Sky froze, caught completely off guard; he barely had a moment to react. Then Eve lunged at him, her form a blur of motion, knocking him off his feet just as the boulders crashed down beside them, her body landing protectively on top of his.
“What’s wrong with you? You could’ve been killed!” Eve exclaimed, panic lacing her words as she shielded his face with her arms. Dust and debris erupted around them, filling the air with a gritty haze, showering them with rocks and pebbles that rattled against their bodies.
“Eve?” Sky stammered, still shocked and disoriented, the world spinning around him as he struggled to comprehend what had just happened.
Eve breathed a sigh of relief, her heart racing as she rested for a moment on his chest, feeling the warmth of his body beneath her. “What happened?” she asked.
An angry shriek echoed through the city, shaking the ground beneath them, the sound reverberating in their bones.
“Darkness surrounds this place,” Eve said, assisting Sky to stand as they sought cover behind a rock wall, with the cold stone pressing against their backs. “Whoever this person is can control it. He tried to trick me.”
“What happened to you?” Eve asked, her concern clear, her gaze searching Sky’s face for answers. He wasn’t exactly in the best state of mind.
“He made me see things,” Sky replied, shaking off the disorientation that clung to him. “But we have to stop him if we want to get out of here.”
Through the swirling smoke of the debris, Kiran emerged, making her way toward them, her small frame trembling but determined.
“Sky, are you alright?” she asked, worry etched on her small face.
“I am now.” Sky rose, gripping his blade and spear tightly, the gemstone still hanging from his neck. He peeked around the side of the wall, trying to regain his bearings.
“What’s the plan?” Eve asked, determination flooding her voice as she clutched the last remaining torch.
The path to the pyramid wound through a labyrinth of open pathways and wide staircases, each turn leading to another route, creating a disorienting maze that could easily confuse even the most seasoned navigator. Shadows danced along the walls, twisting and flickering in the dim light, giving the impression of unseen eyes lurking just beyond their line of sight. With every step, the air grew heavier, thick with tension and uncertainty.
Sky felt the weight of the moment pressing down on him as he surveyed the surroundings. Spotting them in this maze could be a death sentence. The high stone walls loomed around them, their surfaces adorned with ancient carvings that seemed to tell stories of glory and despair. The echoes of their footsteps bounced back at them, amplifying the silence that hung in the air—a silence that felt almost alive.
Each pathway branched off in multiple directions, some leading to dead ends and others to further complexities, while the looming threat of the unseen figure made every choice feel like a gamble. Sky knew he needed to rely on stealth and surprise instead. He took a deep breath, steadying his racing heart, and scanned the path ahead.
“If we can’t go straight, we’ll have to go around. We’ll split up. He’ll have a hard time keeping up with both of us if we head in different directions. I’ll find a way through the city using the buildings as cover,” he said.
“I’ll come with you. I know another way up there,” Kiran interjected.
“Kiran, we can’t take the stairs.”
“No, there’s another route—it goes around. It’s a secret,” Kiran protested, her eyes wide with determination. Sky and Eve exchanged looks, surprise shifting to suspicion.
“How do you know?” Sky asked.
“Because I remember. Trust me,” Kiran insisted. Sky didn’t have the luxury of ignoring any help. Whoever they were up against possessed great power and would show no mercy. He nodded, gesturing for Kiran to lead the way.
“I’ll work on distracting him,” Eve said, picking up the still-burning torch.
“How will you do that?” Sky asked.
Eve scanned her surroundings, noting a mix of open spaces and concealed areas where she could hide and strike when the moment was right.
“Will you be alright?” Sky asked, concern etched on his face as he imagined her lurking in the shadows alone.
“I’ll... I’ll be okay.” Eve met his gaze, her expression softening. “We’ll make it through this, right? We’ll all get out together?”
They realized how much they had endured in a single evening.
Sky nodded, feeling the weight of the gemstone around his neck. “We will.”
