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"Very well then." said Jonathan as he step outside first, his sword in hand

Jonathan looks around and noticed that the fog has lifted decently since the last time they were out, but now that it's nighttime with the moon visible from above.

"The fog has lifted quite a bit for us not to be completely blind...or get ambushed... But it is now dark outside, but I have just the thing to help us see better. I definitely have enough magic to do this, and it's not like I can cast more advanced fighting spells anyway at the moment." said Jonathan

Jonathan then chants out a few words, they sound a bit strange if not nonsensical, but then he thrusts out his free hand to summon a ball of light that orbits around Jonathan and illuminate the area a bit more.

"Normally I would have a special lantern that I use to light up dark places...but since I don't have that right now, nor have the materials to make one... This'll have to do for now, stumbling around the dark without a light is dangerous enough, especially in a ghost town that we have no reason to be here. Anyway, enough complaining me, let's be on our way." said Jonathan

Jonathan would then lead the way to find whatever grocery store, bakery, deli, or any kind of food store, that they can find. Of course, Jonathan will remain very alert, his sword at the ready in case they be under attacked.

It was so quiet and eerie...Turuilla wished to return to the safety of the bookstore as soon as possible. Nevertheless she trotted along beside Jonathan. Curiously she watched Jonathan. A handy light appeared in his hand, a sword in the other. Quietly she looked to her own hand, moving her fingers around. Maybe...she could summon a light ball too?

Nope...it looked like she was doing a bunch of random hand signs. She'd leave the magic to him.

Peering into various buildings she saw many homes. There were a few stores but the broken windows out front- empty shelves inside. "Hmm...I wonder if Futaba happened to scavenge most of the stuff. You know I get the feeling she's been here a few days.." Turuilla hummed, continuing her way down the block.

"I hope I'm wrong about that though...I can't imagine being here too long. I have studies and work to get back too. Ah plus my coworkers and mentor..." She put a hand over her heart, looking downward sadly. "I miss them. I hope we can get back soon. I'm sure you have people too, right?"

After saying this, the two would eventually see a tiny corner store. The neon lights dimly blinked in the darkness. Turuilla rushed over only to see it was bolted up...pretty well. There were scratches to the lock...and broken items around the windows. "Shoot..I think others have tried getting in but no luck...maybe your sword can help?"

When Turuilla mentioned about Futuba possibly being here long enough to savage most of the food and drink she could find before the others showed up, Jonathan shakes his head, believing otherwise.

"Possibly, but I don't think so... For her to be here long enough, I would be rather surprised she hasn't at least found or told us about our dangerous friend out here. I'm sure she's here pretty much the same time as all of us, just that we're summoned in different locations within the city...I'm sure that's it... At least we can appreciate what she gave us, so it should be our job to return the favor...though thinking about it now perhaps we should've inquired where she got the bread and water from, that way it could've made our search a lot easier." said Jonathan

When Turuilla mentioned about returning to her co-workers, mentor, and getting back to her studies, along with asking Jonathan the same...

"Unfortunately...I don't know... I still can't remember...it's all still rather fuzzy to me... I do remember significant number of things at such a short amount of time here, at least relearning the abilities for self-defense is more important under these circumstances." said Jonathan

Then they eventually found the tiny corner store...which is apparently lit up a little bit... This naturally bewildered Jonathan, thinking that there's someone else inside...but the entry is boarded up, and broken items is scattered everywhere... Turuilla then requests Jonathan if he can break open the boards to allow them to get inside.

"I'm sure this will be no problem just slicing through the boards, this magical blade is quite sharp after all. Even then, if that doesn't work, I could always morph this sword into something a little more destructive, like a mace and chain among other weapons." said Jonathan as he then begins to slice through the boards to try and get inside "Stay behind me, we don't know what to expect once we get inside..."

"It's fine. I'm fine. I don't think I'm being followed too. Thank you for your concern" Futaba replied to Azumi who went full mommy at her. She smiled at her. Futaba reached down her backpack and put out everything she looted before on the table. Food, drink, medicines, eye-patch, masks... Anything that probably will advantage her on this adventure.

"You know... I can hear those voices too. I'm not sure if that was real or not since I can only hear it through my headphones. I thought that was only my mind rumbles since I was alone here. But, maybe that was for another sign? Of a life object?" She muttered to Turuilla. "Anyway, on my way from looting things. I found an abandoned store... There were full of supplies, you name it. Food, beverage... maybe weapons?" She continued. "But I see you can do magic, maybe that's even better." Futaba glimpsed at Jonathan about what he did with his sling bag.

