The orb pulsed faintly in the dim chamber, its surface shifting with dark runes as if alive. The oppressive aura lingered, reminding the trio that the Labyrinth was far from finished with them.
Seris crouched beside the pedestal, her fingers tracing the intricate patterns left by the shattered crystal. "This fragment of the Labyrinth's core is both a key and a weapon," she said, her voice grim. "If we use it, we might have a chance to destroy this place."
"And the catch?" Caden asked, his dagger twirling absently in his hand.
Seris glanced at him, her eyes shadowed. "The energy required will bind the user to the Labyrinth, possibly forever. Whoever wields it… may not come back."
Kael stepped forward, his sword resting at his side. "Then I'll do it."
Seris's head snapped up. "No! You don't understand—this isn't just a sacrifice. The Labyrinth will take everything from you. Your mind, your soul—"
Kael's expression didn't waver. "It's my fight. My choice. The Void inside me connects to this place. If I can channel that power—"
"Or it consumes you," Caden interjected sharply. "You think we're going to stand here and let you pull a martyr stunt?"
Kael looked between them, his jaw tightening. "This isn't up for debate."
"You're not doing this alone," Seris said firmly, stepping between him and the orb. Her gaze softened as she added, "We've come this far together. We'll finish this together."
Caden scoffed, but his grip on the dagger tightened. "Fine. But if this thing starts talking about 'chosen ones' again, I'm out."
---
The Labyrinth's Terms
Before they could make their next move, the chamber shifted. The black stone rippled like water, and a shadowy figure emerged from the darkness. Its form was humanoid but featureless, its voice echoing as though coming from every corner of the room.
"You seek to destroy what cannot be destroyed," the shadow intoned, its presence cold and vast. "The Labyrinth is eternal."
Kael stepped forward, his sword glowing faintly. "We'll see about that."
The shadow turned its eyeless gaze toward him. "You carry the Void within you. A tether to our power. But even you are bound by the laws of this place."
Seris's hands glowed with faint magic as she addressed the figure. "If the Labyrinth is eternal, why guard this fragment? What are you afraid of?"
The shadow seemed to shift, its form flickering like a dying flame. "The heart is not fear. It is balance. To unmake it is to unravel the world itself."
Caden snorted. "Yeah, sure. And I bet you're just trying to protect us from ourselves."
The shadow's presence loomed closer. "Your defiance is amusing. But if you wish to challenge the Labyrinth, a price must be paid."
The room grew colder, and Kael felt the Void inside him stir. The shadow's voice deepened, its tone resonating with ancient power.
"One of you must take the fragment and become its vessel. Only then will the Labyrinth allow the others to leave. Otherwise…"
The chamber began to quake, and the ground beneath them split, revealing a swirling abyss. "…you all will remain here. Forever."
---
The Decision
The trio stood in tense silence, the weight of the shadow's words pressing down on them.
Caden broke the silence first. "This is a scam. There's no guarantee it lets any of us go, no matter what we do."
Seris glanced at him, her expression conflicted. "If we destroy the fragment, the Labyrinth might collapse. But if we don't…"
"We'll never escape," Kael finished, his voice steady. He looked at the orb, its dark light reflecting in his eyes.
Seris grabbed his arm, her voice urgent. "Kael, listen to me. You don't have to do this. We can find another way."
Kael's gaze softened for a moment, but his resolve didn't waver. "I've carried this burden long enough. If it means you two can leave, then it's worth it."
Caden stepped forward, his expression hard. "Don't play the noble idiot, Kael. You're not leaving us behind like this."
The shadow's voice cut through their argument. "Time runs thin. Choose."
---
A Desperate Gamble
Kael took a deep breath and stepped toward the orb. Before he could touch it, Seris shoved him aside, her hand glowing with raw energy as she grabbed the fragment.
The chamber erupted in light, and Seris screamed as the orb's power surged through her. Dark tendrils coiled around her body, lifting her into the air as the runes on the walls flared violently.
"Seris!" Kael shouted, scrambling to his feet.
The shadow's laughter filled the room. "The vessel is chosen. The pact is sealed."
Seris's eyes snapped open, glowing with an intense, otherworldly light. Her voice echoed with a dual tone, both hers and something ancient. "I won't let you win."
The fragment's power erupted outward, shattering the chamber and throwing Kael and Caden to the ground.
---
The Collapse
When the dust settled, the chamber was gone, replaced by a void of swirling energy. Seris stood at the center, her body radiating light and shadow in equal measure. The Labyrinth seemed to writhe around her, its walls cracking and shifting as though it were alive.
"You need to go," Seris said, her voice strained but resolute. "I can hold it back, but not for long."
Kael shook his head. "We're not leaving you!"
"The Labyrinth chose me," she said, her glowing eyes meeting his. "I can contain it, but only if you two leave. If you stay, it'll consume all of us."
Caden clenched his fists, his usual bravado gone. "This is insane. There has to be another way!"
"There isn't," Seris said firmly. She raised her hands, and a portal began to form behind them, its edges flickering with unstable energy.
Kael stepped forward, his voice desperate. "Seris—"
"Go!" she shouted, her power surging as the Labyrinth's walls began to close in.
Caden grabbed Kael's arm, pulling him toward the portal. "She's right! If we stay, we're dead!"
Kael resisted for a moment before finally relenting. As the portal began to pull them in, he locked eyes with Seris.
"I'll come back for you," he said, his voice raw with emotion.
Seris smiled faintly, her body glowing brighter as the Labyrinth's power surged around her. "I'll hold you to that."
The portal swallowed them, and Seris was left alone in the collapsing void.
---
To Be Continued...