(Ivan)

The blaring of the Behemoth thundered in the distance, and Ivan knew that the Archery Competition had begun.

He had spoken with his aunt and told her about his plan to meet with Jane Sapphire. Aunt Lisa had been dead set against him meeting with the enemy. She had made it clear that the Shadow Princess could not be trusted. His aunt had even forbidden him from meeting with her.

After a heated argument, Ivan had defied his aunt. He had informed her that he would meet with Jane. There was too much to gain, and the risk was worth it.

He looked around as he neared the northern entrance of the Temple of Cea’Nia. He carefully scanned the area. The place was completely deserted. A muscle in his jaw twitched. A feeling of uneasiness crept in the pit of his stomach. This place was usually jampacked with tourists but now it was a graveyard.

Where is she?

The Behemoth boomed again, signaling the start of the first round of the Archery Event.

He tensed as a movement in the shadows caught his attention. Like a specter, Jane appeared near the vaulted archway, next to the temple’s entrance. She vigorously motioned for him to follow her and ducked inside.

Ready for anything, Ivan followed. His hand rested on his belt, right next to the hilt of his sword. He entered the temple and surveyed the antechamber. Except for Jane, the place was empty. The sweet aroma of incense was welcoming, but it did little to lessen the tension that he felt. His eyes darted between Jane and the other entrance of the massive hall. After he confirmed that they were alone, his gaze settled upon her. She stared at him intently, holding her breath, as if waiting for something.

What’s she up to? Ivan’s eyes narrowed.

“Lady Sapphire.” He inclined his head in a formal greeting. “You asked me to meet you here, with the promise to share information about the war.” His statement echoed in the chamber as he peered into her aquamarine eyes. Silence hung thick in the air. He waited for her answer.

She appeared transfixed and did not reply immediately.

Her breath caught. She swallowed hard and finally spoke, “Call me Jane. I know you have questions and I have much to tell you. But before we jump into important matters, like the war, you must be wondering how I knew that our duel would end in a draw.”

“I do,” he replied curtly.

“Very well. I’ll explain.”

Why does she want to share anything with me? He was wary around strangers and her being a Shadowlander magnified his distrust.

“I’m listening,” he said tersely.

“Well…” She took a breath as though she was getting ready to dive into deep water. She lowered her voice to a whisper, “Sometimes I know things before they happen.”

Ivan’s eyes widened as he recalled what Cassie, the mysterious girl, had told him before the champion selection.

You can trust the girl with the scar on her temple. She sees what has yet to be seen.

He glanced at the scar on Jane’s temple and leaned forward.

“The odds were against us to win any of our matches. After all, we were the youngest and least known champions. Both of us were the underdogs in our opening fights. So, I used my foresight to bet on the outcome of each duel that we were in. I made a killing. Not to mention that no one expected a draw on the final match. I needed the money to acquire a smaller leviathan, so I can trade the ship for Har'esh Ser'on.”

Ivan’s mouth twitched and his expression hardened.

“So, you’ve got our kingdom’s relic and you acquired it by gaming the dicers?” Ivan narrowed his eyes.

Jane winced. “Yes… But let me tell you the full story before you judge me.”

“I’m listening…”

Jane shifted her weight and cleared her throat. “Onix Driftwood is the owner of the Dome of Antiquities. Har'esh Ser'on had been in his possession since he was a young man. His father captained a fishing barge. During an expedition, Onix saw something shiny in the shallows. He dove into the water and emerged with a sword. His father realized that it was no ordinary blade and that fortune had smiled upon them. For years, their dream had been to buy a leviathan ship and finally they had the means. Still, they were commoners.” Jane shook her head.

“Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned. A week later, they ran into a storm and the barge was badly damaged. His dad refused to abandon ship. He shoved the sword into Onix’s arms and commanded him to take the dinghy. That was the last time Onix saw his father.” Jane paused. “Do you know who Molly Restic is?”