Rocks rose again, moving toward their position, and they could feel the dark energies swirling around them. On the count of three, Sky and Eve split up, sprinting in opposite directions just as the rocks flew from where they had rested. The voice shrieked in frustration; this was not like the usual brutes the figure had encountered before. Initially, he focused on targeting only Sky, who was well hidden, weaving through the deeper labyrinths of the city maze with Kiran. But then Eve caught his attention as she flailed her torch around.
“Hey, over here! I’m the one you’re looking for!” she shouted, her voice ringing out defiantly.
The man spotted her easily, surprise flickering across his face. ‘
What was a woman doing here?
He hesitated, questioning whether he had made a mistake. It was only then that he realized he had become distracted long enough for Sky to slip from view. He could no longer sense his presence, as if a panicking child splashing in water had suddenly gone still.
His fist clenched in anger, a wave of paranoia washing over him. Sky could be anywhere now. To eliminate him for good, he would have to snuff out all chances of escape. He would destroy everything, starting with her.
Kiran led Sky through an obscure opening beneath the city, navigating a dark, narrow passageway lit only by tiny holes and cracks in the ceiling. Torrents of freezing water that rushed knee-deep through the labyrinthine tunnels drowned the sound of their footsteps out. The way, littered with sharp turns, made it easy to get lost, but Kiran knew exactly where they needed to go.
Pathways seemed to shift around them, creating an unsettling feeling of being watched. The darkness grew thicker, wrapping around them like a shroud, and every rustle of leaves or creak of stone sent a shiver down Sky's spine. This maze was not just a series of paths; it was a living entity, one that could easily swallow them whole if they lost their way.
As Sky peered through the various openings in the passageway, the dim light cast eerie shadows that danced along the walls, creating an unsettling ambiance. Each time he glimpsed the pyramid looming in the distance, its silhouette grew slightly clearer, the ancient stones reflecting a soft, ethereal glow against the encroaching darkness. The massive structure, with its timeworn stones and intricate carvings, seemed to pulse with an energy of its own, drawing him closer with an almost magnetic pull.
Every sighting of the pyramid filled him with renewed determination. Its majestic height loomed over the surrounding maze like a beacon of hope, cutting through the shadows of despair that surrounded them. The closer he looked, the more he could see the details—the weathered hieroglyphs etched into its surface, the wear of countless seasons etched into its stone facade, whispering tales of glory and forgotten memories.
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Each glimpse reassured him they were definitely on the right path, even as the labyrinth twisted and turned around them. The passageway felt alive, as if it were aware of their journey, shifting subtly with each step they took. With every turn and opening that revealed the pyramid’s grandeur, his resolve solidified. He could almost feel the weight of history pressing down on him, urging him forward, igniting a fire within his chest that urged him to reach the summit.
As the faint glow of the pyramid flickered in and out of view, it became a guiding star amidst the chaos, and he felt a sense of purpose swell within him. They had come too far to turn back now; the pyramid was their destination, and he would do whatever it took to reach it.
Kiran took the lead, guiding Sky into a deep tunnel that yawned before them, its entrance almost swallowed by the surrounding shadows. The air inside was cool and damp, carrying the earthy scent of ancient stone and moss, hinting at the passaging time that had left this path forgotten. The darkness pressed in around them, thick and oppressive, making it hard to see more than a few feet ahead. It was narrow, forcing them to squeeze against the rough walls, the uneven surfaces scratching at their arms as they moved deeper into the darkness. Kiran’s footsteps were steady and purposeful, echoing softly in the confined space, while Sky followed closely, his heart pounding in rhythm with their cautious pace.
“How do you know about this place?” Sky asked, but Kiran didn’t respond. She simply continued to run, guiding him deeper into the maze.
Out of the corner of his eye, Sky noticed a ghostly woman sprinting from the opposite direction, her form shimmering like smoke and frost that bled out of her frame. The ethereal glow surrounding her created an otherworldly aura, and for a moment, her presence entranced him, caught between reality and a dream.
