109 Shifted Directions

{ELEONORE POV}

"What are they doing?"

Eleonore clicked her tongue in annoyance as she watched the two Champions run away in a completely different direction than she was hoping for. She had expected them to come for her to stop her from attacking them. After all, she had made sure to all but outright announce her presence to them with her sonic screams, forcing them into a close-ranged battle where her attacks would be at their strongest.

But apparently, they didn't want anything to do with her. Instead, they just up and ran away.

"Maybe they're just choosing the most logical option here?" Ragnarok airily replied with a finger playfully on her lip. "I know I'd run away if I didn't want a fight."

The former singer grinded her teeth in annoyance. This wasn't what she had in mind, but if that was how they wanted to play it, then perhaps she'd just have to chase after them.

"I'm going after them," she growled, her anger at her situation growing with every second that passed. "I'm not letting this opportunity pass me."

"If that's what you want to do, then sure," her goddess cheerily shrugged.

Ignoring the indignant hatred boiling within her, Eleonore went off into a sprint, her sonic barrier being held together by her huffs and hums as she braved the shower of shooting stars pummeling her from every direction. She really didn't care. To be honest, she just wanted to be away from her benefactor for a bit. Seeing what she once was in such a powerful figure only grated on her nerves, and what better way was there to let off some steam than by killing a few unfortunate Champions?

***

{RIKU POV}

Things were going from bad to worse as Riku and Shizu slowly inched their way forward. With Shizu's barrier being stationary, they were left with no choice but to use his whip barrier to inch their way forward one step at a time. Not the best pace when they were running away from someone, but it was better than nothing, especially since he was pretty sure the Champion was currently chasing after them now.

"Shizu, do you see anything back there?" he asked.

"Nothing at the moment," Shizu tersely replied. "I'm arranging my cards right now, and I think I'll have something that can keep us alive if the enemy Champion catches up to us."

"Good. Keep yourself ready while I keep us from sustaining too much damage."

Letting out a breath, Riku kept a close eye on where they were going along with the constant defense that he had to upkeep. Just because they were currently being chased doesn't mean that their search had to be put on hold. In fact, he had a feeling that they were getting closer to their destination with just how dense the surrounding area was becoming. The shooting stars were practically like a swarm now, and he was sure that nobody that didn't have a proper defensive ability would be able to get through this part of the challenge without getting turned into swiss chees.

Thankfully, that wasn't the case on their part. The problem they had now was keeping up both a defense and an offense in case more Champions came their way.

'Nyx, are you there?'

/Oh, I was just about to contact you./

Riku raised a brow at that. Did Nyx finally have a better hint for them after all this time? Still, that could wait until after he had his confirmation.

'I need to ask you something first,' he cut her off. 'How many Champions are currently with us right now?'

The audible hum that followed his question almost made his heart sink at the potential answer. Last he recalled, him and Shizu were around fourth and fifth respectively in the game. That would mean that there were at least three more Champions with them trying to complete the challenge unless they were already done in the first place. Of course, there were also some like Stephen that had possibly arrived with them, further making the challenge more dangerous to complete.

/Hmm... I'm sensing at least... Oh dear.../

Her response made his eyes widen. 'How many, Nyx?'

/Counting you and Shizu, there are at least... six Champions currently on this Depth,/ Nyx gravely replied. /Some had just arrived though, I think, so you two still have time to get out before things get really bad./

The former assassin clicked his tongue. Such a number in a single Depth would spell disaster for them. Sure, they'll get out alive, but not without injuries that could potentially ruin their chances further into the Game.

'Thank you,' he curtly replied. 'Now, do you have something for me?'

/I'm glad you're grateful, My Champio- Oh right,/ Nyx lightly chuckled as she caught herself. /I have a new hint you can use, and I'm not going to give you another one./

Riku let out a soft chuckle at his goddess's insistence. He couldn't help but notice how cute she sounded again, something that was getting a lot more frequent the deeper they got into the Deep Blue.

'Well, give it then. We don't have all-'

"Riku, we have two targets coming from behind us."

His steps were almost cut short by Shizu's alert. For one, it meant that they had to get a move on. But even more... "Two?"

"Y-Yeah," Shizu nervously replied behind him. "I'm seeing one coming from the direction where the prior attacks came from, but there's another one just casually running past. Whoever they are, they don't seem to be going for us."

He let out a breath at the information given to him. So another one had joined the fray then. Still, maybe they could use this.

"Ignore the prospective newcomer for now," he instructed her. "Try to slow down our attacker."

"Got it."

/Hey, are you even listening?/

'Something came up,' Riku mentally replied just as he shifted directions. 'Give me the hint so that we can get out of here.'