Author's Note: Starting with this chapter I thought it would be interesting to use music from the Death Stranding soundtrack, try and add a little atmosphere. You'll see the hyperlink embedded into the story itself, just right click and open it in another tab. All music is owned by Ludvig Forssell and Sony Music Entertainment.

"A long time ago we were just living normal lives, and then one day something happened," Cathal explained. "It was called the Death Stranding, this event that kick-started our downfall. From what Sis told me it started with the Beach connecting to our world, no one knows how or why it happened, but what I know is that the world of the dead became 'entangled' with our own."

Tokoyami was sitting at the table watching as Cathal paced around the room, showing the crow-headed boy several pictures of craters. Every picture showed the same thing, a massive hole in the ground the size of a large volcano, and mysterious black rocks… floating upwards into the sky. Tokoyami was in awe of these sights, but what he felt wasn't excitement or praise, but instead horror and dread. He gulped as the reality of this world started to weigh on his heart, so much that he could feel something grabbing his chest. It felt like something was suffocating his own heart, and he tried to keep his aura calm.

"Then… they showed up…" Cathal stated.

The next picture he showed Tokoyami was a series of black handprints lining the ground, all of them pointed towards someone holding their hand on their mouth. However, something else was in the picture, something twisted and… horrific.

"What are those things?!" Tokoyami asked with fear. "Those black bodies floating in the air! Are they people from the void? And those… cords from their stomachs. Hold on, are those umbilical cords?"

The boy stared as someone held their breath trying to stay still, and not far from them was the same trail of black and muddy handprints. Whatever that… thing was, it was a cruel sight to behold, something incredibly evil, and horrid. This monster took the form of what looked like an adult male, but it was dangling in the air, its arms stretched up in the air. It was looking away from the camera and towards the wall, yet its… "handprints" were pointed directly at the person, moving towards them like feet. But what disturbed Tokoyami, yet intrigued him at the same time, was that a large umbilical cord was sticking out of the demon's stomach, like a baby in the womb. It drooped onto the ground and was leading back to somewhere in the distance, but the rest of the cord was floating in the air, like a flowing river.

"You can see them?!" Cathal asked in shock. "So you're like me then! I just wanted you to see the handprints but if you're actually looking at those creatures…"

Cathal turned away and suddenly looked back, taking a seat next to Tokoyami and placing a pale hand on his left shoulder.

"Those are called Beached Things… though everyone just calls them BTs," He said. "All I know is that they're extremely dangerous, so when we head out we need to stay clear of them at all times."

"What do we do if those creatures find us?" Tokoyami asked again.

"If that ever happens… stay quiet, move slowly, and if those things are just a few feet away from us, hold your breath," Cathal explained. "I learned all this during a few deliveries, it's hard stuff and trust me it's… *sigh* pretty scary…. Right, anyway people can't see BTs, but they can't see us either, at least that's what Sis told me two years ago when I became a Porter."

"But I can't believe you can actually see them!" Cathal continued with excitement. "That means you're at least Level Three DOOMS."

"What exactly is DOOMS? How did I catch it?" Tokoyami asked with concern.

Cathal sighed and lost the excitement in his voice. He took his hand away and looked at the floor.

"I honestly don't know, Sis and a few other guys said it's a condition of some kind," The redheaded boy explained. "I don't know if it's brought on by exposure to chiralium or if it's just… 'in the air,' but I know only some people have it."

Tokoyami looked down and remained silent. This condition was a mystery, even to this person he had just met. Just what is this world, and why was he of all people brought to it?

"I'm struggling to understand how I gained this condition, I've never heard of it before..." He said to his acquaintance.

Fumikage! Dark Shadow cried in his mind. Ask him the question…

"Summers, before we continue I have one question," Tokoyami stated. "Why are you so open with me? There's no reason for you to trust me, and I still know nothing about this… 'world…' or you for that matter."

Cathal looked at Tokoyami with confusion and a rather cross face. He gazed at the crow headed boy, staring at the soul behind his crimson eyes. Cathal studied his spiked black hair, slicked back in a sharp manner to make him look like a falcon. His tan-yellow beak was hooked down in the front like an eagle, yet whenever Tokoyami opened his mouth, he still had a tongue and human teeth. It was a strange sight for Cathal, yet he was in such awe knowing someone so different really existed. Then again, this was the world he lived in… a world struggling to survive thanks to the Death Stranding. Nothing seemed strange to him anymore...

