Mara stood in a vast, endless workshop, the air filled with the hum of machinery and the glow of flickering lanterns. The walls were lined with shelves packed with tools, blueprints, and trinkets she’d collected over the years. It was her sanctuary, a place of endless possibilities where problems were solved with precision and ingenuity.


    At the center of the workshop stood a large, unfinished contraption, a towering, intricate machine with gears and runes glowing faintly along its surface. Mara circled it, her mind racing as she adjusted components, her hands moving with practiced ease.


    “This will fix everything,” she muttered to herself. The sound of footsteps broke her focus. She turned to see Kai leaning casually against a workbench, his sharp blue eyes scanning the room. “Mara, are you seriously still working on this thing?”


    “Obviously,” she shot back, though her tone held a playful edge. “This machine could solve everything. If I just get it right…”


    Kai crossed his arms, a smirk tugging at his lips. “You’re always trying to fix everything. You ever stop to think that maybe some things don’t need fixing?”


    Mara sighed, rolling her eyes but smiling despite herself. “Typical Kai wisdom. Remind me how that worked out last time?”


    Before he could retort, a soft voice interrupted. “It’s beautiful, Mara.”


    Mara turned to see Elena standing nearby, her wide, amber eyes filled with wonder as she gazed at the machine. The glow of the runes reflected in her scarlet hair, giving her an ethereal appearance. “What does it do?”


    “It’s supposed to…” Mara hesitated, searching for the right words. “…protect everyone. Keep us safe. Make sure no one gets left behind.” Her voice softened. “It’s for you guys.”


    Kai raised an eyebrow. “For us? Mara, we’re not some puzzle for you to solve.”


    Elena stepped closer, her expression gentle. “But it’s how she shows she cares, Kai. You know that.”


    Mara looked down, her usual confidence faltering. “I just… I don’t want to lose you two. If I can make something that guarantees we stick together, why wouldn’t I?”


    Kai stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder. “We’re not going anywhere, Mara. You don’t need some big invention to keep us together.”


    Elena smiled softly. “We’re a team. You’ve already given us so much.”


    The workshop suddenly trembled, the hum of machinery turning into an ominous roar. The gears on the machine began to spin out of control, glowing brighter and brighter.


    “What’s happening?” Mara shouted, her heart racing.


    Kai and Elena didn’t answer. She turned to them, only to see their forms begin to flicker and fade, their reassuring presence slipping through her fingers.


    “No! Stay with me!” Mara reached out, but her hands passed through them as if they were smoke.


    Elena’s voice echoed faintly, almost like a memory. “You can’t fix everything, Mara…”


    Kai’s voice followed, quieter but firm. “Just don’t give up on us.”


    The workshop crumbled around her, the machine collapsing into a heap of broken parts. The light dimmed until there was nothing but darkness.


    Mara woke with a start, her breath hitching as she sat up. The cold stone floor of the labyrinth was a harsh contrast to the warmth of her dream. She blinked, trying to adjust to the dim light of the twisting corridors.


    “Kai? Elena?” Her voice wavered as she called out, the silence pressing down on her.


    Her hands clenched into fists as she stood, her heart sinking with the realization that she was alone. The memory of her dream lingered, the weight of her unspoken fears pressing against her chest.


    She exhaled sharply, forcing herself to focus. “Alright, Mara. You’ve gotten out of worse. Think. They’re out there somewhere. You’ll find them.” Her amber eyes hardened with determination as she picked a direction and started moving, her mind already racing with plans to reunite with her team.


    Ray’s exosuit hummed as he flew, slicing through the twisted halls of the mansion’s labyrinth, the walls a blur around him. His heart raced, and Nexis was still unconscious, remaining silent. The only sound was the powerful thrumming of his thrusters propelling him forward as his cape swished through the air. Ray’s sharp green eyes scanned the darkness beneath the visor, each turn making the shadows feel more oppressive.


    He was pushing himself harder than ever, the weight of the maze, its atmosphere, and its tricks bore down in his body and psyche. Eventually, he descended into a large living room, the smooth marble floor gleaming under the dim, flickering light of the room’s tall windows. The room was eerily silent, though Ray could feel something lurking, waiting to strike. He took a few cautious steps forward, his boots clanging softly against the stone as his exosuit powered down, and he landed with a soft thud.


