The one retrieved from The Void

"David, take a different route," Vas instructed firmly. "Avoid the main roads and head for that alley up ahead."

David, though puzzled, complied with the request. The car veered off onto a dimly lit side street, the headlights cutting through the darkness. The group remained silent, their anxiety palpable.

As David pulled the car to a stop beside the narrow alley, Vas's senses sharpened. He could feel the presence growing stronger, a shadow lurking just out of sight. His grip tightened on his weapons, his instincts screaming at him to prepare for a confrontation.

"Everyone stay put," Vas said, his voice low but commanding. "I need to check something."

Before anyone could question him, Vas stepped out of the car. The alley was cloaked in darkness, the flickering streetlight casting eerie shadows on the walls. Vas moved swiftly, his footsteps barely audible against the pavement. His anima pulses flowed through him, enhancing his senses and preparing him for whatever lay ahead.

The group in the car watched anxiously, their confusion growing. Lily's worry was evident as she glanced at the others. Amy, still shaken, looked to Aleara for reassurance. Aleara tried to provide a comforting presence, though her own concern was growing. Zola, while maintaining her usual demeanor, had a tense, focused expression, her eyes darting toward the alley.

Minutes dragged by as Vas advanced deeper into the darkness. The alley seemed to pulse with an unsettling energy, and Vas's senses were on high alert. The oppressive presence was unmistakable, a cold dread that permeated the very air.

Finally, the darkness at the far end of the alley seemed to shift. Vas's anima pulses allowed him to catch glimpses of a spectral figure, its form elusive and shifting with the shadows. The Forgotten's malevolent presence was palpable, a dark force that seemed to defy reality.

Vas took a steadying breath, his resolve hardening. He knew he had to confront the threat, and his focus was unwavering. With every step, he prepared himself for the confrontation, knowing that the safety of his friends and himself depended on his ability to handle the looming danger.

Back in the car, the group waited in tense silence, unaware of the true nature of the threat Vas was facing. The night's earlier enjoyment had been replaced by a profound unease, and the air was thick with anticipation as they awaited Vas's return.

As the car navigated the dimly lit streets, Vas felt a shiver run down his spine, the unmistakable sign that the Forgotten was near. He tried to remain composed, masking his growing unease as he glanced out the window, searching for any sign of danger.

"David, pull over," Vas said abruptly. "I need to check something."

David, sensing the urgency in Vas's tone, complied without questioning. The car came to a halt in a quiet, secluded area, the only sounds the distant hum of the city and the occasional flutter of a stray breeze.

"Is everything okay?" Lily asked, her voice tinged with concern as she looked back at Vas.

"Just a precaution," Vas said, attempting to sound casual. "I thought I saw something."

Vas stepped out of the car, careful not to attract too much attention. The night was dark, with shadows stretching ominously across the empty street. He moved cautiously, scanning his surroundings.

As he ventured a little farther from the car, the oppressive presence of the Forgotten grew stronger, its malevolent energy almost palpable. Vas's senses were on high alert, but he knew he had to keep his abilities hidden from the others.

Suddenly, without warning, a dark, swirling shadow emerged from the darkness. The Forgotten, a shape-shifting entity of darkness and despair, seemed to materialize from the night itself. Vas tried to react swiftly, but the entity's influence was immediate and disorienting.

Before Vas could fully process what was happening, the shadow enveloped him. It was a swift and almost imperceptible motion, like being swallowed by the night. The air around him grew colder, and the darkness seemed to close in, swallowing him whole. He felt himself being pulled away, but there was no time to call for help or explain.

From the car, the rest of the group saw only the eerie glow of the streetlights and the dark silhouette of Vas moving away. They were unaware of the exact nature of the threat, but Lily's eyes widened in alarm.

"What's happening?" Lily asked, her voice trembling slightly.

"I don't know," Amy said, her voice barely above a whisper. "It looked like he was just… swallowed by the darkness."

Zola, who had been engrossed in her own activities, turned towards the scene with a puzzled expression. "Did he just vanish?"

The rest of the group watched in confused silence as the darkness seemed to settle back into place. The night felt still and unnervingly quiet. Vas's absence was sudden and unexplained, leaving everyone unsettled.

