Now that they weren’t running for their lives, making their way back helped them realize they had walked into a dead end corridor that rounded like a spiral. It took several minutes to walk back to the beginning, back to the opening with four options where the bickered before.

“Luhan?” Sehun spoke, red light reflecting off his skin. “Are you okay now? Can we continue?”

They had taken a break and regained some energy with food. Luhan’s body felt exhausted, he had been walking around for too long. His muscles weren’t strong enough yet to stand a whole day without resting.

“Five more minutes,” he requested.

“Why… What happened to you?” Tao suddenly asked. Luhan curved a brow while Sehun scowled. “I mean, you were doing damn great against those boggers but then… What the hell happened?”

It was about time they asked, Luhan knew they would eventually. He closed his eyes and rested his head against the wall he sat in front of. He mulled over how to express himself.

“Are you going to answer?”

I will, he heard Tao jumped backwards. It was the first time Luhan spoke telepathically with the other. I’m just figuring out how to say it.

How could he explain it? His whole life the company had toyed with him, controlling how he lived and inducing him to sleep whenever they wanted. He had never had any control whatsoever of his being. He couldn’t just walk around and do as pleased, he’d always been manipulated. He’d always been helpless. And now, for the first time ever, he’d been able to decide for another being. Now he was the one playing with life and doing as pleased; and it was so easy. It made him feel powerful and in control. He was just doing what the company had done to him for so long. It shouldn’t be wrong, right?

“I never imagined slaying a bogger could be so easy,” he said calmly. He immediately regretted his use of words when he saw the expression of utter shock and disturbance from the others. “I mean… . Look we are meant to kill those monsters, your hands are bloodied as well.” To this they couldn’t argue. “I’ve never been in control of my life or my surroundings, because… well you know. So now, now that I realize how easy it is to just control and toy with life, I just… lost it. I lost control of my emotions and, well, snapped…”

“I can’t believe this,” Sehun frowned and shook his head, “Do you think this a ing game?”

“Excuse me?” Luhan countered as he stood up, feeling offended.  

“I said do you think this is a ing game,” he yelled. “You think this is ing entertaining? Huh! Do you?”

“Sehun, calm the down,” Tao approached the angered boy, placing a hand on the other’s shoulder as he glanced warily at Luhan. But Sehun shrugged him off.

“Don’t you get it? We don’t just kill boggers because it’s part of a ing trial. We kill boggers to survive. Because just as ing easy it is to end their lives, it’s as easy for us to end up dead,” Luhan had never seen anyone as angry and sad as Sehun before.

“But-”

“Suho almost died. Xiumin almost died. Kai almost died. Kris almost died. Chanyeol almost died. Lay almost died. Hell I don’t even know how many times Tao has brought us back from the brink of death,” Sehun balled out frustrated, tears running down his angered face. “I almost died,” he said softly as he harshly wiped the tears away. “This isn’t a ing game. This is our lives.”

Luhan looked at the floor. He couldn’t look into Sehun’s eyes, they said too much, they suffered too much and Luhan could feel that pain as well -vicariously. He couldn’t say anything, there wasn’t anything to say for Sehun had said it all. There was nothing Luhan could ever argue about. He had to see through the other’s eyes to understand the situation everyone was in. He had to step up and help the group, he had to stop dragging them down and being a liability. He had to control himself, his emotions, to protect the group not harm them.

“I’m sorry,” he finally said. “I understand now.”

Sehun nodded, dried tear stains visible under the red light. Without a word Sehun, Tao and Luhan made their way to the corridor they previously labeled ‘mid-right’.

From where Luhan had counted 31 sections, he began to count again for the sake of busying his mind instead of replaying Sehun’s emotional rant. Since now they faced ‘south’, left U turn to face ‘north’, one section forward, then turn right two sections, and then left to an opening. The wall to the left was angled outwards, giving more space for them to walk. There was a hall towards the right, one to the left two sections further and a bigger opening at the front. They walked closer and at the front they saw movement and heard ruckus. Then a loud shriek accompanied by the smell of burnt flesh.

“It’s Chanyeol,” Tao quickly said. “We’ve got to go help him.”

