Akira and Kana barricaded themselves in the AV room, reinforcing the door with a projector stand. The room was dim, a sagging screen hung on the wall, and old video equipment lay scattered across desks. Kana slumped to the floor, gasping for air, while Akira kept watch.
Outside, the faint clamor of bone-birds and the slithering of the leech-creature echoed, but for now, silence held sway.
"Hostile activity temporarily reduced. I designate this a chance for rest and assessment," Akira said, his gaze settling on Kana.
She hugged her knees, exhaustion carving lines into her face, and nodded. "Just… a little break. I don't even know how long we've been running."
"Understood. Ten-minute standby authorized. I'll maintain surveillance."
Akira began inspecting the room's equipment. Kana stretched out on the floor, closing her eyes and breathing deeply.
Then, a burst of static crackled from the speakers.
A grating hum persisted, and Akira snapped to attention. "Anomalous signal detected. Locating source."
As he approached the projector console, the screen flickered to life. Amid distorted noise, a low voice oozed forth.
"Fleeing lambs… welcome to my domain."
The voice was deep, slick with malice. On the screen, a shadowy humanoid figure emerged, its surface writhing with countless blinking eyes.
Kana jolted upright, scrambling to Akira's side. "What is that? Who's talking?"
"No database match. Likely the entity orchestrating this. Analyzing message," Akira replied coolly.
The voice resumed, dripping with mockery. "This school is my garden. The night stretches eternal, and you are my playthings. Run all you like—there's no escape. My children will feast on you, but first, entertain me."
The shadow laughed, its eyes flashing in unison. Then the screen went black.
Kana trembled, looking to Akira. "Is… is that thing controlling everything?"
"Highly probable. It's the likely source of this anomaly. We must devise a counterstrategy."
Akira tapped the console, checking for a recording, but the signal had vanished.
"It's scary, but… I feel a spark of hope," Kana said, standing, her eyes glinting. "If we take that thing down, this ends, right?"
Akira studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Correct. Eliminating the mastermind is a viable solution. However, in my current state, it's challenging. I require repairs and enhancements."
Kana scanned the room. "Anything here we could use? To fix your arm, maybe?"
Akira's sensors swept the clutter, landing on a broken VCR and a toolbox. "Basic repairs feasible. I'll attempt emergency maintenance on my left arm. Kana, your assistance is needed."
They spread tools across a desk, and Akira exposed his left arm's damaged innards—severed wires and warped joints. Kana grabbed a screwdriver, following his precise instructions to remove screws.
Using salvaged parts from the VCR—a small motor and cables—Akira patched his arm's drive system. Sparks flew, but the limb twitched back to life.
"Functionality restored to thirty percent. Full repair unachievable, but auxiliary movement regained," he said, flexing the arm experimentally.
"Now weapons," Kana said. "Your blade's taking a beating."
She spotted a metal tripod in the corner and hefted it. "What about this?"
Akira took it, hammering its end against the desk to sharpen it. "Viable as an improvised spear. Effective for close combat."
He gripped the tripod, its weight lending it a menacing heft.
Their ten-minute break ended, and they rose with renewed purpose.
Kana gave a small laugh. "That boss's voice? Total creep vibes. Let's take it down."
"Agreed. Objective set: neutralize the mastermind. Next destination: the chemistry lab. We'll use chemicals to amplify our offensive capabilities."
Akira hefted the tripod-spear, while Kana clutched the first aid kit. They left the AV room, stepping back into the school's darkness.
The night stretched on, the mastermind's mocking laughter lingering in their ears.