Chapter 2

Heeding my keen senses, I traverse through the dark tunnel, unable to find any remains of the Shihai Clan underground complex.

The more I walk surrounded by unfathomable blackness, the clearer it becomes I'm not in the same caverns.

If that happens to be the case, then where am I? Deeper reaches of the cave system, maybe?

That sounds unlikely considering the events that transpired, which involved a violent explosion.

I'd deem all of this a hallucination or a fever dream if it weren't for how very real everything is.

Struggling to puzzle out what's currently happening, I step outside the narrow tunnel, passing into a massive cave covered in glowing overgrowth.

I gaze at it with extreme prejudice, unsettled by the fact I'm in the presence of a carbon copy of the Neverland Ruins.

The buildings are the same! Or they would be if these weren't dilapidated.

Still, the arrangement is exact, as if the builder had copied the settings somehow.

Alright, I do not like this in the slightest…

Despite being low on batteries, I set the rifle in carbine mode in case I must pacify any hostile threats.

As irony would have it, as I advance toward the decaying ruins, a bunch of gloombirds begin to dance around me almost as if they had recognized my presence.

That obviously cannot be since these critters are different.

Hayato: I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm kind of reassured to see you again, guys.

Hayato: Maybe, just maybe, there was a second set of ruins somewhere or something, and I landed there for some uncanny reason.

Hayato: Say, would you be able to guide me back to the surface?

Not comprehending what I'm saying, the shiny moth-like creatures keep on playing, disregarding my question.

Hayato: Hmph, I had to try.

Ignoring them the same way they’re ignoring me, I move past the prancing bugs, setting foot in these new ruins that are a little too familiar.

The structures haven't changed nor have the carvings. However, there's new flora perching from the rooftops.

Apart from being luminous, they also brandish bulbs that attract the many gloombirds that enjoy dwelling in these dank depths.

I'm starting to like those things. Who would've said, huh?

I snort as I turn around the corner, stumbling upon a large bush that embedded itself into the black wall.

It's blocking passage, a trifling issue since I could simply turn around and take a different path.

These ruins almost feel like a forgotten town...

However, I don't retrace my steps and find an alternative way just yet.

The bush, apart from being several feet tall, is sprinkled with what is very similar to roses that radiate an alluring blue hue.

Wary this plant could be using mimicry to lure its prey, I approach the flower gingerly with my hand on the trigger, ready and willing to blast it with a scorching laser barrage if I must.

Thankfully, the shrub is behaving like a regular bush, allowing me to graze the delicate bloom with my fingers.

Upon making contact with it, the color of its petals begins to shift, adopting a glittering pink tinge that lights up the scene.

SARA: Warning! Unidentified flora detected! Its hue hints at toxins!

Hayato: Sweet mother of...

I retract my hand at the speed of lightning when SARA suddenly springs to life, giving me quite a scare.

Hayato: Sheesh, SARA... Couldn't you have made your presence known differently?

Hayato: I was about to torch down the poor bush because of you.

SARA: Negative. The AI has been rebooted to operate in survival mode.

SARA: You're forging into an unexplored land. Therefore, your utmost objective is overcoming the wilderness.

SARA: Missions will be issued to fulfill that premise.

Hayato: That didn't sound like an apology, but I'll take it as one.

As I imagined, SARA has adopted a new protocol, one that will ensure my safety in this eerie land.

It's not the first time I've been stranded behind the enemy lines, though I believe I'm much farther than only "behind.".

Hayato: Now that you're back online, SARA, would you please scan my equipment and my physical state?

Hayato: I need a status report to know if something is amiss.

SARA: At once.

I press my back against the mossy wall while SARA probes my body and my gear piece by piece, eventually summarizing the diagnosis.

SARA: Scan complete.

SARA: No physical damage was detected save for a slight concussion, an ideal outcome considering the nature of the explosion.

SARA: Equipment is low on batteries. Weapons are functional, but display systems are impaired. Night vision and suchlike are offline.

Hayato: Yes, I could figure out that much. Anything else?

SARA: There's a missing item. The solar charger doesn't have a high-voltage cable connected to it.

SARA: That'll negatively affect charge times.

Hayato: Oh yes, you're right. The cable's gone! Any idea where it could be?

SARA: Negative. Its signal cannot be read. The cable isn't on the premises.

Hayato: Ugh, that's a setback, but definitely not my priority. It won't be until I depart from these caves.

Hayato: I'm yearning to find myself in a location that doesn't have a pointy ceiling hanging over my head.

I glance up, glimpsing stalactites that could run through an elephant if they were to plummet.

A minor tremor, and this cave would receive a nasty rock shower that'd have deadly consequences.

Taking into account the menace from above, I roam across the ruins from one building to another, not encountering a single item created by a human hand.

The gloombirds are the only inhabitants of this derelict place, so shiny they're ignoring my mounted flashlight.

Honestly, I'm glad that's the case. I'd surely lose my patience if I had twenty of those critters flapping about constantly crashing into me.

SARA: Reminder that the radio is functional. Calling for a rescue team would be a wise move.

Hayato: I doubt anyone will come to save me, SARA, but here goes nothing...

Grasping at straws, I extend the antenna from my backpack, introducing the frequency of contact with the GSC headquarters.

Hayato: Hayato, codename "Ghost Falcon," talking.

Hayato: The enemy weapon of mass destruction has been neutralized, and the operation is a success.

Hayato: However, I require urgent evacuation.

Hayato: Do you copy? Hello? Can you hear me?

A static noise replies to my questions, wordlessly letting me know that no help will be coming my way.

Hayato: That settles it, SARA. I'm on my own in the middle of nowhere. I can only count on myself.

Hayato: And I say it's about time we exit these caverns. I'm an agent, not a mole.