Heechul's POV:

I shivered as we made our way to the second stage. I was scared, really scared. I had been able to keep calm most of the time in the first stage, and I was relieved when we were all okay, but looking at shindong... I feared the same thing would happen to me. I used to think the games were easy, well at least I had trusted that even if I failed to win, I could still be glad I could participate. But then... Even just remembering that look on his face, as if he was insane... I couldn't take it anymore. It was just like a nightmare. What if... What if that happened to me?

Hangeng's POV:

That was creepy, really creepy. It was as if I had been possessed, as if all of us other than heechul and Henry were out of our minds. Especially shindong... Poor shindong. I knew we wouldn't really die right now or anything but it was still a scary thought -- to be left behind, left alone, left with nothing. 

Leeteuk's POV: 

What happened back there? Why were we all acting like that? Why weren't Henry or heechul affected? I can explain Henry, he seems to be immune to the music, even able to counter it, but why heechul then? Why?

Kangin's POV:
 
Whoa what the heck. That was way scary. It was as if I were crazy, losing my mind. I could remember nothing, nothing at all...

Henry's POV:

Well now I know my gift... I'm sorry shindong, really... But... I couldn't help you I'm sorry... Please forgive me... Why could heechul avoid it though? I really want to know...

No One's POV:

Their heads filled with thoughts as they walked on, shaking. Heechul held onto hangeng for support, while kangin tried to calm Leeteuk down. Henry played soft music while walking, calming not only himself but everyone around him.

They walked in through the doors, entering what seemed to be stage 2 of the games. In front of them lay a beautiful garden, with light blue skies with occasional patches of purple and pink. There were many trees, and tiny droplets of dew glistened in the sunlight, hanging dangerously on the branches, looking like tiny gemstones. The ground was covered in an array of pastel colored petals, making the place seem even more magical. It was gorgeous, but this, for some strange reason did not calm them down, not one bit.

"There has got to be something wrong with this place..." They all whispered.

Leeteuk's POV:

"Erm, guys?" Henry asked in a small voice.

"Yes?" I replied, moving towards him in an attempt to comfort the poor boy. He seemed so vulnerable, so weak.

"Do... Do you feel that the place is... Darkening?" He asked. I stopped in my tracks.

Henry's POV:

I looked around in a mixture of wonder and fear. This place was beautiful, yet it's beauty seemed to be just a mere mask used to cover up a darker truth... A flash of black shot past my eyes. I blinked. Whoa... Was I dizzy? I put my hand on my head, massaging my temples. I opened my eyes again. It was surely darker. Did the sun set or something?

"Erm guys... Do... Do you feel that the place is... Darkening?" I asked, voice shaky. No response.

"Guys? Please... Reply me..." I said, voice shaking. As the seconds ticked by with no answer, I could feel my own heart beating faster. Please... Just one word...

"Henry... I-I think so too..." Came heechul's voice. It was like a flash of hope. Finally, someone replied. But... The answer was not at all reassuring.

"Me... Me too." Hangeng replied. I shut my eyes in fear.

"I'm afraid it's happening to me too..." Kangin said.

"In fact..." I said hurriedly as I opened my eyes for a second.

"It's dark."

Leeteuk's POV:

What in the world? I listened to their conversation, confused. What were they talking about? It was bright as day. And why are they walking with their eyes closed, as if they had no sense of direction? Was this a joke?

"Guys. What are you doing?" I asked.

"Leeteuk!!!!! I can't see anything!!!" Henry cried. I rolled my eyes. Great acting there.

"Me neither!" Heechul shouted. I sighed and made my way towards them.

"Really guys? This is not a time for jokes. I can see perfectly well, so why can't you?"

"W-what? Leeteuk, you can see?" Hangeng asked. 

"Yes, hangeng. And very clearly at that. Stop it now. Open your eyes." I ordered.

"We do have them open, Leeteuk." Kangin said. I frowned.

"Really? So... This is not a joke?" I asked.

"Nope... This... Is all real." They chorused. I gulped as I made my way towards Henry.

"Henry-ah..." I said as I faced him. His eyes jerked open all of a sudden, which made me jump backwards.

"OH MY GOSH LEETEUK THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH!!!!!!" He cried, jumping into my arms. I froze, eyes wide open. What the...

"What... Calm down Henry. What are you talking about? What did I do?"

"You don't understand???" He asked. I shook my head in response.

"You see... When you made your way towards me I felt my surroundings lighting up. Then as you got closer it just got even brighter, until I could see perfectly. So thank you Leeteuk. For saving me and bringing me out of the darkness. Literally." He beamed. I smiled.

I made my way with Henry closely by my side to the Hanchul couple. (I still believe they are a legit ship, despite whatever they say.) 

"Hannie-ah is this light I'm seeing?" Heechul asked.

"I think so Chul-ah." Hangeng replied.

"Why is it there though?" Heechul asked. I walked faster, and when I was directly in front of them, I noticed their eyes were starting to open. I smiled. I had succeeded.

"Whoa what leeteuk?" Hangeng asked.

"I don't know..." I replied, honestly unsure. They nodded in response. Heechul looked like he was deep in thought. He jerked his head up.

"I know leeteuk... You have the gift of light." He said.

"I think so too... But that's not important now... Let's go get kangin." I said.

I stood in front of said man, but nothing happened. 

"Kangin-ah? Can you see me? Can you see any of us?" I asked, worried. No response came.

"What..." Heechul started.

"Kangin???" Henry shouted. Again, no response.

"I think we should go guys." Hangeng started.

"But... We can't just leave him here!" I shouted.

"I don't want to either, leeteuk. But remember what Kibum said -- one person will be eliminated per round. I believe it is now kangin's turn..."

"But..."

"He's right. We have to go, Leeteuk..." Heechul said gently, leading me away.

"I-I guess you're right... But... It's just so hard."

"I know leeteuk, we all feel that way. But sometimes, you have to learn to let go." Hangeng said, helping heechul. I sighed in defeat as we made our way out of the garden. 

"Goodbye, Kangin..." We said.

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Haha I'm so sorry dear Kangin and Shindong fans but ._. Don't worry though, the contestants didn't die they basically got stripped of the right to become an immortal :3 so yay :3 update:

Henry -- gift of music
Heechul --
Hangeng --
Leeteuk -- gift of light
Kangin -- NA
Shindong -- NA

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P.s. Please read the chapters 9/10 if you haven't :3 because I think some people skipped them :)