Strange Town

We see Maxwell with Akuro perched on his shoulder, Hito, and Glade as they walk down the path to the unfamiliar town.

Maxwell looked at the horizon, noticing the huge dark forest with nothing but dense trees. It was quite strange, considering it was just 2 P.M.

The forest exuded a strange aura that wasn't just the typical dreadfulness of a simple forest; it was more than that.

"Uhm…are you sure this is where the city is?" Maxwell asked skeptically.

Glade laughed. "Uhm… This is the place I walked to get to Hito's house."

Maxwell chuckled nervously, realizing he had forgotten about that. "Right… But… is it always like this?"

"What do you mean?" Glade asked.

Maxwell scratched his head. "Well, this strange feeling in this forest and the fact that the city is in said forest?!"

Hito chuckled. "Well, it was intentional. This forest is filled with a haunting aura that keeps humans away."

"Haunting aura?" Maxwell asked with curiosity. "You mean this aura… are actual dead people?"

Glade shook his head. "Not exactly. The aura you feel isn't from dead people themselves but from the residual energy left behind by countless spirits and supernatural beings that have passed through here over the years. It's like a protective barrier that wards off humans who don't belong here. They feel the unease and stay away, ensuring the town remains hidden and safe."

Maxwell nodded, taking in the explanation. "So, it's like a natural defense mechanism?"

Hito nodded. "Exactly. It keeps our kind safe and the town isolated from the human world. Only those who know the way or are meant to find it can enter."

Maxwell hesitated. "And... what if they manage to find it?"

Akuro chuckled darkly. "They will die."

"Oh."

–

After a while of walking, they stood in front of a huge rock wall.

Maxwell looked at Glade and sighed. "Let me guess... as soon as we touch the rock, some strange magic thingy is gonna make us enter."

Glade scoffed. "Pfft... NAH... That's so old school."

Suddenly, a ding sound was heard, and the rock wall slowly opened like an elevator.

Maxwell blinked a few times. "Huh..."

Hito and Glade walked up to the opening. He watched them go, trying to understand what was going on.

Akuro nudged him. "What are you waiting for? Go on!"

"R-right!" Maxwell stammered as he walked up to the elevator.

–

Inside the elevator, basic J-pop music played softly from the speakers as the group went about their business.

Glade scrolled through his phone, checking social media.

Hito slowly moved his head to the beat of the song.

Maxwell, with a grumpy look on his face, stood in the corner.

Akuro chuckled. "What's wrong?"

Maxwell: Why…an elevator?

Akuro: You'd rather walk?

Maxwell shook his head. "No, but... like I thought since we were gonna do some type of summoning or something."

Akuro shrugged. "Well, to be honest, that would be a little pain to do since it's only witch stuff and mage."

"Aren't you like... both?" Maxwell asked, puzzled.

Akuro grinned mischievously. "Let's just say I have my way of doing things."

Before he could ask what this meant, the elevator stopped.

Glade turns off his phone, "Welp, we are here!"

The door opened and Maxwell eyes widened in suprise.

"What in the world…"