***

The air was heavy with anticipation, and an uneasy feeling gnawed at the edges of their minds.

But they had come too far to turn back now, and they knew that they would face whatever lay ahead of them, together.

On the other side, where the second team resided, Fischl was having a mental breakdown.

“Oh gosh! How could I have done something like that! I’m so ashamed!” She was hitting her head into a pillar, her eyes filled with regret and frustration.

Her teammates, Lumine and Paimon, exchanged worried glances as they watched her spiral out of control.

Lumine hesitated for a moment before approaching her, trying to comfort her. “Hey, Fischl, it’s okay… We all make mistakes…What’s important is that we learn from them and move on…”

Fischl groaned, burying her face in her hands. “But it was so embarrassing! I mounted on top of him as if I was some sort of wild beast! I cannot forget the look on his face…the utter disbelief…”

Lumine offered a sympathetic smile, placing a reassuring hand on Fischl’s shoulder. “Fischl, we’ve all had our fair share of awkward moments…You’re not alone in that…”

Paimon chimed in, floating closer with a cheeky grin. “Yeah! Besides, Paimon bets everyone will forget about it soon enough. We’ve got bigger things to worry about, like Hilichurls and other baddies! Everyone will soon forget about how you almost took his clothes off and did something weird!”

Fischl’s face turned an even deeper shade of crimson as Paimon’s words cut through her, the cringe striking her to the core.

She whimpered, her voice a mix of despair and mortification. “Please, Paimon, do not remind me! The memory of that will stay in my mind forever! Argh! I hate my life!”

Paimon tilted her head, scrutinizing Fischl closely. “You know, Fischl, Paimon thinks you’re speaking differently than you usually do. What happened to the whole ‘Prinzessin der Verurteilung’ thing?”

At Paimon’s words, Fischl blinked, seeming to realize her deviation from her usual speech pattern. She cleared her throat and straightened her posture before speaking in her characteristic theatrical tone.

“I-Indeed, thou art correct, Paimon. The Prinzessin der Verurteilung must not allow herself to be felled by such trifling matters! I shall cast off this veil of shame and continue my noble quest for justice, with the unyielding spirit of the stars themselves as my guide!”

Lumine smiled, relieved to see Fischl returning to her usual self. “That’s the spirit, Fischl. Now, let’s focus on the task at hand and defeat those monsters.”

Together, the team worked in unison, disposing of the monsters that stood in their way.

As they fought, their synergy grew stronger, and they began to anticipate each other’s movements, making their attacks more fluid and effective.

Each member of the group showcased their unique skills, creating a force to be reckoned with.

They weren’t as strong as team one, but both Lumine and Iris packed quite the punch.

Fischl was a support for them in this case, so she mostly electrocuted the enemies to allow her team to deal with them swiftly with the help of her bow and Oz.

And Paimon…well…moral support came in handy.

“Hey! Paimon’s super-duper useful! Paimon will have you know!”

As the last of the creatures fell, the team took a moment to catch their breath and regroup.

Paimon, however, seemed to have other concerns on her mind.

“Traveler!” Paimon exclaimed, her eyes wide and imploring as she floated closer to her friend. “After all that fighting, Paimon’s really hungry! We should definitely eat something, don’t you think?”

Lumine chuckled, a fond smile spreading across her face. “You’re right, Paimon. We should replenish our energy. Though I’m unsure on how you did any fighting…”

“Hey! Paimon is a good support! Paimon has your back all the time!”

Lumine laughed gently, nodding in agreement. “Of course, Paimon. Your support is invaluable to us. Now, let’s see if we have any food to share.”

Raising her hand, she summoned her inventory ability.

With a slight flick of her wrist, she pulled out a variety of food and water for the group to enjoy. “Here we are. I have some sandwiches, fruits, and water…It’s not a feast, but it should help us regain our strength.”

Fischl’s eyes widened in awe, the earlier embarrassment momentarily forgotten. “Ah, the Traveler’s ability to conjure sustenance as if by magic is a marvel to behold. The Prinzessin der Verurteilung is most impressed.”

Paimon hovered impatiently, her tiny hands reaching out for the food. “Come on, let’s eat before Iris eats Paimon!”

The flying emergency food noticed Iris’ side glances towards her directions with a saliva leaking out of her mouth and immediately sensed danger.

The team gratefully accepted the food, sitting down together to enjoy their impromptu meal.

As they ate, they shared stories and laughter, their camaraderie strengthening with each passing moment.

It wasn’t long before they continued their journey through the floors, taking down enemies and overcoming challenges with ease.

Their teamwork was unparalleled, and they quickly found themselves standing before the door to the twelfth floor.

As they cautiously pushed it open, they were greeted by the sight of the first team, who had been waiting there for quite the while now.

The two teams exchanged relieved smiles and excited greetings, their voices filling the air with a mixture of relief and triumph.

Fischl, despite her earlier mortification, found her spirits lifted by the presence of Yomite and Hu Tao, both of whom had clearly emerged from their battles unscathed.

She resisted the urge to wrap her arms around Yomite in a tight embrace, her heart fluttering with a mix of relief and boundless affection.