"Empty Hometown?"

The night was gentle. A silver moon hung in the sky, watching over the land below. At the edge of a small camp, a quiet fire flickered softly—its embers glowing in the dark.

Helwin sat beside the flame, silent and alert. His eyes scanning the darkness beyond the trees. Every rustle of wind, every sway of leaf—he heard it all.

He reached into his coat and pulled out a dark and silver watch. The faint ticking of the hands echoed in his ears, as he checked the time.

12:30 a.m.

Helwin let out a breath, his eyes narrowing slightly.

“It’s about damn time,” he thought.

With quiet footsteps, he moved toward the main tent, gently pulling back the flap. Inside, the others were fast asleep—faces buried into their blankets, unaware of the passing hours.

Helwin leaned down toward one of them.

“Yo, Shin’ō. Bitch. Wake up,” he said quietly while smacking his face.

Shin’ō stirred, eyes fluttering open in confusion. “Wha…? What the fuck!? It’s already time?”

“I’m going to sleep. It’s your duty to keep us safe now,” Helwin mumbled, getting into his spot.

Still groggy, Shin’ō pulled himself up and sat outside the tent. The fire was dim now, but still alive. He poked it with a stick, adding a few twigs, and kept his gaze on the forest ahead.

Minutes passed.

He pulled out his phone and tapped the screen to life. A simple offline RPG kept his fingers busy. The night dragged on, the game lost its charm, and his eyes started to glaze over.

He checked the time.

1:00 a.m.

Then he froze.

“I feel it,” he thought. “Something is watching me.”

He stood slowly, scanning the treeline. His heart beat steadily—but not out of fear. It was curiosity. And a sliver of tension.

From somewhere in the trees, a faint rustling came.

His eyes locked onto a low branch.

Then he saw it—a baby owl, perched and blinking.

Shin’ō cought off guard by it's cuteness said. “Aww, it’s only a small little owl!”

He raised his phone and snapped a picture. As he stepped forward, the owl flapped its wings and took off silently into the night sky.

Shin’ō smiled, but something deep within the shadows watched him.

From behind a tree, the same dark figure from Chapter 4 observed in silence—unmoving, unreadable.



Morning came with golden light and crisp air. The forest trail stretched endlessly, winding its way toward the distant mountains.

The group was back on the road.

Shin’ō pulled out his phone, holding it up with pride.

“Guys, I saw an owl last night. Look, I even got its picture!”

Jovino immediately perked up.“What?! Let me see!”

The trail was long, but the journey was beautiful. As they traveled, the world opened up before them—misty valleys, towering pines, the sound of distant rivers.

Each of them contributed to the journey in their own way.

With Jovino’s power over earth, they built sturdy tents by reshaping the land.
With Audaxor’s flames, they cooked warm meals under starlit skies.
With Helwin’s ice, they conjured cool, fresh water from thin air.
And with Bezkon’s electricity, they had endless energy—even for recharging phones.

It was slow, peaceful… and almost felt like a vacation.

Until they reached the valley's edge.

By evening, the sky darkened once more as they approached a quiet town nestled in the mountain's arms.

Bezkon’s footsteps slowed. His expression twisted into unease.

“This is my hometown…” he whispered.

But something was wrong.

There were no lights. No sounds. No movement.

The houses stood still, the wind carrying only silence.

“What… happened here?” Bezkon asked, voice heavy.

Shin’ō stepped forward, scanning the streets. “No way… There should be someone.”

Audaxor remained composed. “Let’s first go to your home.”

Bezkon didn’t hesitate. “Come. Follow me.”

They ran hurriedly through the town.

Past empty storefronts, locked cars, lifeless streets.

Finally, they reached Bezkon’s house. The building stood tall and untouched—safe.

He unlocked the door and rushed them inside. “Come in fast! I’m locking the door!”

The door clicked shut behind them. The world outside was already drowning in moonlight.

Helwin turned to the group, serious. “Okay. We need to make a plan. It’s already night.”

Jovino looked uncertain. “Guys, we should stay indoors tonight.”

Audaxor nodded. “Tomorrow morning we’re gon—”

Then it came.

A sound that pierced the silence.

Screams. Human and monstrous. Twisting together like a nightmare melody.

Audaxor’s eyes snapped toward the window. “What was that!?”

Shin’ō clenched his fists. “We should investigate. Before it’s too late.”

Jovino hesitated, stepping back.“You guys go. I’m staying here.”

Helwin didn’t argue. “No point fighting about it. Jovino—stay alert.”

Without another word, the four of them rushed out into the night.

The streets were dark and empty once more, but the sound guided them.

Down winding paths… toward the heart of the town.

Toward the town center...

There, beside the fountain under the glow of a single flickering streetlight… stood a man.

He was tall. Lean. His face twisted into a wicked grin, teeth too white. Eyes too calm.

He stared at them like he’d been waiting.



Back at the house, Jovino sat alone, breathing slowly.

Then—

Crack!

The sound of glass shattering echoed from the back of the house.

Something was trying to get in.

Jovino’s eyes widened. “Oh… shit.”

To be continued...