C7 Death Trap

The wall groaned, its ancient gears grinding as it opened up with a loud creak, revealing a narrow passage that seemed to swallow the light. Theo's heart pounded in her chest, echoing the creaking sound in her ears.

At the end of the passage, a door made of solid iron appeared. It was so large and heavy that it seemed to have been built to last for eternity. On its surface was an intricate pattern of shapes and symbols that were unrecognizable to Theo, but they held a certain power in them that put her at ease.

Ilta and Way came up next to her, "Looks like we'll be accompanying you inside." Ilta said softly.

Silas stepped forward, pushing open the door with no effort at all. He turned back around and gave Theo an encouraging smile before gesturing for them to come through. The trio followed him into what looked like a forgotten chamber that had been untouched for centuries. It was filled with ancient artifacts and mysterious relics from all over the world, each one holding its own unique story full of promises that could not be denied.

"Theo you may take one item from this room to help you along your way." Silas said sternly.

Theo gazed around the room, her heart thumping with anticipation. Way Onyx and Ilta Salt stood in awed silent alongside her, unwilling to offer their opinion.

She paused for a moment before approaching the artifacts, overwhelmed with the number of choices she had. "Which one do I chose?" Theo asked aloud.

The air felt like it was charged with electricity as everyone in the room held their breath.

"The choice has to be yours, Theodora." Silas chided her gently.

But how do I choose? She thought desperately, before gesturing over at Ilta Salt who was gesturing subtly to something slightly glowing with a strong ray inside her pocket. She pulls out the dagger given to her by the custodians.

"Good choice." Silas remarked approvingly. "It will always shine brightly with the light from within no matter the situation you find yourself in."

Theo nodded intensely inspecting the dagger, its intricate design beautiful and an incredible forest green hue that reminds you of nature itself. Feeling a surge of power course through her veins as she hoped they would guide her path true.

"Are you ready, Theo?" Way Onyx asked, his tall, muscular frame casting an imposing shadow on the floor. His stern expression betrayed no hint of emotion, but she could sense his unwavering determination. Beside him stood Ilta Salt, a frail-looking elderly man with a kind smile that reached his eyes, warming Theo's nerves ever so slightly.

“Brilliant, I'm as ready as a three-legged sloth," Theo retorted, her brow scrunched in mock enthusiasm. She braced herself and took a few steps towards the unknown passage, frantically searching both of the men's faces for any sign of encouragement they may have had to offer.

"Remember, we're here to guide and support you, not fight your battles," Ilta Salt reminded her gently, his voice like a balm over her mounting anxiety.

“Obviously,” Theo retorted sarcastically, her raised eyebrows conveying her doubt. She leisurely took a deep breath and sauntered into the dark room as if she was entering an amusement park despite feeling an unsettling chill down her spine.

"Stay focused, and trust your instincts," Way Onyx called after her, his voice firm yet encouraging. "You've got this, Theo."

Theo stumbled through the ominous passage, her mind flooded with self-doubt. Of course I'm ready for this, she thought sarcastically. I mean, what could possibly go wrong? Taking a deep breath, she tried to focus on the task at hand, trying not to think about the potential of failure.

Silas' voice reverberated through the chamber. "Theodora, I remind you that the choices you make in these moments will determine your future. If you fail any one of the tasks that come your way, then you shall become one of the obsidian cast gargoyles who stand guard over this facility." He gestured towards the looming creatures positioned at entrance of the room – silent sentinels watching her every step with judgmental eyes.

Theo stared at them for a moment before finally understanding Silas' warning and nodding in acknowledgement. Taking a deep breath to push away her rising fear, she steeled herself and continued on into the unknown depths of this magical place.

This entrance too was guarded by a pair of menacing gargoyles carved from obsidian. The creatures' ruby eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, sending shivers down Theo's spine. She tightened her grip on her sword, feeling the weight of the ancient blade in her hands.

