Something in the Shadow

Shawn came back a few minutes after leaving and immediately asked Lay if she had already made up her mind, and she responded to him that she has.

He gave her a look that says "tell me." Lay took a deep breath and gathered her courage before telling him that "Let's kill that Grinveil." She paused and then continued as she extended her arms towards him "Will you help me?"

She looked straight into his eyes with so much hope. And just by looking at her, his usual cold expression had soften and has been replaced with a subtle smile, but only for a brief moment. Unknowingly, Sylvanea noticed that brief moment, and she smiled.

Shawn placed his hand on his chin, "Grinveil is a tricky and troublesome yokai. It can blend into or manipulate shadows, making it nearly impossible to detect until it strikes."

As she listened to him speak, her gaze fixed on him, her mind drifted to Sylvanea's words from earlier, shared in his absence.

Earlier. Moments after Shawn walked away, Sylvanea suddenly remarked, "He may seem cold, but he's actually very kind." Lay turned to her, eyebrows raised and confusion evident in her expression. "Huh?" she blurted, unable to hide her surprise.

"What I'm saying is that even if you don't say a thing, he would still try to help, no matter what it is." said Sylvanea.

Lay simply stared at her, confusion flickering in her eyes as she tried to make sense of Sylvanea’s sudden comment. Why was she telling her this? Was there something she was supposed to understand, or was it just a passing remark? These questions lingered in her mind, but she said nothing, waiting to see if Sylvanea would explain further.

"So, try to rely on him a little," Sylvanea added with a gentle smile. "Who knows? He might just be the only one who can really help you."

Back in the present, Shawn noticed Lay’s absent-minded expression and narrowed his eyes. "Hey," he called out, his voice cutting through her thoughts. Her gaze snapped back to him as he tilted his head slightly. "Are you even listening, or what?"

"Ah, what was it again?" Lay asked.

He sighed, his tone laced with exasperation. "I said, I’ve come up with a plan to take down the Grinveil. But the question is, will you go along with it?"

Without hesitation, Lay nodded, her eyes filled with determination. She didn’t even wait to hear the details, her approval given on instinct alone.

Later, as Lay made her way toward the location where the Portal of Dawn was set to open, she found herself trembling with fear. The silence around her was oppressive, and each step felt heavier than the last. "Where are they?" she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible over the sound of her own unsteady breathing. She gripped her flashlight tightly, its beam darting nervously across the shadowy forest. Suddenly, the quiet was broken by noises in the distance. A sharp, unsettling sounds that made her freeze in place.

"Why did the plan have to include me being the bait...?" she complained.

Unbeknownst to her, a shadow lurked in the darkness, silently trailing her every step. It darted swiftly from one place to another, its movements erratic and unnerving, as if it were toying with her from the edges of the night.

Without warning, something suddenly leaped out from the shadows, sending a jolt of panic through her. But as her eyes adjusted, she realized it was only two small, playful yokai. She let out a deep sigh of relief, her hand instinctively going to her chest as the tension melted away.

She cautiously stepped forward, assuming the two adorable yokai must be harmless, given their innocent appearance. The little creatures watched her intently as she neared, their curious eyes locked on hers. But before she could close the distance, a massive, dark hand materialized from the shadows without warning. It struck with terrifying force, crushing the yokai with a sickening thud as they were slammed to the ground, leaving Lay frozen in shock.

The sight of the massive hand and the brutal attack sent a wave of terror through Lay, causing her to stumble backward and fall to the ground in sheer panic. A hoarse voice echoed in the air, whispering, "Mine~," sending chills down her spine. Slowly, a towering dark figure emerged from the shadows, its form shrouded in an oppressive, unnatural gloom. A twisted grin spread across its face, revealing sharp, glinting teeth. It continued to mutter "mine" in that raspy voice, each repetition sending an eerie, unsettling laugh through the air.

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