" ECHOES BETWEEN WORLDS "

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Aoki: Mitsuya? Mitsuya!

Aoki: Where are you? I can’t see you!

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Mitsuya: Aoki? I’m here!

Mitsuya: Wait... no. It’s so bright. Where is this?

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Aoki: Bright? It’s dark where I am. I can barely see anything.

Aoki: Mitsuya, I... I think we’re in different places.

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Mitsuya: What? That’s impossible. We were just—

Mitsuya: Did you feel that? The ground… it just vanished beneath us.

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Aoki: Yes! The god... that god...

Aoki: They did this to us!

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Mitsuya: What are we supposed to do now?

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Mitsuya: I can’t stay here—everything’s so hot. The sand’s burning my feet.

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Aoki: It’s freezing here. The wind is cutting right through me.

Aoki: We have to find a way back to each other.

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Mitsuya: How? We don’t even know where we are.

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Aoki: I don’t know... but I’ll figure it out. I promise.

Aoki: Stay safe, Mitsuya.

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Mitsuya: You too.

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Mitsuya: ...Aoki?

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Aoki: Yeah?

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Mitsuya: Don’t give up.

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Aoki: Never.

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[Moments later, in the realm of shadows]

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Aoki stumbles through the dense forest, faint whispers echoing around them.

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Voice: Lost, are we?

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Aoki: Who’s there? Show yourself!

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Voice: A wanderer in the dark... seeking what was torn apart.

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Aoki: What do you know about Mitsuya? Tell me!

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Voice: Paths between worlds are not easily crossed. A price must be paid.

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Aoki: I’ll pay it. Whatever it is, I’ll do it.

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Voice: Brave words. But will you still say so when you learn the cost?

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[Meanwhile, in the realm of endless suns]

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Mitsuya shields their eyes from the blinding light, trudging across the scorching sands.

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Stranger: Traveler, you’re far from home.

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Mitsuya: Who—who’s there?

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Stranger: Someone who knows the desert well. But you... you do not belong here.

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Mitsuya: I don’t. I need to find someone. My friend.

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Stranger: If your bond is strong, the desert will test it.

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Mitsuya: Test it? What does that mean?

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Stranger: You’ll see. Survive the trials, and perhaps you’ll see them again.

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[The two worlds seem far apart, but the bond between Aoki and Mitsuya may be stronger than they realize...]

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Aoki’s Trials

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Aoki knelt by the glowing pond, watching Mitsuya stumble through the burning sands. His heart ached at the sight.

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Aoki: Mitsuya… I’m here. Can you hear me?

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A faint ripple spread across the pond as if in response, but there was no reply. The voice from earlier returned, its tone mocking.

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Voice: You care for her deeply, don’t you?

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Aoki: She’s my everything. Stop playing games—how do I reach her?

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Voice: The trials are not meant to be easy. Each step forward will demand more from you. Are you still willing?

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Aoki: Yes. I’ll face whatever you throw at me.

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Voice: Very well. Your next trial lies ahead. Face the shadow of what you fear most.

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Aoki turned to see a path winding into the trees. The air grew colder, the darkness thicker. Whispers clawed at his mind as he pressed forward.

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