Talking: Nice to meet you.

Whispering: That's wild.

Thinking: (What the hell is happening?)

---------------------------------------------------------

{3rd Person POV}

*WHOOOOOOOOOOSH*

A small girl with short white hair zoomed through the air at breakneck velocities! She looked around her as she flew, noticing the ruins of a completely wrecked city with gigantic black crystals protruding from the ground!



She shifted her body in mid-air to dodge the incoming obstacles as she fell closer to the ground with each passing moment. She turned forward and saw that she was about to crash into a support beam with a triangle structure!

Thinking quickly, the orange-eyed girl twisted her body to position herself straight like an arrow. This maneuver allowed her to barely slip through the triangle-shaped gap unscathed!

Anby then unsheathed her blade when she was close to the ground! Electric sparks surged through it, allowing her to stab through the concrete like butter. She skidded to a stop, leaving a long red hot cut along the ground.

"🔋Confirmed, I've fallen into a hollow.🔋"

She looked around with curiosity. She looked completely alone. The place was quiet...eerily quiet...

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"

Said silence didn't last for too long when she heard the rapidly approaching screams of a male in the distance. She looked to her right. Nothing. To her left. Nothing. She finally looked up. Something!

*CRAAAAAAAAASH*

She saw the silhouette of a person fall beside her into a bed of boxes. She gripped the handle of her sword and slowly approached.

Anby: Who is that?...

Step by step, the pile of boxes rustled as the person moved. This reminded her of the suspenseful preamble to a jump scare in a horror movie. After a few seconds, a fist emerged from the boxes!

Anby: (Night of the Living Dead!)

She didn't really expect a zombie. Everybody knows that zombies can only spawn from a cursed graveyard at night, not inside a Hollow. Don't be ridiculous sheeple! At least, that's what she believed was common knowledge.

Finally, the figure under the boxes shoved them off itself to reveal none other than Kiba! The heterochromatic boy groaned in pain. He began to mutter with a huff.

Kiba: Uuuugh...my back...

Anby: (Oh, it's just "Oldboy")

The boy began to slowly stand up, having somehow survived a rough fall that was cushioned only by a bunch of old cardboard boxes.

Kiba: Where the hell are we?...

Anby: We have fallen into a Hollow. Come. Follow me, Oldboy.

Kiba: Oldboy?—Why are you calling me that?

Anby: Oh, sorry. You must go by the "Mad Dog" like the Red Fang Gang said.

Kiba: Tch! 💢I prefer Oldboy over that shitty nickname!💢

Anby: Then what am I supposed to—

Kiba: Just call me by my name...It's Kiba by the way.

Anby: ...Very well. Come with me.

She began to walk forward, in no particular direction. She was hoping to find Billy and Nicole. She didn't know if they had fallen into the Hollow with her. Even if they didn't, she was glad she at least had some form of company. She didn't like being alone, despite what her aloof nature would have you think.

Speaking of her company, Kiba followed after her with a bit of a dumbfounded expression. He sighed and lightly scratched behind his ear. He did so more gently than when fighting earlier.

Kiba: Hey! You didn't tell me your name. If we're gonna be stuck here at least tell me who you are!

Anby: The name is Demara...Anby Demara.

She made a little pose, holding up her hand in the shape of a gun and putting it close to her face with her usual emotionless look.

Kiba didn't know much about movies but at least he knew what she was trying to reference!

Kiba: James Bond? Seriously?

Anby: Yes. He is a big role model of mine. He saved the world multiple times from international gangsters. He would've been a big help back at the research building.

The black and white-haired boy squinted his eyes in confusion. He stared at her for a moment as they walked together before realizing something. Did...did she think the movies actually happened? He really didn't wanna pry and make things awkward. He hated awkwardness.

Kiba: (No way she thinks they're real...)

Suddenly from seemingly out of nowhere, two black creatures jumped out in front of them. They were faceless and lanky, their limbs were mangled, and their inner flesh shined with a sickly neon-green glow.

【☢️Ethereal: Alpeca☢️】



Anby: Ethereals. That was quick.

