Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty

-Mysterious castle; Mount Everest; May 11th, 2009-

DJ and his Evil Other glared at each other for a tense moment. Lui stared up at them, still on the floor. EDJ shoved himself off the shield and stepped back. He chortled as he sheathed his weapon and looked at DJ with a smile. “We’ll call that a draw.”

“You cheated,” DJ said, glowering over the rim of his shield. 

EDJ shrugged. “Evil Other. Can’t help it.” He glanced at the tv screen. “Oh, it’s over already.” 

DJ and Lui both turned to the screen with wide eyes. A massacre greeted them. Bodies littered the floor and Hanna sat on her knees in the center, head bowed and unmoving. The guards took advantage of the situation to disarm and pin the two heroes again. 

“Well, lookie there,” EDJ continued talking. “She defeated all of them. Nicely done.” He turned back to DJ with a chaotic grin. “Looks like more than bridges are getting burned today.” 

“Let us see her,” Lui requested in a quiet voice. “Please.” EDJ looked at Lui for a moment, grin fading. Lui, whose big, sad eyes darted between the screen and EDJ. Lui, whose heart compelled him to keep trying when all hope should have been lost. Lui, who was everything Iul was not. 

“How poignant,” EDJ commented, though his words held no such feeling. “You should have known better than to challenge me, bud,” EDJ said as he walked over to Lui. “Maybe you need a reminder.” EDJ delivered one swift kick into Lui’s ribs. 

“LUI!” DJ shouted in concern. 

“Ugh!” Lui cried out, body curling into a ball on the floor. He sniffled and his breath came in gasps. 

“IUL!” DJ directed his attention to the Evil Other. 

EDJ turned to his Original. “What?” he asked innocently. “This is fun. I’m having fun. Aren’t you having fun?”

“No. I’m not.” DJ glared. He glanced at Lui. Lui? Are you okay? Lui was in such pain that he did not respond. DJ turned back to the Evil Other. “If you’re trying to make a point, you’ve made it. End this nonsense. Right now.” 

EDJ rolled his eyes and waved a hand toward Lui. “Guards, take him to the next room and leave us. The old man and I need to have a chat.” The guards picked up Lui and dragged him out of the room. The guards lifted DJ and dropped him into one of the chairs close to the wall, but not before binding his hands behind his back with tape. 

“Where are they taking him?” DJ asked, green eyes narrow. 

“To another waiting room,” EDJ answered. “You busted the door on this one so I’ve had to adjust.” EDJ pulled a chair over and sat opposite DJ. “Don’t worry, you’ll join him in a minute.” EDJ leaned back in the chair and folded his arms, critically looking DJ up and down. “Go on. Spit it out. What’s my offense this time?” 

“You didn’t need to do that to him,” DJ answered in a low voice. “Any of it.” 

“Maybe. Maybe not.” EDJ shrugged. “It’s not like you were going to stop me.” 

“It was cruel and unnecessary.” DJ’s disapproving tone was firm. 

“He needs to toughen up,” EDJ said lightly. “I’m not gonna stop being mean just cause he asked nicely. The world isn’t a bucket of smiles, rainbows, and lollipops, you know.”

DJ’s glare softened and his shoulders relaxed a little. “You don’t think he knows that? After everything the three of us have been through?” 

EDJ rolled his eyes again as he looked away. “So add it to my long list of sins already. I don’t care.” 

DJ’s face scrunched into a frown. “At this point, it’s less about what you’ve done and more about what you continually choose to do. Don’t you get that?” DJ shook his head. “Why? Why do you keep doing this?” 

Control. “Let them hate so long as they fear,” EDJ answered with a smirk.

“Your tricks won’t work on me, EO,” DJ responded in an almost bored voice. “I’m your Original.”

EDJ snorted. “If we’re following that logic, they shouldn’t work on Lui either, but maybe he’s just an idiot.”

DJ’s disapproving frown did not waver. He sat for a moment in heavy silence before speaking again. “We can still fix this, EO. You can stop. Please. Bury the hatchet.”

“Can I bury it in your chest?” EDJ automatically quipped. He glanced back and offered an apologetic smile. “Sorry. Force of habit.” 

DJ let out a long breath through his nose in frustration as his shoulders sank further. “EO,” he started softly. “Lui and I are the closest thing to blood you have. I’d think you’d stop trying to murder us after a while.”

EDJ rolled his eyes, turning away again. “You would know if I actually wanted you dead. I just wanted to see him suffer for a change.” 

“Lui doesn’t deserve that,” DJ answered. 

EDJ’s head snapped to look at DJ, fire in his eyes. “Oh, I’m so sorry you didn’t get to pick your clones,” he shot with heavy sarcasm. “Sorry for being the complete opposite of whatever that trembling leaf is supposed to be!” 

