Chapter 14
The Hogsmead Field Trip (Part 4)
As Wen Ning and Nie Huaisang stepped through the leafy archway, they found themselves in a long, twisting path bordered by more shifting hedges. The air seemed to thicken around them, filled with strange echoes that bounced off the greenery – snippets of laughter, whispered conversations, and... was that singing?
They walked for what felt like hours, the path twisting and turning unpredictably. Just as they were about to take another break, a familiar voice echoed from somewhere ahead.
"Wei Ying, I don't think that's the correct way to solve this puzzle."
Wen Ning paused, tilting his head. "Wait... doesn't that sound like Lan Wangji?"
Nie Huaisang frowned, fanning himself nervously. "It could just be the maze trying to trick us again. Remember what happened with my brother's voice? I'm not falling for that again. Once was traumatizing enough."
"But what if it's really them?" Wen Ning pressed, his voice tinged with hope. "We should at least check..."
Nie Huaisang hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. "Alright, but if we end up face to face with some horrifying maze monster, I'm using you as a shield."
They crept closer to the source of the voices, and Wen Ning's expression brightened. "No, no, listen," he insisted, pressing closer to the hedge. "It doesn't sound like it's trying to lure us anywhere. They're... arguing about tea leaves?"
As they strained their ears, they could make out Wei Wuxian's voice:
"Are you absolutely certain that's what it means, Lan Zhan? Because I'm pretty sure that blob looks more like Professor Flitwick's mustache than a rabbit holding a pocket watch. And neither of those exactly screams 'go left at the next fork' to me."
Lan Wangji's calm reply followed: "The watch indicates time. Time moves clockwise, which correlates to right. Therefore, we go left."
"But that sounds kind of far-fetched, doesn't it?" Wei Wuxian's voice was tinged with genuine concern. "What if we're interpreting it wrong and it leads us into danger? I've heard rumors about werewolves in the Forbidden Forest. What if the maze conjures something like that?"
There was a pause before Lan Wangji responded, his tone firm: "The maze is designed to challenge, not harm. If you doubt me, you're welcome to interpret it yourself."
"No, no!" Wei Wuxian backpedaled quickly. "I trust you, Lan Zhan. I trust you completely. Left it is!"
Lan Wangji's voice softened slightly, a rare warmth coloring his words. "Besides, we have our wands. Whatever we face, we'll face it together."
"Lan Zhan!" Wei Wuxian's voice was filled with touched surprise. "With you here, I feel like we could take on a whole pack of werewolves if we had to!"
Wen Ning's eyes widened. "They're solving the same divination puzzle we did earlier!"
Nie Huaisang nodded excitedly. "You're right! And if they succeed where we failed miserably, we might be able to reunite with them! Though I'm not sure if that's a reward or a punishment at this point."
"We shouldn't distract them," Wen Ning whispered. "Let's just follow their voices. With any luck, they'll lead us out of here before Wei Wuxian starts singing to ward off non-existent maze monsters."
They crept along the hedge, listening intently as Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian continued to discuss the puzzle.
Finally, they heard Lan Wangji say decisively, "I believe it's this way."
There was a rustling sound, and then Wei Wuxian exclaimed, "Lan Zhan, you're a genius! The hedge is opening! We've solved it!"
Suddenly, the leafy wall between the two groups began to shimmer and part. Wen Ning and Nie Huaisang found themselves face to face with a surprised Wei Wuxian and an impassive (but slightly startled) Lan Wangji.
"Wen Ning! Huaisang!" Wei Wuxian's face split into a grin. "You're okay! And here I thought Lan Zhan and I were the only ones clever enough to survive this leafy labyrinth."
Nie Huaisang snorted, waving his fan dramatically. "Clever? We heard you two. If it weren't for Lan Wangji, you'd probably still be trying to eat the tea leaves instead of reading them."
Wei Wuxian clutched his chest in mock offense. "I'll have you know those tea leaves looked delicious. Very herbal. Very healthy."
Wen Ning, looking relieved but confused, asked, "How did you two manage to solve the puzzle? We've been stuck for ages."
Lan Wangji, his face as stoic as ever, replied, "Simple observation and logical deduction."
"And my moral support," Wei Wuxian added, slinging an arm around Lan Wangji's shoulders. "Don't forget my very important moral support, Lan Zhan."
