After a good sleep, it was already late on my second day off. The knowledge the book had given me was still firmly etched into my mind for easy recall. I grabbed food and made preparations for the night. The previous day, I had already done all my shopping which meant, when midnight rolled on by, I’d be ready for whatever nonsense may occur.

  I hadn’t anticipated the book taking a full twelve hours out of my time, but I’d prepared regardless… It was a good thing I didn’t use it on a whim the first day I received it, or whenever I had spare time on my days off.

  Just thinking of showing up to work sleep deprived after what should have been a day off… just the thought had me shuddering.

  I dressed in what was to be my spelunking attire. Gone was the expensive suit, replaced with breathable fabrics and attire. A set of biking gloves to protect my hands, a track suit jacket and pants, with a tank top underneath. Boots on my feet and a cap on my head.

  I didn’t have the time to break the boots in, but it shouldn’t be an issue. Not with the ice toughening me up.

  As midnight rolled closer, the full moon beamed through, banishing the gathering fog just outside my balcony door. The air shifted and changed.

  I waited… and waited… Usagi wasn’t appearing. No, I suppose they wouldn’t. They probably had better things to do…

  I opened my glass door and stood out on my balcony. I looked over the street below. Lights were on, but there was a thick mist rolling off everything. In the mist, I could just barely make out the warm light the streetlights gave off.

  After adjusting my cap, I leapt down.

  What was supposed to be a short fall, seemed to extend indefinitely. Seconds turned into minutes. All with me falling and air whistling in my ears. I felt like I was stuck on a computer loading screen. Then, a slight stutter, a shift in the wind, and I hit the ground.

  I exhaled the breath I had been holding. Icy mist was expelled from my lungs. I took in my surroundings.

  They were different, but the same. The street seemed so much larger. The buildings were so much taller, their forms loomed in the omnipresent mist that hung in the air. In the distance, I could hear shuffling. Figures moving.

  I extended my hand. With a crackle and a final crack, my rifle appeared in my hands. Calmly, surely, I conjured bullets and loaded them in and chambered the final round.

  Making sure to breathe, inhale, exhale, I made my way towards the closest shuffling sound. It didn’t take long. My path took me towards a nearby alley, inside, was a figure. Wretched and ruined. The figure looked like a human, but with their skin in the process of rotting away. Eyed were yellowed and aged. Their body jerking and spasming with each motion.

  On approach, it turned to face me. It let out a harsh hiss and shuffled over.

  I didn’t shoot. I waited for it to shamble closer and bashed its skull in with the butt of my rifle. Killing it in a swift blow.

  It fell to the ground, where it swiftly dispersed into mist, joining the swirling mist that covered the city. Though, the mist did seem oddly diminished after the fact.

  Walking back onto the street, I looked up and saw beams of moonlight piercing the veil above.

  With a sigh, I continued forward.

  Shambling figures were everywhere. Mostly concentrated in alleys or dark corners. Not one of them was a threat. The world felt larger, and familiar streets took longer to reach, which threw off my sense of direction, but familiar landmarks remained mostly the same.

  I made my rounds around the central district, killing as I went, though, with nothing to show for the effort I made. I kept walking, until I saw something. A shadow, a shape I knew all too well. A rabbit, Usagi.

  I could ignore it, perhaps I should ignore it and yet…

  With grit teeth I followed the small shadow, watching as it flitted in and out of my vision. Only to vanish when I came to a small opening in the road, where a manhole was pried out, leaving a gaping hole in the street.

  I hadn’t brought a light with me, but looking down into the hole, I saw stairs, and the soft glow of lights.

  Once again, I considered if I really wanted to go down this particular hole, Sheep’s denigrating words rang in my skull, and yet... I went down. Every step made the metal rungs ring. Echoing down the sewer line. The moment I stepped down though, I realized I wasn’t alone. I heard it. Talking from further ahead. I followed the tunnel, lights hummed along the walls. Illuminating the path forward.

  I couldn’t quite make out the voices, but when the tunnel turned into a sharp corner, it opened up into an intersection where three figures were standing. The moment I turned the corner, the trio turned to face me.

  The one at the lead looked strangely familiar.

