Raen stood in the midst of the shifting landscape. He recalled the rules of the trial. He couldn't use any power modifications without approval. This realization frustrated him.
[TRIAL SYSTEM INTERFACE]
[ACTIVE TRIAL: THE SHIFTING MAZE]
Remaining Participants: [11]
Eliminations: [3 Confirmed]
Next Layout Shift: [00:56:43]
Special Conditions: Power modifications disabled unless approved.
Pending Notifications:
[A Secret Observer Has Taken Interest in You]
[A New Variable Has Entered the Trial]
How can I strategize effectively without the tools I need? he thought. Raen was a strategist. He thrived on bending the rules to his advantage. Now he had to think creatively within the constraints imposed on him.
He remembered the Crimson Mask. Whispers had circulated about a third party involved in the trial. If the Crimson Mask wasn't directly participating, his allies might be influencing the game. Raen felt a surge of determination. If I can figure out what the Crimson Mask wants, I might be able to turn that knowledge to my advantage.
He turned to Selene. She was sitting beside him, flipping through her notes. "What locations did you and Thorne explore?" he asked.
Selene looked up. "We found a large tower in the southeast. But the layout changes every three hours. It could be somewhere else by now."
Another dead end, Raen thought. A tower could hold important clues, but the shifting nature of the trial made it hard to pin down anything useful. "What about the tower in the north?" he asked. "Do you think it still exists?"
Selene shook her head. "I'm not sure. It could be gone or hidden. The trial is tricky like that. It plays with our minds."
Raen glanced at the timer. 11 hours had passed since the trial began. Time was running out. In just one hour, the layout would shift again. They could lose their chance to find something valuable. He felt a sense of urgency. I can't let this opportunity slip away.
"We have to explore," Raen said firmly. "Let's spend the next hour looking for clues. If we can find anything related to the Crimson Mask, it might help us understand what he wants. That could give us an edge."
Selene nodded, but her expression shifted slightly. There was a glint in her eyes. "You know, Raen, sometimes the best way to survive is to manipulate those around you."
Raen frowned. "What do you mean? What's your goal here? Why are you manipulating my mind?"
Selene smirked, her tone playful yet unsettling. "Manipulation is an art. You can't trust anyone in this trial, not even me. I'm just looking out for myself, like you."
Raen felt a chill. "So you admit it? You're using me?"
"Of course," Selene replied nonchalantly. "Everyone is using someone. You think I'd risk my life for you? We're both in this for our survival."
Raen clenched his fists. "You're playing a dangerous game, you manipulative bitch. What if I decide I don't need you anymore?"
Selene's smile widened. "Then you'll be on your own. But let's be real; you need me. I have insights you lack. And I can help you navigate this twisted trial."
Raen took a deep breath, trying to control his temper. "I don't need a backstabbing witch like you. You think you're so clever, don't you?"
Selene shrugged, unfazed. "Cleverness is key in this trial. If you can't handle it, maybe you should sit this one out."
Raen's frustration flared. "This isn't a joke, witch. People are dying out there, and you want to make light of it?"
Selene shrugged again, her demeanor shifting. "It's all part of the game. If you can't handle the pressure, maybe you're not cut out for this trial."
Raen glared at her. "You're a piece of work, you know that? I won't be your pawn."
Selene raised an eyebrow. "Is that a threat? Because I find threats amusing."
Raen's anger surged. "You're just a cold-hearted opportunist. I can't believe I'm stuck with you."
"Stuck with me? Oh, please," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You should feel lucky to have someone as brilliant as me on your side."
"Brilliant? More like delusional," Raen snapped. "You're playing with fire, and I'm not going to get burned because of your schemes."
They continued walking.
Raen's mind raced as he considered their next move. He couldn't shake the feeling that Selene was playing a deeper game.
"Where should we go next?" Selene asked, her voice suddenly cheerful.
Raen narrowed his eyes. "Let's head southeast. We need to find something useful. I don't care if it's a clue."
"Sounds good to me," Selene replied, her tone shifting again. "But remember, Raen, I'm not your friend. Just a temporary ally."
"Don't remind me," Raen snapped. "I'm well aware."
They were both dangerous in their own ways, and trust was a luxury neither could afford.
I can't let my guard down, Raen thought. Not with her.
They continued walking. Time was ticking, but Raen was fueled by a growing resolve.
They were no longer just players in a game.
They were strategists.
—
Ryn's heart raced as he sprinted through the winding paths of the trial. Each step echoed the relentless death notifications flashing in his mind.
