3E Trial Part 3

The moment Hakim stepped into the second room of the 3E trial, he was met with a disorienting sight—a labyrinthine maze stretching out before him, its walls towering high and seemingly endless. The air was thick with a sense of foreboding, and the dim light filtering through the maze cast eerie shadows on the stone walls.

"Now a labyrinthine maze. It's nice for me to have a handicap." Hakim quickly brought out something from his bag. It's surprising to know that he brought a cat with black colour with him during this trial. "Master always said that most animal has a sense of finding a way to escape from something." Hakim continued.

Then, he put the cat on the ground. As the cat on the ground, he said something. "Come on, little buddy. Show me the way out," Hakim murmured. 

With a gentle coaxing, Hakim encouraged the cat to lead the way, his voice a soothing murmur in the dimly lit maze. At first, the cat seemed hesitant, its ears twitching as it surveyed the unfamiliar surroundings. But as Hakim continued to speak in soft tones, the cat's demeanor gradually shifted, its movements becoming more confident with each passing moment.

With a flick of its tail, the cat set off along the narrow pathway, its sleek form weaving gracefully through the labyrinth of walls and corridors. Hakim followed closely behind, his eyes fixed on the cat's swaying silhouette as it picked its way through the maze with an almost supernatural grace.

As Hakim and the cat ventured deeper into the labyrinthine maze, they found that they were in a dead end. "It seems it is a dead end." But, then Hakim looked at the wall and it seems like they encountered the first challenge after wandered through the maze. In this first challenge, it state on the wall in front of them;

'Balance this scale. You have only one try. Make a mistake, you will face the consequences.'

Glancing around, he noticed a large stone pedestal in the center of the dead-end chamber. Perched precariously atop the pedestal was a delicately balanced scale, its arms tipped with intricate carvings resembling feathers.

"It looks like we have to balance that scale," Hakim murmured to the cat, his brow furrowed in concentration. "But how?"

Surveying the chamber, Hakim noticed several objects scattered on the ground nearby, including rocks of various sizes and shapes. With a thoughtful expression, he began to gather the stones, carefully considering their weight and balance.

As Hakim carefully examined the scale, his keen eyes noted a subtle imbalance in its construction. With a cautious touch, he gently lifted one of the weight platforms, testing its stability in his hand. 

"It seems this challenge is more intricate than it appears," Hakim muttered to himself, his mind whirling with possibilities. "Thankfully, I noticed this before placing the rock."

With deliberate precision, Hakim removed the weight platform from the scale, studying it closely for any clues or mechanisms. After a thorough inspection, he noticed a small latch hidden beneath the platform's surface. 

"Aha!" Hakim exclaimed softly, a triumphant gleam in his eyes. "It looks like this platform is adjustable. Perhaps if I adjust it properly, we can achieve balance."

With steady hands, Hakim manipulated the latch, carefully adjusting the weight platform until it aligned perfectly with its counterpart. Satisfied with his work, he replaced the platform on the scale, his heart pounding with anticipation.

As the platform settled into place, Hakim held his breath, waiting for the outcome. Slowly but surely, the scale began to level out, the arms reaching a perfect equilibrium as if by magic. "It seems to balance the scale it does not only need to follow with the putting the weight. You just need to balance the scale first."

A relieved smile spread across Hakim's face as he realized he had deciphered the puzzle. "Well done," he murmured to the cat, his companion sharing in his victory. "Now, let's see what lies beyond this challenge." Suddenly, the path is opened for them to pass through.

As Hakim and the cat proceeded down the newly opened path, they arrived at the second challenge, which loomed before them like a daunting obstacle. The challenge consisted of a series of shifting platforms suspended over a deep chasm, with no visible way to cross to the other side except to walk across the shifting platforms.

"Hmm, this looks tricky," Hakim remarked, eyeing the precarious platforms with a mix of apprehension and determination. "It seems we'll need to find a way to navigate these platforms if we want to proceed."