DJ winced. “I didn’t mean it lik-”

“I know what you meant!” EDJ sharply cut DJ off as he stood up from his seat and sliced his hand through the air. “Don’t even pretend. You think I don’t see the hate in your eyes when you look at me?!” 

“It’s not hate,” DJ answered calmly. “Anger, yes. Pity, maybe.” DJ looked at his Evil Other with sad, disappointed eyes. “But it’s not hate.” 

EDJ crossed his arms again as he glared down at his Original for a moment. “If you’re hoping to tug on my heartstrings with this little act of yours, well...” He clicked his tongue and smirked. “You’re out of luck.” 

DJ shook his head. “I don’t understand you, EO. I really wish I did.” 

“Consider yourself lucky you don’t.” EDJ looked away before sitting again on the edge of the chair. “You wanna know a secret?” he asked in a low voice. EDJ leaned in close, resting his elbows on his knees as he looked DJ in the eye. “I’ve already resigned myself to the fact that I’ll never be better than you…” His lips turned up into an evil smile. “But I can be so much worse.” 

EDJ abruptly stood up and walked to the door, motioning for the guards to return. The guards entered and grabbed DJ, hauling him up from the chair. “EO! EO!!” DJ shouted, trying to squirm his way out as he was forcefully removed from the room.

EDJ halted the guards in the hall and looked back at DJ. “By the way,” EDJ said, pointing back to the screen in the room. “That fight with Hanna? The footage was recorded hours ago. Hanna’s fine. She’s resting.” He smiled. “I probably should have led with that, huh?”

DJ’s eyes widened and his face turned back to one of anger as the guards wrestled him away. “IUL!”

I told you not to call me that. EDJ gave his Original a two finger salute and a cocky grin before he turned and went back to the control center. 

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Twenty-Nine

“I lost,” Hanna whispered. She sat on her knees in the center of the bloody arena for a long time, unmoving. She stared at the scene with wide eyes. All those lives… I did this… I lost control. My friends were counting on me…. and I lost… Hanna felt numb and empty. Like a secret she had been striving to hide was revealed to the world in the worst way possible. No energy or motivation to move. No thought to think except that of failure and dread. I tried to control it… I tried… Hanna looked down at her trembling, blood-soaked hands and armor. Her stomach churned. Bile hit the back of her throat and her eyes stung. Hanna’s breathing was short and rapid, quickening the longer she sat there. Her ears rang. I lost. 

“...Hanna…” a muffled voice said in the distance. 

Hanna vaguely registered a voice in the background, but could not focus on what it was saying or who was speaking. She didn’t hear the footsteps approaching her and did not see the pair of boots that stopped in front of her. All she could see was red and all she could hear was the high-pitched whine in her ears that drowned everything else out. I lost.

“Hanna?”

Hanna blinked as her eyes focused on an outstretched hand in front of her. She looked up to see EDJ smiling back. Not an evil grin or a gloating smirk or even a polite mask. No. This smile seemed almost genuine. He won. He could end it right here and now if he wanted to. Hanna didn’t have the strength or will to fight back. Not anymore. “I think,” EDJ said softly, “You could use a break.” Hanna did not answer. She looked down at the open hand again. “Come with me,” EDJ insisted. Hanna hesitantly took the open hand and EDJ pulled her to her feet. “There we go! You had me worried there,” he said cheerily, letting go once she was standing. Hanna said nothing, but blankly stared at him. “For a second, you looked like you were gonna pass out,” EDJ answered the unspoken question. He picked up Hanna’s sword from the ground and gestured to the open door with a smile. There were multiple guards in the room with them, but Hanna did not notice. Hanna stepped toward the door and EDJ walked by her side. “A spectacular display,” EDJ was saying as he stepped over the expired bodies. “You made quite the mess, but don’t worry about that. You show incredible talent and power. I’m impressed.” 

Talent? Hanna thought, but said nothing. That’s what that was? I let her out. All that evil… All that death… did he know? How could he have known? I didn’t tell anybody. Not even Lui… 

EDJ continued to talk as they walked, but Hanna was not listening. EDJ glanced at her a few times, but Hanna’s face remained distant and cold. Empty. Exhausted. Hanna followed EDJ as he led her through the door and down a hall. She didn’t know or care where she was going. It didn’t matter. Her journey through the castle was over. The enemy had her weapon and she had no strength left. She wasn’t getting out of this alive, that much was certain. EDJ stopped walking, startling Hanna from her numbness. He turned and motioned to an open door in the hall. Hanna stepped inside a small room, the smell of food getting her attention. The room had a table set for dinner, complete with candles and roses, though the table was only set for one. EDJ walked to the table and removed a steel food cover to reveal a plate of steaming, delicious-looking lasagna. My favorite…? How did he know? The brief thought was quickly replaced with doubt. I bet it’s poisoned. 

