The Unforeseen Circumstance

*Clap*

With the clap in the air, Eleanor brought everyone's attention to her. 

"So now, then, can you please hand over your prism?" said Eleanor.

"**Sigh* Alright. We will," said Dany.

Marie cuts Dany's rope. In response, Dany put his hands behind his back.

Eleanor and Marie both cautiously observed his moments, whether he was removing the prism or making another surprise attack for them.

"Don't worry, I won't do something funny after losing in a one-on-one battle," said Dany, removing the glass prism from his back and placing it in front of them. "Here you go."

Eleanor picks up the prism and turns it over in her hands, scrutinising its every side and corner to check if it's the real one or fake. After observing the shining light that was reflecting from inside it and the flowing liquid crystals inside, there was no doubt to her that it was a genuine prism.

"Thank you very much," said Eleanor.

"Hmm..."

"Is it the real one?" asked Marie.

"Yeah, it is."

"Ohh Cool."

Eleanor, Marie, and Alex started walking towards the end of the lane, leaving Dany and his crew behind.

"I'll undo the Infusion aura of your ropes once we have crossed that lane," said Eleanor, pointing her finger at the maze ahead of them.

"Okk."

"And do not follow us," said Marie.

*Bleh* Marie teases Rim with her tongue out.

"Tch.." Rim clicks her tongue. "We won't."

"Good."

"Now buzz off."

"Sure."

Eleanor and her group continued their journey in the maze. The fog still hasn't lowered any bit, and the clash of steels slowly started fading away into the silence.

"Pheww* the fight got over pretty fast, don't you think so, Elea?" asked Marie.

"I know, right. We must've become stronger now," replied Eleanor.

"Hell yeaahhh!!!"

They glanced a smile, looking at each other.

"Ahh- I wish I could also help you guys." Alex from behind.

"You are good for nothing, retard. You just hid yourself behind the bush," said Marie.

"I am sorry...."

"Let it be Marie. At least he didn't slow us down by interfering or running away from there," said Eleanor.

"Yeah, right."

"THHAAANKK YOU, Eleanor!" expressed Alex with a bright smile and a happy face.

"Yeah, yeah, okay, okay, now hold this."

Eleanor threw the prism towards Alex, who was already holding one in his hand. 

"Oii, Oii, be careful," said Alex, catching the prism.

Now, they have successfully collected the second prism.

"Now that we have both the prisms, what should we do?" asked Marie.

"We have to wait until the time is complete and they lift the maze up," replied Alex.

"So we just have to remain low and avoid unnecessary battles anymore," said Eleanor.

"Yes exactly."

"I hope we don't encounter anyone now. Ahh- my clothes...they are damaged," said Marie.

Marie looked around at her body and the places where it had been torn.

"We need to be careful. Sometimes people steal both of the prisms, even at the last minute. So we need to stay on guard, girls," said Alex.

"For real?" expressed Marie in shock.

"Yes."

"So the danger isn't over yet, I guess," said Eleanor, tightening the zipper of the long coat she is wearing.

"I wonder how much time is left now," asked Marie, casually walking ahead.

"Yeah, I lost track after it changed the maze once."

"It should've changed, though," said Alex.

"Ohh"

"Yeah, I mean, it changes every 30-45 minutes, and I feel like we have spent more time than that."

"Who knows? We'll know. Let's keep moving forward."

"Hmm.."

Alex seemed a little puzzled over that thought, but Eleanor and Marie didn't pay attention to it.

They walked further down the maze, and the fog remained the same as they proceeded further.

Eleanor gazes at Marie's clothes and feels concern over how Marie is doing.

"By the way, Marie, how did you win against Rim?" Your clothes and condition seem like you were having it rough," asked Eleanor.

"Hehe, that's a secret," replied Marie, smirking.

"Wha- tell me. I thought we were on the same team."

"We are, obviously."

"Then tell me now. Now itself, bitch."

Eleanor playfully tickled Marie before gently grasping her by the neck, urging her to spill the secret of her victory over Rim.

"Okhay, Okhay, wait. I'll tell you."

"Good girl."

"**Sigh* You are persistent, Elea."

"Thanks for the compliment. Now tell me."

"Ahh- these girls are having so much fun together," slowly mumbled Alex, grinning from ears to ears.

"Yeah, first I ran away and hid myself, and somewhat let her have an upper hand on me, but then when she thought she would finish me off, I used my Infu-"

*SHATTER** *GUSH*

Before Marie could complete her sentence, a sudden burst of light streaked between her and Eleanor. But before they could react, the sound of shattering glass echoed behind them, leaving them shocked and frozen in that moment.

Eleanor and Marie both blinked their eyes twice and slowly turned their faces behind them to look at Alex.

"Alex...What happene-" Marie called his name.

And there it was. Alex's lifeless body lay across the ground, with a hole in his chest. Blood splattered around, mingling with the shattered pieces of both of the glass prisms. Motionless, he remained.

"Alex!!" yelled Marie.

A flash of light again peirced in the mist, which flickered Eleanor's gaze. Marie was lost in panic, but Eleanor was on her guard, and she noticed the incoming flash of light from the same direction towards Marie. 

"Marie, watchout!!"

Eleanor jumped on her side, holding her, avoiding the piercing light that left another hole in the ground. The hole pierced the ground so hard that its end depth was nowhere to be seen.

*Gulps*

Eleanor gulps in fear, looking at the depth of the hole.

"Even after witnessing the death of your comrade, you didn't let your guard down."

Suddenly, a mysterious voice, soft yet piercing, echoed from the direction where that attack came.

*Step* *Step*

Eleanor and Marie closely looked towards the mist and the sound of steps that were coming closer and closer.

"Who are you?" asked Eleanor.

Emerging gracefully from the mist, the figure of a woman revealed itself.

Clad in a sleek mini-sleeveless Cheongsam, the hue is midnight blue. Her gaze, captivating and enigmatic, bore into the very soul of Eleanor, as it was of teal colour, shimmering with mystery and allure.

"My name is Serena. It's nice to meet you, Eleanor."

The woman's identity remained shrouded in uncertainty as Eleanor's mind raced with questions, her heart heavy knowing that her aim was to kill because if she wanted a prism, she wouldn't have shattered the prisms along with Alex. The enigmatic aura emanating from her left Eleanor on edge.

—Her enchanting aura is stronger than River's.

Eleanor said in her mind.

*Zap* *Thud*

A sudden arrival of one more person above them at the edge of the lane caught them off guard—a figure in a pristine white t-shirt.

"Hello there, ladies." 

He said he was waving his hand at them.

"Who are you people, and what do you want?" asked Eleanor.

"Poor Alex, only if he were to be in someone else's group now, he wouldn't have to die," said the guy in the white t-shirt.

"Huhh!!??" expressed Marie.

"Our objective is to kill Eleanor j'Arc and Marie Florakis," said Serena.