As soon as the timer counted down to 0:00:00 on the mirror, Rynax stood up from the white bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He had been resting after the first challenge, but the concept of day and night felt foreign in this place. The constant white light made it impossible to tell if it was morning or evening; it was as if time had lost all meaning. He hadn't slept well, tossing and turning in the bright, sterile environment.
With a sigh, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up, feeling the coolness of the floor beneath his feet. He took a moment to gather his thoughts, reflecting on the chaos of the first game. The memories of the goblins and the destruction of the planets still lingered in his mind, a heavy weight on his chest.
As he prepared himself, the white door slid open automatically, revealing the long, empty hallway beyond. The walls were a seamless white, devoid of any markings or arrows to guide him. He walked forward, his footsteps echoing softly against the smooth surface.
Ahead, he spotted the familiar jelly-like portal, shimmering with a soft glow. Taking a deep breath, he stepped through it, feeling a strange sensation wash over him as he passed into the coliseum.
The arena was already bustling with activity, most of the surviving participants gathered in small groups, discussing the events of the first game. Rynax scanned the crowd, relief flooding through him when he spotted Garrick and Thalor making their way toward him.
"Hey, how's the sleep?" Thalor called out, his voice bright and cheerful, a stark contrast to the somber atmosphere.
"I did not even sleep well that much; it's too bright," Rynax exclaimed, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "I kept thinking about everything that happened."
Garrick chuckled, his hearty laugh booming across the arena. "You're not alone in that, lad. I think we all had a rough night. I kept hearing the echoes of those goblins in my dreams. It's hard to shake off the feeling of danger, isn't it?"
"Yeah," Rynax replied, his voice quieter now. "I can't stop thinking about the planets. Sixty-three of them… and the people who lived there. It's just… it's a lot to process."
Thalor's expression shifted to one of understanding. "I get it. It's hard to wrap your head around. But we survived, and that's what matters. We have to keep moving forward." He paused, a grin returning to his face. "Besides, you got that awesome dagger! What's it like?"
Rynax glanced down at the Shadowblade Dagger, which hung at his side. "It feels… powerful. Like it has a life of its own. I can't wait to see what it can really do in battle."
"Just don't go getting too cocky with it," Garrick warned, a teasing glint in his eyes. "We don't want you turning into a shadowy assassin overnight. We need you to stay grounded, Rynax."
"Yeah, yeah," Rynax replied, a small smile creeping onto his face. "I'll try not to let it go to my head."
Thalor leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Did you see what that little girl got? That amulet is supposed to make her even faster! I can't wait to see her in action. She'll be a whirlwind on the battlefield!"
"Just make sure you don't get too distracted by her," Garrick teased, nudging Thalor with his elbow. "You know how she is. She'll use that speed to get away from you if you're not careful."
Thalor laughed, shaking his head. "I can handle her. Besides, I think she likes the attention. It's all part of the game, right?"
Rynax watched his friends banter, feeling a warmth spread through him. Despite the grim circumstances, their camaraderie was a comforting reminder that they were in this together. "What about Nerissa?" he asked, glancing around for the calm, introspective healer. "Have you seen her?"
"Not yet," Thalor replied, his expression turning serious. "I hope she's okay. She was pretty shaken up after the game. I think we all were."
"Yeah," Rynax agreed, his thoughts drifting back to the healing spell she had cast. "She really stepped up. I don't know what I would have done without her."
Just then, a soft voice broke through their conversation. "I'm right here." Nerissa appeared, her presence calming the air around them. She looked a bit weary, but her eyes sparkled with determination. "I was just talking to some of the others. Everyone is still processing what happened."
"Glad to see you're okay," Thalor said, his voice warm. "We were just talking about the rewards we got. Rynax here got that amazing dagger!"
Nerissa smiled at Rynax, her expression thoughtful. "I'm glad you received something that suits you. You fought bravely, and you deserve it."
"Thanks," Rynax replied, feeling a bit shy under her gaze. "I just hope it helps us in the next challenge."
"It will," Garrick said confidently, clapping Rynax on the shoulder. "With that dagger and the skills you've shown, you'll be a force to be reckoned with. Just remember to stay focused."
"Right," Rynax nodded, his resolve strengthening. "We can't let what happened to those planets happen to us."
"Exactly," Thalor agreed, his voice firm.
As they stood together, the atmosphere in the coliseum shifted slightly, a sense of unity forming among the remaining participants.
