Outside the dark labyrinth, three figures sat inside a carriage, surrounding a dark orb that seemed to emit an aura of mystery. From its surface, projections emerged into the air, like flashes of light illuminating the interior of the carriage. In these projections, all the children inside the labyrinth were clearly visible, as if they were living portraits. However, as time passed, some of the children's images began to fade. The dark orb revealed each child's final fate before their image vanished.
"Let's see how many of them survive this time. Last time, only twenty-three made it. Though, well, it doesn't really matter, since even in death they'll be useful. Hahaha," said Aldric, ending with a sinister laugh.
Before Aldric's eyes, he watched as some children, either by luck or by narrowly escaping death, fell into the black holes that served as quick exits from the labyrinth. The trick was that they were random, and few were brave enough to enter them.
"It's fascinating how luck sometimes acts through small actions or mistakes. Sometimes it has the power to lead us to greatness, other times to complete ruin," Aldric sighed, unable to grasp this abstract law that had no logic or form. It simply appeared.
"Yes, they're truly lucky to escape that place unharmed, but luck runs out sooner or later. All it takes is the right moment," said Adam with a click and a creaky voice.
"As much as I'd like to disagree with you, Adam, you're right. Only intention and persistence toward the goal truly matter. Sooner or later, their time will come," commented Lanira as she watched an image of little Guinevere being absorbed by a small black hole.
"So, Adam, have you already chosen your five candidates for the wager?" asked Lanira.
"Yes, they were carefully selected. And I made sure you didn't cheat," said Adam with clicks and a tone that conveyed confidence. He pointed to the children in the projections.
"Mm, you're very confident, but that won't help you here," said Lanira with a hint of disdain. "This fool thinks he can win. It's amusing that he doesn't know divination magic was used before each child entered the labyrinth. Too bad that magic is very limited, due to its many restrictions and consequences, but it narrowed the search quite a bit. Hahaha, that reward is going to be mine," thought Lanira with a trace of joy on her face, pointing to the children among whom was Blair.
"What are you two planning to do?" asked Aldric, puzzled.
"Oh, we're simply making a wager, Lord Aldric. We'll each choose five children. Whoever's chosen child makes it furthest into the labyrinth will win the other's share of the rewards for this mission," said Lanira with a charming smile.
"By any chance, does Lord Aldric wish to join the wager? Obviously, the share we'll earn from this mission is smaller than yours, due to your great contribution in battle. But by combining Adam's and my share, it would nearly match yours. Of course, since the game started a while ago, it would be unfair for you to choose five, as both Adam and I have already lost a candidate. So you'll only choose one. What do you say?" said Lanira in a tempting voice, while Adam turned to look at her uncertainly. This wasn't part of the agreement. He wasn't sure what she was relying on to make such a proposal to Lord Aldric and impose that restriction. "Is this idiot tired of living?" Adam wondered.
"Mm, thinking of it that way, it wouldn't hurt to claim the full reward for this mission. In that case, I'll choose the child," replied Aldric in a calm voice, while both Lanira and Adam felt a sudden magical pulse emanating from Aldric. They weren't sure what it was, when a black mist emerged from his body and drifted toward the labyrinth.
Minutes later, the light from the dark orb revealed the projection of a figure: Eric, who was lying on the cavern floor resting, and suddenly opened his eyes as if something had disturbed him.
"I've made my choice. I look forward to your share," said Aldric in a deep voice.
Upon hearing those words, both Lanira and Adam were confused and concerned by what the old man had just done with that strange magic that summoned the black mist. But as they turned to look at each other and saw the confusion in the other's eyes, it was clear neither of them had an answer. So they could only watch how this unfolded and see if Lord Aldric was right in his prediction.
As time passed, more and more light projections disappeared. In the vision of the three, the children died in various ways: drowned by the black liquid, poisoned after drinking large amounts of it, murdered by the Ouroti, and, surprisingly, crushed when the corridor they were walking through collapsed on their heads, until only fifty-seven projections remained.
"Interesting. I didn't expect so many of them to make it that far. Even more surprising, that child, despite being one of the youngest among the participants, is truly cautious and intelligent," said Adam with continuous clicks in his voice.
"I agree. Lord Aldric made a good choice. Let's see if he manages to get out," said Lanira.
As for the old man, Aldric simply watched the projections and pulled a round blue stone from his cloak. The stone was covered in inscriptions and strange patterns that connected like a bizarre puzzle.
Upon seeing the stone, both Adam and Lanira were surprised. It was a two-way communication stone, and they weren't sure who Aldric was going to contact.
"Inform Meredith that there will be a change in the selection this time. Tell her it would be a shame to lose such promising apprentices. If necessary, sacrifice some of the incoming batches to take their place," Aldric said through the stone in a serene voice.
"Although this isn't the first time such an event occurs, you know that those participants who don't exit through the breach or black holes must be punished severely, since the Tower of Eternal Night was merciful enough to spare their pathetic lives," said a mechanical voice through the blue stone.
"Understood. I'll make sure it's done," replied Aldric calmly and returned the stone to his cloak.
Upon hearing the conversation, Adam and Lanira trembled slightly. It was a rare event, and they both knew firsthand what those words meant, because they had been selected in the same way.
This left them in a heavy silence, but they quickly recovered and focused on the projections. In them, the three saw Eric, who was devising a plan to cross the bridge. In others, they saw groups of children who had joined forces to try to escape.
In one of these projections, they saw a small group of children reach a somewhat dark area, a large cavern with black liquid dripping from the ceiling and forming puddles. The room was also filled with large masses of flesh, which pulsed and had a sickly green color. The children, perhaps out of ignorance or curiosity, entered the room. At first, nothing happened, but when one of them pushed a mass of flesh that blocked their path, they saw it roll across the floor, contract and expand several times, until it finally exploded. The child who was nearby, when some of the residue touched his body, began to melt.
Before the other children could do anything to help him, the puddles in the cave began to move. From them emerged many pale creatures that started to release horrible screeches: "GGGGRRRRRR," for several minutes. Eventually, they rose, growling angrily, and with rage, charged at the children who tried to flee after witnessing what had happened.
"Fools. They entered the nest of those creatures. And worse, they destroyed one of their eggs. Now they'll go into a frenzy and kill everything that moves in that place," commented Adam with disdain, since, because of that, he was left with only one participant.
"You two go to the breach and wait. Let the Ouroti kill the children as they please. Only five must survive. Remember, they must be punished for being given the chance to live," said Aldric in a deep voice.
"Understood, Lord Aldric," said Adam and Lanira in unison. Then, they left the carriage and entered the labyrinth.