Carol's Point of View

The moment I pushed her out of my way and we stumbled on the rocky small spaced of that fucking bridge, I regretted it right away. I realized the impact it could cause us so with all my effort, I pushed her away from me because my speed's not slowing. And when I regained my balance again I'm already far too deep. Even with my reflexes I only made a half-ass midair twirl but when I balanced myself, I fell.

And I thought I don't want this woman to be the last thing I'll see before I die, again. I just hated her eyes. Since the moment I saw her eyes up close in the throne room, I knew I hated her eyes then.

Her expressive eyes showed me her emotions easily. It just slapped me the truth. The fucking truth that he loved her more than he ever did with me.

I hated her eyes that showed kindness whenever she looked at me. No, there's no pity. It's fucking kindness. Whether I liked it or not, I just can't hate her. I wanted her to flaunt her win over me but she never did. I wanted her to give me a reason to loathe her but she never did. Maybe it's that kindness that he fell for. Maybe it's that kindness that separated her from me. Cause I ain't had it in me.

I gave her a smirk and I expected to see the look of joy as she looked me in the eyes. But again, she surprised me. Instead, I saw the look of pure horror.

And when she ran towards me as she extended her wounded arms, though not minding the boobs. I just knew she's one hell of a woman.

Is this the reason why I got a second chance to see them again? To know that even if I die again, all of those around me will still continue to live on?

If yes, why am I hurting? Why am I feeling so sad? I came back to realized that I belonged to the past because my existence would disrupt their lives. Everyone moved on without me.

I should be happy right? I mean, I just witnessed the kind of woman my man will be spending his whole life with. I should be happy because I got my resolve back.

Why did I pursue this trial? Because I wanted a reason to stay, a reason to fight even if it's a losing battle.

People say that the most dangerous situations will turn anyone into a monster but this woman right here just grew a pair of wings.

All I got is more reason to go than to stay.

Are those tears I am seeing? Wait, why didn't I fall?

My right hand was being held by this woman's bleeding right hand. Her tears fell from her eyes to my cheeks as I looked up to her.

"Why?" I barely whispered this question. By helping me, she's forfeiting her chance to win. If I fall, she'd be like hitting two birds with one stone.

Ah right, she's kind. That should explain everything, my sarcastic mind replied to my question.

Her face is red as her tears and sweats combined and dropped towards me. Her other hand supported us from totally falling into the darkness.

"Let go of me!" I tried really hard to let go. I struggled to be free from her death grip but she won't budge.

"I won't! Even if it is the last thing I'll do, I will save you!" This is the very first time I saw anger in her kind eyes.

"Why? You will benefit the most if you let go and you're hand, it's bleeding." I stopped struggling as I saw the blood flowing from her hand to my arms. The pain I imagined she's enduring to hold me.

"Because you are important to the man I love!"

My breath got taken away from me as I see her in a different light.

"I love every bit of Gerard and I know he loves you so when I decided to love all of him I chose to love you as well! You made him happy and you still do because you will always be a part of him! That's why I love you and I can't let you die!"

"Being this close to the woman who loved him first makes me so happy. So I refuse to let you die! No! You are important to us! To me! So shut up and stop complaining. Help me help your fucking ass!"

The anger is gone replaced with a smiling face despite her condition. I smirked as I realized something. With my reflexes, I let go of her hand and I swing myself with great force. I landed with a loud thud and on top of her.

I saw her still shocked face as she's under me. "How?"

"A Phoenix member, babe."

As I get off from her, I know I lost. Seeing her only in her underwear with bruises everywhere, I took off my one-piece suit and I handed it to her. Good thing I had a sando and a boxer left.

"Huh?"

"Wear it stupid."

When she already got herself covered she started to walk as I walked behind her but I can see her walking with a limp, maybe a sprained ankle. So without thinking, I carried her like a sack of potato.

"What are you doing? Let go of me!"

"Shut up. We're almost there."

As I stepped onto the end of the tunnel, I saw the dark starless sky. The light from the torches gave the people waiting for our light as it also kept them warm.

Luciana stepped forward first but I went directly to where he's standing as I deposited a sleeping woman to him. She fell asleep from exhaustion.

"The guides reported to us, you win Sprite." The queen spoke behind me but I looked into his eyes. Unlike before, I can't read his mind anymore.

"Take care of her, Nightwind. Or I will snatch her away from you." I didn't wait for his reply.

I faced the queen and looked her in the eyes. "I won the Trial of Labyrinth, yes. But as the winner, I forfeit my claim to Gerard Hudson."

I walked away immediately, away from them, away from her, and away from him. As I walked calmly away from them, I'm glad I took the Trial of the labyrinth. I got the chance to know her more.

When I'm far from them and I'm in the middle of the forest. All I hear is the nightly creatures around me. I looked up to the artificial moon of the Underworld Realm City.

"Take care of her, Nightwind."