    Before he could steady himself, a low, almost amused voice echoed through the air, slicing through the quiet. “Is that… A Tengu I sense? My… it’s been ages, and protecting a child no less, I see.”


    Ray’s body stiffened, his posture immediately became defensive. His voice was laced with irritation. “What are you?”


    “So rude.” The voice chuckled darkly, and from the corner of Ray’s vision, a shadow shifted. Before he could react, the figure materialized in front of him. A tall, gaunt figure, with dark robes that seemed to absorb the light around him. He was floating, his eyes glowing a chilling shade of gold as he spread his arms theatrically. “I am the ghost of the labyrinth, Zytherion!” he announced grandly.


    Ray narrowed his eyes, instinctively stepping back and getting ready for a fight. His fists clenched inside the exosuit’s gauntlets. “Is that so? Then I’m guessing you’re looking for a fight, huh?”


    Zytherion laughed, a deep, chilling sound that echoed through the room like the wind through a graveyard. “Oh, you misunderstand, Ray. I merely want to make a proposition!”


    The spirit began to circle Ray slowly, his voice lowering as if savoring each word. “You’re not like the others in this labyrinth. You’re powerless, helpless even!” Zytherion’s face twisted into a grin as he leaned in, his voice gaining an edge of malice. “…And I sense a great hidden darkness within you.”


    Ray’s breath quickened as his mind raced, the words unsettling him, but his resolve remained firm. “You’re wrong. I can-"


    Zytherion cut him off, his voice now low and mocking. “Do just as much as the others can, yes, yes, I’ve heard it all before, thought it all before, Ray.”


    The spirit hovered closer, his gold eyes boring into Ray’s. “…You and I are the same.”


    Ray’s eyes narrowed, and his anger bubbled to the surface. “I’m nothing like you! You’re… you’re not even human!”


    Zytherion rolled his eyes, a dismissive wave of his hand cutting through the tension. He began weaving an intricate magic circle in the air with a single finger. The room seemed to grow colder as the shadows danced around him, feeding off his energy. “Maybe this will change your mind, Ray.”


    The instant the words left his mouth, the room was plunged into absolute darkness. The lights flickered and died, the shadows growing deeper, suffocating the space. Ray’s heart began to pound harder, his breath shaky as his hands reached out, blindly searching for any sign of light or escape.


    Zytherion’s voice rang out from every direction, echoing in the inky blackness. “You truly perplex me, Ray. You’re not like the others. You’re tainted. Despite everything that’s happened to you, everything you’ve seen out there in the world, you still try to save those around you. It is a fool’s game, that is.”


    Ray’s breath caught in his throat as a lump formed in his chest. “What are you-”


    Before he could finish, his words caught as a cold weight settled over his heart. His green eyes widened, the blood draining from his face as his heart dropped into his stomach.


    As his heart dropped into his stomach. And then, from the void, they appeared.


    In front of him, illuminated by a sickly, unnatural light, stood the figures of his family. His Aunt, Laura, and his father, Henry. The image was so real it made his heart ache, but something inside him screamed that it wasn’t right. The light cast an eerie glow on their faces, their features soft but haunted. His father, Henry, stood tall and proud. His broad frame was dressed in a dark leather jacket, worn from years of use, his brown hair slightly tousled from the wind. His face had an older, more weathered look to it, but the kindness in his eyes still shone through. His clothes had a rugged, utilitarian air, more practical than ceremonial, but they fit him well, still holding a sense of family pride. The strong presence of his father made Ray’s chest tighten as be stared at the man he never got a chance to know.


    His Aunt, Laura, stood beside him. Her long, elegant blonde hair framed her soft features, her pale skin glowing under the faint light. She wore her casual clothing, but the way she carried herself exuded grace and warmth. She smiled gently at him, her soft eyes glowing softly in the darkness.


    “No, no, this is another illusion!” Ray gasped as his heart pounded in his chest. His mind screamed that this wasn’t real, but the pain in his chest and the warmth he felt standing before them felt undeniable. He raised his palm, preparing to blast them away with the energy in his suit.


