Through the Looking Glass (TXT x Itzy)

eight

The time passed swiftly, and Ryujin continued to surprise herself when she found another potential hiding place of one more key.

A moving structure of pure metal, creaking and clanking, obviously functioning with the assistance of gears. Spinning blades and spike-laced balls were being swung and rotated all over, creating an obstacle course. And behind resided a tiny metal structure.

She was surprised she didn't hear it before. But never mind that.

Since it was so noisy, there must have been a lot of gears. Perhaps even wires, to make this contraption function perfectly. In that case, one way to get past them was to disable the gears, maybe get a strong bar through one of them to halt the entire system. But for that to work, she needed that hardy material.

Which she didn't have, unless she was willing to sacrifice her only dagger, which would mean she didn't have anything to protect herself with.

The other option was to go through it, though it would be a suicide misson, to be honest. So that was out.

Focus, Ryujin. Breathe.

So that's what she did.

"Okay," Ryujin announced to no one in particular, "I know what I'm gonna do." Dallie nuzzled her in encouragement, so Ryujin, harnessing the confidence, strode closer.

There was a pattern, to the waving and hammering of the killing machines. If she could memorise that, everything else would be a breeze.

Patience is a virtue, after all. One that she didn't have a terrific grasp on, but maybe now was a good time to start.

She took a seat on the cold hard ground, and just watched. Seconds and minutes trickled by, precious time that could be used, if her hot-headedness had kicked in.

But she just waited, and let the movement and rhythm flow.

Then she stood abruptly, a ghost of a smile playing on her lips.

"Let's do this."

It was quite a dangerous labyrinth, but after a while, Ryujin managed to laugh. It wasn't so hard, it was just like dancing. Weaving delicately, despite some close calls and near misses, she actually managed to get to the other side, without a few locks of hair (having been sliced off) but otherwise unharmed.

The small structure sat there, gleaming as if anticipating her. She opened the little hatch, and there sat the tiny key, glinting gently.

"You are so much work," Ryujin jokingly chided, before scooping up the metal piece. With that simple motion, the metal ground caved inwards and the equipment retracted gently, then the cover slipped back like nothing happened, leaving her with a safe was out.

And with that, the fog cleared rather suddenly, and the familiar voice of her father cheerfully announced, "And the last key has been retrieved! Everyone may exit the arena, and we shall declare the winner! Of this round, of course."

AN: Hey guys. Sorry for the short chapter and crappy writing. First of all, I'd like to thank everyone who stuck with me. I'm sorry it took so long for me to get this out. I also want to apologise for making Ryujin such a Mary Sue. Ugh, I kind of cringed writing this, but at least I have something. I promise I'll improve her character. Thank you once again for your support!