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His heart hurts and he can't see through the tears in his eyes.
To be fair, he also can't see due to the blindingly bright light coming from outside. But that's not really the point.
The point is, one of his closest friends is dead, and it's HIS fault! If he had the right disc, he could have saved her with no problems! But he was too late, and now Yachi's gone... He's ruined it all.
His phone pings on the floor next to him. He doesn't quite have the heart to pick it up. It pings again, more insistantly. Then again. A twinge of irritation makes itself known. Ugh... can't they just leave him alone...
-- adamantTosser [AT] began pestering tinyGiant [TG] at ??:?? --
AT: Hinata
AT: Hinata please pick up
AT: Are u alright?
TG: one of my friends is DEAD!
TG: of course im not alright!
AT: It wasnt ur fault
AT: Nobody thought it would happen that fast
AT: To be fair all of us were dicking around
TG: it doesnt make me feel any better...
TG: but thanks anyway...
AT: No problem
TG: why are u even talking to me?
TG: like did tsukishima blackmail u or something?
AT: Well he did tell me to talk to u
AT: But talking to u
AT: Isnt as much of a chore as i make it out to be
TG: thats the nicest thing uv ever said to me!
AT: Shut up
AT: Anyway tsukishima wants to talk to u
AT: Said he has some information so go look at the chat already!
TG: ok i will,
TG: thanks for trying to cheer me up.
Hinata sighs. Kageyama... isn't really the best at emotions. Still, it's sweet that he tried. He then unblocks the chat and prepares himself for an emotional breakdown.
-- tinyGiant [TG] entered "Volleybros and gals" --
TT: Hinata. Thank god you're here.
TT: Take the code I sent earlier and go make the beta already.
TG: but yachis dead! :'(
TT: And Yamaguchi will be too if you don't get your shit together soon!
AT: ...
TT: Just please. Hurry up.
Right! God, how could be have forgotten Yamaguchi was still in danger? Immediately he jumps up and rushes to make the beta... but in his haste stubs his toe on the bottom step and faceplants. Lousy goddamn stupid stairs... He takes them two at a time and punches the code in one of his blank cards. Then he runs back to his room to carve the totem in one of the cruxite dowels he so conveniently left there. From there he dashes to the balcony and places the totem on the pad, ignoring the searing bright light that seems to be emanating from all directions. The machine creates the disc with a quiet whirring noise. Finally, he returns to his room and slips the disc in. The loading screen is killing him, but he manages to sit there despite his jitters.
When it finally finishes, he sighs in relief. The interface screen is a bit complicated, but he quickly figures out how to deploy things and drops three machines in quick succession, right next to where Yamaguchi's slouched against the wall. Immediately Yamaguchi springs into action, and a sense of relief washes over him. He did it.
TT: Did it work?
TG: yeah im connected.
TG: its all up to yamaguchi now.
TT: He can do it.
AT: Sounds like ur trying to convince urself now
TT: Shut up. I know he can do it.
TG: he will succeed! i know it!
AT: Wait everyone stop talking for one moment
-- adamantTosser [AT] is an idle chum! --
TG: what is it kageyama
AT: Hinata be on guard
AT: I think theres something in my house
TG: oh no! like what?
AT: Not sure but it left dark puddles in the hallway
AT: Stay alert
TT: Looks like I have whatever it is too. The substance is similar in appearance to oil, correct?
AT: Yeah
AT: Also what happened to ur dragon sprite? i still havent found my mouse sprite yet
TG: oh yeah i forgot! ill go look for it.
He pokes his head out the door, checking for anything unusual. However, the floor seems fairly clean, possibly even cleaner than it was when he first passed by. Looks like he doesn't have to worry about that oily stuff just yet.
The sloshing sound of water is coming from the kitchen. He carefully tiptoes downstairs to get closer to the source. Maybe his Dad and Kageyama's Father have survived? Shortly after, he hears a low growling. Is the dragon sprite attacking them?! He rushes around the corner, heedless of danger. "Don't worry Dad I'm com-"
Oh boy. This is so much worse.
The dragon sprite is there, fending off a couple of little dark monsters. That by itself is bad enough... however the sprite is also sporting a familiar spiky blonde hairstyle and apron that leaves no doubt as to who he is.
TG: dad?!
