[Narrator's POV]They couldn't describe the raging happiness creeping inside their bodies the moment they all reach the end of the forest. Their once bowed shoulders and shaking limbs turned into their normal places and movements. They all felt like the energy they had lost during the troubles they faced inside the dark forest already came back.At the end of the dangerous path, another entrance to a weird destination appeared. A familiar place where they had all seen before.The labyrinth.Who would've enjoyed being trapped in a huge labyrinth that is covered not just by normal plant walls, but creepy-looking huge walls with sharp thorns? They could hear a lot of weird noises from where they are all currently standing. The sounds can be described as wailing creatures, which came after the loud growl of a seemingly wild monster. Fear started to creep on their bodies after taking a step towards the dark entrance of the labyrinth. The strong, howling wind gave them goosebumps and even m
[Narrator's POV] A long time ago, there was a group of male sinners, also called cursed humans, who had been altered by the Gods to transform into evil giants with fur-covered bodies, bull-like heads, and tails. These monsters, born from the arrogance of man towards the Gods, came to be known as Minotaurs or the Monsters of the Labyrinths. Five of them found themselves trapped inside the confusing structures created by Poseidon, where five pairs were currently walking through. "To kill is to live" was their belief, and they eagerly awaited the arrival of the defenders to satisfy their hunger. Meanwhile, three pairs, including Nowo and Moha, Helios and Cordelia, as well as Raiden and Fraise, were nearing the center of the labyrinth. Here, they needed to fight and defeat the monster to pass through to the other side of the death circle. The incredible force emanating from the center pulled them closer, and as they approached, strange sounds grew louder. "What is that creature?" asked
[Narrator's POV]Helios couldn't believe that Cordelia's seemingly simple suggestion would lead them to success. With nothing but their bare hands, they wrested the hammer away from the beast and used it to crush him. Lifting the heavy hammer, they felt as if their wrists were about to be ripped off."Damn. That was heavy," Helios exclaimed while stretching his long arms."See? I told you! It will work!" she joyfully uttered with sparkling eyes. Helios nodded. "Yes. You did well." He agreed and smiled at her. He patted her head while complimenting the female orphan.Cordelia smiled at him and suddenly ran towards the beast weapon. "Can I keep it?" She asked while jumping out of excitement."No." He firmly insisted.After the Minotaur fell lifeless, they started to walk and searched for their missing spear and sword. Their unexpected success surprised the headmaster as well as Arphen. Even though they knew the two would still pass through the labyrinth, they never expected Cordelia’s
[Narrator's POV]Except for pairs like Frisia and Raiden, the practicality shows that only close-range and big weapons can defeat a huge and strong enemy in an urgent way. Without cooperation, Blaze wouldn’t win against Jack, since it takes a lot of concentration for a slingshot user to hit a certain target with enough force. The enemy moves in different directions every single time, which is really challenging and difficult on Blaze's side. Due to this fact, the spear-user, Jack, won the said competition. He smiled at the thought that his calculations didn’t disappoint him. He knew from the very beginning that Blaze would find it hard to land her silver ammo on the beast’s body, but then because of her pride, she accepted the deal without thinking of the possible outcome. “What now, rude princess?” He teased her followed by a loud laugh. “Or should I say, my slave?”Blaze rolled her eyes and said, “Among all the dogs I’ve encountered, your barks are the most horrible.”Instead of lo
[Narrator’s POV] Amidst the echoes of Alasdair's enigmatic departure, Arphen found himself immersed in a sea of questions. The defenders, nearing the culmination of their second stage, faced uncertainties about the formidable creatures lurking in the hunters' mountain. Were these challenges more perilous than the Minotaur encountered in the labyrinth? Would their collective strength endure the dangers ahead? As the defenders stood on the precipice of the unknown, only their journey would unfold the answers, revealing the secrets concealed within the shadows of the impending trials. “What happened?” Arphen heard Alasdair’s voice, which made him tilt his head and stare at him with a frown. “Where did you go, your majesty? I went out looking for you, but then I found out that you weren’t in any part of this base,” he babbled. “It’s nothing important, Arphen. How’s the defenders?” He asked as he walked near his loyal comrade. Arphen took a deep breath and responded, “Some of them al
[Nowo’s POV] We ended up accepting the dwarves’ offer because we simply didn’t have any choice but to do so, or else we would end up being stuck here on the slope of the mountain. The dwarves' base was nicely hidden inside the huge tree. There was a big hole at the center of it, and after they cast some magic words, boom, we were now inside. I even thought our height would shrink, but it never changed. This land never failed to show me different, amazing things. “We’re like a family with lots of children,” he grinned. Those words left a different impact on me, though I knew he was just trying to tell a joke. Still, it felt weird. “Shut up, Moha,” I flushed. I was about to hit his head, but then, “Hey. I was just kidding,” he interrupted. Moha’s personality these past few days has been so unpredictable. There were times he didn’t want to speak to me and even pushed me away, and now, he keeps on teasing me as if seeing me in such embarrassment satisfies him. “You have such a beautif
