Further manga spoilers from this chapter.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ──

Now that the monster was gone, he sighed in relief. But he couldn't because the ones who killed the big demon were also demons. More precisely, the pursuers from the house.

"You're here right? Come on out." A dark deep voice said. "That was close, I'm glad you're okay."

Ah, putting on a nice act.

He wasn't dumb to be fooled by that. "Everything is fine now, we defeated the monster. You can come out now."

He frantically got a stone and wrote a message on the tree trunk.

"Are you alone? What happened to the others?" The demon asked. "Now you understand, it's impossible to live outside. Let's go home."

Like he'll give up that easily.

Ray showed himself before them. "You're too late." He said, showing his neck before them. "The others are already dead."

"Ah, 81194." He said. "And (__)194.)

Ray hurriedly turned around to see (Y/N) standing fiercely behind him. What was she doing here? She looks so tired.

"How pale you are, dear." The demons said. "Let's go home and get you cared for."

Ray was still in shock, thinking of ways running away from their enemy. "Cared for?"

"Yes." The demon said.

"Don't make me laugh." She said, her (E/C) orbs glaring at the creatures before them. She tried to ran to the other side to lure them towards her, and they fell for her trap. She took the opportunity to grab Ray and ran to the opposite direction.

"After them!" The demon yelled as the other demons walking on four chased them.

They panted their way through the forest, tirelessly running. Though they were cornered by the demons all too fast.

"Just give up." The demon announced.

(Y/N) breathlessly sat on the ground, clutching onto Ray's hand. She looked like she was about to pass out. He was feeling a little drowsy as well.

"No, I made a promise.." Ray trailed off, a little dizzy.

(Y/N) tried to get up, and so she did. She immediately looked to the side as if she saw something.

"Get the girl now." The demon instructed.

"No!" Ray said gripping onto her hand, which immediately slipped.

"Take the boy as we-"

He couldn't reach her now. He felt so tired and was suffering from a headache. He desperately tries to reach her before succumbing into darkness.

He needs to wake up.

Wake up.

Waking up was a massive hit in the head. Fluttering his eyes open, he noticed that he was in a some sort of cave. He hurriedly got up to see where he was.

"(Y/N).." He mutters, his hand tries to grip onto the girl's hand but there was nothing.

There was a strange lamp by his side. Underneath him was a cloth that served as his bed. He looked around to see if (Y/N) was with him.

He got up and took the lamp with him. Going through the dark. He must find the others fast.

Light emitted from the another room he found. He went to go see who was in there. He sighed in relief when he saw Emma sleeping peacefully on the floor.

"Emma!" Ray hurriedly went by her side and tries to wake her up.

"Ray?" Emma slightly opened her eyes. "Ray! You're alright! I'm so glad." Emma said while immediately hugging him.

Ray just smiled at her behavior and hugged back. "Yeah."

"Now come on, let's go find the others." Ray said, helping her up.

"Do you think Mr. Minerva helped us?" Emma asked. Come to think of it, they were in a cave. So someone must have saved them.

"It might be a possibility, but it couldn't be actually him. Maybe one of his colleagues." Ray stated while walking towards to exit of the room.

"Ah, I'm glad you're awake." A voice from the dark said. "It appears that my medical herbs have worked."

"Don't try to exert yourselves." It appears that the voice belonged to a lady. "After all, you have managed to run away from that farm."

Ray stood before Emma protectively.

"Do you know where the kids we came with are?" Emma asked in hope to know where their other siblings are.

"They're over there." The hooded lady motioned. "Come, I've finished making food."

While they were walking down the tunnel. Ray asked some questions to her. "Are you working for a man called Minerva?"

"Minerva?" The lady asked. "No, I don't think I know that person."

"Have you," Ray paused. "saved another girl besides me?"

"I'm afraid I cannot answer your question. Because I was not there when you were saved from Sonju." She said.

So the person who had saved him was this Sonju. Rather, he isn't a person. He lowered his lamp to see if his suspicion was right.

Her feet wasn't human.

He halted, which caused Emma to stop walking as well. "Hey, why are demons helping humans?"

That made the hooded lady stop in her tracks. She slowly turned to them. Revealing a mask with two vertical holes that represented her eyes. She appears to have a lavender skin which indeed showed she isn't human.

"That guy too, he's a demon right?"

Emma turned her head and saw a tall figure, holding a weapon. "Why won't you tell us, demon?"

"Is that why you saved us? To eat us?" Ray asked. Emma gasped, realizing something.

"Hey." Emma mumbled. "Where is everyone? You finished preparing food, d-don't tell me-"

The demon lady only smiled at them softly.

"Hey, Mujika you've gone too far. You took the wrong path again." The tall demon behind them spoke.

