The world around the duo started to tremble as the boy and Carmel floated in an everlasting wonder of gold, the golden lips with their annoying smirk appearing in front of the two of them as they started to speak.
“Now, what a journey that was! Quite heart-thrilling! Heck, it even made me shed some tears! Though I don’t have eyes!”
Its jolly voice did not match the duo’s mood, as they kept looking at the lips as if it were their worst enemy. Sensing the atmosphere, the lips twitched as they spoke again.
“Wow, tough crowd. I guess the only thing that will make you any happier is the rewards, I presume?”
This question lit up Carmel’s eyes, and she nodded her head, followed by the boy. The golden light around them started to swirl as two beautiful golden bags appeared right in front of them, their contents a mystery as the lips spoke.
“There are some treasures that will increase your strength and some that will keep you safe, along with this…”
As it finished, the light gathered again as a golden compass took shape, floating into the boy’s hands as the lips continued.
“This would be the compass that points to the exit of this place, the sign always towards the exit, while at times showing you dangers that would gaze upon you.”
The words widened Carmel’s eyes, hope burning within her heart at the situation at hand, the light around them shining brighter as the lips spoke again.
“The last test might have seemed dull and easy, but it was in no way the easiest. If the two of you hadn’t kept full trust in each other, the boat would have sunk, dragging you into the golden liquid.”
The words made Carmel’s eyes widen, and she turned to look at the boy who was already looking at her. Their eyes met in a certain gaze as two golden-colored bands appeared on their hands, seemingly nothing special at all.
“The function of what lies in your hand will be revealed at your most desperate time. The choice you make at that time will determine your future. With that, ciao!”
Before the two could respond, the light all around convulsed on them, pushing them out. Within seconds, the duo was outside, facing the same wall they had entered. Their senses turned sharp immediately as they looked around the place, seeing no danger in sight for the moment. The two of them relaxed, looking at each other as the boy spoke.
“How about we find someplace and have some food?”
The golden compass in his hand shined forth as he said so.
…
“This is good!”
Carmel, having let go of her inhibitions, shouted out as she munched on the chicken leg in her hand. Its sweet yet spicy taste created an explosive sensation in her mouth, making her body tremble in delight. The warm fire of the place kept the two warm as the boy slowly ate, hiding behind the mask.
“Is the mask still necessary?”
Carmel asked with a pout. The journey before had done its best to clean Carmel of dangers and traumas in her mind, making it much more relaxing in the way she started to see the world. Of course, she wasn’t fully healed, but Carmel and Carmelia still felt a sense of relief all around them.
“I like keeping to my word, you see.”
The boy replied, to which, pouting while munching on her food, Carmel spoke.
“At least talk in your real voice.”
“If I do that, you will directly understand who I am.”
Those words made Carmel’s eyes narrow as she asked.
“I know you?”
“Depends on your memory power.”
At his words, Carmel went into thought, several faces flashing through her mind, after which she just slumped up against the wall.
“I never thought food made like this would be this tasty.”
“Well, the cook has his tricks.”
The boy replied with an arrogant spike in his voice as he shrugged his shoulders. The cheeky words made Carmel smile as she started to speak.
“I never thought I would find happiness in adventure and such foods. Life sure is full of mysteries.”
Her words earned an acknowledgment from the boy as Carmel looked at him and spoke.
“How about you be my personal chef!”
To this, the boy shook his head as he spoke.
“I will think about it after I save the world.”
His words reminded her of the responsibility on his shoulders, the warning that a danger so potent that it requires a hero is coming forth. That thought dampened her spirits a little as Carmel quickly shook her head and spoke.
“How about taking me as your sister!”
The words jerked the boy’s body as he spoke.
“A sister?”
To his question, with a big smile, Carmel spoke.
“Both I and Carmelia hate the lovey-dovey, manly love, so don’t you dare fall in love with me, for you will be my family!”
Her words made the boy chuckle as he looked at Carmel through his mask and spoke.
“Sure, I already have a girl I like anyway! But don’t regret it after you fall in love with me!”
“Humph! Don’t speak nonsense!”
Carmel replied, her body soon being taken over by Carmelia. The cold atmosphere around her appeared as Carmelia spoke.
“I also don’t mind being like family to you.”
The boy looked at Carmelia for a moment before he spoke.
“I will be more than happy to oblige.”
The hidden tease in his voice, speaking of a much steeper future, went unheard by the two. Thus, under the blazing fire, the connection between the two slowly grew stronger.
…
The adventures of the duo from then on only grew more intense. The two of them faced dangers at every part of their journey, the trust between them leading to each saving the other’s life at different moments.
The spirit of adventure Carmel was facing slowly became addictive to her, while she also fell for the irresistible taste of the boy’s food. The bond between them grew stronger than ever as they moved through the darkness of the maze, the golden compass giving them a touch of safety at moments, guiding them as they traveled forth.
The connection between the two, their trust and care for each other, reached an extreme level. At moments, Carmel started to experience butterflies in her stomach, her temperature rising near the boy for reasons other than the heat. The thumping of her heart in ways she couldn’t expect, but Carmel didn’t notice it as she stuck to the boy like glue, their adventures growing more and more.
The injuries on them were many, with the boy having treated Carmel and Carmelia several times for the mistakes they made in the maze. Their lives were nearly lost at several moments, saved only by the boy risking death and injury on himself, making their debt to him all the greater.
For the first time, someone started to do things for her purely for the connection between them. There were no hidden intentions, no desires for betrayal, no hate or planning to kill each other, just pure excitement and trust between the two. Something Carmel, without understanding, became heavily addicted to—something she didn’t realize she would never be able to let go of.
Everything started to go well in the best ways possible until it wasn’t.
Until Carmel and Carmelia made the stupid choice—a choice so foolish and breaking of trust that they lost it all in one sweep.