"It's because I-"

ATTENTION! ATTENTION!

Both boys shot their heads upward in shock as a computerized voice echoed in the bunker. Cathal stood up, the black handprints covering his legs shining in the light much to Tokoyami's surprise.

URGENT DELIVERY ASSIGNED TO FREELANCE PORTER CATHAL SUMMERS.

Cathal grunted and ran over to the large white wall, and he pressed his palm against the glass. He grabbed a white coverall suit and ripped his black shirt off with great urgency.

"Summers!" Tokoyami gasped.

Cathal turned around as he was putting on the jumpsuit, one covered in dirt and blue LED lights, but that wasn't what Tokoyami was shocked by.

Cathal's pale skin, including his back, chest, stomach, and central torso were all covered in large black handprints.

"What happened to you?!" Tokoyami cried.

Cathal sighed and looked down at his body, gazing upon the handprints covering his skin. He stopped for a moment and Tokoyami could feel the dejection in his soul and the sadness in his heterochromatic eyes.

*sigh…* "This is what that asshole Higgs did to me, it was a while ago but that's private… very private…" Cathal scowled.

"I... I understand, I won't pry any further. So… what about this delivery?" Tokoyami asked.

Cathal flicked his left wrist as a blue holographic screen hovered over his cufflinks. Tokoyami stood up and walked closer, observing the information.

"It's a delivery of… two gallons of blood?" Cathal asked. "Urgently needed at the Bridges Medical Facility located in Mirror Knot City… time limit of 45 minutes…"

Cathal clicked accept on the device.

"Thank you," A synthetic voice cried. "Bridges hereby enters a contract with Cathal 'Handyman' Summers."

Cathal scoffed angrily as he headed for the exit. He was now wearing the coverall suit in full fashion, and he grabbed a pair of black boots. He swiftly equipped the footwear and then placed a special device on his right shoulder. He turned around looking at Tokoyami, and the latter gazed at this outfit. Cathal had thin and dim LED lights lining his legs and arms. He was wearing gray gloves and several zippers were lining his suit, zipped tightly. He grabbed a large tan piece of equipment that appeared to act like a bag, and he quickly clipped in on his back. Cathal attached it with several carabiners, hooks, and locks to secure it neatly, and then he flicked his wrist again checking his processing information on the delivery.

"You're heading out for this delivery?" Tokoyami asked.

"Yeah, but I'm doing this for whoever needs this, not Bridges…" Cathal replied angrily.

"Bridges? Is this one of those organizations you told me about?"

"Yeah… listen, I'll explain everything else on the road, if you're going to survive then you're gonna be a Porter."

Tokoyami squinted his eyes as Cathal looked at him with an irritated face, and the cufflinks flickered in the air.

"Time limit beginning now." It said.

Cathal made one final look at Tokoyami.

"Where do I start?" The bird-headed boy asked with conviction.

The redheaded boy smirked.

"Alright then… suit up."

The elevator reached the surface of this small home, and now Cathal and Tokoyami were at the door. Tokoyami was now also wearing a Porter Suit, and just like Cathal's it was white with several zippers. He was wearing a pair of boots that were larger than his foot size however, in fact, the entire suit was larger than Tokoyami's body. He was rather short for his age, standing at only 158cm, or five foot two inches. The suit felt baggy, hard to fit, and… dirty. The boy was constantly pulling on the suit trying to keep it tight like Cathal told him in the room, yet it kept pulling back. Despite these issues, Tokoyami stepped into the light as the door opened, and soon… he and Cathal laid eyes on the outside world.

As they took their first steps into this place, the view caressed their spirits. The land was composed of hills, large and deep rivers, moss, tall grass, and warm air. Tokoyami took a deep breath and felt revitalized simply by standing there. Cathal took a deep breath as well and looked at the view. There was a large and incredibly wide stream in the distance, and Tokoyami widened his eyes at some of the hills nearby. As he turned around, he saw that this place in which Cathal was residing was nothing more than a small one-story home. However, he knew that this was just a facade, the actual home was deep underground in a bunker.

"Welcome to New York," Cathal said in a lighthearted voice. "I'd love to sit here and enjoy the view but we need to hurry, we've got 40 minutes until whoever needs this dies."