“Yeah, she’s Evergreen royalty, right? The younger sister of Julius Restic.”

“That’s her.” Jane nodded. “Well, the two of us have been friends for years. As the spares for the thrones of two kingdoms, we’ve had a lot to bond over. She knows that her brother, Julius, is incompetent and cruel. She looks for any opportunity to diminish his political clout. So, I was able to easily make a deal with her. If I humiliated her brother in our duel during the Spirit Competition, she was going to grant a minor title to Onix. A title is required to own and captain a Leviathan. As part of the deal, I would purchase her smallest Leviathan, which I could trade back for my collateral for Sharp Reason.” Jane waved.

“I know, it’s really confusing... The day I met you, I spoke with Onix and Molly several times to secure Sharp Reason. Since I had yet to collect my future winnings from our duels, I gave him my Dragon Steel blade as collateral. It was worthy collateral since my sword has its own history. It was wielded by Leindi, the Fire Queen, many centuries ago.”

“You have Fiery Justice?” Ivan’s gaze shot to the sword on her hip. “That blade is just as famous as Sharp Reason!”

Jane pulled her blade out of its sheath and presented it to Ivan, hilt first. The red shimmer around the sword disappeared the moment she released it. “By birthright, this blade belonged to my sister. But she believes that magic is for nobility and wielding a sword is vulgar and unsophisticated. After all, if you can strike your foes from the distance with magic, why get your hands dirty? Close-quarter combat is for commoners, in her opinion. Last year, after I defeated Rock Stump in a duel, she bequeathed the sword to me.”

“It’s an incredible weapon.” Ivan examined the runes on the hilt. “I’ve read that Dragon and Giant Steel swords are Living Blades. They are sentient and, in some cases, they can form a bond with their wielder.”

“Yeah, I can confirm that.” Jane nodded. “Fiery Justice and I are bonded.”

Her blade flashed.

Ivan looked at the weapon, wide-eyed, and handed it back to her.

He tilted his head and gestured. “So, you can predict the future. That must come in handy when you’re gambling.”

“Ugh…” Jane covered her face. “That’s the only time that I’ve used my ability for profit. You see, it was a matter of life-and-death, and I knew that I had to get Har’esh Ser’on.”

Ivan looked at her suspiciously. “What life-and-death situation have you foreseen? And how does the sword fit into all of that?”

“I’ll explain, but not here.” Jane looked around apprehensively. “We don’t have much time. If I’m gone for too long, people will get suspicious. Follow me.”

Ivan hesitated for a moment. He watched Jane as she headed toward one of the nearby staircases. She had already answered some of his questions, but she had yet to answer the question. He still needed to find out what started the war.

I’ll have to follow her…

He darted after Jane, and they passed by a series of egresses as they descended deeper and deeper into the pyramid. Their footsteps echoed as they navigated through the vacant halls and passages.

They walked in silence until they reached one of the underground maze entrances. A sign warned visitors not to proceed any further without a guide. To emphasize the danger, it also displayed the number of people who had gone missing inside the maze. The count was currently sitting at three hundred and seventeen.

Ivan crossed his arms. “You’re not planning to go into the labyrinth, right?”

“Well, my plan is to do exactly that… and to convince you to follow me.” Jane smiled disarmingly.

“Well, I have no plans to die in a temple. Do you make a habit out of ignoring signs that warn you of imminent danger?”

Jane laughed. “Yes... I only heed those that warn of imminent death.”

Ivan shot her a sidelong glance. “So, how do you plan on convincing me to follow you?”

“Well, we both have questions.” Jane pointed toward the maze. “The answers are in there.”

“How could you possibly know that?”

“Well, it’s time for me to explain how my foresight works.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “Hmm, so… in my dreams, I find myself in places that I’ve never been before. I see events that have yet to unfold. I see the faces of people that I’ve yet to meet. I’ve been having these dreams since I was a little girl. I’ve dreamed about this maze and walked through its passages many times. Some of my dreams are recurrent. Like the ones about this maze… And the ones about you.” She faltered.

