Yunji (1)
* * *
Inside the apartment building, the air was cold and heavy with silence, broken only by the distant rumble of explosions outside.
The dimly lit stairwell loomed ahead, casting long shadows that flickered with every tremor. I motioned for Elena to follow me as we began our ascent, each step deliberate and cautious.
"Stay quiet," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart. "We don't know who or what might be in here."
Elena nodded, her eyes scanning the darkness. "Got it. Just lead the way."
As we climbed the first flight of stairs, the reality of our situation settled in. Each step felt like it demanded more from me than the last, the weight of what lay ahead pressing down with every inch we ascended.
"What's your mana level?" Elena asked, her voice a cautious murmur.
"Not great," I admitted. "The barrier took a lot out of me. I have to conserve what's left."
She frowned, considering this. "How much do you need to recharge?"
"More time than we have," I replied, trying to keep my tone light despite the gravity of the situation. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."
The second floor was eerily quiet, the doors lining the hallway closed and uninviting. We moved slowly, pausing to listen for any signs of life or danger. I kept my senses sharp, straining to pick up the slightest sound beyond the creaking of the old building.
"This place gives me the creeps," Elena whispered as we continued up to the third floor. "Feels like a horror movie waiting to happen."
"Stay focused," I reminded her, though I couldn't shake the feeling myself. "Yunji's our priority."
We reached the third floor, our footsteps echoing softly against the concrete steps. I gestured for us to pause, taking a moment to listen. Nothing but silence met us, but it was the kind that made my skin prickle, like a predator watching from the shadows.
"Any idea where she might be?" Elena asked, peering down the dim corridor.
"She didn't say anything specific," I replied, scanning the doors. "But she was headed this way. We just have to keep looking."
We moved on, checking each door as quietly as possible. I tried to ignore the pounding of my heart and the nagging thought that time was slipping away. Every creak of the floorboards and whisper of the wind outside felt amplified, like the building itself was alive and watching.
The fourth floor offered no solace. It was as empty and silent as the ones before, each step an exercise in patience and restraint. My mana reserves continued to dwindle, a constant reminder of our precarious situation. I tried to focus on each footfall, each breath, willing myself to stay calm and collected.
Elena paused at the top of the stairs, her gaze shifting back toward me. "If you're low on mana, maybe we should switch places. Let me take the lead."
I considered her suggestion, weighing the risks. She was right—I needed to conserve energy, and she was capable. I nodded, stepping aside to let her take point. "Just be careful," I said.
She offered a quick smile, more to reassure me than anything else. "Don't worry, I've got this."
With Elena leading the way, we continued our cautious ascent. The fifth floor was much like the others, each room hiding its secrets behind locked doors and shadowy corridors. I followed closely, ready to react at a moment's notice.
Elena paused again, turning to me with a frown. "You said there are supposed to be a lot of people here, right?"
"Yeah, a thousand or so," I replied, glancing around. "Something's off. We should have run into someone by now."
"Unless they're all outside fighting," she suggested.
"Or worse," I muttered, unable to shake the unease that clung to me like a second skin.
As we climbed to the sixth floor, the oppressive quietness continued. I couldn't help but feel like we were being watched, each creak and groan of the building like a whisper of secrets we weren't meant to uncover. My mind raced with possibilities, each more unsettling than the last.
"Hey," Elena said softly, breaking through my thoughts. "You okay?"
"Yeah," I replied, forcing a nod. "Just trying to figure out what's going on here."
She nodded, her expression serious. "Whatever it is, we'll handle it."
We moved carefully through the sixth floor, every sense on high alert. Each step felt heavier than the last, the shadows stretching longer as if trying to pull us back. My mana reserves continued to dwindle, a constant reminder of our vulnerability.
By the time we reached the seventh floor, my muscles were tense and my mind was on overdrive. I forced myself to stay focused, to push away the doubts and fears that clawed at the edges of my resolve. Yunji was out there, and she needed us.
Elena paused again, glancing back at me. "Think we're getting close?"
"Yeah," I said, more a hope than a certainty. "She can't be much further."
We pressed on, the building's quietude an ever-present backdrop to our search. The seventh floor was just as deserted as the rest, a testament to the strange absence of life within these walls.
"Almost there," Elena whispered as we neared the stairwell to the eighth floor. "Stay with me."
I nodded, pushing aside my weariness and doubt. We couldn't afford to stop now. Not when Yunji might be just a few steps away.
We continued up the stairs, each step bringing us closer to whatever awaited. The shadows seemed to deepen, the air thick with tension and anticipation. I kept my senses sharp, ready for anything as we ascended.
As we reached the eighth floor, a faint noise broke the silence. My heart leapt, adrenaline surging through my veins. We exchanged a glance, a silent understanding passing between us.
"That has to be her," Elena said, her voice barely audible.
"Let's find out," I replied, determination hardening my resolve.
Together, we moved toward the source of the sound, every sense on edge. I could feel my mana reserves dipping dangerously low, but I pushed the thought aside. We were close now, and nothing would stop us.
The ninth floor loomed ahead, the sound growing louder as we approached. My heart pounded in my chest, the anticipation almost overwhelming. Elena led the way, her footsteps careful and deliberate.
As we reached the top of the stairs, a door creaked open at the end of the corridor. My pulse quickened, and I gestured for Elena to stop. We paused, listening intently.
"Is that…" Elena began, but I held up a hand, silencing her.
The noise came again, a soft rustling from behind the door. My mind raced with possibilities, each more urgent than the last. Yunji. It had to be.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever lay ahead. Elena met my gaze, her expression a mix of determination and fear. We nodded to each other, ready to face whatever awaited.
With a final glance back down the stairwell, we moved forward, our footsteps careful and quiet. The door loomed ahead, a barrier between us and the answers we sought.
I reached out, hand trembling slightly as I grasped the doorknob. With a deep breath, I turned it, pushing the door open. The hinges creaked, and the darkness beyond seemed to swallow us whole.
Together, we stepped into the room, our hearts pounding and our senses sharp.