Lucid Paradox

Orion's vision wavered. His limbs felt heavy, his body weighed down by exhaustion, as if the water pressing against his skin had merged with his very existence.

It felt like he had been underwater for hours.

But that was impossible.

His mind was spinning, his thoughts tangled in a haze of panic and desperation. His lungs ached, burning with an unbearable fire, screaming for air. The human body wasn't made for this—it wasn't made to survive under these conditions.

Yet, here he was.

He wasn't the only one.

All around him, figures floated, suspended in the vast silence of the water-filled chamber. Some clung to the last pockets of air near the ceiling, their faces pressed against whatever gaps they could find. Others hovered, their bodies tensed in anticipation, staring at the mirror he was heading toward.

The mirror.

It was positioned right below the timer—the very same timer that had marked their slow descent into this nightmare.

And Orion was sure of one thing—this wasn't just for show.

Nothing in these trials was meaningless.

His body moved before his mind could process the full weight of his actions. His muscles protested, the dull ache in his arms and legs growing sharper with each motion, but he pushed forward, propelling himself toward the mirror.

His lungs burned, an unbearable tightness spreading across his chest. He was running out of time.

If he was wrong—

If this wasn't the exit—

Then they were all going to drown.

---

The others were watching.

Some were struggling to hold on, their expressions barely visible through the rippling water. Others had their eyes locked on him, their gazes filled with a silent question.

What are you doing?

What do we do?

But Orion couldn't answer.

Not yet.

The water was still rising. The last few inches of air had already disappeared, consumed by the unforgiving flood. There was no turning back.

He reached the mirror.

Planted his feet firmly against the lower frame.

His left hand gripped the top edge, steadying himself.

His right hand curled into a tight, determined fist.

Then—

He struck.

A dull, muffled thud echoed through the water.

The mirror didn't budge.

His chest constricted, a sharp pulse of pain shooting through his ribs.

He hit it again.

And again.

And again.

The shock of impact traveled through his knuckles, vibrating up his arm. His muscles screamed, but he didn't stop.

There was no time to stop.

Each hit sent another wave of pain surging through his body. His movements were sluggish now, his mind teetering on the edge of darkness.

Doubt clawed at the edges of his thoughts.

What if it wasn't a way out?

What if he was wrong?

But then—

A crack appeared.

A single, thin fracture running across the glass.

Orion's heart lurched.

His lips parted, and a muffled laugh escaped, bubbles rushing from his mouth toward the surface that no longer existed.

It was working.

It had to work.

He just needed more force.

He had to break it completely.

He adjusted his grip, his fingers trembling from exhaustion. With his hands , he shifted his body, swinging himself into a pendulum motion.

Then, he threw his weight back—

And kicked the mirror with all the power he had left.

Crack.

The fracture spread, tiny splinters branching out from the initial impact.

But it wasn't enough.

Orion's vision blurred. The darkness was creeping closer now, the edges of his sight tinged with black.

He couldn't hold on much longer.

But just as his body threatened to give in—

A hand grabbed his arm.

Orion blinked.

The guy who had suggested looking for vents was beside him, his face tight with exhaustion but filled with determination.

Then, another person joined.

And another.

One by one, the others swam toward the mirror.

Some used their fists. Some used their feet.

They punched, kicked, slammed—

Desperation fueling their every movement.

Orion's chest burned, his ribs constricting like a vice.

Hold on.

He clenched his teeth, willing himself to stay conscious.

And with one final, desperate kick—

The cracks spiderwebbed across the mirror.

A moment of stillness.

And then—

A loud, shattering CRACK.

The mirror collapsed.

A shockwave pulsed through the water.

For a split second, everything froze.

Orion's vision cut to black.....