[Months and months. False lead after false lead.
They are finally at their wits’ end.]
“We aren’t getting anywhere in this investigation..”
“The disappearances of children at the hands of a powerful psychic? Not only is it groundless, but there are no records on any part of the continent we’ve visited. Not even Officer Epsilon knew of a psychic like this. Not one that’s a criminal, at least.”
“It’s like we’re running in fucking circles! This is impossible!”
“…how Vulgar.”
“Stock up immediately. I will inform the guildmaster that you two should receive no dinner if you do not.”
“Wait, but I’m the one that cooks di-” [Her words are cut short. As Nodt has ascended the steps and is out of view. The remaining members of Team Yggdrassil are left alone at the edge of town. They stand in silence, staring up at the cliffside for just a moment…]
[Shinji’s head snaps around as soon as a sound touches his ears. What was this? Was it a song? It definitely wasn’t one that he had recognized.]
[Yachiru, however…]
“Ugh! And we just got back home!” [He contemplated running immediately, or going off to As Nodt to tell what was happening. However, Shinji knew he’d lose track of Yachiru if he didn’t go at that very moment.]
[And so, he ran. He ran as fast as his tiny legs could take him.]
[He ran and ran. Where he was headed, he didn’t know. He could feel every part of his body screaming at him to stop, for every single inch of him burned with every inhale; every twitch; every step. He was slowing down.]
“This? Mm, marvelous. This will be the easiest catch in history.”
[The figure follows close behind, keeping his presence hidden completely.]
[Night falls. No sign of Yachiru. The singing has long since stopped. Shinji is unsure of where he is, or how far he had ran. The lack of light and the immense fog has been hindering his vision.]
[As his fatigue begins to set in, Shinji begins contemplating heading back. Maybe the guildmaster would know what to do.]
“I can’t believe this…”
“I can show you the way.”