As they journey deeper into the labyrinth, the team faced increasingly complex traps and shifting puzzles. But through coordination and trust, they overcame each one.
For a brief moment, things almost felt calm.
Ivandoe and Narissa walked slightly apart from the group. Not far—but close enough for their shoulders to brush now and then.
The silence between them wasn't empty.
It was heavy.
Lucas noticed it.
"Hey, Ivandoe. Narissa," he said casually. "You two okay? You seem a bit… distracted."
Ivandoe and Narissa exchanged a glance.
For a split second, something unspoken passed between them.
Then Ivandoe looked away.
"We're fine," he said. "Just focused on the mission."
Narissa nodded quickly. "Yeah."
But Lucas noticed it—
the way she avoided looking at Ivandoe directly.
They moved on.
Hours passed as they navigated deeper into the labyrinth until finally—
They reached it.
The chamber of the Keystone of Light.
A glowing crystal floated at its center, pulsing with pure energy that lit up the entire room.
But it was protected.
A complex locking mechanism surrounded it—layers of moving energy seals and pressure-based triggers.
Aria stepped forward, studying it closely. Her Music Hyperbook shimmered faintly.
"I think I can open it," she said. "But I'll need Jax."
Jax nodded, already stepping up.
"I'm ready."
Aria and Jax worked in sync.
Sound waves guided precision movements while gravity shifts stabilized the mechanism. Slowly, the lock began to respond.
Click…
Click…
Click…
Finally—
A sharp snap echoed through the chamber.
The lock released.
Silence followed.
Then Aria carefully reached forward and retrieved the Keystone of Light.
The moment it left its pedestal—
The air changed.
The room trembled.
A heavy, suffocating pressure filled the space.
Dark energy leaked into the chamber.
Something was coming.
The shadows ahead twisted.
And a figure began to form.
"I am Thantos… Devourer of Light."
Its voice was deep. Hollow. Final.
"And I will not allow you to leave with what belongs to my master."
Lucas stiffened.
"…Master?"
The figure tilted its head slightly.
"Lyra."
The name hit like a strike.
Lucas's eyes widened.
"…So it's true," he whispered. "She's been behind this."
Ivandoe's expression darkened.
"Then we end this here. Thantos… and Lyra."
Narissa's eyes burned with anger.
"I knew something was off about her. We should've seen it sooner."
Aria stepped forward, steadying the group.
"We can't change what already happened. But we can stop what comes next."
Jax tightened his stance.
"Then let's focus. Together."
The team prepared for battle.
But Lucas hesitated.
A memory surfaced—sharp and unsettling.
"Guys…" he said slowly. "I remember something."
Everyone turned.
"Back in Chandesia… when I helped you escape from Xorvath… Lyra was the last to pass through the portal."
His voice lowered.
"She insisted I bring her with me. Said her life was in danger."
Silence.
Ivandoe's gaze hardened.
"…And you trusted her."
Lucas swallowed.
"I did."
A heavy pause.
Then Lucas looked up.
"…She's been manipulating us from the beginning."
The air around the team tightened.
No one spoke.
But their resolve sharpened.
This time—there was no doubt.
They were going to end it.