《SMT : Broken Link》 Chapter 1: The Late Start ~Tokyo, 20XX~ Tokyo, the restless futuristic urban city. Thousands of people are living and trying to reach their dreams in this city. The tall and densely packed building really fit the title of ¡®Concrete Jungle¡¯. As the day ends, the aura of the city changed and became the land of freedom. It is truly the heaven for worldly desires. At the edge of the suburban area, unusually quite downtown area is hidden behind the shadow of the bug cities. In this quiet area, a small caf¨¦ is doing their activities as usual, albeit the lack of customer. The silence inside the caf¨¦ suddenly disrupted by the chime of welcoming bell at the door. Fukurei Tsubaki enter the caf¨¦ with a sour face. He¡¯s dragged here by his friend after coincidentally met him at the station when he about to get home. ¡®Why am I coming here when my assignment is piling up?¡¯ ¡°Welcome to Le Papa! Oh, it¡¯s you two...¡± The cheerful voice of the plump faced owner died out when he saw the two people coming in. ¡°Why¡¯d you sound so disappointed? Even though we deliberately come after our classes to help you.¡± The man with neat hair and glasses speak with an exaggerated tone as he hangs his jacket. His name is Kurosawa Saki. He is a successful and quite well-known college student. ¡°Tsubaki is fine, but not YOU. Honestly, even when I¡¯m having a hard time to manage this place I still need to give you beer for free. Your tabs is piling up you know.¡± The owner of this caf¨¦ is their friend, Nishimoto Yuuji. A college dropout that have talent in culinary world and decided to open his own business. ¡°Don¡¯t say it like that, Yuuji. I promised to pay it when I have enough money from my part time, right? It¡¯s not like I never paid for my drink here.¡± ¡°Honestly Saki¡­ Is that sarcasm or what? You never paid a single penny since I opened this caf¨¦.¡± Even after his remark, Yuuji still serve the two of them a glass full of beer. Saki drink it straightly while Tsubaki is staring blankly at the glass that brimming with bubbles from the cold beer. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? College is hard?¡± Ask Yuuji as he wiping some beer glasses behind the bar. ¡®Well something¡¯s wrong¡­ But it¡¯s not about college though. It¡¯s because all those weird dreams I had. Wish I know more about it.¡¯ ¡°Eh? No¡­ I mean yes¡­¡± Tsubaki lowered his head, tried to not looking at Yuuji sharp eyes. ¡®How the hell am I going to tell them about my dream? I mean, yeah it¡¯s a dream. But I feel something strange when I thought about it.¡¯ ¡°Come on Tsubaki, you can tell us. You¡¯ve been silent entire day and now you¡¯re going to be like that too in the front of this glorious ale?¡± Said Saki as he patted Tsubaki shoulder and making a ¡®puhaah¡¯ sound from his mouth. ¡®Well, might as well told them.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m fine really. It¡¯s just I¡¯ve been experiencing this weird dream every night.¡± ¡°Hm? What kind of dream?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just weird... I see all of us killing each other in another world. It¡¯s very much like Tokyo, but there is something different about it. Weird creatures roaming the land, the cities is very much deserted, all that¡¯s left is just us.¡± When Tsubaki finished his story, the caf¨¦ became silent. Yuuji and Tsubaki looked at each other face. Then without warning, those two are laughing like a mad man. ¡°Are you tired Tsubaki? Hahahaha¡­. I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re depressed just because one weird dream.¡± ¡°Did Yuuji Chuunibyou still affect you? Hahahaha¡­.¡± ¡®This is why I don¡¯t want to tell them.¡¯ Tsubaki sighed at the sight of his two friends laughing. ¡®But it¡¯s weird. It¡¯s much more satisfying after I told them and see them like that. Guess they are really there for me alright.¡¯ ¡°Hahaha¡­ha..ha.. From what I see, it seems you just missing all of us being together again.¡± Yuuji said while he wheezing after a good laugh. ¡°I do think so. Don¡¯t think about it too much. We know how it is now. It¡¯s not like everyone wants to be apart.¡± ¡°Yeah¡­ We were totally rocking on at those days¡­¡± Tsubaki and the rest simultaneously looking at their left hand. At their middle finger, a ring with similar engraving is giving a faint gleam. Tsubaki¡¯s ring is black while Yuuji and Saki is gold and silver respectively. ¡°Haha, I dampen the mood am I? Well, what about more beer guys?¡± Yuuji tried to move the topic and change the atmosphere. Everyone looked away from their ring and tries to follow Yuuji¡¯s effort. ¡°More beer? Are you tried to bury me in your bills?¡± Saki sarcastically asked. ¡°No, no. The next one is on the house.¡± Yuuji gives a wide smile as he pour another beer to Saki¡¯s glass. ¡®They are right. It¡¯s no use to think about it too much. For now I need to focus on my future and move on. Our friendship won¡¯t end with some distance. This ring is the proof. I¡¯m sorry guys for ruining the mood.¡¯ ¡°If it¡¯s on the house then give me one too!¡± Tsubaki that been silent a while ago suddenly pick up his empty glass and cheerfully ask Yuuji more beer. ¡°Now this is Tsubaki that I know so well.¡± Saki laughed as he watches the energetic Tsubaki. Noticing this, he makes a wide grin as a response. Those smiles became a signal for them that the night is still young and their problem is quickly washed away with enough liquor. ~~~~*****~~~~ 1 Month Later Shibuya station. One of the busiest place in Tokyo where many people from many background gathers. Or at least, they intersect each other. No matter how crowded it is, everyone is having their own business nor did they interest with other people. Amidst the sea of man. Two girl were waiting in the front of Hachiko statue. The one in the right is a beautiful and cute girl wearing a simple hoodie and a bleached jeans. Even with that simple outfit her beauty is not paralleled by any means. The other one is a simple girl with sports jacket and knee-length shirt. She wears a simple glasses and a simple, silver hairclip. On their left hand middle finger they wore a ring with beautiful engraving. The ring of the girl with hoodie has a cute pink color and the glasses girl is orange colored. ¡°Miko-chan, are you sure they said to wait here at ten?