Chapter 66: Third Question: Demonic Wisdom Domain

The scene shifted to a shadowy corner of the Stardust Forest, where the Demonic Scholar was preparing to ask Ruchir and his group the third and final question.

A tense silence enveloped the group, the weight of the moment pressing down on them.

Suddenly, Garret broke the silence, his voice echoing loudly, "What's with the long suspense?"

Everyone turned to him with a mix of irritation and disbelief, their glares sharp enough to kill. Garret quickly shut his mouth, realizing his mistake too late.

Flippy, standing beside him, tried to stifle a giggle, only adding to the tension.

The Demonic Scholar, ever composed, ignored Garret's comment. He reached into his robes and pulled out a grimoire.

The book was ancient, with intricate patterns etched into its cover that seemed to pulse with a sinister energy.

The group's expressions shifted to alertness and caution, their eyes fixed on the grimoire with a mix of fear and curiosity.

The Scholar's voice took on a chilling edge as he spoke, "Your third question is..." He paused dramatically, then continued in a shrill, almost otherworldly tone, "Demonic Wisdom Domain."

The moment the words left his lips, the grimoire sprang to life. A brilliant, blinding light burst from its center, tendrils of energy snaking out and enveloping the group.

They barely had time to react before they were swallowed by the light, their surroundings dissolving into a vortex of swirling darkness and light.

Inside the Demonic Wisdom Domain, the Demonic Scholar's voice echoed, "Now, young ones, how will you fare?"

His sinister chuckle reverberated through the space as images began to form in the grimoire's pages, depicting the group in various states of confusion and distress.

Ruchir and his companions found themselves in a pitch-black room. The darkness was so absolute that they couldn't even see each other. It was as if they had been plunged into the very heart of an abyss.

Garret's voice broke the oppressive silence, shaky and laced with nervous humor, "What the hell is this? Did someone forget to pay the light bill?"

Flippy, trying to be helpful, piped up, "Maybe it's a power-saving mode?"

Despite the gravity of their situation, Garret couldn't help but chuckle. "Yeah, right. Maybe we just need to find the switch and flip it on."

Ruchir, however, was focused. He extended his senses, trying to understand the nature of the dark room.

He attempted to mobilize his internal energy, but found it blocked, as if a heavy weight pressed down on his spirit. "I can't use my energy," he said, frustration evident in his voice.

Alaric, Jack, and Senior Brother Kai tried as well, each coming to the same conclusion. "It's like something's sealing our abilities," Alaric noted, his voice tense.

Garret's bravado faltered as he realized the seriousness of their predicament. "So, we're stuck in the dark without our powers? This just keeps getting better and better."

Flippy tried to lighten the mood again, "Maybe if we all hold hands, we can find a way out together."

Garret snorted, "Yeah, and maybe if we sing 'Kumbaya,' the darkness will magically go away."

Ruchir, though momentarily amused by Garret and Flippy's banter, quickly refocused. "This is no ordinary darkness. It's a domain created by the Demonic Scholar. We need to think outside the box."

Garret's fear of the dark became apparent as he nervously shifted from foot to foot. "I've never been good with the dark. It's... unsettling."

Flippy, ever the optimist, tried to reassure him. "Don't worry, Garret. We'll figure this out together."

Jack's voice came from somewhere in the darkness, frustration clear in his tone. "I feel like my brain is going to fry just trying to think of a way out."

Alaric, always the strategist, began to speak. "If we consider the Demonic Scholar's previous questions, they were designed to test our wisdom and understanding. This darkness might be another test."

Senior Brother Kai, who had been quietly contemplating, added, "The Scholar thrives on knowledge and wisdom. Perhaps we need to apply what we've learned."

Garret, still trying to contribute despite his fear, blurted out, "Maybe we should just yell for help. Anyone? Helloooo?"

Flippy, joining in, echoed, "Helloooo? Is there a way out?"

Their calls were met with silence, but it did spark an idea in Ruchir's mind. "Wait," he said, "what if the darkness isn't just physical but also symbolic? Maybe we need to illuminate it with our minds."

Garret, catching on, joked, "You mean we need a light bulb moment?"

Ruchir smiled in the dark. "Exactly. Think of it as a puzzle. We need to find the key within ourselves."

Jack sighed dramatically. "Great, now I have to use my brain more? It's already overheating."

Alaric chuckled, "Just think, Jack. What do we know about the Demonic Scholar's methods?"

Kai responded thoughtfully, "He values knowledge and wisdom above all. He believes true power comes from understanding."

Flippy chimed in innocently, "So we need to understand the darkness?"

Ruchir nodded, though no one could see it. "Yes, Flippy. But not just understand it. We need to accept it, and through that acceptance, find a way to transcend it."

Garret muttered, "Easier said than done. It's pitch black, and we're powerless."

Ruchir's mind worked furiously. "Powerless... powerless," he repeated. Then, a thought struck him. "Maybe that's the key. We're not powerless. Our true power lies in our minds and hearts, not just our abilities."

Alaric's voice carried a note of realization. "You mean we need to use our inner strength?"

Ruchir affirmed, "Exactly. Let's focus on what we have within us. Our knowledge, our experiences, our bond. That's where our strength lies."

Garret, attempting to lighten the mood, added, "So, like a group hug in the dark?"