"Right, we should move with haste." Tokoyami said in agreement.

Cathal motioned for the crow-headed boy to turn around, and he did just that.

"Get ready, this stuff is heavy." He warned.

Cathal then loaded two golden cases onto Tokoyami's back, onto the tan bag-like attachment. Tokoyami felt the weight of his packages on his back, and then he felt several more cases added to the load. He felt Cathal touch his side, and a large briefcase containing some tools was added to his right side, then he felt even more on his left.

"Let's get moving!" Cathal cried.

Together, the two of them headed out. Cathal was jogging slightly at first and then, he took off. Tokoyami ran right after him, the weight of the cases ripping him down to the earth, he grit his teeth immensely as he pulled the bag and adjusted his weight, compensating for the packages.

"Trust me it gets easier with time! Come on!" Cathal cried.

Tokoyami nodded and started running, running with every cell in his body trying to catch up to his comrade, and he did so with increasing strain. More and more the packages weighed on his body, taxing his stamina and endurance…

But Heroes don't break that easy…

Tokoyami released a loud grunt as he carried on with the journey ahead. Deep down he knew Cathal was right, if he was going to find a way home, he would need to adapt to this new world.

Come on Fumikage! You can do it! Dark Shadow cheered in Tokoyami's mind. Remember to lift with your legs not your back!

I'm trying to focus, be silent. Tokoyami stated.

He got closer and closer to Cathal, and suddenly the two were running side by side. A stream appeared and Cathal stretched his left arm out stopping Tokoyami in his tracks, and Cathal quickly used the device on his shoulder. It sprang forth with three pointed panels and it glowed a bright blue. Its panels clicked together and then a loud noise emerged.

BOOOOM

Tokoyami felt a strong pulse emanate from Cathal as something happened, something he couldn't see but hear.

"Water's pretty deep here, give me a sec and I'll put down a ladder."

Cathal grabbed a ladder and adjusted its angle carefully. When he finished, the ladder built itself and fell in front of the boys. The steps fell just over the raging waters, and it perfectly fell onto a large boulder.

"Alright, one at a time." Cathal stated.

Then he stepped onto the ladder, holding the straps on his collarbone in order to keep his cases stable, he slowly walked over the ladder, checking his balance so he wouldn't fall. The water splashed on his legs and feet, and he felt mist hit his face blinding him almost. It felt like an eternity, and eventually he made it to the other side onto the boulder, and right behind him was a large landform filled with moss.

"Okay you're up!" He cried in the distance.

"Right!" Tokoyami shouted.

The boy stepped onto the ladder immediately leaning towards one side. He shot his arms out to his side trying to keep his balance, his body heat shooting upward. Tokoyami could feel the sweat in his outfit creasing against his skin as he carefully traversed the ladder atop the raging waters, and with each step he could feel himself leaning left and right in order to maintain his balance. Time felt as slow as a slug once he took the leap, like an hourglass was tilted on the side. The heavy clouds that laid dormant in the sky gave Tokoyami a fit of vertigo, yet his feet continued to press forward on this earth.

"You're almost there, you'll get better with time!" Cathal cried.

Well someone's cheery! Dark Shadow stated.

Eventually Tokoyami finally made it across the river, and Cathal pat him on the back.

"Wasn't bad for your first time, come on we've gotta hurry."

"Understood" *huff* Tokoyami replied.

Together they sprinted off once more, the moss rubbing all over their boots as they hurried to Mirror Knot City. Time flew fast, and Cathal was checking his cuffs in a panic as the clouds above grew thick, and Tokoyami heaved and pulled with all his might as they ran for the reflecting city. Through mountains they climbed, a rope was tossed as the boys pulled themselves over several boulders, and through a thick forest they trekked. Once more the cufflinks chirped, and five more minutes had passed. The trees were tall and the trunks of the wood were overgrown, thick, and dominating.

"Summers, how much time is left?" Tokoyami asked

"We've got plenty of time but that doesn't mean we can dilly dally! It's just a little further through the forest then we'll be at the Distribution Center!" Cathal cried.

Sweat, exhaustion, and adrenaline soaked Tokoyami as they continued to run and sprint as waist-high grass appeared before them. They trampled into the grass, the golden cases on their backs pulling them to the muddy ground, and their boots and leggings became stained with the brown liquid. The rustling of the leaves as the wind flurried and stirred, the grass tickling the legs of the boys as they continued to hurry with all of their energy.

