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14. Jaeden vs. the Skeleton’s Map

After stepping through the doorway, Jaeden feels as though he’s moving through a void, each step soundless and disorienting. When he opens his eyes, he finds himself on a massive stone pathway stretching endlessly in both directions, flanked by low walls that separate the path from a surrounding void of impenetrable darkness. The stark blackness contrasts sharply with the blinding white expanse they left behind, creating an eerie, almost otherworldly atmosphere.

Xander snaps him out of his daze, holding up a rough stone tablet he’s found. The tablet bears a crude etching of a labyrinth, with a small “X” marking what seems to be their location near the entrance. Xander points out that the path should lead them to the center of the labyrinth. When Jaeden asks where he found it, Xander casually admits he picked it up from a nearby skeleton, which only adds to Jaeden’s growing unease.

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Despite the creepy discovery, Xander confidently leads the way, navigating using the map etched on the tablet. They exchange a few nervous laughs, but Jaeden can’t shake the discomfort creeping up his spine. As they continue down the dark, silent pathway, Jaeden wonders what they’ll find at the center—and what happened to the person who never made it out.