They ran towards the commotion.

Chanyeol wasn’t alone Xiumin was with him, as well as more than a dozen boggers. They were at the big opening that appeared to be like an opened diamond; two sections weren’t closed since they connected with the corridors. The walls were aligned with the same angle as the ones previously encountered. It made sense now that they were at a specific part of the maze where the shape of the design was shifted. In the middle of the spacious diamond pseudo-room was a smaller walled square, where boggers spawned out from.

Tao immediately went to help out. He scissor kicked a bogger in the face, impulsing his body upward with one leg and kicking forward with the other leg. Xiumin appeared next to him and pierced the knocked bogger with an icicle.

Sehun pushed back a bogger with wind and turned around to Luhan. “We’re going to need your help, so you better step up.”

“But what if I-”

“Just push them around, okay? Don’t go all murderous at them. Stay in control,” said Sehun dead serious.

Luhan frowned at his choice of words, but agreed to assist. They needed him and he was going to do everything he could. As long as he kept his emotions in check, he should be able to keep control of himself.

He stayed behind as a guard point. Chanyeol to his left was incinerating two boggers against a wall. A third appeared behind him, Luhan pushed the monster away against the opposite wall. He saw Xiumin run away from a bogger. A second bogger appeared to his left. Xiumin quickly turned to his right and ran straight towards a wall. Luhan spoke to him telepathically, Xiumin asked him to help him levitate over the boggers after he’d jump against the wall and push his body upwards. He did as told and lifted Xiumin in the air as he kicked off the wall. Turning his body in the air, he was upside down over the boggers. He extended his hands down towards each bogger and froze their heads. The inertia and weight of the ice made the boggers crash face forward against the wall. The impact broke their frozen skulls into pieces as Luhan lowered Xiumin softly to the ground.

Before he could compliment his friend, Xiumin warned him to help out Tao. He turned and saw the boy fighting against three boggers, barely. Luhan pushed the boggers back and Sehun appeared next to Tao who grabbed Sehun’s shoulder. In a blink of an eye the three boggers disintegrated. Luhan stared shocked not understanding how the boggers were killed if the two boys didn’t move at all. Sehun turned to go and caught him staring, he looked confused but suddenly his eyes widened and before Luhan could comprehend, his body was pushed backwards by a wind current. His back hit the wall as he saw a bogger pounce to the place he was standing. The bogger was bigger than the others he saw, for some reason this one was taller and its muscles were thicker. The monster turned towards him to attack and quickly Luhan grabbed the creature in a telekinetic hold. The fright he felt before was replaced by anger; he hated the damn thing that tried to kill him. He focused on snapping its neck, when Sehun appeared next to him with Xiumin.

“Don’t do it Luhan!” Sehun warned.

Luhan relaxed his hold as he saw the levitating bogger freeze. Compressed air broke the iced-monster into pieces. He looked back at Sehun who gave him a curt nod before running to help Chanyeol.

“You okay?”

Luhan looked amused at his friend. Xiumin asking him how he was when the other was drenched in sweat and looking like he had been fighting for hours felt kind of ironic. He noticed Xiumin sported some minor cuts, scrapes and bruises. Sehun’s words ran through his mind and he felt the need to protect his friends even further -help the team from getting hurt.

“Yeah. It’s you who looks worn out,” he replied and Xiumin laughed. How he could laugh while they were fighting a room infested with boggers, he would never know.

“Keep up the good work,” the ice bender bid before running back to the action.

Either Xiumin was too good at this or he was becoming too blasé to the danger. Luhan shook his head and focused back on defending the team. Tao snapped a bogger’s thin neck with a hook kick, but another was getting close. He warned Tao in his mind and again, in a fraction of a second Tao was standing three meters away from where he was and now faced the bogger’s back. The bogger’s legs were frozen by Xiumin who happened to run by, Tao managed to kill the creature without trouble. Xiumin didn’t stay to watch, he was getting close to a bogger running towards Chanyeol, but the bogger was pushed back with wind. Sehun hadn’t seen Xiumin when he sent the bogger towards the other’s direction, but Luhan was quick to react and shoved Xiumin out of the way. Xiumin stared dumbfounded as he had fallen to the floor. Luhan kept the bogger against the wall to prevent it from attacking Xiumin. He told the other to get up. Xiumin finally overcame his shock and stood, he froze the bogger against the wall by creating a massive casket of ice around it. Xiumin yelled at Chanyeol, the taller boy walked up to the frozen bogger and punched the chest with his fist covered in flames. Tao and Sehun were finishing off the last bogger in sight. Chanyeol fist pumped Xiumin, steam rose from their connected hands.

