Path to Edhealrean, Shadehill, Unnamed road
An entire fleet of arrows came from the air, making rain the constant possibility of death, the Lacerta being forced to jump in order to avoid being it, using his newfound momentum to roll on the ground and quickly get up, resuming his jog that quickly turned to a sprint as he saw the Nyëthilhand Guards approaching. He was discovered not long after his theft of the Draconic Iridium, but thankfully they didn't discover his actual identity, making it easier to flee when in public, but they somehow could track him down when he was alone.
Someone was especially mad at the fact that he hit Fynsell on the face, that one being Jay’Ky, who used his Martial Arts magic to enhance his speed and reaction to always be on Zagul's tail. No pun intended. The intended part if the Lacerta could understand is that of he stopped moving for more than a few hours he'd be dead right after, this time specifically he was caught lacking after he wanted to take a much needed nap, but as we can see, he isn't exactly safe right now.
Good thing he stole a cloak that hid his face. Although not his species.
One of the soldiers, light on armor, successfully tackled the Lacerta, bringing him down. Zagul kicked him in the face before getting up, but the soldier still had an excellent grip on him, making him struggle even more to get out of his hold.
Zagul snarled, feeling the weight of the soldier pinning him down, his claws scraping at the dirt. He twisted his body, trying to break free, but the soldier's grip was ironclad. "Get off me!" he hissed, panic setting in. Another soldier was closing in fast, and he knew if he didn’t act now, they’d have him bound and gagged before he could blink.
With a sudden burst of energy, Zagul jabbed his elbow into the soldier’s side, aiming for a weak spot in the light armor. The soldier grunted in pain but didn’t loosen his grip. Zagul growled in frustration, his mind racing. He had stolen the Draconic Iridium for a reason, and he wasn't about to let some low-ranking guard ruin his chance at freedom.
The approaching guards were almost on him now, their swords drawn, and Zagul had no time left to play fair. Summoning every bit of strength he had, he threw his head back, smashing it into the soldier's face. Blood spurted from the man's nose, and he finally let go, reeling back in shock.
Zagul scrambled to his feet, his vision slightly blurred from the impact but adrenaline pushing him forward. He quickly took the Earthshard out of his pocket and immediately used the last remnant of his Éter to cast stone pillars that struck a few of the guards while stalling the others, giving him enough time to quickly flee. And for good measure, he used the last Vermillion Stone, the explosion being more like a big beacon showing his location, but he needed to leave these guys behind before Jay would arrive.
The Lacerta wasn't sure he could take the Magna, so he wouldn't even try.
As the Vermillion Stone detonated, sending a wave of dust and debris into the air, Zagul took off running, his legs burning from exhaustion but his mind sharp. He knew he had only bought himself a few precious moments. The explosion would attract even more attention, but for now, it served its purpose—confusion and chaos among the guards.
He darted through the dense underbrush, his breath ragged and uneven. Every muscle in his body screamed for rest, but he couldn’t afford to stop. Jay’Ky would be on him soon, and there was no escaping that relentless pursuit if he didn’t put significant distance between them.
The forest around him was thick with shadows, the perfect cover if he could just keep moving. He could hear the faint shouts of the guards behind him, still disoriented from the explosion, but they were gaining ground again. And worse, he could feel the unmistakable presence of Jay’Ky, closing in with terrifying speed.
Zagul cursed under his breath. "Why did I have to hit Fynsell in the face? That was a dumb move," he muttered, ducking under a low-hanging branch. His mind raced as he tried to think of his next move. The Draconic Iridium felt like dead weight in his pack, but he couldn’t risk leaving it behind.
Suddenly, the ground beneath him began to slope downward, and he spotted a narrow ravine ahead. If he could make it down there, he might be able to lose them in the rocky terrain. Without hesitating, he veered toward the ravine, leaping down the steep incline, his claws digging into the earth to keep from tumbling headfirst.
Behind him, he heard the distinct sound of Jay’Ky’s voice, barking orders at the guards. “Fan out! He’s heading toward the ravine!”
