Tower of cours

Chapter 10: The Labyrinth of Lies

Selene, Kael, and Mira ascended the glowing staircase, their footsteps echoing in the suffocating silence. As they reached the tenth floor, a shimmering veil of light greeted them, rippling like the surface of a disturbed pond. Beyond it lay a dimly lit corridor, its walls carved with ancient symbols that seemed to twist and writhe as they moved.

"This place feels… wrong," Mira muttered, clutching her staff tightly. The orb at its tip flickered nervously, as if sensing danger.

Kael stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade. "Stay sharp. This tower doesn't give us time to breathe."

Selene touched the veil cautiously. It was cold, almost icy, and sent a jolt up her arm. "Whatever's on the other side, it won't let us leave until it's had its fill."

Bracing themselves, they stepped through.

---

The Labyrinth Unveiled

The moment they crossed the threshold, the corridor twisted violently, reshaping itself into a sprawling labyrinth. The walls stretched impossibly high, disappearing into a void above. The air was heavy with a metallic tang, and the ground beneath them was slick with an unknown substance.

"Wonderful. A maze," Kael said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"This isn't just a maze," Mira whispered, her eyes scanning the shifting walls. "It's alive."

As if responding to her words, the labyrinth groaned, the walls undulating like living flesh. A distant sound of footsteps echoed, though it was impossible to tell where they came from.

Before they could decide on a direction, a voice boomed from nowhere and everywhere at once.

"Welcome to the Labyrinth of Lies. To leave, you must find the Door of Truth. But beware—your lies will find you here."

The voice dissolved into laughter, and the ground trembled beneath their feet.

---

The First Trial

The group chose a direction at random, the dim light barely illuminating their path. As they walked, they noticed their reflections in the glossy walls. At first, the reflections mimicked their movements, but soon, they began to act of their own accord.

"Selene," one of the reflections called, its voice eerily identical to hers. "You told Kael you joined the climb to avenge your family. But wasn't it because you had nothing left to live for?"

Selene froze. The words pierced through her like a blade.

Kael turned to her, his expression unreadable. "Is that true?"

"I…" Selene hesitated, anger bubbling in her chest. "It doesn't matter. We need to keep moving."

But the reflection didn't stop. It pressed its hands against the wall, its eyes glowing red. "Lies weigh heavy in this place. Tell the truth, or you will never escape."

Selene clenched her fists. "Fine. Yes, I had no reason to live. But climbing the tower gave me one. Happy now?"

The reflection smirked and faded into the wall. The path ahead rumbled and opened, revealing a new passage.

---

Kael's Burden

As they pressed forward, the labyrinth struck again. This time, it was Kael's turn. Shadows slithered from the walls, taking the shape of a younger version of himself. The shadow grinned, baring jagged teeth.

"You told everyone you climbed the tower to destroy the beast that destroyed your village," the shadow said mockingly. "But isn't it because you want to prove you're not a coward?"

Kael's face darkened. He gripped his sword tightly, his knuckles white. "I don't need to answer that."

The shadow lunged at him, its hands reaching for his throat. Kael swung his blade, but it passed through the creature harmlessly.

"Only the truth can banish me," it hissed.

Kael exhaled sharply, his voice low. "Fine. I was a coward. I ran when I should have fought. But that's why I'm here—to make up for it."

The shadow screeched and dissolved into smoke. Another path opened, and the trio moved on, each step heavier than the last.

---

The Door of Truth

After what felt like hours, they arrived at the center of the labyrinth. A massive door stood before them, its surface etched with countless symbols that glowed faintly. At its center was a keyhole, but no key in sight.

"This has to be it," Mira said, her voice trembling.

Before they could examine the door further, the voice returned, louder than ever.

"You have faced your lies, but one remains. To open the door, you must reveal your deepest truth."

The floor beneath them cracked, and tendrils of shadow erupted, coiling around Mira. She cried out, struggling against their grip.

"Let her go!" Selene shouted, slashing at the tendrils, but her blade passed through them as if they were smoke.

Mira's voice quivered as the tendrils tightened. "It's… it's my fault my brother died. I told him the tower was safe, and he believed me. I killed him!"

The shadows recoiled, vanishing into the ground. The symbols on the door glowed brighter, and the keyhole filled with light. With a deafening creak, the door swung open.

---

The Ascent Continues

Beyond the door was a staircase, spiraling upward into darkness. The trio stood silently, the weight of their confessions hanging over them.

"Are we ready for what's next?" Mira asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"No," Kael admitted, sheathing his sword. "But we don't have a choice."

Selene stepped onto the staircase, her gaze hard. "Whatever's ahead, we face it together."

As they climbed, the labyrinth sealed itself behind them, its whispers fading into silence.

The tenth floor was behind them, but the tower was far from done testing their resolve.