Chapter 47:The Maze of Pain

After a heartfelt farewell from the villagers, Subham, Saheli, and Ankan set out on their next mission: finding the ethereal flame. With the mysterious herb safely tucked away, they consulted the treasure map Vidur had given them. The map pointed them towards a remote location deep in the African wilderness.

Their journey took them through dense jungles, across treacherous rivers, and over rocky terrain. The map was cryptic, and the path was anything but straightforward. However, the trio's determination never wavered. After several days of travel, they finally reached the area indicated on the map.

"This is it," Subham said, looking around. "We're close."

They began to explore the area, carefully searching for any clues that might lead them to the ethereal flame. Hours passed with no success, and frustration began to set in. Just as they were about to take a break, Saheli spotted something unusual.

"Hey, over here!" she called out, waving them over.

Subham and Ankan rushed to her side and saw what had caught her attention: a small, ancient-looking temple partially hidden by overgrown vegetation.

"This must be it," Ankan said, excitement in his voice.

The temple was old and weathered, its stones covered in moss and vines. It looked like it hadn't been disturbed for centuries. They cautiously approached the entrance, their hearts pounding with anticipation.

"Let's go inside," Subham said, leading the way.

Inside, the temple was dark and cool, a stark contrast to the sweltering heat outside. They used their flashlights to navigate the narrow corridors, the beams of light illuminating intricate carvings and ancient symbols on the walls. Among these carvings, they noticed some ancient writings.

"Look at this," Subham said, pointing to the inscriptions. "Saheli, can you translate this?"

With the teachings of Vidur, Saheli stepped forward and began to decipher the writings. Her brow furrowed in concentration as she worked through the ancient script.

"It says, 'Whoever seeks the ethereal flame must prove their worth not just in strength but in spirit. Face the challenges within to earn the flame,'" Saheli read aloud. "We need to be ready for whatever lies ahead."

Subham nodded, determination in his eyes. "Then let's move forward."

They continued deeper into the temple, the air growing cooler and damper as they descended. After a few minutes of exploration, they came across a staircase leading down into the depths of the temple.

"An underground staircase," Saheli remarked. "This must lead to the ethereal flame."

Without hesitation, Subham started down the stairs, his friends following close behind. The air grew cooler and damper as they descended, and the faint sound of dripping water echoed through the passage.

The staircase seemed to go on forever, winding deeper and deeper into the earth. Finally, they reached the bottom and found themselves in a large underground chamber. The walls were lined with more carvings, depicting scenes of ancient rituals and mystical flames.

In the center of the chamber, they noticed an archway leading to a dark corridor. As they approached, they saw another inscription on the wall next to it.

"It says, 'The first challenge awaits: The Maze of Pain,'" Saheli translated. "Looks like we have to go through this maze."

"Great, just what we needed," Ankan muttered. "A maze called the Maze of Pain. Sounds fun."

"Stay focused," Subham said. "We can do this. Let's stick together and watch each other's backs."

They stepped through the archway and into the maze. The air grew colder, and an eerie silence filled the corridor. The walls of the maze were high and made of rough stone, with no visible markings to guide their way.

"Stay close," Subham whispered, leading the way.

As they ventured deeper into the maze, they encountered various traps and obstacles designed to test their strength and resolve. There were hidden pitfalls, walls that moved to block their path, and spikes that shot out from the floor. Each challenge required quick thinking and precise movements to overcome.

Despite the difficulties, the trio worked together seamlessly, their bond and training allowing them to navigate the maze with relative ease. Hours passed, and the maze seemed to stretch on endlessly, but they pressed on, determined to reach the end.

At one particularly difficult juncture, they faced a series of swinging blades that moved in unpredictable patterns. Subham took the lead, using his agility and strength to time his movements perfectly. He guided Saheli and Ankan through the blades, narrowly avoiding injury.

"Almost there," Subham said, panting from the exertion. "Just a little further."

Finally, they reached a section of the maze where the walls were inscribed with more ancient writings.

"Another puzzle," Saheli said, studying the inscriptions. "It looks like we need to solve this to move forward."

The puzzle was a complex series of riddles and symbols that needed to be arranged in the correct order. Saheli, with her knowledge of ancient languages and puzzles, took the lead, carefully translating and arranging the symbols.

"Alright, this should be it," she said, placing the final symbol in its slot.

With a rumble, the wall shifted and revealed a hidden passageway. They stepped through, only to find themselves in a room with a large, ornate door at the end. The door was adorned with more carvings and symbols, and a large inscription above it.

"It says, 'Prove your worth through the pain you endure,'" Saheli translated. "I think this is the final challenge."

The door wouldn't open until they completed a series of physical tasks designed to test their endurance and pain tolerance. Subham stepped forward, knowing this part would be his alone to endure.

"Stay back," Subham said. "I'll handle this."

The tasks were brutal, and the pain was excruciating. Subham had to walk barefoot across a path of sharp, jagged rocks that cut into his flesh with every step. Blood oozed from his wounds, but he gritted his teeth and kept moving.

Next, he faced a chamber filled with scalding steam. The heat was unbearable, and his skin blistered and burned. He had to navigate through the chamber while enduring the intense pain, each breath feeling like fire in his lungs.

As if that wasn't enough, the final task required him to hold heavy weights that pressed down on his shoulders, threatening to crush him. The weights were designed to inflict maximum pain, and every muscle in his body screamed in agony. Sweat poured down his face, mixing with the blood from his earlier wounds.

Saheli and Ankan watched with bated breath as Subham faced each trial. Their hearts ached for their friend, but they knew he had to endure this alone. They could only offer their silent support and encouragement.

"Come on, Subham, you can do it!" Ankan cheered, his voice breaking the tense silence.

"You're almost there!" Saheli encouraged, her eyes filled with worry and admiration.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Subham completed the final task. The door slowly creaked open, revealing a small chamber beyond. They stepped inside, their eyes widening in awe. The chamber was filled with ancient artifacts, and in the center, a pedestal with an inscription that read, "To those who endured, the path forward is open."

Subham, Saheli, and Ankan exchanged relieved smiles. They had passed the first challenge and were ready to face whatever else lay ahead. Their journey was far from over, but they were more determined than ever to find the ethereal flame and unlock its secrets.