As everyone was trying to reach one another in their own way, time quietly moved forward. One hour had already passed. It might not seem like much, but in a situation like this, even a single hour could feel like a lot. Time could slip away quickly. And if all of them didn't reach the center of their respective chambers in time, they would all fail the challenge. That thought added pressure on all of them, especially on The Rising Heroes, who didn't want to become a burden to the others.
The only relief was that there were no monsters to fight, at least not yet. But the path ahead wasn't easy either. The maze-like chambers were filled with traps and tricks. Still, for The Grand Party and The Black Sigil, it wasn't much of a problem. They were used to this sort of thing. As for The Rising Heroes, it took them a bit more time and effort, but they had improved. The training they had gone through was finally showing its results. They had learned to spot traps, move carefully, and keep calm in high-pressure situations. The traps were surprisingly very easy, which seemed odd to everyone but rather than brainstorming on it everyone kept moving forward in their own way. Despite that there very few who figured out what this challenge is actually all about...
---
When two hours had passed, something finally changed. Doran was walking through his maze, loudly shouting, calling out in case anyone nearby could hear him. His voice echoed around the stone walls, bouncing from one hallway to another.
Not far away, Nira heard him. She stopped, smiled a little, and shouted back. "Hey! Who's that?" she yelled.
Doran answered quickly, "It's me, Doran! Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, thanks for asking. You?" Nira called back.
"I'm alright too. Have you found anyone yet?"
"No… Have you?"
"Nope. This path is so boring. I wish I could talk to someone!"
"But aren't you talking to me right now?"
"Oh right!" Nira laughed. "Yes, I am talking to you. But my throat kinda hurts from shouting so loudly."
"Really? Mine doesn't hurt at all. I'm used to shouting! My voice is super strong."
"Wow, really? That's amazing!"
"I know, right?" Doran replied proudly. "My voice can reach super far!"
Then, he paused for a moment. Something hit him. "Wait… why are we talking from a distance again?"
Nira blinked. "I don't know. You started it."
"Oh… right," he said, feeling a bit silly. "Wait there, I'm coming to you!"
And just like that, the two of them were finally together. They laughed a bit as they met, feeling a little less alone now.
---
Meanwhile, far away in a darker part of the chamber, Fizzle floated quietly. The place was dim and scary, with long shadows stretching along the walls. As she slowly moved forward, she saw a faint light up ahead. But along with that light came something else , a huge shadow moving toward her.
Her body froze in fear. Her lips sealed shut. She didn't make a sound.
The shadow came closer and closer. With nowhere to hide, and nothing to shield her, Fizzle could only close her eyes tightly. Her tiny body shook slightly. She didn't know what it was , an enemy, a trap, something worse? But then… the shadow got smaller.
Fizzle slowly opened one eye.
To her surprise, the giant shadow was gone, and instead, she saw a familiar face standing in front of her, it was Lila.
Fizzle's eyes widened in disbelief. "L-Lila?"
Lila's face also lit up with relief. "Fizzle!"
Both of them rushed forward and hugged each other tightly. Lila's hands wrapped around Fizzle's body as Fizzle's emotions overwhelmed her. Fizzle's eyes filled with tears.
"Are you alright?" Lila asked softly.
"Of course! What could happen to me?" Fizzle replied, though her voice trembled a bit.
"Right," Lila smiled. "Nothing can happen to you."
They both shared a soft laugh and then started moving together, side by side.
---
Another hour passed. Now, three hours had gone by.
Elsewhere, Orin kept walking. He had chosen from the beginning to trust everyone else to make it to the center. He hadn't searched for anyone. He simply believed that the rest would find their way. But now, even he was beginning to feel the weight of the challenge. Just reaching the center of the chamber was difficult. The distance was unknown. The paths were confusing. Every turn looked the same, and it was hard to tell if he was getting closer or moving in circles. He asked himself, What if I already took a wrong turn? What if I've been walking away from the center this whole time? But Orin wasn't just anyone. He was older, more experienced. He trusted his instincts more than the map in his mind. So he continued forward with a calm face and steady steps.
Then, something moved.
Drakar, flying slightly above the ground, saw someone walking below. He recognized the figure and quickly swooped down.
Orin, hearing something behind him, turned sharply and took a fighting stance. But when he saw who it was, he relaxed.
"Oh, it's you," Orin said.
Drakar landed and asked, "Do you know where the center is?"
Orin smirked. "So straight to the point, huh? Not even a 'How are you?' to an old man."
"You seem fine," Drakar replied plainly. "So I didn't think I had to ask."
"Heh… fair enough," Orin chuckled. "Well, I've been trying to reach the center. You seem to have taken a path toward it too while searching for others."
"Is that so? So… how far is it?"
"No idea," Orin admitted.
Drakar blinked. "But you said you were heading there."
"I am," Orin nodded.
"So… you don't know the path?" Drakar asked again.
"Nope," Orin replied simply.
"Are you serious?" Drakar frowned. "So you've just been walking randomly?"
"Pretty much. But I trust my instincts. This body might be old, but my instincts are still sharp. Just follow me"
Drakar sighed. "Fine. But those instincts better be as sharp as you say."
Orin laughed softly as he walked ahead. Drakar followed him, putting his trust in the older man.
---
As the fourth hour began, they still had twenty hours left.
Now, Doran and Nira were together. Doran continued to shout loudly, hoping someone else would hear. Nira, though not as loud, joined him from time to time.
Lila and Fizzle stayed close together, with Fizzle holding tightly to Lila's arm. They walked slowly, carefully, keeping an eye out for more of their group.
Orin and Drakar moved through the paths, relying on Orin's instincts, though Drakar still had doubts.
Everyone else remained alone, separated in different chambers, searching or waiting. Two more hours passed. Now, six hours were gone. Only eighteen hours remained. The question loomed in everyone's mind: Can we reach the center before time runs out? No one knew the answer yet. But they all kept moving forward, each in their own way, refusing to give up.
The challenge was still on...