As we stood at the entrance of the Despero Labyrinth, a sense of anticipation mingled with trepidation filled the air.
Larry, the Great Sage, stepped forward, his eyes filled with a mix of caution and excitement.
"A-ahem, may I have your attention please?" He cleared his throat as he addressed all of us.
He began to explain the lore surrounding this perilous place, detailing its connection to fear and despair.
He warned us of the dangers that awaited within, but I found myself consumed by a sense of determination, pushing aside any concerns for my own safety.
I listened attentively as Larry painted a vivid picture of the labyrinth's perils.
The thought of facing the embodiment of fear and despair did give me pause, but at this point, I couldn't let the dangers deter me.
Time was of the essence, and we had to press on, regardless of the risks.
Larry's words lingered in my mind as I remembered how it had taken us nearly a week to reach this Labyrinth, the closest one to us.
The sheer magnitude of our journey hit me, and a tinge of frustration crept in.
How long would it take to gather all the Arcanas, given the vast distances we had to cross?
'If only we would find an Arcana that could make our travel easier in this Labyrinth...' My mind trailed.
It would be nice to have something that could address the immense distances we had to cover.
However, a bitter realization washed over me.
Even if we were to find such an Arcana, it would take considerable time for my companions to understand and harness its power.
'It takes time to use an Arcana, especially without help.'
Wishing for a solution in the form of an Arcana seemed futile. I had to accept the reality and bear the burden of our journey, no matter how arduous it may be.
As these thoughts swirled within me, guilt tugged at my heart. Karlia, the woman I loved, suffered immensely with every second we wasted.
The weight of her pain weighed heavily upon me, and it fueled my determination to conquer this labyrinth as swiftly as possible.
With a renewed resolve, I stepped forward fearlessly, my companions beside me. Aria, Drake, and Larry—all of them shared my fiery determination, their eyes burning with the same unyielding spirit.
We were a team, bound by a common goal, and their unwavering commitment comforted me in the face of the daunting challenges that lay ahead.
'The upside of the long time we spent getting here is that I got to know them more.'
... And they also got to know me a little more.
Together, we ventured into the depths of the Despero Labyrinth, its ominous corridors stretching out before us like a labyrinthine maze of fear and despair.
We moved forward, one step at a time, prepared to face whatever trials and horrors awaited us.
We could already hear echoes and cackling sounds from within the darkness, but I could see the stern resolute expressions of everyone.
We weren't letting up now.
As we delved deeper, the echoes of our footsteps mingled with the distant howls of unknown creatures.
The air grew thick with anticipation, but I embraced it. I would do anything it took to ensure the mission was accomplished, and so would they.
'Alright, everyone. Let's do this!'
*********
[A Few Moments Later]
"ARRRRGHHHHH!!!"
As we raced through the labyrinth's twisting corridors, fear gripping everyone's hearts, a chorus of screams and shouts filled the air.
Drake's voice pierced through the chaos, his exclamation a mix of surprise and frustration.
"This... This isn't what I signed up for!" he shouted, his words laced with disbelief.
Aria's terrified scream echoed alongside his words. "Ghosts! I'm scared of ghosts!" she cried out, her voice trembling with genuine fear.
Larry, too, couldn't hide his distress as he added his own panicked yell. "Me too!"
Amidst their cries, I remained silent, my mind focused on the task at hand.
I rummaged through my satchel, my fingers seeking out a particular item while my eyes darted around, analyzing our surroundings.
The apparitions and ghost-like creatures that pursued us seemed ethereal, otherworldly, but there was something off about them.
My gaze shifted to my goggles, their lenses reflecting the dim light of the labyrinth. I activated the device, hoping for any hint of energy emanating from the phantoms that pursued us.
Yet, to my surprise, my goggles detected no readings, no traces of supernatural energy.
A realization dawned upon me—they were not real apparitions.
The labyrinth had conjured these phantoms as illusions, designed to strike fear into our hearts.
The lack of markers on the map confirmed my suspicions—they were mere figments of the labyrinth's twisted machinations.
I decided not to voice my findings to my friends. They were already running in the right direction, guided by their instinct to escape the haunting illusions.
There was no need to burden them with unnecessary details.
Besides, there was a mischievous part of me that found amusement in witnessing their fear, even as we navigated this perilous labyrinth.
'Pffft. They're usually so composed.'
Through the labyrinth's twists and turns, we ran, the phantoms chasing at our heels. I maintained my silence, holding my secret close, relishing the thrill of our shared experience.
'It looks like I'm the only one having fun.'
********
[Moments Later]
We finally arrived at the center of the Labyrinth, and as soon as we did, the phantoms vanished.
Everyone commended me on not screaming while recoiling as they remembered their pathetic displays of fear.
I swore to myself at that moment never to let them know the truth of the Labyrinth.
'I can only imagine how embarrassed they would be then.'
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[A/N]
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