But of course their victory was celebrated too early. A new herd of boggers appeared from the square at the middle of the room. This time they were all bigger and muscular like the one that attacked him before. Xiumin froze two and Chanyeol finished them off. Sehun protected Tao from getting slashed. Luhan pushed the rest back, making them tumble upon the rest. He was feeling frustrated. The room was beginning to turn dark. He grabbed two boggers gravitated them in the air and crushed their chests with his telekinetic hold. He wanted to kill two more, but his body was swatted to the side, hitting the wall. His vision cleared and he felt disoriented. He was pushed against the wall again, wind cold against his skin until he felt warm hands grab his shoulders and spin him around. Sehun stared at him with a deep frown, his gaze held a warning. Luhan wanted to slap Sehun’s bossiness away, but he knew it wouldn’t affect the other as long as he was protected with his air armor. Yes, that’s how he called it. An armor made with air.

“Keep your cool.”

“I will.”

“I’m serious.”

“So am I.”

The staring contest was short. There was too much going on for them to take a time out. Luhan swatted the boggers running towards them to the side. Sehun created a small vortex and kept them under control. Sehun ordered Luhan to call Chanyeol, again Luhan felt pissed to be bossed around but complied anyways. This was the first time he spoke telepathically with Chanyeol, and thought the best way to grab his attention was by calling him Fireboy. It worked. Chanyeol helped Sehun, combining their powers they created a fire twister and successfully killed four boggers. Luhan went to help the others. He kept three boggers back as Tao held onto Xiumin and in a fraction of a second three boggers died frozen. Luhan felt a presence creep behind him. His defenses worked up and he pushed the presence back. Ready to attack, Luhan turned around but was pushed to the side with wind again. He looked towards Sehun aggravated.

Stop doing that!

‘It’s Kris and Lay, you moron. Pay attention.’

Luhan suppressed the boiling in his chest as he looked towards the opening that led to the corridor they entered from. Lay was helping Kris up. He had done it again. He had pushed his team away. He puffed his cheeks, swallowing his pride and anger. He hated to admit Sehun was right again, he was a moron.

“Luhan!”

Quickly he ducked and created a forcefield around his body. The bogger hit against the shield but couldn’t break it. Suddenly the bogger was lying on the ground and disintegrated. Confused he looked to the front and saw Tao and Xiumin standing there, holding hands.

“What happened?” he asked as he canceled the shield.

“I manipulate time, remember?” Tao said letting go of Xiumin so he could help Lay. “Be more careful.”

“Thanks.”

“No problem,” Tao smirked and turned back to the battle.

Luhan assisted Kris more than he would’ve expected. Other than flying and enhanced senses, Kris didn’t have any other ability. He was skilled at fighting but not as much as Tao or Lay. Kris easily accepted Luhan into his mind and let the other help him out. What Luhan admired most about Kris though, was his sharp eyes. It seemed like nothing escaped Kris’ eagle vision. Before Luhan, he was most likely the point guard of the group. Kris would shout orders and warnings at the members or directly tell Luhan to assess the situation or inform the other’s for him. They teamed up perfectly.

Luhan shoved a bogger away that was trying to catch Kris in the air. Kris held Chanyeol on his back as the fire bender stretched his arms out and fired at the boggers below them.

‘Luhan, at your 3 O’clock!’

