Inside the temple, deep underground, Hayato found himself surrounded by darkness. He reached into his bag and retrieved his phone, using the torchlight to illuminate the path before him.
Hayato: "Luna, what makes this temple interesting? Is there something special here?"
Luna : "I sense the presence of a Myth EnigMod within this temple, Hayato. Use your Enigma Vision to uncover its location."
Hayato activated his Enigma Vision, shifting his perception to see beyond the physical realm. He noticed a pathway leading deeper into the temple, beckoning him to explore.
Hayato: "I see a path ahead. I'll continue onwards."
As he ventured deeper, Hayato came across a large room adorned with ancient artifacts. Among them stood a towering stone humanoid statue, emanating an aura of power.
Hayato cautiously passed by the statue, hoping it was nothing more than an inanimate object. However, to his surprise, the statue suddenly sprung to life, swinging its massive feet towards him.
Hayato swiftly dodged the attack, narrowly avoiding being crushed.
Statue: "How dare a mere human intrude upon our sacred temple! As the guardian, I shall eliminate you!"
Hayato retrieved his EnigDriver from his item box and swiftly put it on, inserting a Blank EnigMod into the middle slot and a golden EnigMod into the left slot. With determination in his eyes, he chanted the familiar words,
Hayato: "Enigma Change!"
Energy enveloped Hayato as he transformed into Masked Knight Enigma, his appearance altering to that of a powerful warrior ready for battle.
With the EniGun in his hand, Hayato unleashed a barrage of shots upon the statue's leg, causing it to crumble with each hit. However, to his surprise, the leg regenerated shortly after.
Luna: "Hayato, use your Enigma Vision! There must be something we're missing."
Hayato didn't hesitate and activated his Enigma Vision, revealing a glowing object inside the statue's chest, seemingly its core. He grab Gale EnigMod from his right holster and inserted it into the EnigDriver's right slot. With determination in his voice, he chanted, "Transcend!" As he did, his form transformed into the swift Gale Form, and the EniGun morphed into the powerful Zephyr Bow.
Statue: "What are you planning now? Give it your best shot!"
Hayato ejected the blank EnigMod from the EnigDriver and inserted it into the bow. Pulling the string, he gathered energy, taking aim at the statue's chest.
Sensing the imminent danger, the statue froze momentarily, urging Hayato to stop. Ignoring its pleas, Hayato released the shot, piercing the statue's chest and obliterating its core. The statue ceased its movements and crumbled to pieces.
Continuing his journey, Hayato proceeded deeper into the temple until he reached its core. There, he discovered a stone table with an EnigMod floating on top. Standing beside the table was a figure dressed entirely in black, with a hint of lightning surrounding him.
Luna : "Hayato, that's the thief!"
Hayato wasted no time, firing an arrow as a warning shot, interrupting the thief from taking the EnigMod. The thief agilely evaded the attack by leaping backward.
Hayato: "Give back the EnigMod you stole!"
The thief, seemingly annoyed, taunted Hayato as he revealed the Fiery Red with Golden Flames EnigMod.
Hayato, pulling his bowstring again, threatened the thief to drop the EnigMod. However, the thief remained unfazed.
The thief opened his left sleeve, revealing a black-purple Enigmatic Breaker.
Hayato was taken aback, realizing there was another EnigBreaker.
The thief inserted the Inferno EnigMod into his EnigBreaker, summoning a small dragon spirit.
Thief (chanting): "Enigma Change!"
The thief's body emitted a radiant glow as he transformed into a masked knight, donning a black-purple suit with lightning patterns, fiery red armor, and a helmet resembling a dragon's head.
Thief: "I am Fulguris!"
Without warning, Hayato shot another arrow, but Fulguris evaded it by manifesting dragon wings and soaring through the temple ceiling, bidding farewell to Hayato.
Fulguris: "Goodbye, Enigma. We shall meet again."
Hayato, reverting to his normal form, collected the Gaia EnigMod—the temple's EnigMod—displaying earthy brown with vibrant green hues, depicting a towering, stone-like creature adorned with vines and moss on it's cover.
Not long after, Gunes and his two comrades entered the room from the right entrance, while the other four arrived from the left. They regrouped, deciding to return to the village before nightfall, relieved to see that Hayato was unharmed.
Gunes: "Hayato, we're glad you're okay. Let's head back to the village and discuss what we've discovered."
Together, they made their way out of the temple, carrying the newfound EnigMod and eager to share their findings with the elders.
Upon their arrival in the village, Gunes and Hayato wasted no time and headed straight to the elder's abode. They found the elder seated in his usual spot, seemingly deep in thought. Gunes began recounting their encounter in the temple, leaving out the part about the thief and Hayato's newfound powers.
Elder: "Hmm, this temple and an EnigMod... Fascinating. Show it to me."
Hayato handed over the Gaia EnigMod to the elder, who took it in his hands. As soon as he made contact with the EnigMod, a series of vivid flashbacks flooded the elder's mind. He saw the immense power contained within, glimpses of Erdgigant, and a prophecy concerning the awakening of Lord Schattendämon.
The elder's expression turned solemn, his gaze distant and lost in thought. Gunes and Hayato exchanged concerned glances, worried about the elder's sudden change in demeanor.
Gunes: "Elder? Are you alright?"
Elder: *Silence*
The silence stretched on, causing an air of anticipation to settle in the room. It seemed as if time had frozen, and the weight of the elder's revelation hung heavy in the air. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the elder returned to the present moment.
Elder: "I saw... It was a glimpse into the power of Erdgigant, the ancient being said to have slumbered for centuries. And the prophecy... Lord Schattendämon, the corrupt mage, is said to awaken."
Gunes and Hayato listened intently, their eyes widening with both curiosity and concern.
Gunes: "Lord Schattendämon? What does the prophecy say about his awakening?"
Elder: "The prophecy speaks of a time when the world is shrouded in darkness. Lord Schattendämon's awakening signifies an era of chaos and destruction."
Hayato's heart sank, and a mix of frustration and defiance welled up within him.
Hayato: "I've heard enough of these prophecies. I refuse to be bound by fate and be forced into some predetermined role."
Gunes and the elder exchanged a knowing glance, understanding Hayato.
Gunes: "Hayato, I understand your frustration. We won't let ourselves be governed solely by prophecies either."
Elder: "Indeed, the prophecies are but a guide, not an absolute certainty. You have the freedom to shape your own destiny, Hayato."
Hayato nodded, a sense of determination settling within him. He realized that while the prophecies provided a glimpse into a potential future, his choices and actions would ultimately determine the outcome.
Hayato: "I will continue to train and master the EnigMods, not because of some predestined fate, but because I choose to stand against the darkness and protect those I care about."
Gunes and the elder smiled, acknowledging Hayato's resolve.
Gunes: "That's the spirit, Hayato."
Elder: "Indeed. The power you hold within the EnigMods is a tool, a means to shape your own destiny. Use it wisely, and remember that you are not alone in this journey."
Gunes and Hayato nodded, their resolve deepening with each passing moment. They knew that their journey was far from over, and the fate of their world rested on their shoulders.