A FEW HOURS LATER
MICHAEL'S POINT OF VIEW:
The grand hall buzzed with tension, a thousand whispers threading through the stone walls. We'd all gathered here, anticipation stretched tight across every face. Xavier stood to my left, arms crossed over his chest, his gaze steely and unyielding. Isabella was beside me, her fingers threaded through mine, a comfort I didn't know I needed until she did it. The air crackled, shimmering with static, and the familiar chime of the system's announcement rolled through the castle like thunder.
"Congratulations, players. You have successfully gathered all pieces of the Relic of Reclamation. Your synchronization is...passable. But don't get too excited yet."System said.
Xavier snorted.
"Passable? We fought monsters and almost died." He said.
I shrugged.
"Sounds like a Tuesday at this point."I said.
Isabella elbowed me in the ribs, but her smile was bright. Before I could quip back, the System chimed again, louder this time.
