The golden doorway at the top of the spiral staircase radiated warmth, an inviting contrast to the cold trials they had endured. Yet none of them dared to let their guard down. Every step forward was calculated, every breath taken with caution.
Leon's fingers brushed against the smooth surface of the door. "Ready?"
Elara adjusted her stance, her gaze sharp. "We don't have much of a choice."
Zara stretched her arms, letting small sparks of lightning dance along her fingertips. "If this is what ready looks like, then sure. Let's do it."
Cain stood at the rear, his eyes distant. He was sensing something beyond the doorway, but whatever it was, he kept it to himself.
Darius planted his shield firmly on the ground. "We've come this far. Let's finish this stage."
Leon nodded and pushed the door open.
The light beyond the doorway engulfed them, but instead of blinding brightness, they found themselves standing in a vast expanse that defied logic. The sky above was a swirling canvas of stars and nebulas, while the ground beneath their feet shimmered like glass, reflecting their every movement.
"Where are we?" Zara whispered, her voice uncharacteristically soft.
Cain stepped forward, his voice calm but resolute. "We're at the heart of the labyrinth's memory. This place is a reflection of everything that came before us—and everything that will come after."
Elara knelt down, running her fingers over the glass-like surface. "It's more than just a memory. It's a vision... a glimpse of what's possible."
Suddenly, the ground rippled beneath them, and figures began to form—ghostly silhouettes of past participants, their faces flickering in and out of focus. They moved with purpose, their talents displayed in vibrant bursts of energy.
Leon's eyes narrowed. "Are they... real?"
"No," Cain said softly. "They're echoes. Shadows of those who came before. But they're here for a reason."
As if responding to his words, the silhouettes turned toward the group, their blank faces shifting into expressions of determination. Without warning, they charged.
"Defend yourselves!" Leon shouted, drawing his sword.
Darius raised his shield, bracing for impact as a spectral warrior lunged at him. The collision sent a shockwave through the air, but Darius stood firm. "These things hit hard!"
Zara unleashed a bolt of lightning at another figure, but the energy passed through it harmlessly. "Great. They're not physical?"
Elara analyzed the movements, her mind racing. "They're testing us again. Not just our strength, but our strategy. Adapt!"
Leon pivoted, slashing at a figure only to watch it dissolve and reform behind him. "Then we need to figure out how to beat them fast!"
Cain stepped into the center of the group, his voice cutting through the chaos. "They're tied to the labyrinth's memory. If they're echoes, they can't be fought like normal enemies. Disrupt their patterns—break their purpose."
Zara grinned, sparks dancing around her. "You mean confuse them? I can do that."
She unleashed a storm of erratic lightning, not aiming at the figures but at the ground around them. The chaotic bursts disrupted their formation, causing the echoes to falter, their movements less synchronized.
Darius capitalized on the opening, slamming his shield into one of the figures, sending it sprawling. "Keep it up!"
Elara closed her eyes, focusing on the rhythm of the battlefield. She could feel the labyrinth's pulse, its connection to these echoes. "They're responding to our intentions. If we stay united, they weaken."
Leon called out, "Everyone, focus! One target at a time!"
They moved as one, their attacks coordinated. Each echo they struck dissipated faster than the last, their forms fading into the shimmering ground. The air grew still, and the remaining echoes vanished without a trace.
Breathing heavily, Leon lowered his sword. "That... was different."
Cain's gaze remained fixed on where the echoes had stood. "It's a warning. The labyrinth isn't just testing us—it's preparing us for something bigger."
Zara exhaled sharply. "Bigger than ghost warriors? Can't wait."
Elara glanced at the swirling sky above. "Whatever comes next, we'll need to be stronger. Smarter. This was just the beginning."
Leon sheathed his sword, his eyes hard. "Then let's keep moving. We're not done yet."
The group pressed forward, leaving the expanse behind, their path illuminated by the ever-shifting light of the labyrinth. The Origin Trials were far from over, and the stakes had never been higher.