupid!"
Yoru noticed the fear reflected in Hiroki's eyes. She hesitated before saying, "I think he's right. We should—"
Kenji interrupted with a teasing smirk, clearly annoyed "Oh, of course, you'd agree with him. You always do."
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Yoru shot back with a sharp tone, "Also, weren't you the one who came up with the idea of withdrawing earlier?"
"Enough!" Hiroki's voice was firm. "We've seen enough to report back. We should return now and—"
And just before he could complete his sentence, a chilling, mocking voice echoed far, behind all of them.
"What are you fools mumbling about over there?"
The group froze in place. Hiroki felt a chill run through him as he slowly turned around.
Standing a few meters away, on the top of the gigantic rock, stood a girl with long black hair and piercing ruby-red eyes. Her stance was relaxed, almost playful, yet her smirk carried a menacing undertone.
"And you are…?" Kenji was unfazed by her sudden appearance. Yoru, on the other side, kept a keen eye out for her.
The girl tilted her head slightly, her grin widening. "Oh, where are my manners? Allow me to introduce myself." She stepped forward a bit, her tone dripping with mockery and pride. "I am the nightmare of humans. The one who sent Eldarion to fulfill his mission. And soon… the one who will destroy Yumix and rebuild it into true freedom."
All of their faces were marked by feelings of anxiety and disarray.
"I am… Renne!" She spread her arms wide low.
Hiroki's face paled, trapped in a loop of disbelief. His breath hitched as her words hit him, his eyes wide and unblinking, paralyzed in his place by panic.
"Now then," Renne continued, her voice charming yet toxic. "Let's start the main party and make things… even more entertaining."
She stepped aside, dragging a figure forward from her rear. It was Amaya! Her mouth gagged, and her hands bound tightly with a rope. Her wide, terrified eyes darted between Hiroki's group and Renne.
A rush of terror washed over Hiroki.
"A-Amaya?!"
[ To Be Continued ]