Breaking the Illusion

The Labyrinth's monster loomed before Emma, its body shifting between shadow and golden light, its form ever-changing. The warmth of her mother's presence had been a lie, a cruel trick to make her let her guard down.

But Emma wasn't falling for it anymore.

The creature's hollow eyes glowed as it spoke in a voice that wasn't hers, wasn't human.

"You doubt yourself, child. You wish to be free of this burden."

Emma gritted her teeth, the Sapphire Stone thrumming in her palm. "No."

The monster tilted its head, the light around it flickering. "No?"

Emma took a step forward. "I don't doubt myself. I doubt you."

The creature hissed. The chamber shook, and tendrils of golden mist shot toward her, trying to wrap around her wrists, her ankles—to bind her.

Emma reacted on instinct.

She lifted the Sapphire Stone, and the power of the tide surged through her.

With a wave of her hand, a burst of water crashed into the mist, shattering it.

The creature shrieked, its form twisting. The shadows flickered, and for a moment—Emma saw something beneath them.

A stone pedestal.

And at its center—the Topaz Stone.

Emma's pulse quickened. So that's what it was guarding.

The creature lunged.

Emma barely dodged as its massive form slammed into the ground where she had stood, sending cracks splintering through the floor.

She had to end this—fast.

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Rahi's Return

Meanwhile, Rahi moved swiftly through the shifting corridors, his dagger drawn, his body tense.

The Labyrinth had tried to break him.

Now, he was going to break it.

He spotted an opening ahead—a faint blue glow filtering through the stone.

Emma.

He sprinted forward, pushing through the shifting walls just in time to see—

Emma facing down a monstrous, flickering creature.

And behind it—the Topaz Stone.

His eyes narrowed. "Figures you'd get into a mess without me."

Emma shot him a look. "Perfect timing."

The creature turned toward him, its hollow eyes locking onto his presence. The moment it did—Emma saw her chance.

She focused on the Sapphire Stone, channeling its power into her veins.

The creature was born of illusions.

And illusions could be washed away.

With a fierce cry, she thrust her hand forward—

A wave of pure, surging water erupted from her palm, crashing into the monster with unstoppable force.

The golden mist dissolved, the creature letting out an ear-piercing wail before it vanished completely.

The chamber fell silent.

The Labyrinth's test was over.

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Claiming the Topaz Stone

Emma and Rahi stood before the pedestal, their breaths still heavy from the fight.

The Topaz Stone hovered above it, its amber light flickering like lightning in a storm.

Emma reached out.

The moment her fingers brushed the stone, a jolt of energy surged through her.

Flashes of visions struck her mind—memories of those who had wielded the stone before her.

And one final whisper.

"The storm and the tide must meet. Only together can they defy fate."

Emma's heart pounded as the vision faded. She clenched the stone tightly, its power settling within her.

She had passed the second trial.

She now had two stones.

But the Eclipse King's words rang in her mind.

"Find the next stone… and when you do, you'll come to me."

She exhaled sharply, turning to Rahi. "We need to move. Now."

Rahi smirked. "Gladly."

With the Topaz Stone secured, they turned toward the exit.

They had won this battle.

But the war was far from over.