The moon hung low over the ruins, casting a pale glow on the broken stones and twisted vines. The air was still, the echoes of Stage 4 battles fading like a distant heartbeat. Mira sat on a fallen column, sharpening her daggers in silence, while Tessa danced around, flames flickering in tiny spirals over her fingers.
"I can't believe we survived that… barely," Mira muttered, eyes narrowing as if expecting something else to appear.
Tessa spun on her heels, grinning. "Barely? I call that totally awesome! I even got to roast three goblins in one shot!"
I groaned, rubbing my temples. "Somehow, I'm alive… thanks to both of you being insane."
[System Notification: Limit Breaker Pulse Detected — Past-Life Echo Intensifying.]
I froze for a moment, the familiar tingle running up my spine. Shadows flickered at the edge of my vision, forming half-seen images—faces, weapons, battles from another life. Memories I couldn't fully place.
"Kai… you okay?" Mira asked, noticing my sudden pause.
I exhaled slowly. "Yeah… I think. Just… feeling something weird. Like I've been here before… or done this before."
Tessa tilted her head, confused. "Been here before? You mean in a dream?"
"No," I muttered, voice low. "Something more… real. I think it's part of my… past life."
I knelt, placing a hand on the ground. The energy of the ruins pulsed faintly, like it recognized me. The Limit Breaker thrummed in response, a soft golden glow emanating from my body.
[System Notification: Past-Life Memory Fragment Detected — Partial Clarity Achieved.]
Tessa gasped. "That's… actually cool, Kai! You're glowing!"
Mira rolled her eyes. "Focus on not dying next time, and maybe we'll call it cool."
I chuckled, though unease lingered. Whatever these fragments meant, they felt tied to Selin, Lyra, and the mysterious enemies we'd faced. And it was becoming clear: my past life wasn't just a story—it was a key to surviving what was coming next.
We set up a small camp just outside the ruins. Tessa attempted to "cook" some supplies with her magic, creating floating pancakes that spun like frisbees and occasionally burst into harmless flames.
Mira pinched the bridge of her nose. "Tessa… why do you even get to live?"
Tessa grinned innocently. "Because I'm fun!"
Even in these lighthearted moments, my attention couldn't fully relax. The ruins seemed alive, faint whispers of magic brushing at my consciousness. Shadows flickered in patterns, subtle but deliberate. Selin.
[System Notification: Rival Selin — Observation Ongoing. Future Engagement Likely.]
A rustling sound came from the edge of the camp. I tensed, but it was only a small creature—probably displaced from the castle ruins. Still, it reminded me that even here, danger could be near.
I sat down, letting my Limit Breaker pulse slowly. Memories surged again, fragments of battles, strategies, and faces from a life I didn't fully remember. Lyra's cryptic smile, Selin's interference, the forest, the village, the castle… everything began to feel connected.
[Limit Breaker Growth Recorded — Potential New Ability Triggered.]
I exhaled, leaning back. "Volume 2 isn't over… and I can feel that what's coming next is going to be even worse. But I've survived this far because I remember… a little."
Mira looked at me skeptically. "Remember what? You sound dramatic again."
Tessa spun a tiny flame over her fingertip. "Ooh! Mysterious! Tell me more!"
I shook my head, smiling faintly. "Not yet. But soon… everything will make sense."
Above us, the moonlight reflected faintly off the ruins, shadows stretching as though reaching for the memories buried within me. Volume 2 was ending, but the echoes of the past—and the enemies and allies yet to return—promised that Volume 3 would be even more dangerous, more challenging… and more revealing.
[System Notification: Stage 5 / Dungeon of Ious — Incoming Threat Detected. Prepare Accordingly.]
I clenched my fists, determination settling in my chest. "This is just the beginning. Whatever's next… I'll be ready."
The night grew quiet as we settled around the small campfire. Tessa was still experimenting with her magic-cooking attempts—this time, floating toast hovered like little golden disks before plopping into the fire.
"See?" she said proudly. "Perfectly crispy!"
Mira groaned, catching a charred piece with her dagger. "You've got a gift… for disaster."
I laughed despite the lingering tension. "Somehow, I feel safer with Tessa's chaos than with what's actually hunting us."
Even in these lighthearted moments, the bond between us had grown. Mira's dry sarcasm hid the care she felt for the team. Tessa's reckless energy reminded me of why I fought—not just for survival, but for the people I cared about.
I leaned back, letting the Limit Breaker's faint glow pulse rhythmically. Memories tugged at me again—faces, places, and fights from a past life—but this time, I felt a strange sense of clarity. I wasn't alone.
[System Notification: Limit Breaker — Past-Life Echoes Increasing.]
I shared a faint smile with Mira and Tessa. "No matter what comes next… we'll handle it. Together."
Tessa twirled her flames into sparkly shapes above her head. "Yeah! Together! And maybe with a little chaos!"
Mira shook her head, muttering something about idiots and fire hazards, but I caught the hint of a smile on her face.
A sudden chill swept across the ruins. The wind shifted unnaturally, and shadows lengthened, stretching toward the campfire as if alive. My Limit Breaker pulsed sharply, warning me.
[System Notification: Incoming Threat — Stage 5 / Dungeon of Ious Detected.]
I rose, eyes scanning the horizon. A faint silhouette appeared in the distance—Selin, notebook in hand, watching us. Her smirk was unmistakable.
"She's… still observing," Mira muttered.
Tessa's grin faded slightly. "Not creepy at all."
I clenched my fists, determination hardening in my chest. "Stage 5… the Dungeon of Ious. Whatever's waiting there, we'll face it head-on. I'll uncover the rest of my memories… and I'll be ready for her."
The ruins whispered in the moonlight, carrying echoes of past battles and distant threats. Volume 2 had ended, but the story wasn't over. Stage 5 loomed ahead, more dangerous than anything we'd faced—and the shadows of my past promised secrets that could change everything.
I looked at Mira and Tessa, determination mirrored in their eyes. "This is only the beginning. Whatever comes next… we face it together."
The moonlight caught the faint glow of my Limit Breaker, pulsing steadily, ready to guide me through the challenges yet to come.