"The Abyss's" Test. The Lost City of Lorange

"Too hot..."

Tsukiko groaned in annoyance as he continued to walk beneath the shadows of the abandoned buildings around him. When the teleporter has finished its' job it had taken him a moment to regain his bearings. Once he had regained his senses, Tsukiko soon discovered exactly where he had been transported. Only it was possibly the worst place he could start in.

Ground zero itself. The abandoned city of Lorange.

The term 'abandoned' though didn't quite do justice for this place. Nature itself seemed to have reclaimed the city as trees, large branches, and plants of all sorts engulfed the debris of the streets and buildings. Most of the skyscrapers themselves seemed to have fallen to pieces creating massive piles of broken metal and cement, leaving only a few of the former towers still standing. Broken down vehicles and devices that covered the streets were rusted down and worn out most likely due to time and the weather, and had now been covered in vines and moss. It was as if mother nature had had enough of man and decided to take vengeance on the place.

The sight itself was both terrifying and amazing, and would have captured the gaze of any normal person for some time. If not for one factor.

"It's too damn hot!!"

Tsukiko's eyes twitched as he leaned against one of the still standing skyscrapers and sighed loudly. He knew there would be things he hadn't expected when he arrived on then island, but he hadn't realized that the temperature would be one of those things. Yes it was an island and yes it was expected, but dammit if it didn't exceed his expectations and blow them into a furnace.

Not even five minutes after he had arrived, Tsukiko had noticed the massive spike increase in temperature. He soon found himself having to sticking to the shadows of the city just to take some of the edge off the heat. It had felt like he was in damn sauna that was put right in the middle of an active volcano, in summer. Okay maybe an exaggeration but dammit if it didn't feel like it.

Tsukiko shook his head as he removed his light coat and wrapped the sleeves around his waist, before unbuttoning the top two buttons of his white undershirt. It wouldn't be much but at least it would make the temperature more bearable. Upon finishing Tsukiko stood up and focused his gaze on the area around him.

Still nothing.

That was the other problem he had noticed when he had arrived. He had not spotted a single soul wandering about the city. Okay granted he had gone last and the city wasn't exactly the most luxurious place to be in, but Tsukiko had still expected to find something. A student, some form of wildlife, hell even a body, though he kind of hoped he wouldn't find the last one. But he had found nothing and hadn't heard anything except for the occasional crackles of fallen debris. Meaning that he was most likely alone. Alone in the middle of a giant ghost city.

"Well, you did say you'd take whatever came your way didn't you Tsukiko? You got your wish."

Shaking his head before focusing himself, Tsukiko continued to wander within this forgotten place, keeping to whatever shadows he could find. Not just for the heat, but so that if something DID come up, he could stay hidden for a time to see if it was friendly or not.

At that thought Tsukiko's expression shifted into concern. How were the others handling the test? He was pretty sure that Takanosuke kid was dealing with island fine considering he was a self proclaimed 'assassin', meaning he either actually had skills that could keep him alive, or was exaggerating them to show off. But what about Steven? The guy seemed nice enough, but he didn't look the type to be able to handle something like this easily. He seemed more like a guy who would rather talk and analyze a problem, rather than struggle to survive in an environment like this.

And what of Cara? That thought brought more concern to Tsukiko than any other. She had looked awful when she had left. Her mind was in a panicked state and she had looked like she was going to break down in fear. Was she alright? Was she safe? The last thing he wanted was to find her body somewhere. Ripped apart, torn to pieces, blood everywhere. He didn't want to see that, he didn't want to see those eyes he had saw become lifeless and cold.

It would not happen again!! He wouldn't let it!!

"No!!!"

Tsukiko's fist suddenly slams into the side of the building in anger as his thoughts halted. Breathing heavily he quickly closed his eyes and tried to steady his breathing.

"It won't happen. It won't happen to her. She's strong, she can handle this. It won't happen again."

Tsukiko's breathing slowly returned to normal as he opened his eyes and looked down. Only for them to widen at the sight below him.

Tsukiko slowly removed his hand from the wall as he knelt down slowly towards the object lying on the ground beneath him. Reaching down his hand slowly and gently grasped the object as he lifted it up to his face.

