Piko: Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!! Just find a way to get that BITCHHHHH already!!! 🤬🤬🤬🤬
???: Bruh~ who the hell you calling a bitch? Did you even get to Kuro yet?
Piko froze. He spun around- His heart stopped for a second.
Standing there was a girl in a dark purple kimono, her hair flowing like twilight silk. Her face… was the kind that could melt even the coldest heart, with eyes that shimmered like starlight dipped in poison.
???: Oiii~ who gave you the right to call me a bitch? You don't even know where you're standing.
Piko (thinking): W-whoaa… who is this goddess? Is she trying to hit on us? Or… could she handle both?
SMACK!
Hiko: You idiot! She's Hanuro!
Piko: W-wait… the Hanuro?
Hiko (whispering fast): Yeah, you moron! She's one of Kuro's servants! The only way to meet Kuro is through her. If you piss her off, we're cooked! She'll turn us into snowflakes before we even apologize!
Piko: O-okay okay! But I thou
Hiko: Shut up.
He quickly turned back, bowing slightly with a trembling smile.
Hiko: S-so… y-you're Hanuro, right? The servant of Kuro?
Hanuro (smirking): Ho finally, some manners. To be honest, I'm impressed. You found that much info in such a short time. Not bad for mortals who've been lost in my maze for eleven days.
Piko (whispering): What info did you even find??
Hiko: Just that she's Kuro's servant, idiot. Do you know how hard it is to confirm that when Kuro never shows himself?
Piko: Ohh… yeah okay, fair.
Hanuro: Oi! You two part of some "gay club"? You whisper too much for people who want directions.
Hiko (panicking): N-no! We were just discussing… strategic conversation protocols!
Hanuro: Heh, sure~ anyway… you want to meet Kuro?
Hiko & Piko (together): YES! Please take us!
Hanuro: Alright~ but first, I need to call my lackeys to bring four sweaters. So wait a bit, okay?
Piko: Sweaters? Four? Why?
Hanuro: Because we're heading to the Azura Realm. It's the only place with a teleportation array that links to the Darkening Realm, but it's frozen solid colder than death itself.
Piko: Huh… okay then. I guess sweaters make sense… kinda.
Hiko's eyes narrowed. Something about that name hit a nerve.
Hiko (thinking): Azura Realm… an icicle realm. If that array still functions… then something ancient is sustaining it. Once I meet Kuro, I'll ask how it still exists.
Hiko: Alright, we'll wait.
---
Scene Shift – Flux's Side
Flux's ice orb shattered into a thousand crystalline shards, each fading into sparkling mist. He stood there, breathing heavily, frost clinging to his hair.
Flux: Hahh… did I pass?
Kimsi: Well you
She froze. Her eyes widened in disbelief and fear.
Kimsi (thinking): S-so… he really is a… {Mischiever}. It's my first time actually seeing one…
Flux: Oi, kid, what are you spacing out for? Daydreaming about my love? Sorry~ I only love one person.
Kimsi (blushing hard, yelling): I-I WAS NOT THINKING THAT, YOU INSOLENT!!
Flux (cutting in): Yeah yeah, I get it~ just tell me, did I pass or not?
Kimsi (sighs): You didn't pass… but you didn't fail either.
Flux: Huh? What kind of logic is that?
Kimsi: In all of Tower history, no one has ever chosen Immortal Difficulty. So when someone does like you we create a special challenge: an super hard ifficulty Boss. It's the only way to test your real limit.
Flux: Bruh~ fine then. Summon your immortal boss. I've got time.
Kimsi (closing her eyes): Alright… don't regret it.
She pressed her palms together and whispered into the air, her tone deep and ancient.
Kimsi: Oh divine keeper of legacy someone seeks your test. From the domain of the unbroken oath, O my God, please reveal yourself…
Her eyes turned pure white, glowing brighter than stars.
The sky cracked like glass breaking under divine pressure. A pillar of light descended, tearing open the roof of the world itself.
The air hummed. The ground shook.
From the light… a calm, overwhelming voice spoke.
??? (booming softly): So… you are the chooser.
Flux smirked, wiping his forehead.
Flux: Guess so.
---
Scene Shift – Mike's Side
A dim arena flickered into existence, light bleeding through cracks in the void.
???: So, first question. Were you the one who chose Immortal Difficulty?
Mike: N-no! That was my friend!
???: I see. Then what level do you want?
Mike: Hmm… not too low, not too high. Let's say… a step above hard. Enough to make me bleed, but not die instantly.
???: Heh… a balanced one, then. Interesting choice.
Mike: Yeah… I think I'm ready.
The air vibrated. Energy spiraled around him, carving sigils into the ground.
???: Then let's begin your test, Mike. Let's see… what remains inside your heart after all you've lost.
A bright crimson light exploded marking the start of his Trial of Balance.