He turned to his right and saw Lay on the back of a bogger, he had the monster in a back hold. His legs wrapped around its torso, one arm hooked around the bogger’s arm pit and the other pressed firmly onto the creature’s head. Luhan shoved away the bogger that dared to creep behind Lay, and saw as the bogger in Lay’s grip turned limp and disintegrated. Lay looked at Luhan -his eyes were different. They aesthetically were the same but the emotion behind them was void. Luhan shivered as his body was covered in goosebumps -Lay had the look of death.

Lay turned to the bogger that Luhan shoved away, it was running back towards the boy. Luhan held it in place, forcing its lanky arms behind its back. The creature shrieked as it struggled against the telekinetic grip. Lay approached the monster and placed his hand on its chest. The bogger went limp and disintegrated.

Luhan understood now what Tao and Sehun must have felt when they saw him murder the boggers with ease. It was terrifying and cold -so damn emotionless and cold.

Xiumin came in running, two boggers behind him. He locked eyes with Lay and nodded. He ran to Lay and turned around. He froze the bogger’s as they approached and ran towards one, jumping in the air and kicking the frozen chest forcefully to shatter it. Lay ran to the other iced bogger and placed his hand on it. It disintegrated. Xiumin wanted to high five Lay, but the other shook his head. Xiumin’s smile faded and he nodded. Kris called Xiumin to help, so he left. Luhan was about to help Tao, but Sehun quickly appeared to help the other. Luhan turned his attention back at Lay, seeing that everyone else seemed to be under control, and noticed the boy in green sway to the side, then to the other. A bogger appeared in front and ran towards him, but Lay didn’t give any indication of reacting. Luhan feared for the other’s safety and pulled Lay to him. He didn’t think, he just acted. With Lay in his hold, he brought the exhausted boy into his arms. He let the telekinetic hold break and he used his own arms to hold Lay against himself. Lay’s body felt cold and heavy, he couldn’t support the other with his weak strength so they both ended up sitting on the ground. Luhan couldn’t inspect him further as the bogger was mere meters away. He shoved the bogger backwards harshly, throwing him against the opposite wall. He kept pressing the bogger against the wall until he felt the monster’s bones crush under the pressure.

He was in control. He didn’t let himself feel extreme emotions. He needed to keep sane so he wouldn’t accidentally hurt the boy in his arms. He looked around. All the others were surrounding the last group of boggers left, attacking with all their powers combined. They were winning.

“Luhan?”

He looked at Lay’s tired face, his eyes soft and calm now. Lay had his back resting against Luhan’s chest, sitting between Luhan’s legs as he was hugged from behind. Luhan was shocked. He was impressed to find himself physically touching another person. Besides Sehun’s persistence, this was the first time he willingly held onto someone else. Something warm filled his chest as he saw Lay smile gratefully at him. This time Mama’s warning didn’t haunt him. This time he smiled back and held Lay closer.

“Luhan?”

He whipped his head up and saw a flabbergasted Kai looking down at them. His shock was replaced by a smile, a broad toothy smile.

“About time you got over it,” he said with a cheerful glint.

“About time you appeared,” Luhan countered and Kai laughed. “Stop standing there and help me get him up.” Kai nodded and supported Lay’s left side.

“Lay what happened? Are you hurt?” Kai asked concerned.

“I need to use the sleep,” Lay sluggishly mumbled. Kai and Luhan shared an amused look before breaking into laughter.

“How did you find us?”

“I ran through the walls,” Kai explained. “I’ve been running around like a maniac.”

They exited at the ‘south’ opening and made Lay sit with his back against the wall. Luhan went back to help the others as Kai guarded Lay.

The others looked utterly exhausted. Chanyeol lazily punched the last bogger that agonized against the wall. Its flesh was severely burnt and had multiple cuts. It disintegrated. The room was clean. There were no signs of boggers ever being there. The only indication of a fight was seen in the boys’ tired and battered bodies. Xiumin walked to the entrance of the square in the middle and created a huge and thick wall of ice at the entrance. He fell back tired.

Tao walked up to him and helped him up. “Just in case?” he asked amused at Xiumin’s antics, Xiumin nodded in response.

The group gathered at the entrance where Kai and Lay were. They all sat down to rest, drank water and ate the remaining energy bars.

“Where’s Suho?” Kris asked warily.

