(Meanwhile inside of the forest).
Lady Nagant kept glancing back towards the direction of the SUV, her patience wearing thin.
Lady Nagant: "Are they coming yet?"
She snapped, her voice laced with annoyance.
Shigaraki took a long drag from his cigarette, unconcerned.
Shigaraki: "Overhaul takes his time with these things."
He replied casually, the smoke curling around his face.
Chrono leaned against a tree, arms crossed, trying to hide his growing unease.
Chrono: "They should've been here by now."
He muttered softly.
Toga: "They'll be fine."
She reassured Lady Nagant, her voice cheerful despite the situation.
Chrono, however, couldn't shake off his growing concern. He kept glancing back at the direction of the SUV, his mind wandering to Overhaul and the others. He had promised the boss he would take care of Overhaul, and he intended to keep that promise.
Chrono: "I think we should go back."
He said suddenly, pushing himself off the tree.
Lady Nagant: "What? No way. We're having fun here."
She frowned.
Shigaraki: "Why?"
He asked, raising an eyebrow at Chrono's sudden change in attitude.
Toga chimed in immediately.
Toga: "Overhaul will be fine."
She waved her hand dismissively.
Chrono sighed internally but pushed his concern further.
Chrono: "I know but they're taking way too long and I'm getting worried."
His voice carried a genuine tone of anxiety that even Shigaraki couldn't ignore this time. Lady Nagant rolled her eyes dramatically.
Lady Nagant: "Chrono is being overly cautious again."
She complained softly but Chrono stood his ground.
Lady Nagant: "I guess we could turn back."
She relented, her voice slightly annoyed. Shigaraki huffed in agreement, clearly not wanting to cut the night short. The group began their trek back towards the SUV, their footsteps crunching on the forest floor. Suddenly, a distant scream echoed through the trees, sending a chill down everyone's spines. It sounded like someone calling for help.
Chrono froze instantly.
Chrono: "Did you hear that?"
His voice was urgent and worried. The others exchanged tense glances before nodding silently in confirmation.
Toga: "What was that?"
She whispered, her earlier cheerfulness vanishing.
Lady Nagant: "Is someone here?"
She asked softly, her hand instinctively reaching for her pocket where her phone was.
Shigaraki: "In this place... anything could be here."
He muttered darkly.
Chrono's eyes darted around the forest, trying to pinpoint the source of the scream. Suddenly, he heard it again—this time, it sounded like Overhaul calling for help.
Chrono: "Overhaul!"
He took off running towards the sound of Overhaul's voice without hesitation, leaving the others behind briefly.
Lady Nagant: "Chrono, where are you going?"
She called out urgently as she chased after him, her heart pounding.
Shigaraki looked at Toga and immediately made a decision.
Shigaraki: "Let's follow them!"
Toga agreed instantly, and together they sprinted after Chrono and Lady Nagant into the darkness of the forest, branches whipping at their faces as they ran.
Chrono: "Overhaul where are you?!"
He shouted, his voice echoing through the trees as he sprinted deeper into the forest. He kept hearing Overhaul's frantic cries for help, guiding him closer and closer. Suddenly, Chrono's foot caught on a rock, sending him tumbling forward onto the ground. He quickly sprang back up, dusting himself off, and froze as he realized he was standing at the edge of a steep cliff. Overhaul's screams seemed to be coming from below.
Chrono: "Over...Overhaul?"
As Chrono backed away from the cliff's edge, Lady Nagant caught up to him, her chest heaving from the run.
Lady Nagant: "You okay?"
She panted, taking in the scene before her.
Chrono nodded hastily, still shaken.
Chrono: "Yeah... I thought I heard Overhaul screaming for help."
Shigaraki and Toga joined them moments later, both out of breath.
Shigaraki: "I heard a scream too."
He admitted, his usual nonchalant demeanor absent.
Shigaraki: "But I don't think it was Overhaul."
Lady Nagant: "Okay, I think we should go back to them. Something isn't right about this place."
She declared, her voice shaking slightly.
Chrono nodded in agreement, sharing her concerns.
Chrono: "You're right... something feels off."
Shigaraki glanced around the dark forest uneasily.
Shigaraki: "Let's just... get back to Overhaul, Dabi and Midoriya."
Toga shivered visibly.
Toga: "Yeah... hurry up."
They all began retracing their steps quickly, their hearts pounding with a mix of fear and urgency.
(At the rocky road).
Overhaul: "Can you get off of me, please?"
He asked, his voice strained as he tried to squirm out from under Midoriya's tight embrace.
Midoriya, however, clung to him even more desperately, his face buried in Overhaul's neck.
Midoriya: "No... don't leave, please."
He whispered urgently, his arms wrapping around both Overhaul and Dabi possessively.
Dabi looked down at the scene with a mix of amusement and annoyance.
Dabi: "Midoriya, dude... you're suffocating him."
He suddenly looked up, his eyes narrowing as he spotted a figure approaching them in the darkness.
Dabi: "Don't look now, but someone's coming."
He whispered tensely.
Midoriya immediately froze, his eyes widening with fear and curiosity.
Midoriya: "Is he or she friendly?"
He asked softly, hoping against hope that it was someone they knew.
Overhaul gently extricated himself from Midoriya's grasp and stood up slowly, trying to get a better look at the approaching figure.
Overhaul: "Only one way to find out."
He approached the figure cautiously, his hand extended in a friendly gesture.
Overhaul: "Excuse me, we need help. Can you please help us?"
He asked politely, trying to mask his growing unease. As he got closer, he realized it was an old man riding a horse, his weathered face etched with deep lines and wrinkles.
The old man looked up at Overhaul, his eyes widening with fear as he clutched the cross pendant around his neck tightly.
The Old Man: "Oh no..."
He whispered softly, his voice trembling with dread.
Overhaul's confusion grew as the old man refused to help them.
The Old Man: "I'm sorry, I can't help you."
He said ominously, his grip tightening on his cross pendant.
Dabi stepped forward angrily.
Dabi: "Listen, old man, we're trapped here—can you at least call the police?"
The old man looked at Dabi with pity and fear.
The Old Man: "If I call them, they won't come here."
He explained softly.
The Old Man: "This place... it doesn't exist."
His words sent a chill down everyone's spines.
Dabi stared at the old man in disbelief.
Dabi: "You drunk or something?"
He asked sarcastically.
The old man shook his head slowly, his eyes glazed with an eerie wisdom.
"I see you... the only way to get out is to find the exit, or... pay him in blood."
He whispered cryptically.
Midoriya: "Uhh... what?"
He gasped softly.
Overhaul's patience snapped instantly. He removed his white glove slowly, his voice dripping with menace
Overhaul: "I'm not asking you again."
Dabi: "Overhaul, don't do it... I'll do it."
He growled, trying to use his quirk. But to his shock, nothing appeared.
Dabi: "What?"
He whispered, his eyes widening in disbelief.
Midoriya looked around confused.
Midoriya: "I don't see anything."
Overhaul frowned deeply and tried to use his own quirk - touching the ground to create spikes. But just like Dabi, nothing happened.
Overhaul: "What happened to my quirk?"
He demanded, his voice shaking with shock and fear as he stared at his hand.
The Old Man: "You're in his world now. That means all of you are powerless."
Dabi's face turned red with anger and disbelief.
Dabi: "No way... Impossible!"
He exclaimed.
The Old Man: "Find the exit."
The old man quickly disappeared into the darkness, muttering something about staying near them being dangerous.
Midoriay: "So both of you are quirkless now?"
He asked softly, his voice trembling as he looked at Overhaul and Dabi with wide, disbelieving eyes. Overhaul's face was pale, his brows furrowed in frustration and confusion.
Dabi's fists were clenched tightly, his jaw clenched as he struggled to comprehend their new reality.
Dabi: "Yeah... we're fucking quirkless."
He spat out bitterly, his voice barely above a growl.
Overhaul simply nodded, his mind racing with questions and fears.
Midoriya's voice was small and hopeful as he tried to use his quirk - One For All at eight percent. But as he focused his energy, nothing happened. His eyes widened in disbelief and fear.
Midoriya: "I... I can't use it."
He whispered, his voice trembling.
Overhaul placed a comforting hand on Midoriya's shoulder.
Overhaul: "None of us can. The old man wasn't lying - we're completely powerless here."
Dabi kicked a rock angrily.
Dabi: Great... we're sitting ducks if something attacks us."
Overhaul's mind suddenly snapped back to reality, remembering the old man's words.
Overhaul: "Find the exit."
He straightened up abruptly, his voice firm and determined despite the fear lingering in his eyes.
Overhaul: "He did say find the exit. So we have to find the exit, but first... we must find the others."
Dabi nodded grimly, pushing aside his anger momentarily.
Dabi: "Right. We need to stick together right now."
Midoriya took a deep breath and tried to push down his panic.
Midoriya: "Yeah... let's find everyone else first."
Overhaul pointed in the direction where Lady Nagant, Toga, Chrono, and Shigaraki had gone earlier.
Overhaul: "They went that way."
He said firmly, his memory sharp despite the chaos.
Dabi looked at the dark path ahead, his expression unreadable.
Dabi: "Let's move out then."
He muttered, starting to walk ahead.
Midoriya hurried to catch up, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination.
Dabi: "Our quirks don't work in this place."
He reminds everyone grimly, his usual confidence shaken.
Midoriya tried to sound optimistic despite the terrifying situation.
Midoriya: "You're right, it's bad... but we'll just find a way to survive."
Overhaul nodded in agreement.
Overhaul: "Yeah what he said."
Their footsteps crunched softly on the gravel path as they moved deeper into unfamiliar territory, relying solely on their wits and each other for protection.
(In his mind).
"I have to get out of here in order to see him again..."
(Out of his mind.)
Overhaul suddenly froze mid-step, his hand clutching a worn picture of his boss tightly. A distant voice echoed through the strange landscape, calling out "Chisaki" — his boss's voice. His eyes widened in shock and hope.
Overhaul: "Boss?"
He whispered urgently, breaking into a run towards the sound without hesitation.
Dabi and Midoriya exchanged confused glances.
Midoriya: "Where's Overhaul going?"
He asked worriedly.
Dabi shrugged.
Dabi: I don't know..."
Their voices trailed off as Overhaul disappeared around a bend.
Dabi: "Let's follow him."
He decided abruptly, breaking into a jog to catch up with Overhaul. Midoriya quickly fell into step beside him, both of them moving silently through the darkness.
Overhaul was ahead of them, his pace increasing as he followed the sound of his boss's voice calling out "Chisaki".
The forest seemed to swallow their footsteps whole as they pursued Overhaul's retreating form.
Overhaul: "I'm coming!"
He shouted ahead, his voice echoing through the trees as he ran towards the sound of his boss's voice. But in his haste, he tripped on a rock, crashing heavily to the ground.
Dabi noticed immediately, calling out.
Dabi: "Overhaul!"
He sped up, trying to close the distance before anything else could happen. Midoriya followed closely behind, shouting
Midoriya: "Watch where you're going!"
Overhaul: "Ow..."
He groaned, trying to move but finding extreme pain shooting through his leg.
Overhaul: "Ahhh!"
He screamed suddenly, the sound echoing through the forest. Dabi reached him first, skidding to a stop beside him. His eyes widened in horror as he saw the bear trap clamped tightly around Overhaul's leg, blood already pooling around it.
Midoriya: "Overhaul? You okay?"
He asked desperately, dropping to his knees beside them.
Dabi: "Don't... don't move."
He ordered sharply.
Overhaul: "It hurts! It hurts!"
He cried out in pain as Dabi swiftly removed the bear trap, his face contorted with agony.
Midoriya listened intently, his ears picking up on distant footsteps approaching.
Midoriya: "Someone's here?"
He whispered urgently, his heart pounding in his chest. Dabi immediately clamped his hand over Overhaul's mouth, silencing his cries. The footsteps grew louder, heavier, indicating that whoever was coming was getting closer. Dabi's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with possibilities.
Dabi: "Stay quiet."
Midoriay: "What do we do?"
He whispered desperately, fear making his voice shake.
Dabi: "Hide."
He ordered firmly, lifting Overhaul gently and carrying him bridal style behind the ancient tree. The footsteps grew louder, closer, making Midoriya's heart pound violently in his chest.
Midoriya: "I'm so scared."
He whispered, his fear getting the better of him.
Dabi hissed sharply.
Dabi: "Midoriya, be quiet!"
He pressed Overhaul closer to the tree trunk, trying to make them both invisible.
Midoriay: "Sorry."
He whispered softly, covering his mouth with his hand to muffle any sound. He peeked around the tree cautiously, his eyes widening in terror as he saw two men, their bodies twisted and grotesque, holding large knives. They seemed to be checking the bear traps, their faces contorted with malevolence. Midoriya's breath hitched in his throat as he realized these were no ordinary humans. Dabi's grip tightened on Overhaul, his senses on high alert.
Dabi: "We have to get out of here."
He whispered urgently to Midoriya, his eyes never leaving the deformed men who were getting closer. Midoriya nodded silently, understanding the gravity of their situation. Overhaul let out a soft whimper of pain, his leg throbbing intensely. Dabi swiftly placed a hand over his mouth to silence him, his eyes flashing a warning.
Dabi: "Shh... stay quiet."
He murmured softly but firmly against Overhaul's ear.
Dabi began to move silently, Midoriya following closely behind as he carried Overhaul. Midoriya's footsteps were careful but nervous, his fear making him clumsy.
Midoriya: "Dabi... I'm fucking scared."
He whispered trembling. Dabi shot him a reassuring glance over his shoulder.
Dabi: It's fine...just keep walking quietly."
Suddenly, Midoriya stepped on a dry branch. It snapped loudly in the quiet forest.
Midoriya: "Oh no..."
He whispered as the footsteps of the deformed men instantly halted.
The sound of heavy footsteps and twigs snapping echoed through the forest as the two twisted men began to move towards the noise. Dabi's eyes widened in realization.
Dabi: "Time to run!"
He hissed urgently, breaking into a sprint with Overhaul still securely in his arms. Midoriya took off after him, his heart pounding in his chest. They ran as fast as they could, dodging trees and jumping over obstacles, finally reaching the SUV just in time. Dabi slammed the door shut behind them, locking it securely.
(A few minutes before almost near the SUV).
Lady Nagant: "This place gives me the creeps. Sorry for bringing you all here."
She muttered, her voice low and apologetic as they approached the direction of the SUV.
Toga tried to lighten the mood.
Toga: "Not really, nothing bad has happened yet."
Chrono nodded in agreement.
Chrono: "That's true."
Shigaraki suddenly spoke up.
Shigaraki: "Let's just hurry and check on them."
They all nodded and quickened their pace, but suddenly they heard Overhaul's screams echoing through the forest.
Chrono: "You heard that?"
He asked urgently, his heart racing as Overhaul's screams pierced through the forest.
Shigaraki nodded grimly.
Shigaraki: "Yeah did."
Lady Nagant's face paled.
Lady Nagant: "It sounds like he's hurt."
Without another word, they all broke into a run towards the sound of Overhaul's agonized cries. Chrono ran faster than anyone else; Overhaul meant everything to him—his entire world depended on that man being okay. His legs pumped harder than ever before.
(Now).
Chrono: "Overhaul!"
He shouted desperately, his voice cracking with panic as he pushed himself to run even faster towards the sound of Overhaul's screams. In his haste, he collided with Midoriya, both tumbling onto the forest floor.
Midoriya: "Ow."
He groaned softly as they landed hard on the ground.
Chrono looked up immediately upon hearing Midoriya's voice.
Chrono: "Midoriya..."
He saw everyone else catching up behind them—Lady Nagant, Shigaraki,Toga all rushing towards them.
Lady Nagant: "We heard Overhaul screaming!"
She exclaimed breathlessly as they all skidded to a halt beside Chrono and Midoriya.
Midoriya looked up at them, his face pale and worried.
Midoriya: "Overhaul is hurt."
He glanced towards the SUV, where the screams seemed to be coming from.
(In the SUV)
Dabi: "You're going to be okay."
He reassured Overhaul, his voice steady despite the chaos. Overhaul clenched his jaw, trying to suppress a groan of pain.
Overhaul: If only I had my quirk... I could heal myself right now...
(In his mind).
"Probably that old man was right... But I don't think I'll be the one escaping this place..."
A flash of his boss's face crossed his mind briefly.
"I won't get to apologize to him now... Sorry boss..."
(Out of his mind).
Overhaul: "Dabi, there's a first aid kit in the back. I need you to get it quickly."
He ordered through gritted teeth.
Dabi: "Yeah, sure."
He replied immediately, moving swiftly to retrieve the kit from the SUV's rear. As he reached for the back door, they heard an urgent knocking on the window. They turned simultaneously to see Chrono's worried face pressed against the glass.
Overhaul: "Chrono."
He acknowledged softly as the door swung open.
Chrono: "Kai, are you okay?"
He asked immediately, his brows furrowed with concern.
Overhaul shrugged weakly.
Overhaul: "Kinda."
Chrono's gaze flicked to Overhaul's injured leg before meeting Dabi's eyes questioningly.
Chrono: "Why aren't you using your quirk?"
He asked Overhaul curiously.
Dabi shook his head grimly.
Dabi: Our quirks don't work here."
He explained shortly.
Overhaul: "It's true."
He repeated softly, meeting Chrono's gaze directly.
Overhaul: "The old man told us."
He said firmly, his hand pressing against his wounded leg to stave off the pain.
Shigaraki rolled his eyes.
Shigaraki: "You're just high."
He muttered dismissively.
Dabi stepped forward.
Dabi: "It's true, Shigaraki."
He stated calmly but firmly.
Dabi: "Our quirks really don't work here."
Chrono processed this information silently before speaking again.
Chrono: "So... we're completely defenseless?"
He looked around nervously.
Toga: "So what else did the old man say?"
She asked Overhaul curiously.
Overhaul took a deep breath.
Overhaul: He said we're in a different world."
He explained slowly."
Overhaul: "And we must find the exit."
Lady Nagant frowned.
Lady Nagant: "Exit?"
She echoed softly.
Shigaraki scoffed.
Shigaraki: "I think that fall also hit your head or something."
He suggested sarcastically.
Dabi shot him a warning look.
Dabi: Listen to him."
He snapped sharply at Shigaraki.
Dabi: "He's not joking or hallucinating."
The sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the forest, growing louder and more menacing by the second.
Lady Nagant: "Someone else is here?"
She whispered nervously, her eyes darting around the trees.
Midoriya swallowed hard.
Midoriya: "It's probably those monsters out here."
He said softly but urgently.
Chrono: "Monsters?"
He repeated incredulously.
Overhaul nodded seriously.
Overhaul: "We saw people but they didn't look human."
He explained quickly.
Dabi suddenly snapped.
Dabi: "Everyone, get into the vehicle and lock the doors!"
Everyone quickly returned to the SUV, locking the doors with a sense of urgency.
Shigaraki: "Some trip, right?"
He muttered sarcastically, trying to lighten the mood.
Chrono: "Not the time for jokes, Shigaraki."
He hissed sharply.
Overhaul grunted in pain as he wrapped medical tape around his injured leg.
