[Rona's Side – 3rd Level Maze]
The dimly lit mirrors stretched into the distance like endless reflections of a fractured world. Rona skipped along the cracked marble floor, her humming bouncing between the mirrored walls with eerie cheer.
Behind her, Ronald trailed silently, his bloodshot eyes flickering with hesitation.
"Hmm?" Rona stopped mid-hop and spun around. "What's wrong? Is something bothering you? Tell Rona. Rona is friend!" She raised both arms like a victorious toddler.
Ronald flushed. "Wh-Who's your friend? I'm not your friend," he mumbled.
Rona tilted her head, genuinely confused. "Hmm? You're not Rona's friend? Then what are you?"
He hesitated, eyes twitching between the mirror and her grin. "Ugh... Never mind that. Look, erm... There's something I wanted to tell you before, but I was too nervous."
Rona gave him a dramatic nod. "Well, that is...?"
Ronald scratched the back of his neck, face red. "I'm sorry about before. I-I... I was too caught up in the moment and got a bit... aggressive. No, too aggressive. I didn't mean to push you. I hope you'll forgive me."
Rona beamed and bounced on her heels. "It's okay. It happens to everyone!"
"I don't think so... but thanks. And I'm also sorry for making you and your friend fight because of me."
Rona blinked. "What fight?"
Ronald raised a brow. "You and the other boy fought, remember?"
Rona stared, blank. "Nope!"
"But I heard you guys argued and didn't talk for days—"
Rona cut him off with a cheerful shake of her head. "Isaac and I only talked. That's all."
Silence.
The mood turned awkward. Rona broke it with a pout. "I'm Rona. What's your name?"
"Ronald," he said quietly.
"That's a nice name."
Ronald flushed again. "Well... You have a pretty name too."
"Ehehehehehe," Rona giggled like she'd just eaten three spoonfuls of sugar.
Then Ronald looked down and mumbled, "By the way... are you sure you want to stay with me? It's better if you leave. I'm bad luck. If you stay, you might get hurt."
Rona shook her head violently. "I'll stay with you till the end and more! Besides, Lil also has super bad luck!"
[Llyne's Side – 2nd Level Maze]
"Achoo!" I sneezed hard and rubbed my nose. "Ugh... Is someone talking about me?"
The little girl jumped beside me, eyes wide. "You don't think those monsters are secretly planning to ambush us, rip our guts out and chew on them slowly while savoring our blood, right?"
I stared. "Wh—what? Ew. No! What happened to your egoistic personality?!"
The girl's lips quivered. "What are you talking about? I'm always like this… Ah! You hate me, don't you?! I knew it. Everyone hates me!" She started bawling, tears streaming.
I flailed my arms. "What? No! I don't hate you. How could I? You're a very beautiful and lovable girl!"
She peeked up through teary lashes. "Really?"
I patted her head. "Really." I sighed as she clung to Mr. Bear again. Oui... What mess did I get myself into now?
[Isaac's Side – 3rd Level Maze]
Dan, the brown-haired guy, stuck close. Too close.
"There are monsters crawling everywhere... Ugh. I hate it."
Isaac didn't even look back. "Who doesn't? Quit yapping and focus. We wouldn't want an ambush."
"Kisahh!"
A monster burst out of the mirror—its skin slick and sinewy, fangs gnashing.
Dan spun around and cleaved the beast in two with a single swing of his newfound sword. The sound of slicing flesh echoed through the corridor.
"Woah... This sword is really deadly. Good thing we found it in that chest."
Isaac nodded. "Yeah... and thanks."
"No worries. I'll handle the monsters. You handle the navigation!"
Isaac narrowed his eyes. Like a golden retriever with a weapon...
Dan suddenly beamed. "I'm Dan!"
Isaac grunted.
Dan waited.
Isaac gave in. "Isaac."
"Hello, Isaac! I'm 15. What about you?"
Isaac rolled his eyes. "Thirteen."
"Ohhh... Puberty hasn't hit yet, huh? No wonder you're still short."
Isaac grabbed Dan's collar. "Keep talking, and someone's going to lose a limb."
Dan turned pale and shut up instantly. Isaac sighed in blissful silence. Finally.
[Llyne's Side – Center of Second-Level Maze]
"We're almost at the center," the little girl muttered.
"Really? Thanks!" I smiled. The little girl smiled back. The mirrored path grew colder as we advanced. The faint hum of energy pulsed through the glassy walls.
"Wow! Have we reached it already? That was fast."
The little girl giggled. "Let's climb the ladders."
Click.
A mechanical click echoed from the left.
My heart dropped. That sound...
Bang!
A bullet flew past us, just grazing my cheek. I immediately pulled the little girl behind me.
"Kyahh!!" she screamed, trembling.
I scanned the shadows. "A monster?"
"Nope. Try again."
A girl stepped out of the corridor, gun in hand, a twisted smirk on her face. Behind her limped a bloodied boy, eyes vacant.
"Pfft… Looks like there are idiots without weapons," the girl laughed, spinning her gun with practiced ease.
So there really are weapons in treasure chests... I eyed the gun warily.
"You scared?" she taunted. "Too late for that." She aimed her gun at us.
I glanced at the girl behind me. "Can I borrow your needle?"
She nodded wordlessly and handed over the giant metal needle.
I turned back to the smirking girl and said, "Who'd be scared of an ugly monster like you?"
She froze. "What did you say?"
"You heard me. You may look pretty on the outside, but you're rotten inside. Not a monster, not even a human. Not when you use your own kind as bait. Makes me wonder… what breed are you?"
Her face twisted with rage. "How dare you!"
She pulled the trigger.
I sprinted forward, weaving between her bullets like wind through broken glass. One passed my ear. Another grazed my arm. Focus... she's no sniper.
Before she could react, I was already there. She tried to grab the boy as a shield, but—
Too slow.
I jabbed the needle to her throat. "Let the boy go. Or I pierce your neck."
Her hands trembled. She dropped the boy and collapsed, gun clattering.
I snatched the gun, handed the needle back, and turned away.
"What about the boy?" the little girl asked, her voice soft.
I pushed her toward the ladder. "He can decide for himself. We can barely protect ourselves, let alone them."
She nodded silently and started climbing.
I hesitated, then looked back. They were staring at me like lost puppies.
I sighed. Walked back. "Hey. It's dangerous here. Go up. Keep going forward."
They stared blankly.
I grabbed their arms and dragged them to the ladder. "Come on. We don't have all day."
They finally nodded and climbed. I followed behind, rubbing my neck.
"They're still kids," I muttered. "She used him, yeah... but maybe she's realized it now."
When I reached the top, the little girl was waiting, giggling softly.
I rubbed her head. "Alright, alright. I get it."
We stepped into the next part of the maze. The mirrors shimmered.
A new level. A new threat.
But at least… We were still together.