Aiko’s shoulders tightened as she listened to Kai’s shaky words. She gripped her knees, drawing in a quiet breath.

  “Kai…” she murmured, eyes softening. “I… heard you too.”

  Kai blinked in surprise. “What?”

  Aiko gave a faint, tired laugh. “Your voice. Calling me from the forest. That’s why I ran after you in the first place. But… it wasn’t you, was it?”

  Kai swallowed hard, a shiver crawling up his spine. “So it’s not just me…”

  The cavern seemed to lean in around them, the silence pressing heavy. The strange crystals on the walls flickered faintly, as if listening.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  For a moment, neither spoke. Then Kai looked down, his fingers twisting nervously. “Aiko… I’m sorry.”

  She turned to him. “Sorry?”

  “For running. For… making you come here. I just… I want to leave this place now.”

  Aiko’s expression softened. She reached out, ruffling his orange hair gently. “We will, Kai. Together.”

  He managed a small smile.

  Rising to their feet, they dusted themselves off, glancing around the shimmering chamber. There was only one path forward — a narrow tunnel winding deeper into the earth, its walls glittering with sapphire-blue veins.

  “Come on,” Aiko said, adjusting her kunai. “We’ll find a way out.”

  Kai nodded, his heart pounding. Together, they began walking, their footsteps echoing softly in the vast stillness.

  As they moved farther into the tunnel, the light from the crystals pulsed faintly — and behind them, far back in the darkness, something stirred.

  Author’s Note (After the Chapter)

  even crazier from here…

  — Author ??