Solo Cultivation in The Apocalypse

They crossed the bridge with no danger so far. Kakashi checked for any update from the Guardian, fortunately, no update till now.

Eya was still careful about her surroundings, she kept checking around her for a spy, but she found none yet.

Hitori was still upset with the outcome and disappointed that he could not meet Tengoku today. He knew shit would go down if he had, but Tengoku left before Hitori could arrive. He was disappointed but somehow relieved.

Akira was hoping to see the hitman too, to know who he is and what power he possesses that makes Eya and Kakashi take bold steps against him. Although he could not meet Tengoku today, he knew the time would come for him to see him.

"The first thing we are going to do when we reach the Vr-cade is close that damn thing for a month or so," Kakashi said, "and turn it into a fortified base."

"Yep. I do not think anyone will even bother coming anymore after all the attacks. Looks like we need to find a new way of earning money," Eya said.

Hitori looked up and saw the Vr-cade under the rock formation. He does not know what, but something felt different about that building.

After walking for five minutes, they reached the Vr-cade. Kakashi took the lead and drew his wand to undo the enchantment– no, not to undo it– but to create a path for them to go inside.

Eya was still looking down the hill and around the Vr-cade for any subtle sign of danger. Sadly, for her, no danger.

Hitori realized when he reached the Vr-cade that he was worried about Reon. Although Kakashi said he gave her her gun and that she would not wake up till the morning, he was worried about her.

While Kakashi raised his wand and started creating a path for them to pass through, Eya went to Akira and placed her hand over his shoulder. He looked at her– he was a little taller than her.

"Eat something before you leave."

"Am I leaving?" he frowned. "At a time like this? See, Kyo-san is safe—"

"It is not about him. It is about you. Who will let him know about the recent incidents? And you need to leave before…" She looked at the sky, it was already dark, then she checked the time. Only seven minutes to seven.

Kakashi called from the door. "Let me check first, I will give you a sign—"

Like hell, Hitori would wait. He followed Kakashi into the Vr-cade. She heard them argue on their way into the staff room.

She turned back to Akira. "I will tell Hitori-san about you. This was not the way I had planned things to go, but we can do nothing about it. Just get back to the lair safely. Don't talk with anyone, don't stop if anyone—"

"You are acting like my mother, Eya-nee," he said, then chuckled. "Be my sister, my mother's spot is reserved only for her."

Eya closed her mouth, then smiled. She moved her hand through his hair. "Oh, look who has grown up."

Then came distorted shouting noise from inside. She jumped and went for her wand as he did. They exchanged glances, then moved towards the Vr-cade.

She took the left side, he took the right, and they stopped on the two sides of the door. She took a deep breath and went inside, Akira followed her.

She bent towards the counter as he rose and aimed at the open staff room door. The ones shouting were Hitori and Kakashi, that was sure, but their words mixed into one another, making it hard to figure out what they were saying.

Eya tapped a button on the other side of the counter, she had to lift herself off the floor to do it and lit the Vr-cade.

Bright lights everywhere in a flash. It irritated everyone's eyes, but that was the point. She saw Hitori and Kakashi go away from each other, covering their eyes.

"Fuck, Eya-nee!"

"No, fuck you, Himbo! What the hell is going on?" she shouted, putting her wand back.

Akira remained at the counter, admiring the bullets and bullet holes littered around the counter.

"Whoa, damn. This is out of the world," he muttered, lifting his eyes at Kakashi and Hitori.

Hitori removed his hands from his eyes and turned to Kakashi. "Bastard, you said it was safe! We would have taken her with us—" Hitori was cut short by Kakashi:

"It is safe! Do you see any signs of breaking in? The enchantment was perfect, the wall right there is fine."

"Then where the heck is she? Where did she go?"

"I don't know! Ask your little girlfriend when you find her!"

"She is not my—! Oh, hell! I knew we can not trust your enchantment."

"Everybody fucking does, well, so should you. And it was not the enchantment he broke through."

"Then what the hell did he come into the room from? Your ass?"

"Whoa, whoa, no, no, Hitori-san! Just calm down." Eya strode across the room. She raised her hands and tried to push Hitori and Kakashi away.

Akira gulped and joined her. He grabbed Hitori by his shoulders and pulled him back. Eya stood in front of Kakashi and dared him to do anything. Oh, he was scared shit when she glared at him.

Still staring at her glare, Kakashi gulped and stepped back. But Hitori was still shouting. Akira had no choice. He gave him a jolt of electricity which calmed his adrenaline.

"Just what happened? Why are you acting like animals? Do you not know that it will disturb her—" She pointed her hand at the bed… at the empty bed.

Her eyes widened, Hitori calmed now that his job was done, and Akira got a glance at the empty bed.

She opened her mouth, but no meaningful words came out. "W-W…. H-H-H…. N-N-N… R-R-R…"

Hitori glanced over his shoulder and saw that Akira was getting the scene, so he grabbed the chance. Hitori jerked his shoulders out of Akira's grasp.

Hitori knew Akira would try to grab him, so he was ready. When Akira shrieked and tried to grab Hitori, he slipped from his hands and reached up to Kakashi.

"What do you want to say about this, Eya-nee?" Then he glared at Kakashi.

Nothing. She wanted to say nothing– or she could say nothing. Just her stutter and an oncoming panic attack.