Chapter 44: The Fourth Floor: The Maze of Hallways

As Kaito and Lyra stepped onto the fourth floor, they were met with a stark contrast to the previous levels. The atmosphere felt different—more oppressive and labyrinthine. The fourth floor was known as a maze of hallways, with numerous twists and turns that could easily confuse anyone unfamiliar with the layout.

Kaito pulled out his map, but it felt inadequate against the sheer complexity of the floor. "We need to be careful here," he said, glancing around. "There are too many places where we could get lost or run into guards."

Lyra nodded, her expression serious. "We should stick to the outer edges of the maze. If we keep close to the walls, we might avoid the main patrol routes."

They began to navigate the maze, moving cautiously and staying alert. As they turned a corner, Kaito spotted a group of guards chatting near a break room. They were too close for comfort, and Kaito felt a knot tighten in his stomach.

"We can't go that way," he whispered, pointing to the guards. "Let's backtrack and find another route."

They retraced their steps, moving deeper into the maze. Kaito felt the pressure mounting as they passed through dimly lit hallways, the sound of their footsteps echoing in the silence. They had to find a way to bypass the guards without drawing attention.

Suddenly, Lyra stopped and pointed to a small door labeled "Supplies." "What if we go in there? It might lead us to a different part of the floor."

Kaito hesitated but nodded. "It's worth a shot."

They slipped through the door, finding themselves in a cramped supply closet filled with old cleaning equipment and boxes. The air was stale, but it offered a moment of respite. Kaito took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart.

"Let's listen for a moment," Lyra suggested, pressing her ear against the door. After a few tense seconds, she nodded. "I don't hear any guards. We should be safe to move."

They opened the door slowly and peeked out. The hallway was clear. Kaito felt a wave of relief wash over him. "Let's go!"

They darted out of the supply closet and continued navigating the maze. After several minutes, they finally spotted the stairwell leading to the fifth floor. Kaito felt a surge of triumph. They had made it through the fourth floor without being caught!

## The Fifth Floor: The Control Room

As they ascended to the fifth floor, Kaito's heart raced with anticipation. This floor was notorious for housing the control room, where guards monitored the entire prison through a network of cameras. If they could avoid detection here, they would be one step closer to freedom.

Kaito and Lyra stepped into the corridor, and the first thing they noticed was the heavy security. The walls were lined with cameras, and Kaito could see a guard stationed outside the control room, his eyes scanning the area.

"We need to find a way to distract that guard," Kaito whispered, feeling the weight of the challenge ahead. "If he sees us, it's over."

Lyra thought for a moment, her brow furrowed in concentration. "What if I use my powers to create a sound on the opposite side of the hallway? It might draw his attention away from us."

"That could work," Kaito replied, his mind racing. "But we need to time it perfectly. If we wait too long, he might look our way."

They positioned themselves just out of sight of the guard, and Lyra focused her energy. Kaito could see the faint glow surrounding her hands as she concentrated. With a sudden flick, she sent a sound echoing from the far end of the corridor—a loud bang that reverberated against the walls.

The guard's head snapped in the direction of the noise, and he rushed off to investigate. Kaito seized the moment. "Now!" he urged, and they dashed toward the control room.

As they approached the door, Kaito felt a surge of adrenaline. He knew they had to act quickly. "We need to get inside and disable the cameras," he said, glancing back to ensure the guard was still distracted.

Lyra nodded, and together they pushed the door open. Inside, the control room was filled with monitors displaying various parts of the prison. Kaito's heart sank as he realized how many cameras were operational.

"Quick, help me find the main control panel," he urged, scanning the room. Lyra moved to one of the monitors, her fingers flying over the buttons as she searched for the right controls.

"I think I can disable the cameras on the lower floors," she said, her voice steady. "But I'll need a few moments."

Kaito kept watch at the door, listening for any signs of the guard returning. Time felt like it was slipping away, and he could feel the tension building. "Hurry, Lyra! We don't have much time!"

Finally, Lyra looked up, a triumphant smile on her face. "Got it! The cameras are down!"

Kaito felt a rush of relief. "Let's get out of here before anyone notices!"

They slipped out of the control room and back into the hallway, their hearts pounding with excitement and fear. They had successfully navigated the fourth and fifth floors, overcoming the challenges that lay in their path.

As they made their way to the stairwell leading to the sixth floor, Kaito couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. They were one step closer to freedom, and with each floor they conquered, their bond grew stronger. Together, they were unstoppable.