:
(Whispers Under the Rubble)
Hours passed as they continued walking under the ruins of the ancient temple. Rima moved forward with calculated steps, scanning the place with her scrutinizing gaze. Her powerful "noting" memory never failed her; she questioned every inscription and every corner as if she were reading an open book of history.
Rima felt the device wrapped around her wrist—the sophisticated bracelet worn by the six princes, serving as their communication link. She pressed the call button and spoke in a calm, steady voice:
— "Akina, if you find anything suspicious, take it immediately; I want to analyze it later. This goes for all of you, guys—be on high alert."
(The Red Circle)
Meanwhile, Silver had reached the heart of the temple. He stood dazed before a massive circular base in the center of the room, inside of which was engraved an image of a deep red moon that evoked a sense of awe. Silver shouted through the communication device:
— "Guys! Come here immediately, I've found something!"
Everyone rushed toward Silver's location, guided by the coordinates displayed on their devices. Upon arrival, each entered through a different door, finding themselves surrounding Silver, who stood stunned in the middle. Their eyes were fixed on the strange inscriptions covering the floor.
Someone whispered:
— "The crystal must be hidden here, in the center of these engravings."
They began trying to decode the complex ciphers, but to no avail; the place was tightly and mysteriously sealed. In the middle of the carvings, within the circle, there was a small void in the shape of a crescent. William said with a sarcastic tone as he wiped sweat from his forehead:
— "And where are we supposed to find a crescent-shaped key in this deserted place?"
(The Key of Destiny)
Silence fell while Aiden looked at the engraving with deep concentration. He slowly reached into his pocket and pulled out a crescent-shaped necklace, contemplating it in silence before stepping toward the center. Aiden knelt, placing the crescent he held into its designated spot with precision.
At that moment, a brilliant light erupted from the floor carvings, and the hall shook as a circular object rose from the ground. Inside was a glass case, and within the case sat a magical green crystal.
Cries of joy broke out, and Emma said excitedly:
— "Finally! We found it!"
Taiju took the crystal in his hand carefully, and as soon as it was lifted, the engravings returned to their place. Aiden stepped forward, retrieved his necklace, and put it back in his pocket.
(The Ill-Fated Encounter)
Akina said in a firm, hurried tone:
— "We must get out of here quickly; we need to leave before Sawad and her sister arrive."
As they hurried toward the exit, Emma approached Aiden and asked curiously:
— "Aiden, where did you find that key?"
Before Aiden could open his mouth to answer, Akina suddenly stopped, her face turning pale as she whispered:
— "We are too late..."
When everyone reached Akina's side, they were shocked. Sawad was lying there calmly with Worwor beside her. On Sawad's hand sat a mysterious black butterfly. Sawad looked at them coldly and said in a confident tone:
— "So, you've come... you are quite late. We have been waiting for you."
She then sat up in a posture dripping with confidence and added:
— "You have something that belongs to me... and I want it now."
:
((Vision of Doom and the Crystal))
Akina's voice burst forth sharply as she responded with firm resolve: "We have nothing that belongs to you!"
But Rima swiftly interrupted her, fear etched onto her features, and said in a trembling voice: "Akina... we will not fight! Taiju... give the crystal to Sawad, we have failed."
In that moment, everyone turned toward Rima in astonishment, and Silver exploded in anger: "Have you gone mad?! We searched for so long until we found it, and now you want to hand it over to her so easily? Are you with us or with them?"
The argument among the team escalated, words grew sharp, and breaths became tense, until Aiden stepped forward with steady strides and cut through the dispute, declaring sternly: "We will fight!"
In that instant, a mysterious smile played on Sawad's lips, as if she had been precisely awaiting those words from Aiden. No sooner had Aiden begun to launch his first attack toward her than a spear pierced the air, suddenly falling and embedding itself in the ground directly before his feet, having come from behind the dense trees.
Aiden froze in his tracks, and everyone's gaze turned in amazement toward the spot from which the spear had originated. From among the shadows, a figure emerged, walking slowly and calmly toward Aiden, then stopped directly in front of him. The stranger, who wore a mask concealing his features, bent down, pulled the spear from the ground with chilling composure, then spoke directly in a deep voice: "Do you want them to die?"
Aiden replied in bewilderment: "What?"
Without another word, the masked man extended his hand and gripped Aiden's wrist. In that moment, something unbelievable transpired; they felt as though they were traveling through time while remaining in their very spot. Due to the stranger's formidable power, terrifying images flooded Aiden's mind; he saw himself in his imagination amidst a pool of blood, looking around to find all his companions slain and lifeless. He himself was drawing his last breaths, his body covered in blood, all while gazing at Sawad, who appeared in his eyes as a demon in human form, slaughtering them. Then she approached him, looked into his eyes coldly, and said to him: "Die, Aiden."
At that instant, Aiden abruptly returned to reality, his body trembling violently and sweat pouring from him, unable to utter a single word. The masked man turned to him and said in a cautionary tone: "This is what will happen if you fight now."
Aiden nervously pulled his hand from the man's grip, and moved toward Taiju with shaky steps, snatching the crystal from his hand, still reeling from the shock of what he had witnessed. He walked slowly toward Sawad and stood before her, his eyes fixed on the ground from the horror of the vision, and said in a broken voice: "We will not fight... take this crystal."
Sawad looked at him with a smirk and said: "How ironic... I thought I would enjoy myself a little."
She reached out her hand to take the crystal, and by mistake, her fingers brushed against the top of Aiden's hands, which created a strange and indistinct sensation that flowed between them in that moment. She swiftly pulled the crystal from his hand, then turned to retreat, saying in a tone of triumph: "Well done... you haven't made me exhaust myself searching for it. Come on, Roro, let's go and bring the rest."
(To be continued)