ᴀ ʟᴏsᴛ sᴏᴜʟ...? | ✦ 𝙲𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚒 𝚇 𝙼𝚊𝚕𝚎!𝙾𝙲

3. 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚕 𝚑𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚜 𝚖𝚎...?

"...Cyno...? Is that you...?"

The male stood shocked, as the woman had finally gained her consciousness back.

It all smelled like blood.

"... Cyno...? W-what... What happened?"

The woman spoke, shocked at the state of the place around the two. A sandstorm engulfed the area, as broken buildings and dead bodies spread around the now empty city.

"...Cyno... W-what... What have I done!?"

The woman yelled, placing her hands on her head, as the mysterious substance fell from her eyes, her nose, her ears, her skin turning black and her pupils turning black.

"No! Lisa!"

The male yelled, finally waking up and reaching forward, only to realize it was all just a nightmare.

"No! I...!"

Cyno mumbled, his eyes scattering as he frenetically searched for any bodies, any sign of blood in the ground. Instinctively, he reached for his staff, summoning it in his hands and preparing for battle.

"..."

However, he finally realized he was inside his own tent, with no one else around.

"...Ugh..."

The general groaned, placing a hand on his back, realizing the presence of multiple bandages wrapped around his torso.

- ...Right... I'm... in the forest now... -

After taking a moment to calm himself down, he finally came back to his senses. He stored his staff away, before trying to adjust himself to the pain he felt when walking.

"...Tighnari? Collei?"

He asked out, as he noticed that some time had passed since... Since the Mitachurl appeared... What had happened again...?

He placed a hand on his forehead. His memory was slightly fuzzy... The Mitachurl appeared... He smashed Cyno into a wall... And the... The possessed appeared!?

His heart sank as he came to realize that fact. Just where were the other two? Were they safe?

He rushed out, ignoring the pain caused by his fast movements. Their safety came first.

"Cyno? What are you doing?"

The general immediately stopped after hearing his colleague's voice. He turned around, facing the botanist, who approached him while carrying a fishing net full of fish.

"... Where's... What happened? Where's Collei?"

Cyno asked Tighnari, approaching him, which caused the long-eared male to look at him strangely.

"... She's fine... Did you have that dream again?"

He answered, his face shifting from slight confusion to worry.

"..."

The botanist was met by silence, as the general avoided his gaze, choosing to look at the nearby environment.

"sigh... Alright. We... This is going to be tough to explain..."

Tighnari mumbled, his eyes switching between looking at the river nearby and Collei, showing discreet signs of nervousness.

"...What do you mean?"

Cyno asked seriously, his tone stoic and empty, which worried the Forest Ranger for a second, but he shook his head and sighed once more.