The group trudged along the glowing path, their collective silence heavy with exhaustion. The Trial of Bonds had already begun to take its toll, not just physically but emotionally. The earlier encounter with the wolves had shaken everyone, but Emi could sense the unspoken questions lingering in the air.
How long would they last?
Her bracelet displayed 00:42:15. The timer felt like a noose, tightening with each passing second.
"Let's take a break," the scarred man suggested, his voice gruff. "We're not gonna get far if we collapse halfway through."
The older man nodded. "Agreed. That last stretch was brutal."
Emi hesitated but relented. "Alright. Ten minutes, no more."
The group sat in a small clearing off the path. The young girl leaned against Emi, her tiny frame still trembling. Emi wrapped an arm around her, trying to provide some semblance of comfort.
"So," the scarred man began, his tone laced with suspicion. "We all know this Maze loves to mess with us. How do we know it won't turn one of us against the others?"
The boy's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
"I mean," the scarred man said, pointing at Emi, "how do we know someone here isn't a trap? A pawn the Maze planted to sabotage the rest of us?"
"That's ridiculous," the woman snapped. "We've all been through hell. Why would any of us work for this… thing?"
"You'd be surprised what people will do to survive," he shot back, glaring at Emi. "And she seems awfully confident for someone her age."
Emi met his gaze evenly. "Confidence doesn't mean I'm a traitor. I've just learned how to survive. You should try it sometime."
The tension in the group rose sharply. The boy shrank back, avoiding eye contact, while the older man tried to mediate.
"Let's not turn on each other," he said firmly. "If we start fighting among ourselves, we'll lose this trial for sure."
The scarred man scoffed but backed down, leaning against a tree. "Fine. But if anyone tries anything, I won't hesitate to defend myself."
Emi sighed, her mind racing. The Maze was already succeeding in driving a wedge between them. If they didn't work together, the trial would end in failure—and likely death.
She glanced at the young girl, who was clutching a small, worn stuffed animal. "What's your name?" Emi asked gently.
The girl hesitated, then whispered, "Mika."
"That's a pretty name," Emi said with a soft smile. "How old are you, Mika?"
"Ten," Mika replied, her voice trembling. "I don't want to die."
"You won't," Emi said firmly. "I promise I'll protect you."
The group's brief rest ended when the ground beneath them rumbled ominously. The glowing path ahead began to ripple, and a distorted voice filled the air.
"Trust is fragile, and fear is a powerful tool. Will your bonds withstand the weight of betrayal?"
Before anyone could respond, a section of the path split into two, each side leading into dense, shadowy woods.
"Oh, great," the woman muttered. "Another choice."
The older man frowned. "And this time, there's no obvious clue about which way is safer."
The scarred man grinned darkly. "Guess it's time to test those 'bonds.' Who's willing to split up?"
"Absolutely not," Emi said immediately. "Splitting up is exactly what the Maze wants. We'll be easier to pick off if we're divided."
"Or," the scarred man countered, "it's testing our ability to make tough calls. What if the right path requires us to split?"
The group fell silent, the weight of the decision pressing down on them.
Mika tugged on Emi's sleeve. "I don't want to go with anyone else," she whispered.
Emi nodded, squeezing Mika's hand reassuringly. "We'll stay together."
The boy finally spoke, his voice shaking. "I-I think Emi's right. Splitting up feels like a trap."
"Fine," the scarred man said, rolling his eyes. "But if this gets us killed, I'm holding you responsible."
They chose the left path, moving cautiously into the dark woods. The trees were unnaturally tall and twisted, their branches clawing at the sky. Strange noises echoed around them—low growls, whispers, and the occasional snap of a branch.
"Stay close," Emi whispered, her eyes darting around.
As they ventured deeper, the group came upon a clearing with a strange altar in the center. Five glowing stones rested on the altar, each a different color.
The voice returned, cold and mocking. "Your bonds will be tested. Take a stone, and place it on the pedestal. Only those who trust their companions will survive."
"What does that mean?" the boy asked, his voice panicked.
"It means we're probably about to die," the scarred man muttered.
Emi stepped forward, studying the stones. Each one had a faint symbol etched into its surface: a shield, a sword, a heart, a flame, and a key.
"This has to mean something," Emi said, her mind racing. "The Maze wouldn't throw us something random."
"It wants to see if we trust each other," the woman said. "But how do these stones prove that?"
The older man frowned. "Maybe we're supposed to choose based on how we see ourselves… or each other."
"That's risky," Emi said. "If we guess wrong—"
"Then we die," the scarred man finished grimly.
Time was running out. Emi's bracelet read 00:25:10. They couldn't afford to hesitate.
"We need to choose," Emi said. "But we have to communicate. No secrets."
The group exchanged uneasy glances but nodded in agreement.
"I'll take the shield," the older man said. "I've always seen myself as someone who protects others."
"I'll take the sword," the scarred man said. "Makes sense, right?"
The woman grabbed the flame. "Feels fitting."
The boy hesitated, then chose the heart. "I guess… I just want to help people."
That left Emi with the key. She picked it up, the smooth surface cool against her palm.
One by one, they placed their stones on the pedestal. The moment the last stone was set, the altar glowed brightly. The air grew still, and for a moment, Emi thought they had succeeded.
But then the ground beneath them cracked, and shadowy figures began to rise.
"Guess we guessed wrong," the scarred man growled, drawing a weapon.
"No," Emi said, her eyes narrowing. "This isn't about the stones. It's about trust. Stick together, no matter what!"
As the creatures closed in, Emi tightened her grip on Mika's hand. The Maze wasn't just testing their choices—it was testing their will to survive as a team.