The Trials of Labyrinth

"THE GRAND TOURNAMENT OF AETHERIA SHALL NOW COMMENCE," says Queen Silvy.

As soon as Queen Silvy announced the beginning of the tournament, the crowd erupted with cheers and applause and the loud sounds of drums. Excitement buzzed through the air as everyone eagerly anticipated the tournament between the knights that was about to start.

"Ahh, I feel anxious," said Marie, looking at the crowd.

"Yeah, it's overwhelming," I replied.

"It's your guy's first time, right? During my time, I was scared to death and wasn't moving from my place for that race, even though they had released the guns. Sheeeshh. Everyone was laughing from the crowd," said Alex, remembering his past.

"Why am I not surprised to hear that?" said Marie.

"So cruel, Marie. So cruel."

"Shut up and stop crying now."

"Yess..."

Alex and Marie have become so understanding of each other. Marie feels like a mother to Alex.

"So, Alex, did you ever win in these tournaments?" I asked.

"Naahhhhh," replied Alex, making a troublesome face.

"What do you expect from him?" said Marie.

"It's not like that. I always managed to reach the last round."

"Ohh, is that so?" asked Marie.

"Yes, it was already very hard enough to stay alive in there. Sobs* Sobs*"

"Such a crybaby you are."

It was hard to stay alive, but still, he always managed to reach the last round. It seems like he has some skills.

Just then, I realised the name has been cheered for a while now. The crowd is supporting a person at the front on the right side.

"And who's that guy in the white robe everyone is cheering for?" I asked.

"Oh, that's Dora. The heir of one of the noble families here," said Alex.

"Dora...."

"Yeah, he is the one who emerged victorious in the last three tournaments simultaneously."

"Oh, I see."

"Be careful, though. He is crazily strong. I'll say if we have to face him. It's better to give up or run away."

"You've fought with him?" I asked.

"Nope, I gave up as I was too scared to."

"As expected," said Marie.

"Come on, Marie..." cried Alex.

Dora...I should stay aware of him. He is pretty tall and has a muscular build with a sword on his side.

Just then, a shiver raced down my spine like an icy serpent, hands coils tightening around my throat with a deadly embrace. My heart skipped a beat. In an instant, I spun around, expecting to find an assailant that wanted to kill me, but there was nothing, only a knight who looked at me with a dull face for looking at him.

"What is it?" he asked.

What was that? It didn't come from him. He looked surprised at himself because I turned towards him so fast.

"No, nothing. I am sorry." I replied.

I felt an intense aura around me; it came from behind. It was an infusion, for sure. I thought it was over for me. But who?

"Elea, what happened?" asked Marie.

I looked around a little bit more. There were a large number of people around.

"Elea.."

I saw a guy in a metal robe and one girl in armour. One girl in mini-sleeveless Cheongsam, one guy in white t-shrit, One muscular, bald guy around the corner, one girl in a hoodie.

"Elea...."

Ahh- There are lots of people here, and no one seems suspicious as everyone is looking towards the Queen. Was I mistaken?

"Oii, Elea!!!" yelled Marie.

"Huh ahh, yes. I mean. Nothing. What happened?" I replied.

"What happened to you? You are off-zoned on your own." 

"Ahh- nothing. I just felt like someone's watching me."

I can't tell her that I felt like I was about to die. She might start yelling at random people for no reason.

"Oh, I see. Some boys must be on the on the lookout for a cold Sigma girl here," said Marie, smirking.

"Hahah, shut up."

*BLOOOMMM*

A loud sound of Tuba erupted as Queen raised her hand to guide the further instructions of the tournament.

"ATTENTION!"

Everyone went hush again, with their ears and eyes focused on Silvy, who was standing in front of a throne.

"Now I'll be laying down the name of the first task of the tournament and the rules and instructions for it."

We all stood straight in front of her. All the slow whispers also vanished with it.

"The name of the first task is —THE TRIALS OF LABYRINTH."

"The trials of labyrinth..." I slowly repeated.

"Ahh- Labyrinth. There will be a big maze waiting for us," said Alex in a stressful manner.

"What? You know about it?" Asked Marie.

"Na, just the ground is the same. The rules and tasks are different every time."

"I see."

Then Queen Silvy started explaining further details.

"You have to form a team of three, and each team will be given one prism statue."

A knight approached and presented a small box to the queen. She lifted the lid, and with delicate hands, she revealed a palm-sized glass statue nestled within. Its surface shimmered with the iridescence of a rainbow, casting prisms of light across it as she gently cradled it in her palms.

"Your task is to protect your statue and collect one more statue from another team before time runs out."

Suddenly, the slow whispers arose again. Everyone looked around and had already started making plans.

"Teams that have two statues on them at the end of the first task will advance to the next level, and those who fail to collect two statues will be disqualified."

Queen looked around at everyone while explaining, and soon her gaze met mine.

"You have to strategize, think, fight, and win over the other team. While protecting something important to yourself."

*Gulps* that felt like a personal tip.

"The maze's are ever-changing; they adapt, they shift, they take different shapes, and sometimes they turn into completely something else," said Queen Silvy. "And the time to complete the first task will be 3 hours."

Hmm, 3 hours of non-stop battle royal for the statue

"You have 10 minutes. Form the team and stand one by one at the entrances, respectively, as we'll hand over the prism statue."

*Claps*

With a resounding clap, Queen Silvy sweeps her hand to the right, unveiling a grand entrance that splits into vast lanes, each branching into multiple passages. Within lies a shroud of mist, concealing a labyrinth that winds towards destinations unknown, leaving us standing on the threshold of uncertainty.

"Whaat, that feels scary," said Marie.

"Yeah, right." I said. "Anyways, let's make a team now. People around us have already started forming their own."

"We both will be there, obviously. Who else should we take?" Marie said,, looking around.

"Yeah, we need one more member," I replied.

As Marie was looking around at different knights for one more member, she turned her left, and suddenly Alex popped in front of her eyes. She turned right, and Alex popped to the right. Wherever she looked, poor Alex was jumping in front of her to grab her attention, and she was ignoring his existence.

"Marie, I am right here. I know you can see me," said Alex.

"Elea, did you hear something?" replied Marie, looking around.

*Chuckles* What are these two doing? Sigh*

"Marie..." I said.

"Yes Elea?"

"Let's take him."

"Oh, okay, if you say so," said Marie.

Alex jumped in front of me with teary eyes and hands joined.

"Thank you so much, Eleanor. No wait, Miss Eleanor."

"Yeah, it's okay. I mean, do a good job." I replied.

"I will, I will," said Alex, bowing again and again.

Thup*

"Slow us down, and I'll kill you," said Marie, punching Alex in the stomach.

"Yes, Yes. I won't. I promise."

Clutching our prism statue, we stood before the colossal entrance to the labyrinth, its imposing presence casting a shadow over our resolve. Glancing around, I observed other fellow knights, their spirits ablaze with determination mirroring my own. Amidst the sea of confident faces, I felt the weight of uncertainty pressing upon me, but I knew I couldn't afford to fear or step back.

With every ounce of strength, I steeled myself for the challenges ahead, determined not to succumb to doubt. Especially in this one, I have Marie on my side as well.

I looked at her, and we passed a smile to each other.

"THE FIRST TASK OF THE TOURNAMENT BEGINS NOW." Screamed Queen Silvy.

*BANG* 

The canon fires as a signal of the beginning, and we laid our first step inside.