    But before he could fire, a soft, unfamiliar voice wrapped around him, gentle and soothing. “Ray…” His breath hitched as his body froze.


    He turned slowly, and there she was. His mother, Sarah, kneeling behind him, her arms slowly wrapping around his shoulders in a comforting embrace. “…Mom?” Ray whispered, his voice trembling as tears began to well up in his eyes.


    “It’s me, Ray,” Sarah whispered into his ear. “I’m so sorry for leaving you.”


    The tears flooded his eyes, rolling down beneath his visor. His arm trembled as he lowered it, the energy crackling faintly at his fingertips, threatening to be released, but faltering in the face of this apparition.


    Zytherion’s voice suddenly boomed from above, dark and tempting. “You can bring them back, Ray. I can give you the strength, the power to do anything you want. No more losing, no more struggles! It can all be yours… you just have to let me in.”


    “Come on, son.” Henry’s voice called out warmly, his hand extending toward Ray from the distance. “Bring us back to life…” Laura says gently as she too extends her hand.


    Ray’s throat tightened as his body shook, his chest burning with emotion. “We love you, Ray,” Sarah whispered, holding him tighter, her embrace warm and comforting despite the dread creeping through his body.


    Ray’s mind began to blur, the warmth of his mother and the words of Zytherion mixing in a twisted, painful confusion. Zytherion’s form hovered above him, almost tenderly reaching out his hand, having a glint of pity in his eyes. “They need you, Ray.”


    Ray’s hand, shaking, slowly reached toward Zytherion’s finger. Just a few centimeters away. But then, something inside him snapped. His breath caught as he suddenly pulled back, his hand outstretched and pushing forward instead, unleashing a powerful pulse of white energy from his palm.


    The energy shot forward with blinding speed, piercing through Zytherion’s chest. The spirit screamed in agony as his form began to writhe and bubble, his body disintegrating into sickly black smoke.


    The blast having Caused the illusions of the family he never got the have to fade away, and the darkness to be dispelled. Ray quickly turned on his heels, activating the thrusters in his suit as he blasted off from the chaos, soaring through the labyrinth with one thing on his mind: escape.


    “Foolish brat!” Zytherion’s voice bellowed in fury, echoing through the corridors. “If I can’t have you, then no one can!”


    The ground trembled beneath Ray’s feet as fire erupted beneath Zytherion’s form, flames spreading across the floor and soon after, the labyrinth in a chain reaction. The fire bloomed like a ravenous beast, but Ray didn’t stop. He didn’t dare. Not now. Not after everything.


    The shadows around Zytherion’s alternate spirit writhed and squirmed, but as they clashed with Nova’s radiant starlight, they began to dissipate. The inky masses dissolved into nothingness, their haunting presence fading into the ether as Zytherion’s ghostly form screamed in frustration, vanishing like smoke. The labyrinth trembled as the fire quickly spread, crackling and snapping, its orange and red tendrils licking at the walls, threatening to consume everything in its path.


    Nova’s breaths came in ragged gasps as she staggered back, her body trembling from the weight of the battle and the exhaustion gnawing at her. She looked around, eyes wide, her starry glow flickering as she tried to steady herself. The fire was coming closer, its heat already further warming her skin, and the scent of burning wood filled the air. Her gaze shot to the walls, and then… something caught her eye.


    At the far end of the room, she saw a figure, familiar yet distant. It was her older self, a reflection of a version of her she didn’t yet understand. The older Nova stood there, silent and unwavering, her eyes meeting Nova’s with a quiet intensity that stirred something deep inside her.


    For a moment, they stood frozen, locked in that gaze, and the world seemed to stop around them. The older Nova’s expression was unreadable, almost resigned. She didn’t speak, didn’t move, only stared back with an enigmatic sorrow in her eyes.


    Then, as quickly as she appeared, the older Nova’s form faded away, her silhouette dissolving into the smoke of the fire. Nova’s heart clenched in her chest as the figure disappeared, leaving her alone with the encroaching blaze.


