“Time went by as guilt slowly hit me, ever since that turn of events. I felt like it was all my fault for what had happened back there. I was lost and had no idea what to do after that. While that went on, Stels had thought up a way to cheer me up and solve the problem.

‘Hey, Aehaby, are you still in your room?’

‘Yeah, Stels, why do you ask?’

‘Come with me; I want to show you something.’

‘What? Why’s that?’

‘You’ll see soon enough.’

“Stels showed me a dimensional transporter with gems used for buttons on the control panel he made along the side. He said it was hard to explain, but told me that this could be an excellent opportunity to test it out.

‘So, would you like for me to work on the coordinates?’ Stels offered.

‘Sure thing,’ I muttered. ‘But I guess we’ll just have to postpone the trading then...’

‘Wait, are you coming too?’

‘But of course, no way am I going to take this one lying down!’

‘But didn’t you...? Never mind, as you wish. Hang on.’

“Stels worked on the coordinates by pressing the gems in a similar order to make the portal reappear before our very eyes.

“We entered through the portal as the colors enveloped all around us. Stels said that we would arrive at our destination in a short while. However, rumbling noises occurred, and the machines malfunctioned.

.-.-.-.

“We both got out of the portal and ended up inside some ruins. The control panel ended up broken, too, as the gem buttons popped out of the device. Stels took chase of the rolling gems and realized that they appeared to have lost their energy. We soon found out we not only had to find Papeht and Kira, but also figure out a way out of this place and go back to our home planet.

“Stels declared that we should explore the places to find resources and learn about the areas inside and out. As we looked around, I heard some strange sounds from a faint distance.

“Some arms pulled out from walls and floorboards as they tried to attack and grab us. We let out screams and dashed back to the room (we started in) as the unknown creatures chased us down. We closed the doors quickly, as Stels took out some boulders from the sides to barricade and block the doors.

“I stood back in horror, wondering what those things were. The sounds they made I found to be familiar, but I couldn’t put my finger on it, which made me feel more uncomfortable.

“As Stels tried to hold them off, I broke the silence and spoke up. ‘Something was up; do you think it’s got something to do with—?’

‘I don’t think I can hold them off any longer!’ Stels exclaimed.

‘But how can we settle—?’

‘Don’t worry; I’ll make it so that no harm will come to you.’

“Stels let go of the door to walk up to me and wrap his arms around me, patting my back and went outside the room, to fend off the enemies from outside.

“For a moment, I could hear screams from the other side. My eyes widened in shock as my mouth gaped open. I wanted to help and get out there, rid of the barricade, but part of me couldn’t bring it to myself to do it.

“Eventually, the noise died down, and I couldn’t hear anything anymore. Curiosity peaked through me as I took out the barricade and opened the door slowly. Nobody in sight, and not a single scrap of anything present either. The next thing I knew, I was alone.

“I tied my hair up in a ponytail and headed out to explore the ruins, hoping to find everything and soon. Some branches and rocks scrapped a part of my dress while walking. I changed my clothes by using one of my devices from my planet Abroacury to change my outfit to fit more into the environment.

“As I strolled along and tried to collect things for my expedition, I came across a familiar person with their back turned, and their body leaned down as if they were looking for something.

“He turned around to face me. His face and body were still the same, but something about him seemed different. Was it his eyes? His creepy smile? He had different clothes, too?

‘Ah, hello there. What’s someone like you doing out here?’ He asked, his voice sounding creepy and cold. ‘It’s far too dangerous for a girl like you to be out here by yourself. Unless...’ Papeht got into deep thought about something.

‘Unless?’

“He walked closer to me, to which I stepped back in worry. What had gotten into him?

‘Say, why don’t you be a good girl and come with us...?’

‘Why you worthless...’ I muttered as I clenched my fists. ‘We came here to save you, and you have the gall to act like this?’ Now Papeht got scared of my anger. ‘If only you had done your job, then none of this would’ve happened! Tell me where the others are!’”