"Is that why you came to get us? You're timing is awful. And with that weapon you're carrying." The lady said, referring to the big metal spear the tall demon was carrying.

"Of course, it would be dangerous if those children touch it." He said.

Children? So they must be alive.

The demon leaned in to both their faces, making the two eleven-year-olds jump im fright. "What's wrong with these two? They're pale." He said, studying their faces.

"Are they safe?!" Emma yelled, fear creeping into her.

Mujika and Sonju did not reply. Then, Emma ran away from them hopeful to see her siblings. Ray followed her but paused when Sonju spoke. "Turn left at the end."

Thankfully everyone was alive. "Emma!" Gilda exclaimed as she turns to them. The children didn't hesitate to tackle Emma in a hug. Looks like everyone was safe. He lets out a relieved sigh.

But where is she?

"Sorry for scaring you earlier." The lady spoke. The two demons entered the room fully showing themselves. "We don't have any intentions of harming you."

The lady, whom called Mujika, removed her hood. She was petite and had two neatly braided purple hair. The tall demon behind her, Sonju, had a slender face with sharp teeth and red hair.

"I'm Mujika." She introduced herself. "And this is Sonju."

"We don't eat humans. That's why we don't intend to eat any of you. So, rest at ease."

"Ray! Emma! Let's start and eat!" Thoma said, dragging both of them to sit by the fire.

"What's going on?" Ray asked Emma beside him. Watching Mujika hand out the food bowls to the children. "Everyone else got so comfortable with them."

He began to worry because he still hadn't found (Y/N). Where was she? Is this food- no, that can't be right. They said they don't eat humans.

"Here's yours Ray!" Rossi handed him a cup full of soup.

"And yours, Emma!" Dominic said, handing her a cup as well.

"Does everyone have their meal?" Mujika asked.

"Yeah!" Everyone answered.

"For this blessed pure meal, we celebrate our fortune." Sonju said, leaning his head and clasping his hands. "Thank you for the food."

"Thank you for the food!" Everyone started to dig in. Ray and Emma were still skeptical but they ate it nonetheless. It was a pleasant meal and he and Emma did not hesitate to gulp it all down.

He scanned the crowd and there was absolutely no sign of (Y/N). "Hey." He said, catching the attention of Don. "Where's (Y/N)?"

"I thought she was with you guys." Don said, finishing up his food. "Wasn't she with you?"

"Maybe she is still resting." Gilda reassured.

"Resting? Who's resting?" Mujika spoke up, looking up to them.

"Is (Y/N) still resting, Mujika?" Gilda asked the lady.

Mujika glanced at Sonju, clearly confused. Then turning back to them. "Is that your friend? I don't know any (Y/N)."

Ray dropped his cup to the floor, making a loud noise that caused everyone to turn their attention to him.

"S-sonju, you've saved a girl with me right?" Ray asked the tall demon, who only stared at him.

"I don't think so.." Sonju stated. "You were the only one there unconscious."

No, this can't be happening. She could've had been taken from them. She was still here.

They all gasped at Sonju's response. All turning to Ray who was gripping his hair. "No, you're lying. Tell me you're lying."

"I'm afraid I'm not." Sonju answered.

If he hadn't let go of her hand, she would still be here with them.

Gilda broke into tears as she processed the news, covering her mouth in shock. The children all as well understood what happened, now worrying. "(Y/N)? Where is she?"

"Was she taken by the pursuers from the house?" Emma asked in realization.

That stubborn girl. "I thought she came back for you, Ray?" Emma asked. "She's.."

The little ones started to tear up. "Let's go back and save her!" Jemima cried. Now, everyone was whining and sobbing for their dear big sister was taken from them.

"Oh my.." Mujika looked at all the crying children in concern.

"We can't save her, it's too late." Ray said in a monotone voice. "It's too reckless to go back."

The children whined even more. "Ray's right." Emma said. "(Y/N) wouldn't want you all to be crying over her, right? She would scold you."

"And she might be still alive." Emma added. "She might be in the headquarters, being trained as a Mom."

"So don't lose hope, okay?" Emma smiled despite she showing sadness.

He didn't even know it was the last time he would see her. He wasn't prepared to just suddenly lose her. Ray began to feel guilty, because if he hadn't let go of her hand she would still be here. If only he didn't let go.

He was so deeply pained and was shouldered with guilt.

"Guys, wipe your tears away! (Y/N) would surely make fun of you!" Don positive shouted to the crowd of children, also sad of the situation.

Everyone stopped their crying, but was still sniffling. After retiring to their beds, which were just a white cloth, Ray and Emma had gone to spoke with Sonju.

