Yumi returned with a couple of river fish, their scales shimmering silver and eyes like polished obsidian, and a handful of vibrant orange mushrooms that released an earthy perfume.
"I hope you like this," she said, a warm smile gracing her lips. "They're not as exotic as the delicacies of the city, but they are nutritious."
Kiko, her stomach rumbling loud enough to echo, pounced on the fish without hesitation. "Mmm! They're delicious!" she excimed, her mouth delightfully full. "After that fight, this feels amazing."
Ren, still pensive after their encounter with the yokai, ate with less enthusiasm. The fish, cooked to perfection over the embers that Yumi had fanned with a simple gesture, had a fresh and delicate fvor. The mushrooms, with their meaty texture and intense fvor, complemented the dish perfectly. However, the gnawing uncertainty about his situation and the worry for Aiko spoiled his appetite.
While they ate, Yumi spun tales of the customs of the inhabitants of the Shadownds, their legends and ancient beliefs. She spoke of forest spirits, mischievous and benevolent, of magical creatures lurking in the twilight, and the eternal struggle between the forces of good and evil that shaped their world. Ren listened attentively, intrigued by this unknown realm, but unable to shake off the pressing thought that he had to find his sister as soon as possible.
"The Shadownds are a pce of potent magic and boundless mystery," expined Yumi, her eyes gleaming with knowledge. "Here, nature and spirits are in constant, vibrant connection. You must learn to listen, Ren. The forest has many voices, and if you pay attention, it will reveal its secrets to you."
After the satisfying meal, Yumi suggested they explore the deeper reaches of the cave. "There's something I want to show you," she said, a gleam of undisguised excitement dancing in her eyes. "A special pce, with a very particur energy."
Intrigued and eager for any distraction, Ren and Kiko followed Yumi through a byrinth of narrow and humid tunnels. The air grew palpably colder as they went deeper into the earth, and a profound silence descended, broken only by the drip, drip, drip of water. Kiko, her heightened senses on high alert, remained vigint, sniffing the air and pricking up her ears at any unusual sound.
Finally, they reached a rge, vaulted chamber shrouded in darkness. In the center, a pool of crystal-clear water reflected the faint light filtering through a narrow crack in the ceiling, creating a mesmerizing dance of light and shadow. Around the pool, strange rock formations rose like ghostly sculptures, casting long, distorted shadows and creating a mysterious and undeniably enigmatic atmosphere.
"This pce emanates an ancestral energy," said Yumi, her voice hushed with reverence. "I feel a great force here, as if the veil between worlds were thinner in this pce."
Ren, without consciously understanding why, felt a shiver crawl down his spine. A strange tingling sensation ran through his body, and a sudden feeling of unease washed over him. Kiko, equally restless, approached Ren and rubbed her head insistently against his leg, seeking protection from the unseen.
Suddenly, a high-pitched sound pierced the oppressive silence. A buzzing, emanating from Ren's pocket, grew steadily louder. Surprised, Ren reached into his pocket and pulled out Dr. Sato's communicator. The device emitted a fshing, hypnotic blue light and vibrated strongly in his hand.
Yumi and Kiko watched in open-mouthed amazement at the strange object Ren held. "What is that?" asked Yumi, her curiosity piqued.
Before Ren could even begin to answer, a voice echoed from the communicator, clear and powerful, shattering the silence of the cave.
"Hello? Is anyone there? Ren? Can you hear me?"
It was Dr. Sato's unmistakable voice. Ren, his eyes wide with disbelief, couldn't believe what was happening. How was this even possible? Was Dr. Sato somehow communicating with him from the other world?
