Shina and Yuri trudged along, their spirits as heavy as the shadows that clung to them. The words of Rin echoed in their minds, a haunting reminder of their shortcomings.
"Rin was right," Yuri finally broke the silence, her voice filled with regret. "We treated him like a burden." Shina sighed, glancing around the labyrinthine maze they had been wandering for what felt like an eternity. "But what can we do now? Rin is brave, that's true, but he's out there alone and powerless. It's dangerous." After another stretch of silence, Shina suddenly halted, her brow furrowing in thought. "The path we entered... It's called 'the blood to be risen.'" With a determined glint in her eye, Shina bit into her own arm, letting her blood drip onto the ground. To their astonishment, the crimson liquid began to flow with an almost sentient will, winding eastward. Curiosity piqued, they followed it into a dimly lit chamber, where a sinister sign loomed overhead: "A life has to be sacrificed to open the path. "Before their eyes, the entrance they had come through sealed shut, leaving them trapped. Yuri's expression hardened, dread creeping into her voice. "One of us has to die." They stood on opposite circles, the air thick with tension as a haunting voice echoed through the maze. "The fight starts now. One soul must be sacrificed to unlock the door. If you choose not to fight, both of you will perish!"I don't want to fight!" Yuri exclaimed, her heart racing."Neither do I," Shina replied, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "But we have no choice!" In a moment of desperation, Shina lunged at Yuri, landing a punch that sent her flying. Yet, just as suddenly, Yuri appeared behind her, a ghostly illusion that momentarily confused Shina. "I've always known this day would come," Yuri said, her voice laced with emotion. "You'll be the one to kill me."Why would I do that?" Shina questioned, her fists clenched tightly. "Everyone blames me for my past. Because of me, Rin chose to leave the human city, and you all followed him. I was fighting him even in the aircraft!"
It was never your fault, Rin took his own decision as we do.
Enraged, Shina struck the ground, sending up a cloud of dust. Amid the chaos, she used the smoke to her advantage, executing a swift kick that knocked Yuri to the ground. Yuri, unfazed, melted into another illusion, evading Shina's attacks. Time stretched as Shina relentlessly battled through the phantoms, but with every strike she threw, every illusion flickered, and the real Yuri eluded her grasp. Then, out of nowhere, Yuri struck back, her attack brutal, and Shina felt a sharp pain slice through her leg. Yet, refusing to give in, she pushed forward, rampaging through the illusions to deliver a fierce blow that slammed Yuri into the wall, blood spattering from her mouth.
Both fighters stood, exhausted and battered, teetering on the brink of defeat. Shina's leg buckled beneath her, and in that vulnerable moment, Yuri lunged forward, piercing Shina's neck in a final, devastating strike, sealing their fates in an unforgiving maze.
The path opened. Yuri went inside the path, and it closed.
Yuri's eye was filled with tears as she walked. Suddenly, she saw a figure lying in front of her; it was none other than Shina.
Yuri sprinted forward, shouting, "Shina!"
Shina woke up after a few minutes in Yuri's lap.
Shina spoke, "How am I alive?"
Yuri replied, "I don't know how, but I saw you here lying in the ground.
Suddenly, they heard the maze: Welcome to the Undead Maze!** Each of you has been assigned a number of lives based on your strength—those who are weaker possess more lives, while the stronger among you have fewer. Keep a close eye on your remaining lives, which are visible in your hand. Remember, once your last life fades away, you will be drawn into the maze forever. Face the challenges ahead wisely, for survival hinges on your choices! Will you rise to the occasion, or will you become part of the undead? The maze beckons!.
Shina and Yuri checked their hands, and Shina had 1 dot and Yuri had 1 dot in her hand.
Yuri spoke, "I have one dot because I am the only one who knows about my ability.
Shina spoke, "So it makes me the second strongest."
Shina said, "At least, I am a little relieved."
Yuri asked, "Why?"
Shina replied, "If we get our lives by stronger or weaker, then Rin is the most powerless among the seven, so he might possess 7 dots of life.
Yuri spoke, "He is braver and cleverer than everyone of us; he will definitely survive.