Twisted Wonderland 2

Tower Three

Azul gazes down into the depths of Tartarus. "Here's Tartarus, then. The Phantom containment facility. Did they drill under the seabed to build this? It's so deep, I can't see the bottom. All the high-density blot blowing up is stopping us from using flight magic. I wonder how many stairs we'll have to go down to reach the Underworld."

Azul folds his arms as he continues. "I can see my breath. It must be rather chilly here. I'm no stranger to the cold, but I suggest you take care to avoid hypothermia, Riddle." Azul looks around for the red headed boy. "Wait, Riddle? Where'd he..." Azul spots Riddle further down the stairs. He chases after him. "Hey! He's way ahead of me! Hold on! You can't just run off on your own!"

Riddle quirks an eye. "Me, running off? I believe you were the one who slowed down. We're not here to sightsee, and we don't have time for a leisurely chat."

"I'm not making small talk, you know." Azul says. "It's a reasonable first step to try and get a grasp of our situation."

"Two sayings come to mind," Riddle continues walking down the steps. "The early bird catches the worm and you snooze, you lose. Acting before others gives us the initiative. THAT is a reasonable first step."

Azul chuckles. "Ahh, classic Riddle, charging ahead. Typical of someone who became housewarden a week after enrolling. There is another saying, you know: haste makes waste. But it's no matter. You're the leader here, so I'll follow what you say."

"According to the map we received, there should be an elevator nearby." Spotting the elevator, Riddle makes his way towards it. "Ah, that must be it there."

Azul chases after him. "Riddle, wait! What if it's a trap?"

The two stop at the elevator doors. So far, nothing happens.

Azul brings an hand to his chin. "All of Styx's tech is under Ortho's control right now. I'd be surprised if the elevator WASN'T offline."

The doors slide open.

Azul chuckles. "What kind of idiot would willingly walk into such an obvious trap?"

"The enemy's just offering us a way into their stronghold? How very brazen. Very well." Riddle steps into the elevator. "I accept their challenge!"

"Oh, for crying out loud!"

Azul follows Riddle into the elevator and the doors immediately close. The only light comes from the screen on the wall. Ortho appears on the screen with a wave.

"Hey, guys! Welcome to Tower three of Tartarus, the cursed containment facility!"

Azul gestures to the screen. "You see? What did I tell you? A trap."

Riddle just waves him off. "Nonetheless, it's the quickest way forward."

"I'm just crossing my fingers it's not the quickest way to our demise!" Azul groans.

Ortho laughs. "What's this? Are you two already fighting? I don't know if you'll be able to get through all the trials if you keep that up."

"What trials?" Riddle questions.

"Adventures come with trials, right? And your first one is this!"

A game appears on the screen. Azul tilts his head. "Why, isn't that Legend of the Underworld? The game Riddle got obsessed with beating?"

Ortho nods. "It's the perfect choice for people making their way down to the Underworld!"

Riddle looks to Ortho curiously. "Wait, the video game is the trial?"