A DIVINE FOOL

Chapter 30: The Summit Beckons

The staircase seemed to stretch endlessly upward, the golden glow of the Hall of Memories fading into the cold, blue-tinted light of the upper reaches of the Spire. Yuki and Aria climbed in silence, the weight of their trials heavy on their minds. Each step echoed in the vast emptiness, a reminder of how far they'd come—and how much further they had to go.

"Aria," Yuki finally said, breaking the silence. "Do you think... do you think I'm actually meant to do this? Like, the orb chose me for a reason?"

Aria glanced at him, her expression unreadable. "The orb doesn't choose lightly, Yuki. It saw something in you. Maybe it's your determination. Maybe it's your... unconventional way of thinking. Whatever it is, you're here, and you're still standing. That says a lot."

Yuki managed a weak smile. "Yeah, standing. Barely."

As they reached the top of the staircase, they found themselves before a massive set of double doors. Unlike the other rooms they'd encountered, these doors were pristine, carved from a gleaming silver-like material and etched with runes that pulsed faintly with energy.

"This must be it," Aria said, her voice filled with awe. "The Summit."

Yuki raised an eyebrow. "Summit of what? Pain and suffering? Because that's been the theme so far."

Aria rolled her eyes. "Stay focused, Yuki. We don't know what's on the other side of these doors."

He took a deep breath and placed his hands on the doors. The runes flared brightly, and the doors began to open with a low, resonant hum.

---

The chamber beyond was breathtaking. It was vast and circular, with a domed ceiling that seemed to stretch into infinity. The walls were lined with glowing crystals, their light casting intricate patterns across the polished floor. At the center of the room stood a pedestal, upon which rested an orb identical to Yuki's—but this one pulsed with a chaotic, red-tinged energy.

Aria's eyes narrowed. "That's not just any orb. That's the Void Orb."

Yuki's stomach sank. "Why does it feel like every time we finish one thing, something even worse pops up?"

Before Aria could respond, a figure emerged from the shadows near the pedestal. It was tall and cloaked, its form shifting and indistinct, as if it were made of smoke and shadow. Its eyes glowed a piercing red, and its voice was a low, chilling whisper.

"Bearer of the Divine Orb," the figure said, its tone mocking. "You have come far, but your journey ends here. The Void will consume all, as it always has. Your efforts are futile."

Yuki instinctively stepped back, clutching his orb tightly. "Yeah, well, I've heard that before. Spoiler alert: I'm still here."

The figure chuckled darkly. "Arrogant fool. Do you truly believe your luck will save you now? The Void does not tolerate weakness."

Aria stepped forward, her dagger at the ready. "Yuki may be a fool, but he's not weak. And he's not alone."

The figure's gaze shifted to Aria. "Ah, the loyal companion. So quick to defend him. Tell me, how long will your resolve last when faced with the truth?"

Before either of them could respond, the chamber darkened, and the Void Orb began to glow more intensely. Shadows erupted from the floor, forming monstrous shapes that towered over them.

"Here we go again," Yuki muttered, raising his orb.

The first shadow lunged at him, its claws gleaming like obsidian. Yuki reacted instinctively, the Divine Orb releasing a burst of light that disintegrated the creature on contact.

"Nice!" Yuki said, grinning. "Looks like this thing is finally on my side."

Aria was already moving, her dagger flashing as she engaged another shadow. "Focus, Yuki! There are more of them!"

The battle was chaotic, the chamber filled with flashes of light and bursts of shadowy energy. Yuki and Aria fought side by side, their movements growing more synchronized with each passing moment.

As the last shadow dissolved, the cloaked figure stepped forward, its form solidifying. "Impressive," it said. "But this is far from over."

The figure raised its hand, and the Void Orb released a surge of energy that shook the entire chamber. The ground beneath Yuki and Aria cracked, and the air grew heavy with a suffocating pressure.

"Yuki!" Aria shouted. "The orbs are resonating! You have to stop it!"

Yuki's eyes widened as he looked at his own orb. It was glowing brighter than ever, its energy pulsating in response to the Void Orb. He could feel the connection between the two, like opposite ends of a magnet.

"I don't know how!" he yelled back.

"Trust yourself!" Aria called out. "You've come this far. You can do this!"

Taking a deep breath, Yuki focused on the orb in his hand. He could feel its energy, warm and steady, like a heartbeat. Slowly, he raised it toward the Void Orb.

The two orbs pulsed in unison, their energies colliding in a dazzling display of light and shadow. The chamber shook violently, and the cloaked figure let out a roar of rage.

"No!" it bellowed. "You cannot contain the Void!"

But Yuki didn't falter. He poured all his focus into the orb, his determination overriding his fear. The light grew brighter, enveloping the entire chamber.

The cloaked figure let out one final scream before dissolving into the light. The Void Orb shattered, its pieces scattering across the floor.

As the light faded, the chamber fell silent. Yuki and Aria stood in the center, breathing heavily.

"Did we... win?" Yuki asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Aria nodded, a small smile on her lips. "For now. But this is just the beginning. The Spire isn't done with us yet."

Yuki groaned. "Of course it isn't. Can't we get a break? Just once?"

Aria chuckled, patting him on the back. "Come on, Yuki. Let's see where the next staircase leads."

---

End of Chapter 30