And after talking, they now know all about the world they lived in. How they weren't on Earth and how there was a promise forged. He was surprised by all of that and is happy that there was still a way.

On the way to bed, Ray was awfully quiet. Which made the orange-haired sunshine beside him concerned.

"It's not your fault, Ray." Emma said. "None of it is your fault."

"You know what? There's a promise right? Then we should save her when we made the promise!"

"You're.. Making a new promise?" Ray asked.

"Yep! And that way we can save everyone! Even (Y/N)." Emma smiled cheerfully.

Ray felt a little better when Emma said that. "Thanks, Emma." Though, he was still guilty and pained by what happened to (Y/N).

He'll just have to move forward without (Y/N) by his side.

Ray went by a corner where no one was sleeping. Emma had gone off to sleep now, so he was all alone now. He goes by the dark tunnel with Mujika's lamp on his hand.

He needs to let out the immense pain he had hid earlier when he told them it was too late. They could never save her in this condition; more of them could be taken the second they go back.

But if he could actually have the chance to go back, he would. The guilt of her being taken away and cannot be saved was just like the guilt of leading the other children to their death.

Even though Emma told him that they could still save her, what if they couldn't? What if she were dead, just like the rest of the other children he sacrificed?

All those thoughts circling in his head made him scream in the darkness; tears were streaming down his face as he breaks down for the first time in years. He couldn't hold it anymore. He couldn't save the other children.

He couldn't save her.

2047
Shelter B 06-32
The aftermath of Goldy Pond
Children from the hunting ground were saved.

Every single moment of the days that passed. He can't get her dissapearance from his mind. His heart ached a bit everytime he thought of her. Ray had also dreamt of her countless of times. It was either her smiling or her on the floor, lying unconscious.

It was a terrifying nightmare.

Until this day, he still shouldered the same guilt. Unable to remove it from his chest.

They've been through a lot. They went from the shelter to meeting demons in a hunting ground. He saved Emma, who almost died, and found out more about their allies.

He was currently lying on his bed, unable to sleep. Emma wanted him to rest for awhile since he had been overworking himself. A nice good sleep wouldn't hurt, he thought.

And so he closes his eyes, drifting to sleep.

"Ray." A voice called.

He gets up from his bed, opening the door. Once he opened it there was no one outside. He wandered the hallways of the dark and quiet shelter.

"Ray."

He heard the voice once again. Turning to a door that leads to the kitchen, he opened it. Revealing a meadow of flowers.

He thought, what happened? This was the kitchen door.

He stepped on the grass, looking back at the door who suddenly vanished. When he looked around the field of fresh flowers, he saw someone sitting from afar. The person was sitting with their back facing him.

He noticed her hair.

"(Y/N)?" He whispered under his breath.

The (H/C) haired girl turned to him, her soft face showing. "Ray." She said, smiling.

"How.." Ray couldn't muster up the right words.

"Come on, sit." She patted the ground beside her.

He followed her instruction and sat beside her, being surrounded by flowers. "(Y/N), how are you alive?"

The girl only hummed and picked a flower. Specifically, false spirea. He knew about them since he was knowledgeable of the different kinds of flowers.

He noticed she was wearing her Grace field uniform. She looked just like the same from the last time he saw her.

She softly smiled and tucked it on her hair. The fresh wind slowly waving her loose hair up front. He never thought he could see her smile again. Just for a short moment.

In a blink, she was already walking away.

Oddly, she was wearing a (F/C) hood now. She turned to him once again before dispersing out of his sight.

"(Y/N)!" He tried to reach her but he was drowning in the flowers, unable to see her.

"(Y/N) wait!" He tried to call her but darkness swarmed him. He stumbled and fell to what seems like a never-ending hole.

He never saw her again.

He awoke from his dream in sweat. Looking around he found the children crowd him.

"Ray, are you okay?" Jemima asked.

"You were screaming (Y/N)'s name." Alicia said beside Jemima.

Rossi was also there along with Dominic. The four kids concerned for their big brother. "Hey, what's going on here?"

"Who's this (Y/N)?" Yuugo sat on the opposite bunk bed.

"Oh that's our big sister!" Rossie exclaimed. "She was very kind."

"Was?" Yuugo glanced at Ray, who had buried his head in his pillow.

"Yeah, she's.." Rossi paused.

"nowhere to be found." Dominic finished.

"I see." Yuugo said. "Well aren't you all supposed to be cleaning? Get to work kids." He said shoving them out of the room.

He figured Ray wanted some time alone from the kids. "Hey, can you tell me about this (Y/N)?"

"Not to pry or anything." Yuugo sat on his bed, while got up and sat as well.

