Regression: Reclaiming the End

We sat there for a while longer, finishing off the last of the skewers and rice, the plates nearly licked clean.

Noel leaned back with a satisfied sigh, patting his stomach. "Man, I forgot how good street food tastes after grinding in the Rift."

I chuckled softly, dabbing my mouth with a napkin. "Yeah. It’s the little things, huh?"

He shot me a grin, his eyes still carrying that lingering spark. "So, you’re really heading back in after this?"

I gave him a firm nod. "Yeah. There’s no time to waste."

Noel shook his head in mock disbelief, laughing. "Damn, Nile... or should I say, Blank. You’re really gonna shock the world again, huh?"

I smirked, standing up and stretching my arms over my head. "Guess I can’t help it."

He snorted, standing up beside me. "Well, don’t forget us little guys when you’re breaking records, alright?"

I gave him a solid pat on the shoulder. "I won’t. Just make sure when I call you, you’re ready to step up."

Noel grinned wide, sparks crackling softly at his fingertips. "Oh, you better believe it."

With that, we both smiled, the weight of unspoken promises hanging between us as we left the plaza — one of us heading back into the heart of the labyrinth, and the other heading toward the future we were both going to fight for.