Jaeden’s determination kept him moving far longer than he should have, sprinting tirelessly through the labyrinth’s stone corridors in search of his brother, Xander. Despite pushing his body beyond normal limits, he made no progress; the labyrinth seemed to conspire against him, keeping the distant castle perpetually out of reach. Frustrated and disoriented, Jaeden finally slowed, realizing that sheer force would get him nowhere.

As he caught his breath, the faint sound of waves and seagulls teased his ears, pulling him away from the stone walls and leading him to a narrow path that eventually opened into a serene clearing. Before him lay a calm, mist-covered pool, and seated at its edge was an old man with a long white beard, dressed in tattered robes.

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The old man’s warm gaze and gentle words eased Jaeden’s anxiety, offering cryptic wisdom instead of clear answers. When Jaeden explained he was searching for his brother, the man simply reassured him that their paths would eventually reunite. A wave of exhaustion washed over Jaeden, pulling him into a deep, peaceful sleep as the man’s voice echoed softly, “Rest now, traveler. The journey continues in its own time.”