...So it seems I'm updating around holidays now. XD

I now have a Tumblr! It's called "i-heart-fantasy". I'll be posting the covers to the fanfic, chapter previews, little comics, sketches, and reference sheets for any aspiring artists out there. If you're also into Persona 5, then I'll have some stuff featuring that on there as well. I even have some crossover ideas I wanna show off (I have two things with a crossover of LL! and P5 up already).

You're No Longer Alone

Song III: Bridge

A mansion was surrounded by darkness. It had a large a large garden maze in the courtyard, and the entire property was closed off by a forest.

Demons and Dark Kitsunes were scrambling around everywhere. One of them, a Dark Kitsune who looked to be thirty-nine-years-old, was walking purposely with the others moving out of the way as he walked. He had long, red hair that was tied up in a high ponytail and he was wearing a blue-and-red kimono with a holster that held a sword on the left side, with socks, and sandals. He had striking green eyes that observed his surroundings passively.

He made his way out into the garden maze, going into the center. A young man was standing in front of a pomegranate tree, shrouded in shadows.

"Kazu."

Kazu stopped in his tracks, a few feet away from the young man.

"Where's Bellicoso?"

"Bellicoso is practicing his swordsmanship," answered Kazu.

"Hmmm…"

The man shuffled his feet. He chuckled.

"It's odd to hear you talk about Bellicoso so casually," he said. "Since he's your king and all. You're just a general in his army."

Kazu narrowed his eyes.

"You forget I'm the highest general in the army and his bodyguard," Kazu said stiffly. "I'd watch what you say, Morendo."

"Ah, yes," said Morendo, smiling and not at fazed at all. "Kazu Hauptstime, the strongest magic user in the Kistune realm. Admired and feared by all of his peers!"

Kazu flinched at the mention of the Kitsune realm.

Morendo turned to face Kazu, his appearance still covered by shadows.

"May I inquire as to how the search is progressing?" he asked, tilting his head.

"…I believe we've found the location of your first target," Kazu said.

Morendo stared at him for a moment, and then began cackling. His cackling turned into maniacal laughter, with Morendo holding his sides.

"Finally!" he cried out, holding his hands up to the darkened sky. "After sixteen years, I've found the person who's the obstacle to my plans!"

Kazu watched Morendo continue laughing with a neutral expression.

Finally, Morendo stopped laughing.

"Get a group out there and capture her," he commanded. "I have to stop her at all costs, before she finds her."

Kazu nodded and bowed before walking away swiftly.

Morendo stared at the sky, and then held out his hands up to it.

"Soon, Calliope…" he murmured. "We'll be together again…!"

Suddenly, he gasped as pain struck his chest, and he put a hand on it.

He stood still for a few minutes.

"…Nuisance," he murmured softly. "No matter. Soon, you won't be even be able to awaken again…"

Moonlight lit up the night as Honoka and Kanon ran down the path. Honoka stopped for a moment and panted, trying to catch her breathe.

Kanon stared at her.

"I'm okay," said Honoka, petting his head. "I'm just not used to running for a long period of time."

She conjured up some water in her palm and drank from it.

Honoka then continued walking down the path. A couple yards later she paused, and looked into the trees.

There were a lot of loud noises that sounded like fighting coming from the forest.

Honoka took a step forward but was blocked by Kanon.

"But what if it's Basso?" she asked him. "Or someone in need of help?"

Kanon stared at her worriedly. Honoka huffed and pushed past him into the thicket of trees.

Honoka gazed down into a ravine from behind a tree. Kanon was beside her, an ear flicking irritated.

A girl who looked to be seventeen-years-old was surrounded by demons and Dark Kitsunes. She was dressed like a gypsy, with a violet bra and a long, dark purple skirt tied together leaving space for her legs to move freely, along with wooden sandals. She had a see-through violet cape over her head and that had short sleeves. She had a light blue bag that went over to her right side, and was holding a large, golden globe of the world. Her eyes were turquoise and she had long, purple hair tied into a braid on her shoulder with a gold ponytail holder.