    With one last look at the smoldering remnants of the labyrinth, Nova pushed herself forward. Her legs ached, but she launched herself and flew into the burning maze. Her starlight burned brighter as she soared through the hallways of bookshelves, the warmth of the flames biting at her heels, the labyrinth''s halls twisting and turning, mocking her as it tried to hold her back.


    Her mind was set on one thing: escape. She had to get out.


    In the distance, she saw Connor standing in the middle of the corridor, panting heavily, his clothes singed and his hair wild. But his eyes were sharp, determined. He was holding something, a key. The last key.


    “Nova!” he called, his voice urgent. “We need to get to the gate. It’s almost too late!”


    The intensity in his voice made Nova’s chest tighten. She flew toward him, landing softly in front of him, her starlight fading slightly as she caught her breath.


    “You… you have the last key?” Nova asked, her voice shaky but filled with a new urgency.


    Connor nodded quickly, his face flushed and covered in sweat. “Yeah, but we have to move fast. The fire’s spreading, and we don’t have much time. I saw the gate in the distance. We can make it if we go now.”


    Nova didn’t hesitate. Her gaze flicked to the behind them, the flames that were now creeping closer, swallowing up everything in its path. The walls groaned under the pressure of the fire, and the air became thick with heat and smoke. But there was no turning back.


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    “Lead the way,” Nova said firmly, her voice steady despite the fear rising in her chest. She was ready. She couldn’t wait any longer.


    Connor turned, the key tight in his hand, and began running. Nova followed closely behind him, both of them moving swiftly, dodging the remnants of crumbling shelves and the rapidly growing inferno as they made their way to the exit.


    The labyrinth was collapsing around them and the fire was relentless in its pursuit. But they wouldn’t stop. Not now. Not after everything they had been through. Not when the gate was so close.


    Nova and Connor sprinted toward the glowing gate, the flames creeping behind them, but the gate was barely within reach. The air was thick with the acrid stench of smoke, and the sound of the labyrinth groaning and cracking under the pressure of the fire was deafening.


    But just as they neared the exit, Nova skidded to a halt. Her heart pounded in her chest as she turned to Connor, her breath shallow.


    “Wait, what about Ray?” she asked, her voice trembling with desperation. The weight of the labyrinth’s collapse and the fire’s growing presence threatened to drown out her thoughts, but the one thing she knew for certain was that Ray couldn’t be left behind.


    Connor stopped as well, his face hardening, brows furrowed with conflict. “We don’t have time, Nova,” he said, his voice taut with urgency. “If we go searching for him now, we’ll be trapped in here too. We can’t afford that. We have to go!”


    Nova’s chest tightened, her stomach churning as the words hit her like a physical blow. She could feel the world pulling apart at the seams, and her body screamed to turn back, to search for Ray no matter the cost.


    But Connor’s face remained unwavering, his eyes filled with the same determination that had always been present, the same resolve he carried even in the most dire of situations. “We need to trust Ray. He can take care of himself.”


    Nova’s breath caught in her throat as panic threatened to break free. She glanced over her shoulder, feeling the flames licking the edge of the maze’s walls, watching the fiery tendrils stretch closer, closer. Her mind raced through every possible scenario, every desperate thought, but it wasn’t enough. She couldn’t leave him.


    “I can’t just leave him!” Nova shouted, her voice rising with desperation. Her hands balled into fists as she turned back to the labyrinth’s gates, eyes wild. “I’m not leaving without him!”


    But before she could take another step, Connor’s telekinesis slammed into her chest, an invisible force locking her in place. “No!” Connor shouted, his voice strained as he held her back with his mind. “Let me go, Connor!” Nova screamed, fighting against his unyielding hold. She writhed and kicked in the air, but his telekinetic grip held her firm, keeping her in place despite her struggles.


    “I can’t risk it!” Connor yelled, his voice breaking as he glanced behind them at the inferno that was rapidly consuming the labyrinth. “You have to have faith in Ray! We have to leave now!”


    “Connor, please!” Nova cried, her heart breaking with every passing second. She could feel herself losing ground, her breath sharp in her throat as her desperation deepened. But Connor’s grip didn’t falter.


    With one last, agonizing glance at the burning labyrinth, Connor did what he had to. With one final burst of force, he propelled Nova forward, sending her flying through the gate, her body tumbling in the air as the world spun around her.


