- Three Routes, Three Trials: Beginning -

"What a poor man. You want to protect her, but she chose to leave you to save everyone else."

He still remembered how he extended his hand to help him, right when he mourned for what he had lost.

"What about this? I could give you what you want, but in return, you must do me a favor."

"What...... favor...?" He asked him weakly.

"Kill a single person for me, and I shall grant your deepest desire."

≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫

The walls made of stones were destroyed by the immense and powerful shinsu.

The fresh air from the outside seriously felt nice, the short break that she received after the endless training made her felt relaxed.

Her body was exhausted, but she could feel that her power was recovering quickly. But still, after a torturous one month of revolution, she felt too lazy to move even when her power was recovering and she would be fine soon.

The wind felt nice. It was even nicer because she was lying next to her brother. It was so quiet that it almost made her forget that this might just be her last break and her last moment with her brother.

"Get up now," said the long blue- haired man. He glanced at the pair of twins who were slowly opening their eyes to see the blue sky again.

"It's time to go."

≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫

If it wasn't for Khun Edahn ordering her and her brother to get quick, then they may be spending their time with their friends for awhile. But their time was limited.

After she changed into another set of clothes, she opened the door of her room and found someone was standing outside.

"Khun....?"

Khun was standing outside of her room and was ready to knock the door if she didn't open it.

"Ah..."

He looked at the girl who was shorter than him. After one month, they could see each other again. But it was just for awhile.

"...... the others are waiting at the outside," he spoke. "I come here to see if you are ready."

Charlotte smiled and answered, "I am."

"Do you... still remember our promise?"

"Promise...?"

"You promised me that you won't lose. And I promise you that if I ever fall to coma, I will wake up in two years," he reminded her. "Don't tell me you've forgotten it?"

"Oh, that one," she said with a calm smile. "No. I don't forget about it."

"Then how confident are you that you will win this fight?" He asked again.

"70%, I guess," she answered.

Khun was not assured at all. Unless she had a complete chance of victory, he assumed that he won't be able to calm himself down. He was worried, for she could get badly hurt.

She walked out of her room and closed her door, leaning against it.

"You don't need to be worried. This one month, we've been practicing really hard!" She said with her bright and cheerful smile. "They said that hard works won't betray us, right? We will be fine!"

The more she spoke, the more worried he felt. He was not worried about her strength wouldn't improve, but he was more worried that Christ might just break his words or cheat on the fight. As the owner of the puppet, he could just make the puppet unimaginably strong to gain an easy victory. If that was the case, who will be there to stand for her?

"If the fight is over and I survive, let's take a nice break, okay? Let's find a good place to play together!"

'That's... only if you survive.'

Still, he chose to play with her as they walked out together to see the others.

"Where do you want to go?"

She pondered for awhile before she answered, "Anywhere is fine! As long as it's fun!"

It was an answer that Charlotte would definitely say. She was a girl who pursue freedom and happiness. She had always been looking for fun things in her life and a home where she would be loved.

He made a soft and small smile.

"Fine. I'll look for the places that you will like after this," he promised.

'Whoa, is he being serious?'

"Consider it as a bonus, in addition to our promise," he added.

If he was being generous, then she wouldn't refuse it. She smiled and thanked him, "Okay!"

His smile grew wider.

'It feels nice,' the two of them thought. 'Spending our time like this.'

≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫

When they arrived, they saw a large building in front of them.

A large building with golden color, it was rather tall and stylish. As expected from Zahard, considering his pride, someone like him would definitely prepare a large arena and stage for his fight. It was just amazing that in one month, he could make something as gigantic like this, and as tall as it could be, even when Charlotte raised her head to the point where she couldn't raise it further, she still couldn't see the top of the tower.

"You sure made it damn big," said Khun Edahn. He was sure that Zahard was inside, sensing their presences and felt happy that they didn't run away.

"Well, come in," the yellow ball welcomed them.

Khun Edahn looked at his left. He looked like he was waiting for something to show up when there was nothing around but them.

'...they...still haven't shown up.... Guess they just failed.'

He had sent the three of his children to retrieve a mirror that could help Bam to win against Zahard, a mirror that could erase his existence. But he had no expectations that they could do it, since Zahard wouldn't allow a dangerous mirror like that ruin his plan and fight with Bam. The three of them haven't appeared until now which made him sure that Zahard had disposed them.

Now, Bam had to depend on himself to survive.

When they entered the tower, Charlotte's jaw dropped at how wide the room was.

Everything was made so detailed and so large. She felt that if she shouted in such a huge room, there might be some echo. But she refrained herself to do that as it appeared to be childish, though she wanted to do it once.

Three elevators were provided.

"Those three elevators... each will take you to a different place," the yellow ball explained. "Lord Edahn and the challenger will take the left elevator which leads to the top floor where Lord Zahard is, while the middle elevator will take the brown- haired miss over there to meet the puppet. The rest of you will take the elevator on the right side."

'So, at the end, I'm alone, huh?' Charlotte thought as she walked towards the elevator. It was only when she stood before the elevator that she realized how tall it was. She took a deep breath and exhaled. 'I feel a little bit nervous since I'm all alone... but it'll be over soon.'