So he told Yuugo about everything. First meeting in their house's attic. How their friendship blossomed through the short amount of time they have spent with each other. He cut out the part where he had feelings for the girl, that was embarrassing.

Then telling how she was taken away.

"She's a good kid." Yuugo said.

"Yeah.." Ray said, his eyes downcast.

"I sense the feeling that you like her." Yuugo said, causing him to widen his eyes. "We're the same, I had a girl that I liked."

"She's gone now." Yuugo sighed.

Silence filled the room. Ray glanced at the man, before speaking. "Thanks for listening."

"Anytime, I guess." Yuugo shrugged. "Now come on, let's go outside so you can clear your mind."

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"Oh, who's this Emma?" Violet asked, picking up a picture.

The library was crowded because of them decoding the old books to what seems to be mirrored latin.

"Oh my goodness! I didn't thought I'd see this picture in here." Emma said, getting the picture from her.

"Ray! Ray!" Emma called the boy who was sitting on the ground, reading a book. Ray sighed and went towards the cheerful girl.

"Look! It's (Y/N)." Emma said, showing him the picture they were holding.

It was indeed (Y/N). She wasn't looking at the camera but she was smiling. Sitting on the grass, under the tree.

Something hit him in the chest. "Where did you get this? I don't remember taking a picture of her."

"I did." Emma said, giving him the picture. "I kinda, sorta borrowed your camera while you weren't looking?"

"Oooh, who's the girl?" Nigel slung his arm around Ray's shoulder. "She's pretty."

Ray didn't know if he was irritated with him slinging his arm around his shoulder or him calling (Y/N) pretty.

Maybe both.

"Nigel, cut it off." Oliver scolded him. "But she is pretty." The older boy said, glancing at the picture.

"Where is she? Back at your orphanage?" Gillian asked while she looks at the picture as well.

"She was taken away while we were.. Escaping." Emma said, trying to be a little positive in her tone.

Everyone quieted down after Emma's statement. "Get back to work everyone." Ray announced, putting the picture in his pocket.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───

Currently they were in the secret room, waiting for a call from any of their allies.

"Did you hear from our allies?" Emma asked Ray.

"No, still no news." Ray said. "After 7 days there's still no news."

"It's been fifteen years since Minerva left that recording." Ray sighed. "It's likely that our allies no longer exist."

As if right on cue, the phone rang. Emma hurriedly answered the telephone.
The girl paused for a while before shoving the telephone to Ray. "Morse!"

Ray got the phone on his ear, carefully listening.

"I'm sorry, but I can't meet with you right now."

"Next time, I will be the one who will contact you first."

"Be careful."

"Peter Ratri is the enemy. Minerva's younger brother and the head of the Ratri clan."

"Wait! What about the lock?!" Ray asked immediately.

"Stay where you are, I'll definitely come to see you."

"It cut off." Ray said, putting it back to its place. So, their allies do exist. That wasn't a recording that's for sure.

"That was an ally?" Rossi asked. "That was the real thing?"

Ray turned to him, smiling. "Yeah."

"An enemy would try and find our location or lure us out of hiding." Ray stated. "My guess is he'll call again. Though I'm still doubtful because the possibility of it being an enemy still exist."

"I think it's real."

Emma softly smiled. "I'm glad. With this, we have successfully contacted our allies."

"Someone willing to help us!" Rossi said.

"We don't know that yet." Ray said.

"I think the supporters will have us all flee in secret." Ray said, facing the telephone.

"They don't know we plan on finding the seven walls and saving all the kids from being eaten." Ray said.

"We'll let them have to know somehow." Emma said.

"They're definitely on our side." Lucas, an adult whom they met at Goldy pond, spoke.

"Even so, I was starting to feel pretty desperate. The conversation was really short and they said to call back in 24 hours, it took them a week."

"And also, I can't meet right now."

"My guess is that they're too close to the enemy." Emma thought.

"Well we don't know that for sure." Ray said. "That's what our allies told us."

"We need to prepare for the moment this ally contacts us." Ray stated. "Let's have people alternate being in charge of the phone."

"Maybe it would be good to teach everyone Morse code." Lucas suggested.

"Yeah, after that we will just wait for the contact." Ray said. "Somehow, I want to move forward on finding the seven walls."

And so they started their search for the seven walls, going to the place called Khavitidala.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───

A/N:

See what I told you? Please drop the gun you're holding at me.

The timeskip is brought to you by your lazy author. I hope you all don't mind the speedrunning.

And I updated today, that's new. Two updates in two days?

Seems unreal.

Let's totally forget the fact that (Y/N)'s gone and celebrate that this story reached 11k reads.

Y'all are so cool.

Anyway, stay safe!

Also search for the meaning of the flower, False spirea. wink wOnk.

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK-