The rules had been set.
Ysabella and Louis had each added their own.
For five long minutes now, the players had been deprived of aura.Five more minutes forced to survive bare, exposed, left to raw brutality.And everywhere in the labyrinth, battles raged.
FIRST FLOOR
Rasfi was crouched behind the staircase leading to the second floor.His body trembled.
Deprived of aura, wounded, exhausted, he panted through clenched teeth.
— That damn girl… he muttered.
His voice dripped with hatred.
— She sealed my aura by sacrificing hers… what an idiot.
He slammed his fist against the wall.
— Now neither of us can survive here.
His gaze hardened.
— I won't stop until I face Karaminra.— That king used me. Threw me away like a tool.
His eyes burned.
— I will never forgive you.
BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND FLOOR
Yorelei ran.
Her breathing was steady, controlled. She moved toward the staircase to the second floor when a figure calmly stepped in front of her.
A man.
Black cloak. Opaque sunglasses.On his palm, a black crest marked with a name in white:
BANDO
— No need to worry, he said. I'm only a clone.
He tilted his head slightly.
— Clone of Bando (1162).
A second figure appeared to his right.
— Clone of Bando (891).
Yorelei understood instantly.
The Bando Clan.A unique clan.Only one true member… and an army of clones capable of invading entire territories.Even prestigious clans avoided provoking them.
Two clones stood before her.
Without aura.
— Bad timing… she murmured.Then she smiled.— But you don't have aura either.
She started running.
CHASE
Yorelei bounced off walls, shifted angles, dodged other players mid-fight.The clones adapted, leaping from wall to wall with chilling precision.
Bang.
A bullet whistled through the air.
Yorelei twisted mid-jump, barely dodging it.The bullet ricocheted off several walls… then violently pierced the chest of Clone Bando (1162) behind her.
He collapsed.
— Wh…?!
On the fourth floor, Clint lowered his revolver.
— Oops.Looks like I helped someone.
His decimating shot had found an unexpected target.
— One-on-one now, Yorelei said, turning back.
The remaining clone smiled.
— No problem. I'll just stall for time.
They drew their weapons.
Dagger against staff.
They froze.
Waiting.
For aura to return.
AN… ABNORMAL DETAIL
A sound.
A coo.
Between them, a baby crawled peacefully.
Chubby. Laughing. Sliding slightly across the smooth floor.
— …Huh? Yorelei breathed.
At that exact moment, the MazeBoy's voice resounded:
— Restriction lifted. All players may now activate their aura.
Yorelei's expression changed.
— Impossible… I can't activate mine for a month.
The clone smiled.
His yellowish aura burst forth.
— Slide.
The floor turned yellow.
— Pierce.
His staff sharpened into a lethal spike.
The baby began sliding… spinning… laughing.Its pacifier slipped from its mouth, sliding toward them.
It tried to grab it.
And accidentally swept both fighters off their feet.
— Your power is ridiculous! Yorelei shouted, getting up.
— THIS DAMN BABY! the clone yelled.
He stepped toward the child.
The pacifier flew.
Silence.
The clone froze.
His aura vanished.
His skull slowly dissolved, as if eaten away by invisible acid.
The baby crawled away… laughing.
Yorelei stood motionless.
— …I didn't even have to fight.
Behind the staircase, Rasfi had witnessed everything.
Pale.
— Even… a baby…
ANNOUNCEMENT
— Out of three hundred players, only one hundred fifty remain.
The MazeBoy's voice vibrated with pleasure.
— From this point on… the game becomes interesting.
TENTH FLOOR
Nakid and Onimaru hadn't moved.
Zobo's golden throne stood vacant.
I need to think about what rule to add in case of a tie… I'm safe with this samurai as long as I don't provoke him, Nakid thought.
A hooded man calmly sat on the throne.
— A clan leader… Onimaru murmured.
— No, the man replied. Not today.
He looked at Nakid.
— I simply want him to escape from here.
Onimaru nodded.
— Very well. This place is too fragile for a real battle.
Nakid swallowed.
— W-who are you…?
— I forgot my name, the man answered.
Nakid didn't know it yet.
But this man… had already saved his life once before.
TELEPORTATION — New Rule Detected
— Power gaps are too great.— Floor reassignment in progress.— Hold on to someone.
Nakid and the hooded man were pulled away.
They reappeared on the fifth floor.
The MazeBoy was there.
Not far from them.
YSABELLA'S THOUGHT
Come on, Nakid…
Come here.
Win against me.
Behind that door… I saw what I loved most.
My family.
But before that…
I have to protect you.