The air grew colder as the group entered the labyrinth, a maze of narrow corridors that seemed to shift and twist of their own accord. The walls were smooth and black, their surfaces glinting faintly in the dim light of glowing crystals embedded sporadically along the path.

“This place feels alive,” Elira muttered, her bow ready as she scanned the corridor ahead.

“It probably is,” Torran said grimly, his shield raised. “Stay close. These walls don’t look stable.”

Kael trailed behind, his shadow flickering erratically at his feet. The faint pull he had felt since encountering the Node was stronger now, a cold tug deep in his chest that guided him forward even when the path ahead seemed uncertain.

“This way,” Kael said, his voice quiet but firm.

Elira paused, glancing at him. “Are you sure? These corridors all look the same.”

Kael nodded. “I can feel it. The Monolith... it’s pulling me.”

Torran scowled but didn’t argue. “Fine, but if this path gets us killed, I’m holding you responsible.”

The group pressed on, their footsteps echoing softly against the stone. The walls seemed to shift subtly as they moved, the air growing denser and colder. Kael could see faint runes etched into the stone, their patterns swirling as if they were alive.

“These markings,” Elira said, stopping to inspect one. “They’re directional. Whoever built this place didn’t want people getting lost—at least not entirely.”

“Good,” Torran said, stepping past her to peer down the next corridor. “Because we’ve already got enough problems.”

A low growl echoed from behind them, and Kael turned sharply, his shadow flaring. The sound faded, but it left behind a lingering sense of unease.

“We’re not alone,” Kael said, his voice tense.

Elira tightened her grip on her bow. “Let’s keep moving. I don’t want to find out what’s following us.”

The group quickened their pace, the labyrinth’s twisting paths drawing them deeper into the dungeon. Kael’s shadow continued to tug at him, leading them forward through the oppressive maze toward an unknown destination.

The group emerged from a narrow corridor into a small, dimly lit chamber. The air was damp, and the faint sound of dripping water echoed through the space. Kael’s shadow flickered as he scanned the room, his senses on edge.

“Hold on,” Elira whispered, holding up a hand. She pointed to the far corner, where a figure slumped against the wall, their chest rising and falling shallowly.

“Someone’s alive?” Torran muttered, gripping his sword tightly. “Or what’s left of them.”

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

The figure stirred, groaning softly as they shifted. They were humanoid, wearing ragged leather armor streaked with soot and ichor. A faint glow pulsed along their veins—a sign of corruption—but their features remained intact.

“Who’s there?” the figure croaked, their voice weak but sharp with suspicion.

“Easy,” Elira said, lowering her bow slightly. “We’re not here to hurt you.”

The figure’s gaze flickered between them, then softened slightly. “You’re not... corrupted. That’s a first.” They struggled to sit upright, clutching their side. “Name’s Nerith. What are you doing here?”

“We could ask you the same thing,” Torran said, his tone wary.

“I was a guide,” Nerith replied, their breathing uneven. “Led Bound players through these parts before the corruption spread. Didn’t expect to run into anyone after... after what happened at the Node.”

Kael stepped closer, his shadow stretching faintly toward Nerith. “You’re hurt. Can you walk?”

Nerith nodded slowly. “I’ll manage. But if you’re heading deeper, you’ll need help. The labyrinth... it changes. And the creatures that roam it aren’t like the ones above.”

Torran crossed his arms, his brow furrowed. “And why should we trust you?”

“Because you don’t have a choice,” Nerith said, their tone firm despite their exhaustion. “I know the way to the Catalyst’s Gate. Without me, you’ll wander until the corruption finds you.”

Elira glanced at Kael, her expression uncertain. “What do you think?”

Kael hesitated, then nodded. “We’ll take the risk. If Nerith knows the way, we’ll need them.”

Torran growled softly but didn’t object. “Fine. But if this is a trap, I’m ending it before it starts.”

“Fair enough,” Nerith said, their lips curving into a faint smirk. “Let’s move before this place decides to eat us alive.”

The twisting corridors finally opened into a massive chamber, its sheer scale making the group pause in awe. At its center stood a towering gate, its surface covered in intricate runes that glowed faintly with a pulsating light. The air around it crackled with energy, thick and heavy with an almost palpable force.

Kael’s shadow twitched violently, drawn toward the gate like a moth to a flame. The pull he had felt throughout the labyrinth now surged through him, cold and insistent.

“This is it,” Kael said, his voice low. “The Catalyst’s Gate.”

Nerith leaned against a nearby wall, their breathing still labored. “You’ve found it. Lucky you,” they muttered, their eyes fixed on the gate. “But luck won’t get you through. That thing doesn’t open without a cost.”

“What do you mean?” Elira asked, her gaze narrowing.

Nerith pointed toward the runes etched into the gate’s surface. “Each of those symbols? It’s a lock. And the energy to unlock them... comes from you.”

Kael stepped closer, the oppressive energy from the gate pressing against him. “It’s drawing from the corruption,” he realized, his shadow twisting in response. “That’s why it’s pulling at me.”

Nerith nodded. “The gate senses power—Node energy, corruption, whatever it can use to fuel itself. But activating it isn’t quiet. The moment you start, every corrupted thing nearby will know exactly where you are.”

“Of course it will,” Torran muttered, gripping his sword tightly. “Because nothing in this place can be easy.”

Elira approached the gate cautiously, her fingers tracing the edge of one of the glowing runes. “The runes... they’re patterns,” she said, her voice tinged with realization. “If we activate them in the wrong order, it could trigger a backlash.”

“A backlash that’ll kill us,” Nerith added helpfully.

Kael took a deep breath, the weight of the moment pressing heavily on him. “So, what do we do?”

Nerith smirked faintly. “You’re the Edgeweaver. You’re the one it’s waiting for. Figure it out.”

Before anyone could respond, a System notification appeared in Kael’s vision, its jagged text glowing ominously:

[System Alert: Monolith Proximity Detected. Activation Threshold Imminent.]

The chamber trembled slightly, and the faint sound of distant growls echoed through the labyrinth behind them.

Torran turned, his shield raised. “Looks like we’ve got company.”

Kael clenched his fists, stepping closer to the gate. “Then we don’t have much time.”