*huff* *huff* "So these are the tasks Porters must handle?!" Tokoyami shouted as he ran. "It's quite taxing! I find it hard to believe you've been enduring this for so long!"

"Yeah!" Cathal shouted back. "Been a Porter since I was 13! It's a tough job but it pays well! *huff* We're paid with food, water, tech, medicine, everything we need to get by! Money doesn't mean anything these days!"

The trees covered the air as the clouds unleashed a loud thunder, and suddenly… it rained. A crack of thunder ripped through the air, and lightning nearly scorched a tree.

"Oh shit… Timefall!" Cathal cried. "Cover your head with your hood! If it touches your skin, you'll age rapidly, you got it?!"

"What?! Rapid aging?!" Tokoyami cried.

"There's no time! Cover yourself before it touches you!"

Tokoyami reached for the hood and yanked it over his head, but something was wrong. As Cathal draped his hood over his head protecting him from the rain, the drops started to trickle in. Tokoyami felt one touch his head, and he grunted after feeling something change.

"Gah!" He cried.

"Fumikage?!" Cathal cried.

"My hood doesn't fit! It's too small!" Tokoyami screamed. "Dah! Something's happening!"

Cathal came to a dead stop as fear overtook him, and he snapped his head around as the Timefall changed from a drizzle to a downpour. The trees provided temporary cover, but shortly after the Timefall poured, the leaves started to die, and the bark turned gray and lifeless. The redheaded boy swiveled his head around looking for something as Tokoyami dove under a tree looking for cover, and soon after, the answer presented itself.

"Over here! There's a cave we can use to wait out the storm!" Carhal shouted.

BOOOOM

Tokoyami nodded quickly and together the boys sprinted into the small cavern, and when they entered they both fell onto the floor, exhausted from the run. Each of them sucked in the air and puffed their chests, feeling their lungs expand with every passing breath. The air was warm, and the humidity only rose as the rain continued. It was so warm that Fumikage instinctively unzipped his coverall and removed the top half, his packages leaning against the cavern wall. He allowed his warm-colored skin to breathe as he wasn't wearing a shirt underneath, and felt the humidity hit his torso. Cathal did the same thing, revealing his pale skin to the world, and the black handprints that were littered across his body.

"Something hurts…" Tokoyami grunted.

"Let me see," Cathal said as he moved right next to Tokoyami. "Give me a sec and uh… sorry if this feels a little awkward…"

Cathal touched Tokoyami's hair and combed it like a curious child would. He ran his fingers through the jet-black and spikey hair, feeling how the spiked style at the end. He moved closer towards Tokoyami's eyes, and checked his head entire head for any abnormalities, the search lasting an eternity. This whole time the crow grunted and blushed, feeling strange knowing that a stranger was rummaging around his hair. Soon after, it became more eccentric.

"So… I've been steering because I didn't want to be rude, but… your face," Cathal asked. "Is that really a beak?"

*sigh* "Yes, it's not like other birds though, it's rather soft to the touch…" Tokoyami explained as Cathal touched the end of his tan yellow beak. The boy noticed how it hooked down in front of his mouth. "I thought you would've noticed earlier, with the water from your home?"

"Oh uh- sorry! You weren't kidding… no one I've ever met has something like this," Cathal said in regards to Tokoyami's crow head.

Suddenly, Cathal ran his hands down Tokoyami's neck and onto his shoulders, patting him several times and even lifting his arms checking underneath. He heard Tokoyami grunt loudly, and when he looked up he saw that the bird was blushing.

"Is this really necessary?" He asked awkwardly.

"Yep, last time I tried making a delivery with someone he didn't check his suit properly, so when I looked him over… his body had aged."

Tokoyami gulped in fear.

"His back was all wrinkly like an old man, even though he was only 26," Cathal continued. "The suit he had contained holes in it, they weren't big… but it was enough for the Timefall…"

"I… I understand, just do what you must." Tokoyami continued.

"Well I'm done, your chest and back are fine, no signs of any Timefall damage, but your hair…" Cathal said as he pat Tokoyami's pecs.

"The hair near your… uh forehead has specks of white…"

S-specks of white?! Tokoyami cried in his mind.