Theo's heart pounded as she ventured deeper into the dimly lit chamber, the air heavy with the scent of ancient magic. Before her loomed a massive wall of slick, obsidian stone, reaching up to the shadows above. The very surface seemed to writhe with an otherworldly energy, sending a chill down her spine. Doubt gnawed at her, and her palms grew clammy with anxiety. The stakes had risen, for failure meant not only a treacherous fall but also meant being petrified and forever trapped as another one of the stone guardians.

"Any suggestions?" she called back to Way Onyx and Ilta Salt, her voice quivering slightly.

"Trust your instincts," Ilta Salt's voice echoed through the chamber. "And remember that sometimes, the solution is not what it seems. Be prepared for the unexpected."

"Great," Theo muttered under her breath, her mind swirling with thoughts of terrifying traps and unknown dangers lurking in the shadows.

Looking around for any signs of handholds or footholds, she noticed a series of grooves etched into the stone. With a burst of inspiration, she tried wedging her fingers into the gaps and found them surprisingly secure. Gritting her teeth, she began her ascent, her muscles straining with each pull.

With a deep breath, she steeled herself and scanned the chamber for any signs of a hidden passage or a clue to bypass the wall. Her gaze landed on a mural in arms reach depicting a forgotten battle between mythical creatures, their forms twisted and fierce. A glimmer of understanding flashed in her eyes as she deciphered the cryptic symbols adorning the ancient artwork.

With a burst of inspiration, Theo stepped forward and pressed a series of symbols in the mural, causing the gargoyles to shudder and emit a low rumble. The chamber quaked, and the once solid stone gasps in the wall transformed into a winding staircase leading deeper into the heart of the labyrinth.

"Not what it seems huh? Going down instead of up. As she descended, her footsteps echoed through the abyss, amplifying the weight of her mission.

"Focus on your breathing, and maintain a steady rhythm," Way Onyx advised from below, his voice calm and measured. "Remember: slow and steady wins the race. But be prepared for the challenges ahead; they will test not only your physical strength but also your resolve."

Theo clung to the wrought iron railing of the staircase, her hands clammy with anticipation.

A deep chill ran through her veins as the air turned icy. Faint whispers began to swirl around her, like spirits from a forgotten past were entreating her to listen.

The walls seemed to close in on her, their darkened veins pulsating with an eerie energy.

Doubt tugged at Theo's resolve, but she fought to take back control. With every step, her determination grew as strong as the steel of her sword, and she kept going.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Theo emerged from the depths of the chambers, stepping into an ethereal realm bathed in shimmering moonlight. The forest that lay before her was a tapestry of towering trees with branches that twisted like serpents, their leaves whispering secrets in a language only the wind understood.

Theo surveyed her surroundings, perplexed. "We were supposed to be heading down." She rolled her eyes sarcastically. "Magic, of course." She let out a bitter laugh.

The forest's enchantments stirred with every step, their ethereal melodies both alluring and deceptive. It wasn't going to be easy—Theo knew the cost of failure was not an option.

"Nicely done," Ilta Salt praised, his eyes twinkling with approval. "But remember, the path ahead is fraught with peril. Trust in your instincts, they're there inside you, but be wary of the illusions that may seek to lead you astray."

“Cheers,” Theo mumbled in a monotone voice. She doubled over, desperately trying to regain her breath. One measly task down, she thought mockingly, but there's plenty more. She stood up with renewed vigor and gripped her sword with white-knuckled force, ready to take on any obstacle that stood in her way with an unwavering sense of apathy.

"Let's keep moving," she said determinedly, turning towards the winding path that beckoned her deeper into the mysterious forest. The trees seemed to sway in anticipation, their ancient wisdom whispering in her ears. Taking one last look over her shoulder at what she had conquered already—and steeling herself for whatever lay ahead—Theo stepped forward into the unknown with renewed courage, her heart a beacon of unyielding hope amidst the encroaching darkness.

