CHAPTER 5: Erebus's voice

"We are here."Aomine says as he pulled up into the driveway.Inei sat quietly in the passenger seat, taking in the sight of his childhood home. He had spent months in the hospital, and now, he was finally returning home, his body still recovering but his spirits hopeful.

With the car parked, Aomine helped him out, supporting his weakened frame as they walked towards the front door. As they approached, Inei noticed something unusual. He could hear faint murmurs of voices coming from inside the house.

"What's waiting for me on the other side of this door?"Inei Asks as he chuckles.

Opening the door, Inei's eyes widened in surprise. The living room was filled with people - his classmates, friends, and family, all wearing smiles and clutching brightly colored balloons. The room was decked out in banners, streamers, and balloons, and a large "Welcome Home Inei" sign hung proudly on the wall.

"Inei, you're home! Surprise!" his friends and family shouted in unison, their voices filled with joy and excitement.

Tears welled up in Inei's eyes as he looked around at the people who had come to celebrate his return. Despite feeling weak and worn out, Inei's heart swelled with gratitude and love for each person who had gathered to welcome him home.

His best friend Mikazuki handed him a handmade card, and his little cousins ran up to give him tight hugs.This enraged Himari whose face puffed red as she looks at her big brother with desperation.With his arms wide opens Inei calls for his sister,"come my little cutie."Himari runs towards Inei clinging and hanging on his right side.

The room was alive with laughter and chatter, and Inei couldn't help but smile as he took in all the love and warmth that surrounded him.

Inei's brother guided him to a comfortable chair, and Inei sank into it, surrounded by the people who cared about him. It was a moment he never thought he'd experience - coming home to such a heartwarming and loving surprise, after months of fighting to regain his health.

As the party continued around him, Inei felt a sense of fulfilment. With the support of his loved ones, he knew he would continue to push through the challenges that lay ahead, grateful for every person who had stood by his side and by his family during the difficult times.

"Who's that cute ,hot chick talking to Emiya?"Inei asks Mikazuki who was always well informed with every little detail.

"That's Hayami Nishida.She is in class 2b, in Emiya's class.She recently moved to Tokyo from America."

"America??"

"Yes ,and her family is loaded,like super loaded.Can you believe she has her own driver?"

"Is Emiya all over that?"

"Why? Are you interested?"Mikazuki asks his face revealing a perverted look.

"She is in a different other class ,how am I even supposed to run into her!!"Inei responds ,his cheeks glowing red.

"And that my friend is why am your best friend," Mikazuki says as he puts his arms across Inei's shoulders.

"Guess what?"

"What"

"She's in the Kendo club, just like you!!"

"No way!! Really!"

"Apparently she is a prodigy.She even keeps up with Emiya senpai who kicks your ass everytime"Mikazuki laughs as Inei pushes him away from him.

After a while ,it was now time for everyone to turn in.Inei bids goodbye to everyone as he thanks them for coming.He expresses his gratitude profoundly making Aomine and his emotional rollercoaster Mom to start shedding joyful tears .They couldn't help but feel proud for their well mannered Inei.

Part 2

Aomine tucks in Inei in his room and turns of the light.

From the shadows, a figure emerges.Two others follow and as the moon's light envelopes Inei's room ,they become visible to Inei who was not yet asleep.Upon seeing them, Inei lets out a loud shriek alarming his whole family.

Aomine who had not even taken a few steps hurriedly slams the door open and switches on the lights.

"What's wrong!! what happened? Are you okay?"Aomine asks worriedly as he checks all over Inei's body looking for anything that would have made his brother scream like that .

Inei's mom and sister arrive at the scene.Their faces filled with worry and apprehension.

"What happened? "Asks Inei's mom.

"The dark!! It.. ! It.. !! Am scared mom!! Am scared! !,Please don't go ! please don't!!"Inei says ,his voice shaking with every word he says.

"It's ok ,we won't go , we'll all sleep here tonight."Inei's mom says looking at Aomine and Himari who nodded in unison reassuring Inei who was panting heavily.

That night they all hugged each other and cuddled the whole night each letting go of their worries and problems.

"Wake up kid,wake up!! "Inei heard a voice that he immediately recognized as Erebus's.Inei forced his eyes shut ,not wanting to believe what he heard.

Repeatitively, Inei heard Erebus voice arguing him to wake up but Inei stood his group until he noticed Erebus's voice fading.Inei opens his eyes seeing Erebus's shadowy presence fading away as a huge cloud blocks the sunlight from reaching Inei's room .

"It's not real! ,not real! , not real!,not real!"Inei double slaps his cheeks until they turn bright red.Inei looks at his watch and he gasps knowing very well that he was late .

The day before,he had already made up his mind to go to school today.Mikazuki had informed him that Borris and Eva could not make it at his homecoming and that they had been recalled to their country.

