Chapter 22
665words
"Find the center, retrieve the Moon Stone, and return before the hour glass empties," Elder Selene explains. "But beware—the labyrinth changes. What seems true may be false, and what seems false may be your salvation."
"We go together?" I ask, eyeing the darkness apprehensively.
Here's the condensed version with unnecessary descriptions and metaphors removed:
"You enter together," Selene confirms. "Whether you remain so is up to the labyrinth itself."
Kayden takes my hand. "Stay close. The labyrinth is designed to separate and confuse."
Ashley approaches to verify our entry. "Such confidence. Let's see how long it lasts in the darkness."
We step into the labyrinth. The darkness swallows us immediately. Gradually, a faint blue glow appears from fungi growing along the walls, providing just enough light to see. The tunnel branches in three directions.
"Which way?" I whisper.
Kayden frowns. "Normally, I'd say follow the air currents, but the wind seems to come from all directions."
I close my eyes, reaching for my enhanced senses. I detect a faint rhythm, like distant drums.
"This way," I say, pointing left. "I hear something."
The labyrinth proves challenging. Passages end abruptly or circle back. Some tunnels are narrow, others open into vast chambers with many exits.
"We're getting closer," I say as the drumming grows louder. "It sounds like heartbeats."
"The Moon Stone," Kayden explains. "It's said to pulse with the Goddess's own heartbeat."
We enter a large chamber with seven identical tunnels. As we cross the threshold, the floor shifts beneath us. I'm suddenly sliding away from Kayden.
"Freya!" he shouts, lunging for my hand but missing.
I tumble into darkness until I'm deposited in a small chamber. Kayden is nowhere to be seen.
I focus on the rhythmic pulse I've been following. It leads me to a narrow crack in the wall. I squeeze through into a chamber illuminated by a shaft of moonlight. The light falls on a pedestal where a stone pulses with inner light.
The Moon Stone. I've found the center.
As I approach, Ashley steps into the moonlight.
"Impressive," she says. "You found it before your champion."
"How did you get here? Witnesses aren't supposed to enter the labyrinth."
"There are many entrances for those who know the mountain's secrets." She gestures to the Stone. "Go ahead. Take it."
I step closer, keeping my eyes on Ashley. Just as my fingers are about to close around it, she speaks again.
"Of course, accidents happen in the labyrinth. People get lost." Her hand moves to a dagger at her waist. "Such a tragedy that would be."
"Indeed it would be," Kayden says, stepping into the chamber. "Especially for the Witness who interfered with a sacred trial."
"I was merely ensuring the rules were followed."
"With a dagger? The council will be interested to hear of your interpretation of the Witness role."
Ashley steps back. "This isn't over," she warns before disappearing.
"Are you alright?" Kayden asks.
I nod. "How did you find me?"
"I followed you. Even separated, I could sense your direction." He nods to the Stone. "Take it. You found the center first."
I reach for the Moon Stone, feeling its warmth as my fingers close around it. The pulsing light seems to synchronize with my heartbeat.
"Now we just need to find our way out," I say.
"That's the easy part. The Stone itself will guide us."
The Stone pulses stronger when we choose the correct path, leading us back to the entrance with time to spare.
"The second trial is complete," Selene announces. "The challenger and her champion have succeeded."
"Two trials won," Kayden murmurs. "One remains."
"The hardest one," I reply.
"You won't face it alone," he promises.
But I can't shake the feeling that the Trial of Spirit is one challenge Kayden cannot help me overcome.
