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Morro turned around nervously in the cave, his flashlight illuminating the dark tunnels.
" Wh... Why are we in a cave?" He whispered, clutching Emma's hand.
Emma, who was also scared, helped as she heard a drop of water, cuddling closer to Morro.
" Because Morros the only one of us who can access the realm of the Departed." Mia said, unfazed as she unwrapped a piece of chocolate and sucked at it.
" Or the Spirit Realm." Annie piped up as she gulped, glancing at Unagami for support.
Unagami looked no more pleased. " This is not how I thought my day would go."
Nelson let out a nervous chuckle. " Yeah, me neither. But my wife's a ninja, and she needs us all for some reason."
Blackie, who was walking next to Mia's foot, hissed. " Mia, I don't like the looks of this olace."
Mia sighed. " Me neither."
The others stared. " Is that supposed to make us feel better?!" Jake cried from.the back.
Mia rolled her eyes. " You guys are so dramatic."
Rose blinked. " Come again?*
Mia turned to the group. " Listen. You all didn't have to come. You didn't have to agree to come with me. But you did. And if you want to turn back, you can. But I am going to save the world, no matter what."
Morro sighed. " She's right."
His voice echoed faintly in the cave, and the others fell silent, their nervous glances shifting between the walls and each other. Emma tightened her grip on Morro's hand, while Nelson pulled his jacket closer, the air growing colder the deeper they went.
Mia marched ahead, her posture confident as she crunched on her chocolate. She was young, but her determination was unshakable. Her footsteps were steady on the jagged floor as if the looming darkness didn't bother her at all.
Unagami frowned, glancing at the others. "She's certainly grown since the last time I saw her. Spiritually, not physically."
Jake nodded nervously, clutching his Kai notebook tightly. "Yeah, but I still wish this whole 'save the world' thing didn't always involve creepy caves and ancient realms."
Rose whispered to Annie, "She's just like her brother. No fear."
"Yeah, well," Annie muttered, glancing around nervously, "I wish we had that kind of courage right now."
Suddenly, the sound of scraping stones echoed from behind them, making everyone freeze in place. Morro instinctively stepped in front of Emma, and Nelson held out his hand protectively in front of Rose. Mia, however, didn't even turn around.
Jake gasped. "What was that?"
"Relax," Mia said, not even breaking her stride. "Probably just a rat."