EDJ pulled out the chair from the table. “Sit. Eat. You’ve had a busy day. I’m sure you’re hungry.” Hanna stood where she was, but looked down at her hands again. “Ah, of course.” EDJ pointed at a door in the room. “You can clean up in the washroom there.” He stepped up to Hanna and tilted his head, observing her. “Would you prefer to be alone?” Hanna nodded. “Very well,” EDJ said, turning to point out a few more things in the room. “If your phones still work, there are chargers along the wall. There’s a minifridge stocked with drinks by the dresser and there’s a bed behind that wall with a set of clean clothes.” He turned back to her. “I’m going to leave you in here alone to rest and recuperate, but I’m locking the door and placing guards outside.” He held up her sword by the hilt and pointed at it. “I’m also going to hold on to this for you. When you feel up to talking, you can use the phone I gave you or let one of the guards know. Okay?” 

Hanna continued to stare off into the distance, unresponsive. EDJ leaned to the side a little to look her in the eye. He spoke softly again when her eyes focused on him. “No hidden cameras. No microphones. Complete privacy. I promise. We can talk again when you’re ready. Okay?” He smiled sincerely. So sincerely it reminded Hanna of someone else. She looked away, but nodded. “Good!” He straightened and stepped back. “Take as long as you need.” EDJ walked around Hanna to leave the room and almost didn’t hear her when she finally spoke up. 

“That was your plan this whole time…” Hanna whispered.

EDJ stopped in the doorway and turned back curiously. “Hm?” 

Hanna glared at him, but her voice was void of emotion. “You were trying to release my evil side this whole time. From the moment I walked in.”

EDJ’s smug grin returned. “And it worked.” He walked out of the room, closing and locking the door behind him. 

As soon as EDJ was gone, Hanna’s wall fell. She inhaled sharply and covered her mouth with both hands, trying to stifle the sobs that threatened to escape. She collapsed into a ball on the floor and wept. 

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Eight

It took a second for Hanna’s vision to adjust to the bright light of the room she entered. Hanna found herself in another large arena. She swallowed the dread rising up as the door slid shut behind her. In front of her were waves upon waves of enemies. Guards, stormtroopers, robots, and snakes. “You sure are worried about defeating me,” Hanna muttered. 

“Farewell, hero,” EDJ’s voice echoed through the chamber. “You’ll never make it out of this room alive.”

Hanna stood her ground. You can do this. You can make it. As soon as the soldiers lifted their weapons to fire, Hanna put up a wall of ice and covered her ears. The sound of the rifles firing in such an enclosed area was deafening. As before, Hanna continually reinforced the ice barrier while being pelted. MOVE! a voice in the back of her head screamed. Hanna dropped to the ground a split second before the wall shattered. Instead of the pieces of ice falling to the ground, they broke down into sharpened spikes and shot back at the soldiers. Without waiting for retaliation, Hanna jumped into the air and flew to the ceiling. Adding snow to the ice spikes below, Hanna created a blizzard in the room, trying to keep visibility to a minimum. She landed on the floor again amidst the soldiers, freezing patches of ice on the ground before taking flight again. Some of the guards and stormtroopers took themselves out slipping on the ice. 

EDJ frowned at the snowblind screens. “That’s no fun.” He turned the thermal infrared settings on for the cameras. The cameras could make out his soldiers in the storm, but the heat signature for Hanna was harder to detect. He pressed another button on the control panel. Inside the arena, a door on the side opened. Monstrous-looking troll and orc creatures walked into the room while flying monkeys swarmed to the ceiling, more of EDJ’s spliced abominations. Hanna grimaced and tried to increase the intensity of the blizzard, dark hair freely whipping around her. The flying monkeys did not seem to be deterred by the storm. Hanna had to use her sword and aerial movements to fend them off. She swooped down too low and was grabbed by one of the robots.
“EEK!” Hanna turned and froze the robot solid, wrenching herself free. Two more monkeys attacked from the air and soldiers somewhere turned to shoot at her again. Hanna ducked and flew low to the ground, swerving between enemies. There are so many of them! Too many… 

I can take them, a confident voice in the back of her mind spoke up. 

Hanna shook her head. No! I’m not letting you out. 

You don’t have a choice, darling, the voice answered. Hanna squeaked and dodged as an orc dove at her. She blocked a sword from another soldier. Let me out or we both die. 

