The walk back to the temple felt different this time. Kira and Darumu moved in sync, their steps falling into a rhythm as if they’d been working together for years. Yet, the unspoken tension between them hung in the air like a charged storm.

“You’re quiet today,” Darumu said, glancing at him.

“Just thinking,” Kira replied, gripping the hilt of his sword. “That voice from the orb… It’s been bothering me.”

Darumu raised an eyebrow. “Let me guess. Big, scary, and full of cryptic warnings?”

“Pretty much,” Kira admitted.

She laughed, her voice breaking the eerie silence of the forest. “Relax, newbie. We’ve already faced worse. Besides,” she added, stepping closer, “you’ve got me. What’s there to worry about?”

Her tone was light, but her gaze lingered on him just a little too long. Kira’s heart skipped a beat.

By the time they reached the temple’s outskirts, night had fallen. Deciding it was too dangerous to enter in the dark, they set up camp nearby.

The fire crackled softly as they sat side by side, the flickering light dancing across Darumu’s face. She leaned back, stretching, her toned body catching Kira’s attention despite his best efforts to stay focused.

“You keep staring at me like that, and I might start charging you,” she teased, a sly grin playing on her lips.

Kira choked on his drink. “I-I wasn’t staring!”

“Sure you weren’t,” she said, leaning closer. Her voice dropped, becoming softer. “But I don’t mind. You’re cute when you’re nervous.”

Her sudden closeness made Kira’s breath hitch. The playful teasing in her eyes was replaced by something deeper, more genuine.

“I, uh…” Kira stammered, his words failing him.

Darumu laughed, breaking the tension. “Relax, newbie. You’re too easy to mess with.”

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Kira managed a weak chuckle, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that her words held a hint of truth.

The next morning, they entered the temple, its dark corridors feeling even more oppressive than before. The orb pulsed faintly in Kira’s pocket, guiding them deeper into the ruins.

“Stay close,” Darumu said, her tone unusually serious.

“I was about to say the same to you,” Kira replied, earning a smirk from her.

As they approached a large chamber, the air grew colder. The walls were lined with ancient carvings, depicting scenes of corruption and despair. At the center of the room stood a massive door, covered in glowing runes.

“This must be it,” Kira said, stepping forward.

Before he could examine the door, the ground trembled, and the shadows around them coalesced into humanoid forms.

“Ambush!” Darumu shouted, leaping into action.

The shadow creatures were fast and relentless, their claws swiping at anything in their path. Kira and Darumu fought back-to-back, their movements instinctively complementing each other.

“Arcane Strike!” Kira shouted, his blade glowing with magical energy as he cut through one of the creatures.

“Not bad, newbie!” Darumu called out, her fists glowing with golden chi as she punched a shadow into oblivion.

Despite the chaos, Kira couldn’t help but admire her. The way she moved—fluid, confident, and utterly fearless—was mesmerizing.

“Focus, Kira!” the System’s voice snapped him back to reality.

“Right!” he muttered, redirecting his attention to the battle.

After the last shadow creature fell, they stood in the aftermath, panting and covered in sweat.

Darumu leaned against a nearby wall, catching her breath. “You’re getting better, newbie. I might even start relying on you.”

“Thanks,” Kira said, wiping his brow. “You weren’t too bad yourself.”

Darumu laughed, stepping closer to him. “Not too bad? That’s all you’ve got for me?”

Before he could respond, she placed a hand on his chest, her eyes locking onto his. “You know, Kira… you’re not half as useless as I thought when we first met.”

He swallowed hard, his heart racing. “Uh… thanks?”

She smirked, leaning in just enough to make him squirm. “Don’t let it go to your head,” she said, her voice dropping to a teasing whisper. “You’ve still got a long way to go.”

For a moment, time seemed to freeze. Then, with a playful wink, Darumu stepped back, leaving Kira both flustered and oddly exhilarated.

Shaking off the moment, they turned their attention back to the door. The runes glowed brighter as Kira approached, the orb in his pocket reacting to their light.

“Looks like this is your show,” Darumu said, crossing her arms.

Kira nodded, pulling out the orb. As he held it up to the door, the runes began to shift, rearranging themselves into a new pattern.

Suddenly, a deep voice echoed through the chamber. “Prove your worth, chosen one.”

The room trembled, and a figure emerged from the shadows—a massive, armored knight wielding a blade that radiated dark energy.

“Another fight?” Darumu groaned, cracking her knuckles. “Alright, let’s do this.”

Kira gripped his sword, determination burning in his eyes. “Let’s take him down. Together.”