Skill Forge: Broken Extra Character

[Personal Trial: Collect all Hidden Fragments and Revive Laxen]

Freya's eyes widened as she read the notification hovering in front of her. "It's not over yet?" she muttered under her breath.

"What was that?" Morrigan asked, her brow furrowed, not entirely sure what Freya had just said.

Before Freya could respond, the fragments from Asher's pocket and the crown in Jett's hands began to glow brighter. Without warning, they floated upward and slowly gravitated toward Freya.

"What's going on?" Freya asked in shock as the pieces swirled around her, their light becoming almost blinding. The fragments moved with a strange purpose, merging into a singular, intricate form. When the light dimmed, a large key-like object remained, gleaming with ancient craftsmanship. Freya stared at it, bewildered.

"What are we supposed to do with that?" Cedric asked, breaking the silence.

"Hey, Jett," Asher cut in, his gaze fixed on the glowing crown still faintly pulsating, "where'd you even get that crown?"

"I've had it since our last trial, it was one of the fragments we were supposed to find." Jett replied nonchalantly. "It popped up as a reward, just like the fragments you guys picked up. I figured it might be connected to all of this, so I brought it out when everyone started talking about fragments."

"So… what now?" Cedric repeated, looking around at the group, searching for answers.

"I think I know what's supposed to happen next," Freya said softly, her voice carrying a newfound strength as she stood.

Her friends looked at her with concern. Morrigan stepped closer, her eyes scanning Freya's face. "Are you sure? You look…"

Freya smiled, radiating a confidence and vitality they hadn't seen from her in a while. "It's alright. Oddly, I feel much better now," she assured them.

They nodded hesitantly, still worried but choosing to trust her. Freya gripped the key firmly and began walking toward the queen, who stood with her guards at the edge of the crowd. The air grew still, every pair of eyes in the room locked onto Freya as she approached.

"I'm not really sure what to say," Freya began, her voice steady but humble as she stopped before the queen. She extended the key-like object, which shimmered before transforming into an ornate scepter. Turning to the queen, Freya smiled and added, "But I believe this belongs to you."

The queen's eyes widened in awe as Freya placed the scepter in her hands. Then, with a deep breath, Freya gently lifted the crown Jett had brought and placed it on the queen's head. The crown shone brightly, fitting perfectly as if it had been forged for this exact moment.

"I hereby appoint you, ruler of Laxen," Freya declared, her voice ringing out with authority and grace.

The room erupted into a mix of gasps and murmurs as the queen stood tall, her presence glowing with renewed vigor. It was as though the land itself had acknowledged her rightful rule.

The atmosphere inside the castle was electric with celebration. Cheers echoed off the stone walls as the people of Laxen rejoiced, their faces alight with relief and happiness.

Even the previously stoic guards couldn't help but join in, exchanging smiles and claps on the back. The queen herself was overcome with emotion, her voice trembling as she addressed Freya and the group.

"I can't believe you found my family's heirloom," the queen said, her tone a mixture of astonishment and joy. Her fingers gently brushed the scepter and crown as though afraid they might disappear.

"Laxen's greatest treasure… lost for over a hundred years." Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she added, "You've returned hope to my kingdom."

The group couldn't help but smile at her heartfelt gratitude, some of them basking in the joyous atmosphere. Freya stood tall, clearly relieved that her role in the trial had reached a positive outcome. Even Jett, who moments ago had been sulking, seemed to relax a little.

But the moment was short-lived for Jett as Finn suddenly appeared, grabbing him by the collar and dragging him away from the group.

"Where's my spear?" Finn demanded, his eyes narrowed with a judging glare.

Jett blinked, realizing his oversight. "Oh, right… my bad. I think I dropped it."

Finn's expression darkened, his voice dripping with exasperation. "I have no words for you," he muttered, turning to walk away. "You're lucky I can retrieve it from anywhere."

'Then why ask me?' Jett sighed internally, rubbing the back of his neck as he watched Finn disappear into the crowd.

Meanwhile, Asher, still curious about the mysterious artifacts, turned to the queen. "So… these items. Can they really help you communicate with the gods?"

The queen and several nearby soldiers burst into laughter, their amusement taking Asher by surprise.

"Communicate with the gods?" the queen repeated, chuckling as she dabbed at her eyes. "Wherever did you hear something so absurd?"

