[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/190522/5ec07975271d6ef3e7be9e67e7144f35.png[/img][/center][right][hr][b][color=ffe4b5]Unknown Forest[/color][/b][hr][/right]
The brief flickers of hope Kaito held were overpowered by the rays of sunlight from the holes in the ceiling. The rest of his party had noticed it around the same time as him. 

[color=FFE4B5][b]“We haven´t traveled for very long.”[/b][/color] He gulped, both because he was determined and a bit fearful. [color=FFE4B5][b]“So we should keep searching for more signs of life.”[/b][/color] 

His mind screamed at him to stay here and never leave, but he knew that he had no choice but to keep trudging along the wilderness, whether he liked it or not. He tried to convince himself that the shrine was dirty and most likely infested with insects as a way to encourage his continued exploration, but the thoughts in his head felt disingenuous somehow. It felt as if a switch had been flipped inside him, one that made him see little fears like that worthless to even consider in his current situation. 

He exited the shrine quickly, feeling that he´d stay there anyways if he wasn´t fast enough. The crisp air of his surroundings once again filled his lungs, seemingly welcoming him back to the outside world. 

[color=FFE4B5][b]“If there´s a shrine, then there has to be people.”[/b][/color] [color=FFE4B5][i]Unless,[/i][/color] he thought, [color=FFE4B5][i]their buildings are in the same exact state, abandoned and rotten.[/i][/color] He kept that last bit to himself.