The labyrinth stretched on in endless twists of stone and shadow, each corridor identical to the last, as if the place itself wanted to grind down their sense of direction. Cynthia followed a few paces behind, her bow loosely held in one hand, every step deliberate and unhurried.
Trafalgar clicked his tongue. "Do you really have to walk behind me? It doesn't exactly inspire confidence."
Cynthia's reply came calm but sharp. "This way, I can keep you in sight. Don't worry, I won't do anything." She let the pause linger, her voice cool as ice. "For now."
Trafalgar groaned under his breath. "You thought about that one way too long. Not exactly comforting."
He pressed forward, boots dragging slightly on the uneven stone floor. His thoughts churned with unease. 'If she turns on me here… well, this is just an academy test. They said we wouldn't really die. Maybe I'd just be pulled out of this place. At least it would be over. Maybe then I could finally rest for a while.'
