Chapter 11 - "The Morning After"
Hina woke up to the warm rays of sunlight peeking through her window, casting a golden glow over her room. She stretched, feeling a sense of tranquility wash over her. The events of the previous day seemed like a distant memory, a nightmare that had finally receded.
She got out of bed, padding softly to the guest room to check on Aria. Her friend was still fast asleep, a peaceful smile on her face. Hina smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude for their bond.
As she turned to leave, her comms device beeped. Hina's heart skipped a beat as she saw the incoming message from an unknown sender...
Hina's heart skipped a beat as she opened the message. It was a cryptic warning: "Meet me at Club Onyx tonight if you want to know the truth about Aria."
Hina's mind raced with questions. Who was this mysterious sender? And what did they mean by "the truth about Aria"?
She tried to shake off the feeling of unease, focusing on the task at hand. She had a long day ahead of her, and she couldn't let some anonymous message throw her off.
But as she went about her day, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. She kept looking over her shoulder, expecting to see someone watching her.
That night, Hina made her way to Club Onyx, her heart pounding in her chest. Who was this mysterious sender, and what did they want?
As she entered the club, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was Maya, the mysterious girl who had given her the data chip.
"Hina, I'm glad you came," Maya said, her voice low and urgent. "I have something to tell you about Aria. Something that will change everything."
Just as Maya was about to reveal the truth, a chill ran down Hina's spine. She sensed a presence behind her, and turned to see a figure cloaked in shadows standing in the doorway.
"Who are you?" Hina demanded, her heart racing.
The figure stepped forward, revealing a young woman with piercing red eyes. "I am Kaida, Spirit Disciple of the Red Hand," she hissed, her voice dripping with malice.
Suddenly, Aria came but something different Aria's body began to twitch and contort, her eyes rolling back in her head. Hina's eyes widened in horror as Aria's body started to move on its own, as if controlled by an invisible force.
"Aria, no!" Hina cried, but her friend's voice was not her own. "I am Aria, but I am not in control," she said, her voice low and menacing. "Kaida has taken over my body."
Hina knew she had to act fast. She tried to reach out to Aria, but her friend's body was too strong. Kaida's control was too powerful.
Aria's body, controlled by Kaida, lunged at Hina with a fierce cry. Hina tried to defend herself, but Aria's movements were swift and deadly. The two friends clashed in a flurry of punches and kicks, their battle raging across the room.
Hina's heart ached as she fought against her friend's possessed body. She tried to reach out to Aria, but Kaida's control was too strong.
In a fit of rage, Hina managed to gain the upper hand and delivered a devastating blow, striking down Kaida's spirit and freeing Aria from her control. But as Kaida's spirit dissipated, more members of the Red Hand appeared, led by the Spirit Master himself.
The Spirit Master's eyes narrowed as he took in the scene before him. "You have killed one of our own," he growled, his voice dripping with malice. "You will pay for that insolence."
With a wave of his hand, the Spirit Master struck Hina down with a single, powerful blast. Hina's vision faded to black as she fell to the ground.
But just as all hope seemed lost, Maya appeared, her temporal powers flashing as she teleported Aria and Hina to safety.
As they disappeared, the Spirit Master was left standing alone, his eyes fixed on the lifeless body of his disciple, Kaida. His face twisted in a snarl of rage and grief.