Hey guys! I'm here! I hope everyone is well, and are ready for Chapter 10! Now, let's get to the story, shall we?

Chapter 9

Thinking better than just straight up opening the ticking box, I try to disable the timer.

"How do you disable a timer.." I ask myself, and see the timer ticking its last ten seconds.

I rip open the back and see a red wire, and thinking that the box would exploded, I rip out the wire.

I was right, yet wrong at the same time.

The box blew up, but the contents and the note survived, and I scrambled to read the note.

'Hey Adrien…'

Just from reading it, you could tell Shane wrote this note.

'We decided you're worthy of this.. Don't worry if you haven't see us… We're a bit worried about Sally, but she's strong.. We're not going to bother you anymore.. We're still with you, you'll see us if you really need us.. So.. Yeah… The ring's all yours. It'll do its thing when you need it to. Anyways, later duder.

-Shane'

I look at the ring, and it was a black, paw-print ring. I slip it on and start for my door.

I wonder what's up with Sally..

I sigh and walk out the door.

A few hours later...

After a bit of effort, I finally managed to find Mari and get ourselves to the Seine. Our friends came out after a few moments of waiting, and we began planning what our next course of action should be.

"They're missing person posters up for all of us, I didn't go home last night. We have no idea when we'll get home." Mari said, looking at her feet.

I sigh, and wished I had done what she had.

We continue planning, most of the options we're very fun plans, all involving fighting and potential death of some kind.

"We can't just storm in there!" Peach yells.

"We can't risk their lives either!" Salmon counters.

"GUYS, QUIET DOWN, ADRIEN HAS SOMETHING TO SAY!" Lilac yells at them, and they immediately quiet down.

"If they're using Genne as a puppet, I couldn't be long before they reach out to one of us, right? We could try to see where she is and what they're plans are, we also have more time to plan." I tell them, and they all seem impressed.

"I.. I have an idea." Maro says quietly.

She ssssseemssssss really withdrawn lately..

"Yes Mari?" Blueberry asks.

I don't like thissssss…

"If I have powers like.. Like Genne says, maybe I can reach out to her? There could be a weak point." She says.

She'ssssss ssssssmarted than she told me….

Everyone's looking at me, and I realize I'm clutching my head between my knees.

"... Adrien?" Peach tentatively asks.

"The…. The voice…" I slowly say, and I listen for the voice again.

Reach her….. Bring me clossssssser to her…

My arm mechanically reaches out and just grazes Maro's shoulder. She draws in a swift breath, and collapses.

"The voice wanted me to make contact… Contact with Mari… She likes Mari's plan…"

Mari's shivering on the ground, and the others are staring at me.

This chapters choice:

Reach out to Mari

OR

Let the voice speak to her?

In a few moments, Journey into the Shadows, (was Shaodw Maze) will be uploaded! If you're interested in reading that story, please read Luck of the Temple first! Thank you, and have a miraculous week!