¡± Ask the girl with hoodie. Her name is Nakano Eriko. She is the self-proclaimed half-hikkikomori. ¡°Can we not start this again Eriko-chan? I¡¯ve already called them and they said we¡¯ll meet here at ten. And it¡¯s still a few minutes late. Be patient for a bit.¡± The girl with glasses gives a straight answer. She is Wakabayashi Mikoto, Eriko closest friend. Mikoto¡¯s answer made Eriko cheeks grow like a puffer fish. She¡¯s pouting like a child and giving those cute angry face to her¡± ¡°What the hell is that face? Are you trying to make fun of me?¡± ¡°Miko-chan, you¡¯re not cool!¡± Eriko said as she pinch Mikoto¡¯s hand. ¡°Ouch! Don¡¯t do that! Why you-!¡± The two girls starts arguing and bickering in the middle of the crowds and catching the attention of everyone around. Well, the one that catches more attention is Eriko anyway. It¡¯s refreshing to see a beautiful girl snapping out and yelling on the middle of the street. ¡°You two, STOP!¡± A woman was yelling behind the crowd with a loud and stern voice. Magically, this stop the fight of this two girls. ¡°That voice¡­ Ai-san!¡± Eriko and Mikoto ran towards the voice. When they passes the wall of the crowds, they found two girls waiting them. The two girls have an exotic colored skin, pretty unusual for Japanese. They are Kawajima Karen and Aibara Ai. Both of them wears a simple shirt with cardigan and a simple tights. In fact, if you do not know them, they looked like a sibling. The only thing that differ them is one has longer hair and the one with short hair skin color is slightly darker. They too, wears a ring on their left hand. It¡¯s sky blue and deep purple colored respectively. ¡°Ai-san, Karen-chan, it¡¯s been so long¡­.¡± Yell Mikoto as both of them tried to hug the two girls. But instead of a warm hug, Eriko and Mikoto receive a hit in their head the short haired girl. ¡°Baka. I told you many times to not fight in public places.¡± Ai grunted. ¡°W-well, Ai-san¡­ It¡¯s because Eriko was pinching my hand.¡± ¡°Hee? Even though you are mean to me too¡­¡± ¡°Fufufu¡­ You two surely doesn¡¯t change for a bit.¡± Karen who¡¯s been watching the scene laughed at the sight of Eriko and Mikoto in pain. For Karen and Ai which been living far from Tokyo in Kyoto, this was a refreshing scene. They surely used to this kind of situation few years ago before everyone goes separate ways. And that made Karen smile when she felt home after a while. ¡°Haaa, I think Karen-chan and Ai-san really missed us back at Nagoya.¡± ¡°Huh? Who? You two? Hahaha¡± Ai laughed as she retorted back Mikoto¡¯s statement. Feeling they had wasting enough time, Karen speaks. ¡°Ehm! I think everyone is already waiting for us. Let¡¯s meet up with the other shall we?¡± ¡°Where is our next stop?¡± Ask Ai. ¡°We¡¯ll meet with the guys at the Akihabara to buy some party goods. After that we will go to Le Papa while Tsubaki and Yuuka brought Yuuji to local market to buy some food stocks.¡± Following Mikoto and Eriko, the four quickly move to Akihabara to meet the rest of their friend. ~~~~***~~~~ Eriko, Mikoto, Ai and Karen finally arrives at Akihabara. The crowd is the same as Shibuya, but the aura is fundamentally different. The four step out from the station and quickly following Mikoto. ¡°Where is those guys at?¡± Karen run to the front to ask Mikoto. ¡°They are already at the goods store. I think it located behind the station.¡± After a few turns, they finally found the small goods store where the guys told them. It seems like a cheap store that sells household appliances and other miscellaneous goods. After the girls opened the door, they quickly recognize the face of three boys and one girl at the middle of the store. ¡°You guys! We¡¯re here with Karen-chan and Ai-san~¡± Eriko suddenly shouted and waving at their friends, which startled the cashier and some other customer. ¡°Hiyaaa~ Karen-chan, Ai-chan. It¡¯s been so long! How¡¯s your life at Kyoto?¡± The first one to greet them is the girl. Her name is Nijou Akira. She had this tomboy looks even with her long and feminine hair style. She quickly runs to the other girls with her signature looks, a black jacket and a white scarf complete with a warm fur hat. Of course she wears a ring too, and its crimson colored. ¡°Hoho, my life¡¯s been well, thanks for asking. What about you?¡± Karen answered after hugging Akira for a few seconds. ¡°Except everyone at Le Papa and J.J. which is coming late, it seems everyone is here.¡± A quite handsome man approached them. Even with first glance, everyone with any gender would say he is handsome. He is Moriyama Aoki, the group¡¯s bishounen. With a balance of cute and good-looks, he is popular with both girls and boys. Stepping into college world make his style preferences growing even further. His ring color is bright yellow.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°Kyaa~ Aoki-kun. You¡¯re still good-looking as always!¡± Ai cheerfully greets Aoki and making some strange sounds. Aoki who didn¡¯t know how to respond only gives her an awkward smile. ¡°Ai-chan¡­He is not on your level you know¡­¡± Mikoto quickly send a whisper to Ai to drag him back to real world. ¡°Geez, I know. I learnt it the hard way.¡± While they are chit-chatting and greeting each other after a long time. The other two guys came back with a bag full of decorations and other goods. ¡°Yo, what¡¯s up? Who are all these people?¡± The stern-faced boy walks while giving an obviously fake serious stare. ¡°We have bought all that¡¯s necessary. Excuse me please.¡± The other boy follows him by giving a fake gesture for everyone to move. They are Yoshikazu Nara and Takigawa Tanaka. The two are close friends, much like Eriko and Mikoto. Nara and Tanaka from the beginning of their friendship didn¡¯t hang out as frequently as the other because Nara is a following his father as a sailor and Tanaka is somewhat ¡®busy¡¯ with his sleep. But when they decide to tag along, everything seems to be livelier. Even when their sense of humor and personality is a little off. Their ring is ocean blue for Nara and leaf green colored for Tanaka. ¡°Hey you two. I see your sense of humor didn¡¯t seems to develop even after all these years.