WARNING (8)
"Is everyone alright?" Asagi called out.
"Yeah." Ayana replied as Tadaaki groaned in pain.
"Are you alright, Tadaaki?" Ayana asked with concern.
"Yeah. I'm fine." He said as he reached for the familiar shape of his flash-light. He turned it on and immediately wished he hadn't done that. He screamed as he stood face to face with a human skull. After realizing it was nothing he went quiet.
"What is it?" Asagi said when she saw him.
"I just found the reason why people don't come here." Tadaaki said as he pointed the moved the light, revealing a number of skeletons that littered the cave floor.
Ayana looked up and saw a small peep of light comming from the ceiling. She found her flashlight and pointed the beam at it. "Looks like we aren't going back the way we came," Ayana said.
"I'm sorry about that, Ayana. I'm sorry Asagi," Tadaaki apologized.
"Don't beat yourself up too much," Ayana excused him. "Looks like you were right after all. There is a cave down here."
"Asagi?" Tadaaki called out for her.
"Here!"
Tadaaki found her lying next to her wheelchair. She'd lost her flashlight, and the map ,which she'd been carrying, was torn to shreds, but they wouldn't be needing it.
"Your wheel chair took a few bumps, but it's still good to go," Tadaaki told her as he helped her into the chair.
"Think there's another way out of here?" Ayana asked.
Tadaaki pointed his light at the tunnel, showing a path forward. He then looked back. "Looks like we have no choice."
"There should be another way through. There are a series of tunnels that run through the island. We should be able to find an exit fairly easy," Tadaaki said.
"What do we do if there isn't another way out?" Ayana asked.
"Oh, trust me there is another way," Tadaaki said as the three began making their way through the tunnel. Thankfully the cave was large enough for them to move around in.
After fifteen minutes of treking Tadaaki spoke to Asagi, "So you're a fan of Gamera."
"How'd you..."
"I overheard you and Ayana talking earlier," Tadaaki replied.
"You pervert!" Ayana called him out.
"I wasn't meaning to. I just... heard you," Tadaaki said.
"Guys, please. Not right now. Let's focus on finding an exit," Asagi said.
"So why are you so interested in Gamera?" Tadaaki asked again.
"I was there when he and the Gyaos first appeared," Asagi replied. "It's kind of like how you feel about Godzilla. Only it's a little more personal." Asagi didn't think Tadaaki would believe him if he told her about her connection to Gamera, so she lied.
"Nice to know I'm not the only one who likes kaiju," Tadaaki said awkwardly. "I'm sorry. I was thinking out loud," He apologized.
"It's alright. I understand." Asagi held her broken magatama when she said that.
After a short time passed, the three found another tunnel.
"Look!" Tadaaki called out enthusiastically, as he went forward. His celebration was short-lived as he ran into a dead end.
The three gave a dispirited sigh when they saw it.
"Dammit," Tadaaki said as he rested his back against the wall in defeat. "I'm sorry, I got you both into this."
"We choose to come, Tadaaki. This isn't your fault," Asagi said. "We'll find another way out. I know we will," She said with an encouraging voice.
"Yeah." Tadaaki said. Just as he was about to get up a yellow light hit him in the face. He gasped when he saw it.
"What is it?" Ayana asked. She and Asagi saw it as well.
They continued forward through the tunnel. Once they reached the end they found a shrine. The area around the tunnel was filled with paintings and hieroglyphics depicting humans and mythical creatures locked in combat. Tadaaki chuckled when he saw it. His faith had paid off. Asagi and Ayana were also awestruck by the sight.
Some of the creatures depicted looked like large insects and reptiles. Asagi noticed one that looked eerily similar to Gamera. At first it looked like the hieroglyphs were illuminating the room, but they were actually reflecting the light. The source of it was coming from the center of the shrine itself.
There was a small, coma-shaped object in the center. Asagi and Ayana's eyes went wide when they saw it. They couldn't believe what they were seeing. It was a magatama and it was intact. They thought they'd all been destroyed after Gamera revived himself, but this one was still intact.
As Asagi reached for it. They heard a terrifying, familiar sound.
AAYAOONG
Gyaos. There must have been a nest hidden somewhere in the cave.
AAYAOONG
The sounds were getting closer. The three looked around frantically for a way out, but there wasn't any. Tadaaki grunted as he pushed at the walls. Maybe there was an empty space on the other side?
Asagi screamed when she saw the creatures scuttling towards her. They were only half the size of a human being, but that didn't make them any less dangerous, or hungry.
Tadaaki and Ayana picked up rocks. The only way they'd make it out is if they fought.
AAYAOONG
Just as the monsters were about to jump at them, an overwhelming light came from the center of the shrine. The Gyaos recoiled as they screamed in pain. They were strictly nocturnal when they were young since they light hurt their eyes. The Gyaos continued to hiss and reel, until they finally feel silent. When the light lowered in intensity, they found the Gyaos lying dead on the ground.