The cat let out a soft meow, as if in agreement, its eyes fixed on the distant ledge on the other side of the chasm.

"Alright, let's figure this out together," Hakim said, his voice filled with resolve. "We've come this far, and I'm not about to let a few unstable platforms stop us now."

With a deep breath, Hakim surveyed the layout of the platforms, analyzing their movements and patterns. He noted that some platforms remained stable for longer periods, while others shifted unpredictably.

"Looks like timing is going to be crucial here," Hakim muttered to himself, formulating a plan in his mind. "We'll need to wait for the right moment to make our move. Maybe you should enter back into my bag for this thing." Hakim said while putting back the cat into his bag.

With that, Hakim began his careful journey across the shifting platforms, timing his step with precision to avoid falling into the abyss below. Each leap and landing required careful calculation, with Hakim relying on his instincts and his strategy earlier to guide him, safely to the other side.

After what felt like an eternity of nerve-wracking leaps and heart-stopping moments, they finally reached the opposite ledge, their hearts pounding with exhilaration and relief.

"We did it!" Hakim exclaimed while bringing out back the cat onto ground, a wide grin spreading across his face as he looked back at the treacherous path they had just traversed. "That was quite the challenge, but we made it through together."

As they walked along the straight path, Hakim began to suspect that there might be a problem ahead. "Hey, let's run!" With whatever energy he had left, he dashed forward, only to notice a large boulder rolling towards them. Thankfully, they were in the middle of the path, allowing them to find a spot to evade being crushed by the boulder. "It's nice we managed to avoid being 'squash' by that." Hakim said with relieved.

As Hakim observed the path ahead, he noticed the pattern of the rolling boulders and the narrow window of opportunity between each one. With each boulder that passed, his heart raced with anticipation, knowing that the timing of his movements would be crucial to safely navigate the perilous path.

"Alright, here goes nothing," Hakim muttered to himself, steeling his nerves as he prepared to make his move. As soon as the current boulder cleared his path, he sprang into action, his muscles tense with focus as he darted forward with calculated precision.

With each passing moment, the tension mounted as Hakim raced against the relentless advance of the next boulder. He could feel the rush of wind as it swept past him, the sound of its thunderous impact echoing through the maze.

But Hakim remained steadfast, his eyes fixed on the distant ledge on the other side of the path. With a final burst of speed, he lunged forward, narrowly avoiding the crushing force of the oncoming boulder as he leaped across the gap to safety.

As he landed on the opposite side, a surge of adrenaline flooded through him, his heart pounding in his chest as he realized he had successfully traversed the treacherous path.

"Phew, that was close," Hakim breathed, relief flooding through him as he took a moment to catch his breath.

After that, he looked at the timer count above him. He knew that the mastermind had equipped the room with CCTV cameras, timers, and speakers to monitor the captives' progress. As he glanced at the timer, he felt a surge of urgency wash over him. It seemed like he only had around 2 hours remaining, and he wasn't sure how much longer he would be in this room. He needed to enter the last room as soon as possible to ensure he had enough time to complete the trial.

Feeling the pressure mounting, Hakim quickened his pace, determined to navigate the maze and overcome any challenges that lay ahead. Now, he stood before a door, which appeared to be locked. "Wait, so there are only three challenges in this room? I see. The door is locked. Does that mean I lost because I didn't find any key before coming here?" Suddenly, an idea came to his mind. "There's no door that can't be lockpicked."

With newfound determination, Hakim retrieved the makeshift lockpick he had fashioned earlier from his bag. With practiced precision, he inserted it into the keyhole and began to manipulate the tumblers with expert skill. Each movement was deliberate and calculated, his fingers working deftly as he focused all his concentration on the task at hand.