“NO!” Hanna shouted, frantically trying to avoid enemies, defend herself, and keep the blizzard going at the same time. The storm had to come down. It was taking too much of a toll. But if she let the storm stop, she’d be a sitting duck. Or swan, in Hanna’s case. Hanna dove to a corner of the room and let the storm slow down enough to see how large the attacking force was. A quarter of the initial force littered the ground and it seemed that the rest of it was gaining reinforcements. A nearby troll spotted her and went for the kill. Hanna gasped and jumped out of the way. She batted away an attack from an orc with a spear and another from a robot with a buzzsaw. Fear was setting in.

LET ME OUT! the voice screamed. 

“NO!” Hanna repeated, dodging another attack. “I can’t- ACK!” One of the enemies blindsided Hanna, knocking her to the ground. She rolled out of the way of another robot. I can’t lose this way! I can’t let her out! 

EDJ’s voice echoed through the room’s PA system again. “Try harder than that, dear. The producer wants more action!” 

Hanna narrowly avoided three more enemies in panic. She took to the air again. A troll grabbed Hanna and flung her into a wall. She wasn’t able to catch herself in time, smashing into the surface and dropping to the floor. “...Ungh…”  Hanna coughed and gasped for air. She looked up in fear to see the troll lift its foot to crush her. …no…not like this…I can’t lose…like this…

Instantaneously, the fear in Hanna’s blue eyes was swallowed with red rage. I never lose. An ice spike shot up from the ground and into the troll’s foot. Hanna dashed out from under the creature as it roared. The blizzard came back with a vengeance, swallowing the entire room in white. An evil cackle rang out from the midst of the storm as the soldiers looked around for their target. The flying monkeys attacked the center of the storm, only to fall to the ground either with their wings frozen or with their bodies full of icicles. Large blocks of ice formed and spun around the center of the room before exploding outward in the form of jagged projectiles. 

Every person in the main control room watched the screens in eerie silence. The cameras picked up a faint, light purple figure moving quickly between the orange shapes of the soldiers and creatures. EDJ watched the bright orange bodies drop to the floor one by one in quick succession. While it might not have been the best quality visual for EDJ’s movie footage, it was enough to send a shiver down anyone’s spine. Anyone except EDJ. The level of brutality on display was exactly what he was hoping for. Even so, he was glad not to be in the same room as his men. 

The storm slowed down to reveal Hanna flying in the air, hair loose, sword saturated, and an overconfident bloodlust in her red eyes. She cackled again. “BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” Hanna lifted her free hand, creating a rain of icicles from the air. Stalagmites of ice shot up from the floor in three waves, eradicating most of the remaining force. The storm stopped and Hanna landed on the ground to deal with the stragglers. Four guards with melee weapons tried to rush her, but Hanna slashed her way through them. Three orcs turned and ran back to the door they had entered from, only to be shot in the back with more icy projectiles. A stormtrooper and a troll tried to attack. The first, Hanna kicked in the throat, breaking the stormtrooper's neck. The second, Hanna flipped away from while sending a wave of ice to freeze the troll’s feet to the floor. The momentum carried the falling troll into a jutting ice spike. Glancing over the wreckage of bodies that was once EDJ’s army, Hanna spotted something orange on the ground. Somehow, through everything, one snake was still alive. Hanna stomped the heel of her boot on the snake’s head. Silence. Complete silence. 

Only once everything else in the room was dead did Hanna’s wicked grin fade. Just as quickly as the rage overwhelmed her, it left. Hanna’s eyes turned from red to blue. She blinked and looked around, realization crossing her face as she stared at the gory scene in horror. Hanna gasped and let go of her sword, letting it clatter on the icy ground. Nothing moved. Everything was either frozen, impaled, or in pieces. Hanna dropped to her knees in the center of the massacre, sick to her stomach. “...I…I lost…”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“I’ve got an idea,” EDJ said, crouched next to Lui and watching him with a condescending smile. “If you care so much, then challenge me.” 

“W-what?” Lui asked in confusion, blinking through the tears. 

“You heard me.” EDJ stated. “Challenge me. Unless… you’re scared?” 

“No,” Lui answered quietly, looking EDJ in the eye. “I’ll… I’ll fight...” 

“...Lui…don’t…” DJ groaned as he regained his breath, still pinned to the ground by the guards. 

“Huh, just when you think you know someone…” EDJ muttered before his face broke into a wide grin. 

“If I win…” Lui started nervously. “You have to call off the attack on Hanna and let us go.” It was a long shot, but Lui didn’t have a whole lot of options left to work with. 

