Chapter 12: Courage Test part 2

Catherine took a peek from the side of the pavilion and sees Carlos standing with his back facing Catherine. He isn't moving from his spot, as if he is waiting for something, for someone. Standing still in the middle, Catherine felt a chill run down her spine with Rhyden's word whispering behind her ears. Making it impossible to listen to her thoughts because of Rhyden's overpowering advice to Catherine.

She tried to shut all the noises out and breaths in deeply before stepping up to the small stairs of the pavilion and walked right in. Carlos remained in his spot, not daring to make a move. Catherine thought that there might not be anything to worry about and with that word worry, Rhyden's voice came to her mind again, giving her a reason worry. The cruel Carlos suddenly appeared inside her mind, seeing the image of him being the madman everyone had told her about and suddenly, the Carlos in front of her moved. He turned around and faced Catherine with a maddening look in his face. His eyes bearing the same insane energy she had envisioned Carlos to be, as a bad person in her mind.

The Carlos in front of her slowly approaches her. The look in his eyes is unnerving. Catherine had to take a step back to process what is going to happen next.

"Hello, C-Carlos..." Catherine spoke up. Her voice trembled.

"Hello Catherine." Carlos replied to her. His voice were mellow and sweet. He gave her a smile but it came out as a wicked evil smile on his face. Creepy even. His lips were so wide when he smiled, almost reaching up to his ears that gave Catherine the creeps all over her body.

Catherine tried to strike a conversation with him just like what she did back then, unfortunately, due to the fear growing inside of her, she was unable to do so. Her tongue was tied and could not utter a word even if she pleases to. And with Carlos getting closer and closer, she took a step back to keep their distance but Carlos was faster and grabbed Catherine from her hand and pulled her closer to him.  Him and her touching from chest to chest. He looks down on her and her eyes does not hold the same light she usually have.

Carlos' hand crept up from her waist all the way closer to her chest and knew where his touch is going so she slapped the hand away quickly to get his hand off of her. The Carlos in front of her did not like that so he raised his hand and slapped Catherine across the face. She was stunned upon receiving that hit and she drew herself away from his touch. Slowly she raised her head to Carlos with her eyes tearing up but then suddenly, the Carlos in front of her changed into a different form. His face is the first one to change into a the same form of the enemy she had fought earlier. When the Carlos she had encountered had finished changing it's form, it divided itself into three and together they surrounded Catherine and prevented her from leaving the pavilion.

Catherine clicked her tongue because of the nuance she is going to face right now. She summoned her polearm to her side and gripped it tightly with anger about something that she doesnt even know where that emotion originated from.

Casting a magic, she threw her arm towards the enemies and waves of water attacks the enemy for a good 5 seconds before she summoned lightning and zapped the enemies all at once. With the enemies wet, the water became a converter of the lightning that zapped them and that lightning travelled through their body so quickly that made them freeze on the spot as they get electrocuted. Earning a groan from the pain they are receiving and it kept zapping them as long as the lightning has yet to leave their body. Taking that advantage, Catherine then casted the same magic, the fire outburst at the enemy, creating an explosion that blasted them out and damaging the pavilion all at once.

"Haah... haah..." She panted. She fixed her posture and observed the damage she had done. The enemies had already disintegrated and the pavilion is wrecked as it is. Realizing what she had done, she raised the hand she used when she used the fire outburst. Not a stain in her hand yet her magic did quite a damage.

She took a deep breath in before seeing another Carlos in the distance walking all alone. Right now, her thought about Carlos is blank. Not the Carlos she had met nor the Carlos Rhyden had warned her about. Just Carlos with his back turned against her, walking to a direction, the same direction he had took when Catherine had led him to their next destination back then.

Catherine tried to catch up again but things will never be easy. The space in front of her became warped and distorted, creating a crack in the fabric of reality and found herself trapped in mirrors. Seeing her own reflection, the eternity of the reflections of all surroundings. Another maze although smaller yet tricky. She walks only to meet her own reflection. She did her best to remember the path she had taken so that if she were to find a dead end, she could always go back but how would she be able to do it properly when the image of Carlos in the mirrors keeps appearing randomly, making it hard for Catherine to focus on where she is going.

She got turned around and was surprised to see Carlos on the other side of the mirror. She places her hand and Carlos did the same. Imitating every movement she makes. His hand on the other side touching the same spot where she is touching. If it weren't for the mirror wall, she and Carlos would have been in touch to each other physically.

She looked closer to Carlos and sees a soft expression on him. Not the same cruel image she have for him. All he holds in his face is innocence and kindness that she couldn't help but feel drawn to him. She stepped closer to see him better and Carlos reflected what she did and leaned closer too. The more she thought of the Carlos she met that night, the more this Carlos is tamed. Getting better observation of Carlos, Catherine could tell that this Carlos is a lot different than what everyone had told her about.

