Location: Black Hollow City

  Time of Day: Morning

  Outside, the city had fallen silent. The screams, the sirens... all gone. Black Hollow City was quiet now - too quiet. The group stirred from inside the office - rested, healed, and ready to go.

  Captain checked his rifle with a practiced motion. "We move fast and hit the evac point, then we head straight for Echohold-09. That will be the plan."

  Lumina slid her katana into its sheath, her voice sharp. "Sounds good. Let's just hope we don't get overrun by any more Gravehowlers."

  Slayer groaned lowly as he raised his arms, then leaned toward the open window. "Looks like there's no ugly Smellyhowlers in sight. Either they moved on... or they're waiting for the perfect time to ambush."

  Hikari unfolded the city map, her brow furrowed as her finger traced the lines of the streets. "It looks like the evacuation point is four blocks west, near the stadium. That's where the radio's signal came from." She exhaled softly, summoning her pink aura as one of her Tech Link Bots blinked to life. WHIRR... a gentle hum filled the air.

  "Alright, little guy," she murmured, patting its shell with a faint smile. "Upload the route data and guide us to the stadium's evacuation zone." The bot pulsed twice in response before darting out the open window, hovering just beyond as if waiting for the team to depart.

  Slayer smirked under his helmet. "Still creepy how smart those things are when they're under your control."

  Hikari adjusted her gloves, deadpan. "I built them with tactical logic processors, thank you very much."

  "More like stole them," Slayer muttered under his breath.

  Lumina rested a hand on her hip, her tone steady. "Alright, everyone. Let's get going then."

  Hikari nodded once, then stepped toward the office door, placing her hand over the knob. A soft pink aura flowed from her palm SHIMM... and the lock clicked open. Captain pulled the door open, rifle in hand. He glanced down both sides of the hallway, then gave a short nod. "It's clear. Let's move out."

  They descended the building in silence - every step deliberate, eyes sweeping each corner... but nothing came. There were no snarls or dragging footsteps - only stillness. The street greeted them with an eerie calm. Orange light bled across the skyline as smoke drifted through the air. Debris littered the cracked roads, and cars lay burned-out and hollow. Not a single Gravehowler corpse remained. The city looked frozen and lifeless.

  Slayer's voice dropped to a whisper, almost as if afraid to disturb the silence. "Where the hell did they all go? A buffet?"

  Captain's reply was flat, grim. "They may still be out there. But just not here. Makes me wonder why though."

  Hikari rested a hand on her chin, thinking. "It is a bit odd. It's not a Gravehowler's behavior to just disappear from a city like that. Once they infect a whole area, their natural instinct is to have some stay behind - like protecting it, in a way."

  Lumina's gaze swept across the empty street. "Unless something else scared them off."

  "Maybe," Hikari replied quietly. "Either way, it's best they're not around here. That makes our destination much easier to reach." Her Tech Link Bot hovered down beside her with a soft WHIRR.... She smacked it twice with the back of her hand. CLANK! CLANK! "Knock on wood."

  Slayer shook his head, gesturing a hand at it in disbelief. "That's not even wood."

  The bot pulsed with a faint pink aura, projecting a pink thin guiding line through the haze. Hikari adjusted her coat, eyes sharpening. "Now, stay close, everyone. The bot's leading us toward the evacuation site. If there are any survivors left... let's make sure to keep them safe."

  Lumina stepped forward, hand resting lightly on her katana's hilt. "And if not... then we'll make sure to slay the thing that killed them." Together, they followed the bot into the heart of Black Hollow City - toward the stadium, and whatever remained of it.

  A few minutes later.

  The cracked streets and shattered towers of Black Hollow City stretched out before them as they moved through the ruins. Hikari's Tech Link Bot hovered just ahead; the only sound was the faint hum of its core and the whisper of wind. There was no infected or distant screams so far.

  Captain's voice cut low as he scanned the rooftops, rifle raised. "Tch, this is too quiet."

  Lumina voice came sharp. "This feels unnatural. Even in ruin, a city should be filled with some kind of life."

  Slayer walked backward for a few steps, his gaze drifting across the skyline. "Not even birds are in the sky."

