The Morning Comes Uneasily
No one forgets what Hiroto said.
Something's waiting.
Those words linger heavier than expected.
Tamagichi Stands Outside Alone
Looking toward the distant mountains.
Silent.
Thinking.
Goro Approaches Quietly
"…You know where that is."
Tamagichi answers after a pause
"…I know what should be there."
Goro's expression hardens slightly
"…And if it's opened?"
A long silence
Then Tamagichi speaks quietly
"…Then we're already late."
Back at the Settlement
Hiroto tightens the strap around his blade
More focused than before.
Less hesitation in his movements now.
Akari notices immediately
"…You're planning to go there."
Hiroto doesn't deny it
"…Yeah."
Yui looks alarmed
"…Wait, seriously?!"
Kenzaku folds his arms
"…I figured."
Akari points aggressively at Hiroto
"…You almost died yesterday!"
Hiroto answers calmly
"…And next time I might not survive."
A pause.
"…That's exactly why I need to move."
Akari clicks her tongue in frustration
"…You've gotten annoyingly serious."
Hiroto smirks faintly
"…Says the loudest person here."
Akari looks offended instantly
"…EXCUSE ME—?!"
For a brief moment—
Things almost feel normal again
Then Tamagichi arrives
And the atmosphere tightens immediately.
His eyes move directly to Hiroto
"…You felt the ruins."
Hiroto nods once
"…So they're real."
Tamagichi responds quietly
"…They shouldn't be."
Silence
Kenzaku steps forward slightly
"…What are the ruins?"
Tamagichi's expression darkens subtly
"…A place erased from history."
Yui's voice lowers
"…Erased…?"
Tamagichi continues
"…Long ago, certain places connected to the blade were sealed away."
A pause.
"…Hidden from the world."
Hiroto immediately understands the implication
"…And now one is reacting."
Tamagichi nods slowly
"…Yes."
Akari folds her arms tightly
"…I already know I'm gonna hate this place."
Goro speaks calmly
"…You should."
That answer kills the mood instantly
Hiroto looks toward the mountains again
The pull is stronger now.
More direct.
Almost like the blade is guiding him
Tamagichi notices his expression
"…You feel called there."
Hiroto answers honestly
"…Yeah."
A pause
Then Tamagichi says something unexpected
"…Good."
Akari blinks
"…Wait, what?"
Tamagichi turns away slightly
"…Because we're going."
Everyone freezes
Yui immediately reacts
"…WE are?!"
Kenzaku's eyes sharpen
"…So this is serious enough for all of us."
Tamagichi nods once
"…If those ruins are active…"
A pause.
"…Then others will move soon too."
Hiroto tightens his grip on the blade
"…The Ten Shadow Clans."
Tamagichi responds immediately
"…And worse."
That line lands hard
Akari exhales loudly
"…Great."
A pause.
"…Love when people say 'worse.'"
For once—
Even Tamagichi almost looks amused.
Almost.
Far away—
Inside the ancient ruins—
Dust falls from the ceiling slowly.
And deep within the darkness—
A massive sealed chain begins to crack.
To Be Continued