Theo's success in the labyrinth had granted her a temporary respite, but standing before her now was an even more formidable challenge—a treacherous chasm teeming with shadows that seemed to devour all light. The air crackled with arcane energy, and a bone-chilling howl echoed in the distance, heralding the presence of an otherworldly guardian.

Undeterred, Theo approached the edge of the abyss, peering into its depths. She felt her pulse quicken as her eyes adjusted to the darkness below, revealing a writhing mass of tentacles and crimson eyes that glowed like embers. The creature, a nightmarish embodiment of fear and despair, sensed her presence and let out a spine-chilling shriek that rattled her very soul.

"Do not be afraid," Way Onyx said from behind her, his voice gentle yet firm. "You are brave and strong enough to face the horrors that lie within. Trust in your abilities and find the light within the darkness."

Theo nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. She took a deep breath, drawing upon her inner strength, and leaped into the abyss. Arms and legs flailing in the air Theo grabbed hold of the edge of the frame of the metal structure, all suspended in midair. As she steadied herself hanging in the air she edged forward for a better look, her heart sank. The sheer number of the rings set up is enough to overwhelm anyone, let alone someone with Theo's minimal problem-solving experience!

"Take your time," Ilta Salt's voice whispered in the back of Theo's mind as she squinted at the puzzle. "Trust your instincts."

Closing her eyes, Theo focused on slowing down her breathing until she felt calmer and more collected. Then she opened her eyes again and studied the puzzle intently. An idea slowly formed in her head and she took a deep breath before reaching out to manipulate the rings into the configuration that had come to mind.

It took an agonizingly long time for Theo to twist and turn each ring into position one by one.

She grit her teeth and fought to keep her grip as her fingers shuddered with fatigue, but she forced herself to concentrate and stay focused on the task at hand. Finally, after what felt like an eternity of trial and error, the last metal ring clicked into place with a triumphant click!

Theo released a sigh of relief as Way Onyx and Ilta Salt cheered from the sidelines. "Excellent work!" Way Onyx exclaimed, clapping his hands together in approval. "You have a knack for this sort of thing."

“Fantastic!” Theo exclaimed through gritted teeth as she hoisted her exhausted body up the last set of steps. “Oh, what an absolute joyride this has been,” she spat sarcastically, panting heavily. She reached out her arms and rolled her shoulders around in circles, desperately trying to get the feeling back into her numbed limbs.

Theo stepped cautiously forward, her heart pounding in anticipation. As followed the patch up a mountain peak and rounded a corner into a cave. The final chamber, the scent of damp earth and stale air hit her like a wave. The room was pitch black but for a few eerie red lights that cast distorted shadows on the walls. Her eyes adjusted to the darkness, and she jumped back in surprise as she made out figures scattered around the chamber - monstrous creatures with glowing eyes lurking in the shadows.

"Do not be afraid," Way Onyx said from behind her, his voice gentle yet firm. "You are brave and strong enough to make it through this. Trust in your abilities, and let your inner light guide you."

Theo nodded her head in acknowledgement before taking another deep breath and stepping forward into the darkness. The door shut behind her with a heavy thud, plunging the room into absolute darkness. Fear began to well up inside of her as she felt her way around blindly, but then Ilta Salt's words echoed in her mind like a beacon of light: "Rely on your other senses, use your compass". With a newfound determination, Theo closed her eyes and focused on listening instead.

She heard faint scurrying and rustling coming from all directions, hinting at the presence of creatures hidden in the darkness. Sweat dripped down her forehead as she cautiously stepped forward.

The darkness seemed to press in around her, but suddenly a faint light began to pulse at the hilt of the sword she held. The soft glow slowly grew and illuminated the space around her, pushing back the oppressive shadows.

Taking a deep breath, Theo steadied herself and began to study these strange creatures in front of her. There were four of them, each with its own distinct appearance - one with a long neck, one with gnarled wings, one with hundreds of tiny legs scuttling across its body and finally one that seemed to be made entirely of stone.

