Daphine shot a venomous glare at the eldritch knight. “Go fuck yourself, you prick,” she spat, punctuating her words with a defiant middle finger.

Uvophine joined in, hurling profanities at the masked man, though she refrained from accompanying them with vulgar gestures. Meanwhile, Scott maintained a composed demeanor behind his mask, seemingly unaffected by the champions' outbursts.

Elsewhere, Lysa and Zara engaged in conversation amidst the daunting presence of the maze.

“Any ideas on how to tackle this trial?” Lysa's gaze flitted nervously towards the labyrinth.

Zara exhaled deeply, shaking her head. “Honestly, I'd be lying if I said we had a foolproof plan. All we can do is give it our all and hope one of us makes it through.”

Lysa fell into contemplation, her mysterious eyes reflecting a whirlwind of emotions. After a moment, determination replaced her initial hesitation. “I agree. We'll do our best,” she said, speaking on behalf of her companions.

“You can count on us to do the same,” Zara affirmed with a nod, glancing past Lysa towards Daphine and the harpies, who seemed to harbor animosity towards Scott. “Do you think they'll be a problem?”

Lysa shook her head confidently. “I'll handle them.” She cast a brief glance towards Scott, acknowledging his role in the altercation. “Though I can see why they're upset. Your friend didn't exactly choose his words wisely.”

Zara chuckled, scratching her ear awkwardly. “He's not great with diplomacy. Ignore him.” Changing the subject, she asked, “How soon can your group move?”

“Give me five minutes, I'll have them ready to go,” Lysa replied.

“Take as much time as you need. We're in no rush. I'll go brief my team,” Zara said, nodding in agreement.

With a mutual nod, the two leaders parted ways, each attending to their respective companions. While Lysa worked to calm her irate allies, Zara returned to her spot, refraining from further conversation with the group, mindful of Scott's earlier warning in the illusionary realm.

As seconds accumulated into minutes, the only constants were the incessant screams and explosions reverberating throughout the area. Orion mumbled incoherent words, his laughter punctuating the chaos as he intermittently raised his head. Meanwhile, the ladies from Claw appeared relatively composed, engaging in silent discussions amongst themselves. Apart from Scott and Orion, the remainder of the group observed different clusters of champions as they confronted the maze's challenge.

Moments later, Lysa and her companions advanced.

“Finally,” Slim grumbled over the party channel. “I was starting to think we'd have to go without them.”

Lysa and her companions halted a few paces from the hound extermination crew, and the vampire spoke first, “Thank you for your patience. We're ready,” she announced.

“So are we,” Zara responded. The brawler's demeanor shifted as she continued, “I hope we can set aside any reservations and cooperate as a unified team in this trial,” she said, her gaze alternating between the two groups.

“Considering this environment, death might not just mean returning to the first layer. We should utilize our skills to ensure at least one of us reaches the third layer. I absolutely won't tolerate any infighting or disputes. Are we clear?”

Members of both groups nodded in agreement without dissent.

“Alright then, let's proceed,” Zara declared.

“Wait,” Uvoinne interjected abruptly. Pointing towards Scott, the harpy insisted, “He should be at the rear of the group.”

Scott chuckled softly. “I'm flattered you want someone like me watching your back. I'm game,” he teased.

“Any other concerns?” Zara inquired, scanning the group. However, neither the trio nor Lysa spoke up.

Without delay, the brawler led the group towards the staircase, pausing just short of the first step. She turned towards the champions. “If there's anything you need to share, now's the time,” she stated. But resolute silence greeted her inquiry as the brawler took a step forward. Zara's foot landed on the first step, and the distinct echo of the system's notification reverberated instantly, accompanied by the appearance of a system window.

You've been assigned the second path! There are no penalties for champions who cross or change paths! Note! Champions can only exit the second layer through their designated path!