¡± Mikoto greets them while they exit the store. ¡°Hah, like your sense of humor is better than them! Hey, ouch!¡± Mikoto is rewarded with her toe being stepped on by Eriko for her comment. ¡°Guys, it¡¯s kinda heavy right here so can we move quickly?¡± Protested Tanaka. ¡°Ah, you¡¯re right. We need to decorate the caf¨¦ before Yuuji come back from the market.¡± The group quickly moving in order to reach Yuuji¡¯s caf¨¦ ¡®Le Papa¡¯ before its owner returns. After a quick walk and occasional chit-chat, they arrives at their destination. ~~~~***~~~~ Local shopping district. It filled with stores and simple stalls right and left. The district spans quite long so there are quite a bit of variety. Although in reality it called a shopping district, most of the stores has been closed due to bankruptcy because people choose to buy things from department store instead. Some business managed to holding on either because they selling some specialties or they sold an extremely fresh or cheap ingredients. Inside the liquor store, two boys and a girl was there. ¡°Ugh, I still can¡¯t stand the smell of alcohol.¡± The girl complained as she cover her nose. Tomoi Yuuka. She was a kindergarten teacher and an astronomy students. She was quite timid at high school but has been growing lately in her college environment. Like Mikoto, she also wears glasses but she is definitely more feminine than her. She had that geeky appearance about her too. Her white colored ring gleaming on his left hand. ¡°Hahaha, well ain¡¯t you cute Yuuka-chan. So it¡¯s true then you never touch any alcohol until now?¡± Yuuji laughed as he picking alcohol for his caf¨¦. ¡°Nah, that drinks surely didn¡¯t suit me. By the way Tsubaki, are you okay right there?¡± Behind the two, Tsubaki is tasked to become the porter for today. Both of his hands, his waist, even his back is filled with items and ingredients that they bought. Looking at his pathetic effort to stand still made Yuuka smiles a little. ¡®Why am I agreeing to do this kind of thing? That Saki, how dare he tricks me?¡¯ Tsubaki keeps grumbling inside his mind. Yesterday when they meet to plan the party, Saki told him to go with Yuuji buying things for the caf¨¦. He said that it just a simple task of keeping him busy and prevent him from going home early. ¡®It must be Saki¡¯s trick. I¡¯m sure he knows Yuuji will gladly use people like this.¡¯ ¡°Here. The last one.¡± Yuuji put two bottle of sake into the bag on his left shoulder. ¡°Whoa! Can you show some modesty? I¡¯m the only one who dragging your things. It¡¯s hard for me to even walk you know?¡± Tsubaki clearly state his protest. ¡°Beer¡¯s tab.¡± Two simple words. With only those two simple words Yuuji manage to silence the protesting Tsubaki. The porter that used to be mumbling and getting angry for every things added more to his weight is now following the other two meekly while mumbling incoherently. ¡®Damn¡­For a people in his birthday he seems to be the worst one.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m sorry Tsubaki. I¡¯ve never got anyone to help me. This shopping district could make deliveries but that means I need to pay extra charge. I can¡¯t make Yuuka carry things so bear with me for a little, will ya?¡± Yuuji suddenly stop walking to say that. ¡°Nah, its fine. We are friends aren¡¯t we? So don¡¯t act like that.¡± Tsubaki smiles as he stumble from the weight. ¡°Haha, you¡¯re right. I¡¯m sorry. Even so, it¡¯s so rare to see you comes to hang out Yuuka.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that rare though. It¡¯s my day off so why don¡¯t I meet with you guys?¡± ¡°Fufu, are you sure you¡¯re not just lonely?¡± ¡°Hey, I¡¯ve got my hands full with little children and their snot how could I be lonely?¡± ¡°That¡¯s true though.¡± ¡°Guys, cut the chase and let¡¯s start moving. It¡¯s heavy here.¡± ¡°Ah¡­ I¡¯m sorry, let¡¯s try to find other thing that I need.¡± ~~~~***~~~~ Le Papa. The group enter the door and welcomed by the chime of the bell. ¡°Ah, you¡¯re finally here.¡± Saki greets everyone while lifting up some chairs. ¡°Saki-kun! Long time no see!¡± Said Ai. ¡°Hai Hai¡­Can you help me already? Move all the chairs and table to the back.¡± ¡°Geez Saki, you¡¯re not even going to greet me back?¡± Ai frowned ¡°Hello Ai¡­ Now get back to work.¡± ¡°Okay okay¡­ You don¡¯t need to get grumpy like that.¡± Everyone quickly dividing into groups and start working. Nara and Tanaka helps Saki lifting off the chair. Aoki, Eriko and Mikoto decorating the caf¨¦ from the ceiling to the bar. Ai, Akira and Karen is neatly plating the food and sorting the other party good such as the confetti. While they are busy preparing for the party, the bell behind the door is ringing and someone enter the caf¨¦. A girl with thick layered jacket carefully open the door. The girl wears a heavy clothing even though it¡¯s summer. Her shoulder-length curly hair gives an impression of messy but neat hairstyle. On his left hand, she wore the same type of ring as the rest. The ring was brown colored and somehow make it seems fashioned from a wood. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s J.J.! Welcome back!¡± Said Karen. ¡°Welcome J.J. Don¡¯t just stand there, come here. And could you close the door please?¡± Adds Aoki. She slowly enter the caf¨¦ with a lowered face. And she just standing there, not moving at all. But the group didn¡¯t seems bothered by it and quickly resume their activity. Karen and Ai stand up from behind the bar and moving towards her. They start to remove all of her layers of jackets and coats, like someone peeling an orange. ¡°Have you touch any sugar before coming here?¡± Ask Karen. J.J. only reply her by moving her head a little to the sides. ¡°I figure so. Wait a bit.¡± Karen ran to the kitchen and come back with a glass of orange juice. She gives the glass to her and put a straw in. J.J. lift up the glass slowly and starts drinking it. ¡°FUUWAAAHHH!! I¡¯m coming out at last! Huahahaha!!¡± The silent J.J. suddenly shouting out and turns into a genki girl. ¡°Hey, Jessica! Long time no see! It seems J.J. didn¡¯t want to touch any sugar again, did she?