“Alright! I'll agree to that,” EDJ answered without hesitation. “Try it! Let’s go!” EDJ clapped and stood up. As he stepped away, he nodded to the guards holding Lui. A few guards pulled the furniture out of the way and backed up to the wall, creating as much space as possible in the cramped room. The ones holding Lui let him stand and pushed him toward the open circle.

That was weird, Lui thought. What if I lose? He didn’t even ask... Lui glanced at the tv screen. Hang in there, Hanna. 

“What’s it gonna be?” EDJ asked, handing his cape to one of the guards before turning to face Lui. “Blades? Elements?” 

“Hand-to-hand,” Lui answered. 

“Ah, sportsmanlike.” EDJ snickered. “Should have expected that from you. Fair enough.” 

Lui glanced from DJ to EDJ and back, suddenly feeling like he made an incredibly bad decision. He swallowed the fear and took a back stance, clenched hands shaking. 

EDJ chuckled with his mouth closed, staring Lui down and starting to circle. “You never did well in those combat classes, did you?” EDJ asked.

“Well enough to pass,” Lui shot back. 

“Only because the enemy was holding back!” EDJ started the fight by advancing with an axe kick and a double punch. Lui dodged the first attack and avoided the other two while keeping his hands up. Lui retaliated with a straight punch, side kick, and spinning side kick. EDJ blocked all of the attacks as though they were nothing. He sent a roundhouse kick for Lui’s head, only for Lui to duck. EDJ followed up with a front kick, which landed in Lui’s chest and sent him to the floor. Lui gasped and coughed as EDJ circled again. “We’re not sparring here, bud,” EDJ said, looking down on him with a vile grin. “Get up.” 

Lui scrambled to his feet and got back into a fighting stance, breathing hard. EDJ punched once then advanced with a front kick. Lui dodged the punch and canceled out EDJ’s attack with his own kick. Lui went in for another straight punch, only for EDJ to twist and hit him in the side. This knocked Lui off balance and to the ground a second time.

“Bwahahahaha,” EDJ laughed. “Pathetic!” He stared down at Lui. “DJ and I can go rounds all day long, but you? You’re weak.”

“I am NOT!” Lui attempted to get up again, only for EDJ to kick him down before he was even on his feet. 

“You are!” EDJ laughed again. 

“...stop bullying him…” DJ wheezed through gritted teeth, fury in his eyes.

“He asked for this, remember?” EDJ looked back at his Original. “He wanted a fight.” EDJ turned to watch Lui stand again. “Wonder why we’ve never had a real fight until now…” 

Lui’s chest was heaving as he took a fighting stance again. “Because… there’s still good in you...” Lui got his breathing under control as he stared back at EDJ. “Because deep down… we’re still friends...” 

“I would agree with you,” EDJ said slowly. “But then we’d both be wrong.” 

EDJ began circling again and Lui matched the pace. EDJ pushed forward with a tornado kick. Lui dodged and double punched. When EDJ swerved back, Lui followed up with a spinning side kick. EDJ blocked and charged with a front kick again. At the last possible second, Lui changed his footing, twisted, and caught EDJ’s head with a spinning hook kick. EDJ landed on the floor, dazed. EDJ blinked and stared up at Lui, seemingly stunned that Lui was able to hit him at all. Lui grinned in triumph. Maybe this fight could be won after all. EDJ’s blank stare turned into a mischievous smirk. Without warning, EDJ threw a fireball at Lui. Lui gasped and dove out of the way. 

Using the change in fight as a distraction, DJ elbowed the guard holding him and broke free. DJ dove forward, activating a device on his wrist which expanded a collapsible buckler embedded in his vambrace. EDJ jumped up and threw three more fireballs at his opponent, which Lui had to duck and roll away from to avoid. Lui sprung to his feet and threw his left hand out toward EDJ to shoot a lightning bolt. EDJ grabbed the outstretched arm and pulled, twisting himself behind Lui and throwing his opponent off balance. Lui turned in time to see the glint of metal as he fell back, hearing the all too familiar sound of a sword being pulled from its scabbard. Too late. Lui lifted his hands and closed his eyes as EDJ raised his sword. A loud clang rang in Lui’s ears. Lui opened his eyes and looked up to see DJ standing over him, shielding him. EDJ bared his teeth and growled, his sword against DJ’s shield as the two stared each other down. DJ’s stance was sound and his voice was stern. “I told you to leave him alone.” 

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Six

-Mysterious castle; Mount Everest; May 11th, 2009-

DJ and Lui snuck through the castle, avoiding or incapacitating guards as necessary. They thought they were being inconspicuous. They didn’t realize EDJ was watching the whole time with an evil smile. EDJ’s screens showed the pair move through the castle, clearing rooms as they went. “Here comes the cavalry,” EDJ said in a low voice. For a second, his smile slipped and his eyes held a distant, faraway look. Oh, for the days when we signed our names… He shook his head and pressed a few buttons on the control panel. “Took them long enough.” 