  Then, something stirred near the far end of the street - a soft ripple of light gliding across the dust. Hikari paused, raising a hand. "Hold up... there seems to be something coming our way."

  Through the cracks of a fallen billboard, a faint silhouette emerged. It was a small, deer-like creature with a transparent body and antlers that shimmered blue. Its steps were weightless, almost floating, as pale light pulsed faintly within its frame. HUM... The air seemed to resonate softly around it.

  Slayer tilted his head. "Hm? That a deer of some kind?"

  Hikari nodded slowly. "Yeah, it is. But... just mystical, I guess you could say." She lifted a finger and cleared her throat. "Listen up everyone. This is the perfect time for a lesson."

  Captain crossed his arms. "Oh, here we go."

  Hikari continued, a smile on her face. "The Echo you see before you is a Null-class type. Echos from this category are docile, but not completely harmless either." She gestured toward the creature. "And that deer-like creature is codenamed Willowstray. They feed on moisture in the air and usually stay near quiet ruins like this."

  Lumina tilted her head toward the creature, eyes narrowing. "So what makes that one not completely harmless?"

  "Oh, easy," Hikari said, gesturing lightly. "If you make it angry, it'll strike you down with its antlers. So I suggest you just admire it from a distance."

  The creature lifted its head toward them unbothered. Its translucent body flickered, then dissolved into a swirl of vapor before reforming a few meters away. SHWOOOM... The air chimed faintly as it glided off, vanishing behind a collapsed tram car.

  Slayer watched until the glow faded. "Whoa... it just vanished."

  Hikari lowered her arm, her tone calm. "Yeah. That's called its vapor phase. It can dissolve into mist and travel more freely that way."

  Lumina's gaze lingered where the Willowstray had vanished. "How interesting." She turned to Hikari, her tone curious. "So, question... how much do you actually know about the Echos?"

  The team started walking again, their footsteps echoing faintly in the stillness as the drone guided them forward. Hikari adjusted her gloves, her tone calm but certain. "Quite a lot, actually. I've been researching them for about six years now. I know how they act and what abilities they possess. Including their behaviors, their traits... and almost every Echo that's been encountered."

  Slayer nearly tripped on a cracked curb, staring at her. "Wait, every Echo? You're serious?"

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Hikari gave a sheepish smile. "Well... I wouldn't say every Echo in existence, but I do have knowledge on a good amount of them."

  Captain smirked slightly. "Yeah, that's Hikari for you - one of our top Hollow agents."

  Lumina's brows lifted slightly. "Either way that's really impressive Hikari. On top of that you've studied them for six years."

  Hikari smiled, rubbing the back of her neck. "Yeah, I guess that's just my duty as a Hollow member, hehe."

  "Then tell me something," Slayer said, his tone deliberate. "What made you become a Hollow anyway?"

  Lumina shot him a sharp look and nudged his armored arm with her elbow, a subtle warning. Indicating that it's personal. Hikari noticed and let out a soft chuckle. "It's alright, Lumina. I don't mind answering that for the great tin can."

  She looked ahead, her voice steady. "It's simple, really. To protect the people of this world. I guess that's just how I am. Funny enough, I don't really fear the Echos. I can face them one-on-one no problem. What I fear most is losing the people I want to protect. Intelligence gave me the tools... but purpose gave me the drive." She gave a small grin. "I mean, I did get a perfect score on my entrance exams. I'd say that speaks for itself, right? Haha."

  The others exchanged looks. Slayer gave a low whistle. "Remind me never to play chess with you."

  Lumina's sternness softened as Hikari spoke of protecting others. "Hm... kinda reminds me of her," she murmured. Her hand drifted to the pendant resting against her chest, and for a brief moment, the memories came rushing back.

  Her mother's gentle hands fastened the black necklace around her neck. "Remember to always protect those around you," she said softly - her voice warm, yet firm. "Like I always say... we don't fight to kill-"

  Young Lumina's voice joined in, finishing the words with conviction. "....We fight for what we believe in - and for those who stand beside us."

  Her mother smiled proudly. "Yes, very good." She pulled Lumina into a tight hug. "I know you'll become a brave and elegant Xevian warrior one day." Gently, she touched the necklace resting against Lumina's chest. "This necklace will protect you when you most need it, and it will draw forth your Emanation's true power when the time comes."

