A DIVINE FOOL

Chapter 10: The Core Awakens

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The Heart of the Labyrinth

The door closed behind them with a resonating thud, sealing the group in the Core Chamber of the Mirage Labyrinth. The space was enormous, its walls made of shifting void crystal. At the center of the chamber floated a massive sphere of energy, glowing with a kaleidoscope of colors. Strange runes circled it, pulsing with a rhythm that seemed alive.

"This… is the heart of the labyrinth," Aria whispered, her voice filled with awe.

Buzzzy's sensors beeped wildly. "Warning: Core energy levels exceed safe thresholds. Extended exposure not recommended."

Yuki looked at the swirling sphere nervously. "Great. So how do we, uh, not die here?"

Before anyone could answer, the voice from earlier echoed through the chamber, deeper and more menacing than before.

"Unworthy intruders. You dare seek the Core's power? Prove your resolve, or be destroyed."

The energy sphere flashed, and shadows erupted from the walls, twisting and forming into massive creatures. Each one was different—some had multiple heads, others wielded weapons made of void energy.

"Here we go again," Kaida muttered, drawing her sword.

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The Fight for Survival

Kaida charged forward, her blade slicing through the nearest creature. It dissolved into mist, only to reform moments later. "They're regenerating!" she shouted.

Aria raised her hands, summoning a barrier of light to block an incoming attack. "We can't just fight them—we need to disrupt the Core's energy flow!"

Yuki backed away as a shadow creature lunged at him. He tripped over his own feet, narrowly avoiding the attack. "Disrupt the energy flow? How do we even do that?"

Buzzzy hovered in front of him, its sensors glowing. "Analysis: Core energy is stabilized by the surrounding runes. Disabling the runes may weaken the creatures."

Yuki blinked. "So we smash the runes?"

"Affirmative."

Kaida parried another attack and glanced at Yuki. "You heard the bot! Go!"

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The Runes' Guardians

Yuki sprinted toward the nearest glowing rune, the artifact in his hand pulsing in response. As he approached, a guardian materialized before him—a towering figure made of void energy, its eyes burning with malevolence.

"You shall not pass," the guardian intoned, raising a massive sword.

Yuki froze. "Okay, Gandalf, let's not—"

Before he could finish, the guardian swung its sword, the blade crashing into the ground where Yuki had been standing. He rolled to the side, clutching the artifact tightly.

"Buzzzy, a little help here!"

"Recommendation: Use the artifact's energy to destabilize the rune!"

Yuki looked down at the artifact, its glow growing brighter. "Uh, how do I do that?"

"Trust your instincts," Aria shouted from across the chamber, her voice strained as she fought off multiple creatures.

Yuki closed his eyes and focused on the artifact. It grew warm in his hand, and a surge of energy coursed through him.

When he opened his eyes, a beam of light shot from the artifact, striking the rune. The symbol shattered, and the guardian dissolved into mist.

"One down!" Yuki shouted, pumping his fist.

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A Team Effort

Meanwhile, Kaida and Aria worked together to hold off the shadow creatures. Kaida's blade flashed as she cut through their ranks, while Aria used her light magic to keep them at bay.

"We can't keep this up forever!" Kaida yelled.

Aria nodded. "We won't have to. Yuki's disabling the runes. We just need to buy him time."

Kaida grinned. "He'd better work fast."

As Yuki moved to the next rune, another guardian appeared, this one wielding twin axes.

"Why do they keep getting bigger?" Yuki groaned, dodging a swing that sent a shockwave through the chamber.

"Probability of success—35%," Buzzzy chirped.

"Great. Love those odds."

Yuki ducked and weaved, narrowly avoiding the guardian's attacks. He activated the artifact again, sending another beam of light toward the rune. It shattered, and the guardian disintegrated.

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The Final Rune

With two runes destroyed, the Core's energy began to flicker, and the shadow creatures weakened.

"There's one left!" Aria shouted, pointing to the far side of the chamber.

Yuki dashed toward the final rune, but the largest guardian yet blocked his path. This one stood twice as tall as the others, its body covered in spiked armor.

"Of course," Yuki muttered. "Why not a giant spiky one?"

The guardian roared, raising a massive hammer. Yuki braced himself, but before the blow could land, Kaida leapt in front of him, her sword clashing with the hammer.

"Go!" she yelled. "I'll hold it off!"

Yuki hesitated. "But—"

"Go!"

Spurred into action, Yuki sprinted past the guardian and reached the final rune. He activated the artifact, pouring all his energy into the beam of light. The rune cracked, then shattered, and the guardian let out a final roar before collapsing into mist.

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The Core Awakens

With all three runes destroyed, the Core pulsed violently, the chamber shaking as if the entire labyrinth was coming apart.

"Uh, is it supposed to do that?" Yuki asked, backing away.

Aria stepped forward, her expression calm. "It's releasing its energy. Stay close to me."

The Core unleashed a wave of light, washing over the group. Yuki felt a surge of power flow through him, the artifact glowing brighter than ever.

When the light faded, the chamber was silent. The shadow creatures were gone, and the Core floated peacefully in the center of the room.

"We did it," Kaida said, lowering her sword.

Yuki collapsed onto the ground, breathing heavily. "Remind me never to touch glowing runes again."

Aria knelt beside him, a small smile on her face. "You handled yourself well, Yuki. The artifact responded to you—it chose you."

"Yeah, well, next time it chooses me, I'm going to ask for a refund," Yuki muttered.

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The Path Forward

As they prepared to leave the chamber, a new door appeared, carved with intricate symbols.

"That's our way forward," Aria said, her tone resolute.

Kaida nodded. "Let's move. I don't want to stick around in case the labyrinth has more surprises."

Yuki groaned as he got to his feet, the artifact still glowing faintly. "Just once, I'd like a break, you know? A nice hot meal, maybe a nap?"

"Don't get too comfortable," Kaida said, smirking. "This is only the beginning."

As the group stepped through the door, they were met with a vast expanse of stars, the Void Realm stretching out endlessly before them.

Unbeknownst to them, a shadowy figure watched from the remnants of the labyrinth, its eyes glowing with malice.

"The artifact awakens," it whispered. "The trials have only begun."

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End of Chapter 10