The air was thick, filled with the bittersweet scent of rusted metal and something undefinable, almost organic. Helena took a deep breath as her eyes scanned the environment. The labyrinth was nothing like she had imagined. It was worse. The walls were high, made of a material that seemed to pulse slightly under the intermittent greenish light of the lamps embedded in the uneven ceiling. Small runes glowed in certain spots on the walls, like luminous scars, casting distorted shadows and creating a sense of direction that was completely disorienting. This was the beginning of the second trial of the Process.
"If this is just the beginning, we're screwed," Ethan muttered beside her, trying to sound casual, but the sweat on his forehead betrayed his tension.
"Focus," Helena replied without taking her eyes off the structures before them. "We can't waste energy on small talk."
The candidates were grouped in front of a narrow entrance marked by a large rune emitting a pulsating red glow. There were about forty of them, each with expressions ranging from determination to sheer terror. A loudspeaker crackled in the distance, and the cold, mechanical voice of an examiner echoed through the space:
"Welcome to the Trial of Endurance. Your objective is simple: cross the labyrinth and reach the final checkpoint within three hours. Along the way, you will encounter obstacles that will test your strength, adaptability, and ability to survive under pressure. Only those who reach the designated time will proceed to the next stage. Good luck. You'll need it."
A hum of tension swept through the group as the entrance to the labyrinth opened with a screech, like metal scraping against stone. Without hesitation, the candidates began to enter, each trying to quickly assess the best way to proceed.
As soon as they crossed the gate, the temperature dropped sharply. The stone floor was covered with a thin layer of ice, making each step feel like an impending trap. Helena stayed steady, her eyes analyzing every detail. Behind her, Ethan slipped but grabbed onto one of the walls, muttering in frustration.
"Be careful, this could get worse," she warned, offering her hand to stabilize him.
They moved slowly through the icy corridor until the environment changed abruptly. The ice disappeared, replaced by stifling humidity. It was as though they had entered an underground swamp. Small puddles of murky water appeared at every corner, forcing the candidates to step on slippery stones or sink their feet into the muck. The smell of decay grew stronger, mixed with the sound of dripping water and the unsettling movement of something beneath the surface.
"This can't be natural…" murmured Tessa, who had joined them during the initial crossing.
Helena simply nodded, her mind racing. The runes on the walls continued to glow, now in shades of blue. Were these marks part of the system, or something even older? Before she could form a theory, a scream echoed ahead. One of the candidates had slipped and fallen into one of the puddles. He was struggling to get up, but something was pulling him down.
"Help!" he yelled, but most hesitated. Helena rushed toward the young man, grabbing his hand and pulling with all her strength. Ethan joined her, while Tessa stood by, ready to intervene if necessary. After a painful struggle, they managed to rescue him, but not before something tore into his leg, leaving a deep wound.
"There's something in the water," the young man said, shaking in fear. "Don't stop, please. Don't stop."
The group pressed on at a quicker pace, each person vigilant for any sign of danger. The next path was narrow, forcing them to walk in a single file. A suffocating heat replaced the humidity, as though they were walking directly into the heart of the earth. The air seemed to vibrate, and Helena noticed small fragments of stone falling from the ceiling. Controlled rockfalls.
"Run!" she shouted, and they all sprinted as the walls trembled. Rocks fell at an increasing pace, creating a deafening sound. Ethan stumbled, but Helena grabbed his shirt, pulling him forward. The group managed to cross just in time, but some weren't so lucky.
They arrived at a more open area, where a large glowing orb hung from the ceiling, illuminating the next checkpoint. Helena felt a brief moment of relief, but she knew it wouldn't last.
"This is just the beginning," Ethan said, his voice heavy with exhaustion.
Helena nodded, looking ahead at the path. The labyrinth was not just a test of physical endurance. It was a test of wills, where each step challenged their determination to move forward. She also realized it wasn't wise to keep following the large group that was walking together. She narrowed her eyes, promising herself she wouldn't be defeated by this oppressive system. There was still much to face.