“He’s fine, he’s alive,” Kai quickly said, noticing the fright in the group’s atmosphere. They all relaxed. “He’s out of the maze actually.”

“What?”

“We found the way out, there’s only one way out,” Kai explained. “We decided that is was best for one to stay at the entrance, just in case. I came back to search for you guys and get you out. We’re not too far away, but there are more boggers in the way. We have to pass their lair to get out. It’s the only way.”

“I can’t even lift a ing finger anymore,” Tao exaggerated.

“I’m exhausted too,” Chanyeol complained.

“And just look at Lay,” Sehun argued. “There’s no way we’re going to be able to get out of the damn maze. This trial is utter madness.”

“They keep getting worse,” Xiumin rubbed his face tiredly.

“Kai, could you make us intangible and help us cross?” Kris asked.

“I… I’ve never done it before,” Kai’s gaze fell embarrassed. “I don’t know if I can.”

“What do we do?” Chanyeol breathed out as he looked up.

“I could do it,” Luhan offered.

“No.”

“Sehun come on. It’s the only way,” Luhan argued.

“No.”

“I’ve got energy in me, I can take them all. I know I can,” he insisted. “Even if it’s risky, it’s the best option we’ve got.”

“No, damn it! So what if you can take them all on your own,” Sehun countered frustrated, “Then what? How the hell would we stop you from snapping and attacking us?”

“Sehun, calm down,” Kai said clearly shocked at the change of attitude.

Tao rolled his eyes and shook his head.

Luhan gritted his teeth, he hated when Sehun fought back looking down at him. He hated that Sehun was right. He hated how Sehun could overpower him with his attitude and his damn wind.

Wait, that’s it!

“You can stop me.” Sehun pressed his lips in a thin line. “You did it before. You stopped me with that weird thing you did.”

“But Luhan-”

“Just trust me damn it! I’m trusting you now. I trust you can stop me,” Luhan stressed. “Please, let me help.”

The group watched silently at them, no one dared to interfere. Luhan pierced his gaze into Sehun’s eyes. A staring contest began but Luhan knew it wouldn’t be enough.

Sehun please, let me do this. We need to get the others out.

‘You’re going to snap, I just know it.’

But I know you can stop me.

‘It happened once, Luhan. I don’t know if it would work again.’

Sehun, we have to try.

‘But-’

Please.

Damn it... Fine.

Thanks.

Sehun looked away. The action alone was enough for the group to know which decision was made. They got up, ready to follow Kai out of the maze. Kris carried Lay on his back, Tao supported Xiumin, Sehun and Chanyeol helped each other, Luhan walked behind Kai who led the way. From the ‘south’ entrance they took the left corridor that had a long V turn. Three sections down then they turned right, two sections down and Kai stopped.

“The boggers are in that square opening. I’m guessing there are eight, like the one I encountered with Suho,” he explained. And he was probably right, the square opening was exactly like the one Tao, Sehun and Luhan encountered first, the one with the metal overhead door. The difference was that this opening had two doors and the group needed to get to the other side.

“Okay then. Everyone stay back,” Luhan ordered. “Hide far back in the hall, just in case.”

“Are you going to be okay?” Xiumin said worriedly.

Tao had explained that Luhan was capable of killing many boggers with ease, much to Sehun’s dismay, but still it was hard for the group to believe that only one person could take out eight boggers alone. After all they’ve been through, fighting a group of boggers alone was the last thing they would ever want.

“I’ll be fine,” Luhan reassured, even though he wasn’t completely sure he wouldn’t get hurt. “Just stay back, please. I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Okay,” Xiumin had a sad smile. “Luhan, just be careful, okay? And try… try to not snap. At least for as long as you can. I know you will be able to control you power, some day.”

Luhan smiled, he was glad he had a friend like Xiumin. He reached up and patted Xiumin’s shoulder, chuckling at how surprised he looked from the action. “Okay, I’ll try.”

“Luhan,” he looked at Sehun’s serious gaze. “Be careful.”

“I will.”