¡± Said Ai as she help Jessica hang all of her coats. ¡°Everyone! It¡¯s been so long! Haaaa¡­ That girl really made me into a tight spot. Didn¡¯t touch anything sweet for a last few days even though she knew we will meet up. I don¡¯t blame her though, it seems she wants to see you all first before I came out.¡± This is Jessica. She is another personality of J.J. Or maybe her true personality. Nobody knows. She has this condition where if she taste something sweet, Jessica will come out. But is she taste something bitter, J.J. will come out instead. And it will stay in that personality until it experienced the triggering taste. It really made a huge uproar in their high school back then. ¡°Uwaaa! Look at that! Everyone is here! Aoki-kun, Mikoto-chan, even Nara-kun is here! Ah, how nostalgic it is for everyone to be together again!¡± Enthusiastic Jessica runs around the room to hug everyone. She was an enigma of the group and everyone¡¯s love her as she is. Inside the caf¨¦, 11 people is busy decorating, cooking and making sure everything¡¯s prepared. With her arrival the roster is completed and everyone is ready to drop the party. ~~~~***~~~~ The group continue to looks for few more stores but Yuuji couldn¡¯t find anything good, so he decide to return to caf¨¦ now. ¡®It¡¯s bad if we return to the caf¨¦ now¡­ ¡°Hey, wait! We can¡¯t go back to caf¨¦ now!¡± Yuuka unconsciously shouted at Yuuji after he decided to go back. ¡°Hm? Why not?¡± Yuuji ask. ¡°Because¡­. Uhm¡­ I-I am really hungry!¡± ¡°Is that so? But I¡¯m worried about Tsubaki for bringing all those things.¡± ¡°He is hungry too! Right, Tsubaki-kun?¡± Said Yuuka as she patted Tsubaki¡¯s shoulder. ¡®Nice move Yuuka! I¡¯ll follow up.¡¯ ¡°Y-Yeah! I¡¯m hungry too!¡± ¡°Hmmm¡­ Can¡¯t help it then. I know some good ramen around here. Why don¡¯t we go there?¡± ¡°Woah! I love ramen! Let¡¯s go there!¡± Yuuka said with an awful acting. Yuuji show them the way to his favorite ramen shop at the end of the shopping district. When they reached the ramen shop, Tsubaki saw an old lady sitting in the corner of the alley. She wears a white veil, and a dress with many frills. In front of her a crystal ball is put on the middle of the table, glistening with reflection of people going forth. ¡°That¡¯s a weird fortune telling stall.¡± Said Yuuka. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen it before. It must be new. Why don¡¯t we check out?¡± Yuuji closely checking the stalls from behind Tsubaki. ¡°I don¡¯t really believe in those things.¡± ¡°Well, we can just made Tsubaki do it then.¡± ¡°What? Me?¡± Tsubaki quickly cut the conversation ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s see how credible she is.¡± ¡®My luck is seriously awful today. Haaaa¡­ glad it¡¯s just a fortune telling.¡¯ Tsubaki slowly approached the lady. After putting all of his shopping bag aside, he stands in the front of the table. ¡°Welcome¡­Would you try to take a glimpse at your future?¡± The lady said with a shaky voice. ¡°Uhm¡­ Yeah, I suppose? How¡¯d it works?¡± Ask Tsubaki. ¡°Kehehe. Just give me your hand¡­¡± The lady reach out her right hand filled with wrinkles and weird ornament. Yuuji and Yuuka come closer and stand behind him. They silently take a peek to what the lady does. Tsubaki silently give his hand to the lady. With a shaky hand, the lady opens Tsubaki¡¯s palm. She then close her eyes and start rubbing and feeling its palm while occasionally mumbling weird prayer. ¡°Hmm¡­ I see your fate is a unique one¡­¡± The lady suddenly open her eyes. ¡°How so?¡± Starting to get curious himself, he ask the lady. ¡°Your fate, is strong. But it¡¯s standing in a weird intersection. Such a far and distant future where many trials and obstacles will hinder your journey. There are many possibilities to it. Your future and many close to you will depends on you.¡± The lady explain with a wide grin on her face. ¡®Isn¡¯t that a very vague description of everyone¡¯s life? I guess it¡¯s the same for every fortune teller then.¡¯ He said as he lose his expectation. Then suddenly the lady eyes widen and she starts screaming. ¡±The end!! I see the end!! Oh! You, lost child¡­ You will face the burden of the world. Your conquest for the future of many will starts shortly!! AHHHHH!!! The world is dying¡­ And you will become the key to its fate!¡± Screams the lady ¡°What¡­the¡­¡± Three of them startled by the lady and stepping back a few steps. ¡®Is she trying to convince me of something? That¡¯s a good acting though.¡¯ ¡°The rings!!¡± The lady pointing at the ring at Tsubaki¡¯s finger. He unconsciously lift his hands cover his rings with his right hand. Yuuji and Yuuka suddenly did the same. ¡°You and all your friend have an identical ring didn¡¯t you?¡± ¡®Now he talking about my ring¡­He must have seen these two guys wearing it too so she could say that.¡¯ Still didn¡¯t believe her. Tsubaki tried to make an excuse in his mind. ¡°KEHEHEHE!! You didn¡¯t believe me, did you? Those rings¡­There are thirteen of them wasn¡¯t it? It will became the key to your survival¡­Give me¡­Give me those rings!!¡± The lady suddenly jumped and tried to take their rings. ¡°Run!¡± Scared by the odd lady, the group quickly run from the alley and escaped to the shopping district again. Feeling that they are safe, they stopped and tries to catch their breath. ¡°Huh¡­Huh¡­What the hell was that?!¡± Ask Yuuka while she hardly breathing. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡± ¡°Hey, where is my groceries?¡± Yuuji ask with a shocked face. ¡®Fuck, I forget it.¡¯ ¡°Aaahh¡­Hehehe¡­¡± ¡°Damn, let¡¯s try to return and take it back. It¡¯s my last month income right there.¡± Even so, when they return to that place the lady was no more. Yuuji quickly pick up all his groceries back. Feeling tired and notice it¡¯s been quite a time, Tsubaki and Yuuka decide to lead Yuuji back to the caf¨¦. ~~~~***~~~~ Tsubaki, Yuuji and Yuuka dragging down their feet through the suburban area. They became absolutely pitiful since the incident with the lady, moreover with Yuuka since her legs is twisted while running away. Yuuji is awfully tired since he didn¡¯t used to ran for a long time and Tsubaki must dragging his tired body with all of Yuuji¡¯s groceries. ¡®Damn it, I¡¯m really unlucky today. Luckily the lady is not there when we try to retrieve our groceries. I really hope I could jump into my bed after all this over.