She ran right past him, cradling a little girl in her arms, the child's wide eyes reflecting both fear and trust. “Don’t worry, darling. They’ll never find us down here. We’ll make it,” the woman reassured softly, her voice a haunting melody that lingered in the air long after she had vanished into the shadows.
Sky felt a chill sweep through him, not just from the cold that radiated from her figure, but from the weight of her words. In that fleeting encounter, he sensed the fierce love and desperation that drove her to protect the child at all costs. Sky didn’t have time to question the vision; Kiran's grip on his hand pulled him along as she navigated through the twisting paths.
The end of the passage led to a large opening, and they climbed through, finding themselves in the heart of the upper-class district. The buildings here were sturdier, constructed of finer stone, exuding wealth and strength. From their vantage point, they could see the pyramid just out of reach, but they needed to sneak through the buildings to avoid being spotted.
Sky saw the man, who turned away from him, was targeting Eve. The figure waved his hands as rocks flew one after another to eliminate her.
At that moment, Kiran’s strength waned. She stumbled, her voice growing weak. “I don’t feel right,” she admitted, her face pale and drenched in sweat.
“What’s wrong?” Sky asked, panic rising in his chest. Not wanting to leave her behind, he scooped her up into his arms. She was burning up, her body radiating heat.
“Come on, it’s not far now,” he urged, his voice steady as he began a slow, treacherous run through the city. “Just a little further. We’re going to make it.”
Eve ran, darting from building to building, hiding in the shadows while leaving just enough of a trace for her pursuer to follow. Through the corners, she glimpsed the mysterious man frantically searching for her, his movements frantic and predatory. Like ripples transforming a still lake into splashes, he zeroed in on her presence.
Rocks and stones broke free from their foundations, shadows crawling over them and twisting them into deadly projectiles. As she sprinted, Eve found it strange that the stones came nowhere near her. The falling debris cut off her escape routes, and her heart raced with panic. Just when she thought all hope was lost, she found a large building that seemed more intact than the surrounding structures. Supported by giant white stone pillars that soared high into the air, it towered tens of meters above her, its majesty both awe-inspiring and intimidating. Recognizing it as potential refuge, she dashed through the doors just as crashing rocks splintered the ground behind her.
Inside, she found herself in a temple—a pantheon dedicated to the various gods once worshiped by the people who lived here. The remnants of their likenesses perched high on the walls, their features eroded and chipped by time, yet still exuding a sense of reverence. In the center stood a magnificent golden idol of a woman, draped in flowing robes that seemed to shimmer in the dim light. The giant feathered wings made her figure grander on her back, each feather intricately detailed, giving the impression that they could unfurl at any moment. Eve barely had time to contemplate who the figure represented before the rocks outside began pounding against the walls, each impact sending tremors through her sanctuary.
Panic surged within her as she scrambled desperately for an exit, but she found no other doors—no way out.
She was trapped.
“I have you now!” the ominous voice taunted from outside, sending chills down her spine.
Eve sought refuge beneath the statue of the woman, her heart racing as she held the flickering flame of her torch close. The warmth felt like a fragile shield against the encroaching darkness. Just then, a powerful shockwave reverberated through the temple as a massive boulder crashed nearby, sending dust and debris flying. In the chaos, she stumbled back, losing her balance, and the torch slipped from her grasp.
As it clattered to the ground, the torch tumbled across the stone floor, its flickering flame dancing wildly in a last desperate attempt to stay alive. Shadows lunged and retreated with each erratic movement, casting eerie shapes on the walls as if the very darkness were alive. Then, with a final sputter, the flame flickered violently before being extinguished by a cloud of dust, leaving Eve enveloped in an oppressive blackness.
The sudden absence of light was suffocating, wrapping around her like a heavy blanket, amplifying the sounds of her rapid breathing and the distant rumble of collapsing stone. Panic gripped her chest as her heart raced, the darkness swallowing her whole and erasing the sanctuary she had sought within the temple's walls. She could no longer see the majestic statue that had provided her refuge, nor could she glimpse any other signs of hope.