“I’ve been dreaming about you since I was five. That’s the year that you were born.”

Ivan’s jaw dropped. She had caught him completely off guard. “You’ve been dreaming about me?”

She flushed and nodded. “Yes, I have. I recognized your face the moment I saw you.”

The two of them stared at each other in silence.

Finally, Jane cleared her throat. “Let me tell you why the war started. But first, I need to tell you about my homeland. There is a reason why outsiders aren’t allowed beyond some of the coastal cities of the Shadow Lands. Portions of the kingdom are covered in ash from worsening volcanic eruptions. There are dozens of active volcanoes in the western regions. The Jade River was even renamed to the Ash River since nothing can survive in its contaminated waters.” Jane hesitated.

“The Olden Order believes that the Shadow Lands have been cursed by potent magic. Their casters have identified a vast exotic magical signature that permeates the entire continent. The magic appeared about forty years ago and things have steadily declined. There is a belief among the populace that one day the entire continent will be covered in fire and ash. The truth is, we’re losing our home. That’s how my sister was able to justify the invasion of the Nature Kingdom and obtain support from all the major houses.”

Ivan was shocked by the revelation.

“The last active volcano in the Nature Kingdom erupted over five centuries ago,” Ivan finally spoke. “It buried the nearby town of Oplontis in a few hours and that was a single eruption that lasted less than a day. I can’t begin to imagine the devastation created by so many active volcanoes.”

Jane sighed and her shoulders sagged. “For years, I’ve been looking for a way to lift the curse.” She looked up at him. “The invasion of the Nature Kingdom is an atrocity. I just want to end this war and save my homeland. During the day, I comb the archives looking for answers. At night, I search my dreams and each time I’m transported right here to this temple.”

“I’m still confused,” Ivan interrupted. “Why do you need me?”

“You’re the key! In my dreams, I’ve seen both of us passing through one of the portal doorways and returning alive.”

“What happens when you enter that portal alone?”

“I immediately wake up. That’s what happens when I die in the maze. I’m going to be candid with you. Traversing the labyrinth will be a perilous undertaking. Still, I believe the knowledge hidden in the maze could save both of our kingdoms. Help me, Ivan. You're my only hope!”

Ivan did not know what to think. A muscle in his jaw twitched as he considered everything that Jane had told him. The promise of answers that hinged on dreams.

Can I trust her? Suspicion gnawed at his gut.

He scrutinized Jane, trying to detect any hints of duplicity. She stood before him, looking vulnerable.

Hmm, prophetic dreams. The thought made him think of his mother’s intuition. He recalled what his aunt had told him about his mom – “I don’t know how she did it, but sometimes… sometimes, she knew things before they happened.”

If the maze held the secrets for ending the war, it was worth risking everything. He steeled his resolve as he made his decision.

Still, he remembered the old proverb – “Trust, but verify”.

Well, if she truly knows the way through the labyrinth, I’ll find out soon enough. And if she doesn’t…

He looked into her eyes. “For now, I’ll follow you and see what happens.”

Jane exhaled. “Thank you.”

She reached inside her enchanted pouch and rummaged through it.

“Aha,” she exclaimed and pulled out the sword of Alaras. “This is a gift for you.” She presented the sword to Ivan. “I’m not sure when and I’m not sure how, but I know that you’re going to need it. I know that your life will depend on it.”

Ivan’s gaped at her. “Uhh… Let’s see if I’m following. You used Fiery Justice as collateral for the sword of Alaras. You gambled on our duel and used the winnings to purchase a leviathan. Then, you exchanged the leviathan for Fiery Justice.” He paused and stared at her. “And you did all of that, so you could give me this sword…”

“Yeah, precisely. Take it. It’s yours!”

