Choice

Chapter 10: Choice

Another small garden unfolded before Noah and Eleonora.

It did not look any different from the first zone where Eleonora played the imprisoned princess.

No moonlight reached this place, and in the center stood a red spinning globe.

The globe was surrounded by something like an empty marble fountain.

If it had truly been a fountain, the spinning globe would have turned the water blood red, creating an eerie scene for both new and experienced awakened.

"This is where loyalty comes into play," Eleonora said, knowledge filling her head as she stared at the spinning globe.

"Here, we choose whether we're loyal only to ourselves or loyal to each other."

Noah saw the trial's system prompt, which echoed Eleonora's words in a less direct way.

He realized that every other team in this Trial Of Loyalty had the same decision to make.

"Is that even a question?" Noah said, stepping toward the empty fountain.

He climbed its tiered design and placed his hand on the globe, touching it.

Once again, the same question reached him, this time in an emotionless feminine whisper.

If he chose to be loyal to himself, he could never betray his own principles.

If he chose Eleonora, he could never abandon her, or the trial would grow harsher against him.

A few puzzle pieces clicked in Noah's mind.

Everyone was teleported here for a reason.

He needed someone precious in his life and, after his awakening, was given a chance to save Eleonora and bond with her.

The same was likely true for everyone else.

They had reasons to find someone precious and were now forced to decide if they would treasure their new companions or discard them for personal power.

"I'll say this as many times as I have to. She's all mine," Noah said, choosing Eleonora not just for this trial but forever.

With her cheeks flushed, Eleonora touched the globe and said, "Noah's bashful fox witch is forever his until death parts them."

No sooner had she spoken than the globe spun and unleashed a blinding crimson light.

The Trial Of Loyalty recorded their choices and rewarded them with a broken, rounded piece of an item that looked like part of a key.

Noah tucked it into his robe's pocket.

On the other side of the zone, the hedges opened into gates once more.

Eleonora and Noah exchanged smiles and headed toward the mansion, their fingers woven together.

After walking for a while, they reached an intersection.

Four paths converged at a single point that looked like a dead end.

The mansion was still far away, so Noah and Eleonora assumed this place posed another challenge.

"Maybe we should pick one of those paths?" Noah asked.

Eleonora shook her head. "Remember that we're not alone. I think we should wait and see if anything happens first. Mmm... it's getting colder."

Noah did not feel any cold thanks to his race.

Eleonora would have been fine too if she were not weakened.

He decided to share his warmth with her, sitting down and patting his lap for her to sit.

It turned out to be a surprising experience because Eleonora's tails were so thick that he could barely see her.

He rested his head on her soft fur while circling his arms around her.

She needed a bit more space and wriggled her hips on his crotch, giving him a jolt beyond simple cuddles.

She moved one tail to the side, peeked at him, and smirked. "I can tell you liked that."

"Just hugging will do for now, Eleonora. You already feel amazing," Noah whispered, not wanting to lose himself in desire.

Eleonora nodded and leaned back on his chest with a soft smile.

They waited there for about thirty minutes until they heard footsteps coming from three of the paths at once.

Neither of them moved.

"Intelligent beings," Eleonora said. "We can try talking before anything happens."

"You just don't want to stand up," Noah admitted. "Me too."

They were not attacked immediately.

Other couples emerged from the three paths.

One pair was familiar, the bronze-skinned man and his shy companion, who stopped across from Eleonora and Noah.

Seeing them so affectionate vexed the bronze-skinned man.

He recalled how Eleonora had appeared more knowledgeable than anyone else.

His veins bulged in anger, and he clenched his one remaining hand.

He had lost the other arm.

Eleonora remained seated on Noah and leaned closer with a smug smile. "I see. You chose to be loyal only to yourself, but you needed your companion's help. That broke your vow, and you got punished for it."

She was right.

This man had fought the ghouls without thinking about healing or resting.

Even when his companion warned him not to rely just on his resilience, he ignored her and used his arm as a shield.

He got scratched on his left arm, which became infected.

As he moved on, the infection worsened.

After he made his choice and traveled about a mile, the burden on his arm forced him to consider drastic action.

Without healing items, he turned to the companion he had vowed not to rely on.

When he demanded her help, the trial's vow caused the infection to spread faster, and in the end, he had to cut off his arm.

"People who refuse to change are so pathetic," Eleonora said with a condescending smile.

That grin was the final straw for the man.

He roared at her and told everyone else to stay out of it.

"I'm taking that woman for myself. I'll teach her a lesson and make her beg for more, then twist that fucking smirk into a slutty one that only I can fuck and fuck."

"Get off," Noah said to Eleonora.

She stood up and Noah called, "Nocturne."

Darkness gathered around him and hissed.