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Chapter 36 - Chapter 36: The Labyrinth of Trials

As Elyas and Kellen stepped through the glowing door, they found themselves standing at the entrance of a vast labyrinth. The walls were impossibly tall, stretching far above their heads and lined with twisting vines that seemed to pulse with a faint, eerie light. The air was thick with an unfamiliar, slightly metallic scent, and the temperature had dropped noticeably. Elyas shivered, but not just from the cold—there was something deeply unsettling about this place.

Kellen (looking around with a mix of awe and dread): "A labyrinth? Seriously? Whoever designed this trial really has a flair for the dramatic."

Elyas (nodding, trying to mask his unease): "I guess it wouldn't be much of a trial if it didn't push us to our limits. But I've read about labyrinths like this before—there's always a way through, even if it's not obvious."

Kellen (grinning): "Good thing you're the brains of this operation, then. I'll follow your lead."

With a determined nod, Elyas took a deep breath and stepped into the labyrinth. The moment he crossed the threshold, the entrance behind them vanished, sealing them inside. The only way out now was forward.

The first thing Elyas noticed was the oppressive silence. Unlike the previous challenges, where whispers or distant sounds hinted at unseen dangers, the labyrinth was eerily quiet. Each step they took echoed off the stone walls, the sound bouncing back at them from all directions. It was disorienting, making it hard to tell which way they were going.

Elyas (glancing at Kellen): "Stay close. Labyrinths like this are designed to confuse and separate. We can't afford to get lost in here."

Kellen (staying right by Elyas's side): "No arguments here. I've seen enough movies to know that splitting up is a terrible idea."

They walked in silence for what felt like hours, turning corners and navigating dead ends. The labyrinth seemed to stretch on endlessly, the walls winding in unpredictable patterns that made it impossible to keep track of their progress. Every now and then, they'd come across strange symbols carved into the stone, glowing faintly as they passed. Elyas recognized some of the symbols from his studies—they were ancient runes, designed to ward off intruders or conceal hidden paths.

Elyas (studying a particularly intricate rune): "These runes are powerful. They're meant to disorient and trap anyone who doesn't know how to read them. But… I think I can decipher them."

Kellen (raising an eyebrow): "You think, or you know? Because I'd rather not get trapped in here forever."

Elyas (smirking): "I'm pretty sure. Trust me."

Kellen (grinning): "Alright, lead the way, Professor."

Elyas focused on the runes, recalling the lessons he'd learned about ancient languages and magical symbols. With each step, he tried to piece together the meaning behind the carvings, using them as a guide to navigate the labyrinth's twists and turns.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally reached a large, circular chamber in the center of the labyrinth. The walls here were adorned with even more runes, but these were different—larger, more complex, and pulsing with a brighter light. In the middle of the chamber stood a pedestal, on top of which rested a small, intricately carved box.

Kellen (eyeing the box suspiciously): "Let me guess—this is some kind of puzzle?"

Elyas (nodding): "Most likely. But it's also the key to getting out of here."

As they approached the pedestal, a deep, rumbling voice echoed through the chamber, reverberating off the walls and shaking the ground beneath their feet.

Mysterious Voice: "You have reached the heart of the labyrinth. To claim the key and find your way out, you must prove your worth. Solve the riddle, and the path will be revealed."

Kellen (sighing): "Of course there's a riddle. Why wouldn't there be?"

Elyas (determined): "We've come this far. We can solve this."

The voice continued, its tone ominous and commanding.

Mysterious Voice: "I am not alive, but I grow. I do not have lungs, but I need air. What am I?"

Elyas and Kellen exchanged a glance. The riddle seemed simple enough, but they both knew that in a place like this, nothing was ever as straightforward as it seemed.

Kellen (thinking aloud): "Not alive, but it grows… needs air but doesn't have lungs… sounds like a plant, maybe? But that feels too obvious."

Elyas (frowning): "A plant could work, but it's not the only answer. There's something else that fits the description… something more… elemental."

Kellen (raising an eyebrow): "Elemental? Like fire?"

Elyas (nodding slowly): "Exactly. Fire grows, but it's not alive. It needs air to survive, but it doesn't breathe. I think that's the answer."

Kellen (grinning): "Well, let's hope you're right."

Elyas stepped forward, his voice steady as he spoke.

Elyas: "The answer is fire."

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a soft click, the box on the pedestal opened, revealing a glowing crystal inside. The walls of the chamber began to shift and move, the runes rearranging themselves to form a new pattern. A door materialized on the far side of the chamber, glowing with the same light as the crystal.

Mysterious Voice: "You have chosen wisely. The path is now open to you. Take the crystal, and you will find your way out."

Elyas reached out and carefully took the crystal from the box. As soon as his fingers closed around it, the labyrinth's walls began to glow, illuminating a clear path back to the entrance.

Kellen (grinning): "Nice work, Elyas. Let's get out of here before this place changes its mind."

Elyas (smiling): "Agreed."

With the crystal in hand, they followed the illuminated path, retracing their steps through the labyrinth. The way back was much easier, the once-confusing corridors now straightforward and direct. It wasn't long before they found themselves standing at the exit, the door to the next room waiting for them.

Kellen (patting Elyas on the back): "We make a pretty good team, don't we?"

Elyas (grinning): "We do. And we're getting closer to the end. I can feel it."

As they stepped through the door, they couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. The Labyrinth of Trials had tested their wits and teamwork, but they had emerged victorious. With each challenge they faced, Elyas felt himself growing stronger, more confident in his abilities.

But he also knew that the trials ahead would only get more difficult. The journey was far from over, and the final test still loomed on the horizon. Yet, as they prepared to face whatever lay ahead, Elyas couldn't help but feel a spark of hope. They had come this far, and together, there was nothing they couldn't overcome.

And so, with renewed determination, Elyas and Kellen pressed forward, ready to face the next challenge in their quest to prove themselves worthy of mastering the ancient magic that had brought them to this mysterious place.