Gio woke up with anticipation as he heard the familiar voice of Kira echoing through the corridor outside his sleeping quarters. Without a moment's hesitation, he rushed to confirm his suspicions. And there she was, Kira, engaged in a video conference with a stranger.
"Kira! It's really you!" Gio exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement.
Kira smiled warmly, her eyes lighting up as she saw Gio. "Gio, I can't believe it's you! I've been trying to reach you."
As the video call ended, Gio bombarded Kira with a flurry of questions. "How did the maze trial go? Where are Karl and Samuel? And who went next in the maze after me?"
Kira's expression turned solemn as she began to answer his questions. "Karl... he didn't make it through the maze. He disappeared after he couldn't complete it on time," she said, her voice filled with concern.
Gio's heart sank at the news. "No, Karl... We have to find him," he said, his voice trembling with worry.
Kira continued, her tone lowering. "And Samuel... he intentionally lost in the maze. I don't know why, but he willingly risked being transported somewhere unknown," she explained, her voice tinged with confusion.
Gio's eyebrows furrowed, a mix of suspicion and curiosity filling his mind. "Why would Samuel do that? It doesn't make sense," he pondered aloud.
Eager to share his own experiences, Gio recounted the details of his encounter with Diana, Talib, and the city of Demencia. "Diana, the leader of the city, seemed different when I mentioned X-5. Something is off," he said, his voice filled with uncertainty.
Kira listened intently, her eyes focused on Gio. "Gio, we need to be careful. Diana might be hiding something, and the city's battles with the goblins could be more dangerous than we realize," she cautioned.
Gio's mind spun with conflicting thoughts. He understood Kira's concerns, but a burning desire to find Karl and uncover the truth consumed him. "I can't just stand by. I need to find Karl and understand what's going on," he declared, his voice determined.
Kira looked at him, her gaze filled with understanding. "I know you want to help, Gio, but we must tread carefully. We don't know what we're up against," she said, her voice filled with caution.
Gio looked at Kira, his eyes filled with concern. "Kira, I have this Talib guy watching over me in the city, and he wants me to train for the goblin raid today. What should I do about it?"
Kira's expression shifted, a mixture of shock and worry crossing her face. "Talib? You have to be careful, Gio. We can't trust everyone in this city," she warned, her voice laced with caution. "For now, let's go along with the training as if everything is normal. But we'll make our move when the time is right."
Gio nodded, absorbing Kira's words. He sensed the gravity of the situation and the need for caution. "Alright, Kira. I'll trust your judgment. We'll wait for the right moment."
Curiosity burned within Gio, and he couldn't help but ask another question. "Kira, why are you in this game? How long have you been playing?" he inquired, his voice filled with genuine curiosity.
Kira sighed, a hint of weariness in her eyes. "I've been trapped in this game for six years, Gio," she confessed, her voice tinged with sadness. "I've been searching for a way to get back home ever since."
Gio's eyes widened in astonishment. The weight of Kira's revelation settled upon him, and he realized the depth of her struggle. "Six years... that's a long time," he murmured, his voice filled with empathy. "We'll find a way, Kira. We'll get out of here together."
Gio's curiosity persisted, and he couldn't help but inquire further. "Kira, if you've been in this game for so long, why haven't you won yet? Why aren't you one of the strongest players?"
Kira's gaze dropped, her voice tinged with a hint of regret. "I spent most of those six years searching for a way out, Gio. I focused on finding an escape or fulfilling a support role for others. I never truly took it upon myself to actively seek a way back home," she explained, her tone filled with a mix of sadness and self-reflection. "There were times when I lost hope, thinking I might never make it back."
Gio's heart ached for Kira, understanding the weight of her struggles and the toll it had taken on her spirit. "Kira, I can't imagine how difficult it must have been for you all these years. But we're in this together now, and I promise you, we won't lose hope," he reassured her, his voice filled with determination. "We'll find a way back home, and we'll do it together."
A glimmer of hope returned to Kira's eyes as she met Gio's gaze. "Thank you, Gio. Your faith in us means more than you know. Let's keep pushing forward, no matter the challenges we face," she said, a renewed determination in her voice.
Gio's voice trailed off as he was interrupted by the arrival of a visibly nervous Talib. Talib entered the living quarters, his words rushed and slightly shaky. "Ah, Kira! It's good to see you," he greeted her before turning his attention to Gio. "We must report to the kingdom's food hall in two hours for breakfast and a meeting regarding the upcoming goblin invasion trainings."
Gio's hesitation grew, and he couldn't help but voice his concerns. "But Talib, what is our purpose in helping this city fight against the goblins? We have our own problems and objectives to pursue," he argued, a hint of frustration in his voice. Kira glanced at Gio, a knowing smirk on her face, anticipating his next move.
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Before Talib could respond, Gio pressed on, determined to make his point heard. He questioned the significance of their involvement in a battle that seemed detached from their personal quests. But Talib, his expression stern, finally interjected with a firm voice.
"You won't achieve anything in your old world if you can't accomplish anything here," Talib stated resolutely. He leaned closer, emphasizing his point. "Earth may be a promise, a myth, but it's an unreachable dream from this universe. If you wish to find your way back, I expect to see both of you actively participating in the defense of this city. The consequences of neglecting that duty may be severe."
Gio's defiance flickered for a moment as he absorbed Talib's words. The weight of his goals and the reality of the situation clashed within him. He glanced at Kira, their eyes locking briefly, before he finally nodded, a mix of determination and resignation in his expression.