"Quiet, you bugs!" The woman in the red dress, Solara, appeared once again in mid-air, her voice slicing through the murmurs of the participants like a knife. "Your next challenge has come." She floated above them, her presence both alluring and intimidating. "You will just be walking inside a labyrinth. You'll keep on walking until you reach the end."
As she spoke, a strange heat enveloped the survivors, a sensation that was not hot but rather unsettling. Rynax felt it wash over him, and before he could react, the coliseum vanished, replaced by an overwhelming darkness.
"You did not explain things properly again, Solara," a new voice interjected. It belonged to a woman who looked like a nun, with long black hair, grey skin, and eyes that seemed to hold the light of total darkness. "You should at least give them some guidance."
"Where's the fun if we tell them everything, Lumera?" Solara shot back, irritation lacing her tone. "Don't be too kind; I know you do not want these games to happen."
"Kindness has nothing to do with it! You're just throwing them into chaos without a second thought!" Lumera retorted, her voice rising. "What if they get lost? What if they—"
"Lost? That's the point!" Solara interrupted, crossing her arms defiantly. "They need to learn to fend for themselves. This isn't a picnic; it's a game! You're too soft, Lumera. You need to toughen up."
"Toughen up? You think this is a game for them? They're fighting for their lives!" Lumera shot back, her eyes narrowing. "You're enjoying this way too much. It's sickening."
"Enjoying? Maybe a little," Solara smirked, her eyes glinting with mischief. "But it's not my fault they can't handle a little pressure. Besides, it's not like you're doing anything to stop it."
"Because I can't! You know that!" Lumera's voice trembled with frustration. "You're the one who keeps pushing for these twisted challenges. You think it's all fun and games, but there are real consequences!"
Before Solara could respond, a deep male voice interrupted, resonating through the air like thunder. "Enough." The authority in the voice silenced both women, and they turned to face the source, their bickering momentarily halted. "This is not the time for your squabbles. The challenge has begun, let's continue watching and be entertained."
With that, the participants found themselves alone, the comforting feeling of alliance and companionship evaporating into the void. Rynax looked around, his heart racing as he realized he was completely isolated. The darkness pressed in on him, and he felt a chill run down his spine.
Rynax stood at the entrance of a dark cave, its mouth gaping like a predator ready to swallow him whole. He hesitated, glancing around at the oppressive darkness that surrounded him. Is this the way? he thought, uncertainty gnawing at him. The labyrinth was supposed to be a test, but he felt more like prey than a participant. He took a deep breath, steeling himself. "Just keep moving forward." With a determined nod, he stepped inside, the cave swallowing him in shadows.
Nearby, a hulking figure emerged from the darkness, a warrior from a distant planet. He clenched his fists, feeling the weight of his weapon at his side. This labyrinth is nothing compared to the battles I've faced, he thought, his heart pounding with adrenaline. "I've fought monsters before," he muttered to himself, his voice low and steady. "This is just another challenge. I'll find my way out." He stepped into the cave, ready to face whatever lay ahead, his instincts sharp and his resolve unyielding.
In another part of the labyrinth, a young mage stood at the threshold of the cave, her fingers tingling with magical energy. What if I can't find my way? she thought, doubt creeping into her mind. "No, I can't think like that," she whispered, shaking her head. "I have the power to navigate this. I just need to focus." She took a deep breath, feeling the magic swirl around her. "I'll find the end of this labyrinth, and I'll prove that I'm more than just a novice." With newfound determination, she stepped into the darkness, ready to embrace the unknown.
As Rynax ventured deeper into the cave, the air grew thick and heavy, and the sound of dripping water echoed in the distance. He strained to listen, his senses heightened from the previous challenges. The darkness felt alive, wrapping around him like a shroud.
Suddenly, a low growl reverberated through the cave, causing Rynax to freeze in place. The sound was primal, filled with hunger and malice. He turned, heart pounding, but saw nothing in the darkness. What was that? he wondered, adrenaline coursing through him.
He took a cautious step forward, the ground beneath him uneven and treacherous. The growl came again, closer this time, and Rynax's instincts kicked in. He pressed himself against the cold stone wall, trying to blend into the shadows.
Then, without warning, a massive creature lunged from the shadows, its eyes glowing with a fierce light. It was a grotesque amalgamation of twisted limbs and jagged teeth, a nightmarish beast that seemed to thrive in the darkness. Rynax barely had time to react as the creature barreled toward him.