¡¯ Along the way, the three of them is silent. But Tsubaki is racking up his brain, trying to figure out what the odd lady saying. ¡®It¡¯s unlike me to be bothered by that kind of situation. But something about it seems off.¡¯ He walks as he tried to remember the scene with the lady. ¡®The rings¡­She said something about the rings¡­¡¯ As he pondering, the group finally arrived at the caf¨¦. Yuuji take his key from his pocket and opens the front door. Seeing Tsubaki being occupied with his thinking, Yuuka silently move behind him and start whispering. ¡°Hey, the party¡¯s about to start. Hey, can you hear me?¡± her voice don¡¯t even reach his ears. ¡®Rings¡­Wait, how did she knows we have thirteen identical rings? It¡¯s impossible. Did we know her?¡¯ Yuuji slowly enter the caf¨¦ followed by Tsubaki, then Yuuka. As Yuuka silently closing the door, the light suddenly turned on and everyone inside shouting as loud as they could. ¡°HAPPY BIRTHDAY YUUJI!¡± Everyone beside the three who just came throw a surprise for Yuuji with a smiling face. Akira holding the cake in the center. Nara and Tanaka popping out the confetti. Ai, J.J., Aoki and Mikoto blows a plastic trumpet. Karen and Eriko is spraying a fake snow around the room while Saki is behind the bar as the operator for the light. ¡®Oh, we¡¯ve arrived! I think I¡¯m absorbed in my thinking so much and didn¡¯t realize we already enters the caf¨¦. Thank god they surprised me as well.¡¯ As everyone is merry and ready to throw a bomb party, the light goes off again. ¡°What the hell Saki?¡± Everyone almost complained at the same time. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s not me¡ªWhoaah!¡± The ground shakes violently. The colorful party suddenly turns into a total chaos. ¡°Earthquake?! Everybody get down!¡± Following Akira¡¯s cue, everybody stumble down and tried to get something to hold on. Not everyone succeed though, some people is rolling and dragged here and there because they failed to found something to hold or their lifeline is broken by the violent shakes. All of the light inside the caf¨¦ is acting weird too as they flickering non-stop amidst the chaos. ¡®This earthquake is not normal. It¡¯s too strong!¡± Tsubaki is holding on to the bar. He throw away all the groceries as he sense the earthquake coming. But everyone is uneasy since usually earthquake won¡¯t be this strong or take this long. Because of the non-stop shaking, all of the glassware inside the caf¨¦ starts shattered into pieces. The table and the chair being turned upside down. While everyone is barely holding on, the earthquake finally stopped. The group slowly tries to get up. ¡°Thank god, it finally stopped.¡¯ Said Saki. ¡°It¡¯s so strong. We must be very lucky to survive that!¡± Mikoto agree as she helps Eriko standing up. ¡°No¡­ It¡¯s not over yet.¡± Tsubaki unconsciously said that and made everyone look at him. ¡°What did you mean?¡± Ask Yuuji. Rumble Rumble Grrrrrr The sounds of rumbling could be heard below the ground. Everyone is ready for another earthquake and quickly back to their position and tried to holding on. But it¡¯s too late. Like a roller coaster that¡¯s freely diving off it course, the caf¨¦ experience a free fall. Because of the gravity, everything that did not stuck the ground is floating. Including the people. ¡°What is happeniiingg? Whoaaaaaa¡± Everyone is floating in the air while the caf¨¦ seems to be falling down into something At the end, everything became black. They could tell they at one point reach the bottom. They just could feel it, but they did not really experience it. All thirteen of them is unconscious. Chapter 2 : The Blood Rider Tsubaki open his eyes. All of his body seems heavy. His vision is slowly recovering from blurriness. He was sleeping on a cold stone floor. In front of him there is an altar made from stone. It was supported by multiple sculptures of weeping creature of many kinds, human, fairies, beast, troll, you name it. ¡®Where am I? I remember I was inside the caf¨¦ then¡­Ugh¡­¡± His head hurts. He quickly get up and assessed the situation. Right now he is inside a ridiculously huge circular hall. Even calling this some hall is an understatement. It was like a colosseum. Multiple torch and candelabrum is adorning the wall for the source of light. The room is surrounded by twenty meter twelve giant door that reach the ceiling of the room. Each door has different style and color, even the ornament around them. The ceiling itself is painted with an exotic color resembling a night sky, so realistic, people will mistake it for a real one first time they see it. And in the middle of it was Tsubaki and the altar. ¡®What is this place? Is this a dream?¡¯ He thought as he moves toward the altar to check it. ¡°This place is as real as you want it to be, my guest.¡± The soft voice of a woman echoes in the silence of the hall. ¡°Huh? Who are you? Show yourself!¡± Respond Tsubaki to the woman. ¡°Fufufu. Don¡¯t be wary. You are the one who summoned yourself here.¡± A huge crack appears in the air behind the altar. Slowly from the darkness beyond, a woman is walking out from it. It was a beautiful woman, even when she wears a mask on the half of her face. Her golden hair fluttering beautifully as she walks like a sunlight poured into the night sky. She wears a white suit and pants that¡¯s shining dimly like a moonlight. ¡°My name is N. I am the guardian of this place.¡± The woman bowed her head down a little and lift the side of her suit gracefully to greet him. ¡°My name is Fukurei Tsubaki. What is this place? How did I get here?¡± Ask Tsubaki with a worried face. ¡°This place is the ¡®bottom of the well¡¯. It has gone by many names for many times. But you may call this room ¡®The Amala Router¡¯.¡± The lady moved closer towards Tsubaki. ¡°What the hell are you talking about? From what I remember I¡¯m not even here before I passed out.¡± ¡°Easy my guest. Don¡¯t worry, you¡¯re not really here per se. What¡¯s been here of you is just a piece of yourself, your soul in other words.¡± ¡°My¡­Soul?