Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen

EDJ stood up from his chair and gave all of the screens of the control station one more cautionary glance. Satisfied, he stepped over to one of the AV techs. “Chris,” EDJ started, hands together, “I shouldn’t have to stress the importance of this, but I’m going to anyway. Do not mess up the timing here, okay? If you get this wrong like Marco did last week, so help me, I will put you back where you came from.” 

The AV tech blinked at him. “Unemployed in Greenland, sir?” 

EDJ’s face dropped in disappointment. “No. In the ground,” EDJ clarified. 

“Oh! Heh, right. Yes, sir. I got it,” the tech answered and nervously saluted, though he was not required to.

“Make sure Tony is on pyrotechnics.” EDJ rolled his eyes and left the room. 

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The room was pitch black when Hanna entered, just as dark as the tunnel she was just in. The door slid shut behind her. She took a few cautious steps forward and held her breath. Something felt off. The entire castle felt off, but this room in particular made the hairs on her neck stand up. She was not alone. Hanna heard music start up, a single guitar riff, quietly at first then it increased in volume. The riff repeated before it was joined by drums then a bass. When the music picked up, different lights started going off in time with the tune, shining through smoke in the room. Multicolored lights flashed and highlighted a platform in the center of the room. Pillars of fire erupted from the floor closest to the platform and fountains of sparks shot between them. 

What’s going on here?! Hanna thought, understandably confused and on edge. 

Between the smoke and flashing lights, a hooded figure rose in the center of the platform. Backlit with explosions, wings snapped open on the figure’s back. Hanna stepped back and held her sword ready in front of her. The hooded figure also drew a sword and waved a hand over it, creating an orange glow that followed the length of the blade. Hanna could barely make out long gray hair and a sinister smirk under the hood from the orange glow and flashes of light. When the music peaked, the lighting adjusted to a more reasonable level as the opponents faced each other, though it was still dim. Hanna attacked first, launching herself at the hooded figure. As she swung her sword, the stranger pulled up his blade and blocked hers without a hint of effort. He smiled at her. “Hello, dear.” 

Hanna flew back, sword still poised. She stared at him with suspicion. “EDJ, I assume?” she asked. 

“The one and only,” EDJ responded, pulling back the hood. 

Hanna raised a brow, tone changing to one of annoyance. “Really?” She gestured to the stage lights. “A bit much, don’t you think?”

EDJ grinned. “It’s all about the presentation.” He popped his eyebrows and spun the blade forward, orange glow making a fancy circle. 

Hanna narrowed her eyes and frowned. “EDJ,” she stated loudly. “I’m bringing you in.” 

“Gotta catch me first!” His grin never faltered. “En guard!” 

EDJ attacked this time, swinging the sword upward, which Hanna parried. Hanna grimaced and twisted the blade, batting his away as she went in for a jab. EDJ countered and knocked her back. Hanna recovered by flying higher into the air and using gravity to her advantage with a downward strike. EDJ also launched into the air and parried her incoming attack again with ease.
“Give up!” Hanna shouted, furiously trying to gain the upper hand. 

“You first!” EDJ said with a laugh. 

Hanna growled and attacked again, swinging repeatedly. Her technique looked more like she was trying to use her blade as a blunt weapon instead of a slashing one. EDJ parried, countered, and batted away every attack she threw at him without bothering to dodge. He did not bother attacking as often as he would have normally either. He was taking his time, observing his opponent’s tactics and move sets. Hanna did not realize this, of course. Hanna landed on the ground breathing heavily, worn and spent from her trek through the castle and previous challenges. “Can we at least stop the music?!” she shouted. 

“Sure.” EDJ snapped his fingers and the music ended. “Better?” He landed and started circling her, which Hanna quickly matched to keep distance between them while she took a few seconds to recover. “What did you think of the entrance?” EDJ asked, taking long, relaxed strides. “I’ve been working on it for a while.” 

“Screams of ego and immaturity,” Hanna replied, taking many short, quick steps. 

“Aw, come on, you’ve got to be at least a little impressed,” EDJ said with a smile. “I recorded that riff myself and everything!” 

“Don’t really care,” Hanna responded, still circling. EDJ started laughing. Hanna pursed her lips and tightened the grip on her sword. “What’s so funny?!” she demanded. 

“You really haven’t noticed it at all, have you?” EDJ shook his head as he stopped walking. 

“Noticed what?” Hanna asked, also stopping. 

“The exit.” EDJ pointed a thumb to the open door behind him with a grin. He laughed again as Hanna frowned. “You heroes are so absolutely predictable,” EDJ started, still shaking his head. “The maze of life and death, the rooms, the monsters. You could have stopped at any point. You didn’t have to keep going.” 

“What… what are you talking about?” Hanna asked, trying not to let nervousness creep into her voice. “The doors always closed behind me.” 

EDJ nodded. “Yeah, when you entered the room. They reopened as soon as you cleared them, but you never even checked, did you?”

Hanna glared, nose flaring. “I wouldn’t have turned back anyway! I wasn’t going to leave without capturing you first”

“That’s exactly what I mean!” EDJ’s free arm swept out like he was making a point. “You were so focused on getting to me that it didn't even occur to you to leave! Forget asking for help, the exit has been open to you the entire time! On top of that,” He pointed to a door behind Hanna. “Had you checked the castle before entering, you would have found the back door. It leads directly to this room.” EDJ laughed again. “Give up. You know you’ll never defeat me.”