"Sixth…" Aeith spoke. "It might be unfortunate to all of us, but I know that she died happily."
Some of us got confused about what she said so she continued. "Come on, don't tell me you guys don't know?" We still have the same expression of being confused. "I guess it can't be helped. She told no one after all but I know some of you are aware." Aware of what? "Sixth and Firstwen, the other leader, are now finally together."
Oh, is that what she meant? Yes, I am aware that Sixth and Firstwen had a thing for each other. The proof of that is when Firstwen died and Sixth glared at First during the boys' basketball game in the previous stage. First took a shot last minute that made Sixth blame First for Firstwen's death. After that stage, Sixth grieved and isolated herself for a time being. Her behavior changed but she gradually went back to her old self as the game progressed.
At the castle, there are subtle hints and glances that they gave to one another. Their relationship is discreet, yet their feelings were real even for the short time that they've been together here on nth planet.
I can't help my overflowing emotions and cry. I bowed my head to hide my face from them. This is too much to bear. And what's worse is we can't do anything about their deaths but to prevent it as much as possible. We can't even grieve properly because there will be another game that demands our lives to be at stake.
"Congrats!" Someone spoke but I'm too preoccupied to listen and see who it was. "This is really ill-fated for all of us but… we need to get going on—not to be absorbed by our pessimism. I, therefore, congratulate the silver team for winning!"
"Huh?" I raised my head. Did we win? Aren't they the winners? Did I reach the finish line? No, it can't be. I looked at the red ribbon clinging to the two sticks stuck in the sand, the ribbon already cut. But who got there?
*bell rings*
"Congratulations, silver team! You won the Wealth Level: Stage 3 water category! The gold team scored a total of 130 points and the silver team scored 140 points. That means the silver team won!"
I frowned. Aeith spoke to me. "At land category, we have 70 points. In the air category, the gold team has 100 points. In the water category, you and Sixzen reached the finish line together. Sixzen holds three flags, but you did something to her, so she only holds two small flags with 30 points each but the big flag you hold is 70 points."
By 'did something to her', I remembered what she meant. The spitting I did in Sixzen's eyes immediately flashed back to me. I spat Sixzen's eyes with salty water from the sea to stop her from pulling me away. I found out that when the glass bubble burst, there was nothing to protect your eyes. When Sixzen was holding the needle that must be the thing that burst her glass bubble.
I was told that Third hid secretly our two small silver flags to defeat the other group after they fought with the shark, but Sixzen got it when she warned Third that they were holding us hostage. Third tracked down our base because of what Sixzen did.
"As for your deceased friends, they died not only because of those sea creatures but also because they used that needle to their advantage." Author stated.
It must be talking about the gold team's needle that it gave at the beginning of the game. The needle that bursts the glass bubble. Sixzen was holding one that she must've gotten from Sectwen when Sectwen can no longer catch up on me.
"I did it," Ninezen. "I'm the one who blew Sixzen's bubble."
My eyes widened. "Why did you do that?" They can be grouped together. I remembered that Sixzen had no glass bubble on her head when she was nearing the finish line, yet she was holding the needle.
"I stopped Sectwen from swimming but I couldn't stop Sixzen so I stole Sectwen's needle and blew Sixzen's bubble." he paused for a moment then resumed. Wait, why would he do that to his teammates? "They're being unreasonable, so you deserve to win."
"This stage is supposed to be public schools vs. private schools but it turned out some of your team members have their own way of winning." Author added.
So, that's how it is. I have no idea when I got captured when the gold team cornered us, Ninezen was simply standing with no solid reaction from what Sectwen's group was doing to us. But in his mind, he's already plotting something against his team. I don't know if I'm supposed to be glad of what he did or feel sorry for his team.
"You traitor piece of crap!" I gasped when Sectwen slapped Ninezen. Ninezen didn't dodge like he is already expecting it from her. "You, Aiezen, and Thirtwen are nothing but no damn good!" Ninezen betrayed them. Aeizen and Thirtwen did nothing to help them. Sectwen's attitude starts to alter as the game goes by—As we slowly regain our memories. Is this the real her?
Author interrupted the heated argument. "That's why you will be the remaining battle 12. Prepare for the next level, the Health Level."
We really won, didn't we? Although I can't believe it, sacrifices, deaths, and sufferings seem to have paid off. So here we are now, facing another game.
"Proceed to the elevators to return to your respective place."
There were twelve elevators made of transparent glass floating in front of us. We entered it and I experienced an extreme elevator ride again but unlike the previous ones, it was going upwards. I closed my eyes and hugged myself to alleviate my fear from this extreme ride.
When the elevator stopped, we went out and it sank from the ground again.