Fated Collaboration (Act IV)

You and Heizou carefully checked the area first before getting on the large stone platform that has about four electro monuments on different directions and at the center seemed to be like a deep pool.

"I wonder what's underneath this pool?" You carefully walked towards the edge and stared down at the pool. You swore that you could see a vague image of a domain underwater.

"Perhaps the mansion of Umigozen?" The redhead detective stood beside you to take a closer look as well while placing a hand on his chin.

You then turned around and observed the monuments displayed on the sides. "Sealed electro monuments..." You looked up and noticed some stones with something that seemed like those wind gauges, but embedded with electro energy. "Lightning strike probes..?" You hummed as you placed your hand on your chin. A hand then was placed on your shoulder, which made you snap out of your thoughts.

"Figured already on how to solve the puzzle?"

"Not exactly... but all I do know is that we need electro energy in order to solve this.." You sighed as you crossed your arms, thinking deeply. "Since neither of us have an electro vision, guess we need to find an alternative to activate this.."

"How about that Thunder Sakura bough over there?" He pointed at a certain direction and upon looking at it, you could see small tree-like device standing right outside the stone platform with some sakuras growing on it.

You then started to think that if the boughs are there, then surely there are Thunder spheres here, right?

You turned your attention back to the pool and looked up above the reservoir. Your speculations were correct and then suddenly, you got an idea.

"Seems like you finally figured things out. Let's hear it" The detective beside you observed your expression and was eager to hear you out as he crossed his arms.

***

"What do you think?"

"As much as I would've preferred to do the cognitive task, I really can't allow you to handle the dangerous part so I'll leave this puzzle to you and I'll handle the rest"

After finalizing the layout of your plan, you and Heizou parted ways and you stayed on the stone platform while he heads over somewhere else in the island. You then went over to the Thunder Sakura Bough and tried to summon an Electrogranum.

A small floating object in the shape of a small sakura flower appeared right by your shoulder as you could feel its electro energy. You quickly head back to the pool then you could see the electro lining between you and the Thunder sphere.

"There we go, now I just have to.." You looked up and around to pinpoint the location of the Lightning strike probes. You could see that the nearby probe's arrow started to point at you, then you try to lure it to point towards the center of the platform. As you accomplished on that bit, you immediately head over to the next probe without trying to break formation of the previous one.

After a few minutes of trying to get it right, you finally managed to have all the probes point at an inward direction then the electro monuments were unsealed. "That should do it" You then began to wait for a certain detective to do his part.

Speaking of the devil, that certain detective was running back towards the platform and passed by the thunder sakura bough to summon an electrogranum along the way.

"Just in time" You watched him as you immediately try to keep your distance.

While the redhead detective was running, a mechanical mob popped out from the ground. Its body is in a shape of a serpent with a triangular-like head.

Heizou was luring the serpent-like machine towards one of the electro monument before giving a coordinated attack, which then released an electro energy and activated the nearby monument. He quickly ran over to the next one before repeating the process. When everything was settled, he then finished off the ruin sentinel with a powerful punch before it was destroyed.

He then sighed and walked over towards you with an accomplished smile. "Well, what now?"

Before you would answer, the water in the pool started to slowly drain then you both immediately went to check it out. You clasped your hands together with joy at the fact that you both have managed to solve an ancient ruin puzzle, but the feeling suddenly faded when you noticed that not all of the water was entirely drained.

"E-eh? It's not fully drained yet?"

"Hm... There must be another device that is needed to be activated.." He placed a hand over his chin. "Can you swim?"

"Huh?" You turned to look at him with a confused look.

"Can you?"

"Uhm... maybe a little, why?"

"That's good enough" He then grabbed your hand and jumped down towards the pool as he dragged you along. You didn't have the time to react and started screaming while falling.

You and Heizou began swimming in the pool as the latter didn't let go of your hand. He then started leading the way as you both found a passage from the pool's walls. Upon entering, you two would find yourselves in an underground hallway, where most of the area is filled with water. You both then started swimming towards a huge tree root that was displayed at the end of the passage. The ceiling right where the root was has a huge hole so you thought that it would lead you both to another part of the underground ruin that isn't submerged in water.

After climbing up the root, you both decided to take a break as you dropped to the ground and catch your breath. You weren't really fond of swimming and your stamina isn't that great so you easily get tired.

"Hm, there seems to be three devices on the walls, perhaps it serves as a key to this locked passage?" Your companion stood up, slicking back his wet hair as he observed the entire room. You couldn't help but stare at him in awe when he slicked back his hair, wondering if he had always been this good-looking. He caught a glance of you staring then he just lightly chuckled. "Is there something on my face or does my appearance charm you that much~?"

You were slightly flustered and immediately looked away. "I wasn't... looking at you.."

"I didn't say that you were though~"

"Ack-" You definitely backed into that one. You immediately stood up and fixed yourself, ignoring any more of his teasings. "L-let's just get this over with..."

You then approached one of the device and activated it, your companion then went to activate the second, and as for the third...

You turned your head to the third device and went to carefully climb on the root to reach the wall where the device was displayed. With one hand, you used it to hold onto the root while the other is reaching for the device.

"Almost... There.." You tried to tilt in closer and finally activated the device with your finger tips. The locked passage then opened up, giving you both a new way. You then suddenly started to lose balance and slip off. "-!?"

You shut your eyes tight, bracing yourself for an impact. Instead of getting a painful landing, you felt your body being held on tightly. You slowly opened one eye and you see Heizou gazed down on you as he landed back safely on the ground. "Careful now, we don't want anyone getting into accidents before we could finish the investigation" He said in a soothing tone before he slowly put you down.

You quietly thanked him as you could feel your cheeks getting warm and you immediately try to shake it off. Turning your attention to the opened passage, you then walked ahead and you stopped on your tracks as soon as you heard a certain voice echoing from above.

"Oi!! Anyone out there?? Cmon now man, I'm innocent! I didn't commit any crime! This is false imprisonment!"

You were most definitely certain on who it is as you took a breath of relief and sheepishly chuckled as you sweatdropped.

"Can't believe he's here of all places..."