Waking up had been disorienting but at least Lena had been with her. It wasn't that Luka couldn't stand on her own without her twin by her side, but that she preferred not to if she didn't have to. Things were always easier when they were together and not separated because she knew that she could rely on Lena.

Yet, they were forced to trek down into the darkness and find their weapons separately.

Luka thought it was easier for her because she was bolder and arguably braver than her counterpart. That didn't make it much easier for her to watch her uncertain sister descend before her. Waiting was worse, with nervous fingers toying with the ring that sat on her right hand that matched the one on her sister's left.

When it came time for her to go, she did so with squared shoulders and a lifted chin.

Sneakers squeaked against the floor and she found herself instinctively listening for the sound of familiar footsteps that always followed her. They didn't come, she knew they wouldn't but she found herself disappointed anyway.

<Do you expect to always have a shadow such as that?> A voice permeated her thoughts and her steps halted, freezing in what she thought was the middle of the room.

"Not always," she replied, eyes searching the room only lit by runes slowly as if she could find the voice's source.

There was no one else down here with her, she knew that. Yet, she looked anyway. Luka made sure her voice did not shake when she spoke again. "Where are you?"

<Isn't that the point of this? For you to find me?> The voice, masculine-- male retorted. Small hands formed balled fists in response, sneakers squeaking once more as she stepped up to the wall. Her fingers pressed against a glowing ruin and received no reaction.

Huffing a sigh, Luka reached to push up her glasses, knocking loose hair from beneath the frames when she tipped her chin up. "I'll find you," she stated determinedly. She could feel the humming in her fingertips, a tune she couldn't quite understand but knew that it was guiding her regardless and her breath hitched as it grew more intense as she moved.

It was strongest when she was on the tips of her toes, reaching as high up as her short stature would allow her.

<Is that all you've got?> His voice asked, not unkindly. There was no taunting, but curiosity in the tone and it push Luka to back up and jump, soles of her shoes pressing against the wall as she reached for what she knew was within her reach.

The rune came away in her hand, shifting into a beautifully decorated bow who's carvings she could feel but not quite see. Fingers wrapped tightly around the handle and she drew it to her chest. "I told you."

<I did not doubt you, hunter.> The weapon cooed back at her. Luka laughed, feeling a bit ridiculous about the whole ordeal. "I guess you didn't," she admitted, thumb running over one of the more intricate carvings.

<Will you tell me your name?> He asked, with the teenager glancing down at the bow she held too tightly.

"Luka, Luka Sargent," she said quietly, slowly making her way back towards the stairs that would lead her out of the room. "And you?"

<Call me Aran> He offered and she nodded, before realizing the gesture was pointless since he likely couldn't see her. "Aran, got it."

With that, Luka made her way up the stairs to reunite with her sister.

(600 words)