The sprite (because he is clearly still a sprite, what with the single dragon wing and long curling orange tail) turns to him, wielding a soaking wet mop. He swats two monsters out of the way and pats him on the head with a clawed hand.
DADSPRITE: You've gotten taller.
TG: wait how is this even possible? and wheres kageyamas father?
DADSPRITE: Who? Look kid, the last time I saw you you were like way smaller.
TG: what are u talking about? we just fought like an hour ago!
DADSPRITE: All I know is that I'm now a sprite, and I'm supposed to give you information in a vague riddle-like way. You're playing a game right now?
TG: i guess u could call it that.
TG: so ur not my actual dad?
DADSPRITE: I saw another one of me a while ago with some other guy.
TG: kageyamas father!
DADSPRITE: Right... I still don't know who that is, though.
TG: what happened to them?
DADSPRITE: They were taken by an archagent of Derse.
TG: oh no!
TG: do u mean those monsters that were attacking u?
DADSPRITE: No, those are imps... look, it's complicated. I dunno how I'm supposed to do this riddle nonsense...
TG: add some "hoo hoo"s in?
DADSPRITE: Hoo hoo! We will need to build up to your first gate!
DADSPRITE: This is stupid.
TG: at least u tried.
Dadsprite nods approvingly at him in a fatherly manner and goes back to mopping the floor of the oily substance the imps had apparently left behind. No wonder the halls were so clean. He gives a small wave and decides to update Kageyama. On the way back to his room he notices another painting missing from the wall, one that had featured his Dad from a few years ago. Maybe the sprite was accidently prototyped with that...
TG: kageyama i found the sprite!
TG: i also found my dad. or at least, sort of.
AT: What do u mean sort of
TG: well... they're kind of the same being now? at least hes talking to me now though!
AT: Are u serious
TG: anyway point is he was fighting some imps,
TG: so we have grist!
AT: Okay
AT: Are u going to make stuff?
TG: i guess! i dont really know what to make though...
TT: After examining the mechanism, it seems you can combine cards to produce new items, if that interests you.
TT: There are two ways, || and &&. I'm not quite sure what difference it makes in the resulting item, however.
AT: If u can then make a better weapon
AT: Seeing u fight with a volleyball is funny but kind of dumb
TG: well too bad ull have to live with it.
He goes back to his room, grabbing a couple of cruxite dowels along the way. When he gets back he unloads everything in his sylladex (thankfully there's just a button on it so he doesn't have to perform a serve at every card). He looks around his room to find some things to combine for the perfect test run.
volleyball && marble
Volleyball: This generic volleyball is one of many scattered around Hinata's room.
Marble: Made of glass, Hinata got this from a capsule machine a long time ago.
Hinata made the Tiny Glass Volleyball! It is probably useless, but it is kind of cute! Maybe he can give it to Kageyama for his birthday or something...
haikyuu!! poster || volleyball
Haikyuu!! poster: A poster featuring four good friends who play volleyball to save the world.
Hinata made the Four Corners Volleyball! It looks much cooler with its new colors scheme of blue/yellow/red/black. And it looks like decent weapon as well!
tiny giant poster || sports jacket
Tiny Giant Poster: A poster of Hinata's idol in all his jumping glory.
Sports Jacket: Hinata's sports jacket from school. It's pretty worn out.
Hinata made the Tiny Giant Jacket! Hell yes, this is the best thing ever created! He slips it on and runs over to admire himself in the mirror. One step closer to being a pro volleyball player!
Well, that's enough of that. Not only is he out of grist, but he's also out of creativity. He captchalogues his new loot, allocating the two new volleyballs to his strife specibus. His phone pings with new messages in quick succession.
TC: um Hinata? I think I'm missing something... ~
TG: like what?
TT: Did you remember the pre-punched card?
TG: oh sorry! it slipped my mind. ill get it to you.
His phone pings with a different sound. Someone else has contacted him.
TG: one moment someone else is texting me...
TT: Hinata we don't have time for this.
TG: i know, i think its one of those trolls though, ill tell them to leave me alone and then drop the card.
TT: Fine.
-- connivingCat [CC] began trolling tinyGiant [TG] at ??:?? --
CC: (W.^) sup.
TG: ugh its one of u again! leave me alone pls!
CC: (W.^) sorry in advance bro but this was your idea.
TG: what do u mean? what was my idea?
And then the phone explodes, taking half the house with it.