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[img]https://i.ibb.co/rtvdswm/divider-line-02.png[/img]Limen was only half correct in his observations, because it wasn’t like the Envoy had a choice in the matter of transportation. For the first time that night-or day perhaps since Rufus’ portals revealed the early morning light-the Envoy’s confident smirk faltered with some confusion in her single eye. So surprised was she that she didn’t have much time to say anything to the one dragging her; such was the confidence now put in Shika’s stride. This persisted for some time before eventually the hand Shika was holding seemed to flop dead and lifeless.

That was because, just before hopping the gate, the Envoy had long since disappeared; or rather, most of her had. The nature of Rufus’ portals was strange indeed but it seemed to have enough sense to follow Shika around until she realized she was only carrying the Envoy’s arm in her grip. Behind the portal, back in the bar, was the Envoy herself, waving with her remaining arm. [color=gold]“You’re a very eager girl when you want to be, huh,”[/color] the Envoy observed a bit of her smile returning back to her face. [color=gold]“Sorry but you’ll have to carry on alone. You see…”[/color]

Deigning that it was better to just show Shika rather than explain, the Envoy placed her free hand against the portal, only to be batted back by some invisible force. [color=gold]“Seems I can’t move around too freely outside this place. What a strange world we live in! But don’t worry, I’m still with you in spirit.”[/color] She gave Shika a thumbs up and in turn, the arm in her hand mirrored the motion. [color=gold]“A piece of me can remain with you outside these walls; I’ll need that back eventually though.”[/color] Thankfully, by choice or chance, it didn’t seem the waiting time for that notion would be very long because soon enough the familiar distorted melody of the black rocks rang in their heads.

From Shika to Rufus and Limen, the strange music from before echoed and rung in their ears as a guide to draw them closer. For Limen and Rufus, it directed them deeper into the forested portions of the park. For Shika, the Envoy’s arm simply tapped her towards the long stairway leading to the massive shrine that was their destination. And with the call of the haunted, so too would come the eventual trace of demons and Youkai as well. 

It was only a matter of time before they’d crawl and fester towards both locations like locusts. Even Hanako would hear some variation of the noise in her head, though whether anyone on Da-Xia’s team would believe her or the problematic knight’s stories remained to be seen. In Hoshio’s team, Mai’s bell would ring suddenly in response to the sudden change in the air, but only once. Perhaps it was the black rocks or a wandering Youkai. Perhaps something greater. 
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