Chapter 187: The Trial (44)
The stone corridor ahead twisted and pulsed, faint traces of astral energy shimmering along the edges like veins of liquid starlight. Verena exhaled, adjusting her collar as the faint heat of the Fire Gate faded behind her, replaced by a colder, quieter tension.
The labyrinth was reconfiguring again. Walls groaned softly, ancient mechanisms shifting in ways that defied logic. As the stone rearranged itself, a wider chamber came into view—vaulted ceilings, glowing runes along the walls, and, most importantly, two familiar figures standing at its center.
Isolde leaned casually against a pillar, arms crossed, expression sharp as ever. Beside her, Vivienne clung nervously to the strap of her bag, eyes lighting up the moment Verena stepped in.
"You made it!" Vivienne beamed, practically bouncing on her heels.
"Unfortunately, yes," Verena replied dryly, though relief threaded through her tone. "Did the trials bully you two as hard as they bullied me?"
"Barely," Isolde answered, flipping a strand of silver hair behind her shoulder. "Earth Gate was tedious, but nothing I couldn’t handle. You, on the other hand—" Her eyes swept over Verena’s disheveled state. "—look like you went twelve rounds with your inner demons."
"I did," Verena muttered, massaging her temples. "They were rude."
Vivienne giggled softly. "Mine wasn’t scary... It was like... a giant fish trying to drown me in my own head. But I think I passed...?"
"Good enough," Verena sighed, glancing around. "Where’s the exit?"
Isolde pointed across the chamber. "There. But..."
Of course there was a ’but.’ There was always a ’but.’
"...we’re not alone," Isolde finished.