Zagul’s heart sank. They were too close, but he had no other option. He slid down the last few feet of the ravine, landing awkwardly but managing to keep his balance. The rocks cut into his feet as he sprinted forward, but he gritted his teeth and kept moving.
Just as he thought he might have a chance, he felt a shift in the air—a presence, fast and deadly. He barely had time to react before a figure landed in front of him, blocking his path. Jay’Ky stood there, calm and collected, his eyes gleaming with cold calculation.
“Thought you could outrun me?” Jay’Ky said, his voice low and dangerous. He didn’t need to draw his weapon to be intimidating—his very presence was enough. Zagul’s chest tightened. He was out of tricks, out of Éter, and completely outmatched.
Jay’Ky smiled, a predatory grin that made Zagul’s scales crawl. “This ends now.”
“Hardly.”, The Lacerta said as he did something that even Jay was shocked.
He jumped down the ravine.
Jay’Ky’s eyes widened in surprise as Zagul hurled himself into the ravine, disappearing into the darkness below. For a moment, there was only the sound of rocks and loose dirt tumbling, but no cry of pain or final thud from the Lacerta. Jay'Ky cursed under his breath, unable to see where the Lacerta had gone.
"Persistent little bastard," he muttered, knowing the chase was far from over. He might have escaped his grasp this time, but he wouldn’t be able to hide forever.
----------------------------------------
Labyrinth
Jason yelped as the ground beneath him suddenly gave way, sending him and Easton sliding down a hidden chute. The world around them became a blur of slick stone walls and distant echoes of their own shouts as they tumbled deeper into the maze.
“What the hell!” Jason exclaimed, flailing as they picked up speed. He could feel his heart pounding in his throat, panic bubbling up as he lost control of the situation. Easton, on the other hand, seemed far less concerned.
“Relax, kid,” Easton called over the noise, trying to maintain his balance on the sliding surface. “This might actually get us closer to where we need to be.”
“Or closer to death!” Jason retorted, gripping onto the edge of the chute in a futile attempt to slow himself down. His mind raced, trying to think of a way out of this, but the chute kept twisting and turning, making it impossible to get his bearings.
They shot out of the slide into an open chamber, hitting the ground hard. Jason groaned, his whole body aching from the rough landing. As he slowly pushed himself up, he realized they had been dumped into a massive underground cavern, dimly lit by glowing crystals embedded in the walls.
While Jason fell to his face, Easton landed with unsurmountable professionalism and smoothness.
“Well, that was fun,” Easton said, dusting himself off and looking around.
Jason, still shaken, managed to get to his feet, clutching his longsword. “Where… where are we?”
Easton scanned the room with a calm, calculating gaze. “Not sure, but I’d bet we’re deeper in the labyrinth now. Could be a good thing, could be bad. Guess we’ll find out.”
Jason swallowed hard, still feeling the adrenaline pumping through his veins. “I’d prefer not to find out the hard way.”
Before Easton could respond, a low growl echoed through the cavern. Both of them froze, eyes scanning the shadows for the source of the sound.
“Well, looks like we might not have a choice,” Easton said with a smirk, pulling out his dagger. “Stay sharp, Heartwood. Things are about to get interesting.”
Jason tightened his grip on his weapon, “For the love of… Do you honestly want this to be more interesting? I have had interest now for a lifetime.”
“Well, I was immediately split from my brother who is the guy who keeps thinking about what if that happens instead of just enjoying and dancing along the song, so…”, He trailed off for a while, “Yeah, I want this to be more interesting.”, Easton finished with a wise nod.
“Figures.”, He shook his head, muttering under his breath. “You’re insane, you know that?”
Easton flashed a grin, clearly enjoying himself. “Insane? Nah, just living life the way it’s meant to be lived. Besides, if we survive this, think of the stories we’ll tell. Chicks dig that.”
Jason rolled his eyes. “If we survive. That’s a big if.”
Another low growl echoed through the cavern, louder this time. Jason’s grip on his sword tightened as he backed up a step, trying to pinpoint the source of the sound.
"Got any idea what’s making that noise?" Jason asked, his voice a little shaky.