"Charlotte."

She looked at her brother who called for her name. With a gentle smile, he said, "Be careful. You've been practicing for a month. You could do this."

Her mind was thinking how sweet her brother was for saying those words.

"Of course. I'll be back soon. That's a promise," Charlotte promised.

"If you are going to promise something, then you better fulfill it. Don't just spout nonsense there and act all cool."

Altaira's voice pissed her off. Her vein popped in anger as she glared at her brother and spoke, "Who is spouting nonsense?! You are the one who's spouting nonsense! I'm being serious right now!"

Altaira scoffed, "Right. Serious. Should I be proud that my sister is a 'serious' person now?"

For a moment she felt like wanting to sew her brother's mouth.

"Don't listen to him. He's actually worried about you, but he's too prideful to admit that," Celeste said as she walked towards her.

"Me? Worried for that brat? Humph," Altaira snorted and crossed his arms.

"Quiet."

"Yes."

At Celeste's firm order, he crossed his arms and silenced his mouth.

'At the end, our boss is actually Celeste, not Altaira,' Estrella, Estelle and Raisin thought. 'The power of love is really amazing.'

"It's fine anyway," said Charlotte with a smile. She had expected such a behavior coming from her brother. It was kind of hard for them to act sincere openly because they knew that doing such a behavior might result in them getting teased by another. But sincerity was not only measured from words and actions, it was measured based on one's heart and willingness. "It would be strange if he suddenly acted so sweet like a loving brother."

Bam glanced at Altaira. Altaira noticed that glance and looked at Bam, wondering what he had to say when the brown- haired man sighed regretfully and shook his head.

For once, it was Altaira who got offended by Bam.

'What does that mean, huh? Is that a challenge?'

Celeste just tilted her head and smiled when she heard those words. And Charlotte just raised her shoulders with a smile saying that she couldn't help it.

Her elevator was the first to open. And for them, it was not actually a good thing. The elevator was taking one of their most cherished friends away and they did not have enough power to stop that from happening.

"Then I'll be going now," Charlotte said with a confident smile while pointing to the elevator. The others said nothing and Charlotte simply smiled before she left.

"Charlotte!"

She could hear Estrella's voice.

When Charlotte turned around, Estrella leapt towards her with her arms opened. It would have been a lie if Charlotte didn't feel surprised by her sudden actions. Her golden eyes widened in surprise and her jaw dropped as Estrella jumped towards her.

"You have to return safely."

Charlotte was lost in words, and so as the others.

Charlotte knew Estrella was definitely not the brightest person in the group. She was not the smartest or the kindest, but she was definitely one of the bravest people in the group. From all the people there, she was the only person capable of pulling such an act and express what the others wanted to say.

She may be stupid and foolish, she may be a glutton, but thanks to her ignorance and foolishness, she did not care for others' opinions and eyes. She was definitely the girl with the most freedom, unlike her who was bounded with many hardships to face.

'Estrella, you are truly foolish.'

Charlotte hugged her friend back tightly.

'If you act like this, how am I suppose to leave?'

Just one hug and a few words made her lost the courage that she had gathered to walk forward and avoid looking back at her friends. Her golden eyes looked at the silver- haired man who was looking at her in distance and he nodded his head.

''You really have to return safely.'

"The clock is ticking," Big Breeder interrupted their moment. "I know that this might be your last moment, but we shall not delay it further."

At that moment, Altaira wished that he could stab the golden ball with his spear to silence him.

"Be quiet," he spoke coldly. "It's not like we're taking a lifetime. Just shut up and wait."

Charlotte took a deep breath before she held Estrella's shoulders and broke the hug. She looked at the pink- haired girl firmly for a second before she spoke,

"I am really going to leave now."

Estrella nodded her head, "I know."

"You are not allowed to cry."

"I won't," she shook her head. "You said you'll be back. There's nothing to cry for."

Her words seemed to have reminded most of the people there that she was going to fight for her own survival, not going to send her life away.

Then, she remembered something and raised her index finger, "Ah! If you encounter that puppet, don't forget to give her a good punch on the face. She owes us that!"

"Yes! I'm going to beat her hard!"

"Don't show any mercy to her!"

Charlotte nodded her head in determination.

"Then I'll be leaving now," she said again. Estrella nodded her head once more before Charlotte let go of her shoulders and walked inside the elevator.

Thanks to the hug that Estrella gave to her, she felt much calmer. In the same time, she felt much more confident. Once she entered the elevator, the door immediately closed itself and the last person who she saw was that man again.

He looked so calm although she was leaving. But even so, he muttered something under his breath.

"I'll wait."

Charlotte smiled happily when she heard that, and that was the last smile that they saw from her before the doors were closed.

≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫

Followed by Charlotte, the next one was Bam's elevator that opened itself for him and Khun Edahn.

"Good luck, Bam," Khun suddenly spoke to him. "Show Zahard's data the power of the new generation. So he'll be surprised when he gets deleted."

Bam nodded his head and promised, "Right...!"

