"Took you long enough to crawl out."
Adri's voice carried a sharp edge, cutting through the stillness.
The guardian remained silent.
Yet the atmosphere stirred.
Heavy.
Charged.
Limbo's gaze moved between them, his mind racing.
Do they... know each other?
It seems this tension wasn't new — it was old. Familiar to them. Like two forces that had clashed long before this moment.
Adri crossed her arms, her lips curling slightly.
"How have you been?" She said, her tone dripping with mock concern. "Don't tell me you can't even move your tail after being locked up all this time."
A faint ripple of smoke stirred in front of them.
"Did the little kitty get enough sleep?"
The smoke began to gather, taking shape—
Then stopped midway.
The Guardian remained pateint.
Silent.
Listening.
Guardian exhaled slowly.
"Huhhh..hoooo..."
A breath that carried both irritation and something deeper.
"You haven't changed...worm?"
The response came at last.
Low.
Cold.
"You haven't changed, worm!!!"
Adri's eyes twitched.
"Did you just call me, Worm!!" She snapped.
A pause.
Then—
"Huh....sorry. Reptile."
The air began to heat up.
Tension began to rise.
Invisible pressure pressed against the surroundings.
Mora trembled.
Her small body shook as she clutched her clothes tightly. The energy radiating from the two was overwhelming — far beyond what she could endure.
Limbo stepped forward after observing Mora.
"Enough," he said calmly, he urged to calm down, there was already many things on the plates to worry.
Both of them paused.
"Can anyone tell me..
....how do you know each other?" Limbo asked.
A moment of silence.
Then.
"He's... the master of ruddi."
"She's the guide of him."
Limbo blinked.
"...Huh?"
The piece didn't fully connect.
Not yet.
Adri clicked her tongue.
"Tell me what you want," she said sharply, turning her attention back to the Guardian.
"Why did you come all the way out from your cave?"
Silence answered her.
But it didn't last.
"It's getting harder to hold back the corruption," the guardian finally said. "It's moving faster."
His voice was steady—but carried urgency beneath it.
"Do you think hiding here will keep you safe?"
Adri didn't hesitate.
"It will. It has until now...and it will continue to."
A low sigh escaped the guardian.
"Sooner or later...it will fall."
His glowing gaze swept across the surroundings.
"He was capable. Because of him, this placed remained untouched."
Adri's expression tightened.
"So what's the problem?" She snapped.
A pause.
Then...
"He's not Linga."
"...but a ...."
The word landed heavily.
Limbo's breath hitched, just slightly.
Linga..
The same word.
Again.
"He will not be able to protect this place in his absence," the guardian continued. "If that man were here himself...then it would be a different story."
"Don't speak casually," adri's voice turned sharp, cold. "You are not permitted to...."
The air trembled.
The Guardian's form flickered.
"So you... little reptile..." the smoky figure said quietly.
"Tiny."
BOOOM—
A shockwave rippled through the ground.
The earth trembled.
Mora gasped.
Limbo's eyes narrowed instantly as he activated his Area Scan.
Nothing.
No clear source.
"...Too far," he muttered under his breath.
Whatever caused it—it wasn't nearby.
"Don't be reckless," the guardian said suddenly, his tone shifting. "I've got to go."
Without warning—
Something shot towards Limbo.
"Catch this, it will come in handy."
Limbo raised his hand instinctively.
The object reached him—
And slippeed.
Straight through his palm.
Into his body.
"...What?"
A faint notification flickered before his eyes.
[Inventory Updated: Unknown Object Identified.]
Limbo frozen for a fraction of a second.
Before he could react—
The smoke dispersed.
The guardian vanished.
Gone.
Just like that.
Silence returned.
But it wasn't the same.
Adri stood still for a moment, her guard raised—yet her expression remained controlled.
Gradually, the trembling in the air faded.
Everything settled.
Her gazed shifted.
From Limbo—
To Mora.
"That enough for today," she said calmly. "We should get some rest."
Mora nodded, though her hands were still trembling.
Mora, guide limbo to bed.
"Come... I'll show you where to sleep, she said softly to limbo.
She held onto his sleeve tightly —as if afraid to let go.
"Don't worry," limbo said quietly.
"I'm not going anywhere, I'll be right behind you." Adri said.
Limbo pause, then added.
"It's fine. I can sleep outside. I have a tent."
Adri's voice cut in instantly.
"Can I let my guest sleep in a tent?"
The tone, wasn't a question.
It carried weight.
Authority.
Limbo recalled the clash from moments ago.
He Didn't argue.
"... Alright."
Mora nodded slightly and guided him inside.
After settling him, she hesitated for a moment, then returned to side after dropping him.
Night deepend.
Limbo lay down, staring at the ceiling.
Thinking in mind.
The day was... something else.
He exhaled slowly.
"But..."
His thoughts drifted.
That vibration...
"If my Area Scan was more advanced...I could've traced the location."
But how do I even upgrade it first place?"
His eyes narrowed was slightly.
"This system..."
"It only notifies me when something is about to happen..."
"....not when I needed answers."
A sigh escaped him.
"What am I even thinking..."
"It's not like it can talk to me."
A pause.
"...Or what if it really can?"
His thoughts spiraled.
"The fragments..."
"They were scattered to prevent from that intruder... triggering failsafe."
"So what will happen if I gather the remaining two?"
Silence.
"...Why am I even gathering them?"
"What will I gain, I'm just wandering... Facing and fighting monsters..."
"And this feeling..."
His chest tightened slightly.
"...of not belonging here."
"It's getting stronger."
"Like something..."
"...waking up from slumber."
He stared at his hand.
"My affinities have expanded..."
"But i haven't even tested them."
"...Is that even normal?"
"Do others also encountered."
A small, tired smile appeared.
"Let's see..."
A yawn escaped him.
"...Why is the wind so soothing today..."
"It feels like I'm floating..."
"...like I have Wings."
His eyes slowly closed.
"Good night... universe."
Far away.
Something unknown.
A voice echoed softly—
"Good night...you say?"
A pause.
".... it's to early for that."