Maze of Blood

Final

It was weird how everything had suddenly changed. One minute, it seemed as if she had the upper hand, the next she was sprawled out on the floor, blood pouring from her wounds. She had underestimated her opponent – the girl was strong. She had been able to summon spirit after spirit and at the same time plot strategies. Fuyuka hadn't stood a chance. She could hear the roars and cheers of the crowd – even though her hearing was muffled – and she smiled softly. So they had made it to the goal, huh? Good for them. Groaning in pain, Fuyuka pushed herself onto her back and looked up at the ceiling.

She missed the sun. She missed everything about the outside world, really. As everything around her swirled, she wondered where Artemis's body was. She knew her partner was dead. That man had said so when he came to collect his teammate. Her mind slowly replayed the scene in her head, letting his words echo through her mind. He was so kind, it seemed. It was a shame he was forced to participate in this game.

"I'm sorry, but she's dead. It's over. Your tortures over – you can rest now"

It was obvious what he meant. He was telling her to die peacefully with no regrets. Tears slowly rolled down her bloodied cheeks and she sniffled slightly. Her body seemed to grow number and number as time wore on and she couldn't help but want it to end already. Waiting for death was scary.

Thump.

The timing between her heartbeats was lengthening.

Thump.

She didn't have long left.

Thump.

She smiled.

Thump.

"I'll be joining you soon…" She whispered, her voice carried away in the air.

Thump.

"Mum… Dad… Fubuki… Artemis…"

Thump.

"Wait for me…"

Autumn stopped walking and looked behind her, right at the entrance of the maze. A small breeze that seemed to pick up from nowhere gently nuzzled her red-blonde hair and the lids on her silver eyes drooped slightly in understanding.

"Autumn?" Apophis's voice was sombre, but whose wouldn't be, after what they had just been through?

"She's dead."

Apophis looked at the floor, his usually sharp red eyes tinted with sorrow and guilt.

"Oh. How can you tell?"

Autumn sighed and turned back to her teammate, walking past him and down the dark hallway, the chains on her hands clanking with each step. There magic was restricted again – they were only allowed to use it during the tournaments.

"I just do."

"I see."

It was all black. Everywhere she turned. Black. There was no loud cheering of the crowd. No growling of beasts. Nothing. Just – Nothing. Suddenly, she started to run, where was she? What was happening? She remembered her heartbeat dulling, and then what? She suddenly froze, realisation dawning.

She was dead.

Something warm trickled down her magically healed face and plopped onto the nothingness below. She was dead. She was dead and alone. Waiting for death had been scary, but now that she was dead, it was terrifying.

Then something sounded behind her. Footsteps? But that wasn't possible. She was dead after all, there couldn't be anyone with her. Right? Slowly, the blonde haired ghost turned, squinting slightly as light flooded her eyes.

There were shoes, two pairs. One pair of dark red trainers and one pair of ocean blue flip-flops. Fuyua raised her arm to shield her face as the light grew brighter and the figures stepped forward, both outstretching one hand to her.

"Come on, Fuyuka." That voice…

"It's time to go." Both of them, she recognised both those voices…

Lowering her arm from her face, her hazel eyes widened in shocked as she gazed upon two angel like figures.

"Fubuki?" He dead brother. "Artemis?" He dead teammate.

"Come on, Fuyuka" Fubuki said, a soft smile dancing on his lips.

"We should get going, your parents are waiting." Artemis stepped forward once more and gently took Fuyuka's hand in her own.

Fuyuka slowly nodded and began to walk towards the light, following her deceased friends and brother.

Autumn smiled.

"Apophis, I think she's happy now."

So sorry for the long wait! I hate this chapter, it was aweful to write! This is like my seventh time attempting it! I'll make it up to you, promise! I'll update loads the next two weeks, I'm off for easter holidays after all!

So, in the end I decided to skip the rest of Fuyuka and Autumn's fight and go straight to her death, after all, it was the fighting that was making me go crazy! So, say your final goodbyes to Fuyuka and Artemis, and a see you later to Autumn and Apophis. They won't be in it for a while, not until the sem-finals.

Also, if anyone has any ideas for some of the games the contestants can play, I would really appreciate it! I've only got like three, my usual comer-upper with evil sadistic ideas and I had a fight and aren't friends anymore so I'm on my own and running out of stock. Please help!

Again, so sorry for the long wait, will be more frequent now, promise!