Chereads / Masked Knight : Enigma / Chapter 8 - A Rift of Convictions!

Chapter 8 - A Rift of Convictions!

The morning sun peeked through the curtains, casting a gentle glow in the inn bedroom where Mia and Hayato stayed. Mia sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes fixed on Hayato with determination.

Mia: "Hayato, we can't ignore our destiny. Our powers have a purpose, and we have a duty to fulfill the prophecy. Together, we can save Rith'mar from the darkness that looms."

Hayato let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his disheveled hair.

Hayato: "I didn't ask for any of this, Mia! This whole prophecy thing feels like a burden forced upon me. I don't want to be a pawn in some cosmic game."

Mia's voice rose with emotion as she stood up, facing Hayato squarely.

Mia: "You think I asked for this either? But it's not about what we want, it's about what we must do! Our powers were bestowed upon us for a reason, and we can't just turn our backs on that responsibility."

Their voices grew louder as they argued, the tension between them palpable. Unable to reach a resolution, Hayato stormed out of the room, leaving Mia behind in a state of confusion.

As Hayato wandered the town, his mind swirled with conflicting thoughts. He questioned his place in this grand prophecy, wrestling with the idea of destiny and free will. Lost in his contemplation, he found himself aimlessly strolling through the bustling streets.

Meanwhile, Mia, feeling at a loss, decided to seek guidance from Merlin at the adventurer guild. She made her way to the guild building, hoping to find answers and solace in the wisdom of the enigmatic mage.

Upon entering the guild, Mia approached Lyra, the receptionist, with a hopeful look on her face.

Mia: "Excuse me, Lyra. Do you know where Merlin is? I need to speak with him."

Lyra shook her head sympathetically.

Lyra: "I'm sorry, Mia, but Merlin isn't from this town. He comes and goes as he pleases. I'm not sure when he'll be back."

Mia's frustration grew, but she remained determined to find some guidance.

Mia: "Alright, thank you, Lyra. Is Leonard, the guild master, available? I need to discuss something urgent."

Lyra hesitated for a moment before responding.

Lyra: "I'm afraid Leonard isn't here either. He's attending to matters outside the town at the moment."

Mia sighed, feeling a sense of disappointment and uncertainty creeping in.

Mia: "Thank you, Lyra."

With a polite nod of gratitude, Mia left the adventurer guild building, her mind racing with thoughts of what to do next. She made her way back to the inn, hoping that some time alone would bring clarity amidst the chaos of conflicting emotions.

Meanwhile, As Hayato continued to roam aimlessly through the town, his mind grappling with inner conflicts, he suddenly remembered the rumor of a hidden treasure within the very streets he wandered. With a mix of curiosity and a desire for distraction, he turned to his phone, where Luna resided.

Hayato: "Luna, what do you think? Should I try to search for that rumored treasure?"

Luna's ethereal voice echoed from the depths of the device, leaving the decision in Hayato's hands.

Luna: "The choice is yours, Hayato. If you feel compelled to explore the treasure, perhaps you can utilize the power of Enigma Vision to aid your search."

Hayato hesitated for a moment, contemplating Luna's suggestion. With a shrug, he decided to give it a try, hoping it would provide some form of diversion.

Hayato: "Alright, Enigma Vision it is. Show me what you've got."

As Hayato activated the Enigma Vision, his surroundings shifted slightly. A faint, ethereal trail of light appeared before him, leading down a narrow road.

Hayato: "Of course, the Enigma Vision works now, when I'm searching for a treasure. Just my luck."

Grumbling under his breath, Hayato followed the trail, his annoyance with the situation palpable. The trail led him to a dimly lit alley tucked away in a forgotten corner of the town.

Hayato's keen eyes caught a glimpse of a peculiar stone embedded in the wall, emitting a faint glow. Intrigued, he approached the stone and instinctively pushed it.

To his surprise, the ground beneath him began to shift and move, revealing a hidden passage leading underground. Without hesitation, Hayato stepped forward, embracing the allure of the unknown.

As Hayato ventured deeper into the mysterious underground path, he couldn't help but notice something peculiar. Despite being in complete darkness without a single source of light, the path before him was clear and immaculately clean, as if meticulously maintained every day.

Curiosity pushing him forward, Hayato continued his journey, following the path until he reached a sturdy door at the end. With a deep breath, he turned the doorknob and entered the room beyond.

Inside, he found himself surrounded by advanced and futuristic technology, a stark contrast to the world above. The room seemed abandoned, devoid of any signs of recent activity. Hayato called out, hoping for a response.

Hayato: "Hello? Is anyone here?"

No answer came, the silence only adding to the enigma of the place. Hayato began to explore the room, his eyes scanning the high-tech equipment and monitors that adorned the walls.

Amidst the intriguing devices, his attention was drawn to a small glass shelf, displaying a peculiar bracelet with a screen floating inside. Hayato couldn't resist the temptation and reached out to touch it.

Luna's ethereal voice resonated from Hayato's phone, providing the much-needed explanation.

Luna: "Hayato, that bracelet is known as the Enigmatic Breaker. It functions similarly to the EnigDriver, but it is missing its spirit counterpart."

Hayato furrowed his brows, trying to comprehend the significance of the device.

Hayato: "So, it's like the EnigDriver, but without a spirit inside? What does that mean?"

Luna nodded, her voice carrying a hint of assurance.