Everyone groaned, but Ruchir laughed. "Something like that, Garret. Let's focus our thoughts and try to create our own light."

They stood in silence, each concentrating on their inner strengths. Slowly, a faint glow began to emanate from within them, growing brighter as their collective willpower intensified. The darkness started to recede, revealing their surroundings.

They were in a vast, cavernous room, its walls lined with ancient runes that pulsed with a faint, ominous light.

The floor was smooth and cold, and in the center of the room stood a towering figure – the Demonic Scholar, holding the grimoire, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.

The Scholar's voice echoed through the chamber, "Impressive. You've begun to grasp the essence of my domain. But will it be enough?"

Ruchir, emboldened by their small victory, stepped forward. "We've answered your questions and faced your challenges. Now, let us go."

The Demonic Scholar's expression remained unreadable. "You have shown promise, but the final test is yet to come."

Garret, unable to help himself, muttered, "Of course there's more. There's always more."

The Scholar ignored him, focusing on Ruchir. "To truly escape, you must understand the true nature of this domain. It is not just illuminating yourself but the ability to see shine beyond the obvious."

Meanwhile, Deep within the Stardust Forest, the majestic Star Lion was trapped by the sinister red totem, and the students were busily activating an array designed to awaken something evil.

Alice watched all this from her hiding spot, her eyes narrowing as she assessed the situation.

Just as she was about to make her move, the Star Lion's deep, resonant voice broke the tense silence.

"Why is a member of your group hiding in the bushes and doing nothing?" he mocked. "Is she scared, or just incompetent?"

Alice cursed under her breath, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I was going to help you, you oversized house cat!" she fumed internally.

"But no, you had to go and make things tough for me. Seriously, how am I supposed to play the hero if you keep blowing my cover?"

The students, startled by the Star Lion's words, began scanning the surroundings for any sign of Alice. Panic set in as they realized they had an uninvited guest. 

"Who's there?" one of them shouted, their voice tinged with fear.

Alice, seeing the growing confusion, muttered to herself, "Great, now I have to deal with these clowns." She quickly decided to make her presence known in the most dramatic way possible. 

Leaping from her hiding place, she landed in front of the students with a flourish, her expression one of feigned annoyance. "Alright, you caught me. But I'm not here to chat."

The students stared at her in shock, their eyes wide. "Get her!" one of them yelled, and they all rushed at her in a chaotic mess.

Alice rolled her eyes and braced herself for the brawl. "Really? This is your strategy?"

What followed was a scene of pure comedic chaos. One student tripped over his own feet and fell face-first into the dirt.

Another swung wildly with a stick, only to hit his own teammate. Alice danced around them with ease, her movements graceful and fluid.

She delivered a light tap to one student's head, sending him stumbling into another, causing a domino effect of falling bodies.

"Seriously, did you all graduate from the Academy of Clumsy Fools?" she quipped, dodging another hapless attack.

Amidst the confusion, Alice's sharp eyes noticed a crucial part of the array on the ground, glowing faintly.

A mischievous grin spread across her face as an idea formed.

She grabbed a nearby stick and, with a swift flick of her wrist, disrupted the array by drawing a silly face over one of the key symbols.

The array sparked and fizzled, its power weakening.

The students gaped in horror as their carefully constructed trap began to fall apart. "What did you do?" one of them screamed, pointing an accusatory finger at Alice.

Alice shrugged nonchalantly. "I just thought your array could use a bit of artistic flair."

The students, now furious, charged at her with renewed determination. The Star Lion, watching the scene unfold, let out a rumbling laugh. "Well done, little one. I knew you had it in you."

Alice shot him a glare as she parried another clumsy attack. "Oh, shut up, you overgrown tabby. If I ever catch you again, I'll roast you for dinner."

The Star Lion's eyes twinkled with amusement. "I'll look forward to that, then."

With the array disrupted, the balance of the battle shifted. Alice's quick thinking had given her the upper hand.

She twirled around, evading the students' attacks with ease, making them look more and more foolish with each passing moment.

One of the students, red-faced and panting, shouted, "This isn't over! We'll—"

He didn't get to finish his sentence as Alice's foot connected with his backside, sending him sprawling into the dirt. "Yeah, yeah, you'll get me next time," she mocked, rolling her eyes.

Seeing their numbers dwindle and their array ruined, the remaining students started to back off, their bravado fading. Alice stood tall, her hands on her hips, and gave them a stern look. "I suggest you all take a hike before things get really messy."

The students, now thoroughly humiliated, scrambled to their feet and fled, tripping over roots and each other in their haste to escape.

As the last of them disappeared into the forest, Alice turned to the Star Lion, who was still trapped by the totem's waning power. "You know, you could have been a little more helpful," she said, crossing her arms.

The Star Lion chuckled. "But where's the fun in that? Besides, you did just fine on your own."

Alice shook her head, a reluctant smile tugging at her lips. "Just wait until I get you out of there. You owe me a big favor."

The Star Lion roared with laughter, the sound echoing through the forest. "Deal, little one. I'll remember this."

Alice sighed, her mind already spinning with plans on how to handle the Star Lion. "Great, now I've got a giant talking cat on my to-do list. What's next, a dragon with a cold?"