The air grew colder as Kael and Mareth pushed deeper into the labyrinth's second floor. Each step carried an eerie weight, as if the ground itself disapproved of their presence. The dim red glow from the walls flickered like a dying heartbeat.
"This place just keeps getting worse," Mareth muttered, his voice low. His hand tightened around his sword hilt.
Kael scanned the corridor ahead, his face tense. "Stay focused. We don't know what's waiting."
Shadows danced along the jagged walls, their movements unnatural. Mareth glanced at them, his lips twisting in discomfort. "It feels like they're watching us."
Kael said nothing, his eyes locked on the path ahead.
The corridor twisted and turned, leading them into a narrow chamber. The room was suffocatingly small, the air thick and stagnant.
On the floor, faint etchings formed a strange spiral pattern. Kael crouched to examine them. "These runes... they're a guide."
Mareth leaned against the wall, wiping sweat from his brow. "A guide to what? Another monster?"
Kael shook his head. "A guide through the labyrinth. If we follow these, we might avoid unnecessary fights."
Mareth let out a dramatic sigh. "Avoiding fights? Now you're finally making sense."
As Kael traced the spiral with his hand, the runes flared briefly, casting the room in an eerie crimson light.
Then the wall ahead slid open, revealing another passage.
"Well, that's ominous," Mareth said, stepping forward cautiously.
Kael rose, nodding. "Let's move."
The new corridor was even darker than the last. The red glow was fainter here, barely illuminating the path.
Mareth frowned. "This feels like a trap."
Kael nodded in agreement. "Stay close."
Their footsteps echoed in the silence, the sound swallowed quickly by the oppressive darkness.
Mareth's voice broke the quiet. "You ever wonder why this place exists? Who built it?"
Kael glanced at him. "No time to wonder. Focus on surviving."
Mareth rolled his eyes. "You're no fun."
Suddenly, the ground beneath them shifted.
Kael grabbed Mareth's arm, pulling him back just as a section of the floor gave way, revealing a chasm.
"That was close," Mareth said, staring at the abyss.
Kael nodded, his jaw tight. "Stay alert. The labyrinth is testing us."
"Testing?" Mareth snorted. "Feels more like it's trying to kill us."
Kael didn't respond. Instead, he scanned the area for a safe path forward.
To their left, a narrow ledge clung to the wall, leading around the chasm.
Kael gestured toward it. "That's our way through."
Mareth groaned. "Of course it is. Because why would this be easy?"
They edged along the ledge, their movements slow and careful.
Below them, the chasm seemed endless, a void that swallowed all light.
Mareth glanced down and immediately regretted it. "I hate this place."
Kael's voice was calm. "Focus. One step at a time."
Mareth grumbled but did as he was told.
Halfway across, the ledge began to crumble.
"Move!" Kael shouted, leaping ahead.
Mareth barely made it, throwing himself forward as the ledge collapsed behind him.
He landed hard, groaning. "This place really wants to kill us."
Kael offered him a hand, pulling him up. "Come on. No time to rest."
Mareth scowled. "You're impossible."
The corridor opened into another chamber, this one larger than the last.
In its center stood a massive pillar, pulsating with the same crimson light as the walls.
Kael approached cautiously, his eyes narrowing. "This pillar... it's tied to the labyrinth's power."
Mareth stayed back, his grip tightening on his sword. "Let's not touch it. The last thing we need is another monster."
Kael circled the pillar, studying the runes etched into its surface.
"These runes," he said, "they're similar to the ones we saw before."
Mareth sighed. "Great. More glowing symbols. Just what I needed."
Kael ignored him, his focus on the pillar. "This might be the key to the next floor."
Mareth groaned. "Of course it is. Because why wouldn't the creepy glowing pillar be important?"
As Kael reached out to touch the pillar, the room trembled.
Mareth drew his sword immediately. "What did you do?"
Kael stepped back, his expression calm. "It's reacting to us."
The pillar's light grew brighter, casting the room in a crimson glow.
From the shadows, a figure emerged.
Mareth tensed, his sword ready. "Here we go again."
The figure wasn't a monster. It was humanoid, clad in dark, tattered robes. Its face was obscured, but its presence was suffocating.
Kael and Mareth exchanged a glance, their grips tightening on their weapons.
The figure spoke, its voice a low rumble that echoed in the chamber.
"Prove your worth."
The room shifted, the walls melting away to reveal an open arena.
Kael and Mareth stood at its center, their surroundings eerily quiet.
"This doesn't feel right," Mareth said, his voice low.
Kael nodded. "Stay ready."
The arena remained empty, the silence oppressive.
Mareth glanced around, his nerves fraying. "What are we supposed to do? Fight the air?"
Kael's eyes narrowed. "No. It's testing us another way."
Suddenly, the ground beneath them glowed with the same crimson light as the pillar.
The light formed intricate patterns, spiraling outward in an elaborate display.
Kael studied the patterns, his mind racing. "These symbols... they're guiding us."
Mareth groaned. "More symbols? Can't we just smash something instead?"
Kael smirked. "Not this time."
The patterns continued to shift, forming a maze of glowing lines.
Kael stepped forward cautiously, following the path.
Mareth hesitated. "Are you sure about this?"
Kael nodded. "Trust me."
Mareth sighed but followed.
As they navigated the glowing maze, the oppressive atmosphere seemed to ease slightly.
The symbols led them to the arena's center, where a second pillar stood.
This one was smaller than the first, but its light was just as intense.
Kael reached out, his hand hovering over the pillar.
Mareth watched nervously. "This better not summon another monster."
Kael placed his hand on the pillar, and the light flared.
The oppressive energy vanished, replaced by a sense of calm.
Kael exhaled, stepping back. "It's done."
Mareth relaxed slightly. "Good. Can we leave now?"
Kael nodded. "Let's move."
The room shifted again, the arena melting away to reveal another corridor.
Mareth stared at it, his shoulders slumping. "This place never ends, does it?"
Kael smirked. "Not yet."
They stepped into the corridor, the shadows closing in around them once more.