Ivan reached forward and reverently grasped the blade. It instantly responded to his touch. The weapon gleamed with amber light. He gawked in disbelief.

“I’ve never seen it do that,” Jane blurted. “It didn’t respond to Onix or me. Ivan, Har'esh Ser'on was meant for you.”

“Ahh, I’m at a loss for words.” Ivan was transfixed and gazed with wonder at the ancient blade of the long-dead king. “In the legends, this is the blade that defeated Mahakra, the bloodthirsty Naga Queen. It slayed the Arctic Gargola, the menace of the Frozen Mountains. It was the symbol of power that united the Nature Kingdom.” Ivan slowly rotated the blade, examining the runes.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“How can I accept such a gift?”

“Very easily. It’s already yours. It was yours the moment you picked it up. This sword is now bonded to you, and it will remain so until you die. Your mastery of Sharp Reason will grow as the bond deepens.” She paused and glanced at her own sword. “It’s funny. Sometimes I feel like my blade wields me as much as I wield it.” She looked at Ivan. “These blades have a will of their own. Well, for now, just give me your other sword and I’ll hold it in my bag, so it doesn’t get in the way.”

“Thank you.” Ivan handed her his sword and sheathed Har'esh Ser'on.

He squared his shoulders and looked at her expectantly. “Alright, given that there is little to no information about the labyrinth past the first floor, tell me everything that you know.”

“Very well.” Jane grinned. “The maze is comprised of seven tiers. This is the first level. There is an extensive network of portals throughout every tier. Many of the portals lead to traps or dead ends. Once we get past the first level, we’re going to find a lot of skeletal remains. Many people have tried to uncover the mysteries of the maze over the years, and it cost them their lives. This place is a deathtrap unless you know exactly where you’re going, and I do.” She gestured for him to follow her.

“Let’s head in and I’ll explain as we walk.” She swung open the gate and they forged ahead.

“So, let me tell you about the central hub.” Her eyes sparkled. “Portals line the outer wall of the entire hub. Double helix staircases connect the different platforms. The staircases allow people to ascend and descend without crossing paths. The hub isn’t directly connected to any of the tiers. It is only accessible through portals.”

As Jane talked, they passed the marked sections that were meant for tourists.

“It’s time to leave the beaten path and enter the shadows,” Jane said with a glint in her eyes. She activated a sunstone on her belt, leaped over the safety barricade, and headed into the unknown.

Ivan took a deep breath, vaulted over the barricade, and followed her.

A while later Jane stopped at the entrance of a wide corridor lined with white granite tiles. A few skeletal remains littered the floor. Rusty metal spikes protruded from the ceiling.

“This corridor is filled with traps,” Jane explained. “Let me show you.”

She dug around in her enchanted bag and pulled out an apple. She took a bite from it and tossed it into the corridor. The apple hit a tile on the fifth row and a massive blade whizzed by, slicing it in half.

Whoosh! Splat!

Click! Click! Click!

The blade retracted back into the ceiling. Ivan had taken an involuntary step back.

“You’re going to love the solution for this puzzle passage!” Jane moved closer to him. “It’s based on numbers.” She beamed. “As you can see, the floor is a twenty-five-by-twenty-five tile grid. It’s like the battle board game that kids like to play, where only certain tiles are safe.”

“Yeah, I used to play that with my brother.”

“Check out the symbols on the tiles.” Jane pointed.

Ivan examined the floor and noticed some familiar symbols. “So, how were you able to determine which tiles are safe?”

“A bit of a trial and error in my dreams.” Jane winced. “Oh, and lots of apples. What do you think of the hieroglyphics? Have you seen them before?”

“I think those are from ancient Kemet, right?”

“Yes!” Jane grinned. “The ancient Kemet civilization thrived in the Graf Desert thousands of years ago. Did you know that the people of Kemet built the Great Pyramid of Ziga? Some scholars claim that they even built this pyramid.” She waved around. “The Temple of Cea’Nia.”

