Location: Echohold-09 Facility - Sector V

  Time of Day: Night, Present Day.

  WEEEOOO-WEEEOOO! Alarms howled through the steel corridors as red lights flashed, painting the walls and doors in bloody shadows. Gunfire rattled, RATATAT! metal clashed, CLANG-CLASH! and screams tore through the chaos. Containment had already failed. Inside one of the labs, Hikari and Dr. Naru moved quickly. Hikari sat at the terminal, typing fast CLACK-CLACK-CLACK! sending a report to the other facilities about the Echos that had breached from their vaults.

  Hikari's Report: This is Hollow agent, Hikari Amane, age 25, reporting from inside Echohold-09. Multiple class Echo entities have mysteriously breached containment. Each deadly in their own way. Some are still inside, but others are heading toward the nearest city. If they aren't stopped, districts could fall within hours... and the world soon after.

  This is a direct call for help. Notify all facilities at once. Reinforcements and Hollow teams are needed immediately. It is critical that we capture these Echos or eliminate them if necessary. I don't know if this message will reach anyone in time, but I'll do what I can from here.

  There's something else, Dr. Naru and I have uncovered a strange portal, it was opened with an antique artifact. I don't know where it came from or why it's in his possession, but if what he says is true... this portal could be the key to saving our world from these dangerous threats.

  Unfortunately, there's no time to explain everything. Please stay safe out there. And if anyone does hear this message, I promise... I'll find help. Even if it means stepping into the unknown.

  Hikari, signing off...

  "Hurry up with the report, Hikari! You have to go, now!" Dr. Naru shouted, urgency in his voice.

  "I know, I know! I'm almost finished! Just give me a few more seconds!" Hikari fired back, fingers flying across the terminal.

  A final keystroke beep! and the report was gone, transmitted to Echoholds across the world. "Done!" She stood up from her chair as the portal in the middle of the lab glowed, swirling with red light.

  "Quick! Over here!" Dr. Naru waved her toward the portal, its surface swirling like it was trying to pull them in. He met her eyes. "Remember, once you enter this portal there's no guarantee you can come back." He hesitated. "But I believe you'll find a way. If I'm right, this portal could lead us to the key in ending the Echo breakout."

  Hikari tilted her head, half-curious, half-wary. "So this really could be another world with life... not just a deathtrap waiting to swallow me?"

  "I can't say for certain." Dr. Naru exhaled. "But I've received confirmation that whatever lies beyond this portal has the potential to help us."

  "Confirmation? From who exactly?" Hikari asked, her eyes narrowing.

  "You'll know when the time's right," he answered. "For now, just trust me. And know that I wouldn't risk this on a hunch."

  Hikari clenched her fist and nodded. "Okay, Dr. Naru. Not just as a Hollow of Echohold-09, but as my friend, I trust you."

  His expression softened. "Thank you, Hikari."

  "If going through this portal can help end the breakout, then I'm positive I can find a way back, too." She said firmly.

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  Dr. Naru gave a small smile. "That confidence and drive... It's what I admire about you, Hikari."

  She nodded, a faint smile of her own breaking through. "Well then... time is ticking. I have to go now."

  "Oh wait, speaking of time, there's something important that you need to know before you enter," Dr. Naru said, his voice tense. "Time flows... differently between this world and the one beyond the portal." He gestured a hand at the red portal. "So be careful not to lose track of it once you're in there."

  "If that's true, then what's the time difference?" She asked, her voice steady but curious. "And how much time do I really have?"

  "I can't say for certain how long before the Echos overrun our world," He admitted. "But based on my studies... one hour here equals roughly 168 hours in the other world."

  Hikari tilted her head, resting her chin against her hand. "So... about a week?"

  "Yes, in simple terms," Dr. Naru confirmed.

  "How intriguing." Her brows narrowed, voice firming with resolve. "Well, whatever's waiting on the other side, I'll bring back the help we need. That much, I promise."

  Dr. Naru's voice softened. "I know you will, Hikari. That's why I'm entrusting you with this mission." He put a hand on her shoulder. "Afterall, you're not one of Echohold's top Hollow for nothing."

  Hikari chuckled lightly. "I'll be back soon, Dr. Naru." She turned toward the portal, drawing in a steady breath as the red light washed across her face. "Alright then... wish me luck-"

  Just as Hikari was about to step into the portal TSSSHH! A steel door slid open behind her.

  A deep voice called out, “Wait!”

  She turned just as a man in his forties sprinted toward them - rifle in hand and tactical gear strapped over a dark undersuit. "Captain!" Hikari's eyes widened. "What are you doing here? You're supposed to be holding down the frontline with your squad!"

  "It's fine," Captain said between breaths. "I left one of my best soldiers to lead them. If anyone can handle it, it's him." He steadied his rifle and glanced at the portal. "Anyway, I heard you were going in... so I decided to come, too. You're not stepping into another world without any firepower by your side."

  Dr. Naru narrowed his eyes. "You're Hollow Agent Captain, right? One of Echohold-09's top soldiers."

  Captain gave a firm nod. "Correct. I'm here to assist Hikari in her mission." He looked at her, the portal's red light reflecting across her face. "My order is to make sure she comes back alive."

  Dr. Naru frowned. "I see... But tell me, how did you even hear about this?"

  "No time to explain, Doc," Captain cut in. "The faster we move, the faster we get help."

  Hikari nodded. "He's right. We'll figure out the rest after."

  Dr. Naru sighed, then gave a small nod. "Fine. Just... protect her, Captain. Losing her could mean losing everything."

  "Roger that." Captain snapped a salute. "You can count on me. I'll keep her safe no matter what it takes."

  "Thank you," Dr. Naru said quietly, returning the salute.

  Hikari gave the doctor a calm look. "Stay safe, Dr. Naru."

  "Don't worry about me," he replied with a faint smile. "Just make sure the both of you come back alive." He gestured toward the portal, its red light washing over them.

  "Alright then," Hikari said, drawing in a steady breath. She looked at Captain, resolve in her eyes. "Time to head in."

  "Copy that," Captain replied with a firm nod. He tightened his grip on his rifle, gaze fixed on the swirling red light. "Let's see what's waiting for us on the other side."

  Together, they stepped into the swirling red light. The air rippled as the portal pulled them in, their bodies swallowed by the unknown, time and space twisting until the world behind them was gone.

  What extraordinary sights lie ahead? What dangers awaited them? Each second that passed intensified their anticipation, and the unknown awaited with hunger. The questions pressed closer with every passing second, the unknown pulling them deeper. Hikari couldn't help but wonder...

  ("I don't know what's waiting on the other side of this portal... but if Dr. Naru's right, then maybe... just maybe... we'll still have a fighting chance against the Echos. I wish I'd had more time to ask him about the artifact that opened it. All I can remember is how it was an obsidian-like color. And this outbreak... what caused it? Was it someone here in Echohold-09, or did it come from somewhere else entirely? If a person was behind it... why? What could they possibly hope to gain by causing such chaos? There are so many questions that need answers. But I know one thing for sure, we can't turn back now. No matter what waits ahead, we'll push forward. Because the only way to get answers... the only way to possibly end this... is through this portal.")

  Hikari and Captain moved deeper into the portal, red energy swirling all around them. The air pressed heavy, each step pulling them further from their world... and possibly into a place they could never return from...