Day Two
Captain Masashi and Captain Kei were in charge of planning the games today. Honestly, I think Captain Masashi only volunteered because he was too lazy to participate. That man is the king of laziness.
Soon, the two of them stood in front of us, grinning. This can’t be good.
"The game we’re playing is a maze. But this isn’t just any ordinary maze." Since when was a maze ever simple, Captain Masashi? He smirked and continued, "In this game, you’ll need to avoid traps and defeat enemies."
We all exchanged glances.
"Captain Masashi, are you saying we’re supposed to kill each other?" Lieutenant Arla asked, glaring at him.
He laughed before turning serious.
"No. But there’s a chance you might. We’ll be placing clones inside that can mimic any one of you. So it’ll be hard to tell who’s real and who’s not. Don’t worry—if you’re about to die, we’ll pull you out." He chuckled.
"What? Are you out of your—"
Before Lieutenant Arla could finish, Lieutenant Ren and Eisha dragged her away, trying to calm her down. At this rate, she might actually bury her captain.
"I don’t want to participate!" she yelled.
"Hahaha! Relax. No one’s dying today. This’ll be easy for you. Of course, there’s more to the maze than we’re telling you. Your only goal is to find the exit. And the prize is..." He paused, letting Captain Kei take over.
"A katana from Captain Masashi’s personal collection and a food card good for a month at any restaurant in Hiyosko—courtesy of me."
Oohhh… Not bad.
"I’m not participating," Zeid said flatly, looking away. There he goes again with his cold attitude.
"No problem! Who is joining?"
After some discussion, five of us raised our hands—Lieutenant Ren, Lieutenant Leigh, Captain Xu, Lieutenant Eisha, and me.
Small competition. Perfect.
Captain Kei led us to a distant area and created a massive maze with his earth manipulation. Damn. If he’s this skilled, fighting him would be terrifying.
"Enter the maze. Once inside, you’ll be separated—though you might find a partner. Good luck!"
"Alright!" Eisha cheered before rushing in. Leigh and I followed.
As soon as I stepped inside, a bright light flashed, and I found myself alone in a section of the maze.
"Ahem, by the way—you only have 30 minutes inside. If time runs out and no one’s escaped..." I could feel Captain Masashi grinning. "Well, that’s a secret. Hurry up and find the exit!"
I could hear him sipping something—probably sake—before the noise faded.
The maze had open sections where I could still see the sky, but I suspected some parts were fully enclosed. I started walking, searching for clues, but all I saw were walls, long corridors, and turns.
Hmm… Right or straight?
As I rounded a corner, I collided with someone. We both tumbled to the ground.
"Ow, ow, ow!"
I looked up, rubbing my sore arm. Lieutenant Leigh sat up, wincing as she held her hip.
"You okay?" I helped her stand.
She grinned sheepishly. "Yeah. Sorry. Something was chasing me."
Chasing her?
A low growl echoed behind us.
We turned slowly and saw a hideous monster—rotting flesh, writhing maggots, and blood-red eyes.
"Rwoarrr!" It charged.
"AAAHHH! Nyssa, it’s so ugly!" Leigh shrieked as we bolted.
"Why is it saying ‘Rwoarrr’? Shouldn’t it be ‘Roawrr’?" she asked mid-sprint, as if that was the real issue.
"That’s the least of our problems! TURN!"
She didn’t listen—slamming face-first into a wall.
"Owwww..." she groaned.
The monster was closing in, so I yanked her up and dragged her away, adrenaline fueling my escape.
Once we were safe, we leaned against a wall, panting.
"I thought I was gonna die," Leigh gasped, staring at the sky.
"You would have if you’d kept running blind," I muttered.
She laughed. "Thanks, Nyssa!"
I nodded, scanning our surroundings. We’d reached a wide area with a pond in the center—and someone standing beside it.
Lieutenant Ren.
He waved. "Nyssa! Leigh!"
"Why are you just standing there?" Leigh asked.
He scratched his head. "Waiting for you two."
We exchanged glances.
"For us?"
"Yeah. Figured we’d have a better chance as a group."
First, how did he know we’d end up here? Second...
Leigh suddenly moved behind him, pressing his own katana to his throat.
"Ren and Eisha are the worst at directions. Even if he tried to predict our path, he’d never guess right. Sorry, but you’re not convincing me."
"Also, Lieutenant Ren doesn’t wear a headband," I added, pointing at the cute bandana on this guy’s head.
He smirked—but before he could react, Leigh sliced his throat.
Damn. Lieutenant Leigh is scary.
"Let’s go," she said casually.
"Damn, Leigh’s brutal," Captain Masashi laughed, sipping his sake. Is this man drinking all day? I pity his liver.
"Lieutenant Arla, who do you think will win?" Captain Kei asked.
I glanced at the large smoke screen displaying the maze’s events before shrugging.
"Dunno. But Captain Xu has the advantage."
"Leigh and Nyssa stand a chance if they stick together," Captain Kaito mused, sipping juice.
"Mmm… Maybe."
"She’s not going to win," Zeid said suddenly, eyes locked on the screen.
We all turned to him.
"Oh? And how do you know?" I crossed my arms.
"I just do."
Hmph.
"WAIT A MINUTE!"
"Do you want the ground to collapse on us? Use your head!" I yanked Eisha down from the hole she was trying to climb.
She huffed. "If you’re just gonna complain, help me get out!"
I sighed. "What do you want me to do? Throw you? Even if I did, you wouldn’t make it. It’s too high."
She stomped her foot. "Ughhh! And I had to get stuck with you!"
"Excuse me? You’re lucky it’s me!"
"If I were lucky, we wouldn’t be in this hole!"
God, take this child away.
"Calm down, Eisha."
"Mmmph!" She turned her back to me.
This brat’s attitude sometimes...
I exhaled and looked up.
"HELP!" we both screamed.