Easton shrugged, not looking the least bit worried. “Nope. But whatever it is, I’m sure we can handle it.”
As if on cue, a massive creature lumbered out of the shadows, its eyes glowing with an eerie light. It looked like some sort of mutated beast, with claws the size of Jason's arm and teeth that could rip through steel. Jason’s heart dropped into his stomach.
“Oh, we’re dead,” Jason muttered.
Easton chuckled, stepping forward with his dagger in hand. “Nah, you’ve got me, remember?”
Jason groaned. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
The beast let out a deafening roar, shaking the cavern walls and sending dust raining down from above. Jason’s legs felt like jelly, but he knew running wasn’t an option. He eyed the massive creature, then quickly scanned the room. There had to be something they could use to their advantage.
"Any ideas?" Jason asked, trying to keep his voice steady as the creature lumbered closer, its glowing eyes locked onto them.
Easton, twirling his dagger like he was about to take on a bar brawl rather than a giant monster, just smirked. "I will keep it distracted, go for the eyes. You find something we can use."
Jason resisted the urge to groan again. "Right.”
His eyes flickered to the glowing crystals embedded in the walls. They gave off a faint hum of energy, and Jason remembered something Farlls had mentioned about the labyrinth’s design—the crystals weren't just for light, they were connected to traps and other mechanisms hidden throughout the maze. If he could just figure out how to activate one...
"Keep it busy," Jason muttered, more to himself than Easton. Without waiting for a response, he dashed to the side, skirting the edge of the cavern as the beast turned its attention to Easton.
Easton, to his credit, was doing a decent job of keeping the creature occupied, ducking and weaving around its massive claws. "Hurry it up, Heartwood! Not sure how long I can keep this up!" he shouted, barely dodging a swipe that would've decapitated him.
Jason reached one of the walls, where a cluster of crystals hummed softly. He could feel the energy radiating from them, almost like a pulse. Tentatively, he placed his hand on one of the larger crystals, and it vibrated under his palm. He focused, trying to remember the specifics of the labyrinth’s traps. The crystals were supposed to be connected to pressure plates or switches, but where—
A sharp click echoed through the chamber as the device in his arm shined slightly, clearly understanding what the owner was trying to do. Jason’s eyes widened as the floor near the beast suddenly shifted, and a series of spikes shot up from hidden compartments in the ground. The creature howled in pain as one of the spikes tore through its leg.
“Hell yeah!” Jason pumped his fist, momentarily forgetting the danger, “I honestly forgot about this thing.”, He said looking to his wrist.
The beast, now enraged, turned its attention from Easton and charged straight at Jason.
“Oh no, no, no, no!” Jason scrambled back, desperately trying to think of his next move. He spotted another cluster of crystals on the opposite side of the room, and his mind raced. If the first cluster triggered the spike trap, maybe the others controlled different mechanisms.
"Over here, ugly!" Jason shouted, trying to lure the beast closer to the second trap.
The creature, now limping from the spike wound, barreled after him, smashing through stone as it went. Jason darted towards the next set of crystals, slamming his hand down on one just as the beast closed in. With a new shine of the device, another click echoed through the room, and the ground beneath the beast gave way, opening into a deep pit.
The beast roared as it tumbled into the pit, claws scraping at the sides as it tried to hold on, but it was too late. With one final roar, the creature plunged into the darkness below.
Jason collapsed against the wall, panting. "I... I can't believe that worked."
Easton sauntered over, wiping some dust off his jacket. “Told you we’d handle it."
Jason shot him a tired glare. "We didn’t handle it. I handled it. You just ran around looking cool."
Easton grinned, clearly unbothered. "That’s all part of the plan. You’re getting good at this."
Jason groaned, resting his head against the cool stone. “Next time, you figure out how to save our asses.”
Easton chuckled, clapping Jason on the shoulder. "Sure, sure. But you’re really starting to enjoy this, admit it."
Jason groaned again. “No, I’m really not."
He frowned, but shook his head, “Well, for now, I don't have a clue where we are, but we need to find my brother. He is the brains after all.”
