Chapter 20: The Shifting Labyrinth

As the heavy obsidian gate closed behind them, the team found themselves at the entrance of an enormous labyrinth. Its walls shimmered with shifting patterns of light and shadow, and the air was thick with an eerie silence. Every step they took felt like a gamble, with the oppressive weight of the unknown pressing down on them.

The clones spread out slightly, forming a protective formation around Aric. Their expressions mirrored his—focused, cautious, and ready for anything.

System Notification:

[Welcome to the Shifting Labyrinth.]

[Challenge Type: Navigation and Survival]

[Objective: Find the Core of the Labyrinth and claim the prize.]

Additional Rules:

The labyrinth shifts periodically, altering its paths and structure. Hostile entities will patrol the maze. Safe zones exist but are limited and temporary.

[Time Limit: 12 Hours]

Clone 11, the Temporal Strategist, frowned as he read the notification. "A shifting maze with hostile entities and a time limit? This floor isn't pulling any punches."

Aric nodded, his eyes scanning the labyrinth's entrance. "We need a plan. Moving blindly will waste time and resources. Temporal, you're in charge of mapping our route. Tactician, you'll coordinate our movements."

Clone 7, the Tactician, smirked. "Got it. Let's make this maze regret trying to confuse us."

Clone 5, the Stealth Expert, stepped forward. "I'll scout ahead. If there are traps or enemies, I'll report back."

Aric glanced at him. "Stay within range. If you encounter anything you can't handle, fall back immediately."

Phase One: The First Turns

The group advanced cautiously, with Clone 5 moving silently ahead. The walls seemed alive, shifting subtly as they walked, their glowing patterns almost hypnotic.

Clone 11 spoke up, his voice calm but firm. "The labyrinth shifts every five minutes. We need to time our movements carefully to avoid getting trapped in dead ends."

Aric nodded. "Noted. Let's pick up the pace but stay alert."

As they rounded a corner, a low growl echoed through the maze. Clone 5 froze, signaling for the group to halt. He crept back, his expression grim.

"Three hostiles ahead," he whispered. "They're large, quadrupedal, and covered in what looks like living stone."

Aric activated True Sight, his vision sharpening as he peered around the corner. The creatures were indeed massive, their bodies resembling animated statues with glowing red eyes.

System Notification:

[Enemy Identified: Stone Hounds]

[Traits: Durable, Aggressive, Resistant to Physical Attacks]

Aric smirked. "Resistant, not immune. We'll take them down."

He turned to Clone 19, the Elemental Sage. "Can you handle this?"

Clone 19 grinned. "Stone may resist steel, but let's see how it fares against fire."

With a wave of his hand, Clone 19 summoned a torrent of flames that engulfed the Stone Hounds. The creatures roared in defiance, their rocky hides cracking under the intense heat. Aric and Clone 8 darted in, exploiting the weakened spots with precise strikes. Within moments, the enemies were reduced to rubble.

System Notification:

[Stone Hounds Defeated.]

[Reward: Shard of the Labyrinth Core (1/4).]

Aric picked up the glowing shard, examining it. "One down, three to go. Looks like this isn't just about reaching the center—we need these to progress."

Clone 11's eyes narrowed. "If the shards are spread across the labyrinth, we'll need to explore efficiently. We don't have time to backtrack."

"Agreed," Aric said. "Let's move."

Phase Two: Deeper Into the Labyrinth

As they ventured further, the labyrinth's tricks grew more insidious. Pathways that had been open moments before were suddenly blocked, and the glowing patterns on the walls became disorienting.

Clone 11 called for a halt. "The shifting isn't random. There's a pattern—it's based on the glowing symbols. If we can decode them, we can predict the changes."

Clone 2, the Analyst, stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Let me handle this."

While the rest of the group stood guard, Clone 2 studied the symbols, his fingers tracing the intricate designs. After a few minutes, he nodded.

"The symbols correspond to time and direction. If we move according to this sequence, we can stay ahead of the shifts."

"Good work," Aric said. "Tactician, integrate that into our plan."

Phase Three: Ambush in the Maze

The group's progress was steady, but the labyrinth wasn't done with them yet. As they approached a wide intersection, the ground trembled, and the walls began to close in. From the shadows emerged a new threat—humanoid figures made of black smoke, wielding jagged weapons.

System Notification:

[Enemy Identified: Shadow Reapers]

[Traits: Agile, Deadly, Immune to Physical Attacks]

Clone 7 cursed. "Physical attacks won't work on these things. What now?"

Aric grinned. "Who said we needed physical attacks?"

He summoned one of his newly created cheat skills: Ethereal Strike, an ability that allowed him to imbue his attacks with pure energy. His blade glowed with a radiant light as he charged into the fray.

"Focus on keeping them off balance!" he shouted.

Clone 19 unleashed a barrage of elemental spells, while Clone 8 darted between the enemies, drawing their attention. Aric's strikes landed true, each swing dissipating a Shadow Reaper into a burst of smoke.

System Notification:

[Shadow Reapers Defeated.]

[Reward: Shard of the Labyrinth Core (2/4).]

As the second shard joined the first in their inventory, Aric let out a breath. "We're halfway there. Everyone holding up?"

The clones nodded, though the strain was starting to show. Clone 11 spoke up. "We need to find a safe zone soon. The labyrinth's shifts are taking a toll on our stamina."

Aric agreed. "Let's locate one before pressing on. Stay sharp."

Phase Four: The Safe Zone

After another grueling hour of navigating traps and enemies, the group stumbled upon a glowing chamber. The walls pulsed with a soothing blue light, and a faint hum filled the air.

System Notification:

[Safe Zone Detected.]

[Effects: Restores Health and Stamina. Duration: 30 Minutes.]

The clones sighed in relief as they entered the chamber. Aric sat down, pulling out the shards and examining them.

"We're making progress," he said. "But this floor is pushing us hard. The last two shards are probably in even more dangerous areas."

Clone 7 chuckled. "Wouldn't be the Tower if it didn't try to kill us at every turn."

Aric smirked. "True. But we're not backing down. Rest up—we've got a labyrinth to conquer."

As the safe zone's light enveloped them, Aric's mind raced with plans for the challenges ahead. He knew the hardest trials were yet to come, but he also knew that together, they could overcome anything.

To Be Continued...

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