"Hello." A feminine voice, no, two voices, said.
They looked behind them fearfully when they heard it.
"Do not be afraid. We do not mean you any harm." They told them. There were two tiny women standing behind them. The women were only as large as the palms of their hands, perhaps smaller. They both wore red, primitive, yet neatly designed clothing. The both of them looked the same, like they were twins.
Tadaaki rubbed his eyes when he saw them. He thought he was seeing things. Asagi and Ayana thought the same.
"You are not seeing things, Asagi. We are real." The girls spoke in unison.
"H-How do you know my name?" Asagi asked.
"We know all of your names. We heard you say your names out loud earlier." They said. "Ayana, Tadaaki." The girls greeted them with a smile and a light bow with their knees.
"Who are you?" Ayana asked.
"I am Mana," The one on the right said. "And I am Luna," said the one on the left. "We are the shobijin. The overseers of Infant Island, and the spiritual liasons of Mothra."
"Mothra?" Tadaaki said.
"Yes," The shobijin said, "Mothra is our goddess. She is our guardian deity and the ruler of our island. She sent us to speak with you."
"Well... Thank-you for saving us." Asagi thanked them.
"You are welcome, Asagi." The shobijin replied.
"What did you want to talk to us about?" Ayana asked.
"We have come to warn you."
"Warn us of what?" Asagi asked.
"You both have seen it just as we have," The shobijin said as they looked as Asagi and Ayana. "You know that something is to come."
Asagi and Ayana looked at each other. "Yes," Asagi replied. "But what is coming, though? Another monster?" Asagi asked.
"Yes," The shobijin said. The hieroglyphics began to glow. "Everything you see in this room is of Mothra. Long ago she and other guardian monsters fought to protect earth from threats that meant to destroy it, or take control of it," The fairies explained.
"Like Gamera." Asagi said as she saw them.
"Yes, Asagi," The shobijin replied. "He and Mothra, seem to be all that is left of the guardian monsters."
"Are you a part of the Atlantean's civilization?" Asagi asked curiously.
"No, we are not. However our ancestors had close relations with them." The fairies replied.
"Is there anything you can tell us about Gamera?" Asagi asked anxiously.
"Gamera is still fighting to protect the Earth, but he is desperate. He no longer sees protecting humanity as a priority," They replied.
"He doesn't care?" Ayana asked.
"We believe there is still a part of him that does, but we feel that it is fading."
"Is there anything that can be done?" Asagi inquired.
"We do not know what the future holds for us Asagi. Mothra cannot see what lies ahead either. But we can show you what we do know." A bright symbol appeared behind the shrine, before the hierogylphs on the back were erased. They were replaced with new paintings, depicting monsters and humans fighting. Some of the monsters from earlier made a reappearance in the painting.
"There is a prophesy on our island, similar to the picture you see before you," The shobijin began, "It speaks of a monster that will attempt to take over the world and cause great destruction. But two monsters will rise up to stop this monster."
When they looked closer at the painting they noticed that the Gyaos were also a part of the battle that would ensue.
"What about the Gyaos?" Ayana asked.
"The monster will attempt to use them against the other monsters," The fairies replied.
"Do you know what this monster is?" Asagi asked.
"Unfortunately, not. The image is incomplete. We do not know what monster will come, nor do we know what monsters are to fight along side humanity," The shobijin spoke. "However, we believe that the monsters who are to fight together are Mothra and Gamera."
"And what about the other monster?" Asagi asked.
"We cannot be certain of anything. But we must be weary."
"What are we going to do though?" Ayana asked.
"The future is uncertain, but it is important that we act when we know we must," The shobijin began. "No matter how hard our trials are, we must have faith in ourselves that we may overcome them. We must also have faith in those around us to help us overcome our trials. Continue to have faith in your friend Asagi, and be there for him when he needs you." The fairy twins looked at Ayana before continuing. "Ayana, you must also learn to have faith in others, as well as yourself. Learn from past mistakes, but do not dwell on them. Be cheerful and make the most of your life," The shobijin then turned to Tadaaki. "Tadaaki, you too will face trials as Asagi and Ayana will. Be of courage, and act when you see that you should."
The three took a moment to ponder what the shobijin had told them.
"Follow your hearts, friends. They will lead you on the path forward. We will met again." The fairy twins said before the light in the tunnels began to fade, leaving everything in darkness.
Suddenly, the wall to the left broke open, revealing a tunnel that lead directly outside.
"Thank-you!" Tadaaki exclaimed gratefully before waving for the girls.
"Right behind you." Asagi said. She waited there and looked at the magatama in the shrine. She thought about it for a moment before snatching it up.