    She crashed onto the floating platform, the hard surface biting into her skin as she scrambled to her feet. Her hands were shaking, and the overwhelming roar of the fire, the cries of the labyrinth, and the thought of Ray, still trapped within its fiery grip, tore at her mind. She spun around, her breath ragged, and bolted toward the gate, slamming her hands against its glowing surface.


    “Ray!” she shouted, her voice breaking. “Ray! No!” She pounded the portal with frantic force, her hands bloody and bruised as she begged the gate to open. “Let me back in!”


    But the portal wouldn’t yield. It was solid, impenetrable, and the fire from the labyrinth beyond seemed to mock her. The heat radiated through the gate, but it was no help. The fire, the flames, the chaos of the labyrinth, all of it felt miles away, but so close that it suffocated her.


    She pounded harder, her fists hitting the portal with a sickening thud, her face twisted in anguish, eyes wide with panic. Her breath caught in her throat, and she fell to her knees, her tears mixing with the sweat and soot on her skin.


    Behind her, the other groups of sorcerers watched in silence, unsure of what to say or how to console her. But in that moment, Nova couldn’t hear anything but the sound of her own frantic heartbeat, and all she could do was plead, plead for Ray to come back to her, to come back to them.


    The trio raced through the labyrinth, adrenaline pushing their bodies to the limit. Kai, Mara, and Elena, breathless and soaked in sweat, dodged debris, flames, and falling bookshelves as the labyrinth fell apart behind them. The air was thick with smoke, and every step was a gamble, every turn a peril. The fire was spreading too fast, and their escape felt like a fleeting dream.


    Mara’s grip on the last key was tight, her fingers trembling from the heat and the pressure. She stole quick glances over her shoulder, her mind running through the worst-case scenarios, her heart beating louder than the roaring flames. Kai’s face was set in grim determination, but even he couldn’t keep the tension out of his voice as they ran.


    “We’re almost there,” Kai urged, his voice strained as he veered around a collapsing wall. The fire’s heat intensified, threatening to overtake them. “Just a little farther!”


    But somewhere along the way, Elena’s pace slowed. The fire had caught up, its intense heat leeching away the strength from her limbs. She stumbled, her breath coming in gasps, but her companions were too far ahead to notice. With each step, the space between them grew.


    The gate was now in sight, just ahead. Kai pushed forward with renewed effort, his eyes locked on the exit, but the moment they passed through, he turned to check on Elena.


    Mara did too. Elena wasn’t with them. Kai’s heart skipped a beat as he glanced around frantically, his breath catching in his throat. His eyes locked with Mara’s, and the realization hit them both at once.


    “Elena!” Mara shouted, her voice cracking as she spun around, her eyes scanning the labyrinth’s darkened horizon. “She’s still--she’s still in there!”


    Kai’s chest tightened, a sickening knot forming as he looked through the gate and into the distant inferno. “No… no, no, no,” he muttered, dread flooding his veins. “We left her behind!”


    Mara’s face went pale as she stared at the gate, the eerie calm of the floating platform around them only accentuating the weight of their failure. She had tried to count every head, but Elena’s absence hit her harder than the flames ever could.


    On the platform, the chaos had settled for a moment. Sorcerers were already tending to Mathew, who was unconscious on the ground due to Zytherions spell, while others were trying to treat the minor injuries from, they had sustained from their far less lethal labyrinth’s. Some murmured quietly among themselves, but all that could be heard were the sounds of strained breath and nervous conversation. Connor and Nova stood nearby, their faces etched with worry, their expressions drawn and heavy. Nova’s hands were clenched into tight fists, her eyes distant, clouded with a whirlwind of emotion.


    Kai caught sight of her, his heart sinking further as the weight of the moment settled in. But he didn’t say anything. He didn’t have the words. Neither did Mara. Neither of them knew how to break the silence that hung between them, the horror of Elena’s disappearance settling in the pit of their stomachs.


    “Well, it’s a good thing we all made it out, at least, right, Elena?” Kai said with forced cheer, trying to keep things light, trying to avoid the gut-wrenching truth. He exhaled sharply, desperate to push past the crushing guilt that clawed at his chest.


