As my steps guided me toward the faint light that seemed to open a path to salvation, I felt something invisible pulling me back. At every corner, there were new whispers, incomprehensible voices growing closer and closer, as if the maze itself was not merely content with my attempt to escape but was watching my every move.
I approached the light, but there was something strange in the air. The place was shifting, as though the maze was reshaping itself before my eyes. At that moment, I felt as if I wasn't running away from it, but rather drawing closer to its essence, to its dark secret that was waiting for the perfect moment to reveal itself.
My heart leapt in my chest when I noticed something unusual at the end...
Each step carried with it a growing sense of uncertainty. The shadows around her danced and receded, as if they were watching her, waiting for the right moment to consume her. The light, which had initially seemed like a beacon of hope, gradually transformed into something strange, shifting, as if the place itself was reshaping around her.
As she drew closer, the ground beneath her feet began to tremble slightly, as if the maze could feel her movements. The whispers of the shadows grew louder, drawing nearer, as if they had become an inseparable part of the environment. They murmured into her ear, "Do not think the light will save you... You are trapped here forever."
But Saiki, despite the unsettling voices, did not stop. "No," she whispered to herself. "This is the way... I believe in it." And the closer she got to the light, the more she began to notice something strange. The light wasn't just radiating from the path ahead—it was emanating from within her, from her heart, from the depths of her being, as if her inner strength was beginning to manifest.
When she was close enough, she felt something strange: the light began to change, shifting from a faint glow to a powerful beam, driving the shadows away. And the moment she touched the edge of the light, the corridor transformed entirely. The shadows recoiled, retreating as if in pain from its brilliance.
Yet, the end was not what she had expected. As the shadows withdrew, new features began to emerge within the corridor—features more enigmatic, as though the maze itself was breathing anew, waiting for the next moment to present a new test of her strength and resilience.
Saiki stepped into the light, and as it surrounded her, she felt everything change in an instant. The brightness struck her eyes at first, and a moment of radiance passed before she could make out what lay ahead. When her vision cleared completely, she found herself in a completely different place.
The corridor had vanished. No longer was she trapped between narrow walls and the shifting shadows that had pursued her. Instead, she stood in a vast, open space, illuminated by a warm light glowing from the corners. At the far end of the space, a group of people waited for her, with Commander Raio at the forefront.
Her heart skipped a beat. She had been expecting something entirely different—perhaps another trap or a confrontation with the monster she thought she had escaped. But what she saw now filled her with a mix of relief and unease.
"Saiki!" Raio called out firmly, but this time his tone carried no trace of comfort. His eyes were filled with clear disappointment, reflected in his stern stance.
"You survived," he said coldly. "But survival wasn't the goal." He paused, his words carrying a weight that hung heavy in the air. "You were supposed to face the shadows, not search for an exit."
Saiki faltered, her gaze dropping to the ground as she struggled to grasp his meaning. "But… I thought the light was the way. I felt it was the only solution."
Raio nodded slowly, but his expression remained hard. "Your feeling wasn't entirely wrong, but you chose the easier path. The shadows weren't there to destroy you—they were there to test your courage. What you did today proved that you're not yet ready for what lies ahead."
Saiki glanced around at the team. There were no smiles among them, only grim faces. Some looked at her with disapproval, while others seemed to regard her with faint understanding.
"Did I fail?" she asked in a quiet voice, guilt creeping into her tone.
"Failure isn't about falling," Raio replied sharply, his piercing gaze cutting through her. "It's about not learning from it. You showed weakness today, but you still have a chance to prove you belong on this team. The road ahead will be far more challenging than anything you've faced."
Saiki lifted her head slowly, her features tense but determined. "I'll prove it," she said, her voice steady despite a slight tremor in her words.
Raio turned away from her, signaling the team to move. "Let's go. There's still much to do. And remember, Saiki… next time, don't run. Face it."
Saiki looked past him at the shadows stirring in the distant darkness. She felt something new rising within her—a mix of challenge and fear. She understood now that the maze wasn't just a test of strength; it was meant to unearth something deeper within each of them… even if that truth was harsh.
Raio looked at Saki intently, his expression stern this time, devoid of any hint of a smile. He stepped closer to her with steady steps, his voice low but carrying a heavy weight.
"Saki," he began, "what you did in the maze today wasn't facing it. You chose to run, and in doing so, you gave the monster the strength it needed."
Saki raised her head slowly, her eyes filled with doubt and regret. "I was scared… I thought the light was the only way out. I didn't know what else to do."
Raio nodded slowly, but there was no trace of sympathy in his demeanor. "Fear is understandable, but allowing it to control you is the mistake. The monster you faced wasn't real. It was a reflection of your fears and weaknesses. Instead of confronting it, you gave it power by running away."
Saki stood in silence, her words caught in her throat. She didn't know what to say to justify her actions.
Raio continued, his tone sharper now: "In the maze, running isn't a solution. Every step you took away from the shadows made them stronger, feeding on your hesitation. You were meant to stand and face them, but you chose the easier path."
"I didn't know…" Saki whispered, her voice barely audible, but Raio interrupted her.
"Ignorance isn't an excuse here. Every one of us has faced this test, and all of us had to confront our shadows. Running doesn't give us strength—it takes it away."
His words were harsh, yet they carried a lesson Saki couldn't ignore.
Slowly, Saki lifted her head, her expression a mix of regret and determination. "I won't let it happen again. Next time, I'll face them."
Raio studied her for a moment before responding, "That's what needs to happen. Because what lies ahead is far more challenging than the test of shadows. You were lucky to escape this time, but luck won't always be on your side."
He turned, signaling the team to move forward. "Let's go. The road ahead is long. And Saki… remember this. Second chances are rare. Don't waste them."
Saki remained standing for a moment, watching the shadows shift in the distant horizon. Her heart felt heavy, but she also felt something else: a burning desire to prove herself. The maze had exposed her weakness today, but she swore to herself that fear would never win again.