A DARK ROAD AHEAD

Artur raised an eyebrow while looking at Asahi, " How did you know our names in the first place? "

Fabio's jaw tightened. He raised his onto Asahi's neck. "Tell us! "

Nina was confused and looked everyone's faces.

Luka gripped his gun tightly again.

Asahi sighed, he locked his eyes with Artur, "Listen, you may not believe it but , i am getting instructions from a voice in my dreams."

Artur and Fabio looked at each other.

Asahi continued.

" I was told that two young boys named Artur and Fabio will come to save me from the other world monsters. But unexpectedly, Nina came to rescue me, i waited in jail until you arrive and..... you know the rest of it.... "

Fabio's eyes widened, his grip loose, " Other world monsters? What are those? "

Asahi replied , " The ones you fought till now! "

Luka walked to Asahi, " Are they from another world? "

" I don't know. I was just told by a weird voice. " Asahi admitted.

Luka turned over to Nina, " what is Asahi to you, Nina? "

Nina raised her voice, her hands back, chest tightened, " I am Nina Oliveira, i was assigned to special task force Omega on an ongoing case of massacre of people all around the world. I started investigation in Spain's jail where i met Asahi Rei inside the confinement. At first, he seemed suspicious but later, he proved his innocense and appealed that he would help our team in capturing the unknown threat, so i decided to get him out of jail and that is where i met you..."

Luka was dumbfound. He was astounded by her charm.

Artut interrupted. His voice low but disturbing, " So there is not a single clue we can get from this? And this man here.. " He pointed towards Asahi, " Undergoes the same shit as me?"

Fabio exhaled sharply and turned away from Asahi before his anger got the better of him again. He didn't trust him—not yet. The fight had proven that Asahi was holding back more than just information and he know clearly that was not his enemy. He was stronger than he let on. Faster. More experienced. And most of all, he was too calm for someone who had just barely survived.

Artur rubbed his face, clearly thinking the same thing. "So what now?" he muttered, glancing at Luka.

Luka, still watching Nina, finally spoke. "We need to get out of here before we are caught." He gestured toward the distant city. "We find a place to rest, gather supplies, and figure out what's next."

Nina nodded. "There's an abandoned warehouse a few miles from here. I passed it on my way into the city. It should be safe enough for now."

Fabio tightened his grip on his bat but said nothing. He still felt like punching something, but they had bigger problems.

Without another word, they started walking.

The outskirts were eerily quiet, the ruins of old buildings casting long shadows as they walked. No one spoke. The only sounds were their footsteps crunching against broken concrete and the distant echo of crows circling overhead.

Nina led the way, her blade still in hand. Luka followed closely behind, his gun ready but not raised. Fabio and Artur walked side by side, keeping an eye on Asahi, who walked a little ahead, his posture relaxed but alert.

Fabio hated the silence. His mind was racing with questions.

"Who was really behind all this?"

"Why was Asahi so involved in it just like Artur?"

"And if Ness was just a pawn… then what kind of monster was waiting for us next?"

Artur finally broke the silence. "So, Asahi," he said, his voice sharp, "So you don't know whose voice you are listening in your dreams. And where were you at in your dreams?"

Asahi didn't stop walking, but he glanced over his shoulder. "I was near a castle. More like an abandoned castle. "

Fabio and Artur looked at each other again.

"Haven't you seen the place before in real life? " Fabio snapped.

Asahi sighed. "No. And i know nothing about the voice i was listening."

Luka frowned. "So Ness was just a test subject?"

"I don't know" Asahi muttered. "But i think there are others. Stronger ones."

Fabio's stomach twisted. "And you were just gonna let us walk into that fight without telling us?"

Asahi stopped walking. He turned fully to face them, his golden eyes sharp. "I know nothing."

Fabio clenched his jaw.

Artur scowled. "You act like you know everything."

"I know enough to keep myself alive," Asahi said evenly. "And now, you do too."

Fabio wanted to argue, but he knew Asahi was right. It didn't change anything. It just made the future even darker.

Nina sighed. "We'll talk more when we reach the warehouse. Arguing here isn't going to help anyone."

They started walking again, the weight of their conversation pressing down on them.

By the time they reached the abandoned warehouse, the sun was high in the sky. The building was old, rusted metal and broken windows giving it a haunted look. But it was shelter, and right now, that was enough.

Luka pushed open the door, scanning the interior with sharp eyes before stepping inside. "Looks clear," he said.

One by one, they entered, the air inside stale but dry.

Fabio dropped onto a pile of crates, finally letting himself breathe. His body ached, his mind even more so. He could still feel the impact of Ness's magic, the weight of the fight lingering on his skin. His wounds are having in no time.

Artur sat beside him, stretching his arms. "This whole thing is soo messed up," he muttered, looking up.

Nina leaned against the wall, her eyes on Asahi. "You said there were stronger ones. How could you know that?"

Asahi replied, " I know there are more stronger beings outside, just think of the one came into my dream to talk to me! I don't even if that is a friend or foe. "

- TO BE CONTINUED.