Kiba was about to crack his knuckles and get ready to fight these things. He had never actually fought an Ethereal before. He didn't even remember ever coming close to a Hollow either. So why wasn't he scared? Before he could keep questioning himself Anby got in front of him, her hand resting on her sword's handle.

Anby: Step back. Let me handle them.

Kiba: Huh?! You saw me fight earlier!

Anby: Yes, but those were thugs. These are monsters. Now let me protect you.

He recoiled a little. Her tiny yet accretive voice was like an arrow to the chest. He felt a sudden heat rise up his body and into his cheeks. He tried to ignore his blushing by flicking his wrist and walking past the white-haired girl.

Kiba: I-I don't want you to protect m-me!

Anby: But—

Kiba: You are not fighting. We are fighting.

Her eyes widened slightly for a split second. He was rough. Yet soft. And then rough again. Much like his dual-colored hair, he was a walking dichotomy. It was honestly strange. She was used to the people around her being much easier to understand.

Anby:...Right!

https://youtu.be/dT5Ck6bXBu8

She quickly unsheathed her blade and dashed forward, leaving a trail of electric sparks behind her. Kiba blinked for a second before running towards the second Ethereal.

The swordswoman clashed blades with the Alpeca. They are known for having blade-like appendages after all. She quickly broke the lock and held her sword in a reverse grip. She sliced its torso with a spinning slash!

She held her sword normally again before slicing up! And then down! The Ethereal had no way to defend itself against her relentless barrage of slashes. What she didn't have in strength, she made up for in sheer speed and agility.

The green and black monster attempted a sloppy downward slash which she sidestepped! Then Anby swung down and chopped its arm off! The white-haired girl quickly sheathed her blade once more and pressed a trigger on the handle.

Once she took it out, her black sword suddenly was suddenly charged with an incandescent blue and yellow glow! She held her sword up high and swung down!

"[🔋Lightning Cutter!🔋]"

The electricity surging through her sword allowed her to cut right through its body with little resistance. The two halves fell to the ground before dissipating into Ether particles.

While all of this happened Kiba was having some trouble handling his encounter.

Kiba: (Shit, its skin is tough!)

He had already tried punching it, but its skin was built like stone! Well, not even stone! It felt much harder and the damn beast seemed to be shrugging off all of his hits! He dodged another slash from its blade arm and jumped away.

Kiba: Dammit...If punches don't work. Then let's wrestle!

He took a low and wide stance before running forward. The Alpeca attempted a horizontal slice that the boy weaved under before holding onto its torso and carrying it!

After a second Kiba stepped one foot forward and slammed the Ethereal into the hard concrete floor, cracking it. Seizing the opportunity, he grabbed it by the legs before swinging it around into the side of a train car!

The impact left a huge dent on the side of the iron train. Kiba growled before grabbing a metal pipe from the ground and hitting its head. That final blow finally killed it, and the boy watched as its body disintegrated into Ether.

Kiba: My first encounter and I already hate these things...

Anby: I understand the sentiment. Now, if you want to stay alive listen to me. "Hollow Survival Guide number 1: Always have company."

The way she looked up at him with those unwavering eyes made him a little flustered.

Kiba: S-Sure, whatever you say shorty...

She squinted her eyes at him with a very slight pout.

Anby: "Hollow Survival Guide number 2: Don't call your company stupid nicknames."

Kiba: Whatever...

He sighed and continued walking along with the girl. Anywhere he looked it was just rubble. He had heard that Hollows, being an anomaly in the space-time continuum, had irrational layouts. Even in the same Hollow, the layout is never the same and thus it is extremely easy to get lost.

Suddenly, his skin shuddered with goosebumps! He didn't even think. His body simply moved on its own as another Alpeca jumped out and attacked them from out of nowhere! The boy dived towards Anby, tackling her out of the way of the attack. He ended up on top of her. She stared up at him.

...

Kiba: "Hollow Survival Guide number 3: Always stay alert."

*BLAM*

Still beneath him, she kicked away the same Ethereal that now tried to stab his back. She squinted her eyes at him with her emotionless gaze.

Anby: Don't add tips to my guide!

The heterochromatic boy quickly stood up, grabbing Anby by the arm and throwing her into the air. She pulled the trigger of her high-tech scabbard before drawing her sword. Lightning coated her blade as she front-flipped to add momentum to her swing!