A tear dropped from Carlos's eye. His expression is unchanged and neutral yet his eyes released more tears. Trying to conveying something he could not convey. Catherine can see all of this, unfortunately, she doesn't understand any of it.

The mirror wall suddenly shatters and her hand met Carlo's hand. His hand is slightly bigger than hers and warmer. She didn't know what to say with their eyes still locked onto each other. Unconsciously, she slips her fingers against Carlos' fingers and she intertwined them together, feeling a strong bond with him.

How come the person everyone had told her to be cautious around could be so... Vulnerable in front of her. How could he appear so tamed? Why is it that in her eyes Carlos is not the person they have told her about? She has few questions but all of them can have varied answers that she wouldn't be able to tell which is the truth and which is an opinion of others.

The mini maze of mirrors shatters into millions of pieces along with the reflection of Carlos but the warmth from his hand had burned a mark to Catherine's hand that she would never forget.

As when she thought it is finally over, the Carlos in her challenge is still lingering around, asking for Catherine to follow him.

---

The water current had brought the two boys into a huge pit where waters  meet from different ends. The two fell into the huge water filled pit. Eugene had to guide Carlos how to dive into the waters so to not hurt himself or both of them. He kept their feet pointed to the water before breaking surface tension, creating a big splash in the water.

When they emerged their head from the water, the water is threateningly deep. Carlos is already on his tiptoes to keep his head out of the waters. He kept his hand tightly holding to Eugene.

"I don't know how to swim!" He yelled. Crawling his way to Eugene even closer than he already is. Fear has already taken over his mind.

Eugene, upon hearing that, could not believe what he is hearing. He wanted to lash out but kept his hands wrapped around Carlos, keeping him close to not lose each other. "Fine! It's fine! Just hold on to me!" He said while looking around to find a way out. Investigating the place they fell in. It is very huge. Wide and tall and multiple ends of hallways can be seen from above including from where they came out from and all of them have water coming out of them, making those hallways more of a canal than what it is. Looking at the higher part, the top of the huge pit has a big light emitting, lighting the whole place. Eugene couldnt see properly but is that a cloud he sees? A way out?

Given an idea, Eugene thought of the rising water might help him and Carlos to reach the very top of the huge pit, giving them a way out. All they have to do is just endure everything till they reach the certain water level. The only problem would be is Carlos does not know how to swim. Being reminded of this information, he groaned to himself, trying to think of anything for Carlos.

"The walls are made out of bricks. There are chips and dents, something that could be grabbed on. Carlos could use it to support his weight while the water is rising." Murmured in his mind upon his further investigation of the room. He quickly drags Carlos with him to the wall of the pit. Carlos can no longer support himself because the water already reaches up to his forehead. If it werent for Eugene keeping him on the same level as him, he would have been completely  drowning.

"Quickly! Grab here!" He said and Carlos eagerly obeyed him. His slender hand felt around the brick before finding a gap that he could slip his finger to grab on. Eugene did the same while keeping his other hand on Carlos to keep him close. Carlos has yet to let go of Eugene's shirt.

"What do we do!?" Carlos asked. Mustering up the last ounce of rationality.

"See the light on top? Thats our way out!" Eugene looked up to the ceiling and Carlos followed the direction to where he looked at.

"Are you sure!?"

"No! But I see something! Like clouds!"

Carlos looked up again to try and see what Eugene is talking about yet he could not really tell if he sees cloud because all  he sees is overwhelming source of light, not seeing anything beyond of that. Unsure of it however, running out of option, he knew he have to trust Eugene about this one to see if what he think might be true.

The waters coming out of each halls are getting more and more powerful and fills up the pit a lot faster. The two have to frequently reach up high to get to the next brick by brick to grab onto something to support themselves.

---

Rhyden had already knew that this challenge isnt gonna be easy, let alone being it being a simply defeating the enemy, yet this is not what he had expected at all. The huge monster in front of him, level 60, more aggressive, smart, and possibly a memory inoculation of known fighter to the brain of this monster thats why its moves are more calculated than it should be for the normality of this monster. However, that is not his biggest problem. His biggest problem is that monster have self regeneration and everytime Rhyden get its health at a certain bar level, it regenerates 50 percent of its life and Rhyden is getting sick of it.

The monster had already regenerated its life 2 times now and Rhyden is getting tired. His sword is growing heavier the longer he swings it at the monster. 'What a workout' he thought but that aside, he is almost at his limit. He had told himself he does not want to know what will happen if he loses and so, if he were to give up, he would certainly know for sure.

He groans to himself from annoyance. His patience is running low. He runs away from the monster and that uses energy as well. He needs a breather or else...

