With only 7 hours left on the clock, the pressure weighed heavier than ever. Three groups had reached the centre of their chambers and were now waiting patiently, standing before the large doors that would not open until everyone else arrived. But for the remaining two groups, time was slipping away, and worse, they hadn't even found all their members yet. They had to move fast. Every minute counted.
---
In one of these chambers, Adrian and Vaela were stuck at what seemed like a dead end. They stood on the edge of a broken path that once might have been a bridge. Ahead of them was nothing but empty darkness. Adrian kept walking back and forth, trying to think of a way to cross to the other side. His mind raced with ideas, but none seemed possible. Vaela, on the other hand, had decided to sit down and rest, as if she had all the time in the world.
Suddenly, a few small pieces of rock crumbled from the edge and fell into the dark pit below. A few seconds later, they heard a faint sound as the rocks hit something far down. Then, out of the silence, came a voice: "Is anyone up there?"
Adrian quickly stepped to the edge and called down, "Who's there?"
The voice replied, "It's me... Darek."
Adrian blinked in surprise. "Darek? What are you doing down there? Don't tell me you fell."
Darek's voice came back, slightly annoyed, "Fell? No way! I didn't fall. I followed a path that led me down here. But I hit a dead end. Do you see any way forward up there?"
Adrian glanced across the gap. "There's a path on the other side, but we have no way to cross it."
There was a moment of silence, but then, to Adrian's surprise, Darek appeared. Rising up from below, he stood on a solid platform of earth that he had created using his element powers. Without waiting, he shaped the earth further, making a sturdy bridge that connected both sides.
Adrian stared in awe. "That's amazing. You really have great control over your earth element."
Darek smirked. "Of course I do. You'd better believe it." Then, he gave Adrian a playful look. "So, this girl from the Black Sigil is with you? You didn't try flirting with her, did you?"
Adrian shook his head quickly, flustered. "No! Of course not!"
Together, the three of them crossed the bridge that Darek had created. As they reached the other side, Adrian gave Vaela a sideways glance and said, "Miss Vaela, you use ice, right? You could have made a bridge too, couldn't you?"
Vaela gave a lazy smile. "If I had made the bridge, we might never have found Darek. It was all part of the plan."
Adrian narrowed his eyes at her, not fully believing that, but he said nothing more. They kept walking. Soon, they saw a huge door waiting for them at the end of the path. Next to it, written clearly, were the words: "3 - Done." They had made it at last.
---
Now, only 6 hours remained.
Elsewhere, Orin and Drakar were still sitting where they had stopped. They hadn't moved at all. Orin was completely calm, his eyes half-closed as he rested. Drakar, meanwhile, was getting more and more frustrated.
Five hours left. Still no movement.
Four hours left. The pair still hadn't budged.
Finally, Drakar couldn't take it anymore. He clenched his fists and glared at Orin. "Hey, old man! Are you trying to get us stuck in here forever?"
Orin opened his eyes slowly, looking as relaxed as ever. "Calm down, will you? Just a few more minutes. We're close. Trust me."
Drakar huffed and crossed his arms. He didn't have full faith in Orin, but something about the old man's calm voice made him stay. For now.
Another hour passed. Only 3 hours left now.
And then… 2 hours remaining.
That was it. Drakar finally lost his patience completely. "Enough! I don't care if you want to sit here and rot, I'm dragging you to the centre myself!"
Orin chuckled softly. "So fiery. Alright, alright. I suppose it's time we got moving."
Orin stood up and began to lead the way, walking confidently as if he had always known exactly where to go. Drakar followed him, though still grumbling under his breath. After only a few minutes, Orin paused and said with a grin, "Will you not show the way to this old man?"
A voice came from the shadows ahead. "I'm impressed." A figure stepped forward into the light—it was Kael, and beside him was Nymera.
Kael smiled slightly. "You are sharp for an old man, Orin."
Orin gave a small bow of his head. "I'll take that as a compliment."
"I've been waiting here for a while," Kael said. "I know the path to the centre. But tell me—how did you do it?"
Orin raised an eyebrow. "Do what?"
"Don't play dumb," Kael said with a knowing look. "You aimed straight for the centre, found this young dragonkind to join you, and then wasted time resting even though you were close. And now you meet me here at the right moment. How?"
Orin's eyes twinkled. "Let's just say… it's my instinct."
Drakar's eyes widened as he realized the truth. Orin had been stalling on purpose. He had been buying time so that the other groups could reach the centre and rest as well. It hadn't been laziness at all. It had been part of Orin's quiet plan all along.
Kael gave a soft laugh. "You're clever, old man. Come. Let's finish this."
Kael led the way, disabling traps as they walked. Nymera stayed close, her sharp eyes scanning the path ahead. Together, the group reached a huge door. Next to it were the words: "4 - Done."
Suddenly, the ground beneath them shook. The doors that had stood closed for so long rumbled, and slowly, they began to open. Darkness poured out from beyond the doors, swallowing the light. One by one, the groups were consumed by the darkness, drawn into whatever waited beyond.
Now, with only 2 hours remaining, everyone had finally reached the centre. But the true test was just beginning. What challenges lay ahead? No one knew. But there was no turning back.