The entrance DJ and Lui found led them to a large, white room. From there, they went down a hallway and cleared a few different rooms before entering a lab. The lab was filled with desks, equipment, and specimen tanks, though there were no people around. DJ stopped to look over the equipment and opened one of the folders on the desks. He picked up a sheet of paper and read over the contents, eyebrows knit together in concern. 

Lui noticed. “What’s wrong?” he asked. He walked up to DJ and looked over his shoulder at the notes. 

“This is cloning tech,” DJ commented sullenly, holding the paper out to Lui. “Why is Iul messing with duplication and cloning tech?” 

Lui blinked at him, then took the notes to read over them himself. “I don’t know... He’s a bad guy?” Lui offered simply. 

DJ frowned. “Of all the people in the world, he’s the last person I expected to touch this stuff.” 

“Maybe we can ask him when we find him,” Lui suggested hopefully, putting the paper back where it belonged. DJ nodded and pressed on. 

DJ and Lui entered a room that looked more like a waiting room than anything else, fitted with chairs, tables, and a large tv screen. Seeing it was empty, they were about to leave when the door slid shut, locking them in. “Hey!” Lui ran up to the door and rattled the handle. “It’s locked!” 

“I was wondering when you would show up,” EDJ’s voice said over the intercom. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

“What are you up to, EO?!” DJ demanded, spinning his spear forward and preparing for a fight. 

“Mmm, can’t tell you. It’s a secret,” EDJ answered. 

“Where’s Hanna?!” Lui asked. 

EDJ laughed. “Sorry, bud. Wrong castle.”

“Let us out!” Lui shouted, pushing and pulling on the door handle.

“And ruin the surprise?” EDJ asked with a grin. “Nah, we’re getting to the best part!” 

“What are you talking about?” Lui asked, stepping back from the door and drawing his sword.

“See for yourself.” EDJ flipped a switch, turning on the tv in the room DJ and Lui were in. 

They turned to the screen to see Hanna fending off a hoard of soldiers, monsters, and enemies by herself. 

“Hanna…” Lui’s eyes widened and he dropped his sword. “No!” He rushed to the screen and looked around, as though trying to find a way to jump through it or figure out which room she was in from the screen. Lui looked back at DJ, eyes pleading. “We have to help her!” 

DJ went to the door and rammed into it with his shoulder, trying to get it open. “Stop this, EO! Let us out!” 

“Nope,” EDJ’s voice answered. “I think she’s got it covered. You two can sit back and enjoy the show.”

DJ slammed a fist against the door. He turned back to Lui and thought, We can’t do anything while we’re stuck in here. 

That’s not fair! Lui responded. 

This is Iul. When has he ever fought fair? DJ huffed, turning his attention back to the door. DJ took a step back and delivered a powerful kick to the door near the handle. The door flung open and guards instantly flooded the room. DJ, not expecting the door to open, much less the number of guards entering, quickly jumped back and started fighting. He fended off the first three, keeping them at a distance and throwing light and wind attacks as he was able. Lui ran to pick up his sword, but a guard kicked it away before he could reach it. Lui stunned two guards with lightning attacks before he was backed into a corner. As hard as the two fought, they were swiftly outnumbered and overcome. The guards had them disarmed and pinned to the floor by the time EDJ sauntered into the room. 

“I normally wouldn’t have bothered coming down here personally,” EDJ started. “But you did put in the effort to visit me.”

“We’re here for Hanna,” DJ said, glaring at EDJ. 

“Please!” Lui called out, tears pooling in his eyes as he looked from EDJ to the screen of Hanna fighting and back. “Please stop this! You can stop this! Let us help her!” 

“Oh… you actually care…?” EDJ said somewhat surprised, head tilted curiously as he stared back at Lui with empty eyes. The corners of his mouth turned up. “That’s adorable.” 

“Please,” Lui repeated quietly. “Stop...” 

“Nah, I don’t feel like it,” EDJ answered lightly, strolling through the room with his hands behind his back. 

“Why not?” DJ demanded, trying to squirm out of his captors’ grasp. 

EDJ shrugged. “Hey, sometimes the voices demand blood. Who am I to deny them?” he responded apathetically. DJ narrowed his eyes suspiciously at his Evil Other. EDJ walked up to Lui and nodded back to the screen. “Does that upset you?” 

“EO,” DJ cut in with a warning in his voice. “I’ve already told you once to leave him alone. Don’t make me tell you again.” 