¡± ¡°Fufufu. Seems it still hard for you to believe me. But let me tell you one thing. The real world beyond here, the one that you and your friends are, is no more. As destiny calls it, you¡¯ve been brought to bring change to it once more. And all of your rings will become great asset in your journey. It will protect you and yourself in the meantime.¡± ¡°Huh? Can you talk more seriously? How did I get here?¡± ¡°Our meeting ends here for now¡­ Until then¡­.¡± With a finger snap, Tsubaki was sent back to the real world. His body feels lighter than ever and his vision fading. He experience what they call as flying in a dream. ~~~~***~~~~ Hath thou ever seen the world so barren? So malicious? Indeed it no mere coincidence Human soul it such rotten, it¡¯s obvious Hundred days after their annihilation Their stench and uncleanness lingers on Weeping as we are, We have dreamt a future so far Tell me young men Your dormant power Is it for thyself? Or for whom? Thirteen rings that bind thy finger Doth your fate too, bound by that? ~~~~***~~~~ ¡°Tsubaki! Tsubaki!! Wake Up! TSUBAKI!!¡± Tsubaki feels like he just wake up from a long slumber. Beside him lined Akira, Karen and Aoki. They smiled widely as he get up and tried to stand. ¡°We thought there¡¯s something wrong with you. How can you stay unconscious like that?¡± Ask Akira. ¡®It seems I returned to the real life.¡¯ Thought Tsubaki. ¡°Where is this? What happened?¡± Ask him. ¡°Well¡­It¡¯s a little bit complicated.¡± Answer Karen. ¡°You¡¯re the last one to wake up. Come, we¡¯ll explain what we know so far.¡± Add Aoki. Tsubaki tried to get up by holding on to the cabinet along the wall. He really struggling since his head didn¡¯t recovered yet from dizziness. Aoki help him get up and they move to the main room of the caf¨¦. The caf¨¦ now is ruined. Everything from the shelf to the table and chairs turned upside down and become impossible to salvage. Yuuji are busy digging through the mountain of his ransacked properties, trying to find something valuable. Mikoto on the other hand is sitting on the corner with Eriko to ease her pain, it seems her leg is hurt by the impact. And sitting on top of the bar table is Tanaka, trying to get signal on his phone. ¡°What just happened here?¡± Mutter Tsubaki. ¡°We don¡¯t know what just happened before we get here. What do we know is we are stranded in the place entirely different from our world.¡± ¡°Here? Stranded?¡± ¡°Even if we told you, you won¡¯t believe it. It best for you to see it with your own eyes.¡± Akira answered. Aoki lead Tsubaki past them and went to the front door. He stop his hand before twisting the knob and turn his face to Tsubaki. ¡°Get ready.¡± Said Aoki with a serious face. Aoki twist the door knob and open the door. A humid and hot air quickly gushing into the caf¨¦ from the opening, followed by a blinding sunlight that¡¯s painful to the eye. As their eye adapts, the scenery become clear and Tsubaki gasped loudly. ¡°Did my eyes playing trick on me? Is this Tokyo?¡± Yell Tsubaki towards the Aoki and Akira. His respond is unavoidable. Beyond the caf¨¦ is what they calls a post-apocalyptic world. A caf¨¦ was stranded in the middle of a desert filled with ruins of building that he knew well. The building was well buried by the sand so the only thing that could be seen is just its rooftop. Only the large and tall building that still stand even when half of them is buried. Relic of car and distorted traffic sign could be seen here and there, adding the feeling of abandoned place. ¡°We don¡¯t know how we get here. The only thing that we remember so far is the earthquake hit this place and we were unconscious after that.¡± Said Akira ¡°To think that we would stay unconscious when the accident happen. How many lives is lost when it happened?¡± Karen said with a sad face. ¡®It¡¯s really true. That masked woman words was true. Wait, then that mean the old lady words was the truth too. They both are talking about our ring. How is it all connected?¡¯ ¡°Hey? Are you okay?¡± Ask Karen. ¡°Uhm, I¡¯m okay.¡± Answer Tsubaki with a slow nod. They closed the door and return inside. Karen and Akira move to the corner to help Mikoto. Aoki and Tsubaki then sitting at some of the chairs that still intact. Aoki is silent and Tsubaki could only turn his attention at everyone around the caf¨¦. ¡°Hey, not all of us are here.¡± Said Tsubaki as he realize Saki, Nara, Ai and J.J. wasn¡¯t around. ¡°Ai-chan, Nara and Saki left to explore the city. For Jessica though, we were distracted for a moment and she already gone. We tried to contact Nara¡¯s group to search for her too, but the phone is not working at all.¡± Aoki ended his explanation with a sigh. ¡®Should I tell them about what the masked woman said? I think there are a bigger picture for what happened to us here.¡¯ ¡°Everyone¡­¡± Said Tsubaki as he stand up to get everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°I¡¯ve got something to tell you.¡± Add him. Everyone quickly pause their activity and put their ear to listen to him. ¡°What is it? Did you know something?¡± Ask Yuuji as he put away the broken things on his hand. ¡°I didn¡¯t really know anything. But there are some things that I just happen to, yeah¡­.know.¡± ¡®Well, I¡¯ll hide the fact about the masked woman and that huge room for now. Let see if they would believe me.¡¯ ¡°I think¡­We are not get unconscious and survive the apocalypse.¡± ¡°Wait, so there really are apocalypse happening before we wake up?¡± Ask Mikoto.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ But, I know that we¡¯re really being here before something happened. We were sent to this world after the thing is already happened.¡± ¡°Wait a second, where did you know all of that? What is the purpose of sending us to the time after the apocalypse? And who did it?¡± Ask Akira. ¡°Like I just said before, I just know it. I can¡¯t get into the details since I didn¡¯t really know much. But I think I know what made us experience the time-lapse while it happened.¡± The group is silent, giving permission for Tsubaki to continue while they whispering at each other occasionally. ¡°You all wear the custom-made ring that we made long ago didn¡¯t you?¡± Said Tsubaki as he lift his left hand and show them the black ring on his middle finger. ¡°Yeah, but what¡¯s about it?