  The memory blurred; her father's voice cut through, filled with urgency and strength. "You must go now, Lumina!" The vision faded. Lumina's fingers pressed against the pendant, her eyes sharp with renewed resolve.

  Captain's voice broke through, steady and grounding. "We're almost there."

  Hikari nodded, her tone calm but focused. "Yes. My drone is reacting. Which means we must be getting closer to our destination." The drone hovering ahead let out a faint HUM..., projecting its thin guiding line through the cracked streets. Hikari pointed ahead, eyes narrowing. "The stadium's only a few blocks west. If we keep going straight, the evac site should be at the main gate."

  Slayer tilted his head, his tone skeptical. "Wait... how do you even know that if the drone's the one leading us?"

  Hikari glanced back at him with a small grin. "Oh trust me, this drone tells me everything through my Aura Tech Link."

  Slayer looked over at Lumina, pausing. Lumina just shrugged, a faint smirk tugging at her lips.

  A few blocks later, they rounded the next corner and there it was. The stadium. Its towering walls were scarred with cracks and draped in weather-worn banners. Steel supports hung at odd angles, some bent, others broken. The main gates sagged open, half-crushed beneath a collapsed police barricade. Evac tents littered the front plaza - shredded, collapsed, and flapping weakly as the wind tugged at faded strips of caution tape. There was no movement or survivors.

  The group slowed at the entrance, eyes scanning the desolate silence. Hikari's eyes swept the ruins. "There seems to be no signs of contamination or even blood."

  Slayer tilted his head, unease creeping into his voice. "Oof, that's what bothers me. No signs of life or anything... not even frk'n rats."

  Lumina's gaze locked on the darkened entryway. "I say it's not completely empty. I get the feeling something's definitely waiting for us further down the way."

  Captain stepped forward, rifle raised. "Stay sharp everyone. Let's proceed inside with caution."

  The party moved cautiously through the gates and into the plaza, footwear crunching over shattered glass and abandoned evac packs. Supply crates lay overturned, their contents scattered. One tent still glowed faintly, a lantern flickering inside, half-lit as if it had been disturbed not long ago. Apart from all that there were no bodies or signs of struggle, just... nothing.

  Slayer's voice dropped to a whisper. "Wonder where everyone went... or maybe the Gravehowlers are the ones responsible for this?"

  Hikari bent down, picking up a discarded teddy bear from the rubble. She turned it in her hands, frowning. "I don't think so, Slayer. They just left everything behind. There's no blood or any signs of panic, so it can't be the Gravehowlers who caused this. It's like they were completely erased."

  Lumina's gaze swept across the empty plaza, her tone firm. "Well, whatever it may be, we must stay vigilant."

  The team moved ahead through the plaza, their steps echoing faintly. Up ahead, the stadium's inner tunnel loomed - dark and silent. The Tech Link Bot hovered near the entrance of the tunnel, its pink aura flickering... then slowly dimmed.

  Hikari blinked, confused. "Huh... it won't go any further." She reached for the bot, but it drifted back, then suddenly powered down mid-air. "What the...?" Hikari stepped closer and gave it a few soft taps. CLANK. CLANK. CLANK. The bot hit the ground with a faint metallic CLINK... And then - it vanished.

  Lumina's voice broke the silence, calm but alert. "What happened to it?"

  "I don't know... tired, maybe?" Hikari tilted her head, puzzled.

  Slayer crossed his arms, his tone flat. "That's crazy talk. Drones don't get tired."

  From the depths of the tunnel came a low, drawn-out CREEEAAAK... Then a wet DRIP... drip... drip... And silence again. Captain raised his rifle, jaw set. "Something's closing in. Everyone, stay on guard."

  Then RUSTLE...

  A faint shuffle of boots echoed behind them. "Hold it right there!" a voice barked. The team turned instantly to the voice. Out from a collapsed tent stepped three male figures - ragged and armed. Bandits... or survivors?

  The first, a broad man with a rusted shotgun slung across his back. The second, thinner, twirling a knife between grimy fingers and grinning like he enjoyed the sound of his own voice. The third stayed back, hands half-raised, his expression uneasy - more frightened than threatening.

