Her sad expression seemed to have turned worse after his harsh words. "I'm sorry" she wailed
"Eh?" He was confused, did she just agree to the fact that he called her weak?
"I know that I'm weak, I can't do anything right. That's why I need to get to the Upper ten, I'll wish to be stronger" she wailed
'I didn't ask anything' were Derrick's thoughts.
Her reaction was slightly unexpected. If it was Gabbie, she would have been on his throat by now....guess not all girls are the same.
Derrick sighed out, "common, I'll help'' he lifted her gently and placed her arm around his neck for support.
"This path has a dead end, I've heard some people come in and leave" she explained. "My name is Fang, you?" She asked
"Derrick" he blurted out. The thoughts 'should I have used a fake name or...' came to his mind afterwards but it was late.
"Your name is nice" she said
Derrick sneered, "don't flatter yourself honey, I'm just helping you, we aren't friends now" he said harshly.
Maybe he just missed Gabbie and DoHyun's strong spirits that coming in contact with Fang who was in complete contrast made him annoyed.
Gasping tirelessly for air, DoHyun and Gabbie ran. Her hearts ached for this to be the one path, their legs threatened to give out any moment.
Checking the corners and turns, they left nothing unexplored. It was tiresome, yes but it needed to be done.
It was like a dream.....their eyes lit up like sparkling stars and their lips curled into a painful smile.
The real exhaustion hit them the moment they stepped out. DoHyun sat collapsed on the bare ground, panting. Her brain not being able to formulate any ones, she mouthed 'we did it'
Gabbie sat down as well, catching her breaths. She looked around, there weren't many outside the maze, to think, out of almost a hundred people only this few had made it out.
DoHyun couldn't stop the smile on her face no matter how she tried. She just hoped the rest would make it out.
While they sat waiting, other people would occasionally come out, their faces edged in relief.
"Gabbie!" Gabbie looked up
"Jason! Eiden!" She exclaimed and stood up with DoHyun.
"You made it out" said DoHyun excitedly, she was worried sick.
"Wait, where's Derrick?'' Gabbie asked
Before Eiden or Jason could reply, the gate made a grumbling sound as soon as the thirtieth person came out.
At that moment, people came out of the maze. There were six entrances with only one exit, this made the maze really hard.
The ones behind the gate started to pile up, some were banging and cursing while some even retreated.
"Oh no," said DoHyun.
"It's Derrick" her voice was laced with sadness.
It was just then they all saw him coming out while holding on to a girl, she looked injured.
Derrick saw them together and passed on a relieved smile.
"Are those your friends Jerry?" Fang asked, they were waving at him.
Derrick's expression dropped "it's Derrick, my name's Derrick not Jerry" he said, annoyed
"Oh! I'm sorry Der-rick, my memory sometimes fails me" she laughed
"Oh really?, I hadn't noticed," said Derrick sarcastically.
At least they made it out, he said inwardly with a smile. He waved them one last time before the thirty were guided away.
The rest started returning, some angry, some sad. Derrick looked among them and he couldn't find that nosy Blondie which means he may have made it out.
Going back, "seems like you won't get that wish" said Derrick to Fang
She wasn't as bothered as he thought she'd be "it's alright, I was only trying out my luck. I'll just get stronger the old fashioned way, through intense training" she smiled
"Good for you".
"Ouch!" Fang hissed in pain, her ankle was getting worse.
"We should get this treated," said Derrick.
...
"I hope Derrick's doing okay" said DoHyun
"I'm sure he's fine, don't worry" Gabbie assured her
But she wasn't convinced. "How can you say this!? He has nowhere to go, what if he gets into trouble or something?"
Jason snorted "trouble? Common, it's Derrick we're talking about here, he'll surely get into trouble"
"See.." her eyes were mixed with worry
"But," said Jason "he isn't the type to give in easily, he may seem.....stupid sometimes but not all the time"
"Yeah, the Derrick I know has been hustling his entire life and fending for himself. Trust me DoHyun, he'll do okay" she assured.
Although still not convinced, DoHyun let the matter go. After all, they were his friends and she has only known him for a little while.
"Warriors!" The man at the podium yelled enthusiastically, "In great happiness I say congratulations. Your spirits are eager and your determination confirmed. Smartly navigating your way through the maze amaranth has proved your worth as warriors with sharp and brilliant minds".
The man blabbered on with his speech that no one cared about.
Jason looked around, his eyes searching the many heads and faces.
He saw a familiar axe wielder and his eyes narrowed, so he made it out.....good, he had already sworn to make him pay for tricking them earlier.
"Emperor Zhou has prepared rooms for the thirty, upon tomorrow the trials shall start of which out of the thirty ten will be chosen. Hail Emperor Zhou!" The man yelled
The crowd chorused "Hail! Hail! Hail!".
With that, everyone dispersed.
Females were given different rooms from the males. Each room had four occupants.
After being directed by one of the maids, DoHyun and Gabbie found themselves in the same room. It was richly decorated and spacious.
It had two designed and well detailed wooden bunk beds with comfortable beddings.
They sat on one of the beds, relishing the aroma of the room.
The door creaked open and two girls walked in.
In a state of shock, DoHyun gasped unintentionally.
"T..Twins?" She muttered, it was her first time seeing twins