"Todays is their last day in Japan!! How could I have overslept! Aaaargh!! am so frustrated!.Inei says out loud as he quickly hurries to the shower .

"Inei !!are you up?"shouts Inei's mom who was in the living room making him break fast .

"Am already done .I am coming down right now."Inei reciprocates his mother's shouts.

"Good morning mom.You look beautiful today"Inei flutters his mom who always welcomed such praises.

"Thank you very much Inei.I already feel beautiful today.I hope you slept well.I let you sleep in so you could feel refreshed.Your brother is already at work and your Himari is already at school."Inei's mom says while making Inei breakfast.

As soon as he finished galloping his breakfast,Inei hugged his mom and bolted out of his home at lightning speed.He took out his bicycle from the gates of the garage where Aomine had left left it there , ready to be cycled as if he knew his brother would be in a hurry.

As Inei navigated through the bustling streets of Tokyo on his bike, he couldn't help but feel like every obstacle in the city was determined to keep him from reaching school before Borris and Eva leave.The school was not that far from their home and Inei knew he could make it in ten minutes but the line of cars seemed never-ending. Determined not to be deterred, he weaved through the traffic, narrowly avoiding collisions with cars and pedestrians.

Suddenly, as he rounded a corner, an old lady stepped unexpectedly into the street. Inei's heart leapt into his throat as he swerved to avoid her, losing control and veering off course. In an instant, he found himself faced with a looming, oncoming truck. He squeezed his eyes shut, expecting the worst, but miraculously, he managed to swerve back onto the road, narrowly escaping disaster.

As he pedaled furiously, the shock of the near miss quickly faded, and Inei's determination to make it to school on time only intensified. He paid no attention to the angry shouts and curses directed at him from the pedestrians and drivers he had startled. He couldn't afford to dwell on what had happened; he had a responsibility to fulfill, and nothing was going to stop him.

Eventually, Inei arrived at his school, adrenaline still pulsing through his veins. He parked his bike, straightened his uniform, and headed inside, determined to put the chaotic trip behind him.The people around him may have been upset, but Inei was undeterred. He had made it to school, and nothing else mattered.

He hurriedly walked to his class only to find disappointment waiting for him.He found his class quiet and with a teacher already absorbing his classmates in the depths of Japan's colonial history.

Every eye was on him as he pants and pants trying to control his breathing.

"They just left the principal's office , like right now!" Mikazuki's mouth suddenly erupted .

From where he sits, Mikazuki had a clear view of the principal's office.He was always on alert,warning his classmates whenever the big man principal Honda decides to take a stroll around the school.

Without hesitation,Inei runs through pass the hallway opposite to where he came from, determined to see his friends.He stretches his legs to their limits until he comes face to face with Eva after abruptly opening a door leading outside the school building.

Inei was now all onto Eva .His face intact on Eva's big, squishy melons.He was on cloud nine.

Eva pushes Inei away softly as her face glowed red, blushing and averting her gaze to and away from Inei.When Eva was copping with her shy and embarrassed nature, Borris suddenly shows up and hugs Inei .

"Sorry we couldn't be at your homecoming party.We visited you in the hospital but the doctor said to let you rest.Anyway how are you feeling today."Borris says in a soft low voice.

"I told you he would come."Eva says proudly to her twin brother Borris.

As the three talk and laugh with each other,a loud honk disrupts their joyfull smiles.

"Eva, Borris, it's time to go or you will miss your flight!" Their driver loudly exclaimed.

It was time to say goodbye and all three had to cover their eyes as tears suddenly rolled down .They all had a gut feeling that they will meet again and in unison they all said,

"Until we meet again!!"

Eva and Borris slowly walked towards the car with hesitation.They kept looking back at Inei, waving at him .Even as the car disappeared through the gates and onto the corner,the both kept waving.

Inei felt a sense of fulfilment as he turned towards the door heading into the school.

As Soon as he got a hold of the door ,he heard it again. Erebus's voice only this time it wasn't waking him up .It was telling him to run.Inei was a bit confused because when he looked around,there was no danger .

"Run ! Run! Run, young Kamado"Erebus's voice got louder and louder and Inei sensed a hint of concern in his voice .

Looking behind his back Inei could see that their was nothing that could cause him harm, but he couldn't shake the fealing that there was imminent danger and that if he stays any longer he could die.

Inei couldn't shake this feeling, and just when he made up his mind to run ,it became visible.Inei had never seen anything like it .It had no definate shape,or any kind of bone for that matter,It scared the hell out of Inei who falls on his back, trying to pick himself up but he kept tumbling down over and over, then , inside his own mind,body and soul he heard Erebus's articulate voice.

"Pull yourself together boy and run .Run like your life depended on it , because it does .Now run!!"