The shadows solidified into grotesque figures with hollow eyes and elongated limbs, their forms flickering as if they were unstable. The air turned icy, making it harder to breathe.
The creatures didn't attack immediately but circled the group, their movements deliberate and predatory.
"What do we do?" the boy stammered, clutching the heart-marked stone he had placed on the altar.
"Stay together," Emi said firmly. She pulled Mika close, shielding the young girl with her body. "Whatever happens, don't break formation."
The scarred man drew a knife from his belt, his posture tense. "If these things want a fight, I'm ready."
"No!" Emi snapped. "This isn't about fighting. The Maze is testing us—testing if we trust each other. Attacking them might make it worse."
The scarred man scoffed. "And what do you suggest? Hugging them?"
"Enough," the older man said, his voice calm but commanding. "We need to think this through. Emi's right—the Maze thrives on fear and division. If we lose our heads, we're done for."
One of the creatures stepped forward, its hollow eyes glowing faintly. It raised a skeletal hand, pointing directly at the woman.
Her bracelet began to glow, and a distorted voice filled the air.
"Do you trust your companions enough to reveal the truth?"
The woman stiffened, her eyes darting to the others. "What truth?" she demanded.
The creature didn't answer. Instead, it extended its hand further, as if waiting.
The group exchanged uneasy glances.
"What's it asking for?" the boy whispered.
"Maybe… maybe it wants her to confess something?" Emi said, trying to piece it together.
The woman's face darkened. "I don't owe this thing anything."
The creature let out a low growl, and the ground beneath them trembled.
"You don't have a choice," Emi said, her voice steady but urgent. "If you don't do what it wants, it might kill all of us."
The woman hesitated, her fists clenched. Finally, she spoke, her voice low.
"I lied about my name," she admitted. "The name I gave you—Kanna—it's fake. My real name is Saito Rika."
The creature tilted its head, as if considering her words. Then it stepped back, its hollow eyes dimming.
The tension in the air eased slightly, but only for a moment. Another creature stepped forward, pointing this time at the scarred man.
"Do you trust your companions enough to lower your guard?" the voice asked.
The scarred man narrowed his eyes. "What does that mean?"
"It means stop being such a paranoid jerk," the woman—Rika—snapped.
He glared at her, then at the creature. "Fine."
With visible reluctance, he tossed his knife to the ground. The creature studied him for a moment before retreating into the shadows.
The group exhaled in relief, but Emi's heart sank. There were three creatures left.
The third creature stepped forward, pointing at the boy.
"Do you trust yourself enough to face your fear?"
The boy froze, his face pale. "W-what fear?"
The creature didn't respond. Instead, a mirror-like surface appeared before the boy, its surface rippling like water.
"Look into it," Emi urged gently.
He shook his head, tears streaming down his face. "I… I can't."
"Yes, you can," the older man said, placing a reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder. "We're all here with you."
The boy swallowed hard and stepped toward the mirror. As he gazed into it, his expression twisted with horror.
"I… I let her die," he whispered. "I was too scared to help her, and she died because of me."
"No," Emi said softly. "It wasn't your fault."
The boy sobbed, falling to his knees. The creature watched him silently, then faded into the darkness.
The fourth creature moved forward, its hollow gaze locking onto the older man.
"Do you trust others enough to let them lead?"
The older man frowned, his brow furrowed in thought. "I've always been the one in charge. It's hard for me to… let go."
"Then trust us," Emi said. "We've got your back."
He hesitated but nodded, stepping back and motioning for Emi to lead the group. The creature receded into the shadows.
Finally, the last creature stepped forward. Emi's stomach churned as it pointed directly at her.
"Do you trust yourself enough to bear the weight of others?"
She felt the weight of every eye on her, the question cutting deep. She thought of Mika, clinging to her side. Of the boy, the older man, Rika, and even the scarred man.
"Yes," she said, her voice steady. "I've carried it this far, and I'll keep carrying it. I won't let anyone else die."
The creature paused, then nodded. Slowly, it dissolved into the shadows, leaving the group in silence.
The oppressive atmosphere lifted, and the glowing path reappeared, leading further into the woods.
"We made it," the boy whispered, his voice trembling with relief.
"For now," Rika said. "But the Maze isn't done with us yet."
Emi glanced at her bracelet. 00:15:00. The timer was still ticking.
"Let's move," she said. "We're running out of time."
The group pressed on, their steps heavier but their bonds stronger. For the first time, Emi felt a glimmer of hope. If they could trust each other, maybe they had a chance to survive.