Total darkness engulfed them the moment they stepped into the new room. The cold deepened, and silence reigned. No torchlight, no reflections on the stone, nothing. Only pure darkness surrounded them. Veil (low voice, fumbling): "I can't see a thing..." He moved forward in small steps, his arms stretched out in front of him, fingers searching for any reference point. His footsteps echoed softly, the sound strangely distant. Alynia (calm but alert): "Stay calm, Pup. Look for what stands out." Veil (whining): "How am I supposed to find anything? We can't see a thing!" Alynia (dryly): "Sight isn't just about light. Open your eyes differently." He rubbed his eyes and tried to calm down. His pupils were fully dilated, but the darkness was absolute. Then, without warning, points of light flickered to life on the ceiling, one after another. Stars. They twinkled softly, like a night sky, forming shifting constellations. The points of light crossed and uncrossed slowly, changing position over time. Veil (looking up, amazed): "Stars? Wait... No, it's a puzzle." Alynia (slight smile): "Ah, you figured it out. Not so slow after all." He squinted, placing his hands on his hips, studying the moving points. Veil (internal thought): If this were a normal sky, the constellations wouldn't move. But here, some stars stay fixed. He raised his hand and touched one of the stars. A faint warmth radiated from it. Veil (struck by an idea): "These fixed points... I think we have to connect them." Alynia (dryly): "Then do it. Fast. These stars won't stay still forever." He moved his fingers from star to star, tracing glowing lines between them. The connected stars shone more brightly, while the others continued to drift. Veil (focused): "Almost... almost..." A sharp noise echoed. Scraping. A harsh dragging sound, like claws skimming the stone floor. Alynia (low, cold voice): "Move faster, Pup." She slowly drew her dagger, her ears twitching left and right. The shadows on the ground seemed denser. Veil (worried): "What's happening?" Alynia (low, ready for combat): "The shadows are moving." Dark silhouettes began to rise from the floor. Their forms were blurred, as if made of liquid smoke. Three humanoid figures took shape, their glowing eyes locked onto them. Veil (panicking): "What are these things?!" Alynia (staring at the creatures): "Living shadows." The first shadow leaped toward Veil. Alynia (shouting): "Get down!" Veil dove to the ground. The creature soared over him, landing with a sharp snap. Alynia (yelling): "Hit them with light!" Veil (bewildered): "What?!?" Alynia (dry, commanding): "Shadows hate light, idiot! Touch the stars!" He scrambled to his feet and reached for the nearest fixed star. The moment his hand touched it, an explosion of light burst forth. One of the creatures recoiled, screaming in pain, its body gradually dissolving into wisps of smoke. Veil (watching in awe): "Light... Light hurts them!" He rushed forward, activating another fixed star. The light spread, illuminating the entire room in bright bursts. Alynia fought the remaining two shadows. Her dagger danced through the air, each strike slicing through the smoke, but their wounds closed almost instantly. Alynia (breathing hard, fierce): "Hurry up, Pup! I can't hold them forever!" Veil hurried, touching the stars and connecting the points. Each line shone brighter than the last, forming larger patterns across the ceiling. Veil (panting): "Just... one more!" He reached the final star and connected it. The entire ceiling lit up with an intricate constellation pattern. A flood of light engulfed the room. The shadows let out a piercing shriek before vanishing into plumes of smoke. Alynia (panting, sheathing her dagger): "Good job, Pup." Veil (breathless): "I hate these trials." Alynia (dark gaze): "Let's move. We're not done yet."