When Foutaba fell into the mysterious cave, she saw a faint glow at the end of the tunnel. Thinking it was the exit, she hurried toward it—only to realize it wasn't moonlight at all.
Foutaba:"What in the world…? That's not the moon's light!"
Disappointment washed over her. The glow wasn't an escape but something else entirely—a floating orb of light surrounding a mysterious figure. Curiosity overtook her fear, and she cautiously stepped closer.
**Foutaba:"Am I imagining things…? Is there someone inside that magical sphere?! Are you the reason this cave is so strange?"
As she neared, the details became clearer—a young man, suspended within the orb. She circled him, studying his features. His hair was an enchanting mix of deep violet and blue, unlike anything she'd ever seen.
Foutaba:"Is he… dead? What's someone doing in a place like this?"
Suddenly, the orb vanished, and the boy dropped silently to the ground. Foutaba yelped and scrambled back, watching warily. When he didn't move, she inched forward, grabbing a nearby stick to poke him.
Foutaba:"Hey… are you dead? Can you hear me?"She snapped her fingers."How did you even end up here?"
She sighed, muttering to herself.
Foutaba:"Ugh, of course you won't answer. I'm talking to myself like a lunatic."
Her stomach growled loudly.
Foutaba:"Ugh, I'm starving… Good thing I brought snacks!"
She pulled out some candy and a piece of cake from her bag, chewing grumpily.
Foutaba:"At least Eva packed me something… I wonder if she's even noticed I'm gone. Bet she's too busy to care. What do you think, Sleeping Beauty?"
Silence.
Foutaba:"Oh, come on! Answer me!!"
Frustrated, she grabbed his shoulders and shook him violently.
Foutaba:"Wake up! Right now!!"
A faint shimmer flickered from her hands, accompanied by a sharp sting. She gasped, releasing him and staring at her palms in shock.
Foutaba:"What was that…? Did my hands just—glow?!"
Before she could process it, a low groan came from the boy. Her blood ran cold.
Futaba:"Oh no, oh no, he's waking up! I didn't mean it literally! I'm gonna die—I should've listened to Eva! Curse you, Eva, you were right!!"
She froze, watching as his eyes fluttered open—violet and blue irises scanning the cave before locking onto her. She clutched the stick like a weapon, trembling.
Foutaba:"D-Don't try anything! I'm not scared of you!"*
The boy stared blankly, then spoke in an unfamiliar language.
Foutaba:"Huh?! What kind of language is that? I don't understand a word!"
He tilted his head, observing her frantic gestures.
Foutaba:"Ugh, of course you don't get it either. I'm stuck here with a weirdo I can't even talk to!"
Then, to her shock, he suddenly spoke in her tongue.
Boy:"It's fine. I can understand you now."
Foutaba:"You—WHAT?! You spoke my language this whole time?! Were you messing with me?!"
Boy:"My apologies. I didn't mean to make you look foolish."
Foutaba:"Tch. Fine, I'll forgive you. But what were you doing here? How'd you end up like… that?"
Boy:"I… don't remember. Sorry."
Foutaba:"Seriously? Ugh, whatever."
Boy:"More importantly, why is a girl like you in a place like this?"
Foutaba:"Uh… long story."
She recounted her misadventure, and he listened quietly before sighing.
Boy:"So we're both trapped here?"
Foutaba:"Yep."
Boy:"By the way… why are you standing so far away? I can barely see you."*
Foutaba:"W-Well, I—! Ugh, whatever!"
Boy:"Relax. I won't hurt you. Even if I wanted to, I can't—my arms are paralyzed."
Foutaba:"R-Really?"
Before he could answer, his stomach growled loudly.
Foutaba:"Pfft—HA! You're hungry?!"
She tossed him the last piece of her cake.
Foutaba:"Here. Lucky for you, I'm generous."
Boy:"You don't have to—"
Her stomach roared again.
They both fell silent, their hunger echoing in the cave.
Futaba:"…Fine. We'll split it."
She broke the cake in half, but when he didn't move, she groaned.
Foutaba:"Right, your arms. ALRIGHT, fine! Say 'ahh'!"*
He obeyed awkwardly as she fed him.
Futaba:"Well? Good, right? Eva always gets the best cakes!"
Boy:"Eva?"
Foutaba:"Yeah. She's kinda like my mom. Always scolding me, but… she cares. And that's a secret, got it?!"
The boy nodded, then grew serious.
Boy:"You want to escape, right?"
Foutaba:"Duh! Why would I wanna stay here chatting with a floating weirdo? No offense."
Boy:"Then I have a proposal."
Futaba:"What is it?"
Boy:"We'll form a Pact."
Futaba:"A… what?"
Boy:"A bond—an ancient contract. In exchange for your name, I'll get you out of here."
Futaba:"My name? That's all?"
Boy:"Yes."
Foutaba:"Uh… okay? I'm Foutaba!"
Boy:"Foutaba… Good. Now, we need to mix our blood."
**Futaba:** *"WHAT?! Why?!"*
**Boy:** *"For the Pact to work. Don't question it—just do it."*
Reluctantly, she nicked her palm with a knife, and he did the same. They clasped hands, and as they recited the oath, magical circles flared around them.
Boy : "repeat after me."
Boy:"Our bond is one, an ancient rite. As our blood merges, so do our souls. Bound as one, silent and whole, parted only by death's call."
Foutaba:"Our bond is one, an ancient rite. As our blood merges, so do our souls. Bound as one, silent and whole, parted only by death's call."
The cave trembled as energy surged. Foutaba gasped as glowing lines spiraled up her fingers, her nail shimmering with blue and violet light. The boy's wrists bore similar markings.
Foutaba: "WOHA—?! That was amazing! What happens now...?"
The Boy:"This."
With a smile brimming with confidence, The boy suddenly grabbed Foutaba's hand. She stiffened in surprise, her eyes widening.
Foutaba:"W-Wait…?! What are you doing?!"
The boy:"I told you I'd get you out of here, didn't I? You don't want to stay, right?"
Foutaba:"O-Of course not!"
The boy:"Good."
Raising his free hand toward one of the cave wallboyThe boy summoned intricate magic circles beneath his feet. A radiant blue aura enveloped his arms, while his hair and eyes began to glow—shimmering in hues of azure and violet, like stars scattered across a clear night sky.
Foutaba could only stare in silent awe, mesmerized by the spectacle.
Turning to her with a playful grin, The boy added:
Boy: "By the way, I never told you my name. It's Byeol."
Foutaba: "Bye…—"
Before she could finish, Byeol unleashed a massive energy sphere. In an instant, the entire cave exploded, leaving behind a colossal gap in its wake.
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To be continued