Chapter-10

The name Defaulger Trice settles into the air, a silent declaration of dominance.

I stand at the edge of the labyrinth, absorbing every detail. The pathways twist and shift subtly, almost imperceptibly, as if adjusting to my presence. The machine knows I'm here. It's adapting, trying to decide how best to test me. Or—more likely—how best to break me.

Let it try.

The amulet hums against my chest, its resonance growing stronger. It's feeding off the labyrinth's power, or perhaps the labyrinth is feeding off it. Either way, it's a connection worth exploiting.

Now, the question: where to begin?

1. Follow the largest gears – The massive cogs and shifting pathways could lead me to the heart of the labyrinth, straight to the core of its power. A direct route, but likely the most dangerous.

2. Seek the unseen watchers – I know I'm being observed. That means there are entities within these walls—guardians, prisoners, or something in between. Finding one could provide valuable insight… or an entertaining obstacle.

3. Trace the amulet's energy – The artifact's pulse grows stronger the deeper I go. If it's reacting to something, then that is worth investigating.

The labyrinth breathes around me, shifting, waiting.

Time to make my move.