The deeper Aether and Rylan walked into the ruins, the stranger the labyrinth became. What had once been a relatively straightforward set of corridors now twisted and curved like a living creature, as if the ancient structure itself possessed a will of its own. The stone beneath their feet felt colder than before, and the air carried a faint metallic scent that lingered in the lungs. The corridor ahead twisted sharply to the left before opening into another passage filled with dim blue light that pulsed softly like a distant heartbeat.
Ancient runes carved into the stone walls flickered unpredictably as they moved forward. Some of the symbols glowed brighter as the two challengers passed by, their light briefly illuminating the walls and ceiling. Others dimmed, fading almost completely as if reacting to their presence with suspicion or disapproval. The effect made the entire hallway feel alive, as though unseen eyes were studying every step they took.
Rylan noticed it too.