The weight of the dark pressed in on her, heightening her senses and filling her with a deep sense of vulnerability. In that moment, every creak of the temple seemed magnified, each sound echoing like a warning bell in the silence. Eve’s pulse quickened as she strained to hear over the din of her own fear.
The only light that illuminated the space came from the moon, its silvery beams clawing their way through the remaining gaps in the walls.
“Sky, wherever you are, please hurry,” she whispered, her voice trembling with urgency, echoing into the abyss as she braced herself for whatever might come next.
He finally arrived at the base of the pyramid, feeling exhausted from his relentless running and the stops along the way. Looking up, he realized this was the one blind spot where the man couldn’t see him. The pyramid was the city’s oldest structure, and he realized the city had been built around it. Just the act of touching it filled him with a sense of something dark and ancient, brimming with energy. Yet a chill crept down his spine, a feeling all too familiar.
He gently laid Kiran against a nearby wall, noticing how frail and weak she had become. Confusion gripped him; he didn’t understand what was happening to her.
“I remember it all now,” she spoke in a hushed voice.
It was then he noticed the deep gash across her face and another wound on her chest, as if she had been cut down by a sword. Blood oozed from the gash, soaking through the bandages Eve had applied, turning them crimson. Her skin had gone from warm to a ghastly gray.
“Please help him.”
Kiran reached out, touching his hand, her skin cold to the touch. In an instant, her body dissolved into a black, gaseous substance, oozing smoke and vanishing before his eyes. The wind carried away the echoes of her fading voice.
Sky heard rocks pounding distantly against something—he knew something else occupied the figure’s attention. Wanting to keep it that way, he climbed, taking each careful step as quietly as he could.
Inside the temple, the structure had taken a severe battering; the walls crumbled, and the pillars cracked. Eve felt a bone-chilling frost creep across the ground as darkness enveloped her. Dust fell from the ceiling, extinguishing the flame she clung to desperately.
“No, no, no, please no,” she gasped, trying in vain to reignite the dying embers. With no success, the flame died, leaving only cold ashes and smoke.
With nowhere left to go, the man pointed his hand toward the temple, and it felt as though he was cradling a fragile creature in his palm. The temple crushed under his will; the pillars and foundations cracked as he declared, “There is no escape!”
Eve lay with her back against the golden statue, resigning herself to her fate as the temple fell apart around her. The idols shattered, breaking into pieces before her, and she felt as if even the gods had abandoned her.
Amidst the hopelessness, she glanced at her hands and remembered her garden—the way the flowers had bloomed with her power, filling the air with light and warmth. Kneeling down, she clasped her hands together and concentrated.
“Please, please work,” she whispered, closing her eyes.
As she slipped into a meditative state, her thoughts drifted to Sky—his laughter, the warmth of his smile, the moments they had shared. The memories of her garden blossomed in her mind, reminding her of the light she could bring forth even in the darkest of times.
“Just like last time, please work,” she cried silently, the surrounding walls collapsing, entire sections crashing down.
From her desperate pleas, a faint light flickered, surrounding a tiny ball of energy as sparks flew. The warmth of her memories fueled the light, pushing back the shadows that threatened to consume her.
The ringing in her ears intensified, drowning her thoughts in maddening pain. Gritting her teeth, she bore through it, even at the sight of the temple's imminent collapse.
The cold knife of remorse pierced her heart as she contemplated she might not keep her promise to Sky. But as she thought of him, a surge of warmth coursed through her, igniting her will to fight.
With renewed focus, Eve poured every ounce of her emotion into the light, recalling the vibrant blooms of her garden that had once brought her joy. The surrounding energy pulsed, and for the first time, she felt the power within her responding. The faint light grew brighter, illuminating the collapsing temple as she struggled against the darkness.