Chapter 24 — Balance or Death.
Chapter 24 — Balance or Death
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The platform beneath their feet hummed — a deep, pulsing vibration that made even the most experienced among them tense up.
> Maintain the rhythm. Keep their emotions aligned. That's the key.
If anyone panics or doubts for even a moment…
Cyrus remained at the front. His breathing steady. His voice cold, but strangely calming.
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Cyrus (calm, firm tone):
"Don't rush. The platform reacts to us, not the other way around. Keep moving at this pace."
The floating stones shifted unpredictably — some tilting slightly, others narrowing as if testing their balance.
Every heartbeat mattered.
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Selene (low voice):
"The gravity here isn't fixed. It's adjusting to the tension in our bodies."
Aurora (watching the crystals above):
"The dungeon is reading us like a book."
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A flash of light erupted beside them.
One of the smaller auxiliary platforms collapsed entirely — a warning.
Adrien chuckled softly, walking right beside Cyrus.
Adrien (smiling, playful tone):
"Do you feel it, Cyrus? This is what true dungeons are — alive."
Cyrus didn't respond. His mind was hyper-focused.
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Behind them, Shun's breathing faltered slightly — too shallow.
Cyrus caught it immediately.
> Left ankle shifted. Right hand tense. Micro-signs of anxiety building.
Without turning his head, Cyrus spoke directly:
Cyrus (cold, yet guiding tone):
"Shun. Control your breath. Think of nothing but the rhythm."
Shun (nodding, strained):
"Y-yeah… got it."
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Suddenly, ahead — a fork.
Two paths.
One was wide, but the platforms trembled violently.
The other — narrow as a blade, but completely stable.
The group instinctively paused.
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Ren (serious tone):
"Which one, Cyrus?"
Liora (smiling faintly):
"The stable one looks safe, but is that what they want us to think?"
Daiki (stoic):
"The wide path feels like a trap."
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Cyrus closed his eyes for half a second.
Then he spoke.
Cyrus (decisive tone):
"We take the narrow path. Absolute precision. No ego. No sudden moves. Follow me exactly."
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They shifted.
Each step demanded control over the body and mind.
Even the smallest mistake meant death.
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As they crossed, one of the narrow platforms jolted.
Vera slipped.
Her body tilted dangerously toward the abyss — but before anyone else could react—
Cyrus (sharp, emotionless tone):
"Liora. Grab her."
Liora's psychic threads shot out instantly, wrapping around Vera's waist and pulling her back onto the platform.
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Vera (shaken, whispering):
"Thank you..."
Liora (soft smile):
"You owe me tea later."
A small ripple of laughter escaped the group — oddly relieving tension.
> Even brief humor is useful. Stabilizes emotional dissonance. Cyrus noted.
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Adrien kept observing Cyrus closely.
Adrien (amused, whispering):
"You lead them so naturally. Almost like you were born for this."
Cyrus (quiet, calculating tone):
"Leadership isn't birthright. It's repetition."
Adrien (smirking):
"And yet… they don't even know what you truly are."
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They pushed forward.
The final segment of the first layer came into view — a circular platform glowing faintly.
At its center floated a Crystalized Eye — the key to passing the first trial.
But surrounding it stood strange creatures — thin, skeletal beings with elongated limbs, their mouths splitting unnaturally wide.
Their eyes glowed in sync with the dungeon's pulse.
> Guardians.
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Ren (gritting teeth):
"Finally some action."
Daiki (readying his stance):
"Let's do this together."
Aurora (firm tone):
"Keep formation."
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Cyrus lifted his hand, stopping them.
Cyrus (cold, commanding):
"No."
They all paused.
Cyrus (explaining):
"This trial isn't about defeating them head-on. It's about whether we can act as one mind."
He looked at the creatures again — observing their synchronized movement.
Cyrus (sharper tone):
"We mimic them."
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The creatures shifted to a rhythm — left, right, step, breathe.
Cyrus immediately mirrored the motion.
Without hesitation, the group followed his lead, copying every subtle movement.
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As they walked in unison, the creatures began retreating, dissolving into particles of blue light.
The path cleared — the Crystalized Eye floated quietly, waiting to be claimed.
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Cyrus walked forward, reaching toward it.
His fingers touched the crystal, and a surge of knowledge poured into his mind.
> Trial 1 complete.
Layer 2 unlocked.
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The floating text faded as the floor ahead began shifting once more, revealing a descending spiral.
Adrien (grinning):
"Impressive, isn't it? Only one passed this trial before. Me."
Cyrus (expression calm, voice low):
"This is just the beginning.
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End of Chapter 24