Asher frowned, clearly confused. "That's what… wait…" He paused, his brow furrowing. "What the hell do they even do, then? What was the war for?"

The queen's amusement softened into curiosity as she asked, "Where did you hear that idea?"

Without hesitation, Asher pointed toward Jett. "From the guys my friend here just offed."

It soon dawned on the queen's face, and she chuckled again. "Oh, I see now. It's just a misunderstanding. But I assure you, that wasn't the only reason he came here. Those artifacts are indeed powerful… but not in the way you think."

The queen lifted the newly formed scepter high above her head, its surface glowing with divine energy.

In an instant, a radiant wave of light erupted from the scepter, spreading outward in all directions. The light cascaded over the entire land of Laxen, forming a shimmering protective barrier around the kingdom.

The barren, war-torn fields where the battle had taken place began to heal. The scorched earth regained its lush greenery, rivers flowed with renewed vigor, and flowers blossomed where ashes had settled. The ruins of the battlefield were erased as if the chaos had never occurred, leaving behind a rejuvenated land that breathed with vitality.

"As you can see… it doesn't help us communicate with the gods," the queen said, marveling at the scepter's power.

"It helps you borrow the power of the gods," Jett smirked, crossing his arms. "That's a pretty cool item if you ask me."

The queen smiled warmly, her gratitude visible in her expression. "I thank you once again, brave heroes."

"What about John?" Asher asked, his tone sharp and direct.

The queen's face hardened slightly. "You need not worry. His punishment is already at hand." Her gaze softened again as she added, "As for your reward…"

Before she could finish, a strange sensation crept up their legs, a tingling, weightless feeling that they all recognized.

"It seems like we're finally going home," Rey said, his voice calm but carrying a hint of exhaustion.

"The timing feels a little off," Freya commented, her gaze flicking toward the queen, "but I guess it's time to say goodbye."

One by one, they bid the queen farewell. Her expression shifted to confusion as they began to fade from sight, disappearing like whispers into the air.

*****

The group reappeared in the familiar chamber where the trials had started. Waiting for them with his usual calm demeanor was Ajax.

"Congratulations on completing the trial," Ajax said with a polite smile. "Would you like to continue?"

Finn's frustration bubbled to the surface as he snapped, "You know, I feel like whoever stuck you here did it just to piss me off."

"Let it go Finn, pretty sure they can't express human emotions." Aiden held Finn by the shoulder.

Ajax merely raised an eyebrow, unfazed.

The group exchanged tired looks. The weight of everything they had experienced was evident on their faces and in their slouched postures. Exhaustion hung over them: both mental and physical, as if the trials had drained every ounce of their energy.

"I think we need a minute," Cedric muttered, sinking to the floor with a heavy sigh.

Jett leaned against a nearby wall, his smirk replaced by a rare, thoughtful expression. "Yeah… just a minute."

"I really can't appreciate you're sarcasm at times like this." Rey added.

The group, still weary from their ordeal, each retrieved a teleportation scroll from their rings. The scrolls glowed faintly as they activated them, channeling mana into the runes inscribed on the parchment. A sudden flash of light enveloped them, and moments later, they were back in the comfort of their respective rooms at the academy.

The first thing Finn did was fling himself onto his bed, wrapping his arms around his pillows with a dramatic sigh. "I missed you so much," he mumbled, his voice muffled by the soft cushions.

Aiden leaned against the doorframe, a mix of exhaustion and relief on his face. "To think it's only been a few hours," he said with a tired chuckle. "But yeah, I'm happy to be back."

*****

In another part of the dormitory, Jett and Freya appeared in her room.

"We're back," Freya said softly, her voice laced with fatigue.

"Yeah…" Jett replied, his tone awkward as he shifted on his feet. "I should probably go…"

As he turned to leave, Freya suddenly swayed and leaned forward, her head coming to rest gently on Jett's shoulder.

"Umm… Freya?" Jett tapped her lightly, trying to get a reaction. When she didn't respond, he glanced down at her peaceful face. 'Is she asleep?'

He didn't know how to feel at that moment. Freya's weight on his shoulder was light, but her closeness made his thoughts race. Despite himself, a small smile crept onto his lips.

'Why the hell am I smiling?'

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*@@novelbin@@

Yeah why?

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