The Woods Call to Us

Hiroki’s group huddled in their dimly lit hut, finalizing their preparations for the mission.

"So… I think the equipment is sufficient," Hiroki stated, holding a candle lantern. While Yoru was stretching her legs in a series of warm-up exercises, "I'm all set and ready" she said confidently.

Meanwhile, Amaya was sitting on the edge of the wooden bench, and her gaze was darting between them. "So… where are you guys going?" curiosity was evident in her voice.

"Nothing to worry about," Yoru said with a reassuring tone, tying her combat belt around her waist "It’s just a usual official mission. You should stay here and take it easy."

"But…" Amaya frowned, gripping the bench's edge with her fingers.

"Don’t worry, we’ll be right back before you even blink" Kenji added with a silly smile.

Yoru glanced back at Amaya, "You’ll be fine here for now. Ayuri should be on her way here, so don’t open the door for anyone else, okay?"

Amaya smiled reassuringly, "Okay! Then I'll make sure to protect the place from any bad guys."

She instantly rose from her seat and grabbed a long, sturdy stick propped against the wall. "I’ve trained enough, so you can count on me!"

Kenji joined her playfully, exclaiming, "Hehe, the evil Kenji has come to snatch your luggage, come here!" He started chasing her, while she was laughing and screaming, running away from him.

"Hey, Kenji, you're scaring her. Let us leave now," Yoru crossed her arms, annoyed as she glared at him.

As Hiroki opened the door for them to leave, Kenji waved farewell to Amaya, "See you later, Guardian girl" and then he departed with others, while Amaya kept watching them with gladness before closing the door.

On their way to the forest gate, Hiroki suddenly recalled the terrible dreams he'd had about this place. He froze in place, placing his left hand over his mouth in tension, "Wasn’t… there something similar like this?", his mind started to drift away in thoughts, Yet, is it possible to stop anything from occurring in first place… No, I don’t think anything bad will happen anyway."

"Hiroki?" Yoru’s voice brought him back to reality.

"Yeah, I’m fine. Don’t worry."

Kenji halted his steps, facing the small forest's gate in front of them "So, uhh… what’s up with this mission anyway?"

"They said in the mail that there were suspicious reports about people moving through this area," Yoru replied, glancing at the small dark metal gate that stood between them and the woods, and it was apparently not maintained.

Hiroki knitted his brow, trying to recall "People crossing through the gate? Wasn’t there a mention of some group, known as… 'Night Crows'?"

Kenji nodded and grimaced "Yeah, but whoever they are, stopping them should be our job."

"Not tonight," Yoru replied to him "We’re here only to investigate. That's what we were given."

After a short silence while gazing nervously at the gate, they nodded to each other, and began moving towards the gate.

Moments later, back to the hut…

The hut's door creaked open slowly, revealing someone standing there with a calm yet curious expression.

"Aaaaaah!" Amaya screamed, charging forward with the wooden bat raised high.

Ayuri blinked, clearly unfazed, and caught the bat in one hand without any effort. "Seriously?"

Amaya opened her eyes and gasped, visibly relieved but also embarrassed "Ayuri?! Oh… I thought you were a thief or something. You scared me!"

Ayuri chuckled softly, returning back the bat to her. "Well, it’s good to know you’re ready to protect us. Very impressive."

Amaya grinned, swelling her chest with pride. "Of course! I’m practically the hut’s guardian now." She spun the bat around and started pretending to fight. "BAM! I’ll take down anyone who dares to mess with us!"

Ayuri couldn't help but laugh, her hand over her mouth as she watched Amaya perform with enthusiasm.

"Hmm? What’s so funny?" Amaya paused in mid-dance to ask.

"Nothing, nothing." Ayuri waved, drying her laughing tears with her hand. "So… where did Hiroki and the others go?"

"Oh, they went on a mission" Amaya replied with excitement. "A super important one!"

Ayuri's expression changed a bit, some concern crossing her face. "Already? I see…"

"Yeah," Amaya continued, her voice turning softer. "I guess they’re going to find the person, who… who killed my brother."Her mood waned for a moment, but she quickly forced a smile back onto her face. "Then… when they do, I’m gonna punch him! Slap him! Pound him over and over again! Until he apologizes and shows me he means it"

Ayuri chuckled softly "Eeh, that sounds… a bit aggressive for your age, don’t you think? But… I understand your feelings."