"Fine," Gio conceded, his voice resolute. "We'll do our part. We'll fight alongside this city and face the goblin invasion head-on. But remember, Talib, we won't forget our own objectives. We'll find a way back to our world, no matter the challenges we encounter."
Talib, sensing the urgency of his next task, nodded and swiftly excused himself from the conversation. "I must gather the others," he declared, his voice tinged with a sense of responsibility. "There are preparations to be made, and we have much to discuss. I'll see you both later."
With a determined stride, Talib left the living quarters, leaving Gio and Kira to reflect on their forthcoming endeavors. The weight of their intertwined destinies lingered in the air, a reminder of the challenges they would face together.
***
As they strolled through the bustling streets of Demencia City, Kira listened intently to Gio's account of his encounter with Samuel. Her brow furrowed with concern as she processed the information. The pieces of the puzzle started to align, painting a troubling picture.
Gio's words lingered in the air, and Kira paused for a moment before responding. "Samuel... I've never seen or heard of him before," she admitted, her voice filled with a mixture of curiosity and unease. "But the fact that he had access to X-5 and used it to bring you and Karl here raises many questions."
She continued, her tone becoming more serious. "If Samuel possesses X-5, it suggests he has knowledge and resources beyond what we initially thought. His intentions and motives become even more uncertain. Why would he bring you here and then act as if he wanted your help in finding X-5? It doesn't add up."
Gio nodded in agreement, his mind racing with thoughts and possibilities. The enigmatic nature of Samuel and the mysteries surrounding X-5 only deepened their intrigue. They knew that uncovering the truth behind Samuel's actions would be crucial not only for their own quest but also for the safety of Demencia City.
As they walked, their conversation continued, each sharing theories and speculations about Samuel's true intentions. With every step, they grew more determined to find answers and navigate the complex web of secrets that surrounded them.
As they approached the gathering outside the kingdom food hall, Gio's eyes widened in awe at the sight before him. Warriors wielding mighty axes stood alongside humanoid robots infused with both human and machine elements, emanating power and determination. The crowd numbered around 120 individuals, each prepared for the imminent threat of the goblin invasion.
In the distance, among the assembled warriors, Gio's gaze was drawn to a man wielding a large staff. There was a familiarity in the way Kira's smile lit up when their eyes met. Gio's curiosity piqued, wondering about the connection between Kira and this enigmatic figure.
As Kira approached the man, the air seemed to hold a hint of tension. The man's piercing gaze locked onto Kira, and his voice carried a mix of surprise and reproach. "Kira, what brings you back to the City?" he questioned, his tone laced with a tinge of disappointment. "Have you finally realized that venturing alone into the outer realms won't lead you to success? Or did you come seeking assistance?"
Gio's eyes darted between Kira and the man named Cash, sensing an unspoken history between them. Kira, momentarily rattled, composed herself and turned to introduce Cash to Gio. "Gio, this is Cash. He was my mentor and trained me in the outer realms as a support mage," she explained, her voice carrying a touch of reverence. "But I decided to pursue my own path and train independently."
Cash's expression softened slightly as he glanced at Gio, but his stern demeanor remained. "She's a talented mage, no doubt," he interjected, his voice tinged with a mix of pride and frustration. "But she's also stubborn, hard-headed, and has a tendency not to listen."
Kira couldn't hide her curiosity any longer and changed the subject, asking Cash why he was in the city instead of the outer realms. Her tone carried a hint of condescension as she probed him.
"Shouldn't you be out there, playing with your staff?" Kira remarked, trying to undermine Cash's presence.
Cash responded with a smirk, clearly amused by Kira's attempt to belittle him. "Ah, my dear Kira, the city has called upon my expertise. They need someone who knows a thing or two about defending against the goblin threat. So, for now, my staff will have to wait for its grand performance in the outer realms."
Gio observed their exchange, intrigued by Cash's casual confidence and Kira's evident discomfort. He wondered what kind of training lay ahead and what secrets these two shared from their time in the outer realms.
Interrupting their banter, Gio asked, "So, what can we expect from this training? What kind of challenges are we going to face in order to prepare for the goblin clash?"
Cash's eyes sparkled with mischief as he replied, "Ah, my young friend, you shall soon find out. The training is about to begin, and it will test your limits, push you to your edge. But fear not, for in the face of challenges, you will discover your true potential."
Gio seized the opportunity to introduce himself, eager to make his presence known among these experienced individuals. "I'm Gio," he stated confidently, extending his hand towards Cash.
Cash eyed Gio curiously before asking, "And how long have you been in the game, young Gio?"
Gio's response was met with a burst of laughter from Cash. "Less than a day, you say? Well, it seems like we might need a bit of babysitting then," Cash remarked, his tone laced with both amusement and subtle mockery.
Gio's eagerness quickly turned to offense at Cash's remark. He straightened his posture, determined to prove himself worthy and shed any notion of being an inexperienced "earthling." But before he could respond, Cash changed the subject, directing their attention elsewhere.
"Come this way, my dear friends. The meeting is about to commence, and we have little time for earthling chatter," Cash declared, his words a playful jab at Gio. Without waiting for a response, he began walking briskly towards the gathering, expecting Kira and Gio to follow.
As Gio fell into step beside Kira, he couldn't help but feel a mix of determination and annoyance. He was determined to prove himself to Cash and show that he was more than just a novice in this game. At the same time, he was annoyed by Cash's dismissive attitude towards his background.