    But there was no answer. Kai turned to look at Mara, her face frozen in shock. Her eyes were wide, her lips parted in disbelief. Her body stood still, unmoving, as if she had heard something that Kai hadn’t.


    “Elena…” she whispered softly, her voice barely audible over the distant crackling of the fire that still raged in the labyrinth. It was a simple word, but it carried the weight of a thousand unspoken fears.


    Kai’s breath caught in his throat as he turned to the gate again, panic swirling inside him. “No, she can’t be…” He tried to speak the words, but they stuck in his throat, his heart racing too fast for him to process.


    Mara turned away, her face a mask of guilt. She knew they had made it out, they had survived, but Elena had been their responsibility. We should have been more careful. We should have paid more attention.


    But it was too late now. And they both knew it.


    In the distance, Connor and Nova exchanged a brief glance, the weight of the situation settling between them as well. They were too far to help. But seeing Nova’s face, etched with quiet, simmering anger and frustration, only added to the pressure in the air.


    Her gaze flickered toward Kai and Mara, a silent question in her eyes. But there was nothing to say. Nothing that could change the truth of what had happened.


    The flames of the labyrinth’s chaos still flickered in their memories, the burning maze just beyond the gate, alive, hungry, unforgiving. And Elena was still inside.


    Ray Could feel the heat intensifying as he sped through the towering hallways of bookshelves, narrowly dodging collapsing shelves and falling debris. His exosuit’s sensors screamed warnings, alerting him to the rising temperature and the growing instability of the structure. The flames were relentless, turning the labyrinth into a living nightmare, its once seemingly invincible walls now weakened and vulnerable.


    He slammed Into a corner, barely avoiding a falling pillar of stone as it crumbled behind him. The sharp sting of smoke and ash seeped through his visor and burned his eyes, but he couldn’t afford to stop. His heart hammered in his chest, fear mingling with the adrenaline coursing through his veins. The fire was closing in on him from every direction now, eating up the paths he had just flown through.


    Ray’s breath was shallow inside the suit as he pushed forward, trying to outpace the destruction. His mind flashed back to Zytherion’s haunting words: “If I can’t have you, then no one can!” That malevolent threat echoed in his mind like a cursed mantra, fueling the firestorm that raged around him. The labyrinth itself was changing, shifting to match Zytherion’s fury. The walls began to move, twisting and rearranging in the wake of the blaze, as if the entire structure was alive, feeding on the chaos.


    A loud crash echoed behind him as a section of the floor caved in, and Ray’s heart skipped a beat. His suit’s thrusters flared again, lifting him higher, but the flames rose up to meet him, relentless and unpredictable. The fire spread across the ceiling, wrapping around pillars and walls, turning the once-grand mansion into a living furnace. His fists clutched even tighter as his determined to break free grew.


    Ray sweat profusely as scanned his surroundings for any sign of a way out. His exosuit was designed for combat and exploration, but even it wasn’t built to withstand an inferno of this magnitude. The pressure was mounting, and Ray realized that staying in the labyrinth much longer would be a death sentence.


    He spotted an open doorway up ahead, barely visible through the haze of smoke. He aimed toward it, pushing his suit to its limits. The firestorm howled behind him, its destructive rage in hot pursuit. As he neared the door, the walls shifted again, threatening to close off his only escape route as the labyrinth’s timer ticked down to just four minutes. Ray’s pulse raced as he threw his body forward, his thrusters igniting with a burst of power, narrowly slipping through the gap just before the walls slammed shut behind him.


    For a brief moment, he felt a rush of relief, but it was short-lived. The fire had spread faster than he anticipated, and as he looked ahead, he saw another corridor filled with even more flames, twisting and writhing like a creature of pure rage.


    Ray’s exosuit’s systems whirred in protest as the fire continued to chase him, but he pushed forward, determined to escape Zytherion’s clutches. His mind raced as he thought of his friends, Nova, Connor. He couldn’t let Zytherion win. He wouldn’t.


    His path was clear now. He had to survive. He had to escape. But as the flames continued to surge, Ray knew that no matter how fast he flew, the labyrinth’s deadly embrace was tightening around him. And Zytherion? The ghost of the maze? He was still watching, waiting for his moment to strike.