"I'm coming with you. I can be your guys support." She reached out her backpack once again to pull out her goggles. The fog just coming right in, like the previous time. "I think Jonathan was right. I feel like I was summoned in an entire different universe than you guys were transported. I came out from an underground base... Filled with some wine. Probably old ones. Then I realized I was just alone. Before you guys come." She paused for a moment as she wore her goggles.


"Be careful. I can see a movement behind the door." She exclaimed, as Jonathan ready with his sword.

After the others left, Callisto was at the bookstore with Ren and Azumi. She knew what she had to do, but she decided to be polite and wait.
"So, Azumi, could you do me a favour?" she asked quietly.
Her idea could wait, for now she needed assistance. Not something she liked asking for, but it was necessary.

(( Well I suppose that'll be fine. ))

Jonathan wasn't expecting Futaba not only joining them from behind, but the get-up she was in was very strange to see. In truth, they're both from different timelines, Jonathan's life comes from the long past of high medieval fantasy, so while he's capable on understanding technology and advancement...it's a far cry in comparison to Futaba's who lives in the far modern future...

"W-Whoa, I wasn't expecting you to join up with us, Futaba! ...And...what's with the strange clothes you got there...? It's very interesting and unique...but still it's quite weird... Probably something beyond my comprehension... Anyway, you said that there's movement behind the door, huh? Got it! I got this covered...I hope..." said Jonathan

Slicing through all the boards away effortlessly, Jonathan then busts in the building, sword out. Expecting an immediate confrontation, Jonathan is surprised to see that there's no one there to greet him as he steps inside.

"Hmm...there's no one here...but I can trust Futaba thinking that there's still someone or something in here..." said Jonathan as he looks around "It's definitely the strange get-up she has on... Was it magic...? But I could hardly sense anything from her, even when we're in close contact with each other... Either way it looks like everyone who comes here has some sort of special power or ability...which makes it all the more worrying if this 'sandman' is after more than just our dreams...perhaps our powers and abilities as well..."

Looking around at the place, Jonathan could see that it's indeed quite a bit of a mess similar to how it was outside...but he can see some bits and pieces of edibles that are at least clean and unopened...

"This is quite a mess here...but I think I can see some things that are unopened and clean it looks like..." said Jonathan as he then picks up an unopened and clean candy bar "Hmmmmm...this looks to be like chocolate...but it has a weird name... Probably something I don't know, or even existed, in my timeline..."

As Jonathan continues to search around and gather things that are clean and edible, he can feel something watching him from a distance.

"I can sense that I'm being watched...but I can't tell where it is coming from... Futaba, do you got something...?" said Jonathan

Futaba, with her heightened analytical abilities, should be able to sense someone several rooms farther in the back, but more importantly have something like magical invisible eyeballs focusing all in on Jonathan in the room.

Azumi was preoccupied with the fact that Futaba had left so quickly with the others to find food. She knew the girl was not her child, however she couldn't bear the thought of the youth being hurt in any way shape or form. Ren was quick to recognize this and proceeded to snap her out of it.

"Worrying isn't gonna help", Ren said, "You taught me that, remember? Besides, I'm feeling a little jealous that you're fretting over her instead of me. You literally raised me since I was a baby"

He chuckled at his last statement. It was meant to be sarcastic in tone, though Azumi did not detect it.

"Oh now you admit you're my child! Do not be so selfish, Renny", She paused, "But fine, Callisto needs our help. My worrying can wait"

The two turned to Callisto with Azumi speaking up.

"Yes, miss? What is the favor you need us to help you with?", She asked

Callisto blushed, not used to attention such as this from strangers, "I, uh, I think I twisted my ankle coming up the stairs earlier. But I see you need to take care of Ren, so it's okay. I might be able to find an ice pack or something..."

She trailed off, beginning to start towards the staircase. She didn't want to make Ren jealous, and Callisto was sure she could find something to help her ankle for now.

Somethings...inside with them? "Oh great...if somethings in here with us can we hurry and get back? What if it's that old man...o-or worse!" What could be worse than an old man trying to steal their dreams...? The woman's fears spiraled as she bent down and fretfully grabbed unopened cans. Turuilla looked up and noticed a door was open slightly ajar. It was ahead of them. "Maybe there's a stock room. One peak and let's get going." Nodding, Turuilla headed up towards the door. She nudged it open with her foot, watching the door swing open slowly. The sight before her was shocking, causing her to gasp and drop her cans.