  "Well, look at that," the knife-twirler said, his grin widening. "Didn't think anyone else'd still be alive in this dump."

  Hikari's eyes widened. She muttered, "Survivors..."

  Slayer tilted his head. "I thought no one else would be around here."

  Captain held his rifle up, voice calm but firm. "We may have found survivors, but we don't know what intentions they might have. So let's be cautious."

  Lumina crossed her arms, eyes narrowing.

  The man with the shotgun barked a laugh. "You with the rifle - drop it and hand it over. If not, we'll just have to shoot ya."

  The nervous one stepped forward quickly, voice cracking. "Wait - don't do this! They don't look like enemies. We're all just trying to survive, alright? You've seen what's out there."

  "Relax, Dax," the knife-twirler snapped, pushing Dax back. "We got this. We know what happens when someone is bitten. They turn into that ugly monstrosity." He jabbed his blade toward Lumina. "So we'll have to inspect for any bites or scratches." A grin curled across his face as he licked his lips, eyes roaming over her grey samurai outfit. "Hey, sweetheart... what's with the outfit? You some kind of cosplayer?"

  Lumina’s voice was firm, yet carried a hint of confusion. "Cos... player?" She glanced sideways at Hikari, brow furrowed. "What are those?"

  Hikari smiled softly. “Oh, haha... it’s just someone who dresses up for fun and pretends to be a character that usually comes from a story.”

  "I see..." Lumina's eyes narrowed, turning back to the bandit."...You making a mockery out of my outfit?"

  The knife-twirler smirked. "What, you never heard of it before? You from a different world or something?"

  Lumina let out a quiet groan, arms crossed. "Keep talking, and you'll have one foot down your throat."

  The man chuckled, stepping closer, eyes hungry. "Ohh I love it when they talk dirty to me."

  SHINK... Lumina's katana slid halfway from its sheath. Her tone stayed cool. "Want me to make you love me even more?"

  The grin on his face faltered. "Tch... easy, easy now. No need to bring out your lil toy into play."

  Hikari sighed softly, taking a step forward. "This is pointless." She raised her voice slightly, calm but firm. "Please just listen to me, we can help you. If we move together, we can get you to safety."

  The shotgun-wielder scoffed. "Safety? There is no safety left. This was supposed to be the evac site, and now there's nothing left. We've made it this far on our own, so why should we listen to a bunch of nobodies?"

  Slayer snapped, his tone sharp. "Nobodies?"

  The shotgun-wielder sneered. "Yeah. Especially the ones who wear fake armor."

  Slayer took a step forward, his voice low. "Tch... I'll show you fake."

  Hikari raised a hand quickly, stepping in front of him. "Slayer, calm down. There's no need for this."

  The nervous man - Dax - shook his head, placing a hand on the knife-twirler's arm. "Guys, please... they said they can help us. Let's just go with them and get to safety."

  "Shut up!" the knife-twirler barked, shoving him back hard. "I rather rot than go with them."

  Captain's voice cut in, sharp, rifle raised. "That's enough!"

  A tense silence hung between both groups - every motion and breath filled with distrust. Then CREEEAAAK... The sound came from the tunnel behind them. Everyone froze. The air grew heavier as their eyes turned toward the darkness. From within the tunnel came a faint hum - soft at first, then slowly growing louder with each passing second... like something was drawing closer. It wasn't just noise. It was a lullaby - soft, melodic, almost soothing.

  Dax spoke first, face pale. "Oh no... this is bad..."

  The knife-twirler frowned. "What the hell are you talking ab-"

  THWIP! A black fungal root shot out from the darkness, punching through his chest before he could finish. His knife clattered to the ground as his body slumped lifelessly, blood pooling beneath him.

  The shotgun-wielder stumbled back. "Wh-What the hell was that!?" SHLK! Another black fungal root lashed out, yanking him into the tunnel. HEELLP! His scream cut off in an instant.

  Dax reached a hand forward, voice breaking. "No, brother!"

  Captain raised his rifle, his voice steady. "Everyone, get back!"

  AHAHAHA...! Something deadly shifted in the darkness.