[Nowo's POV]Isn't greed and hatred both powerful enough to turn someone into some kind of evil person? I also can't stop wondering why darkness has to exist in a land protected by Gods and Goddesses. I mean, if Pricus badly wanted to be a king, then maybe he should find some other land to reign, a place where no other creatures he could possibly step on.“What were you thinking?” Moha suddenly asked me. Maybe my sudden silence bothers him.I slightly smiled at him and shook my head once. “Nothing much. I was just, um,” I responded, and then I paused for a while. “Mad,” I added.“Mad? And what makes you mad?” He asked between his little laughs.“About everything that is happening. I mean, it's good to inherit this sword from the great Queen Aria, but it makes me angry as well that she had to die because of someone's greediness. You know what? Once I get really strong, I would kill that Dark lord with my own hands.”I heard no response from him, and as my gaze went in his direction, I
[Nowo’s POV]We never knew what would happen if Fraise and Raiden didn’t come to help us. Perhaps our entire bodies would be a perfect example of huge human-shaped grapes due to these creatures’ poison. But as we fought the scorpion men, why did I feel like something unusual was happening? Whenever their tails nearly pointed at our skin, they suddenly veered in another direction. Like killing us was never their goal.I decided to pause wielding my sword for a second and whispered to Moha, “Have you noticed it as well? The difference in the way they attack us compared to Fraise and Raiden?” Moha nodded once and responded, “Yes. And whatever the reason may be, it still doesn’t feel right.” I agreed with what he said. We weren’t sure about their plans, but being creatures that served the dark realm made them unreliable. We shouldn’t be bothered by it. Maybe we should use this opportunity to win against them instead of wondering until we lose focus and get defeated.“Lane, could you and
Like a tragic story, my path didn't end well. I fought in a way that I believed was my best, only to find out that nothing was sufficient. Even one's true self couldn't serve as a ticket to alter fate. The memories of that war are still vivid in my mind, from the moment we prioritized our duties as defenders over everything, including our hearts, to that specific instance when he finally did what he needed to do to save the land. The profound sorrow visible in his eyes remains unforgettable and painful. Although we never had a chance to bid a proper goodbye, at least we knew we did our best for what is right.After that, my messy but joyful life seemed to come to an end. It feels like everything happened just yesterday, yet I know it's been a long time since the terrifying war with the dark realm. I can now feel my entire body lying on a soft bed, which I guess is made of swan feathers. The sweet floral scent in the air suggests daffodils. My hands grip the smooth texture of their ste
[Nowo's POV]"I didn't know you had that kind of courage to betray us," Algea told me.She became mad at me because of what I did to the dark lord. With the use of the queen's soul, I tried to harness her power to cleanse the evilness inside my father's heart. I wasn't even finished when she suddenly entered my father's chamber and pulled my hair.The dark lord woke up, seeing her pointing a knife at my throat."What do you think you are doing?" he asked her."Why? Is your heart getting soft now? This defender is a traitor!" she exclaimed."Kill me so that you won't be able to use that damn stone," I teased her.She pulled my hair tighter, and then she said, "Who are you to order me around?""I'm the daughter of the queen whom you were envious of and the dark lord whom you loved the most but cannot have," I teased her once again."Do you think you can take all the bad spirit inside your father's body?" she asked me. "Let me tell you something. No black witch has the kind of weak power
[Nowo's POV]After they took her for some treatment, me and Lane went to our room to finally take some rest. We only have a few hours to spend here before we go back to the dark realm, like what I have promised to my father. Algea let me drink a potion, which will soon take me back to that place, like a bubble that pops out from this base."I'm leaving everything to you, Lane," I told her."Can I just go with you?" She sadly asked me.I started to lower my gaze and took a deep sigh, "I won't let them have anyone that is precious to me ever again, and I don't want your life to be in danger," I told her."But, Nowo," I didn't let her finish her sentence."Here," I interrupted while handing her a bottle of potion. "Drink it, and you'll be free from your contract.""What do you mean?" She asked me, stammering."You have to take this potion so that you'll stay alive no matter what happens to me," I explained to her.Lane started crying, and that punched my heart so damn hard. My tears were