¡± Ask Mikoto as everyone lift their hand and looking at their ring. ¡°I believe this ring is the one who sent us. I think, the ring is special and must be the key to our survival here.¡± ¡°Cut the stupid joke, Tsubaki!¡± Shouts Yuuji breaking the silence and shock everyone, especially Tsubaki. ¡°Special? Haha¡­ Can¡¯t you see that this is a real world here? Don¡¯t get too carried you fool. This isn¡¯t anime or game! Stop being delusional!¡± Said Yuuji angrily as he keep pointing his finger to him. ¡°Yuuji! What happened to you? Calm down!¡± Said Karen. ¡°Karen-chan¡­I really hate people who get delusional like that! There are real lives here! Special? What kind of word was that?! This situation was too good for him and his delusional mind!¡± ¡°Yuuji-kun, calm down! Can¡¯t we at least listen to Tsubaki? Did you really sure that he didn¡¯t said the truth?¡± Add Mikoto. ¡°To say the ring is special at time like this, even saying the ring is the one who sent us here¡­. I wonder what he will say after this, we are the chosen one?!¡± ¡°Yuuji-kun, Stop!!¡± Shout Karen. ¡°BOOM!!¡± The ground suddenly shaking as the sound of loud thumping could be heard from afar. ¡°Earthquake again?!¡± Said Aoki. ¡°BOOM!!¡± ¡°BOOM!!¡± The ground keep shaking with a momentary interval with same rhythm as the loud thumping. ¡°Hey¡­Didn¡¯t this remind you of something?¡± Ask Eriko. ¡°Don¡¯t say it¡­¡± Said Aoki. ¡°BOOM!! BOOM!!¡± ¡°Is this the sound of giant footsteps?!¡± Said Akira. ¡°I said don¡¯t say it you dammit!¡± Shout Aoki. The group quickly move towards the window to see what happened outside. Akira¡¯s the first one to peek through the curtain and closed it instantly. ¡°What¡¯s out there?¡± Ask Yuuji. Yuuji slowly peeks through the curtain too and it instantly baffles him. Exactly 100 meter from the caf¨¦ a 5 meter tall giant creature is walking slowly, making the ground shaking with each steps. It has a human-like body, but with an elephant head. It skin was thick and had a dark blue color. It wears a bronze armor that brilliantly reflect the sunlight. It green eyes was filled with evil and stares right into the soul of people who oppose him. ¡°Monsters¡­¡± Mutter Yuuji. ¡°Boink! THUMP!¡± ¡°Whoaahh!¡± Suddenly, a small creature as tall as a toddler jumped from below and hanging on the window frame. Its purple skin shows a rotten scars and fungus, with a face resembling a demon. At first it¡¯s only one, but suddenly many of them is violently knocking at the door, window, even the wall. It surprised Yuuji and made him fall. It¡¯s not long before all of the window is covered by the body of that small creature. ¡°Is that a Preta?!¡± Said Akira. ¡°I don¡¯t care! It¡¯s disgusting!¡± Said Mikoto. ¡°THUMP! THUMP! CRASH!¡± ¡°Kyaaa!! They breaking the window!!¡± Shout Mikoto. Unable to hold the weight and the pressure of the small demon, one by one the window of the caf¨¦ shattered and all of the small demon starts to pour in like they shared a same mind. ¡°wE Haunt Preta... HuMAn sOulS TAsTyyy¡­GIMMEEE!!!¡± Said the small demon almost simultaneously, creating a wicked echoes to the ears. ¡°The back door!¡± Said Aoki. Aoki run to the back door and open it to let everyone escape. The girl come out first followed by the boys. They quickly escape the building and run as fast as they could but to no avail. The Preta quickly catch up to them and starts jumping here and there, trying to latch to anyone they found. They then starts scratching at anyone with their sharp claws. The first to fall are the girls, especially Eriko and Mikoto. The boys quickly help by throwing the Preta away from them. ¡°Go away you demonic shit!¡± Said Yuuji as he throw the latching Preta from Akira and Karen. But it made the Preta more furious and targeting the boys too. Tsubaki, the only one who¡¯s still free slipped down and fall ¡®The ring¡­¡¯ ¡°You are special aren¡¯t you?! Help us! HELP US!¡± Shout Tsubaki to his ring. ¡°Fyuuuu!!¡± A black fire suddenly bursting out from his black ring and swallowing Tsubaki¡¯s left hand. It quickly spread to his body and starts burning him whole. ¡°Graaahhhh!!¡± Shout Tsubaki as the fire burns him. ¡°Tsubaki!!¡± Everyone almost yelling at the same time at the sight of their friend burning. ¡°NEEEEIIIGHHH!!!¡± A loud neighing sound of a horse comes from the fire. As the fire burn bigger and bigger, a figure of a big, scarlet horse is galloping from it. The fire is sitting on the top of the horse and slowly making another figure. The black fire turns into ragged black robe that flutter in the wind as the horse running about. And inside the robe is not Tsubaki, but a living skeleton that laughing menacingly while swinging a huge broadsword in his right hand. ¡°I am Fiend Red Rider. Rider of the Apocalypse, the one who bring wars and bloodshed. You who wish for blood to be spilled, I will borrow you my power!¡± The heavy voice of the skeleton is echoing through the desert. ¡°FiEnD! A fIEnd iS HerE! WHYY?¡± Shout the Preta as they turn their back and running away. ¡°No escape!¡± Said The Red Rider. The rider quickly swing his reins and the horse starts galloping. As fast as the wind, the wicked rider quickly catching on to the Preta and starts slashing his broadsword. At the first swing, three Preta are already sliced in half and flying into the air. He swing it once more and now five Preta fall victim to his sword. ¡°What¡­The¡­Is that Tsubaki?¡± Ask Yuuji as everyone tried to stand up. The rider speeds up and passing through the Preta. When he is ahead of them, he then stops in the front of the running Preta and swings his sword in a diagonal motion. ¡°Deathbound!¡± ¡°Slash slash slash slash.¡± Magically, with only one swing, multiple trace of slashes is drawn on the air, slicing the group of escaping Preta into blocks of rotten meat. But still, some Preta managed to survive while some didn¡¯t hit any of the slash at all. ¡°FieND is STRong. CaNT EsCaPE¡­FIGHTT!!!¡± The remaining Preta starts rushing towards Red Rider, baring their claws and their rotten fang. Unfazed, the rider only lift his swords upwards and made his scarlet horse majestically lift its front legs. ¡°Flame Breath!