The Dark Kitsunes were dressed in black and red army outfits. One of them, most likely the leader, took a step forward towards the girl.

"I suppose you know why we're here?" he asked.

The girl didn't answer him.

"It'll be easier if you come quietly," the Dark Kitsune continued.

"And let Morendo kill me?" the girl said, tilting her head. "I'm afraid I can let him take my globe, either."

"If you tell him where she is, I'm sure he'll spare you."

"I'm a hindrance to him," the girl answered. "Once he learns what he wants from me, I'm as good as dead."

The Dark Kitsune stared at the ground silently.

"Sorry, but I refuse to give Morendo what he wants!" the girl shouted, and threw down one of her hands.

A tornado of wind blasted the group, causing them to cry out in shock. The girl began running, causing some demons to go after her.

One large one jumped in front of her. The girl threw the globe into the air, and jumped at a tree, pushing off it. She pushed off of another tree, going higher into the air. She summoned up what looked to be large compasses with sharpened ends and swiped the air. The action caused the compasses to dive bomb the demons and Dark Kitsunes that were underneath.

The girl glided down to the ground, grabbing the globe as she glided. Suddenly, a Dark Kitsune hit her in the side with the blunt of their sword, causing her to crash into a tree while letting go of the globe.

Two Dark Kitsunes grabbed her arms and the leader picked up her globe.

"Well, I guess your luck runs out now," he told her.

A blast of fire struck him, causing the Dark Kitsune to scream in pain and fall to the ground, letting go of the globe. Another blast hit the ground at where the two Dark Kitsunes were standing, causing them to let go of the girl.

She looked up into the air to see Honoka falling through the air, landing on the leader's stomach.

"Leave her alone!" Honoka shouted, waving her arms in the air and causing bursts of fire to fly everywhere.

Kanon yipped and growled, biting and clawing at Dark Kitsunes. The ferocity of the fox's attacks made the other Dark Kitsunes run away from him.

"You little bitch!" the leader shouted, pinning Honoka's hands behind her and pushing her onto her stomach. "How dare you interfere—"

He was cut off when he felt something sharp impale itself in his shoulder, and looked to see a compass stuck there. He gave out a bloodcurdling scream and attempted to pry the object out of his shoulder.

The girl blasted the three Dark Kitsunes away with wind. She grabbed the globe and then Honoka, who was surprised at the action.

"What're you—"

The next thing Honoka knew, she felt a squirming sensation in her stomach and felt as if she was being lifted.

Honoka collapsed onto the ground, a bit dizzy. She looked around confused and saw she was in a different section of the forest.

She was startled when she felt something cold touch her and looked to see Kanon staring at her worried.

"I teleported us away with teleportation magic."

Honoka looked up to see the girl staring at her sternly.

"That was reckless of you," the girl continued. "You could've gotten hurt, or worse, killed."

Honoka stared at the ground guiltily.

"I couldn't stay still and let you get hurt," she answered.

"Why help a complete stranger?" asked the girl.

"It doesn't matter if you're a stranger or not," said Honoka, staring at her determinedly. "If someone's in need and needs help, it's the right thing to help them."

The girl stared at her, and then smiled.

"I see," she said, and rubbed the globe in her hand.

Honoka looked around them, holding up her lantern to see better.

"Where are we?" she asked.

"We're north from where that army is," the girl said.

"Why were they after you?" asked Honoka. "I mean, I heard the conversation, but I don't get it."

"That's something you don't have to worry about," the girl said.

Honoka stared at her worriedly and continued to look around.

"Nozomi Tojo."

"Eh?" said Honoka, looking back at her.

"That's my name."

"Oh," said Honoka. "I'm Honoka Kosaka."

"Nice to meet you, Honoka," said Nozomi, extending a hand out to her.

"You too," replied Honoka, shaking Nozomi's hand.