Jane cleared her throat. “Ahem, sorry. I digress. So, going back to the symbols on the tiles. They’re easy to decipher. A single stroke represents number one. As you can see, each tile on the first row is marked with a single stroke. The tiles on the next row have two strokes. This pattern continues all the way to the ninth row. The symbol for ten is a horseshoe diagram and that continues all the way to the twenty-fifth row.”

“Interesting, I’ve seen some of these hieroglyphics in books before.” Ivan cocked his head. “If I remember correctly the symbol for one hundred was a coiled rope, right?”

“Exactly!” Jane nodded enthusiastically. “So, the key to safely crossing this corridor is to follow the coordinates for prime numbers. Let me show you.”

Ivan watched as Jane stepped on the second tile on the second line.

“This tile is safe,” she explained. “It’s the second tile across and the second tile up. Number two is the first prime number. Next, I’m going to third tile across and the third tile up.”

She took a single diagonal step. “The next one is easy to reach as well. It’s the fifth tile across and the fifth tile up.” She took another diagonal step, but this time she skipped the fourth row. She followed the sequence with the seventh, eleventh, thirteenth, seventeenth, nineteenth, and finally the twenty-third tile before hopping over the last two rows.

Once she reached the other side, she turned around. “Alright, it’s your turn. Just take your time. Each tile is about a square foot, so you have enough space for every step. You just need to be careful with the longer jumps between the seventh and eleventh, thirteenth and seventeenth, and nineteenth and twenty-third.”

Ivan looked behind him from where they had come and exhaled quietly.

Well, I’ve followed her so far.

“I never thought that learning the prime numbers would ever be useful.” Ivan forced a smile.

With grim determination, he carefully followed the tiles that Jane had used.

“Phew,” he exclaimed after clearing the corridor. “That was nerve-wracking.”

“I know, right. Even though I know how to pass this trap, it’s still scary.”

They left the puzzle passage behind and entered a rotunda. The walls inside the round cavern were lined with layers upon layers of shelves, stacked with different types of shoes.

“At first glance, this might look like a girls paradise.” Jane grinned. “However, finding the right shoes to survive what comes next was a nightmare. We need to grab the pink slippers in the middle of the seventh shelf to pass the next obstacle.”

“What obstacle?”

“That floor ahead of us isn’t a real floor. It’s just an illusion that conceals a deadly chasm. This is another one of my favorite traps!” Her eyes sparkled and she looked giddy.

She’s a suicidal thrill seeker. Ivan faked a smile.

“These slippers will allow us to float right over the chasm.”

“How in Tor’Sal’s name did you figure that out?”

“Again, trial and error. One night I died thirteen times right here. The first fall wasn’t as bad, because I didn’t know that I was going to end up skewered like a kebab when I reached the bottom. The subsequent falls were terrifying.”

“I see.” Ivan paled.

Jane nimbly scaled up the shelves and snagged two pairs of bright pink slippers. She jumped down and handed him a pair. “There you go. You can put them over your boots. The material is surprisingly stretchy.”

“Thanks.” Ivan examined the slippers and tested the elasticity of the material before putting them on.

“All right!” Jane looked thrilled. “For the next part, we need to get a running start and build momentum. Just sprint through that archway as fast as you can, and the slippers will do the rest. This is the best part. It’s just like flying. Here I go.”

“Wait… Wait a minute!” Ivan raised his hand. “What do you mean the slippers will do the rest.”

“It’s a leap of faith.” Jane beamed. Without another word she sprinted across the cavern toward the archway. She whooped with joy as she floated away from him.

“Wohooo!”

She flew over half of the next cavern, floating above the stone floor, before slowly descending on the other side. She landed on a gray granite platform and her pink slippers instantly vanished. Ivan looked up at the seventh shelf and a pair of slippers materialized right in the middle.

“Come on,” Jane urged him. “It will be fun! I promise.” She was bouncing up and down.

