[Damien Pov]
My eyes are slits, narrowed and snake-like. My pale skin is cracked, and I look so hideous. Ophion, I finally learned his name, but what did that bastard do to me?
I open my mouth to sigh, and as I do, a thick fog rolls out. It spreads everywhere until the entire dead-end section of the maze is completely covered. I jump back, afraid. However, in the fog, I feel strangely at home, like anywhere and everywhere else wouldn't do.
Then BOOM!
Thud!
Thud!
I cover my ears as the noise thunders in my skull. It takes me a second to realize that these noises are footsteps coming from the other side of the fog. My arm hair stands on end, and I can see him—the stubby man, highlighted in red, walking through the mist with a smile on his face.
[Jordan Pov]
Ha! So interesting, very interesting indeed. I swipe my arms, but no matter how much or how hard, this fog goes nowhere. Only in the great death game would you find something like this.
After swiping some more, I end up at a dead end. However, when I turn to my left and walk a few paces, I see a struggling child in a clown costume. He is fighting a stream of water that is gripping his leg. How fascinating.
"Is this fog you're doing?" Instead of answering my question, the boy strangely covers his ears. As a result, the water retracts to a puddle, pulling him across the floor. Then his sharp nails dig into the stone, and he stops.
I see, I see. He fell into a trap. But what about this fog?
"Is this fog you're doing?" Very frustratingly, the boy refuses to answer my question again. His mouth opens, but no sound comes out. Is he mocking me? No, thinking back, shouldn't his nails have made noise when they slid against the stone?
Is he unable to generate noise in the fog? If I can and he can't, then this must be a unique stealth ability.
"HAHAHA, you are an interesting guy. Nod your head if this fog is your doing, and if it is, let us join hands and go to the finish line!"
"If not, I'll have to kill you."
I want his power on my side, but without it, his only purpose is to aid my victory in death.
[Sieraa Pov]
"AGH."
After blocking a kick with my forearm, I jump backward and barely avoid a counterattack. Out of all people, why did I have to run into him?
In a straight hall of the maze, I'm locked in battle with a boy my age. His long silver hair runs past his white robes to the floor. He has a battle-honed physique, but more important is the tattoo of a flower blossoming around his right eye.
Lucius Valdir.
The prodigy of the Valdir clan. My rival.
Ugh, I don't have time for this.
"It's been a while, Sierra. I see you're still a beautiful young flower yet to blossom."
Really, that's the best you've got? His words might seem like flattery, but that's his way of calling me weak. Our clans have been warring for generations, and with no end in sight, there is hot blood anytime a Blackthorne meets a Valdir.
I smirk.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you've lost a step. Is that curse finally killing you, or are the daddy issues coming out?"
He touches his flower tattoo.
"Oh, this thing. I haven't thought about it in years. But isn't it the pathetic Blackthorne who wants our power so badly? The Blackthorne, who have raided our villages for years, trying to figure out our secrets?"
His hand falls to his side, and the flower tattoo glows bright red. My eyes widen. There it is—the curse of the Valdir.
"Here, let me be benevolent and give you a taste."
In the next instant, he lunges. Fast—too fast. I can barely see his fist as it thrusts toward my waist. I roll out of the way, but before I can even blink, he's next to me. What is this speed?
I struggle as he grabs my hair and lifts me. Kicking, punching—nothing seems to affect him. It's as if his body is made of stone and his legs of lightning.
This is the power of the Valdir clan—what my family so desperately wants, what they've sent me to find in the games. It's impossibly strong. He's impossibly strong.
Thud!
He slams me into the wall, and it feels like a freight train just hit me. Blood spews from my mouth, splattering onto the stone and staining his robe. Then, with his breath hot on my face, he leans in.
"Listen here, you're cute—"
Don't say that, you weirdo! Say something else right this instant. I feel my face heating up. However, he drops me to the floor and creates distance without saying another word.
'Huh? What is he doing?'
Then, as if to answer my question, angry green vines shoot wildly from the wall. They grab my arms first, then my legs, and before I know it, I am completely ensnared in the wall's web. I pull with all my might, but the vines are too vigorous.
And the worst part is Lucius' cold eyes lingering on my body. After he just called me cute and beat me in a fight, it's too embarrassing.
I bite my cheek.
In my situation, what would Master Kael do? My master's words flow through me like an encyclopedia of wisdom.
'When you are in a disadvantaged position, try your best.'
Maybe he isn't the brightest. This situation couldn't be worse, and honestly, I don't see a way out. The notion of failing my clan is something I can't bear. I have to get free, I have to climb the tower. I angrily rip my arm, and the vine loosens before going taut.
Then Lucius makes my heart flutter faster than it already is.
"I will help you under one condition."
I sigh. Why would he help me? A Valdir assisting a Blackthorne is unheard of. Is this a trick... there's no reason not to hear him out at the very least.
"What is it?"
"Marry me?"
WHAT!