"Let's hide first, then let's find out which of them is real," Firstwen commanded them.
That's just the most effective way. As they hide and search, they will analyze the situation.
"We must proceed first to the 5th floor. The other girls are also there." Firstwen added.
Second heard someone scoff. It was Sectwen behind her. "Tch, how bossy! " She murmured, then ran.
They ran away from the clones and went in different directions to scatter and divert them from chasing them.
"Let's go," First grabbed her right hand. She got separated from Aeith and Fourth earlier.
Second and First headed straight to the kitchen while observing the noise they heard. They just kept quiet until they could no longer hear any strange noise. She sighed from exhaustion.
"You have a wound," he leaned closer and touched her left arm.
"Y-Yeah," She glanced at it, and there was a small wound.
He took a small kitchen towel and wrapped it around her arm. "To stop the bleeding."
She smiled. "Thank you"
"Why did you just stand there a while ago?" he asked. He might be referring to what happened earlier, where she was glued at her position before the monsters attacked them.
"Too shocked, I guess."
He laughed faintly so that the monsters wouldn't hear them. "You really are something else."
She grinned. His short sword, which he put aside to treat her wound, caught her attention.
"Maybe you're also confused why only nine of us had this, aren't you?" Her eyes widened because he could read her thoughts. "It's okay, I'm wondering too."
"Did you also panic when they started attacking?" She questioned him.
"Worried, maybe? Panicked, no. You get nothing in return if you panic." He replied reassuringly.
She wondered where the others were right now. She hopes they went to the 5th floor safely.
"I think we need to go. They might be searching for us," First initiated.
Miraculously, they were able to go up to the 5th floor without being caught by the monsters.
"Second!" Aeith and Fourth ran towards and hugged her. Glad to see them safe.
Fourth was in tears when they saw them. "You made us worried." She sniffled.
Tenth and Forzen also greeted her. All of them were here on the 5th floor. It can't be called a room because this floor only consists of concrete pillars and concrete floors. No furniture or fixtures, not even lights. This was a fully enclosed and dark area. It's like a multipurpose area—completely different from the rest of the floors.
"Proceed with the plan." Their leader, Third, stated as they all got serious. They formed a large circle while standing. "The main problem we have is who among them is Fortwen."
"I have an idea," First interjected. He will be talking about his idea, and she admires him for that. "If that's what we're going to do, then we have a chance," he ended. His strategy was a good one, which everyone agreed to execute. His expression was quite different now. She can see perseverance and determination in his eyes.
"Okay, let's do that," the two leaders agreed. Everyone agreed in unison.
"They're here!" Twelf shouted.
They alerted themselves after they all heard her.
"Wait, here? It's dark, we'll have a hard time." Forzen's concern.
This question was immediately answered when the ceiling of this floor and the roof of the castle opened spontaneously. She covered her eyes as the strong wind blew to prevent any dirt from getting into her eyes. The surroundings were lit up by the sunlight that shone on them after several days that it hadn't hit them before, because they're trapped here in the castle with no real windows or exit. This floor suddenly became a rooftop.
They heard the growl of the monsters straining to open the door and the noise of steel.
"Attack!" the leaders commanded.
The ten boys went in front of the girls, trying to protect them. They rushed to the remaining five monsters. She saw that First had thrown the steel palette knife on the wall on his left, and they saw the movement of the monsters' eyes promptly.
"At the left corner! She's Fortwen!" Firstwen shouted, on the real Fortwen that they've been seeking.
There was something wrong with the monsters. If she noticed it correctly, these monsters were avoiding them. First's said idea was that he would throw a steel palette knife he obtained from the art room so that it would create noise. Those eyes were distracted by the noise that the palette knife made, and when she shifted her eyes to the right side, where First threw the stone, then she was the real Fortwen.
Recalling the battle that they had earlier, taking down the seven clones, it certainly lacks five senses compared to a human being. One clone lacks at least two of its senses. Its disadvantage became an advantage to them. The second strategy suggested by First, was that they would cause slight damage to the clones, which means stabbing lightly to see their blood. They observed that the clones' blood was paler in color compared to humans.
As they knew who the real one was, the three boys charged—Third, Fifth, and Ninezen, and grabbed Fortwen. The girls supported them by backing them up. The seven boys were able to inflict great damage on the four clones. Thankfully, Fortwen was still alive. The three clones have also been defeated by those who have their short swords and spear weapons. Wait, there's another one.
"There's one missing!" Fifth shouted.
"Argh!" they heard a girl groan and were shocked to see that T-Twelf had been strangled and lifted upwards by a monster that they missed. With the blink of an eye, they lost sight of the last clone, and now its short nails suddenly grew by about 4-5 inches. It pierced its sharp and long nails into Twelf's neck. This can't be. Some girls stab the clone using a spear, but it only breaks their weapons until Twelf is gasping for breath. No!
First attacked and stabbed the last clone before it might attack others. It died and turned into ashes.
"T-Twelf!" Sixth cried.
She still thought no one would die from now on. Why? Why does this have to happen?
Fortwen slowly returned to her consciousness as a human. Her red eyes became normal, and her face became calm. It's good to see that she's finally back.
Fortwen coughed. "What happened?"
The others helped Fortwen to recover. They held onto Twelf's body, and there were no vital signs that they hoped for. They don't know if they'll be happy or sad. They are glad Fortwen was here, but Twelf died. It happened so fast that they weren't able to act quickly.
Fifth was about to grab the necklace from Fortwen to finally finish the major mission of the game, when they were astounded at what happened next.
"Ahhh!" Twentieth shrieked at what they saw.