“William would have loved this place,” Ivan muttered to himself. He gritted his teeth as he prepared to charge ahead.

He raced forward and leaped. He uttered an undignified yelp as soon as his feet left the ground. His stomach roiled. He clenched his fist as he flew toward the granite platform. A drop of sweat rolled down the side of his face.

Fortunately, his flight was short-lived. He landed on the other side and let out a huge sigh of relief. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked up at Jane.

“Right, that was so much fun,” he said sarcastically.

“Oh, your face! All the color drained from it as you jumped.” Jane chortled. “And that girlish yelp at the start of your flight… It was soooo adorable.” She pinched the bridge of her nose, and her shoulders shook with mirth.

“Lady Jane, we’re not going to talk about this.” Ivan narrowed his eyes. “This never happened!” He gave her a frosty look.

Jane tried to school her face, but that only made her giggle more. Her laughter was infectious. Unable to help himself, Ivan started to chuckle as well.

After they composed themselves, they resumed their dive into the labyrinth. Jane described the different triggered events that followed. She pointed to other traps and illusions. To save time, they bypassed a few puzzle passages. She continued to announce what was up ahead and they made good progress with no mishaps.

She knows exactly where she’s going.

Ivan’s excitement grew the deeper they delved into the labyrinth.

As they navigated through the maze, he discovered that Jane was an avid reader. They had both read many of the same books. To pass the time, they started quoting passages from their favorite stories. They quoted passages from the Lost Warrior, which was a story about a mad man looking for the meaning of life.

“’The darkness creeps around me ever closer, I press on boldly to prove I’m no poser,’” Jane recited from memory.

“Oh yeah, I like that one,” Ivan replied. “’At times I wonder if I’m sane, the townies call me featherbrain,’” he quoted in turn. They laughed.

They passed through a wall illusion that Jane had forewarned him about. There was a hidden portal behind it. To reach it they had to skirt around a trap. To show him the trap, Jane gingerly stepped on one of the block tiles with one foot and immediately drew her foot back. A bottomless hole appeared next to them for a moment. The trap reset within seconds.

She pointed to the trap and smiled. “I’ve died here three times. I was so mad at myself the last time.”

“How does it feel when you die in your dreams?”

“Well, it depends. If I suffocate or drown, I wake up gasping for air. If I’m crushed, impaled, or shot by arrows, I wake up with bruises. Even though I’m dreaming, my actions in the dream have some real-life consequences.”

“That doesn’t sound like a dream.” Ivan grimaced. “It sounds like a nightmare.”

“Oh, there is no need for you to feel bad for me.” Jane waved her hand. “I’ve died countless times in my dreams. I’m used to it by now.”

They walked along in silence for a few minutes. Ivan tried to put himself in her place.

I don’t know how I’d handle constantly dying in my dreams. It sounds horrible.

“I wonder what’s at the end of the labyrinth,” Ivan wondered aloud. “Someone has gone to extreme measures to protect it.”

“I know, right! I’ve been trying to reach the end of this labyrinth for years. I can’t wait to uncover its mystery. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m obsessed with this place. Come on, follow me. The next gateway will take us directly to the central hub. It’s a shortcut that bypasses the wind tunnels and a lot of nasty air traps.”

They entered the portal, which transported them to a balcony. Ivan stepped forward and leaned over the railing.

“Woah…” He stared down with amazement. They had arrived inside the top floor of a massive circular building. There were thousands of portals lining the walls all the way down to the base of the structure. He felt the pulsating magic of the portals like a thrumming pressure against his chest.

“It’s quite a sight, isn’t it?” Jane remarked.

“It’s incredible. I can’t believe all of this was constructed underground.” Ivan paused before adding, “Well, if we’re still underground, that is.”

“Hmm, I’ve never considered that perspective.” Jane looked at him. “You’re right, though. For all we know, this could be a tower above ground, on a different island. Come on, we need to head down.”