  “Hoh… what a surprise to meet you again little rabbit.” She spoke breathily. All at once, it snapped into place.

  “Grim?” The woman was wearing a police uniform. Sword at her waist. She stood tall, almost statuesque, towering over everyone else. Her coal black eyes shone with joy, and behind her, framing her like a cape was her black hair that seemed to shimmer in the light. Her hair swayed behind her and reached the back of her knees. Her police uniform, on closer inspection was odd, more fitting for the military. The color scheme was white and silver, with a high collar, long sleeves and pants.

  “The one and only.” I looked at her, and the pair standing just behind her. One was an older woman; she had a spear in hand. She looked annoyed if anything else. The other though… Her hair was wild but pushed back and tied into a loose ponytail that looked more like a brush.

  “Diana?” I asked, unsure.

  She grunted. She looked barely any different though, her hair had grown out more, framing her face and shoulders. She still wore her hiking attire, and in her hand was the same pick she had used in the event.

  “You know her then?” The woman with the spear asked Diana.

  “Yeah… we were in the same event together.” She replied back.

  “Is that so?” The spear woman asked and looked towards Grim. Grim exchanged a look with the woman and shrugged.

  “It appears we have a bit of a serendipitous moment. I was just speaking to Tabitha here, and I had expressed concerns that we didn’t have enough people for this venture of hers. Then you appeared little rabbit.” Grim said, a smile on her lips.

  “Prima.” I answered back. “My name is Prima.”

  “Of course, my apologies. It’s a pleasure to meet your acquaintance, Prima.”

  “I feel the same. You made quite the impression on me when we first met.”

  “I imagine I did. Fate can be quite fickle, having us meet then, and now.”

  “Are we really recruiting this newbie?” The spear girl, Tabitha spoke up.

  “Depends.” Grim replied back. “What can you do?” She asks me.

  “I have ice magic, and… well, this.” I wave my gun.

  “A ranged option, and an ice type. That could work.” Grim said, eyeing Tabitha.

  Tabitha grunted, but she backed down. “We could use another weapon.” She murmured in defeat.

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  Diana looked annoyed, but she didn’t speak up.

  “Well, there you have it. If you want, you could join us.” Grim offered.

  “And what are we doing?” I asked.

  Grim deferred to Tabitha.

  “I’m one of the leaders at the women’s shelter. We take care of newbie rabbits and all. There has been a streak of disappearances in the nearby area. Normally, we wouldn’t bother, but the frequency of them has been cause for concern. So, I’ve been put in charge of putting together a expedition to investigate the depths for any trouble.” She shot a look at Grim. “However, the number of willing combatants we have inside the shelter can be considered nil. Especially when investigating an unknown quantity. Diana here was the only person willing to join me, so here we are.”

  “So, there you have it. Officially, I’m the one doing the investigation. These two are providing support.”

  “Do you really need me, or rather, why are they here? Can’t you do this on your own?”

  Grim hummed. “A good question. Unfortunately, no. I can’t do this alone. Normal officers wouldn’t be able to investigate this place, and we can’t exactly send a team into the sewers on a hunch. I was sent as a special investigator, but I am a hunting dog. Which aren’t exactly known for their endurance.”

  “Hunting dog?”

  “Mm?” Grim tilted her head. “Ah, right, you don’t have a matron to look over you. A warren-less rabbit isn’t rare, but it doesn’t happen often.”

  It felt like, she was throwing out terms to mess with me at this point. And I really didn’t want to bite the bait, but… “Could you explain that?”

  “Oh, of course. Forgive me. I do enjoy meeting new rabbits. Seeing bundles of untapped potential, like seeds, and just imaging what they could be when they bloom.”

  Grim went on a tangent, and it looked like Tabitha was ready to snap out, but kept her mouth shut.

  “Ah, do forgive me. Now, your question. When rabbits come together, they form a community, or a Warren as we call them. As for why, it should be self-evident. We call those that lead warrens, acting as leaders or teachers of new rabbits, Matrons. Though, the terminology differs according to the generation.”

  I nod along.

  “Now, as I’m sure you inferred. Rabbits are not the only type of chosen, or Magical Girl, if you wish to use that term.” Tabitha scowls at that but doesn’t retort. Grim presses on, unbothered by the scowl.