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
“I can see that.”
“...You are seriously pissing me off.”
The Jqorn wisely kept his mouth shut.
Easton rolled his eyes and shrugged. "Fine, fine. I’ll let it go. But seriously, we’ve been getting by just fine without your constant worrying. Lighten up a bit, would you?"
Jason shot him a sidelong glance, still catching his breath. "We’ve barely been surviving, Easton. This whole labyrinth is designed to kill us, and you’re acting like it’s a damn vacation."
"Hey, if you’re still alive, it’s a win in my book," Easton said with a grin, spinning his dagger with ease. "But if it helps, I’ll try to focus on finding my brother. He’s the cautious type, so he’s probably laying low somewhere. Unlike you, he doesn't rely on—" Easton gestured broadly, "—random traps and luck."
Jason rolled his eyes, trying to get his bearings in the massive cavern. The walls stretched out endlessly, and the only exit seemed to be a narrow corridor up ahead. "Yeah, well, your brother’s not the one stuck down here with you."
"Hey, you could do worse," Easton quipped as they began moving toward the corridor. "You could be dead."
Jason rubbed the back of his neck, muttering under his breath, "Sometimes I wonder if that’d be easier."
Easton barked out a laugh. "Nah, you’d miss all the excitement."
As they cautiously entered the narrow passageway, the walls seemed to close in around them. The silence was eerie, broken only by the faint echoes of their footsteps. Every survival thought in Jason's body told him this was a trap, but there was no other way forward.
“Think your little gadget can warn us about any more pits or spikes?” Easton asked, keeping his voice low.
Jason glanced at the device on his wrist, the faint glow from earlier now dim. “Maybe, but I wouldn’t count on it. This thing’s been unpredictable at best.”
“Great,” Easton replied dryly. “So we’re walking blind.”
“Like we haven’t been this whole time.”
Before they could argue further, a soft grinding noise echoed from somewhere ahead. Both of them froze, weapons at the ready.
“I swear, if that’s another monster…” Jason whispered.
But it wasn’t. Instead, the passageway ahead began to shift, the walls moving and rearranging themselves, forming new paths and sealing off others.
Easton whistled, impressed. “A living labyrinth. Now that’s cool.”
Jason, however, felt a sinking feeling in his gut. "Cool? We’re trapped in a maze that’s changing as we walk through it! This is bad, Easton. Really bad."
Easton just smirked, casually twirling his dagger. "Relax. It’s just another puzzle to solve."
Jason rubbed his temples, fighting back the urge to strangle his so-called ally. "If we die down here, it’ll be because you couldn’t take anything seriously."
Easton clapped him on the back. "Nah, you’ll figure something out. You always do."
Jason groaned again, realizing that, whether he liked it or not, Easton’s carefree attitude wasn’t going anywhere. "I swear, if we make it out of this alive, I’m taking a vacation. A long, quiet vacation."
Easton chuckled. "Good luck with that."
----------------------------------------
"So that's what you meant by interesting."
Choi-Hwang commented as the labyrinth started to transform, reform and switch places, completely randomizing the whole paths and secrets. It could even be seen on the stands of the Colosseum as the ground rumbled softly.
Veland crossed her arms… well, arm, her one remaining hand tapping her bicep in thought. "A shifting labyrinth. Haven’t seen that in a while. It’s a game-changer for anyone who thought they had their route planned."
Choi-Hwang nodded, her eyes silently judging as she watched the crystals showing the contestants’ reactions to the sudden transformation. "It’s always fun to see who adapts and who panics. Separates the true competitors from the amateurs."
Elisha, leaning back in her seat with an amused smile, chimed in, "It also means we’ll see more eliminations soon. Not everyone can handle that level of unpredictability."
Veland grunted in agreement. "Some will stumble into traps they thought they’d avoided. Others might get stuck in dead ends or worse—end up face-to-face with one of the more... aggressive creatures lurking below."
Choi-Hwang raised an eyebrow. "Speaking of which, what do you think of those two?" She pointed at the screen showing Jason and Easton navigating the newly shifting maze.