Minutes stretched into eternity as Hakim worked tirelessly to unlock the door, the tension in the air palpable as he struggled against the confines of the labyrinth. Every click of the tumblers sent a surge of hope coursing through him, driving him forward with renewed resolve.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, there was a satisfying click, and the door swung open before him, revealing the passage to the final room of the labyrinth. With a triumphant smile, Hakim stepped through the threshold, ready to face whatever challenges awaited him on the other side.

As he stepped into the third room, or perhaps the final chamber, he discovered that it was designed for him to traverse a series of platforms. "This layout resembles a Ninja Warrior course. But why can't I see the bottom?"

Hakim look at the time counter. "It seems like I only have about one hour and half. I need to be quick." Hakim wants to enter the first platform, but before that he need to cautious about his surrounding. "I need to be aware as there is no trap that I would happen to trigger. Mr. Cat. You should be inside my bag this time. I don't want you to fell down this abyss."

As Hakim make a preparation, he cautiously approached the first platform, eyeing its precarious position above the abyss below. With each step, he felt the adrenaline coursing through his veins, his senses heightened as he navigated the treacherous course.

"I hope that this is the last room and the trial shall be end after this." Hakim said. As he progressed through the room, Hakim encountered various obstacles, including swinging pendulums, tilting platforms, and narrow ledges. Each challenge tested his agility, balance, and quick reflexes.

Despite the increasing difficulty, Hakim remained focused and determined, determined to overcome every obstacle in his path. With each successful maneuver, he edged closer to the end of the course and the potential escape from this perilous trial.

But just as he approached the final platform, Hakim's foot slipped, sending him tumbling toward the abyss below. With a quick reflex, he reached out and managed to grab hold of the ledge, his heart pounding in his chest as he dangled precariously over the edge.

"Argh!!!" Summoning all his strength and determination, Hakim pulled himself up and onto the final platform, a sense of triumph surging through him as he stood on solid ground once more.

With his heart still pounding from the adrenaline rush of his near fall, Hakim took a moment to collect himself before proceeding to the final platform challenge. Despite the unexpected setback, he remained determined to see the trial through to the end.

"I should have known that something like that might happen," he muttered to himself, reflecting on the unpredictable nature of the challenges he had faced so far. But Hakim refused to let doubt or frustration cloud his focus. With renewed resolve, he steeled himself for whatever lay ahead on the final platform.

With a glance at the towering structure before him, Hakim couldn't help but draw a comparison to the infamous "warped wall" obstacle from Ninja Warrior. The final platform loomed above him, its sheer height and smooth surface presenting a daunting challenge.

"It seems this final platform looks like the 'warped wall' in Ninja Warrior," Hakim remarked, his voice tinged with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension. Despite the resemblance to the iconic obstacle, he knew that scaling this wall would require a different approach—one that would test not only his physical strength but also his mental fortitude and determination. 

"I feel thirsty. I need to get hydrate." Hakim took a sip from the bottle water that he brought in his bag.

With a swig of water to quench his thirst, Hakim felt a surge of renewed energy coursing through his veins. "Ah, even a little water can make a big difference," he mused, acknowledging the revitalizing power of hydration. Bracing himself for the final challenge, he summoned every ounce of strength and determination within him.

Without hesitation, Hakim sprinted towards the towering wall, his muscles coiled like springs ready to propel him upwards. With a burst of speed, he launched himself into the air, his hands reaching for the smooth surface of the wall. Miraculously, he found purchase on his first attempt, his fingers gripping the edge firmly as he pulled himself up and over the obstacle. 

As he landed on the other side, a triumphant smile spread across Hakim's face. "One step closer to victory," he thought, his spirits buoyed by his success. With renewed determination, he opened the door in front of him.

As Hakim pushed open the door before him, he was momentarily blinded by the sudden surge of light that flooded into the room. Blinking rapidly to adjust to the brightness, he stepped forward cautiously, his heart pounding with anticipation.

A voice echoed from beyond the threshold, ringing out with a congratulatory tone that filled Hakim with a sense of accomplishment. "Congratulations," it proclaimed, the words carrying a weight of triumph and victory.