Dullness.  The only thing Rena could feel was utter dullness.  There was a pain, but it was muffled, and it didn't distract her thoughts.  Instead, she couldn't concentrate on anything.  Waking up, moving…if breathing wasn't an automatic bodily function, she doubted she would be breathing right now either.  She could hear Chisato nearby; she was breathing deeply, like in a sleep.  Rena knew that Chisato must've felt the same way as she did. 

Slowly but surely, her body began to respond to her commands.  Move a pinky here, slightly drag leg there.  Eventually, she regained enough strength to open her eyes.  At first, she could see only blackness.  Then, as the effects from the previous blast of light began to fade, the image before her amazed her.

They were no longer in the cavern they'd traversed through earlier.  Now, the two girls were lying facedown in an open field.  The sky was a dismal gray; in fact, no vibrant colors were in sight.  The only image with any color in it was Chisato's fire-like hair.

A moment passed, then Rena saw Chisato slowly move her arms and regain the strength to sit up, somehow.  After she was sitting, she seemed to look around the field with discontent.  Rena couldn't comment, as she didn't have the strength to move her mouth.

Chisato looked down at Rena.  "Rena…Rena?"

Rena looked sadly at Chisato.

Chisato stood up and began to talk to herself.  "Where are we…what happened…?"

Rena tried to gain strength to sit, but as soon as she began her muscles tighten, everything turned black again and she could feel herself falling into unconsciousness.  She didn't even hear Chisato's worried cry.

-

Her lips could work once more.  "Where am I?"

"You're in the next world."

Rena heard the voice suprisedly, and began to feel afraid.

"Do not be frightened.  I am to help you."

"Who are you?"

"A guide.  I can help you find what you're here for."

"And what exactly am I looking for?"

"That's for you to tell me."

"I can't tell you that…what should I call you, 'spirit'?"

"If you like."

"I can't tell you that, spirit.  I don't know myself."

"Then why are you here?"

"Apparently I got mixed up in the affairs of some very ambitious teenagers while I was looking for someone."

"I suppose you mean those sisters."

"Yes!  The sisters!"

The spirit chuckled.  "The whole world is in an uproar about those children's arrival.  No human or otherwise is ever supposed to enter this world, especially through the door."

"Why would they want to enter this world?"

"Who knows?  Maybe they know something we don't.  Regardless, we are doing our best to remove the girls from our land without violence.  Those sorceresses don't seem to share the same concern, however, as they blast our forces with their powers.  I'm afraid this won't have a good outcome."

"Then maybe that's why I'm here, to help you fight them."

"While your heart is pure, with all due respect, you stand little chance against the 6 of them."

Rena scowled.  "Look, spirit, we're running out of time.  I need to get to those sisters.  I have a friend nearby who's rather skilled."

"You don't understand, blue-haired girl.  No human or otherwise is to enter this world, and you and the other fit those standards."

"Well, with us, you might serve a better chance against those brats."

The spirit hesitated.

"We need all the help we can get.  I shall accompany you as your guide.  I warn you though:  do not betray anyone in this world.  You would soon find out how angry you can make an enormous mass of trained warriors by a little betrayal."

"I understand."

"Then let us go.  Close your eyes and count to four."

Rena closed her eyes.  "One…Two…Three…"

-

Rena sat up suddenly.  "Four!"

Chisato, who had been watching the horizon, turned around quickly.  "God, Rena, you scared me.  Are you alright?"

Rena held her head.  "Yes…"

Rena would've said more, but she became speechless and looked past Chisato.  After the red-haired girl realized Rena wasn't paying attention, she turned her own eyes to Rena's target.

Behind her was a six-foot tall figure leering over the girls.  The veil it wore prevented a clear view of the entire body, but the blue cloak it wore was bright enough to block any view anyways.  It carried a large staff in its right hand.

Chisato backed away, frightened.  Rena, however, walked closer.  She gave a curtsy to the being.  It bowed before her.  Chisato just looked dumbfounded.

Rena looked up at the veil.  "Spirit?"

"Indeed."

Chisato sat down.  "Please tell me what is happening."

"This being was in a dream I just had.  He is going to lead us to the sisters."

Chisato stood up quickly.  "Indeed?  Then let us go!"

"It's not that easy.  They are quick and very determined."

"But we are stronger!" Chisato yelled.

"Just please," Rena sighed, "tell us the direction they went."

"I will lead you to them.  Just be warned of the risk."

"Yeah, Yeah!  Let's go!"  Chisato began to wander off across the field.

"Wait, redhair, not a good idea.  Let us take my shortcut."

The spirit raised its hands and a white glow enveloped the three.  After the light faded, there was nothing left in the field but dismal sky and colorless grass.