Elisha’s smile grew wider. "They're resourceful, especially that Heartwood boy. But resourcefulness only gets you so far in the Colosseum. Sooner or later, they'll have to make a choice: outwit the others, or be outwitted."
Veland watched Jason with an analytical gaze. "The kid’s got potential. Quick thinking, but he's cautious. That could either save him or slow him down when the real threats show up."
Choi-Hwang hummed deeply. "He’s lucky to have Easton with him. That one's reckless but skilled. A good combination, if they don't end up killing each other first."
Elisha twirled her fingers lazily, her eyes narrowing slightly as if calculating the odds. "We’ll see. For now, they’re surviving.”
“I have to admit, my opinion of you Count Bhagavad, has increased.”, Choi-Hwang commented.
Of course she left unsaid that it only made her wary of him and her supposed “friend” sitting right next to him.
Bhagavad chuckled softly, acknowledging the veiled compliment with a graceful nod. “I’m flattered, Choi-Hwang, but I wouldn’t read too much into it. The Games favor those with quick wits and sharper instincts. I simply guide the current.”
Choi-Hwang's eyes flickered over to Elisha for a brief moment, but the Countess remained silent, her mysterious smile ever-present. The dynamics between the three of them had always been precarious—alliances born of necessity rather than trust. Elisha’s influence was undeniable, but Bhagavad had shown himself to be more of a wildcard than she had anticipated.
Choi-Hwang’s instincts told her that neither of them could be fully trusted, but she wasn’t foolish enough to underestimate them either. Especially not Bhagavad.
"You know," Choi-Hwang began, her voice light but calculated, "I've noticed you're quite invested in these particular contestants, Bhagavad. It's unusual for you to take such an interest. Care to share why?"
Bhagavad's expression remained neutral, though there was a slight glint in his eye. "Investment is a strong word. Call it… curiosity. The Heartwood boy has a fire in him, something raw and untamed. It's fascinating to see how he'll shape under pressure. And as for his companion, Easton? Well, he's simply enjoyable to watch."
Choi-Hwang nodded, though her mind raced with suspicion. “Curiosity, huh? I’ll be keeping an eye on them too then. After all, it’d be a shame if your little favorites didn’t live up to expectations.”
Bhagavad gave a slow, almost dismissive smile, one that seemed to convey that he had already accounted for every possible outcome. "Oh, I wouldn’t worry. The true test is still to come. The labyrinth is merely the beginning."
Elisha, who had been quietly observing the exchange, interjected smoothly. "You both seem to forget that no one controls the Colosseum. Not even the Masters. The real game has always been between the contestants and the arena itself."
Her eyes flicked back to the crystals showing Jason and Easton cautiously navigating the constantly changing maze. "They’ll either learn to survive it, or they won’t. But... it does make you wonder," she mused, her voice soft but carrying an edge of intrigue, "what drives people like them to continue fighting?"
Choi-Hwang arched an eyebrow. "Ambition, survival, revenge—there’s no shortage of motives."
Elisha tilted her head thoughtfully. "True. But some desires run deeper than others."
Veland, who had remained silent, finally spoke up, her voice low and steady. "In the end, the Colosseum strips everyone down to what they really are. Let’s see how long before they break."
----------------------------------------
Labyrinth
Jason and Easton moved cautiously through the shifting maze, the oppressive silence broken only by the occasional distant growl or the sound of stone grinding against stone as the walls continued to rearrange themselves.
"This place is a nightmare," Jason muttered, gripping his makeshift spear tightly. "How are we supposed to find anything when the entire layout keeps changing?"
Easton glanced around, seemingly unfazed. "You don’t. You let it find you. This labyrinth isn’t just random—there’s a design to it, a pattern. You just have to figure it out."
Jason shot him a look. "You sound way too confident for someone in a deathtrap."
Easton shrugged. "It’s just a matter of keeping your head on straight. Everything in the Colosseum has a purpose, even if it’s to kill you."
