Chapter 25: The Path of Luminescence
The newly revealed pathway was bathed in a soft, golden glow that contrasted starkly with the foreboding shadows they had just faced. The floor, smooth and polished like a mirror, reflected the golden light upward, creating an almost dreamlike atmosphere.
"Okay, this is different," Henry murmured, stepping cautiously onto the glowing path. His boots made a faint tapping sound as they connected with the pristine surface.
Adam followed, his senses on high alert. "Different doesn't mean safe," he said, scanning the walls for traps or hidden mechanisms.
Adam frowned. "Thanks for the comforting thought."
Henry glanced over his shoulder. "Are you talking to your phone again?"
"Yep," Adam replied, not bothering to elaborate.
Henry shook his head. "I'll never get used to that."
As they moved deeper into the glowing corridor, the walls began to shift. Intricate carvings emerged, telling a story in symbols and patterns. They depicted figures holding strange devices, battling shadowy creatures, and unlocking massive doors that led to treasures.
"Looks like a history lesson," Henry said, tracing his fingers over one of the carvings. "But what's it trying to tell us?"
Adam squinted at the symbols. "If I had to guess, it's instructions—or maybe a warning."
Adam pulled out his phone and snapped a picture of the nearest panel. "All yours."
Henry watched as Adam read the screen. "What does it say?"
"Basically, this place has more tests waiting for us. And if we fail…" Adam let the sentence hang ominously.
Henry groaned. "Great. I love tests."
The corridor widened into a circular chamber, its centerpiece a pedestal with three glowing orbs. Each orb pulsed with a different color—red, blue, and green. Above the pedestal, more carvings adorned the walls, showing three paths branching out from the chamber.
"What now?" Henry asked, eyeing the orbs suspiciously.
Adam stepped closer, examining the carvings. "Looks like we have to choose a path. Each orb corresponds to one of these trials."
Henry crossed his arms. "So, what are the options?"
Adam pointed to the carvings above each path. "The red path represents courage—probably some kind of combat trial. The blue path is wisdom—likely puzzles or riddles. And the green path is sacrifice, which… honestly sounds the most ominous."
Henry scratched his chin. "Combat, puzzles, or something vague and terrifying. Not exactly an easy choice."
Adam turned to his phone. "Any advice?"
Henry smirked. "Sounds like the blue path is your jam, then."
Adam raised an eyebrow. "And the red path is yours, Mr. Muscle?"
"Yeah, no thanks," Adam said. "We stick together."
After a brief debate, they decided on the blue path.
The moment they touched the blue orb, the chamber trembled, and a passage opened to their right. The air grew cooler, and a faint hum resonated from deep within.
"Here we go," Adam said, stepping into the passage.
The corridor led them to a room filled with floating platforms, each hovering over an abyss that seemed to stretch into infinity. Inscribed on the nearest platform were glowing runes.
Henry whistled. "This looks… complicated."
Adam rolled his eyes. "Thanks for the encouragement."
As they examined the runes, Adam noticed a pattern. The symbols matched the carvings they had seen earlier in the corridor.
"Wait a second," Adam said, pulling up the photo on his phone. "These symbols—some of them were on the walls."
Henry leaned over his shoulder. "So what does that mean?"
"It means the carvings weren't just for decoration," Adam said. "They're the key to solving this."
Adam glanced at the quivering edges of the platforms. "Of course it is."
With Henry's help, Adam pieced together the sequence from memory and the photos on his phone. They carefully stepped onto the first platform, holding their breath as it wobbled but held firm.
"One down," Henry said.
"Only a dozen more to go," Adam muttered.
They navigated the platforms slowly, each step a nerve-wracking gamble. Along the way, the hum in the room grew louder, almost as if the puzzle itself was alive and reacting to their movements.
As they reached the final platform, the room shuddered violently. The platforms behind them began to collapse one by one, falling into the abyss.
"Run!" Adam shouted, sprinting for the exit.
They leaped onto solid ground just as the last platform crumbled away, leaving nothing but empty space behind.
Henry panted, hands on his knees. "I hate puzzles."
Adam smirked. "You're welcome for solving it."
Henry shot him a glare but didn't argue.
The room ahead was bathed in a soothing blue light, and at its center was a pedestal holding a small, glowing artifact. It resembled a crystalline sphere, pulsating with energy.
"That's it," Henry said. "That's gotta be the reward."
Adam approached cautiously, half-expecting another trap. When none sprang, he picked up the artifact.
The moment his fingers touched it, a voice echoed in his mind: "The first trial is complete. Prepare for the next."
The walls around them began to shift, revealing another passage leading deeper into the labyrinth.
"Looks like we're not done yet," Adam said, slipping the artifact into his pocket.
Henry groaned. "Of course we're not."
Adam smirked. "Wouldn't have it any other way."
End of Chapter 25