Erik's heart pounded in his chest as the shadowy figure's words echoed in the clearing. One of them had to stay behind. The weight of the maze's final test settled over the group like a suffocating blanket. The air was thick with tension, and nobody dared to speak.
"We're not leaving anyone behind," Erik said firmly, stepping forward. His mind raced, trying to find a way out of this twisted trap. "There's got to be another way."
The shadowy figure remained unmoved, his smile never faltering. "There is no other way. The maze demands its due. Sacrifice is the only currency it accepts."
"Sacrifice?" Carter's voice was sharp with anger. "This isn't a game! We're not just pieces for you to move around!"
The figure's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with something sinister. "Oh, but you are. In this maze, you are nothing more than pawns. And every pawn must be willing to make a sacrifice for the greater good."
Lili stepped closer to Erik, her expression one of defiance. "We've come too far to be divided now. We've faced worse than this, and we'll find a way through together."
But the figure's presence loomed over them, casting a shadow on their hope. Erik could feel the maze pressing in around them, waiting, watching, as if it fed on their indecision.
"The maze will not release you until one stays behind," the figure said, his voice soft but commanding. "Refuse to choose, and you all remain trapped."
The silence that followed was heavy, the kind that makes every breath feel like a struggle. Erik could see the fear and uncertainty in his friends' eyes. They were a team, but now the maze was forcing them to fracture, to make a choice that no one wanted to face.
"We need to think this through," Hugo said, breaking the silence. His voice was calm, but Erik could see the tension in his posture. "There's always been a solution to these trials. We just haven't found it yet."
But even as Hugo spoke, Erik could feel the pull of the maze growing stronger. Time was running out, and they were running out of options.
"Maybe… maybe I should stay," Sasha said quietly, stepping forward. Her voice was barely a whisper, but it sent a shock through the group. "I don't want any of you to have to make that choice."
"No!" Lili's voice cracked as she reached out, grabbing Sasha's arm. "We're not doing this. We're not leaving anyone behind, do you hear me?"
Sasha's eyes glistened with unshed tears, but she shook her head. "We don't have a choice, Lili. Someone has to stay."
Erik clenched his fists, his mind racing. He refused to believe this was the only way. There had to be something they were missing—some loophole, some trick that would allow them all to escape. But the maze's presence pressed in on him, urging him to choose, to give in to its demand.
Suddenly, the orb in his pack pulsed with a surge of energy. Erik gasped, feeling the power of the artifact flowing through him. It wasn't just the maze testing them—it was testing him, the god within. And the answer wasn't in fighting the maze. It was in understanding it.
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, letting the orb's energy guide him. The maze had always been about trust, about working together as a team. But this time, the test wasn't about unity. It was about Erik's willingness to sacrifice for his friends, to trust that they would carry on without him.
"I'll stay," Erik said, his voice steady.
The words seemed to hang in the air, and his friends stared at him in disbelief.
"What?" Carter's voice was incredulous. "No way, man. You're not staying behind."
"I have to," Erik said, turning to face them. "This is my test. The maze has been pushing us to our limits, but this final challenge… it's about me. It's testing my ability to let go. To trust that you can finish the journey without me."
Lili's eyes filled with tears. "Erik, no. We need you. You can't—"
"You don't need me," Erik interrupted, his voice firm but gentle. "You've all proven how strong you are. You can finish this without me. I trust you."
Hugo shook his head, his face pale. "There's got to be another way. We're not leaving you here."
But the orb's energy pulsed again, and Erik knew there was no other option. The maze had been waiting for him to make this choice, to understand the true nature of sacrifice. It wasn't about who stayed behind—it was about who was willing to make the hardest decision.
"I'll be fine," Erik said, giving them a reassuring smile. "You go on. Finish the journey. I'll catch up."
The figure's smile widened, pleased with Erik's decision. "Very well. The maze accepts your sacrifice."
The ground beneath Erik's feet began to glow, the runes from the maze lighting up around him. The air shimmered with energy, and Erik felt a strange sense of peace settle over him.
Lili's tears spilled over as she stepped forward, grabbing Erik's hand. "We'll come back for you. I promise."
Erik squeezed her hand, his smile unwavering. "I know you will."
Carter, Hugo, and Sasha each stepped forward, offering their own silent goodbyes. Erik could see the pain in their eyes, but he knew this was the right choice. The maze wasn't just about finding a way out—it was about proving that they could move forward, even in the face of impossible choices.
As Erik watched his friends walk away, the shadowy figure remained by his side, watching them with an unreadable expression. The forest around them shifted, the maze receding as the group disappeared from sight.
"You have made the right choice," the figure said, his voice softer now. "Sacrifice is the mark of a true leader."
Erik glanced at him, his expression thoughtful. "It wasn't about sacrifice. It was about trust."
The figure nodded, his smile fading into something more serious. "The gods will take note of your decision. But this journey is far from over."
Erik nodded, his gaze turning back to the path ahead. His friends were gone, but he had faith in them. They would succeed. And somehow, he would find his way back to them.
As the maze around him began to shift once more, Erik felt a strange sense of calm. He had passed the test. But the true journey was only just beginning.