It was a doll. A tiny little doll, most likely hand made due to the amount of stitches and the button eyes he could see on it. It was worn, withered, and very much damaged due to time and weather, but he could still make it's apperance out. A tiny red shirt, a small blue skirt, two tiny legs and one right arm, the left missing, and small locks of brown hair on the head. And above all else, a tiny smile stitched into the face. A smile meant for the hope of whatever child clutched this doll.

Clutched it as the city went to hell around them.

"It won't happen again.."

Tsukiko's grip tightened as he placed the doll inside one of the zipper pockets of his coat. Standing up he clenched his fist as he continued to walk down the shadows of the fallen city, never paying attention to the massive hole in the building wall that has per-curiously formed where his fist had hit.

"I won't allow it."

Two white skinned creatures watched the silver haired boy walk through the city that had become their territory from atop a rooftop. Their bloodshot eye sockets usually didn't see much, but the deep hidden fears and anxieties this boy carried drew them light a moth to the flame. They let out a small shriek of satisfaction, and proceeded to begin to descend the building. The way they moved was weird, and unnerving. They floated slightly off the ground and moved around in the air like they were weightless, constantly shifting in different formations of their bodies. (For their movement, imagine the Nobodies from Kingdom Hearts. Specifically the Dusks.)

Something was wrong.

Tsukiko's eyes narrowed. He didn't know what, but he had felt it. Like suddenly the quiet had been disrupted. As if something had suddenly broken whatever peace had been in that area.

Meaning he wasn't alone.

Tsukiko's quickly calmed himself and kept to his pace, all the while his eyes kept looking about. A part of him wanted to run or hide, but doing so would just cause trouble. He needed to remain calm until he saw exactly whatever it was that was around.

And if necessary, be prepared to fight it.

The creatures stalked their prey. They knew how to remain silent, aside from the occasional low growl. They never faltered, they simply stalked him...waiting for the right moment to strike.

Whatever it was, it wasn't good. The presence Tsukiko felt was still there, but he couldn't pinpoint exactly where, only that it was following him. His eyes kept searching but he knew that doing so would was more an instinct reaction.

Because he knew he was being hunted. And it was a good hunter.

Still, whatever it was hadn't attacked yet, meaning whatever it was didn't know what HE was. At the moment they were both in an even pace.

Both knew that the other was there. But both didn't know what the other was capable of. He could use that.

Tsukiko's gaze looked about as he saw the entrance to one of the abandoned buildings. It might be a risk, but if he went inside he might lure whatever was following him inside. And into the darkness.

But was it the right choice? He didn't know. The building itself was still a few yards away. But staying out in the open was asking for trouble.

So at the continued and calm pace, Tsukiko slowly made his way towards the building.

As Hibiki was scouting the area he heard a small shreik coming from the air

"An enemy?!"

He readies himself as he searched for where the enemies are.He spotted not one but two white skinned monsters floating in the air they didnt spot Hibiki in fact he wasnt their prey at all, they were decending to the ground as if they found something their prey down there.

"What's going on down there"

He made up his mind Hibiki follows the 2 creatures believing someone is in danger.He gets ready for battle.

They saw their prey enter the building.....just as they hoped. Just as it seemed his home was in the darkness, so was theirs. The prey entered the building...and so did they. They loved making the prey feel more and more tense and frightened. It filled their bodies with excitement.

So it had followed after all. Rather, THEY had. Tsukiko's eyes narrowed in concern as he watched from the shadows.

Not one, but two hunters. That wasn't good.

If it was one on one, he might be able to handle it fine. But with two unknowns, that meant he was outnumbered. Sure it was a two to one margin, but that still wasn't good considering he had no clue what they were, or their capabilities.

Add the fact they knew this territory better than he, Tsukiko knew the situation wasn't getting better.

Still, just as these things seemed to enjoy the darkness, so did he. Just as they were patient, he could be. He knew that there was a chance, a small one, but a chance to come out of this okay.

It was all a matter of patience and timing.

It would come down to who made the first move.

After reaching the location in which the 2 creatures descended upon he finds them going into a building.

"Ok small areas are not my type of battle but it will do"

Hibiki goes towards the building head on at full speed he activates his air armor tech and crashes into the the building.He dashes towards the going to be battlefield

"Ok this is where the fight starts"

"The hell?!"