He felt the area above his eyes, the section of his hair just atop his beak, and he could feel something strange. His hair felt thinner, like it was no longer receiving any nutrients, it truly was a dead section. Cathal flicked his wrist and the cufflinks showed a screen. The screen acted as a camera showing their faces on it, and Cathal moved his wrist so the bird would appear in complete focus. And then… Tokoyami saw what the Timefall did to him. The section right between his eyes had completely turned white, starkly contrasting his black hair. The crow let out a worried breath and he soon held his arms in fear.

"That's what the Timefall does when it touches living matter," Cathal explained in a dejected voice. "It ages anything it touches… but what's weird is that when it touches the ground it becomes normal water. It's even safe to drink."

"Timefall did this to me…?" Tokoyami whispered in disbelief.

"Mmhmm… and you said that hood doesn't fit you, getting to Mirror Knot in this storm is gonna be difficult then." Cathal replied. "But someone once told me that even the Timefall can't truly wash the past away..."

Tokoyami looked to his right, and once more gazed upon Cathal's skin. These handprints… these black, oily stains covering his body looked like a curse. It hypnotized the crow as he stared deeper into the abyss, and the abyss stared right back at him. The prints appeared oily and reflective in appearance as it stretched with Cathal's skin, and they remained still. The boy… reached his hand out, as if the handprints were calling to him. It felt like someone, something was whispering to Fumikage, and he went to touch one of the oily pits. However, Cathal turned around and saw that Tokoyami was staring at him, reaching for his skin. In an instant he swat his hand away and glared at him with ravenous eyes.

"Don't look at me like that! AND DON'T TOUCH!"

"Gah! Sorry!" Tokoyami cried.

Cathal stumbled on his four limbs back closer to the walls and started shaking, much to Tokoyami's immediate concern.

"I'm sorry!" He cried. "I didn't mean to-"

"Shut up! JUST SHUT UP!" Cathal screamed.

Tokoyami… gasped in shock, and lowered his head feeling nothing but shame for his actions. He simply backed away further into the cave, into the darkness. He waited and stared out at the opening, the rain pouring from the trees as the thunder and lightning continued to crackle.

Hey… Fumikage…

Not now Dark Shadow… Tokoyami replied in his mind. The Quirk could feel his dismay and sorrow, it felt like it was gnawing at his soul.

You should ask him about the hands. Maybe you can help him out!

How would that turn out? You saw what just happened, it's a sour topic.

You don't say, but hey! The same thing happened with Shoji remember? Dark Shadow stated. And who knows, maybe that one guy from next door had a similar thing going on, you know the guy with the teeth on his face?

Tokoyami raised his head, and he realized the wisdom in Dark Shadow's words. A sentient Quirk was unheard of in the modern day, even decades after Quirks first manifested. Such a sacred bond between Tokoyami and his Quirk should not be forgotten, and Tokoyami thought once more.

Could that really work Dark Shadow? He asked.

Sure it will! You just need to have courage and help him out! Dark Shadow cried in his head.

It's what Heroes do isn't it?

That was all it took, the courage to stand up and save those who cried for help. Cathal's scream earlier was clear, it was exactly what Aizawa was teaching him in class. It was a cry for help. Whether Cathal intended it or not, he showed Fumikage that he had something that scared him, perhaps the very memory of those hands. Whatever it may be, the only way that Fumikage would learn… is if he reached out… and formed a bridge. He rose up and walked back towards the open casm of the cave, his torso still bare, and he felt the wind hit his chest. He sat down in front of Cathal, who was holding his legs to his chest, and his head lowered on top of his knees. Like his chest and stomach, his legs were covered in black handprints, ones that reached all the way down to his feet.

"Summers…" Fumikage said quietly. "I'm… not going to pretend that I know you or… anything that has happened to you in the past…"

Cathal squeezed his arms around his legs tighter.

"You asked about my head earlier, the truth is I was born like this. It's called a Quirk…" Fumikage continued. "Where I come from, the vast majority of the world is born with them. They're powers that give us extraordinary gifts, some of them like what exists in manga or… comics in the west, and others? Others like me also gain physical traits that are… different from what people are accustomed to."

Cathal slowly raised his head, showing his heterochromatic eyes once again.

"These Quirks allowed many before me to become great Heroes, and that's what I'm striving towards now, I want to help people, save them from both villains… and themselves…" Fumikage continued with a strong voice. "I don't know who this 'Higgs' person is, or why he… did what he did to you, but to me real strength comes from overcoming that darkness, and using it as a way to strengthen yourself even further."