"Damn! Looks like Im gonna need to defeat that sanctimonious creature." Rhyden muttered to himself, using temporary shield to block the enemy's attacks. It only lasted for 3 heavy attacks before it breaks and Rhyden had to make a run for it again. Cautiously watching over his shoulder to make sure it is far away from him so to avoid of him getting grabbed by it . With enough distance he created himself between it, he re-casted his shield  before looking for an opening to the monster to prepare to attack again.

He gathered his remaining patience and cooled his head off before charging in again, ready to do another round of draining its health before he thinks of a final blow to put that bugger down. Rhyden used his buff skill, feet apart, low stance, sword in front, he dashes forward and gives the enemy a heavy blow, his sword imbued with burning effect that Rhyden applied in the middle of charging to it.

The monster stumbled back and fell to its bottoms, earning a loud thud when it hit the ground. Rhyden felt the ground shake upon the impact. He back at it for another slash, not wasting the effect on his sword before it fades away and headed to the monster's back. He stabs it to its left side, puncturing the layers of tissues to its muscles, reaching deeper and damaged the monster's left lung. The monster screamed from the pain inflicted by Rhyden and struggled, elbowing behind in hopes of hitting its attacker. Rhyden used his strength and pulled out his sword. Blood gushes out of the monster's wound. Even if it felt a little freedom with the blade out of its body, the pain had chained its body, unable to move freely as the pain only gets worse.

The health bar of that monster is going lower and lower even if Rhyden had only attacked twice. The wound caused lots of bleeding that caused for the health bar to move downwards. Rhyden is satisfied with his own work.

He attacked it few more times with normal attacks while avoiding the incoming hits of the monster that tries to get him although futile attempts. It is only a matter of time before it regenerates once it reaches the part of the health bar so Rhyden need to prepare a special move to fatality.

Facing the monster, he took a step back. He places his sword to his side and started charging up energy and mana, channeling everything to his sword. This move is not only physically draining but also mentally draining to Rhyden, considering the fact that everything he have in his self will be transferred to his sword. Because of this move, Rhyden had to train harder, pushing the boundaries just to achieve this special move he have up in his sleeves. Even if it were draining him mentally, a small joy flicker in his chest. His lips curved into a small smile. Feeling the warmth of his sword because of everything he had put it in, the energy and the mana completely fused into the blade, giving the sword an illusion or rather, a ghost of a blade, covering the blade of the sword he has, making it look like it has grew twice its size. And the mana, it coated the blade of a yellow light, confirming the buff of the sword. Sigils floating around the sword Rhyden is holding.

When the time is right, Rhyden finally swings his sword to the monster. It felt heavier in his hands but he endured the weight and fully pulls his sword to swing it to the side. It hit the monster perfectly at its shoulder all the way to its chest. It is so powerful Rhyden managed to cut through its thick flesh and the sturdy bone that monster, it fell onto the ground in half. Dusts flew off when its body fell. A wind caused by it flew to Rhyden, flipping his hair upwards, showing his fierce eyes with fire burning in his gaze.

"Haah... Haah...Heh..." Rhyden panted while catching his breath. He closes his eyes and lifted his head into the ocean sky. A single droplet fell on his forehead. He felt the coldness of it so he opens his eyes, revealing few more raindrops falling. Very few only but enough to relieve Rhyden's worry away.

He raises his right hand, revealing a diamond shaped green hologram just above his palm. The hologram pulsed in his hand. "Catherine?" He addressed to her. Catherine had given Rhyden a free will to her by her first name without the title of princess to address to her. No line at the other end responded. He tried again by calling her name once again and again. "Catherine? Are you there?"

---

On Catherine's side, she receives no contact from Rhyden at all. Her connection with him has been cut off that could be the work of the domain she is currently in. Static is what Rhyden could all hear in at his end and Catherine has no idea that Rhyden is trying to reach her through the call.

Catherine right now, is struggling to get away from Carlos. The hallway has turned dark with dimly light of red. The walls are crying with black liquids seeping through the cracks. Whistling winds outside the windows are screaming. The carpet she is stepping on feels like a flesh underneath her feet, hindering her from running. And the Carlos behind her, his footsteps, the deafening sound of crack each step he takes as he chases after poor Catherine.

"Caatthhheeerrriiinnneee~" Carlos with disfigured face and mutated body coos Catherine's name yet his voice is distorted, making it eerie and terrifying to hear. Catherine shivers as her name escaped from that Carlos' lips. She trembles from fear by his monstrous form.

"Carlos harassed so many girls around his age" that phrase is ringing inside her said. Rhyden had warned her about him. He had told her what he did.

She ran to the corner and closed the door so carefully to not alert that she had entered a room. She sat against the wall next to the bed and covered her mouth. Desperate not to be discovered.

