[Chr24] Ancient Ruins and Lost Children

Ancient Ruins and Lost Children

Masamune pressed the child closer to his chest, making sure he felt safe and stopped whimpering. However his little heart was still beating fast and the child's body was shivering fearfully. Quickly he snuggled up to him and tears flowed from his cheek, dripping to the ground. Masamune was quite overwhelmed with taking care of a child but he tried to stay calm. “It's alright”, he whispered carefully and cuddled the little one gently. He couldn't deny that he was afraid too but crying was the last thing he could think of in this tense situation. Unsure he looked around cautiously. Next to his comrades there seemed to be no one in there with them. However the noise outside made it more than clear that they weren't alone at all. Meanwhile the child got a bit calmer and stopped crying but stayed close to his chest, not looking out of the window again. Most children would try to be brave or at least interested in the strange noises but this one was different. “Want to play a game?”- Masamune tried everything to take away his fear but the child shook his head and looked straight into his eyes. His gaze was full of worry. Understandable. They could end up being stuck in here forever and the little one would never see his family and friends again. However, Masamune was not the one in charge, he was just a comrade who had now the duty to take care of this child. His eyes slowly went to Kimura, their fearless leader who was observing the window, trying to figure out how to leave this place without a fight. The creature outside was still roaming this place, staying close to the castle. With caution he peeked out for a short time. Only scales. What could this beast be? A Buck? First of all he wanted to make sure that everyone was fine. The castle they were locked in was not in the best condition. It was old, windows were broken and some of the walls inside already started to crumble. Why was the child in here? Was it a trap? Kimura shook his head, trying to focus. At least he seemed to be unharmed. A single light fell from a little hole above and tiny pebbles hit the ground. Unfortunately it was too high to climb up and look outside so he had to find another way. There was an uncomfortable feeling rising up inside his body, his cleithrophobia. By closing his eyes he tried to not get into a panic attack. In this situation he had to stay focused. “We will get out of this”, he thought, still trying to avoid his phobia to take over. Suddenly the heavy sound of scales outside interrupted his thoughts and he opened his eyes immediately. A cold breeze blew through the broken window and let everyone close to it shiver a bit. Again, the sound of scales. Whatever was out there must be huge and heavy, probably strong too. Hisashi, his son was on the other side of the window, trying to get a better look but his sight was blocked by these large scales. “Damn!” he thought and recoiled immediately after touching one of the scales by accident. Outside there was a disturbing silence, letting Hisashi hold back his breath. He started to panic a bit inside but when the sound of scales continued he leaned back against the wall in relief. Masamune and the child were in a darker corner, his father stood at the other side of the window. The more he observed him the more Hisashi noticed his phobia, knowing he would get a panic attack if they stayed in here for too long. It would be the first time for everyone to see him like this and Hisashi as his son didn't want this to happen. Back in the past when he was a kid he closed the door and locked Kimura inside a room, not even realizing what he was doing. The castle they were in now was big but old and somehow scary. A mossy and wet smell and huge cracks inside the walls. Not to mention the broken windows. In a dark corner was Masamune with the missing child they found here. Hisashi was still confused. Why was the boy inside an old castle? Why would he go inside if the walls are caving in slowly? The creature outside spontaneously appeared after they found the young boy. Everything was just strange. Suddenly he heard something different and looked in the direction. It was Lexas who was in the darkest corner and kicked a stone with his foot, he was obviously bored. Kimura forbade him to go outside and fight the beast so the only thing he could do was sit there and wait for orders. If he would be the leader Lexas would never back down. With sharp eyes full of pure hate he watched Masamune who had the job to take care of this missing boy they found in the old castle. “Pathetic”, he hissed quietly and started to look around. His comrades were busy with the creature, always looking out and trying to find any information about it but this was just a waste of time. “Scaredy-cats”, he thought and went closer but when Kimura looked at him with strict eyes he stopped and turned around, going back to the corner he came from. It was wet and smelly. Not a place you would love to stay that long. However Lexas loved adventures, especially when they got dangerous. Such a run-down castle was perfect for him. If he couldn't fight he would at least explore this place a bit, trying to find a way out. Further in the shadows he found something interesting. It seemed to be a trapdoor down in the basement. The wood made cracking sounds when he stepped on it but it was stable enough to maybe open it. Proud he went to Kimura, making a gesture that he should follow him but his leader just looked at him with the same look as before. Hisashi however came slowly in his direction. “What's up?” he asked, whispering. “While you cowards did nothing I found a trapdoor”, - his comrade nodded and went back to Kimura, telling him what Lexas found. Masamune and the child came closer. “Masamune, Masamune, as useless as always”, Lexas said with arrogance in his eyes and folded his arms. “Shut up fucking idiot!" Masamune growled dangerously, trying to stay quiet. He didn't want to argue with Lexas in front of the child. Luckily Kimura appeared immediately and all together went to the trapdoor, hoping to finally get out.