Cathal looked at Fumikage, the latter staring his crimson eyes into the redhead's soul with conviction.

"As the saying goes from my world… that's what it means to Go Plus… Ultra…"

The redheaded boy looked at him for a moment longer and looked down again.

"... Is that supposed to be an inspirational speech?" Cathal asked quietly. "What are you, Superman?"

"Grand speeches aren't my forte, but I really do want to help you Summers…" Fumikage explained. "And it starts with delivering this blood… you can be a Hero too you know."

Cathal turned his head and stared at the golden cases as they leaned on the cavern wall. He thought of the person, or people, who needed that blood in order to survive. Over two gallons worth, and a hospital was waiting. He knew deep down that he had to do something, or the deaths of innocents would weigh on his soul.

"And when this delivery is over, I'll do everything in my power to help you find Saoirse, you have my word." Fumikage said strongly.

Cathal looked upward and saw that Fumikage had extended his left hand forward, as if he was helping him stand up. He thought for a moment if he should really trust what this raven-headed stranger was saying, but deep down, what else did he have to rely on.

"Alright…" He said quietly. "You'll need something to cover your head then, unless you want to get really old."

"Is that a joke?" Fumikage asked as he looked Cathal in the eye.

*Heh* "Yeah," Cathal smirked.

He grabbed Fumikage's hand, and he felt the warm and soft touch of his skin caress his own.

"A really bad one…" Cathal said.

Silence soon reigned. The two boys felt scared and cold, something changed in the air as a red substance covered their hands. As Fumikage and Cathal held their hands in a handshaking gesture… hives broke out and started crawling up their arms. Fumikage felt his breath taken away as the blood-red hives walked up his bicep, and then covered his shoulder. Cathal felt the same thing on his left arm as well, and soon after they both burned and grit their teeth as the hives reached their necks. The bird felt hives on the left side of his neck where the light was, and Cathal felt the hives cover his chest and touch the right side of his own neck. And much to Fumikage's shock…

The handprints on Cathal's body started dripping a black substance from his chest and legs…

This… substance slowly oozed from the prints on his skin, falling like melting ice onto his stomach, and then his waist. The oily black liquid dripped down the back of his legs and onto his feet. It created a puddle on the ground that steadily grew larger with passing moments, and Fumikage stared at the boy with silent fear.

HWAARRRRRGG

A handprint suddenly formed in the ground near the cave entrance, and another one followed shortly after entering the cave. Cathal yanked Fumikage so hard that the latter fell on top of the other, and he fell to the left. Cathal then pressed his left arm right over Fumikage's chest, feeling his heart pulsate faster with each second passed by. The raven shook immensely as the air grew cold, and the Timefall outside raged even harder.

HAAAAAAAARRRRRRRWWW

SPLAT

A handprint as black as tar formed right in front of the boys and crept towards them. A right handprint from in front of it, even closer than before, and a left print followed suit. Fumikage tried to get up, but Cathal continued to press down on his chest. Skin-on-skin contact in such a manner caused something to change, and Fumikage stayed still. As he looked over at the pale skinned boy, he saw that he was covering his mouth so he wouldn't breathe. Fumikage quickly used both of his hands to hold his beak shut after taking a large breath, and he remained as still as possible.

SPLAT

Another black handprint sat right in front of Cathal's right foot, and he didn't move a hair. A second handprint then appeared turning the other direction, heading back towards the entrance, but what scared both boys however was the… thing making these handprints. It was this black creature that appeared in a humanoid shape. It was floating in the air holding a dead expression with its body. Arms locked to its sides, and a thick umbilical cord leaving its stomach.

The handprints then appeared on the walls, climbing onto the ceiling. The black tar dripping all over the floor as Fumikage and Cathal both stared with wide eyes. Fumikage could feel his lungs suffocating, he needed to take a breath soon, and try as he might, he struggled to hold his breath. Soon after the handprints started moving slowly back into the light, and then… it vanished. Fumikage and Cathal both sucked in the air after it left, and they took a moment to look at each other and embrace. Cathal took his hand off the raven's chest, and the latter held the spot where the redhead placed his hand so firmly.

"Sorry…" Cathal whispered.

"It's fine…" Fumikage whispered back.

