“You are two hours late.”

  Risa has just arrived from Areo, who is accompanied by another man.

  Tied to the saddle of the woman's white horse is Simel, who is now covered in dirt after being dragged for hours.

  “What happened to the boy?”

  asks the gruff Areo.

  “He challenged me and lost.”

  “Is that all?”

  Before answering the man's question, Risa presses her lips tightly together.

  “I confirm what I thought, he is like Etlast. He has a natural intellect for Sciarra.”

  “Good. You made sure to reveal our bluff, right?”

  “Yes, of course. What do you take me for? I know how to carry out our plan.”

  As she speaks, the girl touches her forehead with her fingertips.

  “OK! Let's get on the ship.” says the other man next to Areo.

  And so the four soldiers board the ship.

  Hours pass and we find ourselves in the middle of the night.

  Simel is now sleeping on a wooden bench inside the ship. One with dull metal walls.

  Slowly, Simel's eyes opened.

  And there, in front of him, was the man.

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  “Good morning, Simel Eda.”

  Hearing the familiar voice, Simel jumped up onto the bench with an agile movement. One leg bent at the knee and the other ready to leap towards Areo.

  His eyes were filled with rage.

  “Which one of you is here?”

  “What are you talking about? Never mind. Where are we?”

  Areo takes a breath and steps up.

  “Okay, you're the logical Simel.”

  Areo slowly approaches, one slow step at a time.

  “Has your mind always been like this? Switching between personalities.”

  Simel is still confused, yet he is ready to activate his dagger and plunge it straight into Areo's throat.

  He can physically see it. His dagger sinking into the man's flesh, then pulling it out and leaving him to bleed to death as he coughs up his own life.

  But try to calm your thirst for blood. He is curious, his mind continues to be disturbed, and Simel is fully aware of this.

  “Okay, then... Let's talk.”

  Areo takes a chair that was behind him and calmly turns it toward the boy, then sits down on it.

  “Eye to eye. Let's talk about your mind.”

  Simel relaxes, his confidence returning after being crushed by the floor.

  He sits confidently on the bench, looking at the man like prey.

  What he gets, however, is laughter.

  “Trying to imitate Risa won't help you. Is this your great ingenuity? Imitating others doesn't seem to have been very effective in the maze.”

  A sarcastic and mocking tone.

  “True intelligence is making what was difficult in normal circumstances impossible to do without failing.”

  The young man retorts with a touch of bitterness.

  “Complex words for a good-for-nothing.”

  The words hit Simel hard, who gets up and lunges at Areo.

  “HOW DARE YOU! YOU ARROGANT PIECE OF SHIT!”

  Without a second's hesitation, Simel activates his blade and lunges at the muscular man.