There appeared to be...people? Some slouched down on the ground, some unconsciously at a desk. About three in all. The way they seemed motionless made her fear the worst. "Oh goodness...a-are they-" Turuilla hesitated approaching further. She touched one of the people and noticed two things:

One, they were breathing. Good Two, they were covered in sand upon a closer look. Three people...all looked unique and vastly different. "Sand...?" She blinked in horror, trying to shake the individuals awake. "Hello...hey hello!" She said louder. The people didn't stir, not even alittle. Rather they breathed quietly. Were they sleeping?

The room Turuilla probably wasn't the one Jonathan and Futaba sensed...there were plenty of other rooms so it is very likely something or someone else could be there. Tururilla took deep panicked breaths as she began to grab the cans. "W-we have to get back."

Jonathan watched and observed Turuilla's actions when finding the people inside, he didn't expect there would be more than one person that he and Futaba has sensed, but perhaps something was interfering with their abilities in some way.

"I guess the sandman got them. Considering that they have some sand on them, and because of that they are sleeping so heavily that they won't wake up despite moving them or yelling at them... So much for their attempts to take shelter by boarding up the place... As much as I would like to take them with us to see if we can help them in some way...unless we got more people that can lift them, I'm afraid we're out of luck on that one...as much as it pains me to admit that... We'll grab what we can and leave before any trouble shows up; we should also search the back areas too for more food just in case...a few cans can only last us for such a short amount of time, even if we rationed it out..." said Jonathan

Jonathan would take the cans that Turuilla has found and put them into his bag along with the candy bars that he was able to find that was clean and unopened at least. Jonathan would then proceed further into the store to find more food, as long as it's clean and edible again. Even since a small store would have a stock room where a vast majority of food and supplies should be around somewhere, that's what Jonathan is hoping to find in such a short amount of time...at this point it's now priority one, putting the person that's either watching them as a non-issue provided if he/she doesn't confront them first...

"Be careful there." Futaba sensed more of the quick movement of the silhouette under her night vision googles-like.


"Oh, this? I developed mostly my tech because, well, I love building those advance tech, this headphones too. It has echo-location as the feature too, like a bat you know. And this suit is more like to my defense. Just like your armor?" Futaba smiled as she referred to Jonathan's suit that looks like could defend him well. Futaba moved her head to right and left to sense more of the movement she can catch with her googles. But for this point, she can only detect an uninvited movement, not really aware if the object is stagnant. So, Futaba took off her googles for a while and let it hang on her head when Turuilla shrieked about finding some people.

"Wait!" Futaba carelessly sprinted over to find Turuilla and gasped when she found out about the people covered by sand. This one looks the same like what she found before. "Maybe they were under the possession? Or--" Futaba paused on her words. How if the strange voices she heard before already took these people into infinite nightmares? Is that why they aren't moving? Or worse, they were trapped inside their own dreams?

"No, it isn't a good idea." Futaba replied at Jonathan who wanted to help the people by bringing them together. "How if, they were just some kind of bait? Nonetheless, there must be another way to save them." Futaba exclaimed on their situation and proceed to stock anything that seems to be an advantage for them on her backpack when they passed the stock room. "Let's go on." Futaba said.

With Jonathan's searching he would find a back stock room. There were a few water bottles along with a few other items. There were some items that had already started rotting, yet a few things hadn't been harmed. A couple potatos rested on the counter that were salvagable, for example.

"You don't have to tell me twice.." Turuilla looked to Futaba and would wait for Jonathan before walking quickly back. Seeing what the sand man could do made Turuilla overly cautious. Every sound, every shadow made ger more weary. More tense. It wasn't until she reached the familiar doors of the bookstore Cal showed them that she felt safe again. Unfortunately she had scurried off so quickly she had sort of left Jonathan and Futaba behind unless they were eager like her to get back. The woman considered going back upstairs to see everyone...but she needed a minute.

Therefore she sat downstairs in the quiet library. She covered her face and tried to relax. This was proving to be a nightmare that she wasn't waking up from.

Jonathan did find and searched through the one and only stock room in the tiny store, gathering anything he could with Futaba's help in navigating and direction.

"Futaba's powers are really useful...I wonder how she got them back in her world... It's probably well beyond my understanding, and I don't want to give her a hard time considering how helpful she is." said Jonathan, deep within his thoughts before finishing savaging everything he could from the stock room "Ugh...it's not too much, but I suppose what we got is all we're going to get in here... I still doubt it'll last us for a few days, we'll still need more stuff...more healthier and clean food... Okay, let's head on out and look for another place."