EDJ glanced at DJ then nodded up to one of the guards holding him. The guards lifted DJ up from the ground enough to punch him in the gut, knocking the wind out of him and dropping him back to the floor. “I don’t take orders from you,” EDJ said without emotion. He looked back at Lui and knelt to his level. “Well? Does it bother you?” EDJ asked again. “Seeing her alone out there fighting for her life, which could end at any moment, while you’re stuck in here? Helpless?”

“Of course it bothers me, you psychopath!” Lui answered, staring at EDJ with tears streaming down his face. “It would bother anyone!”

“...EO…” DJ interjected again between wheezes. “...Please... Don’t do this to him...”

“Why not?” EDJ asked curiously, turning to look at DJ. “What’s he gonna do?” EDJ turned back to Lui. “Cry me a river?” 

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Five

The ceiling did not rise and the catwalk did not extend, but Hanna could still reach the ladder on the other side of the tank. As soon as she was able to, she grabbed the ladder, pulled herself up, and wiggled out of the little space between the top of the ceiling and the lip of the tank. She nearly fell off the ladder in the process, but caught herself with her wings and lowered to the ground. Hanna sat against the glass wall for a few moments to catch her breath and recover her strength. How many times? she thought. How many times has he tried to kill me now? I need to end this. Quickly. Hanna stood up and looked down at her armor. It was only then she realized how much it had been torn up from her journey through the castle thus far. This is the last time I trust that cheap smithy. Hanna frowned, inspecting the tears and gashes through the leather. While she was not severely injured in any way, the cuts and scrapes were annoying. Not to mention the damage to her armor. On second thought, that really might be the last time I trust the smithy if even this can’t protect me… She shook her head. I knew I should have splurged on the good chainmail. Hanna shook the water from her partially melted scabbard and began wringing out her long pigtails. A couple industrial fans were going in the room, situated next to a yellow ‘caution: wet floor’ sign. Hanna stood in front of the fans to dry off. “You’re really making this whole process an inconvenience,” Hanna commented. “Things would go much smoother if you turned yourself in. I’m getting tired of this game of cat and mouse.” She glanced up at the drone, but found it still hovering close to the ceiling. Hanna squeezed her fists a few times, feeling the cold slowly return to her fingers. She winced when her stomach growled. I’m not going to last much longer at this rate. 

The little drone flew down from the ceiling and stopped in front of Hanna. “Tell me, hero, have you figured out the greater purpose here yet?” EDJ asked. 

“I was a little preoccupied with trying to stay alive,” Hanna said as she glared at the drone. She broke what was left of the ice seal on her sword and pulled the blade out, spinning it forward once before resheathing it. Finally ready to move on, Hanna walked away from the tank and up to three closed doors. “Greater purpose, huh?” Hanna muttered, giving the drone a critical glance. “Other than killing me?” 

“Yes.”

Hanna turned back to the doors, considering which one to take. “Can I have a hint?” 

The door on her left slid open. Pfft, I’m not falling for that, Hanna thought as she immediately tried the right door first and then the middle door. Neither door would open, of course, leaving Hanna with the open door as her only option. 

“It has something to do with all these cameras,” EDJ’s voice said as the drone flew up to the open door expectantly. 

Hanna rolled her eyes and followed. The door opened to another hallway, which Hanna walked through as the drone flew ahead of her. She could tell her recent swim loosened her hair ties again and it was starting to irritate her. She had half a mind to chop the long hair off then and there. “I dunno, you’re a wacko who likes his security?” she asked, reaching her limit for the day in insanity. 

“I prefer the term evil genius,” EDJ retorted with a chuckle. “Think about it. From the moment you entered my castle, the cameras have been recording your progress. Your entire journey has been a show. All that footage is being made into an action movie by my technicians as we speak. A movie I intend to show off to my fellow super villains at our next meeting.” EDJ grinned. “Hope you don’t mind.”

Hanna gave the drone a weird look. “You actually intend to do something with all that security footage? Creep.” She tossed her hair as she continued walking. “Don’t you need permission or something?” 

EDJ, still in the control room, raised a hand and counted out as he spoke. “Private property. Common use spaces. Film permits. Public servant.” He ended the list pointing at the monitor of Hanna in front of him. “Am I missing anything?”

Hanna frowned. “How on Earth would I know?!”

“Exactly!” EDJ answered with a smile. “You act like I care which laws I break and which countries I break them in. Truth is, I don’t.”

Hanna tossed her hair again in frustration as she marched through the hall. “And you expect me to ignore the kidnapping, torture, lying, and everything else on the list?”

EDJ shrugged. “I am the villain.”

