Kaelen pressed his back against the cool stone wall, his breath steady but measured as he clutched the green crystal in his hand. The faint hum of its energy vibrated in his palm, blending with the distant murmurs of the maze. He crouched near a glowing stream of Noxflare, the liquid light flowing with an almost hypnotic grace.

  Amazing, he thought. How much would a handful of this water go for in the Dimmer District? He didn’t move for several moments just marveling at the grand quantity of the miraculous water hoarded at the Bastion. Their currency, their vitality just flowed here on the ground. He wished he had a dozen stones to charge.

  He reached down, filling the green crystal until it pulsed brightly, its glow washing over his tense features. With a practiced motion, he focused on the transformation within, pulling the refined energy into his pocketed blue stones. A sharp clarity swept through his mind as the stones hummed to life, sharpening his thoughts and calculations.

  He couldn't stop thinking about Jess—her intense gaze, the quiet strength behind her words, and the fleeting connection they had shared in the banquet hall. Is she safe? he wondered, even as his mind raced ahead to the next potential trap.

  Renar grunted as he heaved himself over a crumbled stone wall, the faint light of his red crystal casting a fiery glow around him. He landed with a heavy thud, shaking dust from his boots as he surveyed the narrow corridor ahead.

  "Would it kill these guys to put in a shortcut?" he muttered, his voice echoing faintly.

  Spotting a glowing pool of Noxflare ahead, Renar’s eyes lit up. His greedy heart considered how he could gather more but he was unprepared for this. He knelt by the edge and cupped the shimmering liquid in his hands, gulping it down. A rush of heat spread through his body, and he grinned as the red crystal in his inner pocket flared brighter, feeding off the transformed energy from his recharged green stone.

  With his growing strength, the walls seemed narrower, the challenges smaller. But even as he reveled in his newfound power, a flicker of doubt crossed his mind. Kael better not get himself killed before I can mock him for all this.

  Jess crouched low, her heart pounding as she studied the room ahead. The walls were covered in intricate glyphs, shifting and shimmering in a chaotic dance of light. She clutched her green crystal, its energy nearly spent after the last trial. She wiped the sweat from her brow. She would need the vitality from the stone for the next tests. Her heart slowed as she imagined what horror might lie ahead. It better not be him. She wouldn’t be able to do it and whoever did kill him, if they did, she knew she would tear their eyes from their skull and rip the heart from their chest.

  The soft sound of running water drew her attention to a glowing stream nearby. She moved quickly but carefully, refilling her crystal with the radiant liquid. The light intensified, and she felt a wave of reassurance as the crystal hummed in her palm.

  As she refocused the energy, transforming it into something sharper, her thoughts drifted to Kaelen. Why can’t I get him out of my head? she thought, her cheeks flushing even as she forced herself to concentrate. I have to survive. I have to find him again.

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  Talia moved like a shadow, her footsteps silent as she navigated the maze. She stopped by a small fountain of Noxflare, its glowing waters casting eerie patterns on the walls. She knelt and filled her green crystal, watching its light grow brighter as it drank deeply.

  Once charged, she leaned against the wall, taking a moment to study her surroundings. Her mind flickered back to Jess and the others from the foyer. This maze is thinning us out, she thought grimly. Who will make it through?

  Kaelen wiped sweat from his brow as he entered a larger chamber. The air was thick with tension, and he could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on him. The doors ahead opened, revealing a figure he recognized: Jaren, shifted nervously, chewing on his cheek. His eyes searched Kealen. Recognition filled his eyes and an eager violent glint flashed across them. Jaren smirked, twirling a short blade in his hand. “Looks like it’s just you and me, Moonie. Let’s see what you’re really made of.” Jaren didn’t hesitate, he knew what Kaelen was, a pawn to be swept off the board. An easy win to bolster his ego.

  Jess stepped into a wide, circular room, her hand instinctively going to her green crystal. Across from her, the door opened to reveal someone she’d seen in the foyer: Lirae, the sharp-eyed Glimmer who had observed everyone with quiet disdain.

  “So, you’re the one they paired me with,” Lirae said, her voice cool and calculated. “This should be... interesting.”

  Renar grinned as he entered a cavernous space, his bulk filling the doorway. On the other side, the door creaked open, and a hulking Radiant named Zorin stepped through. He was a giant with golden curly hair down to his shoulders and a dimple chin.

  Renar couldn’t help but laugh, “They paired me with a girl.” He taunted.

  Zorin stomped his foot and snorted like he was blowing smoke. “Your taunts amuse me Jester, perhaps I can learn to juggle with your parts.” Zorin cracked his neck to each side and gripped his expensive shirt by the collar. With a quick tug he ripped the expensive fabric in two and tossed it aside. He was a tanned giant who looked like a statue of a god.

  “Well, this is gonna be fun,” Renar said, cracking his knuckles. The red flare felt as if it were scorching through his veins. He breathed deep and felt a flash of rage then smiled manically.

  Zorin snorted. “We’ll see how fun it is when I crush you.”

  Talia’s opponent was a lithe, agile Glimmer named Kaida, who stepped lightly into the room like a predator stalking its prey.

  Kaida tilted her head, her expression unreadable. “I don’t know who you are, but you won’t make it out of here alive.”

  Talia remained silent, her eyes narrowing as she assessed Kaida’s stance and movements. Talia was like a snake waiting to strike.

  Each of them stood in their respective rooms, facing their opponents. The maze had tested their bodies and minds, but this would test their resolve.

  Kaelen felt the blue stones hum in his pocket, feeding him strategies and calculations. He steadied his breathing, his mind clear as he faced Jaren.

  Jess clutched her crystal tightly, drawing strength from the thought of Kaelen. I have to survive. For him.

  Renar’s grin widened as he prepared to charge. “Let’s see if you can keep up.”

  Talia’s dagger gleamed in the dim light as she stepped into a defensive stance.

  The doors behind them sealed shut, leaving each of them alone with their opponent. The next test had begun.