¡± A torrent of fire suddenly shot from the skeletal face of the Red Rider. The fire gushing rapidly like a flamethrower and burning all of the Preta that tried to jump and attack him. The Preta quickly turns into ash and cinder while the horse is once again neighing loudly. ¡°He is telling the truth¡­. Tsubaki¡­.¡± Yuuji said as he clench his fist watching the magical fight of the demon. ¡°sTrooNG! FieNd Is ToO strOONg! cAlL Vetala! VeTalA hELps USSSS!!¡± Now there are only five Preta remaining. Seeing their kin burned to ashes made them lose the will to fight, but their stupidity is stronger and they tried to run back and contact help. ¡°Watch out Tsubaki! They try to bring that elephant demon to help them!¡± Shout Yuuji. Upon Yuuji¡¯s warning, the rider starts to move his horse again and run as quickly as possible to kill all the Preta. Scared by Red Rider attempt, the Preta spread out and begin desperately run to save their own live. ¡°Annoying Pest!¡± The Red Rider stopped and once again lift his huge sword to the air. ¡°Prominence!¡± A huge fireball, as big as cow formed on the tip of the rider sword. It burns so hot, some of the traffic signs around him starts to melt. ¡°Hyaah!¡± The rider swings his sword to the front and the gigantic fireball follow it to the same direction. Like a yoyo detached from its string, the fireball keeps moving in the same speed and finally it reach the ground. The fireball quickly dispersed upon impact and turns the land in front of him into the literal sea of fire. The heat from the fire kills all the Preta and even made the sand at the ground harden, almost turning into glass. ¡°He did it!¡± Shout everyone. ¡°BOOM!!¡± Suddenly, the elephant demon appeared behind the Red Rider and lunged himself towards him. Caught by surprise, the Red Rider quickly maneuvers his horse and almost get hit by the humongous body of the elephant demon. ¡°I AM HAUNT, VETALA!! WITNESS MY POWER! BE MY FOOD!¡± Roars The Elephant Demon. ¡°Neigghhh!!¡± The Red Rider responds the battle call with his horse. Without cue, the rider starts moving and circling the giant Vetala. Running about, it also swings his sword multiple time and made Vetala almost lose it balance. ¡°GWAAAA!! YOU BONES! DIEE!!¡± Vetala quickly swings his fist and punched the ground, creating tremors and multiple cracks around him. It also made a wall of sand covers the entire area. ¡°Tsubaki!¡± Shout everyone as they run to take cover. ¡°HUAHAHAHA! BONES NOW DIE!¡± Laugh Vetala loudly in the middle of the blowing sands. ¡°Foolish!¡± The heavy voice of Red Rider interrupts the laugh of the elephant demon. ¡°HUH? BONES STILL ALIVE?!¡± ¡°Tsubaki!!¡± ¡°Neighhh!!¡± Galloping in the air, the rider and his horse literally flying above the Vetala. When the sands clears out, the figure of the rider swinging his swords to the Vetala became a beautiful scene with the background of the deserted ruins and the bright sun. It clearly like a painting of the end of the world. ¡°Fatal End!¡± The Red Rider swing his sword in a downward motion, right in the middle of the Vetala head. It slicing him smoothly from the head, to the body, and finally split him into two. ¡°GUAAA!! ME LOSING!! IMPOSSIBLE!!¡± Vetala cried out for the last time before he dispesed into a black pudge. Red Rider standing on the top of the black pudge, swinging his swords and pulling the reins of his horse, making it majestically lift it front legs. ¡°DEATHH!!!¡± Cried The Rider. His cry is so loud, it shakes the remains of the building and junks around him. It echoes seems would reach the entire desert. And when he finished his shout, the black fire quickly enveloping its body. Burning him entirely in a black flame. ¡°Fufufu. You¡¯re strong o human! It¡¯s such a thrill to fight alongside yourself! Make sure you summon me again. We will bathe this world with the blood of our enemies!¡± The fire subsides and getting smaller. The figure of Red Rider disappears and by the end of it, returning into the figure of Tsubaki. Like a snail retreating into its shell, the fire quickly getting smaller and smaller, and finally returns to the ring on its left hand, completely extinguished. ¡°Ugh¡­¡± ¡°Tsubaki!¡± Unable to stand down, Tsubaki fall to his knees. Everyone quickly runs towards him and lift him up. Tired after summoning the Red Rider, he couldn¡¯t even move his body and needs to be carried on Yuuji¡¯s back. ¡°I¡¯m sorry Tsubaki¡­ For saying all of that before¡­¡± Said Yuuji with a soft voice, careful to net getting heard by the others. ¡°Hmm. It¡¯s okay. As I said Yuuji, we are friends. You don¡¯t need to apologize like that.¡± ¡°It isn¡¯t fair is it? I used to be the one who dreaming everyday about getting special and be the chosen one. And in the end you¡¯re the one who get all the fame.¡± Yuuji said with sunken face. ¡°Yeah¡­ I guess I kinda understand why you mad at me back in the caf¨¦. You can¡¯t stand seeing myself become childish like you used to be. I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°Yosha! Now¡¯s not the time to be negative! With my caf¨¦ gone, we need to find other place to live. I¡¯m worried about everyone who went away too. How should we contact them?¡± Slapping his cheek, Yuuji turns the topic of the conversation. ¡°Hmm¡­ Let¡¯s find place to sleep first. I¡¯m tired after all those action.¡± ¡°Che, Showoff.¡± The two laughs at Yuuji¡¯s answer. ¡°Hey you two!! Walk faster! It¡¯s almost night time!¡± Yell Akira quite far from them. ¡°Yeahh!! Wait a bit! It¡¯s hard to walk while carrying this punk!¡± The night finally came. Unable to stand the cold wind, they decided to stop at one big department store. They snuck in from the window since the doors are buried by the sand. Somehow, the heater is still working and they decided to rest there for the time being. Status Fiend Red Rider Str : ******** 32 Ma : ******* 28 Vi : ***** 21 Ag : ******** 30 Lu : **** 18 Skill: - Fatal End - Fire Breath - Rebellion - Prominence - Deathbound - Mamudoon Weak: Light Null: Dark, Fire Repel: Curse, Nerve, Mind Strong: Phys Haunt Preta Str : * 6 Ma : * 2 Vit : ** 7 Ag : * 4 Lu : * 1 Skill: - Feral Claw - Lunge Weak: Fire, Ice, Thunder Strong: Dark Haunt Vetala Str : **** 18 Ma : ** 10 Vit : **** 18 Ag : ** 9 Lu : * 6 Skill: - Drain Life - Lunge - Gigantic Fist Weak: Light, Ice Strong: Phys, Dark