Off Limit System

"Did you hit your head on something, Ethan?" Percy chuckled softly.

"Ethan," Dane whispered.

The young man tried to pull Ethan's arm slowly to avoid being defensive in front of Percy, who was standing not far from the two of them. While Ethan did not let his guard down, he did not say a word. The atmosphere became very intense and tense between them.

"This isn't funny, E," Dane said.

"I'm not kidding!!" Ethan snapped back.

Percy let out a soft groan, then slowly took a step forward. He cautiously held out his hand to Ethan. "Relax, buddy. We're both fighting the wizard here," Percy said.

But Ethan stood firm with his shield facing Percy. His eyes were sharp, and he stared at the tall young man before him with a flash of emotion.

"Don't come any closer," Ethan warned.

Percy shook his head. "God, Ethan! Lower your shield; we'd better have a look upstairs."

"I'll fight you!!" This time Ethan was actually threatening.

Dane felt warning and impulsively pulled Ethan's arm harder. "Stop, E!!"

Suddenly, the back of Ethan's eye caught sight of something shiny behind Percy's back. Ethan gasped, startled. Then there was the sound of something being torn apart. A sword blade sliced through Percy's chest from behind. Percy's whimper was so low that he couldn't even scream.

Percy's eyes only bulged, showing a look of shock, and... the young man fell to the ground.

"No! Oh, God! What are you doing, Ethan??" Dane moaned in panic.

Ethan dropped the shield and ran over to Percy. Immediately the guilt set in; once again, he'd made the wrong decision, just like with Terry. Only this was worse. Ethan blamed Percy, not thinking there was any real danger.

Percy's breath was short; he groaned softly as he looked up at Ethan sitting on his knees next to him.

"E-Ethan ...." Percy's voice was barely audible.

"I'm sorry, Percy," Ethan regretted. The young man tried to hold back tears. "I was wrong," he whispered.

Percy just shook his head. "Just go...."

Ethan's palm reached for Percy's hand and gripped it tightly. Until Percy was utterly gone. Then Percy's body suddenly vanished. Dane tapped Ethan's shoulder from behind.

"Come on, Ethan," he urged.

"It's my fault. Oh, my God, Dane. I was really careless."

For a moment, there was silence between them. The only sound was the crackling of sparks burning wood in the fireplace.

"He still has a chance," Dane said.

"Does that make me feel better?"

"Depends." Dane shrugged. "But if you want to make things right, finish the game. At least get Ulrich out of the wizard's influence, though I don't care."

There was yet to be a response from Ethan. He got to his feet, noticing the sword that had stabbed Percy to death on level four. The blade was familiar, a rather long and large one. Ethan's feelings turned sour.

"Ulrich's sword," Ethan said.

"What about Ulrich's sword?" Dane looked at Ethan, confused and worried.

"Chloe's in danger, Dane!"

Without thinking, Ethan grabbed Ulrich's sword and carried it. Then Ethan ran back to the right flank as fast as he could, Dane following close behind.

"What do you mean Chloe's in danger?" asked Dane breathlessly.

"We're up against a wizard. Ulrich's sword wasn't even in the room before."

"He uses magic?"

"Exactly!" replied Ethan. "Then, was it so hard for the wizard to cast a spell on Ulrich?"

Dane understood now. "We shouldn't have split up," he regretted.

"The wizard seems to know that Chloe has a weak heart for Ulrich."

"She really likes Ulrich, doesn't she? I mean Chloe, not the wizard."

Ethan shook his head. "No, she doesn't. Chloe feels like Ulrich is a partner. Like you and me."

"The girl is so kind."

"And her empathy was exploited by the wizard."

...

Meanwhile, on the other side of the wing, Wizard castle,

Chloe sat at the invisible barrier and looked worriedly at Ulrich. There was nothing she could do but wait. She could only hope that the other three players could defeat the wizard. Chloe was distracted by a low moan. The girl stood up and faced Ulrich, who was starting to wake up.

"Ulrich!" Chloe called out. "Ulrich, wake up! Ulrich, it's me!"

Ulrich's head slowly snapped up. The man's eyes narrowed. "Chloe?"

"We're going to get you out of there. Are you hurt?"

"I don't know..."

Chloe looked at Ulrich, but there didn't seem to be any serious injuries. She felt much more relieved when she remembered the blood splatter before they reached the witch's castle.

Ulrich still looked unsteady as he stared at his bound hands and feet. "Where am I?"

"You're in the wizard's castle."

"I don't remember anything," Ulrich whispered.

"Calm yourself. Everything will be all right."

"Are you alone?" Ulrich asked suddenly.

"Yes, I told you... the others are looking for the wizard."

"Why?"

Chloe looked at Ulrich, confused. "Why? What do you mean?"

"Why were you left alone?"

"Ulrich, I know that you are in shock. So you should conserve your strength."

Ulrich shook his head slowly, then chuckled. The sound sent a sudden shiver down Chloe's spine. Suddenly, the restraints on Ulrich's hands and feet loosened. The man slowly stood, then pushed himself to his feet.

"They shouldn't have left you alone, Chloe," Ulrich said.

Chloe gasped in surprise and stepped back as Ulrich came closer, quickly past the invisible shield. Staring intently, Ulrich grinned at Chloe.

"You're making a fatal mistake," Ulrich continued.

"Ulrich, what's wrong with you?"

"I'm fine."

"No, you're acting strangely."

Suddenly, Ulrich ran over to Chloe. He lunged forward and pinned the girl against the wall. His hands gripped Chloe's neck, where she tried in vain to struggle.

"Damn it! Ulrich, wake up!" Chloe screamed.

But Ulrich's grip was getting tighter. Chloe had trouble breathing. Tears streamed down her helpless cheeks.

"Ulrich, please," Chloe whispered.

Suddenly, there was a hard sound, BAM! And someone hit Ulrich in the side. The man's large body toppled over and fell along with Ethan's slumped form. Hurrying to his feet, Ethan raised his shield and stared cautiously at Ulrich, who had risen.

"Wake up, Ulrich!" Ethan yelled.

Dane carried Chloe away and looked worriedly at the girl. "Are you okay?"

"Thank you," Chloe nodded.

"Ulrich seems to be under the wizard's power." Dane gave Ulrich a quick look. "We haven't found the wizard. We don't know where he is now," he continued.

"Is he hiding?" Chloe looked warned.

"We have no idea. He's a wizard, isn't he? Anything he can do to trick us," answered Ethan.

"Percy? Where is he?" Chloe asked.

"He's dead," reply Dane.

Chloe was shocked again. But she tried to steel herself. The girl straightened her bow and pointed an arrow at Ulrich. Ethan, catching a glimpse of Chloe, widened his eyes.

"No, Chloe!" Ethan pleaded.

"I don't want Ulrich to be stuck here forever!" Chloe said firmly.

"Chloe, stop!" Ethan warned.

With a single, unhesitating draw, Chloe shot an arrow at Ulrich.