Both of them attempted to get off the ground, but that burning sensation they both felt returned almost as swiftly as it vanished…

SLAM

Two handprints clapped on the wall behind them as Fumikage and Cathal both froze. The raven slowly looked upward and behind himself as yet another black handprint walked down the middle of the boys. It left a small black, handprint shaped puddle everywhere, and the substance even dripped on the tip of Fumikage's beak. Another print appeared in front of it again, and a third appeared on the ground right next to the boys' legs. They slowly moved out of the way as prints moved right between them in a single-file line, and then it appeared on the main floor. The creature's form appeared to be constructed of thousands, maybe millions of black particles as it loomed in the air. Another umbilical cord left this being, but unlike the last one, it appeared to be a woman. It crawled around the cave, stepping into a large puddle of water on the other side.

The air was so cold that when Fumikage finally exhaled his breath was visible, and he even shivered as that creature laid still.

SPLAT

Suddenly it began "walking" towards the entrance slowly leaving black handprints in the ground.

RRRRROOOOWWWGGG

This abomination continued to create sounds like a woman was choking on water, craving air like she was drowning in the sea. It continued to "walk" towards the entrance. Suddenly, a deer ran by as fast as it could, and the creature wailed a blood curdling roar. Handprints sprinted out of the cave and finally, it was over.

Fumikage and Cathal both breathed deeply and frantically as they stood up, the warmth returning to the room. Fumikage was looking around in a panic as the Timefall… vanished. The rain stopped and he soon stepped outside with Cathal joining him. He felt the warm rays of the sun touch his chest, and Cathal felt the liquid on his body dry up as well. The handprints looked like they were raining down his body, yet they never truly washed away.

"What… was that…?" Fumikage grunted.

"That was a Beached Thing…" Cathal said as he took another deep breath. "Heavy Timefall always means BTs are in the area, and… they're scary as hell…"

Fumikage looked at Cathal, who was shaking in his boots and holding his arms. And suddenly, Fumikage grimaced his face and felt a sensation in his eyes. As he looked at Cathal, he saw what it was.

The boys were suddenly crying, tears dripping down their faces.

"There's more proof that you're a DOOMS Sufferer, you're crying," Cathal expressed with short breath. "And so am I."

"I… I don't understand, I'm not sad…" Fumikage stated.

"We're experiencing a Chiral Allergy, tears is just one of them," Cathal explained. "Those hives we had in the cave are another. Chiral Allergies only happen when the chiral density of an area skyrockets, like when Timefall happens."

"I'm… starting to understand slightly…" Fumikage said quietly. "What exactly causes Timefall?"

"That's a long story, and we can discuss that after we finish this delivery," Cathal said. "Let's get geared up again, Mirror Knot's only a few minutes from here."

"Understood."

The boys walked back into the cave and zipped their coveralls back onto their bodies, covering their skin completely to protect against the environment. Cathal grabbed his exo-skeleton-like harness and lifted the packages onto his back. Fumikage did the same, and together they left the cave, continuing their journey.

They climbed another steep hill as the trees let up, and Fumikage rushed forward with a ladder of his own. He lined the angle up against a rock, and then he let go. The contraption built itself up high and landed against the very peak of the hill. Together they climbed the metal steps and reached the overpass. Atop the hill, laid a beautiful view of a vast river, and next to it…

"There she is… Mirror Knot City…" Cathal said.

"Good, we should be there in no time." Fumikage stated with confidence.

He took his first step to descend the mountain.

"Hey,"

Fumikage looked back as Cathal looked into his eyes.

"About what you said in the cave, about Quirks or whatever they're called, and my sister…" he started. "I… don't fully trust you just yet… but I want to…"

Fumikage let out a confident grunt.

"I feel the same way, let's get moving." He said.

"Hey! I'm the one who should be saying that!" Cathal cried.

Together, they sprinted down this long, empty hill on fresh grass as the city awaited them. They ran and ran, Fumikage nearly tripping on the way down, and together… they ventured forward as the city waited for them…

Yet with their journey came roadblocks and unknown dangers. For this duo… one threat stood over all others. As they ran down the hill, someone else watched from the distance… and he smirked as his gold mask blinked onto his face.

Higgs was waiting with an eerie smile on his face… and with him was his personal strike force… the Homo Demens. For this day… would carry the next Voidout for all to see…