“Still a creep,” Hanna muttered. “As long as the movie doesn’t show me dying or losing in the end, sure.” She shot the drone another glare and spoke with as much sharp sarcasm as she could muster. “Whatever. I’m fine with it. Add it to the pile. In fact, I’ll order five copies just so I can show everyone what I had to put up with to bring you down!”

A low whistle came from the drone. “Someone’s in a bad mood.” 

The hallway finally opened to a room filled with garbage and construction scrap. Broken glass and nails littered the floor while mountains of stone, splintered boards, drywall, wooden framing, wires, and rebar went up almost to the ceiling. Hanna looked over her shoulder to see the door slide shut behind her. She let out a long sigh. “What’s the trap now, evil not-so-genius?” 

“No trap” EDJ answered. “This is where all the leftover garbage from building the castle was dumped. You’re the one who keeps assuming these rooms don’t have functional, everyday value. World doesn’t revolve around you, princess.” 

Not wanting to walk over the sharp debris, Hanna lifted about a foot off the floor and flew between the piles of trash around her. “Seems a bit easy,” she said dubiously. Hanna looked along the walls, but could not locate another door through which to leave. 

EDJ laughed. “You’re completely right, that would be too easy.” Hanna sneered as he continued talking. “If you really want another challenge, I’ll help you along.” EDJ reached over and pressed a button on the control panel in front of him. A low, grinding noise started up in the walls. Hanna pulled out her sword and turned in a circle midair, taking a minute to realize the walls were starting to close in around her. 

“A trash compactor… really?” Hanna asked. “How more cliche could you get?” Just have to find the exit, she thought. Or a weak point… or something... She turned in a circle again. The only visible door was the one she entered from, which was still closed. Hanna sheathed her sword and flew back to the entrance. There was no door handle, but Hanna tried to push it open all the same. She rammed into it with her shoulder for good measure. Nothing. The piles of trash closed in at a faster pace than Hanna was expecting, rocks crunching and wooden boards snapping as they caught against each other. 

“Bwahahahaha!” EDJ’s voice cackled above her. “Better hurry before you end up as a pancake!” 

Hanna looked around the room again for an exit, but still did not see one. Looking up at the drone, Hanna realized there was a folded ladder leading to a square door in the ceiling. Hanna immediately flew up to the ladder, swerving between sharp pieces of wood and rebar sticking into the air. When Hanna reached the ceiling, she pulled on the trapdoor’s handle. It was locked. Hanna jiggled the handle, trying to get it open. The walls were getting closer and the mountains of trash were almost high enough to reach her. With a growl, Hanna yanked the folding ladder down, fully extending it. Grabbing the ladder for leverage, Hanna flipped upside down and kicked the trapdoor with both feet as hard as she could. The trap door flew off its hinges. Hanna flipped back upright and flew out of the trash compactor room with seconds to spare. Her sword was drawn when she landed in the upper room. Hanna glanced at what was left of the trash room as the walls finished compressing. 

“Very good little miss hero!” The drone chirped as it flew in front of her face again. Hanna wasn’t sure how the machine made it out of the room unscathed. She was hoping it was crushed with the rest of the garbage. “Unfortunately, our time together is almost up.” 

Hanna looked around the room she was in. It was tiny and dark, but a single door was outlined with white light in front of her. “Another door,” Hanna muttered disdainfully. 

“The last door, I’m sure you’ll be happy to know,” the drone corrected. “You’ve finally made it all the way to the end of my labyrinth and I have finally run out of traps.”

Hanna still didn’t trust it. She tightened the grip on her sword and shot the drone a dirty look. “What’s on the other side of this door, EDJ?”

The drone sat quiet for a moment. “A monster,” he finally answered, tone strangely melancholic compared to what it had been. “Or so the stories say!” EDJ’s upbeat, gloating tone returned as quickly as it had vanished. “In your case, it’s quite a few monsters. As I’ve said before, I don’t think you’ll survive. You should have turned back when you had the chance. I want you to know I’ve thoroughly enjoyed our visit. This is the final test, hero. If you can make it through the next room alive, I’m all yours. But since we both know you won’t, do try to be at least a little entertaining as you die. I need an action-packed finale for the-” An icicle shot through the drone’s camera lens, impaling the flying machine. It landed on the floor with a noisy crash. Hanna stepped over the broken machine and walked up to the door. 

Finally, Hanna thought, taking a breath. Silence. She closed her eyes and took another long breath, letting it out slowly. I am sick of these games. Hanna opened her blue eyes and stared at the door in front of her with new resolve. My will is as strong as yours. I’m not here to entertain you, but if I go down fighting, I’ll give you a show you’ll never forget. Hanna grabbed the handle with confidence and flung the door open, drowning in white light.