Just when Kazuya thought the labyrinth couldn't get any worse, the door to the next chamber opened to reveal an even more absurd challenge: a room entirely filled with feathered creatures perched on pedestals, their eyes gleaming with malevolent glee. A sign above the door read: "Face the Trial of the Tickling Tyrants and emerge with your dignity—if you can!"
Feathered Fiends Assemble
"What fresh hell is this?" Kazuya muttered, staring at the army of brightly colored birds. Chickens, parrots, ducks, and even a few ostriches were present, all armed with oversized feathers clutched in their beaks or talons.
Sylvara clapped her hands in delight. "Oh, look! They're so cute!"
Ravynne crossed her arms. "I don't trust anything cute in this labyrinth. They're probably plotting something."
As if on cue, the birds squawked in unison, their cacophony echoing through the chamber. One particularly flamboyant parrot waddled forward, a feathered crown perched atop its head. It squawked loudly and gestured dramatically toward a glowing pedestal in the center of the room.
"I think it wants us to take that," Kazuya said, eyeing the pedestal. Atop it sat a shimmering orb covered in what appeared to be glittery feathers.
Sylvara gasped. "It's beautiful! Let's grab it!"
Kazuya grabbed her arm before she could run ahead. "Hold on. This place has been nothing but traps. It's probably cursed."
"Or it's a feathered bomb," Ravynne added darkly.
The Great Feather War
Ignoring their warnings, Sylvara darted forward, snatching the orb. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, the birds exploded into motion, launching feathers in every direction like a feathery artillery barrage.
"SYLVARA!" Kazuya shouted, diving behind a nearby pedestal as the feathers flew.
"I didn't know this would happen!" she cried, clutching the orb as she ducked for cover. "They're so soft, but so angry!"
The feathers weren't just soft—they were enchanted. Every time one made contact, it unleashed a wave of magical tickling. Kazuya tried to fight back, swatting at the feathers with his sword, but each swing only seemed to multiply them.
"Retreat is a valid strategy!" Ravynne shouted, launching fireballs at the birds. The flames fizzled out harmlessly against their enchanted plumage.
Kazuya glared at her. "You're supposed to be the powerful mage! Do something useful!"
"I am!" she snapped. "I'm preserving my dignity by not rolling on the floor laughing like you two!"
Operation: Feather Freedom
Realizing they were outmatched, Kazuya devised a desperate plan. "Sylvara, give me the orb!"
She hesitated, clutching it tightly. "But it's so pretty!"
"If you don't, we'll be tickled to death!" he shouted, dodging another barrage of feathers.
Reluctantly, Sylvara tossed him the orb. As soon as it touched his hands, the room's energy shifted. The feathers stopped mid-air, and the birds froze, their heads tilting curiously.
Kazuya grinned. "Finally, some peace."
Then the orb exploded, sending a wave of glitter and feathers in all directions. The birds cheered, forming a conga line as the room's exit opened.
Sylvara clapped. "That wasn't so bad!"
Kazuya, now covered head-to-toe in glitter, glared at her. "We're never talking about this again."
The Glittering Aftermath
As they exited the labyrinth, Ravynne turned to Kazuya. "You're sparkling."
"I know," he grumbled, shaking glitter from his hair. "It's everywhere. Even in places glitter should never be."
Sylvara giggled. "I think it suits you!"
"Remind me why I agreed to this quest?" Kazuya muttered, but even he couldn't help a small smile as they walked toward their next adventure, leaving the chaotic labyrinth—and its tickling tyrants—behind.
Little did they know, the orb's true power had yet to reveal itself...