[NOWO's POV]Like the flower sprouted in a small amount of land placed at the center of the continuously flowing river, I have no other places to go to either. I'm stuck in a bad fate that isn't going to change. I sometimes ask myself, am I really going to do this? Am I ready to fulfill the mission I just found out from where I was destined to die?But far from before, I can clearly understand my purpose in this land now. Those questions are just a part of a normal Nowo who never ran out of complaints and questions in life.Now that I am facing him, not in a safe place but his dangerous place, I know I should never think about going back to our base."What brings you here, my daughter?" He asked me. Everything about the dark lord is kind of weird for me. I also wonder why he always has that evil witch beside him. It's like that woman didn't want to leave him alone."I am here for Fraise," I uttered. I was so determined to get her out of here that I didn't even have time to change my e
[Nowo’s POV]It was a complete, deafening silence the moment they all left the training ground. I thought I was the only one inside at that moment, but then a glowing creature flew towards my direction."Hiya," she greeted me. One of her hands was placed on her back, and the other one continuously waved at me while she was also lowering her gaze.She almost bumped into me, but then I stopped her tiny body with my index finger. "Oops, sorry, dear," she uttered."It's okay. Will you please raise your head up?" I told her while smiling.She pouted, and then she asked me, "Are you still mad at me?"I shook my head from left to right and sat her on my left palm. "I wasn't mad at you.""But you didn't talk to me for days," she responded.I took a deep sigh and then I told her, "Well, I'm kind of disappointed because of what I have figured out recently.""But you can always talk to me about anything. It just doesn't feel right to be ignored, especially by you, my dear," she responded. I coul
[Nowo’s POV]That was the first time I spent almost the whole gloomy day reading only one book. It might not be for me, but the thing is, it captured my attention. What was written inside, as well as the kind of helpful information it provides, makes me want to put my time into it. It's pretty hard to admit, but I find myself really weird these past few days. I've been so busy thinking about everyone’s betrayal towards me, and I knew at that moment that my decision to just end the darkness is at its final level. I know it is kind of unusual for me to confess it, but I don’t feel like ending someone’s life anymore, even if it’s the dark lord. Given the fact that he is my father, won’t change anything. It’s just that I want nothing but peace, and killing will never be a part of it.“Lane, have you...” I was right about to talk to her and paused until I realized that she’s not here with me, and this is the first time I felt completely alone.No Moha, no Lane, no one that I can possibly
[Narrator's POV]Meanwhile, Helios noticed the unusually quiet person beside him. He creased his forehead and started questioning her, "Cordelia, are you alright?"Not only that she's unbelievably silent, but she was also lowering her head to the point that her chin almost reached her chest. Helios is unable to take a peek at her face because it is hidden, and the dark lord's chamber is too dark as well."Hey, kid," Helios uttered after tapping the female defender's shoulder lightly.Helios found it more strange when her body suddenly shakes, as if she was either crying or laughing. A few seconds after that, Cordelia raises her head and stares at him while flashing a wide smile on her face."Am I being weird if I say that I'm completely thrilled and fired up right now, Helios?" She responded. Her voice was too loud for the rest of the defenders to hear her."Are you being serious right now?" Jack asked her.Instead of answering him, she just stared at him still wearing that kind of cr
[Narrator's POV]Life is indeed full of surprises and uncanny events that will leave you dumbstruck for the whole moment. It is quite hard for them to catch their emotions the moment they all figured out that their female comrade is still alive. They didn't know whether to celebrate the happiness they are currently feeling right now or to put their attention to the growing fear and sadness, seeing her in a very unwell condition.The dark lord went somewhere behind Fraise. He clasped his hands on the female defender's shoulders, and then he his near the side of her face. "Wake up and take a look at those wonderful despair painted on your comrades' faces."Raiden was completely annoyed about what the dark lord did. "Don't touch her or even come near her."Pricus quickly lifted his hands away from Fraise's shoulders, "Oh my, I'm scared." He said, and then he started chuckling. A few seconds after that, he began to flash a smirk on his face and touches Fraise's hair gently, and then he su
[Narrator's POV]"Why did you come with us?" Luna asked Lane. "Aren't you supposed to stay beside Nowo?" she added.Lane couldn't blame her for wondering about it because she also knew that it is completely odd for her to accompany them instead of staying beside her dearest person."She doesn't need me. I feel like I'm being abandoned for no clear reasons," the female fairy uttered while lowering her gaze."Hey, don't say that," Luna responded to her. She started tapping her back lightly with her index finger and then she continued, "Nowo will never abandon such a sweet guardian like you."Lane stared at her and asked, "If that's the case, then how come she keeps on hiding? Like she doesn't even want to talk to me anymore.""As far as I know, dear, Nowo didn't speak to anyone for days. Maybe she wasn't in a good mood these days or something really bad came up, and she ended up losing her will to interact or to do anything," she explained.It is clear that she was trying to make the fe