#arc.labyrinthone

@arcjaehwa

It could be worse.

Hyuna just keeps telling herself that.

It’s not like this is new to her. She was used to Jaehwa, knew how he ticked, knew the best way to put him out. That was the sort of relationship they had. She was the water that quenched his fire. In a way, maybe this worked out perfectly. After all, who else was best suited to making sure he didn’t accidentally overdo it and get extracted prematurely from the labyrinth?

It wasn’t planned. Well, technically, nothing was at this point, but their gazes met when the signal to enter soon was given. Her brow raised, a small tilt of her head with an unspoken question. It’s replied with a nod and as the time for them to enter draws on, she’s shouldering her bag and heading in, falling in to step with Jaehwa.

In hindsight, nothing about this combination was smart. Their abilities left them well equipped, almost too much and that was where the challenge lay. So far, at least, they had only come across traps, not terribly difficult to dodge or work around. Nothing they hadn’t already been training for. A little winded, but still in one piece and no wounds to worry about. Conversation had been simple, short, little things like which way to go next or watch out for that ___. Filtering between them was mindless banter, that you’d think they were just out for a casual stroll. All was fine, great even, but that was bound to run out eventually, and it did when Hyuna found herself blindsided with a blow to the side of her face. She doesn’t react fast enough, only blocks enough of it to not be seriously injured, but she’s on the ground and barely has enough time to roll and dodge the next blow.

She practically walked into it. It’s enough though. While a bit rattled and thrown off, the movement jostles her pack and a bottle rolls out. It’s mere moments before the cap is popping off and the contents of the bottle double, triple, quadruple before she flicks her wrist and it moves, shoving her attacker into the wall with enough force to knock them out.

@arcyeon

Finally, a moment to breathe, to wipe the sweat from her brow. Expected after that mad dash, of course. She curses under her breath though, separated, of course. That’s what she got for not bothering to look behind her while running. It’s fine though. She’s fine, they’ll be fine. This wasn’t really a test on how well she worked with a different partner, but whether she could pass or not, regardless of who she was with. So far, at least, she was proving her mettle. Small scrapes, maybe a couple bruises starting to bloom under her skin, but perfectly functional and ready for more.

What struck her as most surprising was the distinct lack of use of her own abilities. It had it’s use, mostly for crossing pits she knew she wouldn’t be able to jump, but as she took a drink of her water she was glad she didn’t need to use them a whole lot. She was mindful of how many sips she took, and what was left. Just because she could augment more didn’t mean she should be wasteful. She might need it later, being prepared for anything and all. Who knew what other secrets this labyrinth held.

For a stretch of time she calls out for her other partner, seeing if she can rejoin them and maybe press on together. Probably not the best idea since every now and then it seemed to attract a foe for her to defeat. And every time that happened she was forced to change her path in order to escape, and finally she just gave up. There was a time limit, so she might as well just keep going.

What a surprise that once she had given up on finding her previous partner that she’s found herself a new one. She can’t wipe the grin off her face as she sees Gayeon’s face, relief to just see a friendly, one but also just to see a face period. With the way she calls out the other’s name you wouldn’t think in that moment that they were in the middle of an evaluation, but just casually bumping into each other on the street. So Hyuna is running over to her, first to greet the other woman, but then she sees it in the corner of her eye. A javelin hurtling in her direction. She barely dodges it in time, falling back in the process, hard ground catching her. She grumbles, sitting up on her elbows, smiling weakly.