He journeyed on, his path leading him towards the great mountain that the townsfolk warned to avoid, instead urging rest. Mt. Ebott, the towering peak, was steeped in legend as the birthplace of the monsters, tales passed down through generations.
Natsuki Subaru was a typical twelve-year-old, his short black hair often a tousled mess. His eyes, a deep brown like his mother's, carried a serious gaze, a trait perhaps inherited from her. Thanks to his father's insistence on regular exercise, Subaru boasted a robust, healthy physique. His attire was straightforward yet distinctive: a short-sleeved black hoodie adorned with two vertical orange stripes running from his shoulders, paired with gray shorts and black and orange running shoes.
The Natsuki family made a special decision to celebrate Kenchi and Naoko's wedding anniversary with a vacation to the United Kingdom. They included Subaru in this journey, knowing he had never before visited another country and believing it would be an exciting experience for him. The flight was long, lasting around seventeen hours, but ultimately rewarding. Upon arrival, they secured a hotel room and spent the initial three days exploring amusement parks, indulging in shopping, and engaging in various exciting activities.
On the fourth day of their trip, the Natsuki family planned to hike up Mt. Ebott, preparing their gear and supplies for the journey. Arriving at the location, they found themselves in a small, unmarked town in the eastern part of the country, which was nearly impossible to locate on Google Maps. As they embarked on the dirt trail leading up the mountain, they encountered a few townsfolk who earnestly warned them about the perils of Mt. Ebott. Tales abounded of those who had ventured up and never returned. While this unnerved the Natsuki family, they were determined not to let fear mar their vacation.
As Subaru walked through the forest, his eyes caught sight of a rabbit, its fluffy white tail bobbing among the bushes lining the road. The sight ignited a playful spark in him, and he couldn't resist the urge to chase after it. His parents, engrossed in their own conversation, failed to notice his sudden disappearance into the foliage.
With each step, Subaru's pace quickened, his laughter mingling with the rustling of leaves as he pursued the elusive creature. But as the chase wore on, his breaths grew labored, and fatigue began to weigh heavily on his young frame. Gasping for air, he slowed to a halt, his chest heaving as he sank to the forest floor, his heart pounding in his ears. The rush of adrenaline faded, replaced by a sense of peaceful exhaustion as he sat, catching his breath and marveling at the quiet beauty of the forest around him.
"That rabbit is surprisingly fast for its size," Subaru panted, still catching his breath from the chase. Glancing around, he spotted the rabbit, now looking back at him with a curious tilt of its head. Determination flickered in Subaru's eyes as he grinned and exclaimed, "Come here, you!" With renewed energy, he resumed his pursuit, eager for the thrill of the chase.
Finally, Subaru arrived at a small cave, its entrance adorned with vines cascading down its sides. "Woah, what is this place?" he wondered aloud, his curiosity piqued. Ignoring any sense of caution, he stepped inside, unaware of the adventure that lay ahead. The interior was shrouded in darkness, the vines casting eerie shadows that danced along the walls. Subaru squinted, trying to make out his surroundings, but the darkness was too dense to penetrate. As he cautiously explored the cave, his foot caught on an unnoticed vine, sending him tumbling to the ground with a startled yelp.
Fear seized Subaru as he hung onto the ledge, his attempts to pull himself up proving futile. Despite his desperate cries for help echoing through the cave, no aid came. The impact had left him disoriented, spinning uncontrollably until his fingers finally grasped the rough surface of the ledge.
Grim determination etched on his face, Subaru grunted with effort, sweat dripping down his brow as he clung on for dear life. Time seemed to stretch endlessly as he struggled, each passing second feeling like an eternity. Minutes ticked by agonizingly slow as he strained to lift himself up, but his strength waned.
After what felt like an eternity, the dirt ledge gave way, crumbling beneath his weight. As he plummeted towards the ground below, a surge of regret and fear flooded through him. Tears welled in his eyes as he imagined the anguish his parents would feel upon realizing he was missing. "No... NO! Mom! Dad! I'm so sorry!" he cried out, his voice cracking with emotion as he fell helplessly into the darkness.
Subaru lay unconscious for hours, his body resting atop a bed of beautiful golden flowers. The soft moonlight filtered through a hole in the cave's ceiling, casting an ethereal glow over him as he slept. It seemed as though fate had orchestrated this moment, guiding him to this spot for a purpose yet unknown.
The same tale, a different time, a divergence with another try.
Lost to the annals of history, a story that was never destined to unfold.
Determination takes its toll.
An Underground Adventure.
