The fight was too fast for a standard Magic User's eye to comprehend. The area in which they were fighting on shook with every clash. One after the other, the Siege and the Reaper fought, trading attack after attack.
Siege had made a wooden stick from trying to copy Laila, but it was nowhere as good. He chipped away at the Reaper's health with rhythmic movements. But even Siege in full concentration mode was finding it difficult to keep up with the Reaper's attacks.
"I can't do this forever..." he muttered as he flew back from a ferocious attack.
"You can't defeat me, Siege Damon!" the Reaper stated.
"You don't have to do this forever..."
Siege froze when he heard the words inside his head. "Laila?" he muttered. But he got no response. Siege heard a voice similar to Laila's inside his head. "I will help you!" came the same voice, this time louder and clearer.
*Bang*
The room exploded.
The wall adjacent to Siege had exploded releasing a mass amount of smoke. As soon as it cleared, a figure could be visible.
"Laila?!" Siege shouted with a mix of joy and confusion.
Laila didn't reply... Instead, she ran towards the Reaper, a strange weapon in her hand. "I bet you haven't seen this part of me before!" she screamed, what seemed to be holographic glasses appearing on her eyes.
She held a spear, but not a wooden one. It had a smooth white finish and a golden tip filled with a strange pale green substance. "I'm half technomancer!" he screamed as she held her spear with two hands, raising it above her head. She let out a deafening scream as she brought down the spear on the paralyzed creature.
"What, that's not fair-" the Reaper screamed as it's voice became lower and quieter until it was inaudible. A shroud of smoke dissipated into the air. Siege lay on the ground, coughing. He pulled himself up into a sitting position and watched as Laila strolled towards him.
She didn't meet his gaze.
"Hi, Siege"
Without thinking twice, Siege got up, a smile of relief on his face. He didn't know how to react at first, but he raised a hand for a handshake. Laila stared at his hands for a while, but after a few seconds of awkward silence, Laila came in and hugged him.
It was unexpected and awkward at first, but Siege found warmth and comfort within her arms. "Let's get out of here..." she whispered.
"Yeah"
[Congratulations candidates]
[You have completed the third and final trial completing the second Floor]
[You will shortly return to Reality and your success will be known through the history of the Nafan Training Camp]
"We're going back!" Siege screamed with delight, flailing his arms with joy.
"And I'll get my memory back!" Laila said, a single drop of tear rolling down her cheek. They waited in silence for the Simulation to return them to reality. They had said everything they wanted to say, did everything they wanted to do.
"Don't forget this adventure, Siege Damon!"
"You won't retain any of the moments we had..." Siege muttered slowly, not meeting her gaze. "I will not remember this trial either, but it's been interesting" he said awkwardly.
A blinding light engulfed them both from all directions. But Siege was prepared this time. He was peaceful and reflective as his body turned into a hologram that slowly started to fade. His vision became darker and daker by the second...
*******
"Welcome back, candidate: Siege Damon and Laila. You are a top 25%" came the positive, familiar voice of Violet. She had a sweet, seductive smile on her face as Siege's vision returned to normal.
Siege stayed silent, taking in the moment. "I did it?" he whispered, too happy to react.
"Yes, you did" replied Violet. "In fact, you are the second team to complete the trial!" she continued. "You must be very tired right now. You can return to your dorms" she finished.
"Wow, Siege, you were in there with me too! Cool!" Laila exclaimed. As predicted, she had no recollection of the events that had taken place. 'So that's what trials do to you!' Siege thought to himself, remembering the look on Laila's face when they battled the Reaper.
Siege held a sad expression on his face covered up by a forced smile. "Hi Laila!" he said, giving her a fist bump.
"Ho, we must have crushed that test!" she screamed in excitement.
"Yeah..."