Luna: "Exactly. It means that, with the Enigmatic Breaker, you have the potential for transformation and enhanced abilities, just like with the EnigDriver. However, its true potential can only be unlocked when it finds its spirit counterpart."

Hayato's confusion lingered, but he made up his mind. He decided to take the Enigmatic Breaker, placing it carefully in his possession. With a sense of purpose, he left the room and made his way back to the inn.

Inside the room, Hayato found Mia sitting in silence, lost in her own thoughts. Without wasting any time, he approached her and shared the discovery he had made.

Hayato: "Mia, you won't believe what I found in that underground room. It's a device called the Enigmatic Breaker, similar to the EnigDriver. Here, touch it."

Hayato held out the bracelet, its golden color captivating Mia's attention. As she reached out and made contact, a surge of energy coursed through her, indicating a connection.

Hayato: "It seems like it has chosen you, Mia. Perhaps this is meant for you."

With a mixture of surprise and curiosity, Mia accepted the Enigmatic Breaker, its purpose and destiny still shrouded in uncertainty.

Hayato looked at Mia with anticipation, handing her a Blank EnigMod and instructing her to wear the Enigmatic Breaker. With a mixture of excitement and apprehension, Mia followed his instructions, slipping the bracelet onto her wrist and inserting the Blank EnigMod.

Hayato: "Now, Mia, repeat after me: 'Enigma Change!'"

Mia repeated the words with conviction, but to their disappointment, nothing happened. Their faces reflected a tinge of disappointment, wondering if there was something they were missing.

Just as their hopes began to fade, Luna's ethereal voice resounded from Hayato's phone, breaking the silence.

Luna: "Don't be disheartened. Remember, the spirit is missing. Without it, the transformation won't occur."

Hayato and Mia exchanged glances, finding solace in Luna's reassurance.

Hayato: "So, we need to find the missing spirit to awaken the true potential?"

Luna: "That's correct. The missing spirit holds the key to unlocking its power. Seek out the spirit, and you'll discover the true extent of what the Enigmatic Breaker can do."

The disappointment began to dissipate, replaced by a renewed sense of purpose. Hayato and Mia knew they had a new mission at hand – to find the missing spirit and complete the Enigmatic Breaker.

Hayato: "We won't give up. We'll find the spirit, and together, we'll unleash the true power of the Enigmatic Breaker."

Mia nodded, her determination shining through.

Mia: "We'll do whatever it takes. We can't let this opportunity go to waste."

As the day turned to night, Luna presented an alternative: forming a contract with a summoned spirit.

Morning broke over Gladins, Hayato and Mia made their way to the inn's dining room. To their surprise, they found Merlin sitting at a table, as if waiting for them. Mia approached him, her eyes filled with curiosity and determination.

Mia: "Merlin, we need your guidance. We discovered a way to make the Enigmatic Breaker work without the missing spirit. We need to form a contract with a summoned spirit. Can you help us?"

Hayato stepped forward and began explaining the events of the previous day, including their discovery of the underground room and the Enigmatic Breaker. He emphasized their need for a summoned spirit to complete the Enigmatic Breaker and fulfill their purpose.

Merlin stroked his long beard, contemplating the situation.

Merlin looked at them with a mix of intrigue and understanding. He motioned for them to follow, leading them to a vast green area just outside the town. With a deep breath, Merlin began chanting complex runes, invoking powerful magic.

Soon, a magnificent magic circle formed on the ground, emanating a radiant glow. From within the circle, a figure emerged – a beautiful knight-like spirit, exuding an aura of strength and grace.

Valkyrie: "I am Valkyrie, the Warrior Spirit. I sense your purpose. Speak, and I shall listen."

Merlin explained the situation to Valkyrie, who nodded in understanding. Mia stepped forward, holding a Blank EnigMod in her hand, and made her request.

Mia: "Valkyrie, I seek to form a contract with you. Together, we can unleash the true power of the Enigmatic Breaker. Will you join me?"

Valkyrie agreed, and Luna's voice echoed from Hayato's phone, instructing them on how to proceed. As they chanted the words "Form Contract!" in unison, a dazzling light enveloped Valkyrie, merging her essence with the EnigMod.

The EnigMod transformed into a white EnigMod adorned with golden feathers, featuring an image of Valkyrie on its cover. Mia inserted the EnigMod into the Enigmatic Breaker bracelet she wore, and before them, a smaller version of Valkyrie materialized.

Filled with excitement, Hayato urged Mia to chant the words "Enigma Change!" With a surge of power, Mia underwent a breathtaking transformation, her body growing taller and adorned in a white suit with golden armor, reminiscent of Valkyrie's own. A futuristic helmet completed her new appearance, with a hint of Valkyrie's crown.

Merlin and Hayato stood in awe of the incredible sight before them. Hayato's heart felt a mix of relief and sadness, knowing that he could now leave Mia and the town in capable hands while he embarked on his own journey to find a way back to Earth.

With a heavy heart, Hayato spoke to Mia, his voice filled with a bittersweet determination.

Hayato: "Mia, with your newfound power and guidance from Merlin and Valkyrie, you can grow and train to fulfill your destiny. I will embark on my own path, but we will always be connected. Stay strong, my friend."

Merlin nodded in understanding, his faith in Mia's newfound abilities evident. Hayato deployed his bike, ready to set off on his own journey, leaving Mia in the care of Merlin and Valkyrie.

And so, their paths diverged, as Mia embraced her destiny and Hayato pursued his own. The chapter concluded with a bittersweet farewell, paving the way for their separate but intertwined adventures.