The Mytho Chronicles: Eclipse Of Faith

Chapter 74: Separated In The World Of Mythos (3)

The night was creeping into the Mytho Realm, its eerie silence only broken by the occasional rustling of leaves and distant echoes that seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere all at once. Nika Kusakabe and Kyoko Saito were descending the narrow, jagged path of a canyon, their shadows stretching long behind them as the last traces of twilight faded from the sky. The air was thick, charged with an unsettling energy that made the hair on the back of Nika's neck stand on end. Every breath felt heavy, as if the very atmosphere was alive, watching their every move.

Kyoko glanced at the map displayed on her communicator, her sharp eyes scanning the intricate details. "The tower isn't far," she muttered, more to herself than to Nika. "We should reach it in four days if we keep this pace."

Nika, walking beside her, nodded but then paused, her eyes flicking up to the darkening sky. "We should set up camp here for the night. It's getting dark, and it's not safe to keep moving in this realm after sunset."

Kyoko looked around, her practical mind weighing the options. Finally, she nodded in agreement. "You're right. The time in the Mytho Realm is unpredictable. Days could have passed in the outside world by now, for all we know."

They continued down the canyon, the steep walls closing in around them until they found a small, relatively flat clearing where they could rest. Just as they began to unpack their supplies, a strange sound echoed through the canyon, causing both women to freeze. The sound was low, almost a growl, reverberating off the canyon walls.

In an instant, they dropped into fighting stances, Mytho energy flickering at their fingertips, ready to defend themselves against whatever might be lurking in the shadows. But the threat never materialized. Instead, a small, furry creature, no bigger than a rabbit but with three eyes and glowing fur, scurried out from behind a rock. It let out a soft, almost embarrassed-sounding roar before darting off into the darkness.

Nika and Kyoko exchanged a glance before bursting into laughter, the tension of the moment dissolving into the cool night air. "I can't believe we got worked up over that," Kyoko said, shaking her head.

Nika smiled, the sound of their laughter echoing in the canyon. "This place really messes with your nerves."

With the danger, or rather the lack of it, behind them, they set up their camp. Ryota's capsules proved invaluable, as always. In no time, they had a sturdy tent and a campfire crackling between them, casting a warm glow that pushed back the encroaching darkness.

As they sat by the fire, the conversation naturally turned to the mission. "This tower better hold the answers we're looking for," Kyoko said, staring into the flames. "I don't like how scattered we are. Everyone separated like this... It feels like we're playing into someone else's hands."

Nika didn't immediately respond. She was lost in thought, her mind replaying the events of the day. But it wasn't the mission that dominated her thoughts. It was Ryota. His last words before they entered the portal, telling them all to stay together, echoed in her mind. Despite the mission's importance, all she could think about was him, the way he always seemed to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders yet still found time to care for his students and friends.

Without realizing it, Nika pulled out her phone and opened the gallery. She scrolled through the photos, pausing at one of her and Ryota from a few months ago. They had gone out for dinner after a particularly grueling day of training. She remembered how he had insisted on paying, despite her protests, and how they had ended up talking for hours, the restaurant nearly closing around them. The memory made her heart skip a beat, and a soft blush spread across her cheeks.

Kyoko noticed Nika's distraction and the pink tint to her face. "Are you okay? You're not cold, are you?" she asked, a teasing note in her voice.

Startled, Nika quickly hid her face in her muffler. "No, no, I'm fine," she stammered, her voice slightly muffled.