Kael spread the map on the cracked ground, his eyes narrowing as he traced the labyrinth's maddening paths. Every path seemed to mock them, leading to dead ends or doubling back in impossible loops.
Mareth crouched beside him, chewing on a piece of dried meat. "So," he began with a casual tone, "any brilliant ideas, or are we just going to let this place win?"
Kael's jaw tightened, his frustration evident. "We're not letting this place win. We're smarter than this maze." He tapped a spiral-shaped mark on the map. "This is the center. The sigil we need to activate. But the paths are enchanted. They reset every time we get close."
Mareth leaned in, squinting at the map. "Okay, so how do we outsmart a maze that cheats?"
Kael hesitated, then said, "We climb over it."
Mareth blinked, then burst into laughter. "Climb? Through the Spires? Are you insane?"
Kael gave him a small, sly smile. "The maze's enchantment works on the paths. If we bypass them completely, we can reach the sigil without triggering the enchantment."
Mareth rubbed his temples. "So, instead of getting lost, we risk falling to our deaths? Brilliant. Why didn't I think of that?"
Kael rolled the map and stood. "Do you have a better idea?"
Mareth stood as well, slinging his sword over his shoulder. "No. But if I die, you're carrying my gear."
The duo scouted the labyrinth's walls, searching for anything climbable.
Kael pointed to a section with jagged outcroppings and vines. "There. It's not perfect, but it's doable."
Mareth eyed the wall skeptically. "I'm starting to think you have a death wish."
Kael smirked. "If I do, it's because I spend too much time with you."
They began the climb. Kael led the way, his movements precise and deliberate.
Mareth followed, grumbling. "This is insane. Who even thinks of climbing a cursed maze?"
Kael glanced down. "Less talking, more climbing."
Mareth huffed. "Easy for you to say. You're not carrying half the supplies."
Halfway up, Mareth paused, clinging to the wall. "Okay, I need a break. My arms are about to fall off."
Kael looked down, his expression firm. "We can't stop. The vines might not hold if we linger."
Mareth groaned but kept climbing. "I swear, if we survive this, I'm making you carry me for a week."
When they reached the top, Mareth collapsed onto the ledge, panting. "Never again. I'm done. Just leave me here."
Kael ignored him, peering down at the maze. "From up here, we can see the paths clearly. The sigil is directly ahead."
Mareth sat up, glaring at him. "You make it sound so easy. What's next? Walking on air?"
Kael turned to him with a grin. "Not quite. We use the ledges."
Navigating the ledges was treacherous.
The paths were narrow, with jagged rocks and loose stones threatening their footing.
Kael moved carefully, his balance impeccable. Mareth, on the other hand, cursed every step.
"This is madness," Mareth muttered, gripping the wall tightly.
Kael chuckled. "You say that like it's new."
At one point, the ledge narrowed to the width of a single footstep.
Kael crossed first, his movements calm and steady.
Mareth hesitated, staring at the drop below. "If I fall, I'm haunting you."
Kael smirked. "You'll be fine. Just don't look down."
Mareth muttered a prayer and stepped onto the ledge. His heart raced with every step, but he made it across.
Kael clapped him on the back. "See? Easy."
Mareth glared. "Easy for you. I was one slip away from being a pancake."
After what felt like hours, they reached a high point overlooking the maze.
Kael pointed to the glowing sigil below. "That's it. The center."
Mareth frowned. "And how do we get down there? Climbing back down isn't exactly appealing."
Kael grinned. "We jump."
Mareth stared at him, slack-jawed. "You're joking."
Kael shrugged. "The void below isn't real. It's an illusion to scare us. If we jump toward the sigil, the enchantment will guide us safely."
"Guide us safely," Mareth repeated, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "That's comforting."
Kael smirked. "Trust me."
Mareth sighed, stepping to the edge. "If this goes wrong, I'm coming back as a ghost just to haunt you."
Kael leapt without hesitation, his body arcing toward the sigil.
Mareth took a deep breath and jumped. "This is insane!"
The air twisted around them as they fell.
Kael focused on the sigil, calm and composed.
Mareth flailed, screaming the entire way.
They landed softly on the ground, the glowing sigil beneath their feet.
Mareth collapsed, panting. "Never again. Do you hear me? Never!"
Kael helped him up, a smirk on his face. "You did great."
Mareth glared. "I hate you."
The sigil pulsed, its light intensifying.
Kael and Mareth exchanged a glance, their camaraderie unshaken despite the madness of their journey.
The light enveloped them, a sign that their path forward was opening.
As the glow began to fade, Mareth muttered, "If the second floor is anything like this, I'm quitting."
Kael chuckled. "You've said that before. Yet here you are."
Mareth sighed, a reluctant grin tugging at his lips. "You're lucky I like you."