He walked to the entrance, the metal gate was already opened. Luhan created a forcefield around himself as he stepped in. The boggers turned and screeched, running towards him. Luhan concentrated and pushed them back. One appeared at his side and hit the shield. Luhan grabbed the bogger and focused on snapping its neck. Easy.

Stay in control, Luhan. Don’t get high on power, he reminded himself.

He outstretched his hands and imagined holding onto two boggers as if they were toys. He crushed their thin bodies.

Don’t feel the adrenaline, be stoic, be void like Lay.

He lifted two boggers and forced them to stab each other in the chest. His hands began to twitch. The rush began to run through his body.

Don’t lose it, don’t feel it, Luhan.

A bogger pounced at him. He pushed it away and then shoved the remaining to the side. He focused on the bogger that wanted to attack him. He imagined his hands against each side of the creature’s ragged head and pressed hard. His vision became darker. He kept pressing as the monster cried out in pain. His vision darkened. He crushed the bogger’s skull. Letting go, he canceled his force field, feeling it required too much energy. He dauntlessly walked towards the remaining silhouettes and smirked as he saw them cower away. He pushed them both against the wall, focusing on their heads and pressed them hard against the wall until he heard their skulls crush under the pressure.

Easy, too ing easy.

He looked around in the dark. There was a silhouette at the west entrance that quickly disappeared. Curious, Luhan walked towards the place where the presence vanished. A silhouette appeared, he wanted to grab it but couldn’t. He frowned and tried again. A wind draft pushed him back. Then it hit him harder making him stumbling backwards, but he didn’t fall. The silhouette got closer, the wind blew harder, his vision became clearer, his senses were fatigued. He felt warmth within the wind grazing his skin. He felt warmth hold him strong.

“Luhan come back. I’m here, I got you.”

Sehun.

He forcefully blinked the darkness away, the room became clear again. He felt disoriented and realized Sehun was hugging him tight. He knew he had to get away, Mama’s warning reminded him, but he didn’t want to. He enjoyed the closeness, he enjoyed the warmth, his chest felt fuzzy and happy. How could letting someone in be as bad as she said?

“Don’t push me away,” Sehun said when he felt Luhan relax and snap out of his previous state.

Sehun expected Luhan to shove him away again, but was surprised when the other did the exact opposite. Luhan hugged him back. He snuggled his face between Sehun’s neck and collarbone as he brought their bodies closer, his grip tight on Sehun’s clothes. Sehun canceled the air armor and Luhan could feel more warmth radiating into him, making his body feel cozy and numb.

“Thank you,” he whispered against Sehun’s shoulder. Thank you for trusting me.

Sehun chuckled gutturally, as he rested his face against Luhan’s head and caressed his hair. “I always did,” he whispered.

Luhan looked up, his face so close to Sehun’s. He wanted to ask what the warm fuzzy feeling that numbed his chest was. But before he could say anything Sehun told him they had to go get the rest of the group. Luhan nodded but he couldn’t move his body. Just like Lay, he had exhausted his energy. Sehun left him resting against the wall and hurriedly went for the others.

Xiumin was the first to appear, even though he was tired he ran all the way to where Luhan sat. His worried gaze relaxed as he noticed Luhan was fine.

“Can I touch you?”

“Yeah,” he breathed out. He had no energy left to even try to push Xiumin away. Xiumin smiled and helped him stand. He held Luhan’s arm around his shoulders and supported him by the waist. He half hugged him as they waited for the others to come. “You’re rather touchy,” he joked.

“Not as much as Lay,” Xiumin grinned. “I’m just taking advantage of the moment.”

“You sound like a ert.”

“Shut up.”

Sehun carried him on his back the whole way out of the maze. Kai had offered to do it, since he wasn’t as tired as the rest but Sehun stubbornly insisted on carrying Luhan. When Luhan was settled onto Sehun’s back, Kai slyly winked at them before helping Chanyeol to walk.

Crossing the room they turned right down a corridor, then left and right again. Then they were stepping on water. Kai didn’t need to lead them the rest of the way back. They just had to follow the  stream of water through the corridors until they reached the entrance where Suho was waiting for them. He was so relieved to see that everyone was fine.