Earlier as she was trying to look for Carlos after losing him in the dark while thinking of what Rhyden had told her. She tried to imagine what Carlos would have done to the girl Alliyah. Even though she does not know Alliyah, whether what she look like or what she is like, she had imagined her the way how she thought she'd be and what Carlos had done to her. It got to a point of she thought of something worse than what she had thought she'd imagine between the two. She scared herself.

While thinking the worst of Carlos, she found Carlos doing the same thing of what she had just imagine. Upon seeing it, she shrieked and caught Carlos' attention. When he turned, he smiled at her with creepy curve with his lips. He retracts himself from the girl he is "molesting" in the corner and approaches Catherine. His steps are slow yet heavy and the sole of his shoes makes a cracking sound beneath. When she saw him getting closer, she backs away slowly however, she knew it will not take her far so she turns and runs. Unknowingly, she triggered something in the domain that activated everything to change, causing everything around her become terrifying.

While locking herself inside a room, she can hear Carlos' footsteps outside. It is getting louder and louder. His shadows visible from the crack of the door. She saw it approach the door and twist the knob. When it realized that the door is locked. It twisted the knob violently that made Catherine tremble on her spot. Carlos behind the door is persisting that the door to open before him. He made a growling noise, one that sounded more like an animal than a human.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Catherine almost made a sound when a banging noise was heard behind the door. Carlos had banged his fists, attempting to break the door down. Thankfully it didnt and left Catherine unscathed inside the room but not without fear coating her body. Paralyzing her on the spot. Panting under her breath but she is not crying. No. She isnt. Rather, she is more puzzled than crying. Scared yes. She is indeed.

She is puzzled because, despite how much everyone tells her about Carlos. About what Rhyden had warned her about, she cannot erase the image of Carlos that she saw that night. Maybe he wasnt anything people had described to her because she has not seen that part of Carlos yet. She cannot deny all of what he has done to everyone and she cannot defend him as well since she only got to know him one time properly. However, she is so sure to herself Carlos isnt that type of person or maybe, not anymore as what everyone had said about him.

Catherine has always been known as someone who can see people's heart with just one look into their eyes. Catherine has never been wrong when it comes to that. Everyone's words about Carlos isnt wrong either so she doesnt know which one to believe. Her own judgement or everyone's experience with Carlos.

A sudden loud breaking noise was heard and Catherine diverted her attention back to reality. Carlos had broken down the door with all his might from banging the door with his inhumane strength displayed right in front of Catherine. His clothes askew and tainted with dark liquid. His eyes bloodshot with something oozing out of his eyesockets. His hair has darker hue of blue and black spots can be seen. And his hands, its all bloodied, his nails are long and sharp. The shape of his palm is irregularly large sized. He shot a look at Catherine and widely grinned at her appearance. His teeth are black and green goo leaked out of his mouth, dripping down disgustingly.

"No... This is not Carlos." Catherine said to herself. A small amount of anger filled her head. Accepting none of this appearance of Carlos presented in front of her. She pulled out her weapon, summoning it perfectly in her hands and pointed it directly at this monster imitating Carlos. She didnt attacked it earlier because of fearing hurting him, despite knowing that the domain is only cloning those who she knows. She have also just figured out that the domain must have been taking advantage of her mind, creating the images in her head com to life and use it against her, especially the bad thoughts she formed in her imagination.

"Yes. This is not Carlos. This domain is only trying to fool me!" She's realizing everything. She bit her lip before she launches forward to the monster and slashed it diagonally across its chest. Moving roots sprouted from the wound Catherine had inflicted upon it. They moved and grow or more likely, it crawled out of its hide, revealing its true self. It doesnt have an original form. Its whole body is composed with moving roots and a heart in the middle. The roots are surrounding the heart to protect itself. The roots are bundled up together like a yarn ball, making it look like guts tied together. Its sight is enough to make normal people have their stomachs upside down.

Catherine knew what she have to do. She prepared her polearm then imbued it with curse of rotting before she lunges herself forward and cut those roots one by one, ensuring that those disgusting ropes do not regenerate for the measure. She also needs to dodge the other moving roots that are different to the other ones. Those roots are specifically made for attacking. The base has a harder body with scales surrounding it as an armor. Moving swiftly from left to right, jumping up and landing carefully on her own two feet with graceful movement, just like dancing. Her feet elegantly moving in pattern.

She casted her skill, buffing herself and weakening the enemy. She have gathered enough mana from harming the enemy that she can now perform her perfected skill. She leaped backward to give herself some space before chanting.

