The metallic hum of the Cyber World pulsed softly under Kris’s boots as they pushed forward through the neon-lit alleyways, their pink scarf dragging slightly behind, catching flickers of blue light. The three heroes decided to split up to cover more area, leaving Kris to wander alone.

Their steps echoed against glowing pavement panels, each footfall sharp in the absence of Susie’s heavy stride or Ralsei’s soft chattering. The stillness was louder than expected, not that they minded, but they weren't exactly used to it. The cold glow of the towering screens above buzzed as they flickered with static. Kris barely looked up.

The further they went, the emptier it felt. The familiar digital distortions of Cyber City gave way to shadowed intersections, darkened shopfronts, and flickering neon graffiti that looped like tired mantras. Noelle was still in Queen's hands, although given her odd personality, the former didn't seem to be in much danger. Still, it'd be best to find her soon.

The alley stretched longer than it should have. Kris adjusted their grip on the worn hilt of their blade, scanning each corner with a mixture of routine caution and something a little sharper — the kind that creeps in when silence lasts too long. And soon enough, they realized they weren't alone.

Their fingers twitched toward their sword, eyes narrowing as they scanned ahead. A figure stood at the far end of the alley. A silhouette wrong in all the same ways Kris was wrong to this world. Not a darkner. Not a monster.

A human.

Kris’s fingers slackened on the sword hilt. Their heartbeat picked up, their body subconsciously taking a step back. There were no humans in Hometown. There shouldn't be humans in Hometown besides them. Their SOUL felt tighter than usual. This was a human lightner. A human.

And, as the figure shifted, for the first time in their life, Kris locked eyes with someone of their own kind.