Amaya’s eyelids drooped with frustration "Right…"

With a pleased smile, Ayuri continued, "Well… It’s time for me to go now," and she turned around, getting ready to leave.

"You’re leaving already?" Amaya asked, tilting her head. "Where are you going?"

Ayuri smiled slightly once more, her tone gentle. "I have my own mission to take care of now. I might join them later, but… I’m afraid that they might be in trouble before I even arrive."

Amaya’s eyes widened "Trouble? Really? What can I do to help?!"

Ayuri hesitated before answering "You shouldn’t need to do anything. But… if they don’t come back soon, you might want to take a look nearby. Just don’t do anything reckless, okay?"

Amaya nodded, saluting with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Aye aye, Senpai!"

Ayuri shook her head smiling "Well, see you later, Amaya"

"Bye-bye!" Amaya waved cheerfully as Ayuri walked outside the hut, closing the door behind her, and only leaving the echo of its shutting in behind.

At the Forest Gate…

Back to Hiroki and his friends, they stood next to the small black iron gate, everyone was on edge. Kenji opened the gate slowly, it creaked as it moved effortlessly, leading them inside, into the forbidden boundaries.

Hiroki took a deep breath, then slapped his cheeks with both hands to pump himself up "Alright. Let’s do this"

The thick trees created constant darkness inside, so Yoru lit the small lantern she had brought "This should help enough,"

As they kept walking through the forest, Kenji muttered, "Do people seriously come to a place like this? It’s like something out of a horror story."

"Scared already?" Yoru teased, smirking. "You’re not a scared bunny, are you?"

"I’m not scared, you idiot! just being cautious" Kenji shouted with a glare.

Hiroki chuckled while scratching the back of his head, which helped ease the tension a bit.

Suddenly, Kenji’s foot hit something on the ground, making a cracking sound. He froze in his place, his face draining of color.

"What was that??" Yoru demanded

Kenji bent down slowly, his voice shaking. "It’s…" He picked up the offending object. "A wooden branch…"

A moment of silence passed…

"Seriously?" Yoru managed to speak, "All this for a tree branch. Didn't you just say that you ain't afraid at all?"

Kenji grumbled, "Quiet! That was just… an exaggerated reaction. Weren't you the one who asked in panic about the sound source?"

"Hmm, sure… bunny" Yoru replied with a tone of sarcasm.

"Egh…" Kenji couldn't reply, so he turned away and crossed his arms in annoyance.

But then, she noticed something as she crouched down for a moment, her lantern illuminating the dirt. "Wait. These are…"

"What's the matter, Yoru?" Hiroki asked, kneeling beside her.

"Footprints," Yoru said with a low voice.

Hiroki examined them carefully, tracing the edges with his hand. "Fresh. Someone’s been here recently."

"Huh? Really?" Hiroki was bewildered, then dropped to his knees to get a better view.

"Interesting…" He inspected them carefully, tracing the edges with his hand.

"Looks fresh," He declared as he stood, "This place… was visited not too long ago"

A thick silence enveloped them as they stared at one another.

"Do you think it’s… them?" Kenji said in a low, shaky voice.

"The Night Crows…" Yoru implied, confirming his thought.

Once again, silence reigned, that conclusion loomed heavily around them.

Kenji broke the quiet, "Should we… keep going?"

Hiroki's eyes reflected seriousness, "We ain't giving up now. We'll move on following where the trail is leading"

Kenji sighed but nodded reluctantly "Uugh Alright, fine. Let’s do this"

And they moved further in their quest inside, and time passed…

Back at the Hut…

Amaya sat alone, fidgeting nervously. Her thoughts churned as she glanced at the door, then the Roman wall clock, then back again.

"What if… they’re in trouble? Should I go after them? No… Ayuri told me not to."

She kept tapping her fingers on the table, debating with herself. Finally, she stood up, and grabbed her bat.

"I can’t just sit here!"

She stepped outside, in the cold night, , and walked a few minutes up the hill leading into the woods calling out tentatively, "Yoru-chan? Kenji-kun?"

Her voice echoed in the still night, yet no response came.

As she approached the woods further, fear began to creep into her mind. The rustling of leaves and the occasional twig-moving sound felt too loud.

"G-Guys?" she called again, her voice shaking slightly.

Suddenly, she heard something behind her. Turning slowly, a chill ran down her spine. Her eyes widened in terror as she froze, breathless.

She tried to scream, but her voice was muffled as something cold covered her mouth…

[ To Be Continued ]