"In a wish for this I might

in the dark it shines bright

moon hovering in the night

as guide, follow the light"

(Im not great with poems)

The wind ushered, the room darkened, everything is silenced and just for a second when it thought to be nothing, an explosion of light escaped through the magic Catherine had casted. The prism of light appeared right before her. It shines bright and blinded the monster. This prism took a charge before finally exploding into millions of glittering light scattered in the room. The remnants of the prism coated the monster, inevitably absorbing upon contact and with that, it burned the monster with no remedy for itself to relieve from the burning sensation it felt in its skin, slowly feeling the pain deepening through its entire body. The monster had also gained a mark, a symbol hovered right above its form and Catherine did not hesitate to cast a powerful laser and hit the monster directly at where the symbol is.

The laser had struck the enemy and another explosion was made from Catherine. The monster lay on the floor, weakened and unable to regenerate. The moving roots for its limbs are obliterated into ashes and the remaining of its roots desperately trying to cover its heart but to no avail because its remaining roots are not enough to fully cover its heart. lt can no longer defend itself and Catherine looked down upon it. To think she was so hesitant to attack it earlier throughout the chase because of the goodness in her heart thinking of it as the actual person whom she is trying to understand only it turned out to be a monster in disguise.

The room slowly changes back to its normal state. The liquid seeping through the cracks of the wall are disintegrating. The black stains are disappearing. The cracks on the wall are slowly repairing itself. The eeriness of the place is disappearing. The damage she had done while fighting the monster returned to its fixed form. Everything became back to normal. She stood in the middle watching everything but as the room fixes itself, it gradually reversed everything. From a cracked wall, into fixed wall, into reversing everything until there is nothing left. Everything had reversed and ceased from its existence, leaving Catherine all on her own in a room of white. A room with no walls to contain her but no destination to lead her. Just a pure white room, a vast room of nothingness.

Then, in a blink of an eye, Catherine is in a room with no trace of any infinite blank space. She found herself in the same room where she invited Carlos to have tea with. She is sitting on the same seat and Carlos on the opposite side of the table, drinking his tea. She is in the same scenario as that night before Carlos have said something about his distaste of how the kingdom runs by talents of people for not only in social structure but the whole of what made the kingdom.

"Carlos" She called out to him. Carlos looked at her as he sips his tea from his cup. His movements are slow and elegant. Keeping everything at grace. He lowered the cup from his lips and tilted his head to Catherine. His eyelids lazily draped over his eyes, staring back at Catherine. Underneath those eyelashes of his, Catherine can see a light gleaming through and thought to herself "Yes, this is the Carlos I know."  A small smile formed on her lips and grabbed some dessert from the tray. It tasted the same as how she did last time.

Out of the sudden, Carlos stood from his seat and walked away from the table. She stood up from her chair and chased after Carlos. She grabbed on his arm. Carlos stopped and turned to Catherine, still wearing the blank expression on his face. Catherine stood closer to Carlos, toe to toe and looked at him directly into his eyes. This Carlos might have been just the work of the domain and is based on her memory, she is sure that this Carlos, the Carlos in her memory is the real one unlike what everyone been telling her. She felt pity for him

She raised her hand and attempt to touch Carlos' cheek but he turned away. He did not flinch nor show any sign of fear. He simply turned away and his blank expression changed into pained expression. He had braced himself for an upcoming impact but it never came. He opened his eyes and turned his head to where he had expected a blow from and all he sees is Catherine's hand, unthreateningly reaching his cheek. When Catherine saw how he reacted, she felt even more pity for him. This action of his is for sure not from Catherine's memory.

Although, Catherine may have gotten the wrong idea from Carlos' action when he turned away.

"Carlos, you--" before she could say something, she woke up from the dream she didnt know she was having. The first thing she sees upon opening her eyes is Rhyden. His arms around her, holding her close to him.

---

The water has filled up the pit almost all the way to the very top and there's a devastating revelation to the two boys arising along with the water. Eugene had huge mistake due to hopeful thinking for a way out, thus, resulting of hallucinating, mistakenly seeing clouds from the light when in fact, it is nothing but a huge circle of light with a pattern imitating a window.

Carlos cursing at Eugene for not realizing it sooner and Eugene cursing at Carlos why he hadnt said a thing when he noticed there is nothing beyond the light. The two could only argue to each other. Too late to think of a solution now that the water has risen too high. The very bottom of the pit is too deep now and the pressure would only make it harder for them.

"I hate you. I FUCKING HATE YOU!" Carlos curses at Eugene.

"I HATE YOU EVEN MORE!" Eugene bites back.

"EVERYTHING GOES WRONG WHEN IM WITH YOU!"

"YOU THINK IT IS NOT THE SAME TO ME WHEN IM WITH YOU!?"

In only a few moment, the two will be completely swallowed by the rising water. The ceiling is getting closer to their heads. Carlos felt like crying and since his face is already wet, he let the tears in his eyes escape and fall onto his drenched cheeks. He did it so naturally so to not let Eugene notice it, however, Eugene can see those tears streaming down individually, flowing from his eyes. Eugene felt a sense of guilt inside his chest, giving Carlos a false hope because of his foolish assumption without thinking twice if he did see it right when he looked up. He didnt say anything to Carlos.

