They continued walking through the submerged temple, every step echoing faintly in the damp, stone corridor. The deeper they went, the more alert they became. Here, even silence felt dangerous.
"I get it now… why no one ever managed to retrieve the jewel," Yumé muttered, scanning the shadows as if the walls themselves could spring to life.
"Well, first of all, it's hidden several meters underground," Ikku replied. "On top of that, it's inside a temple underwater. Just locating it is already nearly impossible."
Carla crossed her arms thoughtfully.
"I really hope the other jewels won't be this difficult to find."
"We should expect the worst," Kenny said. "Ikku didn't exactly choose the easiest mission."
Ikku smiled, light but sincere.
"Hihihi… thanks for having my back."
After a few more minutes of walking, they arrived before a massive stone gate, twice the size of any door they had seen before. Ancient symbols were carved across its surface, worn down by time. It stood silent and immovable.
"So… what are we supposed to do now?" Carla asked.
Before anyone could suggest an answer, the gate opened on its own, slowly, rumbling like something waking from centuries of slumber. A cold draft swept past them.
"…And now?" Yumé whispered.
Ikku didn't respond. Instead, he stepped forward.
The others followed.
The room beyond was immense, empty, almost sacred. No pillars. No ornaments. Just one presence.
At the center of the chamber sat a stone knight, enthroned. His features were stern, carved in stoic silence. A sword rested against his leg, a shield secured to his arm.
Nothing else. Only him.
"So, uh… what happens now?" Kenny asked, keeping his guard up.
A voice answered, deep and resonant, as though the walls themselves were speaking:
"There is no next step. This is the final trial."
They searched for the source of the voice, until they noticed the statue was no longer seated.
The knight now stood, towering.
Stone muscles shifted as if they were flesh.
One step. Then another.
His sword angled toward them.
"I am the guardian of this temple. My name is Radamantis. If you have made it here, then you seek the Jewel."
Ikku stepped forward, unwavering.
"That's right. How do we obtain it?"
Radamantis drove his sword into the ground with a heavy thud.
Then he raised his hand.
A ring, set with a dark gemstone, glimmered on his finger.
"This is the Jewel you seek—the Jewel of the End. If you want it… then come and take it."
"That's it?" Yumé asked, thrown off. "Then this'll be eas—"
"Hold it, Yumé," Kenny cut in sharply. "We're talking about a jewel. No way this is that simple. We can't just rush in blind."
Ikku didn't join the debate.
He was thinking.
"Be worthy of the Jewel…"
Then he moved forward.
— "Ikku!!" Kenny shouted. "What are you doing!?"
Ikku stopped just two meters away from the guardian.
His voice rang out steady.
"My name is Némuri Ikku. I am the one who desires the Jewel. Therefore, I will face you alone."
Radamantis nodded.
"Very well, Némuri Ikku. I accept your challenge."
— "Ikku, are you crazy!?" Kenny snapped. "If we attacked together, we'd have a way better chance—"
"Don't interfere. No matter what happens," Ikku answered without turning around. "Please. If I made it this far, it's because of all of you.
But this part… I need to do alone.
If I fail, then continuing is meaningless."
Carla placed a hand on Kenny's shoulder.
"Let's trust him."
Kenny exhaled in frustration, but stepped back.
"…Fine. We'll stay back. Just don't die."
Ikku inhaled, then released his spiritual energy.
A bright, vibrant aura flared around him.
To his shock—
Radamantis released one too.
"Spiritual energy…? But only living beings can—"
He didn't get to finish.
Radamantis charged.
The sword came down with crushing force. Ikku sidestepped, countered with a right hook, blocked by the shield.
The fight exploded into motion.
Radamantis was heavy but controlled, efficient.
Ikku moved like a spark, leaping from wall to wall, flipping, adjusting angles, seeking openings.
He slipped behind Radamantis, only for the guardian to evade flawlessly.
The next blade swing narrowly missed Ikku's head.
Ikku struck the wrist—CRACK—the sword fell.
He spun and delivered a powerful kick, sending Radamantis crashing across the chamber.
The guardian rose instantly.
He extended his hand.
The sword flew back to him, drawn as if by magnetic force.
Ikku narrowed his eyes, then smirked.
"I see. You're bound to your sword. Just like Master Zéno.
Fine. Then I've figured out your fighting style."