Chapter 12 The Tournament 2: The Maze

As the crowd fell silent, awaiting the starting signal, the tension in the air was palpable. Ego felt his heart race in his chest, knowing that the competition would be fierce.

The field was charged with excitement as the participants stood in front of a towering, intricate maze. The entire school had gathered to watch the tournament, and the anticipation was electric. Ego felt his heart pound with both anxiety and eagerness.

As the competitors prepared, the audience watched from the sidelines, eager to witness the spectacle. The sun bathed the field in a warm glow, casting long shadows from the towering hedges that made up the maze. Ego glanced at his teammates, sharing a mixture of determination and a hint of nervousness with them.

Then, the signal came.

With a resounding voice, the tournament officials declared, "On your marks!" Ego, along with his fellow competitors, crouched, ready to sprint into the maze at the signal. The tension in the air was palpable.

"Get set!"

Ego's heart raced as he focused on the challenge ahead. He knew that the maze concealed various obstacles and surprises, and it would take all their skill and teamwork to conquer it.

And then, the signal they had been waiting for.

"Go!"

In an explosive burst of energy, the participants charged into the maze, scattering in various directions as they navigated its winding pathways. The hedges loomed high above them, creating a labyrinthine challenge that would test their abilities.

Ego sprinted down one of the maze's narrow passages, his breath coming fast. He heard the sounds of his teammates moving through the maze, their voices echoing faintly as they called out to one another.

He came to a fork in the path and made a quick decision to turn right. The walls of greenery pressed close, and the only way forward was through the maze's mysterious twists and turns. The maze seemed to have a life of its own, leading them into hidden challenges and surprises.

Ego's mind raced as he encountered obstacles within the maze. Sections that seemed to move and shift, forcing them to backtrack and try a different path. Hidden traps that released harmless but distracting illusions to slow them down.

As Ego continued to navigate the labyrinthine maze, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and uncertainty, his attention was suddenly drawn to an unexpected presence. His frantic run came to a sudden halt as he found himself face-to-face with a creature like none he had ever seen before.

Before him stood a creature that resembled a black panther, but with a bizarre twist. It had two tails, each radiating a brilliant light. The creature's intense gaze seemed to pierce through Ego's very soul. He couldn't help but wonder what sort of beings inhabited this mysterious maze.

Panic set in as Ego tried to retreat, but his fear only intensified when he turned to see the same creature directly behind him, mirroring his movements with an eerie synchronicity. The two-tailed creatures were closing in on him with every passing second.

Ego's mind raced with questions. "What kind of creature is this? I thought they said that the maze was void of any living beings. The puzzle only deepened as he had not encountered such creatures during his previous training.

With growing apprehension, Ego cautiously drew his sword. His training had taught him that he must be prepared for the unexpected. He took a defensive stance, holding his sword before him, ready to face whatever challenges this maze presented.

The tension in the air was palpable as Ego watched the two-tailed creatures, their bright tails casting an eerie light. His muscles tensed, ready to strike if necessary, but a surge of fear coursed through him. He was about to face an unknown adversary in this enigmatic maze.

One of the creatures, the one that stood before him, suddenly leaped into the air. Ego's heart raced, anticipating an attack. But just as it was about to descend upon him, a mysterious hand reached out from behind Ego and yanked him away.

He couldn't believe his eyes as he passed through the second creature as if it were a digital projection, not a tangible being. Ego stumbled forward, trying to regain his balance. Behind him, the mysterious hand had saved him from the unknown creature.

"Adam it's you? Thank you!" Ego said.

"Yes I know it is me, but we have to run now, run as fast as your legs can take you," Adam said as he interrupted Ego and they both began to run.

"What was that creature back there?" Ego inquired as they ran.

"That back there was a 'Mirrormorph' It's a creature that is capable of duplicating itself, giving it the advantage of making its prey think it has been trapped," Adam added. " The one I pulled you through was the duplicate, but this one chasing us right now isn't a duplicate so we have to run. "

As they ran deeper into the maze, the audience watched from the sidelines, their excitement growing as they anticipated the outcome of the tournament. Ego could feel their collective energy in the air, and it fueled his determination. The tournament of their lives had truly begun, and he was ready to prove himself.

A/N: I will be leaving some character photos and those of any creature they face in the paragraph comment.