“Oh, now I understand,” Orion muttered vaguely as he shifted his attention toward Scott. The two locked gazes momentarily, but exchanged no words, neither verbally nor telepathically.

Naturally, the mage's words piqued the interest of the other champions, but they sensed his reluctance to elaborate further from his nonchalant demeanor. Following Zara's lead, Orion and Slim followed suit, trailed by the ladies from Claw. Fi-Fi, in its humanoid form resembling Scott, moved next. Meanwhile, Scott and Llorva lingered, the elf debating whether to accompany the eldritch knight. After a moment of hesitation, the elf moved forward. Scott took a moment to observe the maze one last time, and then he took his first step.

Ear-piercing echoes, reminiscent of shattering glass, reverberated through the maze, and tens of thousands of portals manifested above the chaotic layer. Before the champions or the creatures lurking in the labyrinth could react, hundreds of miniature titans emerged from the rifts. Simultaneously, the maze's walls underwent a significant expansion, growing several times larger than their original size.

Screams resonated amidst the billowing smoke that veiled the heavens, as thousands of bony, blackened flying beasts with spiked bodies descended, spewing acid upon unsuspecting champions and creatures. Amidst the ensuing chaos, most champions directed their focus toward a towering portal, gradually eroding the fissures that seemed to bind reality together. A colossal figure loomed, emanating murderous intent, its ominous eyes scanning the maze, promising nothing but utter devastation. A deafening roar suddenly pierced the air, freezing every creature within the maze in terror.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

The Path of Chains has been altered to accommodate the traits of the new participants! Champions will now experience immediate revival upon death! For parties, alliances, and groups to gain access to the third layer, it is now required for at least one member to survive for a minimum of ten minutes! The countdown will reset promptly upon the demise of the final member in a party, alliance, or group!

The sound of rattling chains, reminiscent of the cries of rampaging beasts, reverberated through the maze the moment the system notification appeared. From the labyrinth's heart, tens of thousands of flaming chains erupted from the ground, spewing magma in every direction.

The lesser god of doom, Thisos, has strengthened the domain of doom in the second layer!

The original creatures within the layer howled as newer, thicker chains wrapped around their bodies, growing larger and more menacing with each encasement. Despite their increased size, they paled in comparison to the titan still concealed behind the slowly shattering portal.

Amidst the chaos, Scott's voice echoed through the party channel. “Guys, remember that thing I mentioned we encountered in the coliseum?” he muttered.

“Please, no, please…” Slim silently prayed, hoping Scott wasn't about to confirm their worst fears.

“Well, that's the titan,” Scott confirmed.

The rest of the group, save for Orion, couldn't conceal their apprehension as they beheld the colossal entity. Some things, they believed, had no right to exist.

Seconds ticked away, and each champion felt the invisible shackles lifting. However, the illusory skulls had become more tangible, even visible. They thrashed about, emitting purple miasma that had no effect on the champions or their surroundings. Yet, the discerning eye could perceive that the creatures were evolving.

The stage is set! Good luck!

The champions and creatures were suddenly freed from their tethers, unleashing chaos as screams and explosions reverberated in a frenzied symphony, each competing to outdo the other.

Startled, the harpies and Daphine spun around, dashing towards the section above the stairs. Yet, an invisible barrier halted their advance. They pounded their fists against it, but no sound or ripple emerged.

Uvoinne fixed her gaze on Scott, accusingly pointing a finger in his direction. “I saw it all. Everything changed the moment you took that step. What did you do?” she demanded.

Scott's laughter filled the air, ignoring the accusation as he pressed forward with reckless abandon.

Before Uvoinne could protest further, Lysa intervened. “Enough of this pointless squabbling,” she admonished, casting a stern glance at the trio. “Such accusations are absurd. We must focus on survival. We have five minutes—”

A piercing whistle drowned out Lysa's voice, while Orion's shouts went unheard. In an instant, the temperature plummeted, and the rattling of chains grew louder.