Jason rolled his eyes, but something about Easton’s words stuck with him. There was a strange logic to the madness. The traps, the creatures, the ever-shifting paths—it all felt like part of a larger puzzle, one they hadn’t fully grasped yet.
"Look," Easton said, pointing to a strange marking etched into the wall ahead of them. "See that? It’s a directional marker. The labyrinth may be shifting, but these things stay consistent. They’ll guide us through if we follow them."
Jason hesitated, then nodded. "Okay… but guide us where? To safety, or into another trap?"
Easton flashed a grin. "Only one way to find out."
As they continued following the symbols, Jason couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched. Whether it was by the Colosseum’s twisted overseers or something lurking in the shadows, he couldn’t be sure. But one thing was certain—they were getting closer to the heart of the labyrinth.
“Wait.”, Jason said as he checked the marks on the walls, “They said there are three ways to complete the Game, right?”
The twin turned to try make sense of the inquiry, “Your point being?”
“Don't worry, I know if I even suggest waiting two hours you will immediately kill me.”, The Jqorn said dryly, “But going to the center of the labyrinth isn't the only way, right?”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“...You don't actually remember, huh?”
“Nope.”
Jason sighed, “The announcer said that we could complete the Game, survive or whatever, if we, like, yeah, completed a series of puzzles granted by an overseer. I have completed one before we joined, so what of we search for one that we can complete?”
“But didn't they say, like, that there is no guarantee that passing the first game was one of the rewards?”, Easton said, pointing with his dagger as he leaned against the wall.
That did make Jason think for a brief second, “Truly, but we can either spend two hours fighting and by sheer coincidence finding your brother or…”, He trailed off, looking at the shape again.
“What got you so into these symbols?”, The Twin asked as he now looked too at the shape.
It was a triangle, or more accurately, a pyramid with different hues, shades and age. Checking one would show that one was painted way earlier than the other, showing that this wasn't made exactly now, but it still gave a hint of what if could possibly mean. He vaguely remembers swing one of these pyramids before he found out the face that asked him for the truth, but he couldn't tell of it was a new shape and which color it had, or even the direction it was pointing.
“These things are pointing at different places, with different icons and different colors.”, Jason muttered loud enough so Easton could hear, “And still they don't seam exactly like a way to a place.”
“You trippin’ or somethin’?”, Eason asked in a quirked eyebrow.
“No no, I know it might sound stupid, but hear me out.”, Jason wavered his hand as he gestured towards the shape on the wall, “How many of these have you found out?”
“Ever since I entered the maze. Weston said that it might be the direction to the center, but now that you mention it…”, He leaned forward to inspect more closely, “Yeah, this one is different from the one we saw at the first few corridors.”
“Then it's not a pattern.”, Jason nodded, “How was the one you saw like?”
“Heartwood, are you wanting to waste time so we stay here until the end of the Game?”, The tone was said flatly, but if not for the fact that Easton is a psycho, that might not have sounded as dangerous as it did.
“No!”, The Jqorn immediately denied, his fear showing in his cracked voice, “I-I am just trying to-to understand what these pyramids are!”
The Twin glared for a second before sighing, “Fine. The one I saw was pointing at the right, was yellow and it looked brand new.”
Breathing in relief, Jason absorbed this information, trying to make sense of it. The symbol next to them was green, pointed down and looked old, like it was painted a few months back. The one he saw before the riddle, he almost could make out the shape pointing leftwards and being green as well, but that didn't really help at what they are.
“Did you follow it?”, He asked after not getting a satisfying answer.
“Yeah, we did. There was this weirdo trying to poison the room these markings led us, but when we arrived we found out that it was a puzzle.”, He explained with a shrug, “It was quite simple, actually. We just killed the guy trying to poison us and the room was unlocked, but it shaped right after we solved the puzzle.”
Jason shivered at the casual mention of murder, “That's how you got near me?”
“Yup.”, He said with a thumbs up, “The puzzle was just to kill the guy chasing us. Don't know why it was that way, but Weston did.”
“Sure…”
Maybe the color was the danger it posed? Green was consistent of what exactly the threat level was, but the direction left him clueless, as well as the time when the shapes were made.