David, still in the driver's seat, turned to the group with a worried look. "Should we call for help? Should I go after him?"

"No," Lily said, her voice steadying. "We need to stay calm. We don't even know what we're dealing with yet. Let's head back and figure out our next steps."

The car's engine roared to life once more, and they began driving away from the scene. The group was left with an uneasy sense of dread, their thoughts racing as they tried to make sense of the sudden disappearance.

Inside the car, the mood was somber. The excitement of the night had vanished, replaced by a tense silence as they grappled with the unknown.

Lily was acutely aware of why Vas needed to keep his abilities a secret, especially from his family. The rest of the group was visibly shaken, their anxiety palpable. Zola, Kairo, and Amy exchanged nervous glances, struggling to process the sudden disappearance.

"I'm going out to find out what happened," Aleara announced, her voice trembling with urgency.

"Young Miss, that's not advisable," David said firmly, a note of concern in his voice. "We should heed Lily's advice and stay put."

"My brother vanished right in front of us! Do you have any idea what Grandpa will do?" Aleara's voice broke, her distress evident. Despite their estrangement, her deep-seated concern for Vas was clear. She was grappling with her feelings of guilt and confusion over their fractured relationship.

"I'm going to check it out," Kairo declared, stepping forward with resolve. "It's not like my sister to interact so much with someone unless they're significant. I'm the oldest here, so it's on me."

"You don't have the advantages we have," Victor said sharply.

"What do you mean?" Zola demanded, her frustration mounting.

Victor averted his gaze, his lips pressed into a tight line. He was acutely aware of the secrets he couldn't share.

"Oh, for heaven's sake," Lily said, her composure slipping. "They've undergone some ritual and gained special abilities. There, I've said it." Her voice carried a hint of exasperation, breaking the decorum she usually maintained.

"You know about that?" Aleara asked, her voice trembling with shock.

"Yes, I do," Lily replied. "And I know everyone in this car knows about it too. I can sense the bond between you all—except for Amy, who has something different."

"What?!" David yelled, disbelief etched on his face. "How do you even know that?"

"It's one of my abilities," Lily said, her tone clipped and authoritative.

"Alright, we need to get organized," Zola said, taking control of the situation. "Who has defensive abilities?"

Kairo raised his hand, his face set with determination.

"Kairo, describe how your ability works," Zola said urgently.

"It creates a bubble where time slows down for everyone but me. I can choose two others to be in the same time flow, allowing us to dodge almost anything," Kairo explained, his voice steady despite the tension.

"Perfect. We can send two more with you and maintain a degree of safety," Zola said. "Who's coming?"

"I'm going," Victor volunteered immediately. "My offensive abilities could be crucial."

"You sure about that, Vic?" Aleara asked, her worry evident.

"Listen, I'm not a fan of your brother, but you and Beck are my best friends. If I don't help, I'd be failing as a friend," Victor replied, determination in his voice.

"Alright, we have one more spot," Zola said, her gaze sweeping the group.

"I'll go," Beck said firmly. "Like Vic, I'm no fan of my brother, but I can't let him stay missing. Grandpa would have my head otherwise."

"Good," Zola said, nodding decisively. "The rest of us need to contact someone who can assist us."

Kairo, Victor, and Beck jumped out of the car and started moving toward the location where Vas had disappeared.

"Who can we contact for help?" Zola asked, looking around urgently.

Lily's concern was palpable as she swiftly activated her bracelet, the holographic screen flickering to life in the dim light of the car. She tapped rapidly, her fingers moving with urgency.

"Aunt Anya, are you awake?" she typed, the words glowing faintly in mid-air.

Moments later, the response appeared: "Yeah, what's up?"

Lily's heart raced as she composed her next message. "Vas was somehow taken. We need help, urgently."

There was a brief pause, the holographic screen reflecting Anya's stunned reaction. "Come again?"

"Vas was taken. I don't know how or why, but he's missing. Please help us."

Anya's response was almost immediate, her tone no longer tinged with sleepiness. "Send me your location. I'll be there with some help as soon as possible."

As Lily's message was sent, her face tightened with determination. She glanced at the others in the car, their anxious faces illuminated by the holographic light.