The water, engulfing the two, Eugene remembered a magic spell. Eugene never relied on magic too much. He believes in his physical prowess that he thinks him using magics would be pointless. In this situation, he knew he have to use it now. He can hold his breath underwater for a good 5 minutes, unfortunately, Carlos cannot do the same and Eugene figured that. While thinking, those thoughts flashes in his mind right before the water had reached the full capacity, filling the pit completely, leaving the two imprisoned in the body of water. Carlos took a deep breath in and Eugene did the same as well. Due to Carlos' panicked state, holding his breath would be too difficult. Eugene pulled Carlos to him, finally remembering the spell in his mind. Carlos was too troubled that he subconsciously hugged Eugene too hard that forced Eugene's oxygen escape from his lungs.

Just as Eugene was about to say the spell, the air in his lungs bursts out. Leaving him not enough oxygen to say the spell. With a risky idea, he held Carlos to the same level as him. He gripped on Carlos' jaw tightly before pressing their lips together. He forced Carlos to open his mouth using his hand gripping on Carlos' jaw. Carlos was surprised by Eugene's action. Eugene took advantage of it and breathed in the air Carlos had for himself before Eugene departed his lips.

Carlos felt death crawling to his heart. His chest tightened. He needs air. Desperately heaved his lungs but knew there's no oxygen breathe in. He clawed at Eugene who had taken his last breath and further cursed his very existence

After breathing in the air he got from Carlos, he let his chest rejoiced before casting the spell. In the water, he used his last breath to say "Bulla" and the water is quickly pushed out from them, giving them a space and miraculously, air for the two to share while confined in a bubble. Carlos, who thought he is going to die, his vision darkening, felt life coming back to him. He breathed in the air with full of relief.

Eugene looked at Carlos who clings to his shirt tightly. Both of his hands placed where Eugene can see them.  His hands trembling with fear after near death experience while hyperventilating. His body sitting between Eugene's legs and his head fell onto his shoulder. He rested there for a moment and Eugene let him. He raised his hand and hesitantly placed them on Carlos' arm. For some unknown reason, his heart had calmed down seeing Carlos alright. Alright?

After Carlos had fully regained himself, he sprang up. His body tensed. His hand clinging onto Eugene's shirt let go and quickly snaked up to Eugene's neck. He wrapped his hands to Eugene's neck and with no further delay, he strangled him with anger. Eugene, who was taken by surprise, grabbed on Carlos' wrists. It is a good thing he have quick reflex or else Carlos would fully have his hands latched onto him beyond removal. Eugene can see Carlos' eyes burning with fury. He growls and trying to reach to Eugene's neck once more but Eugene had separated his arms away. Carlos used his strength and shockingly overpowering Eugene. He got a chance to reach Eugene's neck again and digs his nails down to the flesh. Eugene choked. His lungs fighting for air for the second time. Despite of this happening, Eugene needed to keep his mind calm right when Carlos is not. He channeled his saved up strength to both of his hands and attempted to remove Carlos' hands away. He thought that it might be because of the adrenaline that is why Carlos have the mean to outdo his strength capability.

Eugene used of his thumbs and pressed deeply to Carlos' lower central of his wrist, targeting the nerve to weaken his grip. It worked with persistence and he yanked Carlos' hands away. He lowered his wrist, away from his neck and glared at Carlos who is, at this point, had used his pent up anger and remaining strength. The adrenaline in his body had ran out, leaving him with not even enough power to lift a finger. His chest has yet to cease its hyperventilation. His hands continue to tremble.

"You... you're going to kill me." Carlos weakly said. Wave of another stream of tears swelling in his eyes overflowing.

"Arent you doing the same to me?" Eugene replied. He is in disbelief. Didnt he just saved both of their lives? So what is this reaction?

"Are you that resentful towards me?" Carlos said with a trembling voice. He tried to sound angry as he still is, however, his current state betrayed him and his voice came out timidly trying to sound condescending.

"What are you talking about--?" Eugene sits up straight and looked directly to Carlos. Carlos did not shy away from him.

"You were trying to kill me! You took my air!" Carlos yelled. Tears continue to flow down to his cheeks.

"I--... I had to do it alright! I needed it to cast this magic! I couldnt do it cause you pushed the air in me out from my body! Think of it as an exchange!"

"Still! You almost killed me!"

"I told you! I had to do it to create this bubble! Be grateful youre still alive because of the magic I casted for both of us!"

"Bubble my ass. You might be the reason why Im alive right now but if you didnt casted this bubble, you might also be the reason why I died!" Carlos balled his hand into a fist before hitting Eugene to his chest but due to his strength is drained, Eugene couldnt even tell if it is a hit meant to hurt him or to tap him.

