Chapter 186: The Trial (43)
The corridor beyond the portal pulsed faintly with residual magic, the walls etched with constellations that shifted and shimmered as they walked. It was quieter here — unnervingly so — as though the labyrinth itself was holding its breath, waiting for them to slip.
Verena’s boots echoed against the smooth, obsidian-like floor, the only sound aside from Vivienne’s cautious footsteps and Isolde’s steady stride. The air was thicker here, heavy with tension and faint traces of ozone.
"This feels... different," Vivienne whispered, clutching Verena’s sleeve again.
"Yeah, that’s not your paranoia talking," Verena replied, eyes scanning the corridor. "This is where things usually get weird."
Isolde’s gaze sharpened. "Weird how?"
"Plot armor shatters. Coincidence breaks. The author starts pulling from their trauma folder," Verena muttered under her breath, only half-joking.
They reached an intersection. The corridor split into three identical paths, each marked with a different glowing emblem: a roaring flame, an unyielding mountain, and a swirling tide.
"Elemental gates," Isolde observed, folding her arms. "Standard fare."
"Standard fare that will probably try to kill us," Verena corrected, rubbing her temples. "Lovely."
They paused, deliberating. The fire path crackled with faint heat, the earth path rumbled softly, and the water path glimmered with mirrored illusions rippling across its entrance.
"Split again?" Isolde suggested.
Verena grimaced. "Ugh. I hate when we split the party."