The peacefulness of the lake was now behind them. Before them stood a weathered stone archway, covered in vines and damp moss. The cool breeze from outside vanished the moment they crossed the threshold. The air inside was heavier, suffocating.

CRACK.

A sharp sound echoed beneath Veil's feet. He looked down and saw that he had stepped on a fragment of bone. His body tensed as he lifted his head to scan their surroundings. Before them stretched a vast, winding corridor, its walls adorned with strange carvings—twisted faces, sculpted eyes that seemed to follow them.

Veil (muttering): "Not exactly welcoming."

Alynia (staring at the walls): "This is just the beginning, Louveteau. This room has one purpose—to break you from the inside."

They moved forward cautiously, each step carefully placed. The carvings shifted. At first, it looked like a trick of the light. But as they progressed, the movements became undeniable.

Alynia (tense voice): "Veil... look at them."

He slowly turned his head to the left wall. The sculpted faces had moved. Their eyes were now locked on him. One of them had a twisted grin that hadn’t been there moments before.

Veil (exhaling sharply): "Not normal... definitely not normal."

BOOM.

A deafening echo rang out, followed by a gust of air that made the walls tremble. Alynia grabbed Veil by the collar and yanked him backward just as an invisible projectile shot through the corridor at lightning speed, leaving only a sharp whistling in the air.

Alynia (barking): "Stay behind me!"

They pressed against the right wall, Alynia taking the lead. She crouched low, every sense heightened. Her ears twitched in all directions, picking up the slightest sounds.

Alynia (whispering): "They're testing us."

Veil (worried glance): "Who is 'they'?"

Alynia (eyes locked on the carvings): "These engravings. They’re not just decoration. They’re watching us, and they’re reacting."

She pointed at one of the faces—its mouth was slightly open, releasing a faint stream of air.

Alynia (serious): "They're analyzing us. Our steps, our movements... even your breathing, Louveteau."

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Veil (taking a slow breath): "Alright... so we move carefully."

They proceeded, one step at a time, Alynia leading the way. The faces followed them. Whenever they stopped, the faces remained still. But when they moved, the carved eyes tracked them.

Alynia (raising her hand): "Stop."

She was looking at a thin slit above them in the ceiling—too perfectly straight to be a natural crack.

CHAK!

The slit suddenly widened, and a black energy spear slammed into the ground just inches from where they stood. If Veil had been one step ahead, it would’ve impaled him.

Alynia (shouting): "Move! Now!"

They ran. Every step was a risk. The slits in the ceiling opened in a chain reaction, dropping more black spears that exploded on impact, scattering shards of dark energy. Veil’s foot slipped on a damp tile, sending him tumbling to the ground. His hands scraped against the rough stone, leaving raw, bloody scratches.

Alynia (yelling): "Veil! Get up!"

He pushed himself up, his palms stinging, as another spear crashed inches away, sending debris slicing across his cheek.

Veil (shouting): "I’m up!"

They finally reached an open space where the spears stopped falling. The floor was flat, the walls smooth and free of carvings. They panted, catching their breath.

Alynia (checking Veil): "You're bleeding."

Veil (shrugging): "Better than getting impaled."

She pulled out a makeshift bandage from her satchel.

Alynia (firmly): "Wrap it properly. I’m watching you."

Veil sat against the wall, wrapping the bandage around his hand. Alynia sat beside him, her golden eyes scanning their surroundings.

Alynia (after a pause): "We moving?"

Veil (determined): "Yeah."

She met his gaze, her expression slightly more serious.

Alynia (eyes locked on him): "This time, stay close. Run beside me, not behind. Got it?"

Veil (raising a brow): "Oh? Afraid I’ll disappear on you?"

Alynia (half-severe, half-amused): "Don’t flatter yourself, Louveteau. I just don’t want to explain for the tenth time how to dodge a spear to the face."

Veil smirked but didn’t argue. He stood up, his legs still shaky. Their short break had been enough to steady his breathing.

Their path led to another narrow corridor, but this one had no engravings. The walls were made of smooth, polished stone, as reflective as glass, and the torches lining the sides emitted a wavering blue light. Their footsteps echoed loudly, the sound unnervingly amplified by the tight space.

Veil (muttering): "This silence is worse than the noise."

Alynia (nodding slightly): "The calm before the storm. Stay ready."

They advanced cautiously, their movements in sync. Every step was calculated. Every noise was analyzed.

One beat. Two. Three. Their instincts were on high alert.

CLACK.

Alynia froze. Veil saw her raise a hand.

Alynia (staring at the ground): "Pressure trap triggered."

She looked down at the tile that had slightly sunken under her foot.

Veil (tense body): "Do we move or stay still?"

CHAK-CHAK-CHAK.

A series of sharp whistles came from both sides of the corridor. Alynia lunged forward, grabbing Veil’s collar and yanking him with her as dark energy arrows shot from the left and right walls, crossing in deadly crisscrossing patterns.

Alynia (shouting): "RUN!"

They sprinted, arrows whizzing past their heads. A sharp crack—Veil felt a burning sensation along his left arm. He gritted his teeth but didn’t slow down.

Alynia (yelling): "Are you hit?!"

Veil (through clenched teeth): "Just a burn!"

They reached the end of the corridor, where a small alcove allowed them to take cover. They pressed against the wall, gasping for air.

Alynia (turning to Veil): "Let me see."

She grabbed his arm and examined the wound. A long black burn ran down his forearm. She narrowed her eyes before reaching into her satchel.

Alynia (serious): "You’ll live."

She pulled out a small jar of ointment and applied it to the wound.

Veil (grumbling): "That stings..."

Alynia (tapping his arm lightly): "Good news—it means you’re still alive."

She stood up, scanning the corridor ahead.

Alynia (assessing the situation): "The traps are getting worse. They’re wearing us down before the next trial."

Veil (wiping sweat from his forehead): "So… ready for what’s next?"

He raised a fist, a defiant grin on his face.

Alynia (shaking her head, small smirk): "Ready or not, we move forward. That’s the only option."

They set off once more, their footsteps echoing louder than before, as if something was listening.