  “If not, that’s okay. Not everyone gets it. The mascots aren’t known for giving proper explanations, not unless it’s absolutely necessary.” Grim continues.

  Again, I nod. Having nothing to add.

  “Rabbits, as you likely know, are referred to as ‘having fell down the rabbit hole.’ When they appear. This is because out of all the other chosen, they are the most distinct. Dogs, foxes, and tigers are all chosen and given a choice, not kidnapped.”

  “And sheep?” I asked.

  “I wouldn’t know, but… I’ve heard it’s akin to a sheep wandering away from the flock. Never to be found by their shepherd. Similar to rabbits, but wholly different.”

  I went ahead and nodded, though, I didn’t understand one bit.

  “Each of the chosen has a mascot, each mascot has a coin that corresponds to them. Rabbits, like you, and them.” Grim gestures towards Tabitha and Diana. “Rabbits represent untapped potential. They come into this world with little to no power but quickly grow into it. Yet, few ever reach the limits of their potential. They are also the most numerous of chosen.”

  I could see that I wasn’t the only one tuning in at this point. Diana was as well. Whereas Tabitha looked like she had heard this whole thing already but didn’t want to urge us onward for fear of insulting Grim.

  “Dogs are a different sort. We are those who have reached our potential. We were chosen by Inu, the dog mascot for our skills and expertise. Typically, he approaches us with an offer to use our skills to our fullest without worry of repercussions.”

  “And what is it he offered you?”

  “A chance to serve and protect.” She stated. Her tone dissuaded any further questions on the subject. She then pressed on.

  “Dogs come in three varieties, based on their skillset. Support, Hunting, and Rescue dogs. Each with their own specialties. Support dogs have a rather balanced set of skills, with a focus on providing support. Be it through strengthening, healing, taking damage for others, or production. They don’t tend to do as well in fights compared to the others.”

  I nod.

  “Hunting dogs, like me, focus solely on the hunt. Killing high value targets or subduing them. We tend to have exceptionally high physical attributes but have low reserves of magic. We burn bright, but tire fast. Meaning, we suffer in extended engagements against multiple opponents. Against a single opponent, a hunting dog will always get the kill. You can think of us as similar to bull dogs, once we bite, we don’t let go.”

  A scary thought. Though, I couldn’t be sure if she was exaggerating or not.

  “Rescue dogs, being the final type, are like a Hunting dog, but different. They tend to be physically weak, with high magic. They focus on shock and awe. Taking out large numbers of enemies in a single instant or making a blitz to save or rescue. In exchange, their abilities don’t handle single strong opponents very well… usually.”

  “Usually?”

  “There are exceptions, though… that shouldn’t matter for now. The next type of chosen are foxes. Foxes are…” She pauses and thinks.

  “Foxes tend to march to their own beat from what I know. Typically, you shouldn’t ever run into them. They have high power, high abilities overall, but tend to have poor potential.”

  That didn’t say much, but I nodded anyway.

  “Tigers are rare, and they are related to platinum coins. They are exceedingly rare, both for chosen and coins, and they tend to be antagonistic to the rest of us. I have no idea how they are chosen, but tigers typically appear in positions of power or as the head of incursions. All I know, is that they have absurd power, and even more absurd potential. Similar to rabbits, only much rarer and with a much stronger start.”

  I nod.

  “The final chosen are the sheep and… I have no idea. I only know that they tend to have odd, sometimes insane magic.”

  “Insane how?” I asked.

  “Mm… I only heard of a chosen that caused serious trouble some time back. They had the ability to manipulate luck and fate. As an example, they could make it possible for a coin flip to always be heads. Make the most impossible possible. So on, so forth.” Grim said with a small shrug. Almost like she couldn’t believe that it existed either.

  “What happened to them?”

  “Dead, from what I hear. Though, not without casualties. From what I understand, the incident itself caused serious damage to the city and its infrastructure, before resulting in half the city being wiped off the map, for a time.”

  “Wait, half the city? Gone?” Diana spoke up in concern.

