When we crossed the gate, I felt—for a moment—as if the very air had changed.
There was no darkness, nor any harsh light, but a faint glow, as if the stones themselves were breathing a soft gray light—neither warm nor cold. We found ourselves in a vast courtyard, roofless, surrounded on all sides by towering walls covered in carvings, worn down by time—or something else.
And the place… was crowded.
All the adventurers who had been in the launch arena were now here. Exhausted faces, focused eyes, fingers clenched around sword hilts and staffs. Some adjusted their belts, others checked on their last companions, and some remained entirely silent, as if trying to listen to the heartbeat of the maze before it even began.
I stood near the wall, with Neel beside me, his wide eyes scanning the place—not with fear, but with rare clarity for someone his age.
Then, a voice came from behind… a man who knew me.
"I didn't expect to see you this soon."
I turned—and I knew the maze had begun before the doors even opened.
Alenios.
Standing as always, with a steadiness that required no effort. His red hair flowing over his shoulders, his crimson eyes watching me—not with hostility, but certainly without warmth. Beside him, Kaelen, sharper in appearance than last time, his gaze laced with unspoken accusation. And Elyrias, the youngest, quiet, as though he hadn't come to fight, but to observe.
I said calmly:
"The strangest thing… is that I expected you."
Alenios smiled faintly and said:
"I don't follow chaos… I follow what creates it."
Then he stepped closer:
"We know what you're planning. And what you're after in here."
I replied without emotion:
"If you're so sure of my intentions, then why are you here? Fear?"
Kaelen snapped back quickly:
"Awareness. Not everyone who enters this maze does so for treasure. And we know exactly why you're here."
I said sarcastically:
"So, you came to stop me?"
Elyrias answered quietly:
"We came because balance isn't preserved through silence."
A silence fell for a few seconds—then Neel broke it with his voice:
"Wait… you're Alenios? The Hero of Elaria?!"
Everyone turned to him, including the three.
Alenios nodded with a slight smile:
"Yes, that's me."
The astonishment on Neel's face was clear, genuine:
"I read about you. In the guild, in the old tales… They said you united the Nine Tribes, and that you're the best fire-wielder across the Thirty Realms. I didn't think you were… a real person."
Elyrias chuckled lightly and said:
"Many don't believe until they see us. Some don't believe even after that."
Kaelen frowned and said:
"This isn't the time for stories."
Then he looked at me:
"What you're after in this place… you won't get it easily."
I didn't answer. I looked at him coldly, then at his father.
Alenios finally said, after a brief silence:
"It's good you've found a companion. That's rare for you."
I nodded without a word, eyes fixed on the large gate at the far end of the courtyard.
Then the voice came… the caller.
But this time, it wasn't from a human mouth. It came from everywhere. As if the walls themselves were speaking. Or the maze… was welcoming us, in its own way.
"Adventurers… you now stand at the beginning of Dymas."
Silence spread—even cautious whispers ceased.
"This courtyard is merely a starting point. What awaits you is no dead land, but a living maze. It moves. It shifts. It tests everything within you: your strength, your intentions, your bonds… even your soul."
Faces began to change… some grew quiet, others sharp with tension.
"Inside the maze… demons of lower and upper ranks. Traps that cannot be seen, but sensed. And trials… not all of them physical. Some can only be overcome with faith—with what remains of your soul that has not yet fallen."
Then the voice fell silent… for a long pause.
"All who enter, do so at their own risk. Those who die, do not return. Those who survive… will leave—but not as they came."
And then… everything began to tremble.
The ground itself descended beneath us. No chains. No sound of gears. Just a smooth, deep, deliberate descent—as if we were being swallowed by a giant mouth.
Neel took a step closer, silently. I remained still.
When the movement stopped, we found ourselves in front of a massive gate. Black stone, engraved with symbols unlike any known script—winding like serpents around its frame, slowly shifting their positions. I could feel them… watching us.
Groups began to move.
Each team prepared—some with prayers, some checking weapons, and others simply silent… perhaps because they knew that in this place, words were pointless.
I moved to the right, away from the central path. Neel followed, silently. After a few steps, he asked:
"Why aren't we going in with the others? Wouldn't it be safer to be among them?"
I answered, still staring ahead:
"They're not allies. If we get too close… we become targets. In Dymas, treasure isn't shared. Everyone wants everything. And anyone next to you might stab you if they think you have what they don't."
He thought for a moment, then asked:
"But… don't you have enough strength to stop them?"
I stopped and looked at him.
"I have enough to tear a hole through this place if I wanted… but power isn't a lasting solution. Fighting drains you. And being drained kills you. The strong choose their battles."
Neel nodded slowly, then said:
"I understand."
Then added, a little hesitantly:
"Should I use detection magic now?"
I replied instantly:
"Yes. Scan the path. We don't move a step without knowing what's ahead."
He knelt down, placed his palm on the ground, and closed his eyes. He murmured words I couldn't understand—but the air around us shifted.
Moments later, he opened his eyes suddenly and whispered:
"Something's coming… from the left. It's moving, but… I don't sense it as something fully alive. Its energy is unstable, like… distorted."
I placed my hand on my sword hilt, feet firmly planted.
"Stay behind me. Don't move until I say. This is the first real test."
Then—from the depths of shadow—
Something began to emerge.
Something that could not yet be described.
But we were ready.