Rodensky and Emmanuel stepped into the portal, their surroundings immediately dissolving into an expanse of swirling light. When the light faded, Rodensky found himself standing alone. The air was heavy with an ominous stillness, and stretching before him was a colossal labyrinth of stone walls, towering so high they nearly blocked out the sky.
The system's voice resonated:
"Welcome to the Seventh Floor. Challenge: The Labyrinth of Trials. The challengers have been separated. To reunite, you must navigate the labyrinth, overcome its guardians, and reach the center. Warning: the labyrinth will shift at intervals, altering paths and increasing difficulty."
Rodensky instinctively reached for Rokura, but the lion let out a low growl of caution, its crystalline wings twitching. "Guess we're on our own for now," Rodensky muttered, gripping his sword tightly.
---
Opposite Paths
Far away, Emmanuel stood in a similar corridor, with Abaddon perched on a nearby rock. The fire dragon's juvenile form radiated heat, its molten eyes scanning the maze.
"Looks like we're splitting up for this one, Abaddon," Emmanuel said, his voice steady. He turned his gaze to the shifting shadows. "Let's get moving. Rodensky's probably already halfway to the center."
---
Navigating the Labyrinth
The labyrinth was alive. Walls shifted with a grinding noise, creating new paths while closing others. Strange symbols glowed faintly on the stone, hinting at hidden mechanisms. Both Rodensky and Emmanuel quickly realized they needed to rely on their instincts and their beasts to traverse the maze.
Rodensky's Path
As Rodensky pressed forward, Rokura's sharp senses kept them one step ahead of the dangers lurking in the labyrinth. They encountered traps disguised as safe passages: spiked pits, collapsing walls, and poison-dart mechanisms.
When the first wave of monsters appeared—skeletal beasts with glowing red eyes and razor-sharp claws—Rodensky didn't hesitate.
"Rokura, let's take them down!"
The lion's wings flared, scattering crystal shards that distracted the creatures, while Rodensky's swordsmanship cut through their ranks. They moved as a seamless unit, steadily making their way deeper into the labyrinth.
Emmanuel's Path
On the opposite side, Emmanuel's path was no less perilous. The labyrinth tested him with elemental challenges: scorching flames, torrents of water, and sudden gusts of wind. Abaddon's fire breath proved invaluable, extinguishing flames and providing light in the darker sections.
When shadowy serpents slithered from the cracks in the walls, Emmanuel showed his prowess. "Abaddon, let's finish this quickly!"
The dragon's fire burned bright, forcing the serpents into retreat. Emmanuel's blade struck with precision, and together, they pushed forward.
---
The Trials of the Center
After what felt like hours of navigating the maze, both challengers approached the center. The system's voice echoed again:
"Synchronizing paths. Reuniting challengers at the heart of the labyrinth."
Rodensky and Emmanuel appeared in a wide, open chamber simultaneously. Their beasts roared in recognition, bounding toward each other.
"Glad to see you made it," Emmanuel said with a smirk.
Rodensky chuckled. "Same here. Looks like we're not done yet, though."
At the chamber's heart stood a massive, four-armed golem made of obsidian and glowing with molten veins. Its eyes burned with an unrelenting light as it turned to face them.
"Final Trial: Defeat the Labyrinth Guardian to complete the Seventh Floor."
---
The Battle Against the Labyrinth Guardian
The golem wasted no time, slamming its fists into the ground. The impact sent shockwaves rippling across the chamber, forcing Rodensky and Emmanuel to leap aside.
"Stay on its flanks!" Rodensky shouted, directing Rokura to circle the golem.
The lion darted around, its crystal wings slicing into the golem's legs. Abaddon, meanwhile, took to the air, unleashing streams of fire at the golem's head.
The golem retaliated with devastating power. One of its arms extended unnaturally, nearly striking Emmanuel. He rolled to safety, his sword glowing faintly with the light-infused energy from their previous rewards.
"Rodensky, its core is in its chest!" Emmanuel shouted. "We need to hit it there!"
Easier said than done. The golem's molten veins pulsed with energy, and its attacks grew faster. It raised one arm, summoning smaller constructs made of stone and fire to join the fray.
---
The Turning Point
"We need to focus on the core," Rodensky said, his mind racing. "Rokura, create an opening!"
Rokura roared, leaping onto the golem's back. The lion's claws scraped against its molten surface, drawing its attention. Abaddon seized the opportunity, diving in and blasting the constructs with fire, clearing a path.
Emmanuel charged forward. "Keep it distracted!"
Rodensky followed close behind, both of them coordinating their attacks. Emmanuel struck low, his blade severing one of the golem's legs, while Rodensky leapt high, his sword aimed at the core.
With a resounding crash, Rodensky's blade pierced the core, and the golem let out a deafening roar. Its molten veins dimmed, and its body crumbled to the ground.
---
The Aftermath
The chamber lit up with a radiant glow as the system spoke:
"Challenge complete. Rewards distributed. Portal to the Eighth Floor unlocked."
Treasure chests appeared before them, containing rare equipment upgrades and materials for their beasts' next evolution stages. Both Rokura and Abaddon seemed invigorated, their energy surging from the rewards.
As the portal to the Eighth Floor materialized, Rodensky and Emmanuel exchanged a glance.
"Think it'll get easier from here?" Emmanuel asked, grinning.
Rodensky smirked. "Not a chance."
Together, they stepped toward the portal, ready to face whatever lay ahead.