"Now, I'm sure you have a good reason to be traveling at night in the forest," Nozomi said, smiling with her eyes closed.

"Uh…"

"Yes?"

"I'm looking for someone," Honoka said tentatively. "He's got black hair and red eyes. He's wearing a red shirt. And, uh, has a black, fluffy tail."

Nozomi stared at her.

"Honoka, you just described a Dark Kitsune," she said, her face in a worried expression.

"I know… His name is Basso Continuo."

Nozomi tapped her chin with a hand, thinking.

"…I haven't met someone with that description," she said.

"Oh," Honoka said, looking at the ground sadly.

Kanon nudged her hand, and Honoka patted his head.

"But maybe we can find him with this."

Honoka looked up to see Nozomi brandishing the globe to her.

"We can find Basso with your globe?" Honoka asked, stepping closer to get a better look.

Nozomi grinned mischievously.

"My globe isn't any normal globe—it's magical," she explained. "It can show you were a city you want to go is, and even where someone you want to find is!"

"Wow!" Honoka cried out. "That's amazing!"

"This is a one of a kind magical object," continued Nozomi. "That's why I can't let it get into the wrong hands."

At this, Honoka stared at Nozomi shocked.

"Hold it and picture who you want to find," said Nozomi, handing Honoka the globe and taking her lantern.

Honoka almost dropped it since it was heavy.

"Don't worry about dropping it," Nozomi murmured. "It can't break."

Honoka took a deep breath and closed her eyes. A moment later, she opened her eyes in shock as the globe started glowing. She was hit by the sensation of feeling where Basso was.

She turned in the direction she felt where he was and began walking swiftly in that direction. Nozomi chuckled at her determined expression.

They arrived at what seemed to be a campsite. There was a tent next to a large fire. Sitting on a log that was in front of the fire was Basso.

"Basso…!" Honoka shouted, running and tackling him while letting go of the globe in the process, which had stopped glowing.

"Honoka?!" gasped Basso, struggling to get out of her grip. "How did you find me?!"

"Thanks to Nozomi!" said Honoka, rubbing her head against his chest.

Basso blushed at this, and once he saw Nozomi his face went even more red.

"Get off of me!" he cried out, pushing Honoka off him.

Nozomi laughed at his actions.

"So you're Basso," she said. "I'm Nozomi Tojo. Honoka found me and I helped her find you."

"I see…" said Basso, rubbing his head.

"Nozomi's globe is magical!" Honoka said, holding up the globe. "It can tell you where places and people are!"

"That's a pretty powerful enchantment there," said Basso, whistling as he gazed at the globe up closer.

Nozomi blinked.

"Ah, so you know about magic and spells?" she asked.

"…Eh, I know some stuff," muttered Basso, rubbing his head and looking away. "I had a really great teacher…"

Nozomi stared at him and smiled softly.

"I see…" she murmured.

Basso stared at her confused and felt something tug at his shirt. He looked to see Honoka staring at him excitedly.

"You can use this to get to Dolcissimo!" she said, pointing at the globe.

"…You're heading to Dolcissimo?" said Nozomi.

"Yeah," answered Basso.

Nozomi looked at the ground for a moment, and then at them smiling.

"Keep the globe," she said. "You'll find it useful for your journey."

"Journey?" repeated Honoka, tiling her head.

Nozomi bowed her head, and wind whipped around her. Then the space where she was standing was empty except for the lantern.

Basso and Honoka stared passively at where Nozomi was. Kanon sniffed the spot and sneezed.

"Looks like you're joining me, then," said Basso.

"…Yeah," said Honoka, staring at the spot.

Trivia

The title of this chapter stands for bridge, which according to Wikipedia is a"transitional passage connecting two sections of a composition, also transition. Also the part of a stringed instrument that holds the strings in place and transmits their vibrations to the resonant body of the instrument".

Don't worry, Nozomi is an important character in the story. She'll pop up now and then until the plot starts to really roll.