The temple crumbled around him, debris raining from above as the structure gave way. The once-organized chambers were now chaotic deathtraps, their puzzles rendered irrelevant by the collapsing walls.
"You couldn't have mentioned this earlier?" he shouted at the system, though he knew it wouldn't respond.
He burst into the first chamber just as the floor began to crack. The tiles, which had been steady before, now shifted and fell away, revealing a dark abyss below. The glowing colors flickered, and he barely managed to leap to the next section before the tile beneath him gave out.
"Keep moving," he told himself, his breathing ragged.
The jungle's light was visible ahead, a small beacon of hope in the chaos. He pushed himself harder, ignoring the burning in his legs and lungs. The roar of the collapsing temple grew louder, a deafening cacophony that spurred him forward.
Just as he reached the exit, a massive slab of stone fell, blocking his path. He skidded to a halt, panic setting in. The system chimed:
[Suggestion: Use Energy Manipulation to Clear the Path.]
"Easier said than done," he muttered, focusing on the energy crackling at his fingertips. He placed his hands against the slab, willing the energy to surge. It responded sluggishly at first, but as he concentrated, the stone began to shift.
With a final burst of effort, he pushed the slab aside and stumbled out into the jungle just as the temple collapsed entirely behind him. He fell to his knees, clutching the Crystal Core as he gasped for air.
The system chimed:
[Objective Complete. Reward: 50 System Points.]
A second notification followed:
[New Skill Acquired: Enhanced Reflexes.]
He collapsed onto the grass, staring up at the sky. For the first time since his arrival, he allowed himself a small smile. He had survived.