"[🔋Thundefall!🔋]"

*Shing~*

She cut it in half. The two halves of the Alpeca fell to the ground and withered away into light particles. She looked back at Kiba while sheathing her blade. He looked at her while dusting off his jacket.

Anby: "Hollow Survival Guide number 4: Teamwork is key." Thank you. For the save, I mean.

He looked away from her, crossing his arms. His cheeks shifted to that same rosy tint when he was stared at for too long.

Kiba: I-I only did that 'cause I wanna stay alive! Now quit it with the staring!

Anby: (Rough on the outside...soft on the inside...layered.) Just like Shrek.

...

Kiba: HUH????

Anby: Nevermind. Let's keep moving.

Kiba: We are NOT brushing past that, shorty!

She didn't respond.

Kiba: Tch...Movie nerd...(What's up with her? Why does she make random references?)

The boy noticed Anby was looking around her with a slightly curious gaze. That's what Kiba thought she was feeling at least. He couldn't exactly tell what she was thinking half the time. He knew she liked movies. If she didn't she wouldn't make so many references to them but aside from that, he had no clue!

He recalled the million times Belle had listed off random tropes for him. She liked classifying people and things into tropes. She called him a "Tsundere", for example. He remembered that a "Kuudere" is a character that seems to be devoid of emotions, remaining calm and collected in most situations. She then spoke up.

Anby: Tracks, platforms, and carriages... This is the old metro junction. If that's the case, then this must be the Cretan Hollow.

She pressed a button on the side of her headphones, watching with anticipation as the yellow logo began to glow.

Anby: Good. Headset still works, and the recording function is normal.

Kiba: What are you doin'?

Anby: Ahem. This is Anby Demara a member of the odd-job agency, the "Cunning Hares" I accidentally fell into a Companion Hollow with Kiba...

She realized she didn't know his last name. She looked over at him.

Kiba: Inuzuka.

Anby: Kiba Inuzuka. We don't have a Carrot or Proxy support. Probability of getting lost in the Hollow is at 96.4%.

The black and white-haired boy's eyes widened. He knew Hollows were trippy but not like this!

Kiba: Damn it, seriously?!

Anby: I will be making a voice log of my experience. Let it serve as evidence for future investigation in the case we are killed or turned into monsters by the Ether.

She stopped the recording before continuing with a follow-up.

Anby: Anby's Hollow Survival Log #1: From my surroundings, I can confirm this is the old metro junction area of the Cretan Hollow.

Anby: The metro Hollow's terrain is inherently complex. My chances of being rescued will be reduced by 37.8% if I don't consider my next step carefully.

Anby: If anyone doubts the nature of the Hollow's spatial distortions, please use my recording as proof of their danger. Please don't enter a Hollow unless you are a professional Investigator, otherwise–

The more she spoke, the more annoyed Kiba got. He didn't like being told he couldn't do something. And right now, he was pretty much telling him that they had no chance of survival due to not having a Carrot map or a Proxy to guide them.

He huffed and scratched behind his ear. He kind of wished there were some Ethereals nearby to blow off some steam. He perked up when he heard the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps from behind! He quickly turned around and–

"🤖—Ah, there you are, Anby! Great! I knew you'd be okay—🤖"

*Shing~* *Fwoosh~*

Billy stopped dead in his tracks when he saw that Anby had her blade up to his neck and that Kiba almost straight-up punched him in the stomach. The white-haired android jumped back, startled.

Billy: Whoa whoa! Hey, what's gotten into you?! You almost cut me!

The white-haired girl continued to point her blade at him, not letting her guard down for even a second. The delinquent beside her looked more confused than anything. Why did she turn on her teammate like that? Alas, she continued to record her Survival Log.

Anby: I've met another being of reason. He looks a lot like my colleague: Billy Kid.

Billy: *Nervous chuckle* What are you talking about? It's me! Billy!

Anby: An Investigator has previously encountered Ethereals who can mimic human speech and behavior.

Kiba: (Man, that's scary...)

Anby: The Investigator rescued the Ethereal pretending to be their teammate, but once they got out of the Hollow, it revealed itself.