[SYSTEM ALERT: DEATH NOTIFICATIONS]
> Total Deaths Since Trial Start: 6
Elapsed Time: 11 Hours, 03 Minutes
[RECENT DEATH LOG]
> Kael Draven – Status: Deceased
Cause: Self-inflicted wound.
Location: Southeast Courtyard.
Final Words: "Some games aren't meant to be played."
> Gerrard Eld – Status: Deceased
Cause: Fatal injury from external force.
Last Detected Presence: With Erynn & Aryn.
> Alek Thorne – Status: Deceased
Cause: [Unknown] (Record Interference Detected)
Location: [REDACTED]
---
[SYSTEM WARNING: HIGH DEATH ZONE DETECTED]
> Southeast Courtyard – 82% Mortality Rate
Unstable Variables Detected. Cause: [External Influence]
Enforcers' Presence: CONFIRMED
—
The messages pounded against his psyche, each one a dagger twisting deeper into his gut.
Anger surged within him and confusion set in. What is happening? Why are they fighting?
He pushed himself harder, breath coming in ragged gasps as he neared the southeast courtyard.
The sight that greeted him was a nightmare, his blue eyes diluting as he saw the gruesome scene.
Bodies littered the ground, lifeless forms sprawled in grotesque positions.
Blood pooled around them.
Ryn's stomach churned at the sight and a primal rage ignited within him.
Among the fallen, he recognized faces. Kael Draven, her body motionless, lay on the ground.
Ryn's heart sank as he realized her death was a suicide.
He turned his gaze and saw them—the twins, Erynn and Aryn, standing over the body of Gerrard Eld.
They laughed.
"Look who finally decided to join the party," Erynn taunted.
Aryn smirked. "What's the matter, Ryn? Afraid to join your friends in the afterlife?"
Ryn's fists clenched. "Who do you think you are? What kind of monsters revel in death like this?"
Erynn stepped forward. "We are the enforcers, Ryn. The law is ours to wield."
Aryn added, "As long as one of us survives, the other will always come back. You can't touch us."
Ryn felt a surge of anger. "You think that makes you invincible? You're just cowards hiding behind your power!"
Erynn laughed. "Cowards? Look at you. All alone and desperate."
Aryn chimed in, "You really think you stand a chance? How cute."
Ryn lunged at them. The twins laughed louder.
"Is that so?" Erynn sneered. "You really think you can take us on? You're just a broken man clinging to the past."
Ryn's anger flared. "You don't know what I've lost! You don't know what I'm capable of!"
"Lost? You mean your pathetic little life?" Aryn mocked.
Erynn grinned. "What's next, Ryn? A little speech about how you're going to avenge your family? Classic."
Ryn's fists shook with rage. "I won't let you get away with this!"
"Get away with what?" Erynn asked, feigning innocence. "Just having a little fun?"
Aryn leaned in closer. "You're not even worth the effort. We could end this right now, but it's just too entertaining to watch you squirm."
"Entertaining?" Ryn spat. "You think this is a game?"
"Of course it is," Erynn replied, rolling his eyes. "You're just another pawn in our little chess match."
Aryn laughed. "And look at you, making all the wrong moves."
Ryn felt the weight of their taunts but pushed it aside. He had trained for moments like this and would not falter. The pain of his past was his weapon, and he would wield it against them.
"Every life you take will come back to haunt you," Ryn warned. "You can't escape the consequences."
Erynn shrugged. "Consequences? Please. We thrive on chaos."
Aryn added, "And you're just a sad story waiting to be told."
Then Erynn leaned in, his voice low and mocking. "We know your past, Ryn. The soldier who lost everything. How does it feel to be so powerless?"
Ryn's breath caught. "What do you know about me?"
"Enough," Aryn said, grinning. "We know about your family. Their screams still echo in your mind, don't they?"
"Stop!" Ryn shouted, anger mixing with pain. "You don't get to use my past against me!"
Erynn laughed cruelly. "Oh, but we will. It's our favorite game."
As he charged, Ryn felt the echoes of his lost loved ones pushing him forward.
He would fight for them and for everyone who had suffered under the cruel whims of this world.
"Today, I will not back down!" Ryn shouted. "I will end this cycle of violence!"
Erynn laughed mockingly. "Oh, how dramatic. You really think you're a hero?"
Aryn smirked. "Heroes die young, Ryn. You should know that by now."
Ryn paused. "A hero isn't defined by their life span, but by their courage to stand against darkness—even when it seems impossible."
With every ounce of strength, Ryn prepared to strike.
The twins may have thought they were invincible, but he was ready to prove them wrong.