Just like Charlotte, although he appeared to be calm outside, his heart was actually beating quite fast. For Bam, the enemy who he was going to face was not just any ordinary person.

That person was the data of the king, his enemy in the prophecy, as well as the one who killed his parents. And he had to beat someone like that which honestly made him felt afraid. This was a situation where there would be no one to save him when he was in danger, no one to give him additional power, no one to help him.

He and Charlotte only had themselves. Maybe it was the second reason why the fights they were going to face appeared to be more dangerous than usual.

And when his enemy saw him as he reached the arena of his fight, his enemy will say to him, "Welcome. Little Beast."

The wind suddenly became colder when he saw the man with blonde hair and the mask with three red eyes.

'I can sense it.'

"I've been waiting for so long. Have you gotten a bit stronger?" Zahard asked with an interested smile.

'Death... is close.'

≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫

Altaira snorted and crossed his arms, "So, you spoke to him and didn't say a word when Charlie left...?"

"For you to worry such a thing, you look childish," Khun replied with a solemn expression. In the same time, the elevator has opened itself.

'Of course I have to! Is that even a question? I need to know if your relationship with my sister has improved or not!'

"We have said what we wanted to say," Khun added which pretty much surprised Altaira since he wasn't around to watch it. "So there is nothing more to tell. Let's go."

He was the first to enter the elevator, followed by the others.

Altaira looked at his half- brother. He was certain of one thing. Although he behaved calm and acted like he was sure that the twins would return triumphantly, he was not assured at all. Altaira knew that inside, Khun was feeling very anxious.

"You sent them off with a smile on your face, but on the inside, you must be very anxious."

And it was a shame that the golden- colored Big Breeder was smart enough to notice his anxiousness. The more he spoke, the more Altaira wished to be able to shatter him into pieces.

"Things must not be going as you expected, right?" Big Breeder asked again and this time his question made Khun's heart skipped a beat.

"Huh....?"

"Don't get your hopes up too much. You'll be even more more disappointed," he added.

'Could it be that he realizes something?'

After Big Breeder said those words, how could he not be sure that the golden ball knew something? And how could he not get even more vigilant after hearing his words?

"Just so you know, the warriors didn't make it," he said and his words could only be understood by those who knew the plan that Khun Edahn was secretly preparing. People like Endorsi who knew nothing would not understand those words.

And those who knew what was going on, like Hansung Yu and Khun, could tell that their hidden plan failed.

'Then there is no way for Bam to win...' Khun thought.

"This one month, we've been practicing really hard!"

"They said that hard works won't betray us, right?"

"We will be fine!"

Khun clenched his fists.

'I want to trust her words. If she says that they will be fine, then they will be fine. But now... they really have to rely on their own abilities and wits.'

"And I prepared a little event for you," said Big Breeder again with a little bit excited tone. "In case you might get bored waiting."

"What...? An event?" Khun questioned his intention. Noah frowned at the corner. Celeste held her sword tighter.

'It should be right now.....' Altaira prepared his right hand. Raisin noticed the subtle change of the shinsu around his hand but said nothing and pretended not to see it.

"The prizes are decent too... plus, they were happy when I suggested this event."

"They?" Khun repeated the word that he found important. Could there be another party participating in this fight?

Ding.

The elevator had taken them to the place Big Breeder wanted them to go. And at that very moment, when the doors of the elevator were slowly opening, Altaira shouted.

"KHUN! MOVE ASIDE!"

Khun moved aside as Altaira threw his spear.

"WHAT THE HELL?!"

When the elevator opened itself, the spear hit something and caused a blast.

Khun coughed because of the dusts and smokes. He tried to take a good look what was happening outside the elevator when he heard someone's voice.

"Too bad. I was hoping one of you would get hit."

"THAT VOICE...!"

The person was a man with long silver hair and a pair of silver eyes. All his outfits were colored either in silver or white with a crown on his head. He was the one who greeted Altaira's attack.

"WHITE!!!"

Why would that person be here?! That was what they were wondering, except for Altaira.

And not only White was present there, the orange- haired Traveler was there along with a blonde with long hair and red outfit.

"ICARUS?!"

'The game starts now,' Altaira gulped knowing how hard the said game could be.

≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫

The moment when the elevator opened its way for her, Charlotte could see where she would be fighting against her enemy.

In that spacious floor, there was nothing but a large stage for their fight. It seemed like the Big Breeder didn't put too much thoughts in creating an arena for their death match. But not that she minded. She paid attention to the person standing in the middle of the arena.

"Here you are."

With a calm and friendly voice, she almost deceived her into believing that she held no hostility towards her. She turned herself around to greet her. This time, not in soul or spirit form, but flesh and blood.

"I am happy... that you don't run away."

Her cold golden eyes glared at the maiden who had just arrived to the arena.

"Because now... I could get my revenge."

Charlotte didn't like seeing someone else using the same appearance with her. She frowned before she asked the puppet with a calm voice while tying her long dark brown hair into a ponytail, "Revenge for what? For taking away the body that once belongs to you? Even if you have this body again, you won't be able to get what's mine."

She glared back at the puppet back fearlessly.