Ilia couldn't contain his joy at finally reuniting with his people.
Ikku and his friends watched the touching scene with emotion, there was something sacred in these long-awaited reunions.
An older man approached Ilia. His chest was bare, covered in old scars. A crown rested upon his head, and a necklace made of animal teeth hung around his neck. His gaze was both wise and commanding.
"— So, you've managed to return, Ilia," said the elder in a deep voice.
"— Grand Elder," replied Ilia, bowing respectfully. "I'm sorry for disobeying your orders."
"— Let's forget that," the old man said kindly. "What matters is that you came back safe and sound."
"— It's all thanks to them," Ilia said, pointing behind him. "They saved me in the outer world and helped me return here."
The elder nodded thoughtfully, then bowed slightly toward the group.
"— I'm deeply grateful to you for protecting him."
"— Don't mention it," Yumé replied with a polite smile.
Ilia suddenly spoke up again:
"— Grand Elder! These people are also searching for the Hafou treasure."
"— That's right," said Ikku, stepping forward. "We would like to ask for your permission to retrieve it."
"— My permission?" the Elder repeated with a faint grin. "The jewel doesn't belong to me. If you're strong enough to claim it, then it's yours."
"— Awesome!" shouted Ikku. "So, where is it?"
"— Inside the Temple of Sormiou. But reaching it is no easy task… and surviving inside it is even harder."
Ikku frowned.
"— What do you mean?"
"— As you've seen, our civilization lies hundreds of meters underground," explained the Elder. "The temple is even deeper, near the sea. To reach it, you'll have to pass underwater. There's a tunnel that leads to the ocean, but if your karma control isn't perfect, the water pressure will crush you before you even make it halfway."
That information made Ikku's excitement falter slightly.
"— Yeah… sounds trickier than I thought."
"— Don't worry," said the Elder with a reassuring tone. "We owe you a great debt. I'll ask Koman to train you."
"— Thank you, Grand Elder," said Ikku, bowing.
"— It's the least I can do. There's an apartment with two rooms available. Ilia will show you the way, you can rest there tonight. Training begins tomorrow morning."
Ilia led them through a maze of tunnels carved into the rock. The air was humid, but the walls shimmered faintly with glowing crystals.
"— Here we are," Ilia said at last. "This apartment has two bedrooms. You can decide who sleeps where."
"— Already decided," said Kenny with a grin. "Yumé and I will take the room on the right. Ikku and Carla get the other one."
"— Huh?! What?!" cried Ikku and Carla in unison.
"— Oh come on," teased Yumé. "You really thought we hadn't noticed?"
Their faces turned crimson. Kenny and Yumé burst out laughing before retreating to their room, leaving the two lovebirds awkwardly alone.
The bedroom was simple but comfortable: two mattresses, a small table carved in stone, and dim natural light seeping through a crack in the wall. Ikku sat down quietly. Carla joined him a moment later.
"— How are you feeling, Ikku?" she asked gently.
"— Honestly… I'm excited but also nervous. We're about to find something everyone has been chasing for centuries. I just… feel like I can do it."
"— I believe in you, Ikku," she whispered. "You can count on me."
"— Thanks, Carla."
"— No, Ikku… thank you. Back when I was facing those slave traders, it was your voice that gave me the strength to overcome my fear."
"— I'll always be there for you, Carla."
Silence filled the room, heavy, but warm.
Their faces drew closer, their breaths mingling until their lips finally met. Ikku wrapped his arms around her as she closed her eyes. The world faded away, leaving only the two of them, lost in the tenderness of the night.
In the other room, the atmosphere was… slightly different.
Kenny and Yumé were lying on their beds, staring at the ceiling, clearly unable to sleep.
"— I think our lovebirds forgot that our senses are way sharper down here," Kenny muttered, annoyed.
"— Should we tease them about it tomorrow?" asked Yumé, trying not to laugh.
"— Nah," Kenny sighed. "Let them have their moment. We'll just pretend we didn't hear a thing."
"— Yeah… fair enough," Yumé agreed.
And the two boys drifted off with a grin on their faces.
The next morning, Ilia knocked on both doors.
"— Wake up! Koman's here!"
After a few minutes of preparation, the group gathered outside.
A man awaited them, about the same height as Ikku and Yumé, lean but with a sharp, commanding aura. His chest was bare, and a necklace made of beast fangs hung around his neck.
"— Good morning," he said, bowing slightly. "First of all, thank you for bringing Ilia back safely."
"— It was nothing," replied Ikku, returning the gesture. "We're the ones grateful that you're taking the time to train us."
"— The Elder told me about your goal," Koman said. "Before we begin, I want to see what your karma looks like. Show me what you've got."
At his words, the four friends released their spiritual energy. Their auras filled the cavern with dazzling hues. Koman's eyes widened with admiration.
"— Impressive. Such vibrant energy... Very well. Now, let's test your bodies. How about a quick one-on-one spar? Who's up for it?"
"— Ikku?" Yumé asked.
"— Eh… my last one-on-one didn't go so well," Ikku said with a nervous smile. "I'll pass this time. Kenny, you take it."
"— Sure thing," Kenny replied confidently. "Let's do this, sir."
"— Alright then," Koman said calmly.
Without warning, he lunged forward and leapt into the air, attempting a hammer kick. Kenny dodged gracefully with a spin, countering with a roundhouse kick. The strike landed clean, but Koman didn't even flinch.
Kenny blinked, surprised.
How's that possible? That kick should've at least made him move!
Koman unleashed a storm of punches. Kenny evaded each one flawlessly, his eyes glowing faintly.
Thanks to Ilia's training, he thought, expanding my energy makes predicting movements so much easier.
Suddenly, a heavy right hook came flying at him. Kenny raised his arms in a cross-block, mistake. The impact sent a shockwave through the chamber, blasting him backward. He crashed into the wall with a thunderous crack.
Ikku sighed, shaking his head.
"— I knew it would end like that."
Koman stepped forward, calm as ever.
"— You're all remarkable fighters," he said. "But what you lack is physical endurance. And that's exactly what we're going to build. Get ready, this training won't be easy."
"— Yes, sir!" they shouted together.
A new chapter of their journey had begun.
The Temple of Sormiou awaited, and for Ikku, the path ahead would change everything forever.