The six of them entered the Clown's Forest… It was vast, yet had clear boundaries. The layout was circular, and the sky was blanketed by black clouds that blocked sunlight, accompanied by a light drizzle.
The first group appeared at the northern edge of the forest, and the second group at the eastern edge.
At the eastern edge, Faithless gazed into the dark and strange atmosphere. Even the leaves were a pale mix of black and green, dull and lifeless.
He muttered to himself:
"The air here… feels strange and heavy."
Marianne asked:
"So, what's the next move, captain?"
Faithless smirked sarcastically:
"Since when did I become the group's captain?"
Marianne replied in a calm tone:
"As of now. Any objections, Eric?"
Eric yawned and answered indifferently:
"Do whatever you want… I just want to get out of here and finish the mission quickly."
Faithless explained in a composed voice:
"If I'm the captain… I suggest we split up. Staying together as a group will make us an easy target for any distractions. But if we separate, we might reach our goal faster—whether through shortcuts or by discovering something important."
Marianne placed her hand on Faithless's shoulder, leaned her face closer, and spoke softly:
"Now do you see why I chose you to lead?"
And then she vanished like a bloody mirage…
Eric stood up from a tree trunk, a faint smirk on the corner of his lips:
"You're fit to lead… but Takwizra is better. See you later."
He vanished as well. Faithless remained alone, looking around:
"Such a vast place… but it must have an end."
Then he muttered while walking steadily:
"When I saw that gate, I remembered the Gate of the Old Dream… Who are you, Isaac? And is he stronger than Kradel? I ask myself and wait for the answer… what a lunatic I am."
Northern Edge of the Clown's Forest:
Just like the other group, the first group also split up.
Marceline walked through a long path that resembled a narrow street. She couldn't turn right or left, blocked by strange isolating walls. On every tree, a glowing violet candle flickered.
She walked quietly, unfazed, her hand resting on her neck as she muttered in a bored tone:
"Oh god… A cursed path, no left, no right… Damn it, I should've gone toward the pond."
Then added in the same dull tone:
"Such depressing vibes… The name 'Clown' is funny… and weird at the same time."
She smirked mischievously and licked her lips:
"I hope I get to fight Faithless on the way…"
After more than ten minutes, she reached a semi-circular clearing, with a fountain at its center. A narrow, winding path extended beyond it.
She sighed in frustration:
"Finally… I was about to die from boredom."
She approached the fountain, drank a sip and wiped her face, but when she looked up, she saw in the water's reflection someone standing on a tree branch above her.
The mysterious figure leapt down. Marceline dashed at them with terrifying speed, sword drawn, but the attacker pulled out their own sword and dodged the strike.
Marceline glanced back with excitement:
"Look who's here… the mysterious lady, Lady Marianne!"
Marianne slightly lifted her hat and gave a faint smile:
"Quick reflexes, dear Marcy."
Marceline replied, eyes blazing:
"And you were smart enough to draw your sword… otherwise, you would've taken a heavy hit worth more than three strikes."
Marianne smiled:
"Thanks for the compliment… but unfortunately, only one of us will walk away from this game."
Marceline pointed her blade at her:
"I was hoping to face Faithless… not his girlfriend."
Lady Marianne lunged, and her blade clashed with Marceline's.
The battle had begun.
Eastern Edge:
Faithless continued walking calmly through the forest until he sensed someone behind him. He blocked the strike quickly, then countered with three slashes to the opponent's abdomen, forcing them back.
But his strikes were light and lacked killing intent.
He said mockingly:
"Is that how the beast attacks, Joline?"
Joline laughed flirtatiously while holding her stomach:
"You're quick, my prince… Meow~"
Then she added:
"But wouldn't it be wonderful if I beat you?"
She lunged forward with a flurry of strikes, but Faithless observed her blade and evaded each one. Then, grabbing her sword, he delivered five blows to her hand and stomach.
He smirked:
"You're out of chances… little kitty."
Joline replied playfully:
"Arrr, it won't end that easily… Meow~"
In a strange movement, she lunged again at him with surprising speed. He tried to stop her, but she was too fast, landing a strike on his hand with her wooden sword. He pulled his blade and blocked the second strike directly.
Faithless said, intrigued:
"That was an odd move."
She answered:
"I just invented it… I could teach you, meow~"
She rested her sword on her shoulder and closed her eyes. But Faithless appeared behind her and tapped her shoulder twice:
"When we're done with this place, I want you to teach me that move. But more importantly—never close your eyes during a fight."
With the total number of strikes now reaching ten, her body began fading—pulled toward the prison.
She screamed:
"You cheater! I'll get my revenge, prince… Meeeeooow!"
Joline vanished, and her body reappeared inside a prison with invisible bars.
She sighed deeply and said:
"I couldn't keep up with him… Damn it, that wasn't the time to show off."
Then she looked around and was shocked by who was beside her. She smiled sarcastically, covering her mouth:
"Well, well… look who we have here…"
Back in the eastern edge, Faithless kept walking calmly. A sudden breeze passed by him, carrying with it a distorted laugh—unclear whether it belonged to a man or a woman.
He looked behind and asked:
"What's with that strange laugh?"
Then muttered:
"Looks like we're not alone here… What are you scheming this time, Isaac?"