Tsukiko's eyes widened as a portion of the building shattered into pieces letting in the light of the outside. Covering his face with his arm to avoid the dust, Tsukiko puts down his arm quickly to see whatever it was that caused the destruction.

And his eyes widened.

It was a human. A male human. A male human floating on what appeared to be a door in the middle of the air.

A male human that looked VERY familiar.

"That guy again?"

As Hibiki reaches the battlefield he finds a familiar face standing there he goes towards that person and starts speaking

"Looks like i made it in time for the party huh Tsukiko"

Tsukiko's eyes stared at the boy. It was the same guy who he had run into just outside the assembly hall. He recognized him, the black air, the coat, the face. He couldn't remember his name though, probably cause he never asked and the guy never told.

But those thoughts were put aside for a much more serious matter.

"Baka!! Get down!!"

As Tsukiko warned him to get down he instinctively got down and got a bit more closer to him ignoring what he said to him before.

"Look we need to get out of this situation we are in and for that to happen we need to work together agreed?"

Hibiki offers Tsukiko an iron rod for a weapon "You might wanna need this"

The creatures had waited long enough. One struck from below, grabbing the legs of the one called Hibiki...dragging him to the floor below. The other was above, heading towards the silver haired boy. A small vortex seemed to appear as the creature approached, however it's arm phased through it as if it wasn't there and dragged it's claws through his back, blood covering the floor of the ground from the strike.

"Damn it"

Hibiki didnt see that coming as one of the creatures dragged him to the floor below he uses one of the iron rods he has and swings it creating a razor bladed air projectile going towards the attacker in an attempt to free himself from its grip.

"Heads up ya freak!"

Tsukiko's eyes widen as a gasp of pain escaped his mouth.

He had seen the flash of movement as he witnessed one of the creatures grab the boy. However before he could move, he felt his back erupt in pain and heat.

The other had struck. And it had struck him!

'How?'

Tsukiko's eyes narrowed despite the pain as he quickly turned, grasping the iron rod as he saw the closing of one of his 'holes'. So it HAD activated. But somehow this thing has almost ignored it, like how his 'holes' ignored him.

But there was no time to think.

Tsukiko quickly brought up the iron rod and swung it against the creatures head as a loud cracking sound echoed.

Jumping back after the hit, Tsukiko's eyes narrowed and focused on the bloodshot ones of his stunned opponent.

Time to survive.

The creature fighting Hibiki was hit, and was slammed down into the ground. However, it appeared to not be worse for wear as it stood back at and shrieked before charging once again at him. It charged again flashing it's claws at blinding speed.


Meanwhile, the creature fighting Tsukiko was stunned, but it knew it had hurt it's opponent. It let out a low growl as it slowly backed up and prepped for another strike. Staring straight into the eyes of Tsukiko...seeing the same darkness that was inside it. It felt happy...this meal would be even more delicious than it could have ever imagined....and better yet, unlike the cat eared girl...this one wouldn't get away.

Hibiki got right back up almost immediately as he landed his strike.He finds the creature standing right back looking mad as hell.

"Oh you want some more huh dont worry got more where that came from"

With that Hibiki activates his air armor tech, draws out his 2nd iron rod infusing his powers with the 2 rods and heads straight forward to deliver a cross chop with his dual rods expecting the creature to get hit heavy damage.

Tsukiko's eyes narrowed on the creature. Like him, it was ready to strike, and waiting to see who would slip first.

Normally he would try and get close to use his powers, but that wasn't an option anymore.

This thing had IGNORED the 'black wall'.

He had met few who could push passed his power, but not one that ignored it like him. Meaning chances were he couldn't rely on his defense in this fight.

Still, even if his power couldn't work on the creature, didn't mean it didn't work on anything else.

With that thought Tsukiko's gaze shifted quickly seeing the other boy fighting. He'd have to help him once he dealt with this thing.

Making the decision Tsukiko raised the iron rod up to a defense as he kept his body and left hand low. He had a plan. But he would need to time it right.

Making the decision the boy sprung forward, rod up ready to attack or defend. As he got close Tsukiko swung his body downward along with the rod at the creature, as his left hand made contact with the ground.

