The labyrinth's suffocating silence loomed over Reynard Caine and his companions like a predator lurking in the shadows. They moved in disciplined formation, their steps confident yet measured, as if each one carried the weight of the trials ahead.
Reynard walked at the front, his sword sheathed but his presence commanding. His striking blue eyes scanned the corridor, watching for the faintest hint of movement. Behind him trailed Darius Greyhart, his towering form carrying a massive claymore with practiced ease. The faint glow of the runes reflected in his cold, calculating gaze.
"This section's too quiet," Darius muttered, his tone low and steady. "It's like the labyrinth is toying with us."
"It's always toying with us," Reynard replied, his voice calm yet sharp. "But this calm won't last. Stay ready."
To his left, Amara Drayden spun her spear idly, the sharp edge scraping the ground with faint metallic whispers. "Let it come. The waiting is the worst part."
On Reynard's right, Selene Vael kept her hood up, her voice soft but firm. "You say that now, Amara, but it's the waiting that keeps us alive. You'd do well to be more patient."
Amara smirked. "You're always so serious, Selene. What's the point of surviving if we're too scared to fight?"
"You misunderstand me," Selene replied coolly. "I'm not scared. I'm prepared."
At the rear of the group, Luther Thorn chuckled softly, his movements fluid and deliberate. He twirled one of his daggers, his tone lighthearted. "I don't know about you, but I'm betting on Selene in this argument."
"Enough," Reynard said, his voice cutting through the banter. He didn't raise his voice, but the weight of his command silenced them all. "Focus. This isn't the time to let your guard down."
---
As the group pressed onward, the flickering glow of the runes cast distorted shadows on the walls. Luther, walking at the back, broke the silence.
"Reynard," he said casually, his tone probing, "there's something I've been meaning to ask."
Reynard glanced back briefly but didn't slow his pace. "What is it?"
"Why'd you bother sparring with Orin Lumis back at the academy?" Luther asked, his smirk faint but noticeable. "I mean, the guy's practically the weakest student in Class A. Didn't seem worth your time."
Amara chuckled. "He's got a point. You've got plenty of better opponents. What was the point of humiliating someone like him?"
Selene's eyes flicked to Reynard, though she said nothing, waiting for his answer.
Reynard's steps didn't falter, but his voice carried a sharp edge. "I didn't spar with him to humiliate him."
"Then why?" Darius asked, his tone more curious than mocking.
Reynard paused briefly at a fork in the path, his eyes scanning the carvings on the walls for clues. After a moment, he spoke. "Because he stood up when no one else would."
Luther tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
"At the academy, most students are too afraid to challenge me," Reynard said simply. "They see my name, my reputation, and they back down before the fight even begins. Orin didn't."
Amara raised an eyebrow. "So, what? You respected him for being reckless?"
"No," Reynard replied. "I respected him for his resolve. He didn't have the skill or the strength to match me, but he fought anyway. That takes courage."
For a moment, the group fell silent.
Selene finally spoke, her voice quiet. "You wanted to test him."
Reynard nodded. "And to remind him that resolve alone isn't enough. If he doesn't grow stronger, it'll get him killed."
Amara smirked, though her tone was less mocking. "You're soft, Reynard. Caring about the underdogs now?"
"Not soft," Reynard said firmly. "Practical. The labyrinth doesn't care about status or reputation. Only those who adapt survive."
Their conversation ended abruptly as the corridor widened into a large chamber. The ceiling stretched high above them, vanishing into darkness, while the walls were adorned with intricate carvings of coiled serpents and warriors locked in combat.
At the center of the chamber stood four towering figures—Stone Sentinels, their jagged forms pulsing with a faint red glow.
"D-Rank," Selene said, her voice steady.
Amara grinned, spinning her spear. "Four of them? Now this is more like it."
"Don't get cocky," Reynard warned. "They're stronger than they look."
Darius stepped forward, his claymore resting on his shoulder. "What's the plan?"
Reynard's eyes scanned the room, taking in the positions of the sentinels and the runes etched into the floor. "We take them down one at a time. Darius, you and I will focus on the first one. Amara, keep the second one busy. Luther, aim for the joints on the third. Selene, support us with barriers and healing."
"And if they don't follow your plan?" Luther asked, smirking.
Reynard unsheathed his sword, the blade glowing faintly with a blue aura. "Then we adapt."
The first sentinel lumbered forward, its massive stone fist swinging down at Reynard with surprising speed. Reynard sidestepped the attack, his blade flashing as he slashed at the creature's arm. The strike left a deep crack in the stone, but the creature didn't falter.
Darius charged in from the side, his claymore cleaving into the sentinel's torso. The force of the blow sent shards of stone flying, but the sentinel swung its other arm, forcing Darius to leap back.
Amara darted toward the second sentinel, her spear glowing with fiery energy. She spun the weapon in a wide arc, the flames licking at the creature's legs.
"These things are slow," Amara said, her smirk widening. "Perfect for target practice."
Selene raised her hands, a shimmering blue barrier forming around Darius just as the first sentinel's fist came crashing down. The impact sent ripples through the barrier, but it held firm.
"Focus on breaking their cores," Selene called out. "That's where their energy is concentrated!"
At the back, Luther moved like a shadow, darting between the sentinels with uncanny speed. His daggers struck at the joints of the third sentinel, slowing its movements and creating openings for the others.
"Cracks forming on this one," Luther called out. "You're welcome."
Reynard activated one of his family's signature techniques—Aether Edge, a skill that channeled raw energy into his blade. The glowing sword cut through the sentinel's cracked arm, severing it at the elbow. The creature staggered, its balance faltering.
"Darius, finish it!" Reynard commanded.
Darius nodded, his claymore glowing as he swung it in a devastating arc. The blade struck the sentinel's core, shattering it into rubble.
"One down," Darius said, his voice steady.
Meanwhile, Amara's relentless attacks had forced the second sentinel to its knees. She drove her spear into its chest, flames erupting from the impact. The creature let out a low groan before collapsing into a heap of stone.
As the third and fourth sentinels advanced, the runes on the floor began to glow brighter, pulsing with an ominous red light.
Selene's eyes narrowed. "The room's changing. The sentinels are drawing energy from the runes!"
Reynard's jaw tightened. "We have to stop them before they can regenerate. Selene, disrupt the runes. Luther, cover her."
"On it," Luther said, darting toward the nearest glowing rune.
Selene knelt beside the rune, her hands glowing with faint blue energy as she began chanting. The glow of the rune flickered, but the fourth sentinel moved to intercept her.
"Not happening," Reynard said, stepping in its path. His blade clashed against the sentinel's massive fist, the impact sending a shockwave through the room.