The shadows seemed to thicken around them, pressing close like a silent audience, watching, waiting. Kael tightened his grip on his cloak, feeling the weight of the dark corridor and the subtle shift in the air as if the maze itself were alive, observing their every move.
"Does it feel… darker to anyone else?" Aria's voice was barely above a whisper.
"It's designed to," Selene replied, her gaze steady as she scanned the shifting shadows. "This maze isn't just about finding a way out; it's about unsettling you. The more you give in to fear, the harder it gets."
Kael caught Aria's nervous glance and gave her a reassuring nod. "She's right. Fear's just another part of the trial. We keep moving, stay sharp, and don't let the tower get to us."
They pressed on, each step echoing against the stone walls. Flickering shadows on either side formed shapes that twisted and dissolved before anyone could make them out. Kael sensed his team's tension growing, a silent weight that hung between them.
After what felt like hours of winding paths and dead ends, they stepped into a wide, circular chamber with walls that gleamed as if polished to a mirror-like shine. Kael paused, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the room. Each wall reflected distorted versions of the climbers, their faces warped by exaggerated expressions of fear or anger.
"Another test," Thorne muttered, folding his arms as he studied the walls.
Nyra took a step forward, staring at her own reflection. The image smirked back, its gaze sharper and more menacing than her usual confidence.
Kael moved toward his own reflection, catching his breath as he saw what looked back at him. The figure in the mirror was him, yet different—cold, detached, with a hollow stare that radiated pure ambition, as if it existed only to climb, conquer, and consume.
Is that how others see me?
He clenched his fists, feeling a flicker of unease. The tower seemed to be testing more than just their courage. It was weighing them, probing their motives, pulling out whatever darkness lingered beneath the surface.
"It's just a reflection," he murmured, tearing his gaze away. "Nothing more."
Aria, meanwhile, stood frozen, her own reflection's expression twisted into one of overwhelming helplessness. She reached out, hesitating, her fingertips just inches from the cold surface of the wall.
"Aria," Kael said gently, his tone snapping her back. "It's not real. Don't let it get to you."
She nodded, a faint smile breaking through her worry. "Right. Not real… just the tower playing tricks."
Selene's gaze flicked between her reflection and Kael's. Her own image stared back with a cryptic smile, as though hiding something even from herself. "Interesting choice for a trial," she said softly. "It's like the tower wants us to confront ourselves before we go any further."
Thorne stepped forward, arms crossed. "Enough. Let's keep moving." His voice was steady, but Kael noticed the stiffness in his posture, a subtle sign that even Thorne wasn't immune to what he saw.
The walls of the chamber began to shimmer, the reflections fading and leaving only two doorways on either side. Each entrance was marked by an inscription: one read "Strength of Mind," and the other "Strength of Heart."
"Two paths," Thorne said, his voice steady. "Which one do we take?"
Kael considered the choices. The words seemed simple, but he knew that nothing in this place was as straightforward as it appeared.
"'Strength of Mind' makes the most sense," Thorne said, eyeing the path to their left. "We've come this far with caution and planning."
Aria shook her head slightly. "But maybe it's a trick. Maybe 'Strength of Heart' is the path that requires us to rely on each other, to trust…"
Kael glanced at each of them, weighing their opinions. He respected Thorne's logic, but something about Aria's suggestion resonated. The path they chose now would likely reflect how they tackled the trials ahead, setting a tone for their journey.
After a moment, he nodded. "We go with 'Strength of Mind.' We stick to what's worked so far, keep our focus sharp. We'll need that discipline if we want to reach the top."
Aria looked hesitant but nodded, a small smile showing her willingness to trust his decision. Thorne gave an approving nod, while Nyra just shrugged, seemingly indifferent as long as they kept moving.
The group filed toward the left path, the symbols on the walls casting a faint glow as they pressed forward.
They'd barely gone a few steps when Selene paused, her gaze locked on a faded inscription carved into the wall. Kael turned to see what had caught her attention, his curiosity piqued by the worn, almost ancient-looking text.
The words were faint, but they held a quiet power:
"To climb is to seek unity within oneself and with those who walk beside you. Courage and strength mean nothing without trust, for in this place, only those bound by purpose shall find their way."
---
Thorne stepped closer, reading the words under his breath. "A message from a past climber, maybe?"
Kael ran his fingers over the faded lines, feeling the rough stone beneath his hand. The words hinted at a purpose beyond just climbing, as though each step was meant to be a path toward something deeper.
"What do you think it means?" Aria asked, her voice soft, almost reverent.
Kael shrugged, but a flicker of thought lingered. "I think it means there's more to this climb than just strength. Maybe it's about what we're willing to face… and who we're willing to face it with."
Selene's gaze held a quiet intensity as she looked at him. "You believe in unity, then?"
Kael smirked. "Let's just say I believe in reaching the top. Unity might help us get there."
The group fell silent, each lost in their own thoughts as they processed the inscription's meaning. For Kael, it was another piece of the puzzle—one he couldn't solve just yet, but one that added depth to the mystery of the tower.
As they moved forward, the symbols on the walls grew brighter, casting a warm, almost inviting glow. Ahead, they saw a massive stone door, its surface inscribed with more ancient patterns that seemed to pulse in sync with their heartbeats.
Kael stepped up to the door, his hand hovering over the cold, rough surface. He felt an odd energy radiating from it, a subtle pull that seemed to urge him forward.
He glanced back at his team, each of them watching him with expressions that held a mix of anticipation and wariness. Taking a breath, Kael pressed his hand against the door, feeling the energy hum through him.
"Ready?" he asked, glancing at each of them.
Thorne gave a nod, his expression resolute. Selene met his gaze with a calm, unreadable smile. Nyra cracked her knuckles, smirking, and Aria, though nervous, gave him a small, determined nod.
With a final push, Kael opened the door, leading them into the unknown as shadows flickered and the walls seemed to close in behind them.
End of Chapter 3
---