"Yeah yeah whatever! Not that I'd cared if you died anyway!" Eugene commented. He turned his head away, looking up to avert his gaze from Carlos' appearance. They are both wet still. Carlos' hair reduced its size and individual strands of hair sticking to some part of his face. His ponytailed hair split into two. One is on his shoulder and the other part is on his back. His bangs are parted with significant part of his bangs are swept up, his forehead shown, giving Eugene a better look of his face. That frowned angry face. From Eugene's angle, he can see how curved Carlos' cheeks are. And their wet clothes. Carlos' blazer hangs right around his forearm, letting Eugene see how the white shirt clings to his body, his skin visible through the fabric.

"Then would you care if I told you that was my first kiss!?" Carlos shouted out. Puffing out his cheeks out of anger. Eugene looked at him with a confused look then Carlos realized what he had just said. His face turned red but that is beyond his acknowledgement because he could not see his own face. Eugene sees how Carlos became so red it reaches up to his ear while trying to act he didnt say anything while turning his head away. Eugene didnt know his face had turned red as well.

"God! Out of all situation, why does it have to be like this and with a man! With y-you! Nonetheless! Makes it even worse!" Carlos further complained. The hitting hasnt stop yet Eugene felt anything but his heart beating faster.

"Ugh! Whatever!" Eugene said, trying to brush Carlos off but both knew that neither of them can brush this feeling off.

---

Rhyden is getting more and more worried to Catherine. She hasnt responded to Rhyden's call yet. Rhyden had made multiple attempts to contact her but to no avail, no matter how long he waited, unmoving in his spot. He used the magic bonus Catherine had gotten for the both of them to use. He saw the light that indicates Catherine's whereabouts that goes through the wall. Thinking of finding a way to cheat the maze in order to get to Catherine, he relentlessly worked his way through. Proceeding down his path would do him no good. So, he tried to climb up the tall wall that could break his leg from falling. Using his sword to aid him climbing up. Using it as a handle to support him by having it stabbed in the wall then pulling it out to create another support to climb up. And when he reaches the very top, spikes sprouted out and forced Rhyden to have his hand off of it. So, he knew that would do no good but he is not out of the woods yet. He decided to leap over the wall without touching the very top of it so those spikes wouldnt appear and a way to cheat the maze, unfortunately for him, he had underestimated the maze's security measures and thick body of vines immediately blocked his way, making him bounce back to his side of the wall. He landed on his two feet and miraculously unscathed from the fall. Instead, he tried to use his sword with magic abilities to try and make a hole in the wall, however, that did not work as well when the maze had figured what he is doing, the thick wall that is almost have a hole, quickly became fixed within just a few seconds. Repairing by itself in a mere moment when Rhyden spent quite a lot of time in order to make a hole.

Rhyden is getting tired and he does not want to spend his energy to a fruitless cause. He tried to go to his next challenge in hopes of finding a way to get to Catherine. The maze could only get him to his finish line but not to Catherine so after finishing his other challenge, he had advanced to the next level, leaving Catherine behind who hasnt move from her spot yet. Rhyden knows because he has been looking back to see if the light would move and it didnt. He have no idea to get to Catherine nor any information how she is doing.

Rhyden remained in the challenge room. He sat on the side with his back against the wall and rested there. Since he cant go to Catherine, all he can do is wait. He took this as an opportunity to catch his breath. Rest his body while waiting for Catherine to move so that if she finally does, he can rest assure that she will be just fine and he can proceed to his path in a relief. Although resting is benefitting his body, idleness would result none .At this point, what can he do?

He rested there for quite a long time. He would be lying if he said he is not growing tired waiting for Catherine. Itching to know what happened to her. Trying to contact her through the magic hotline occasionally.

The system of the domain took notice of his inactivity. A system appeared  in front of him, notifying of his delayed progress in the maze. It asked a question to Rhyden why he isnt advancing and he replied "I wont. I will not be moving here unless I know what is happening to my partner. I will not proceed unless she does as well."

"What would you like to do?" The system had asked him and Rhyden did not hesitate to say "Asking permission to be teleported to where Catherine is."

"This domain is to test the pair's competency without each other." It replied to Rhyden.

Rhyden leaned forward to the system, separating his back form the wall. His trace of warmth left on the spot where his back was on. "My partner hasnt been moving for a very long time."

"Youre partner, Catherine is doing exceptionally well. Your concern is unnecessary." When the system had said this, Rhyden fell irritated although he kept his head clear from anger.

"Unless I know what is happening to know if she is alright, I will not be moving." Rhyden stubbornly protested.

"Proposal: Please proceed to the maze and finish your path. After reaching the finish line, you will be given an option if you are to wait for your partner to finish or you may help your partner to their path. This option will only be offered once."

