Chapter 18: Splintered and Stranded

The dimly lit hallway stretched endlessly ahead of Scaramouche and Lumine. The tension between them crackled like static electricity, both of them hyper-aware of every creak and groan the ancient hotel made.

As they walked, Lumine’s eyes caught a faint, glowing light down the corridor. It flickered invitingly, casting long shadows across the walls. Without thinking, she stepped toward it.

“Wait, what are you doing?” Scaramouche hissed, noticing her movement.

“There’s something there,” Lumine whispered, her voice laced with curiosity.

Before she could take another step, Scaramouche grabbed her wrist firmly and pulled her back. “Are you insane? Do you really want to walk toward the one thing that could be a trap?”

“Let go, Scaramouche!” Lumine protested, but he didn’t budge.

He dragged her further down the hallway, his grip firm but not painful. Lumine glanced over her shoulder at where the light had been, but it was gone, leaving only darkness. A chill ran down her spine.

“I don’t know what’s worse—being stuck here or being stuck with you,” she muttered under her breath.

Scaramouche smirked. “Trust me, it’s mutual, princess.”

---

Meanwhile, Furina and Hu Tao

Furina and Hu Tao were sprinting through a different part of the maze-like hotel, their breaths ragged as the crawling lady screeched behind them.

“Run faster, Furina!” Hu Tao said, laughing in spite of the danger.

“I am running!” Furina snapped, her face red with exertion.

They turned a corner sharply, only to find themselves in a dead-end hallway. Furina’s eyes widened as she realized there was no escape. The crawling lady’s screech grew louder, her shadow elongating as she neared.

“Great. This is how I die,” Furina muttered dramatically.

But before the creature could reach them, Hu Tao grabbed Furina and yanked her into a nearby closet, slamming the door shut just in time. Both of them pressed their backs against the wall, hearts pounding as the creature’s nails scraped against the door.

“Well, that was close,” Hu Tao whispered with a grin.

Furina glared at her. “You’re insane.”

“Better insane than boring!” Hu Tao replied cheerfully.

---

As for Heizou and Aether

Heizou and Aether were navigating a series of twisting hallways, their flashlights barely piercing the oppressive darkness.

“Okay, this is bad,” Aether said, glancing nervously behind them.

“‘Bad’ doesn’t even begin to cover it,” Heizou replied, studying the walls for any distinguishing marks. “We’re completely lost, and I can’t tell if we’re going in circles.”

A faint noise echoed through the halls—a distant hum of the crawling lady’s screech. Both of them froze, exchanging a tense glance.

“Do you think it’s coming this way?” Aether asked.

“I’d rather not wait to find out,” Heizou said, tugging his sleeve. “Come on, let’s keep moving. The others are probably just as lost as we are.”

“Hopefully not eaten,” Aether muttered as they pressed forward into the maze of hallways.

---

Back in the hallway, the crawling lady’s screeches echoed faintly, a haunting reminder of the danger that stalked them. Scaramouche and Lumine, Furina and Hu Tao, and Heizou and Aether were all separated, each trying to survive and find their way back to the others. The maze continued to twist and turn, its secrets lurking just beyond their reach.