The creature fighting Hibiki was hit, but it wrapped it's hands around the boy beforehand, dragging him out with it...out the window. The creature stopped the boy from being able to activate his powers, and as such they fell the 3 stories down to the hard compacted Earth below.

The creature fighting Tsukiko was caught off guard by the sudden attack, but went to claw at the boy anyway. When the ground collapsed, they both fell down to the lower floor...the same floor it had lost it's previous prey. That did not matter however, as it jumped up and disappeared into the darkness of the ceiling.

Hibiki was wounded but he was still ok he felt like he broke his ankle during the fall but that didnt matter to him now that he is outside hes got the upper hand.

"everything is going as i wanted heheh"

With that Hibiki focuses on his mind preparing for his signature move he concentrates his wind power into the palm of his hand producing a giant air bubble by using the surrounding air.

"This is my personal favourite i didnt want to use it but i dont have a choice"

At this moment the bubble splits into 2 seperate smaller ones and Hibiki launches it at the vile creature with the use of the wind he controls he was able to increase the bubbles speed at a blinding rate reaching the creature at an instant

"I wont let something like you take my dream away!!"

With that Hibiki snaps his finger causing the bubbles to explode the impact would surely be fatal.

"Got you!"

Tsukiko's eyes followed as the creature leaped up and away from him and into the darkness above. It had worked.

When he was focusing on the creature infront of him, Tsukiko had notice how the ground was unstable beneath his feet, and could feel the rumbling. He knew that this place had seen a lot of stress and damage over the years, and one powerful shock or hit would be all it took to crumble the floor below.

Which is what he wanted.

As Tsukiko charged forward he pressed his left hand against the floor. As if instantaneously, a massive portal of dark energy explodes onto the ground and into a powerful vortex.

'One...two...'

As Tsukiko swung the creature jumped to dodge and then charged.

Tsukiko smirked.

'THREE!!'

Suddenly the vortex shut closed as the ground beneath it broke apart and began to crumble below as both he and the creature fell.

Normally this wouldn't happen due to how the vortexes Tsukiko made couldn't take in anything bigger than them. But this floor was old and broken, and had many pieces that weren't fully connected.

It was too easy to break.

As he fell Tsukiko watched the creature leap away and into the floor above to avoid the fall. Eyes narrowed he flipped in the air and landed on the ground before rolling to a stop, as the 'black wall' activated and destroyed any debris that would hit him.

Tsukiko quickly snapped to his feet, rod in hand as he turned and waited.

Silence met him as he looked a the large hole above, waiting for the thing to show its' face. But it didn't.

Tsukiko smirked.

'Round one to me ya bastard'

Hibiki had been quick, and the attack had hit the creature dead on. Due to the wounds it had received over the years of attacking animal after animal the creature didn't have enough fight in it to last through the attack. The explosion hit and the creature slammed back into the wall cracking it before hitting the ground. The creature lay still, but seemed to twitch once more before finally releasing a final moaning growl and finally resting, once and for all.

Meanwhile, the other creature saw it's prey slip away...and it liked the intelligence the prey had. But for a split second, it noticed a faint glimmer in the darkness of the floor the boy landed on. It appeared the cat eared one had not escaped while it had the chance. Two meals were even better than one. The creature even heard the crying of the girl. Oh how the crying filled it with the excitement of the hunt. It charged down at the glimmer, hoping to quickly kill the girl before moving for the boy.

As Hibiki finds the creature down for good he was relieved by it he has never been in a proper fight before.

"Huff.... huff....its done dont mess with the "violent wind" freak"

A shooting pain from his ankle caused Hibiki to fall on his knee this in turn made him take off the headband that he had on and ties it to the broken ankle to lessen the pain and lay down in one place trying to recover his strength.

"I hope Tsukiko is alright i gotta go help him and fast

With that Hibiki picks up one of the iron rods he dropped and headed back into the building to help his comrade.

"Just a little.... longer"

Cara heard something approaching and had heard the commotion. She simply sat and waited though. After a while though, she saw the creature jump at her...but it didn't look like the creature from before. In her mind's eye it was a fiery inferno attempting to engulf her. "GET AWAY FROM ME!!!" She shouted as she threw random office supplies at it.