As the final echoes of the battle faded away, we stood amidst the aftermath, panting heavily, our bodies covered in sweat and dirt.
Well, that was the case for me and Aria. Larry and Drake seemed perfectly fine.
The sense of accomplishment and relief washed over us, yet we knew our journey through the labyrinth was far from over.
We still had to receive our reward.
It was in this moment of respite that something caught our attention—a brilliant light radiating from the center of the room.
We turned our gaze towards the source, our eyes widening with curiosity and anticipation.
The light shimmered and danced, growing brighter by the second. It seemed to coalesce, taking shape before our very eyes.
And there, floating in the air, was a card—an otherworldly card that seemed to exude a mystic aura.
The card hovered, seemingly beckoning to us, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
My fingers twitched with anticipation as I cautiously stepped forward, reaching out to grasp the card.
Aria, ever vigilant, mirrored my caution as she extended her hand towards the floating artifact.
The moment her fingers made contact, a jolt of energy coursed through her, causing her to gasp in surprise.
I watched as Aria's eyes widened, a mix of awe and realization dawning upon her features.
Once her stunned state dissolved, she presented the prize for all of us to see.
The card she held was none other than [The Devil] Arcana—which had the power of Miasma in my original world.
'Does Miasma even exist in this world? Or maybe the abilities of the Arcanas are different in this world...'
Either way, I wasn't sure of the consequences of using the item, so I didn't want to jump to conclusions.
Still, a smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I muttered to myself, "This is a start."
The discovery of this Arcana confirmed the existence of the others. That brought relief to my heart.
It meant that we were on the right path, at the very least.
Turning to my teammates, I couldn't contain my pride and admiration for their unwavering courage and skill.
"Well done, everyone," I exclaimed, my voice filled with genuine appreciation. "We've collected our first Arcana. This is just the beginning."
With a sense of camaraderie, I extended the card to each of my companions in turn, allowing them to behold its ethereal beauty for themselves.
Aria and Drake marveled at the card's crimson colored radiance, a mix of wonder and determination evident in their eyes.
Seeing the result of the hard work they put into the venture made it all worth it.
The one who was most excited of all of us, however, was Larry.
With eyes shining with childlike awe, he gazed at the Arcana in his hands, his expression a mix of joy and disbelief.
He had spent his life studying and delving into the mysteries of Magic, and to hold such a rare artifact that represented the very peak was a dream come true for him.
"I-it's beautiful..." I think I saw tears in his eyes.
I nodded, positivity swirling through me.
'I've missed being in a team.'
Ford. Dom. Gawain. Jane. Raphael
I truly, genuinely missed them.
'Emilia too. And then, there's you... Lilith.'
Ever since that time, I hadn't seen or heard of her again.
'She's not dead, is she?'
My thoughts seemed like a bad joke upon more analysis. Did I really have the luxury to worry about an undying entity like her?
'Even though we traveled together for years...'
I removed my thoughts from the past, internally chastising myself with a smile.
'And I criticize Larry for not letting go of the past. It seems I'm also guilty of that in part. But still...'
I was at least allowed some measure of nostalgia, wasn't I?
At the very least, for my friends.
"Well, we should be leaving this place now." I said to the members of the team.
They nodded on agreement, their faces forming resolute expressions.
The journey had only just begun, but we were ready—ready to face the trials, to overcome the obstacles, and to emerge victorious, one Arcana at a time.
********
"Huh?"
Reluctantly, I held the precious [The Devil] Arcana in my hands, a sense of responsibility weighing heavily upon me.
My teammates insisted that I keep it safe within my satchel, their unwavering trust in me warming my heart.
Despite my protests, their confidence in my abilities and judgment bolstered my resolve.
'They're really going to trust someone they've just met that easily?'
Still, what could I say at this point? If they trusted me, I only had to live up to their expectations.
As I carefully secured the Arcana in its protective casing within my satchel, a mix of emotions swirled within me.
A warm tingle washed over me, and I was grateful for the unwavering trust my companions had placed in me.
Aria, Drake, and the esteemed Great Sage Larry—they were more than just teammates.
'I feel ashamed of myself for even thinking terrible of you at this point.'
After deciding on who would hold the Arcana, we ventured out of the central room of the Labyrinth and thanks to Drake and Larry, we found our way to the exit.
I truly didn't know how I would have found it so easily without them.
********
Leaving the Khaos Labyrinth behind, we stepped out into the outside world, and what met our eyes was what even I didn't expect.
It was a land shrouded in darkness.
"T-this is..." I could only whisper as I looked around me.
The barren landscape stretched endlessly, devoid of life and light. It felt as if a heavy fog of desolation clung to every inch of the surroundings, casting an eerie pallor over everything.
Compared to the vibrant realm I called home, this world seemed dull, lifeless, and filled with despair.
'Dark skies, thick clouds, dull colors, heavy air, barren surroundings...'
My allies didn't seem to be the slightest bit affected by what I was seeing.
Could it be that this was their version of 'normal'.
'I... can't even imagine.'
The contrast between the two realms hit me with an intensity I hadn't anticipated. My thoughts raced, trying to comprehend the suffering and stagnation that enveloped this desolate land.
And in that moment, the importance of our quest resonated within me.
'I can see why this world needs the Arcanas more than anything.'
If everything in this world was like this, then it needed saving.
And so, with a determined smile and a heart brimming with resolve, we embarked on our , ready to face the challenges that awaited us.
The world needed us, and we needed one another.
Thus, we couldn't falter. Not yet.