    Ray’s heart pounded fiercely in his chest as he raced toward the now unlocked exit, the shimmering gate only inches from his grasp. The heat from the labyrinth''s raging flames seared his back as he tore through the air at breakneck speed, his exosuit straining to keep up with the burning intensity behind him. His eyes were locked on the people beyond the gate: Kai, Mara, and his friends, his family, Nova and Connor, all standing on the other side, waiting for him to break through.


    But then, as if to freeze the moment entirely, Ray heard it. A bloodcurdling scream pierced through the air, a girl’s scream, raw and filled with terror. The sound sliced through the tension, the firestorm, and the sound of his thrusters. It was a scream of agony, of someone in unimaginable pain. It was a scream that could only belong to someone who was trapped and fighting desperately for their life.


    Ray’s breath caught in his throat, and without thinking, his fists clenching again. His flight wavered, his path faltering as he turned his head, searching desperately for the source of the scream. The flames roared louder, the labyrinth’s dark magic surged in the distance, but there, amidst the chaos, he saw it: the heat of the fire outlining a figure, struggling, fighting to escape.


    And then, his eyes locked onto Nova. She was standing on the other side of the gate, her arm stretched toward him, her face twisted in fear like he had never seen before. Her eyes, wide with desperation, screamed his name, but the barrier was too thick, he couldn’t hear her voice. Yet, the look in her eyes was enough. The anguish, the terror, the plea, it was all written across her face.


    Beside her, Connor’s face was one of anger and fear, the kind of crack in his usually cocky demeanor that only appeared in the most extreme situations. For a moment, Ray could see the rawness of his emotions, his deep worry for his friend. The quiet vulnerability that Connor hid so well behind his bravado had fractured, and Ray could feel it.


    But the scream. The scream echoed in Ray’s mind, growing louder and more frantic. His gaze shifted back, his heart sinking.


    There was no question about it. He couldn’t leave, not yet. He couldn’t just abandon whoever was still trapped in the labyrinth. He couldn’t escape with his life knowing he let someone die.


    As the labyrinth continued to crumble and burn, Ray looked over his shoulder, locking eyes with Connor and Nova one last time through the gate. His chest tightened, a deep sense of guilt creeping in. It would’ve been so easy to fly through, to leave all of this behind. But Ray wasn’t just someone who ran from problems. Not anymore.


    I’ll see you soon, Auntie. He thought to himself, his voice heavy with both sorrow and resolve, fully expecting to die here. The exit that could’ve saved him now felt like an illusion, something out of reach, as though it was never meant for him to take.


    Without another moment’s hesitation, Ray pushed his suit’s thrusters into overdrive. The force of the speed snapped his body back against the suit, but it didn’t matter. The wind whipped around him as he barreled through the air, a blur of motion in the ever-shifting flames. The labyrinth was alive with fury, its walls cracking and crumbling, but Ray didn’t stop. His pulse raced as he zoomed back into the heart of the inferno, the burning maze now a suffocating presence all around him.


    I won’t let you down. he thought, though a cold knot tightened in his stomach. Now heading back into the heart of the labyrinth, where the darkness and fire would try to swallow him whole.


    Ray’s heart raced as he soared above the labyrinth, its towering shelves of books rising like jagged cliffs in the distance. His eyes scanned the chaos below, searching for the girl still trapped within the inferno. The heat from the raging fire below scorched the air as thick smoke swirled, blotting out the light. And then, there she was.


    Elena. She was struggling, her limbs stumbling and trembling as she tried to flee the encroaching flames. Her eyes were wide with terror, the despair evident in the way her body moved, trying to escape but finding no way out.


    She tripped and fell hard against the stone floor, her fingers grazing the rough surface in a desperate attempt to catch herself. Around her, a wall of fire began to close in, its fiery ring growing tighter with each passing second. There was nowhere left to run.


    “Elena!” Ray’s voice rang out, his words drowned by the roar of the flames, but his presence was unmistakable. She didn’t hear him at first, her breath ragged as she scrambled to her feet, her face streaked with tears of fear.