Jason's mind raced, piecing together what little information they had. The colors, the directions, the different ages of the markings—there had to be a pattern to it, but what? He stared at the green pyramid on the wall again, its faded paint hinting at its age, and then back to Easton, who was still leaning against the wall, looking utterly unbothered.
"Okay," Jason muttered to himself, trying to stay focused despite the pressure. "So, the green one points down, and it’s old. The yellow one was new and pointed right… What if the color represents the level of danger, like you said, but the direction shows where the puzzle or encounter is?"
Easton scratched his chin, clearly trying to follow Jason's line of thinking. "I mean, maybe. Could also just be random as hell."
Jason shook his head. "No, no, it's not random. You said the yellow one led you to the poison trap and a puzzle, right? What if green means the path is safer, but it’s old, so it might be a longer route? Yellow could mean it’s newer, more dangerous but faster to reach the center or the next challenge."
Easton shrugged. "Guess it makes sense, in a twisted, Colosseum kind of way."
Jason frowned, deep in thought. He was onto something, he just knew it, but the connection still felt incomplete. "Maybe it’s like... a roadmap. But we’re missing pieces.”
Easton straightened up, his usual smirk gone as he realized Jason might actually be onto something. "So what do we do? Follow the green path? You think it's safer?"
Jason hesitated. "It could be. But there's no guarantee, and we’re running out of time."
They stood in silence for a moment, both of them staring at the symbol on the wall. The Colosseum wasn't known for giving straightforward clues. Everything here was designed to break them, to test their wits and endurance. Jason knew that following the green marker could be safer, but it might lead them further from the center, away from Easton’s brother—and the end of the game.
"Okay," Jason said, making up his mind. "We follow this one, just to see where it takes us. If it’s too far out of the way, we can always turn back and try one of the others."
Easton looked at him with a mix of curiosity and amusement. "And here I thought you weren’t the thinking type. Alright, lead the way, Heartwood."
Jason rolled his eyes but didn’t respond. He was too focused on figuring out the puzzle. Taking a deep breath, he started down the path the green pyramid pointed to, Easton following close behind.
As they walked, Jason kept his eyes peeled for more of the markings. They passed a few that were different—one red pyramid that pointed upward, another blue one that pointed to the left. Each one seemed to lead to a different challenge or puzzle, but none of them felt as deliberate as the green one.
After what felt like hours, they reached a small alcove at the end of the path. Inside, there was a pedestal with a worn, ancient-looking tome resting on it. Jason approached cautiously, his eyes scanning the room for traps.
Easton stood back, watching with an amused grin. "You think that's the puzzle? A book?"
Jason ignored him, stepping closer to the pedestal. He reached out and touched the tome’s cover, feeling a slight tingle of magic. "This has to be it…"
Without hesitation, he opened the book, revealing a page filled with strange, shifting symbols that glowed faintly in the dim light. The symbols seemed to dance across the page, forming shapes and patterns that were both familiar and alien at the same time.
"What do you think it means?" Jason asked, glancing back at Easton.
The twin shrugged. "You’re the one who’s all into symbols. You tell me."
Jason studied the page carefully, trying to make sense of the shapes. Slowly, a pattern began to emerge. The symbols were the same as the ones they had seen on the walls—pyramids of different colors and directions.
"It’s a map," Jason realized, his heart racing. "The book is showing us the layout of the labyrinth. The different paths, the traps, everything."
Easton raised an eyebrow. "Well, look at that. Guess you were right. So, what now?"
Jason traced the symbols with his finger, following the path they had taken. "We need to find the right combination of colors and directions. If we follow the right path, it’ll lead us straight to the center of the labyrinth. But if we pick the wrong one…"
Easton grinned, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Then it gets real interesting."
Jason sighed. "Of course you’d say that."
With a deep breath, Jason memorized the patterns from the book. "Alright, I think I’ve got it. Let’s see if we can make it out of here in one piece."
Easton chuckled, drawing his dagger again. "Lead the way, genius. Just hope your brain's as sharp as my blade."