Jonathan would then quickly leave the store with Futaba in tow, and as they got outside, he noticed that Turuilla is gone.

"Hey, where's Turuilla? ...Hmmmmm...knowing how rather scared and cautious that she was, I think she probably head on back to the bookstore to be safe... I guess it can't be helped, it'll just be you and me, Futaba, to find more food and drink. Oh, and while we're going, you said something rather strange...headphones... I suppose that's what that thing you have on your head is about, but I never seen such a thing before back in my world...I suppose your world and mines are vastly different, likely your world is way more advanced than mines... Oh, and these clothes, they aren't armor, but it is a little more thick and heavy than normal clothes...I feel like I wore these for something, other than strictly for alchemy work...but... *Sigh* I just can't remember any more than that...it's only the small details I'm missing now... Getting back on track here, I remember you said you found an abandoned store that has more food, drink, and even weapons? Well while weapons maybe a bit unnecessary, anything we find would be good to help us survive anyway. If you know where it's at, then lead the way. I'll cover you to make sure you're safe." said Jonathan

(( Jonathan won't have his armor in his bio until much more latter in the story until he remembers and confronts his living nightmare, so he'll be stick with his academy alchemy uniform throughout most of the story. Just to clarify, it's not that big of a deal. ))

After some time in the quiet, Turuilla took a deep breath and wondered back up the stairs. She could see Ren, Cal and Azumi still around. It wasn't exactly clear what they were doing but she went to join them again anyway.

"Glad ya'll are okay here..Jonathan and Futaba are I think still out scouting? I couldn't really be outside anymore." Sinking into a chair beside Cal, Turuilla rested her head in her hand. "There were some people covered in Sand and...I don't know. This place is freak. Are you all play though? The old man didn't come here right ?"

Callisto didn't know why she did what she did, but it happened anyways. As Turuilla came upstairs and began talking, she slowly fell into the chair next to her. So, Callisto put her arm around Turuilla's shoulders to comfort her, as though a sister would comfort her sister.

"No, he didn't come here. We're all okay. And I'm sure Jonathan and Futaba are alright, they're both strong as I can tell," she replied softly, "We're all going to be okay."

Bring her hues to Cal the woman somehow seemed relieved by Callisto's kindness. Therefore she rested her head into the other woman's shoulder. "Thank you...I like a hood adventure but not like this." She tried to chuckle- trying to bring some humor out of their situation.

"Oh.. I asked before but got side tracked- what's your story." Turuilla moved back to look at the woman. "You seem to have magical abilities like the others. What happened you before you got here?"

"I forgot to show you this", Ren said and gave Turuilla the book that contained a log that had transpired supposedly a long time ago. He pointed to the picture of the old man with an eyepatch with a child in his arms.

"Is this him? Is this the sandman? You saw him firsthand and the rest of us don't know what he looks like", Ren asked.

Azumi scolded Ren for not worrying about the safety of Turuilla and proceeded to ask about that very topic.

"What did you see while you were out there? Anything trying to threaten you or the others?", she asked putting a hand on Turuilla and smiling.

Callisto started to answer Turuilla, but Ren cut her off. She wasn't upset though, she was glad she dind't have to answer yet. Her past was something she wasn't ready to discuss. Instead, she looked over Turuilla's shoulder at the journal.

Turuilla looked to Ren, offering a small smile as she read it. The passage itself made her...confused? However upon seeing the image she audibly gasped. "Hey! That's..that's the dude! But his beard is like...this long-" she put her hand down towards the floor to try and illustrate. "And he looked unhappy...and pretty tired." Turuilla showed the image to both Azumi and Cal.

Turuilla found Azumi's motherly nature comforting. Was this what a mom was supposed to feel like? Her own mother felt quite distance in comparison.

"No nothing came after us but there were these people- all of them different kinda like this journal describes. They were all covered in Sand in some deep trance or sleep." Turuilla looked down at the journal again. "This book says something about defeating the sandman which I don't even know how...or we can leave some other way. Facing his fear...I don't get it." Turuilla rubbed her forehead in mild frustration.

"Ah wait a second." Turuilla sat up straighter. "Did you have a nightmare before coming here? I remember I had one...pretty vivid and real feeling. Did..you all come here after having a dream too?"