Kiba: (Almost like "The Thing"–No! Don't start making references too. I have enough with Belle and now Anby! Jeez...)

Anby: The city made a huge sacrifice but it was unable to defeat the monster. It was only thanks to a courageous Investigator who gave his life to drive the monster back into the Hollow that the danger was averted.

Billy: Come on— The Ethereal would be done for the minute it left the Hollow! Wait, isn't that the plot of that movie that was in theaters not long ago!?

Anby: ...There was a long list of victims involved in the incident. I read all their names.

The android facepalmed.

Billy: That's called a cast list!

The heterochromatic boy just looked straight up dumbfounded at what the orange-eyed girl was saying. He squinted his eyes for a moment before Belle's voice popped into his mind.

"📼(That's a trope! It's called being a Chunibyo!)📼"

He grumbled under his breath. Before they could keep arguing, Kiba stepped forward and placed his hand on top of Anby's head to stop her from talking.

She was a little surprised by this and reached up to move his hand away, but for some reason, she didn't. She ended up just holding onto his wrist as his palm remained touching her soft white hair. It felt kinda nice.

Kiba: Yeah yeah, it's a movie or whatever. How do we know if we can trust you?

He said as he harshly glared at the tall robot and pointed at him judgingly. Anby, still holding on to Kiba's wrist (to keep it in place more than anything) chimed in.

Anby: Question: Who would you most like to have dinner with?

The tall man now looked a little nervous. She swore she saw him sweatdrop, although that might be a result of his general lively demeanor. Billy himself was indeed feeling nervous and embarrassed about admitting what his answer was. Especially since Kiba is there and he's pretty much a stranger.

Billy: Huh? Dinner? Of course... that'd be the big-screen superheroes, the Starlight Knights!

She readied her sword to behead him.

Billy: Wait wait wait! Put your blade down, I'll tell you! ...It's really the late-night drama actress from "Oh~ Sweetie," Monica...

She nodded in acknowledgment and turned to the boy whose hand was still resting on her head.

Anby: All clear. The individual has been confirmed as the real Billy Kid.

Kiba: Hehehe was exposing him really necessary?

Anby: Imperative. Meeting Billy Kid increases our chances of survival by over 67.8%. I'm glad you're okay, Billy.

Billy: I told you I'm me!... It's been a while since we fell. Nicole must be trying to come up with a way to get us out from the outside.

Kiba: Are you sure Pink hair isn't here somewhere?

Billy: I'm super sure! I saw her be launched away from the Hollow after the explosion! The thing is...will she be willing to pay for the help? You know how Nicole is, hahaha...

He laughed in a sort of defeated tone.

Anby: Based on Nicole's tight-fisted spending habits, I'd say your original analysis is likely correct.

Billy: Dang, now you've got me worried.

Kiba: Have you tried filing a fucking complaint?!

Billy: Let's not get carried away! We have to work together to get through this! As usual, you take the front, and I'll provide fire support from behind.

He turned to look at Kiba with a friendly...smile? He couldn't exactly smile but he showed his happiness through his LED eyes which were curved upwards. The boy wondered if all the budget for the robot went into making him expressive...

Billy: Dude! Can you fight?

The boy bristled slightly and removed his hand from Anby's head. She didn't like that but she didn't want to seem desperate or bratty by complaining so she remained silent.

Kiba: What is it with you people assuming I'm defenseless?!

He scratched behind his ear in annoyance as he scowled at the taller cyborg.

Billy: Sorryyyyyy! Please don't bite!

They continued walking together, but they couldn't even make it 50 steps forward without multiple Ethereals bursting out from their hiding spots to attack them. They seemed to be an annoyance more than anything.

Billy drew his guns and spun them around his fingers, Anby rested her hand on her sword's handle, and Kiba flicked his wrist and got into a low fighting stance.

Kiba: It feels like I'm beating up the same guy over and over...

Billy: That's just how things go in the Hollow! Now, Let's go big and light up the starry sky!

Kiba: That was Awful!

Anby: Enemies approaching!

The cyborg pulled the trigger!

*BANG!!!*

{TO BE CONTINUED...}