"Yes! Thank you!" After hearing what the system have for him. He quickly sprang up form where he is sitting with full of energy. Feeling the fire pumping in his body.

"Understood. Finish the maze and you may do as you please after." The system said its last message to Rhyden before disappearing.

With a solution given to Rhyden, he tread on his path in the maze quickly and carefully. He still looks back to see if Catherine finally moved but there is no movement till now. He relentlessly moving forward. The strict rules of the maze and its combat rules is giving Rhyden a headache and they would only increase more and more the further in his path. Constantly checking up on Catherine. His worry could only grow worse because it has been way too long, what could be the reason why Catherine is held up in one place. Moreover, why the system of the domain hasnt taken any action yet. But the system said she is doing well, so what is well does it mean?

Thankfully, the remaining challenges left for him are only a few. What he needs to worry about for now is what kind of challenge awaits him. There are just another combat challenges. The last one almost depleted his whole strength that he became anxious what if he doesnt have enough stamina left to help Catherine because he had used all of his remaining strength in this forbidding maze.

When he finished the maze, he was panting. Catching his breath but he didnt let that stop him. After reaching the finish line, the system appeared again and this time, the question popped up, asking if he wants to help his partner in the maze. He didnt think twice to pick the yes option and in a blink of an eye, he is teleported to where Catherine's last checkpoint. Arriving at the place, he looked around. He didnt see Catherine around and the challenge is activated, meaning, the challenge hasnt ended yet and is still going. He used the magic bonus and the light is pointed to the door engraved on the wall. Rhyden took notice of this and must be the reason why Catherine isnt moving is because she is inside the room behind the door. He approached it cautiously before twisting the knob open, revealing the room behind.

The room on the other side is nothing but an infinite space. There is a path that could lead to hundreds of turns. Stairs afar that reaches almost a kilometer. The surroundings are nothing but a void. The path is narrow and one wrong step, you could fall into a bottomless pit who knows what could be at the end of it. Everything is black and white except for him. He walked to the only path for him to walk on. There are multiple turns and some of them leads short to a dead end. He looked up and at the very top, he sees a light emitting above, creating a beacon of light. Thinking of it as something, he went to it. With the beacon of light as his guide, he carefully chose his path to not lose his way and be led to nothing. He climbed up the very long and high stairs that seem be endless. He even wondered if he is moving from his spot  or he is stuck in a loop walking up.

Reaching the top, he found Catherine, lying down in the middle. The origin of beacon of light is coming from where she is. She lies there in a place like an altar. He walked towards her and calls out her name. He sees her sleeping. She lies on her back. Both of her hands are placed at the front. Her hair is arranged in a manner like a dignified character is laid upon before those who will see.

He called out to her once more. He places his hand around her and lifted her upper body. He prompted himself to support her. "Catherine" he softly mentions her name yet she did not respond still. She is breathing, alive and well. No sign of injury or any mental disturbance. He knew that whatever she is having right now could be the challenge prepared for her so he waited there for her to wake up. Knowing she isnt hurt, he rested his heart from all the worries and anxiety he felt.

He didnt have to wait long for Catherine had finally opened her eyes. She is surprised to see Rhyden and lets out a sigh. She sits up on her own, getting up from Rhyden's body where she laid for a couple moments earlier before waking up. She looked at the place and was surprised to see it so different. A complete whole new domain. She felt a little bit of disappointment when waking up because she didnt get to say what she wants to say to Carlos even though there is no guarantee he will respond to her truthfully considering that was not the real one, although she is relieved that the challenge could be completed by now.

"How did you get in here?" She asks.

Rhyden told her everything. When she finished listening to Rhyden, she realized how long she must have stayed in the domain for too long. She admits she kind of stalled for a bit and Rhyden forgave her for that now knowing that nothing happened to her, at least, that is the side he knows because Catherine didnt tell her everything about the domain she walked into. She kept the information of Carlos from Rhyden, knowing it might be for the best.

Explanation:

The courage test for both of the pair is to test their teamwork. With Catherine and Rhyden working so well together, they were given a challenge where both of them are separated to test the two's capabilities without each other. They both showed how well they are even without the other beside them and capable to be by themselves only. The maze is set to those pairs who have a great chemistry for teamwork together.

For Eugene and Carlos, they hate each other, thus, the domain gave them a situation where both of them would need each other. Most of the challenges they received requires each others' help and would not be completed without the other. The domain would forcefully push the two or refuse to accept them to go inside to their next challenge if they dont show teamwork and sportsmanship. If the system of the domain didnt see that, they are required to do it again. Basically, the domain is trying to resolve the two's rivalry to each other.

When Catherine woke up, she wasnt woken up by Rhyden even if Rhyden did try to wake her up. It is the system that woke her up.

The next chapter is going to be the last part of the courage test.