  “For a time. It was fixed and repaired, but… well, even if they weren’t the one that destroyed the city. It just goes to show how much damage an errant sheep could do.”

  I couldn’t imagine how much power that would take. Wiping out half the city?

  “Who could have done that then? Killed them and wiped out half the city? The dragon group? The police chief?” Diana spoke up.

  I had no idea who this dragon group was, but… the police chief?

  “It wasn’t either of them. It was a rather unfortunate rescue dog that had been given the go ahead to go after that particular sheep.”

  “I thought there were rules though?” Diana asked with a clear look of concern.

  Tabitha finally spoke up. “There are, but when someone breaks the rules, the mascots will sometimes allow someone to go after them, granting the ability to use whatever means they see fit. Now, can we get moving? Time might be slower with the full moon out, but I’d like to get this resolved.”

  “Assuming there is an issue to resolve.” Grim countered. Tabitha clicked her tongue in response. “Either way, Tabitha is correct. If you’d join us, that would be for the best.”

  “I don’t see why not.” I finally ventured. I glanced at Diana, who made an effort not to lock eyes with me. “What do I need to do?”

  “As I said, I’m a hunting dog. A single drawn-out fight isn’t much of an issue, but as it is the full moon, and we are in the sewers, we are bound to fight something. As such, I’ll have you join these two in handling the chaff, up until we find what the issue is. Assuming there is an issue. Is that amenable?”

  “It is.” I replied. “Where do you want me?” I asked Tabitha, seeing as she was going to be the leader, up until Grim needed to move.

  “You have ice, right?” I nod. “Good, you can be the front. I have wind magic, just like Diana does. Though, I’m sure you were aware of that?”

  I nod. “Yes, we were on a team together for the first event.”

  “Good. Then you’ll know how to fight together. Your job is to take the front. Ice makes you far tougher than us, so you’ll attract their attention, and we’ll kill them.”

  “And my gun?”

  “Use it as you please but conserve your energy. We have no idea how deep we’ll have to go.”

  “I understand. When do we move out?”

  “Now, preferably. We’ve wasted enough time as it is.”

  “Sounds good.” And I moved into position at the front. Diana and Tabitha at my sides, Grim at the back. “Where do we go?”

  Tabitha pointed forward and we went.

  There wasn’t much talking, but eventually we came across a few of the shamblers that I had fought above. We made quick work of them. Tabitha thrust out with her spear, killing one. Diana swung out, her pick slicing through another’s neck with ease. I bashed the third in the skull with the butt of my rifle, killing it.

  We didn’t really talk about the encounter and continued forward. Encountering a few more groups, but eventually my curiosity overpowered sense.

  “What are these things?” I asked after the umpteenth group we had fought. We were getting deeper into the sewers, I could feel that, and the groups were getting larger as well.

  “Shades.” Tabitha answered.

  “Where do they come from?” I followed up with as we took a moment’s rest.

  “You’re better off not knowing.” She replied back.

  Ominous, but I wasn’t going to press. I looked down at the corpses, a thought came to mind.

  “We’re going to be facing more of these, aren’t we?”

  “Plenty more. We’re in the upper levels of the sewer, and as we get deeper, they’ll become more numerous and stronger as well.”

  “Mind if I try something then?”

  She shrugged. “Go ahead.”

  I leaned over one of the more intact corpses. I put my hand on the dead shade’s corpse. I had in my head, years of information, as if I had gone to college specifically on the topic of necromancy. Along with it the knowledge of anatomy and countless other minor subjects.

  For the first time, I was going to use it.

  I felt out the body. Slowly letting my ice creep into it. I followed along imaginary paths, like threading a needle. Little by little, I worked it over. I was lost in the process. Remembering to breathe, in and out as I worked.

  Once my ice was properly imbedded, I inhaled and let out a sharp exhale. Shooting a pulse of magic right into the core of the body. I felt something take, snap into place. I slowly stood and backed away. The body writhed, limbs convulsed, popped and cracked before standing with a shudder.

  It was deathly silent. Every move it made creaked like a rusted hinge in dire need of oiling. Still, I did it. I raised the dead.

  Tabitha whistled. “That changes things.” She said, and I glanced back to see her smiling wildly. A gleam in her eyes.