They proceeded along the winding staircase while discussing the upcoming obstacles and the strategies to overcome them. It did not take them long to reach the base level. A single portal shimmered at the base of the hub, surrounded by seven small wells.

“The portal and six of the wells are all traps,” she explained. She walked over to one of the wells and pointed. “We’re going in here and you’re going to love what’s coming next!” Jane jumped into the well and instantly disappeared.

Does following crazy make you crazy?

He shook his head and stepped into the well. He was sucked in, briefly engulfed in darkness, and then spat out. He landed on his feet with a jolt.

Ivan was surrounded by thousands of fluttering moon beetles. They glowed with soft silvery light, like the stars in the sky. He looked around. He was inside a vast cave lit entirely by the flying beetles. He felt like he had been transported into a fairytale.

“It’s magical, isn’t it.” Jane’s eyes sparkled. “It’s hard to believe that this isn’t a dream.” Her arms were spread wide, palms up. She watched with delight as beetles landed on her arms, crawled around, and took flight again.

The time spent navigating the labyrinth had allowed Ivan to sketch Jane’s character. He had seen two different sides of her. One of them was intelligent, determined, and unyielding. The other was adventurous, exuberant, and witty. Grudgingly, he had to admit that he liked her.

“I’ve never seen anything like it.” He watched the enchanted expression on her face.

They were lost in reverie. Neither one of them spoke for a while. Ivan wondered how much time had passed since they had entered the temple. It was difficult to measure the passage of time while moving underground and avoiding deadly traps.

Aunt Lisa will be worried. I wish our last conversation had gone differently. This is the first time that we’ve ever had such a heated argument. Still, I believe this was the right decision.

Jane finally broke the silence.

“The first time that I came here, I thought that this was another dead end. It’s a beautiful place to be sure, but I thought it was just a trap. I lay down on the ground, watched the moon beetles, and waited to wake up. After some time had passed, I noticed something peculiar. A line of beetles crawling up the cavern wall suddenly disappeared. Next, I noticed that beetles vanished if they flew too high. I started wondering if the dome of the cavern was an illusion. I spent the following days looking for a way to climb up. Occasionally, I’d fall down, die, and then wake up. Finally, I found the path that we’re about to take.”

“So, this dome is an illusion.” Ivan nodded.

“Indeed, it is!”

He looked up and followed a line of beetles crawling up the wall. “Hey, I see it.”

“We’re heading straight up there. Follow me.” They walked to the opposite side of the cavern.

“I’ll toss you a rope as soon as I get to the top,” she said.

Jane wasted no time and nimbly navigated the craggy wall. She was a few stories above ground, when her head disappeared, followed by the rest of her body.

“Almost there,” she cried out. It was not long before Jane shouted again, “Here comes the rope.”

“Got it!”

He had been watching her ascent and had closely followed her upward path until she disappeared. He was certain that he could climb up without the rope, but there was no need to take any chances.

Passing through the illusion proved a bit awkward. He could not see past it, so he had to blindly move his hand along the wall until he found a ridge to grab hold of. He finally reached the top. He clambered over the edge and stood next to Jane.

“The next portal is right over there.” She pointed directly toward a large boulder. “That rock is another illusion.”

Ivan watched her as she walked straight into the solid stone surface before she disappeared. He wondered what would come next as he strode into the boulder.

“I call this place the Chamber of Choosing,” said Jane. They had entered a grand hall. It reminded Ivan of Lord Harvin’s ballroom. The floor was ivory marble, inlaid with gold. The steeply domed ceiling was a work of art. The stone design depicted a weaving pattern with silver tendrils and vibrant green leaves set against a periwinkle backdrop.

Jane folded her arms over her chest and stared at the third door. She shifted from one foot to the other, while chewing on her lower lip. Ivan noticed that she looked hesitant for the first time since entering the labyrinth.

“I told you about an area of the maze that I’ve never been able to get through on my own.” She paused.