Overhaul: "This fucking hurts..."
Dabi immediately shushed him, covering Overhaul's mouth with his hand as they all listened intently to the footsteps growing louder and louder outside.
The group froze as they heard deep, menacing growls right next to the vehicle, accompanied by loud scratches on the metal exterior. A sudden scream pierced through the background noise, sending shivers down their spines. Everyone's eyes widened in fear as they clung to each other silently. The growls and scratches abruptly stopped, replaced by the sound of heavy footsteps moving away quickly from the SUV. After a tense moment of silence, Midoriya whispered.
Midoriya: "Are they gone?"
His voice trembled slightly as he looked at Dabi for reassurance.
Dabi's brow furrowed as he processed the scream.
Dabi: "Someone else is out there?"
He asked softly. Toga groaned.
Toga: "I'm starting to regret this idea now."
Overhaul immediately countered.
Overhaul: We have to save that person."
Lady Nagant shook her head firmly.
Lady Nagant: "No way Overhaul, we're not heroes and also you said our quirks don't work here."
Overhaul clenched his jaw.
Overhaul: "Someone needs help."
He insisted stubbornly. Shigaraki cut him off sharply.
Shigaraki: "Sorry but we cannot save them especially in your condition."
Overhaul's voice was firm but resigned.
Overhaul: "If something goes wrong you can always leave me behind."
Chrono's eyes widened in horror.
Chrono: "No way!"
He exclaimed loudly.
Chrono: "I'm not leaving you behind."
Overhaul looked away briefly before meeting Chrono's determined gaze again.
Overhaul: "Chrono..."
Lady Nagant nodded solemnly.
Lady Nagant: "He's right about that."
Midoriya added softly but firmly.
Midoriya: "We won't leave you."
The group shared determined looks among themselves, refusing to abandon Overhaul even in this dire situation.
Toga snapped his fingers suddenly.
Toga: "You said something about an exit, so let's go find it."
Shigaraki nodded reluctantly.
Shigaraki: "Alright then."
Everyone cautiously exited the vehicle, noticing deep scratches etched into the SUV with words scrawled below.
Shigaraki read aloud.
Shigaraki: "Give us the one who is injured."
Lady Nagant whispered.
Lady Nagant: "They want Overhaul..."
Overhaul immediately volunteered.
Overhaul: "Let them have me."
Midoriya's hand flew up instinctively, slapping Overhaul across the face sharply.
Midoriya: "No way!"
Dabi: "Let's get out of here."
He commanded, scooping Overhaul up bridal style without hesitation. Overhaul was too stunned by Midoriya's slap to protest immediately.
Chrono looked around nervously.
Chrono: "So where are we going?"
Dabi nodded firmly.
Dabi: "Anywhere but here."
The group began moving quickly away from the SUV and those chilling scratches demanded an injured person—Overhaul specifically—noticing how Dabi carried him protectively despite Overhaul's initial resistance due to shock from Midoriya's slap earlier.
Midoriya: "What about we come up with a plan?"
He suggested urgently, looking around at his companions.
Dabi cut him off sharply.
Dabi: "Let's just go away from here since we got someone who is going to come after us."
Without further discussion, everyone broke into a run—Dabi carrying Overhaul tightly against his chest—trying desperately to put distance between themselves and whatever horrors lurked behind those scratches demanding an injured person.. Their footsteps echoed through the dense forest as they searched frantically for any exit or hiding spot..
Shigaraki: "Well let's hurry up before something bad happens. Since our quirks don't work in this place and I'm pretty sure some of us are going to die horribly."
He muttered grimly while running with the group.
Suddenly, Midoriya cried out.
Midoriya: "Wait guys something is chasing us!"
The sound of heavy footsteps echoed behind them, swiftly closing the distance. Dabi's eyes narrowed as he spotted two paths diverging ahead with a sign warning.
Dabi: "Midoriya, cool it!"
The sign: "Spilt into two groups or die."
This will continue in the next chapter.