    The fire crackled hungrily, licking at her skin, the heat intense enough to make her gasp for air. Elena’s breath caught in her throat as the flames began to touch her, their fiery tendrils painfully caressing her arms. She screamed, the sound of it raw, full of panic. Her voice seemed to break against the suffocating heat, a final, desperate cry.


    And then, just as the wall of flames was about to consume her, something incredible happened. Elena felt two gentle, strong hands wrap around her body, lifting her from the ground with a force that seemed to defy the chaos surrounding her.


    “I’ve got you,” Ray’s voice cut through the fiery storm, soft and reassuring, yet full of determination. His exosuit hummed around her, a protective shield forming around her body as he wrapped his arms securely around her. Elena opened her eyes slowly, her vision swimming as she looked up at him. There was only calm in his voice, and as her tears blurred her sight, she felt an overwhelming sense of relief wash over her. She had been saved.


    Ray’s boots ignited with thrusters, and with a powerful thrust, he lifted off the ground. The labyrinth and the fire below seemed to shrink away as Ray shot upward, rising through the smoky, scorched air with Elena clutched tightly in his arms. His heart pounded in his chest, but the adrenaline coursing through him kept his focus sharp. Elena’s fragile form was safe for now.


    But as Ray surged forward, the labyrinth was not done with them. Skeletons formed beneath him, crawling from the wreckage of shattered bookshelves. They reached out with bony hands, their eyes glowing with an eerie light, trying to drag him back into the inferno.


    Ray dodged their grasp with ease, twisting and weaving through the ever-expanding flames. The skeletons clutched desperately at the air, their outstretched fingers grazing the suit''s armor, but Ray was too fast. He weaved through the labyrinth’s crumbling walls, dodging every fiery obstacle, every skeletal grasp with a fluidity that seemed almost effortless.


    The flames continued to rage behind him, their heat growing more oppressive as the labyrinth seemed to fight him at every turn. Then, as the labyrinth grew darker, and the danger seemed to close in, Ray’s eyes locked onto something. A flicker of light in the distance, the exit. It was there. The gate. It was almost within reach.


    The timer in his suit’s interface blinked with one minute remaining. “Ray!” Zytherion’s voice bellowed, low and threatening, echoing from the chaos behind. But Ray didn’t care. He was focused on one thing, getting Elena to safety. Nothing else mattered in that moment.


    Ray pushed forward, thrusting himself and Elena with everything he had left. His mind screamed for speed, and his body followed, fueled by desperation and a will to protect. The gate grew closer, the air outside cooler, fresher. Just a little more…


    With the final burst of energy, Ray broke through the shimmering barrier of the gate, flying into the open air. His boots slid across the smooth, floating platform with a hiss, and the fresh air rushed into his suit, the burning heat of the labyrinth dissipating. The sounds of the outside world, the murmurs of sorcerers and the wind, replaced the roar of the inferno as Ray gently lowered Elena to the ground.


    She had fainted in his arms, her body limp and unconscious. Kai and Mara rushed to her side immediately, their faces filled with relief and worry as they knelt beside her. They gently cradled her head, murmuring words of comfort. The platform buzzed with quiet murmurs from the other sorcerers, their eyes wide with both shock and relief.


    “T-thank you,” Kai said, his voice trembling with gratitude as he looked up at Ray. “Thank you so much!”


    Ray didn’t respond. He stood there, his chest heaving with exhaustion, but his mind still sharp. He scanned the platform, his gaze falling on the others, Mathew, who was unconscious, lying nearby, being tended to by others. And then, his gaze met Nova and Connor.


    Nova stepped forward, her eyes searching Ray’s, concern clouding her face. “Ray, are you-”


    But before she could finish her sentence, Ray’s suit whined as it powered up again. Without a word, he blasted off into the sky, his thrusters propelling him into the afternoon air. His speed was blinding, leaving no time for anyone to follow or stop him.


    Connor and Nova stood frozen, watching him disappear into the distance, their voices lost on the wind. The platform was silent, save for the murmurs of those around them. Ray was gone. The feeling of his absence lingered in the air, leaving a tension behind, as his form slowly vanished into the horizon.