“This is it… I don’t know what’s going to happen next,” she admitted. “With the help of a friend from the Olden Order, we deciphered the translation of the runes above the doors. They’re written in archaic Sprite. These are the same symbols that are carved on the ancient portals that are used to reach Eel Island. The symbols on the left door are roughly translated as forgotten. The door ahead of us was translated as unfolding and the last door on the right was translated as approaching. The portal names probably stand for past, present, and future. At least, that’s what we deduced.”

“So, which door do we need to go through in order to come back alive?”

“The only time that I’ve ever returned is when I go through that door, with you.” Jane pointed to the future portal.

“Hmm, the future,” Ivan muttered. “Where do you think that portal will take us?”

“I’m not really sure.” Jane shrugged. “I’ve considered many possibilities and I can only speculate.”

“Well?” Ivan gestured for her to continue.

“The name on the portal and the fact that my foresight is suppressed past this point is telling. This feels like a prime paradigm paradox. A future event that may cause a change in the past, which is actually the present. As you can tell, I have no idea what’s coming next or even what I’m talking about.” Jane smiled.

“Right, it sounds quite convoluted.” Ivan smirked. “It looks like we can only guess what comes next.”

He turned around and examined the room. Up to this point, through her dreams, Jane had known exactly what was up ahead. She had a strategy for every obstacle. She had looked confident and poised. This was the first time he had seen her look hesitant and nervous. They were finally going into the unknown. The only solace was that somehow, they would return through the future portal unscathed.

Well, her dreams have not let us astray so far.

He recalled what Jane had shared with him. A magical curse that affected an entire continent. It was difficult to believe but he had decided to trust her. He was good at reading people, and he thought Jane had been forthright with him so far. She was certain that this was the way to save her kingdom and end the war.

He felt like he was standing at the edge of a precipice. His decision could shape the future of two kingdoms. He took a deep breath and looked at Jane. Her eyes, which were hesitant before, now blazed with determination.

“Trust is something that does not come easy to me, but so far you’ve been true to your word.” Ivan inclined his head and gestured toward the future door. “I’ll follow you into the unknown.”

Jane drew in a sharp breath and exhaled slowly. She smiled broadly, took a step toward him, and lifted her arms. Her eyes widened and she froze. She slowly lowered her hands and took a step back.

She cleared her throat and looked down at her feet. “Uhh, sorry about that,” she mumbled. She steeled her resolve and looked up at him. “Before we go in, I need to tell you something else.” She swallowed nervously.

“Very well. I’m listening.”

“I’ve told you that I’ve seen you in my dreams since I was five years old, but I didn’t share the details.”

Jane had his full attention. He wanted to know more about her dreams about him.

She closed her eyes. “In my dream, I’m walking along an endless passageway, lined with different doors. There is something that I need to find but I’m running out of time. Some of the doors are locked and others lead to empty rooms. In the shadows, something is following me and it’s closing in. It’s a race to find what I’m looking for and I’ve been searching for an eternity. Exhausted, I collapse on the floor. Tendrils of smoke and ash emerge from the shadows and reach for me. I try to scream, but I can’t breathe. My lungs are burning, and I know that the end is near. A glowing flutterby appears above me and I sense that help is on the way. A burst of light floods the passageway and banishes the smoke and shadows. The silhouette of a man appears. He reaches down and picks me up off the floor. His body is ablaze, but his fire does not harm me. I look up and I see his eyes. His gaze is burning with emotion.”

Jane opened her eyes and looked at him. “The face that I see in that recurring dream is yours. That’s the reason that I stared at you the first time that I saw you. I couldn’t believe that you were real!” She reached toward him and touched his face. Before Ivan could reply, she turned around, opened the portal door, and disappeared.

Ivan did not know what to think. He could still feel the warm touch of her fingers on his cheek. Wondering what they would face ahead, he grabbed the hilt of Sharp Reason and strode into the portal.