Scott phased into intangibility just as flaming chains surged through the area, wreaking havoc. The air was filled with the sickening sounds of breaking bones, muted screams, and tearing flesh, all masked by the explosions echoing around them.

The chains tore through the mass indiscriminately, moving at speeds surpassing expectation.

As Scott solidified again, a frown creased his face as he surveyed the devastation. Slim, Zara, Llorva, and the ladies from Claw lay battered, scorched, and unrecognizable. Turning to his right, he found Fi-Fi, its form punctured by several holes but slowly regenerating. Then, his gaze shifted to Orion, who had been decapitated at the waist, yet a clone slowly emerged from the severed lower half.

Scott tore his gaze away from Orion and Fi-Fi, his attention drawn to the twisted forms of his companions. Silently, he counted to eight within himself, and as he reached the count, a cascade of mystical lights descended upon the mangled corpses, forcefully knitting them back together until they were whole.

“Eight seconds, huh? Not bad, I guess,” Scott muttered to himself.

Turning towards Fi-Fi, the eldritch knight observed the slime on the brink of merging all its parts together. Meanwhile, faint giggles echoed from Orion, who had already reconstructed his body, though the sound of grinding bones emanated from the mage's chest.

As soon as Daphine revived, she collapsed to her knees, retching mouthful after mouthful of stomach fluids. The harpies followed suit, with even Zara and Llorva succumbing. Slim, however, roared fiercely, the mist within his empty eye sockets shifting between crimson, lilac, and obsidian. Only Lysa remained relatively composed, though her gaze betrayed unmistakable bloodlust and fury, her elongated canines now a blood-red hue.

“You all need to prepare yourselves,” Scott's voice thundered, capturing the attention of his companions and the Claw ladies alike. “Whatever you're feeling now is just a taste of what's to come. If sneaking past that thing is our only hope of survival, we'll have to endure countless deaths before we find a way. Forget lasting five minutes—it'll be a miracle to last that long. Prepare yourselves; it's going to get much worse.”

The Warhammer of the mad god forced its way out from the mask, and Scott eagerly seized the weapon. Otherworldly energy burst from miniature cracks that formed around the weapon. It twisted and warped the area around him, before merging with his body and clothes. In moments, he exuded the aura of an eldritch entity.

“So, this is what the Eldritch Avatar feels like,” Scott mused, studying his transformed form. “I like it.”

He cast a final glance at his companions. Except for Fi-Fi and Orion, none had regained their composure. The eldritch knight averted his gaze before delivering a parting word. “Keep facing death, and you'll grow accustomed to it. With luck, one of us may survive.”

Scott charged towards an approaching horde of miniature titans; his hammer raised high. The eldritch knight descended like a meteorite, obliterating everything within a kilometer of the impact zone. Dozens of creatures leaped towards the eldritch knight, eager to rend him limb from limb.

Simultaneously, Orion struck his staff mightily upon the ground, sending shockwaves rippling through the maze. His maniacal laughter reverberated, and the mage disintegrated into countless spores too numerous to count. Delirious laughter echoed from every corner, originating from various clones of the data-obsessed mage.

Meanwhile, the titan, yet to emerge, fixated on Scott's direction, a sense of familiarity gleaming in its bloodthirsty eyes. It extended its hand, and the portal shattered, freeing its colossal form. With a shrill scream, the maddened creature petrified all within the maze before sprinting towards Scott.

Scott met the approaching monstrosity without a shred of fear in his eyes. “This won't end like last time, you bastard!” he declared, summoning a blackened sphere from his inventory.

At that moment, a shadow materialized beneath Scott's foot, spanning over five hundred meters, darker and thicker than tar. Thousands of blackened straps emerged, binding and pulling the eldritch knight into the abyssal darkness.

A whisper drifted into the eldritch knight's ears, “This shall be your eternal prison!”

Before he could react, the straps dragged him into darkness, rapidly shrinking until they were nothing more than a dot.