She edged closer, determined to learn more about these monsters before her. Then she noticed that each creature had several symbols engraved onto its hide - strange symbols that seemed to be some kind of code or language. With an excited gasp, Theo realized what she was looking at: an ancient puzzle consisting of multiple riddles!

Theo squinted at the symbols in front of her scattered across the etched stone, taking in each one with an intensity and focus that made sweat bead on her forehead. She began to work methodically through the puzzles, carefully cross-referencing and discarding possibilities until, hours later - and just as dawn's pink light crept through the windows far above their heads - she solved them all. Her reward was four mysterious objects: a mechanical compass which glowed and vibrated in her hands; a crystal vial filled with an unknown roiling liquid; a book inscribed with symbols that seemed to shift before her eyes; and finally an amulet that sparkled brightly when worn around her neck.

As Theo gazed upon these curious gifts bestowed upon her by these creatures from beyond time and space, Ilta Salt's voice echoed softly within her mind: "You have conquered the deepest fears that dwell within, emerging as a true champion of light."

She had proved herself more than capable of the impossible mission, and she tackled Ilta Salt with ease.

Theo barely managed a smirk of amusement at Ilta Salt's words as Way Onyx grasped her hand.

The air in the chamber thinned and a massive form materialized out of thin air. Its body glistened black like obsidian, its wings spread wide as if ready to take flight, and atop its head perched two curved horns guard a long snout that resembled an alligator. With a deft movement, she waved her sword in an arc and the air around them crackled with energy. The illusion dissipated, revealing Buzadu Stout in his black and gold uniform. His lips curled into an approving smirk. He bowed humbly before her and without another word his figure melted away into nothingness.

Her breath came in ragged gasps, her body aching from the intensity of the battle. Way Onyx and Ilta Salt stood before her.

"Told ya," She scoffed, "nothing to worry about!" She winked sarcastically at Ilta.

He raised his brows in surprise. "Is that so?" He said and the trio burst into a fit of laughter.

She felt triumphant, ready to face whatever trials awaited her on her path to destiny.

As Theo stumbled from the sensory deprivation chamber, the weight of her exhaustion threatened to pull her to the ground. But she held herself together, propelled by the knowledge that she had completed her test.

"Bravo, Theodora! You've done it!" Silas beamed at her nodding his approval. "Even though no one thought you will." He almost whispered.

“Thanks ever so much.” Theo replied eyeing him sarcastically, struggling to contain the relief she felt for living through yet another harrowing experience.

Theo felt the door slam behind her and then heard an audible click as the wall panels shifted. All at once, a brilliant burst of light poured in from windows that she knew could not be real. The room was still underground, but it was suddenly filled with sunshine and colors – warm hues of pink and yellow that seemed to illuminate every corner. Theo couldn't believe what she was seeing.

Silas stepped forward. In his hands he held an envelope.

"This letter was found among your father's papers," Silas explained. "He gave it to me just before he went missing eight years ago. I've been holding on to it for years hoping one day our paths might cross again. I'm afraid there isn't much left that can be read, but I thought you should have it."

Theo's eyes widened as she gently accepted the letter into her hands. She studied the faded script, recognizing her father's handwriting immediately. Tears began to stream down her face as she read the few words that remained intact.

"My dearest Theodora...I love you....never stop looking for..."

Theo's voice trailed off as she tried to make out more of the message but the charred edges made it impossible to continue reading. Her heart felt heavy in her chest, knowing that this was likely

She looked back up from the letter her gaze searching the room for Silas but he was nowhere in sight. She stared at the letter again.

Theo glared at the parchment in disbelief, snorting incredulously. "That's all I get after almost a decade of waiting for you to return and this is all I get? How generous," she spat sarcastically before stuffing it into her pocket as if it were toxic.