"Mn," Lan Wangji nodded, the barest hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "It was... invaluable."
Nie Huaisang rolled his eyes. "Great, we're saved. Now we just have to find our way back to the others before Wei Wuxian starts his one-man show again."
"One-man show?" Wei Wuxian's eyes lit up. "Oh, you mean my brilliant plan to scare away the maze monsters with my angelic voice? Prepare yourselves, my friends. I've got a whole repertoire ready!"
As Wei Wuxian took a deep breath, presumably to start belting out the Hogwarts song, the other three exchanged panicked looks.
"Quick," Lan Wangji said, his voice unusually urgent. "I think I see the exit this way."
As they hurried down the newly opened path, Nie Huaisang leaned over to Wen Ning and whispered, "You know, I'm starting to think those maze monsters had the right idea."
Wen Ning nodded solemnly. "At least your brother's lectures don't come with a musical accompaniment."
And with that, the reunited group ventured forth, their laughter (and Wei Wuxian's off-key humming) echoing through the magical hedge maze.
****
Meanwhile, Qing Yi trudged through the shifting hedges, trying to maintain his composure. Whispers ghosted past his ears, but he shook his head, pushing them away.
"It's just a maze," he muttered to himself. "A Halloween attraction. Nothing to lose your nerve over. Keep calm and continue forward."
He came upon a section where glowing letters hovered in the air, presenting a riddle:
"I am not alive, but I grow; I don't have lungs, but I need air; I don't have a mouth, but water kills me. What am I?"
Qing Yi's eyes scanned the words, trying desperately to make sense of them. The letters seemed to dance and blur, his anxiety making it hard to focus. He took a deep breath, attempting to calm his racing heart, but the air felt thick and oppressive.
"Okay, okay," he muttered to himself, his voice trembling slightly. "Focus, Qing Yi. You can do this. It's just a puzzle. Just a game." But even as he said it, he felt the wrongness of the situation creeping up his spine.
He began to repeat the riddle, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Not alive, but grow... no lungs, but need air..." His voice faltered as he struggled to remember the next part. "Uh... no mouth, but... water... water does something..." The words felt foreign on his tongue, as if he were speaking an unfamiliar language.
As he tried to focus, a whisper ghosted past his ear. "This one... you're the one..."
Qing Yi whirled around, his silver hair whipping across his face. "Who's there?" he called out, his voice cracking. But only the rustling leaves answered him.
"No, concentrate," he told himself sternly, turning back to the puzzle. "Not alive, but grow..."
"You're chosen..." The voice grew louder, more insistent, seeming to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.
The maze walls seemed to pulse around him, closing in with each beat. Qing Yi's breath hitched, a long-buried fear clawing its way to the surface. The hedges looked taller, their shadows longer and more menacing.
"Stay calm, stay calm," he whispered, but the words sounded hollow in the oppressive silence. His mind raced, thoughts of his friends, of Lan Xichen, flashing through his head. How he wished they were here now. The loneliness of the maze pressed in on him, making him feel small and vulnerable.
He turned back to the puzzle, determined to solve it, to prove to himself that he could overcome this challenge. "Not alive... grow... air..."
The whispers intensified, coalescing into a single, chilling declaration. "You, boy, are the one... the supplicant... the sacrifice... that he needs."
Panic exploded in Qing Yi's chest. His emerald eyes darted wildly from side to side, his silver hair damp with sweat. The voices seemed to be coming from inside his own head now, drowning out his thoughts.
"No, no, no," he whimpered, spinning around, trying to locate the source of the voices. But each time he turned, they seemed to come from a different direction. "Stop it! Leave me alone!" His voice echoed off the hedge walls, sounding small and frightened.
In his panic, Qing Yi began to run, no longer caring about solving the puzzle or finding his way out. He just wanted to escape the voices, the closing walls, the suffocating fear. With each turn, the maze seemed to shift and change, leading him further away from any sense of direction, deeper into its winding labyrinth.
Left, right, straight, right again – Qing Yi lost all sense of direction. His breath came in short, sharp gasps, his legs burning as he ran. The voices grew louder, more insistent, blending into a cacophony that threatened to overwhelm him.
As he ran, fragments of the puzzle kept flashing through his mind, mixing with the voices and his own panicked thoughts. "Grow... air... water kills... the sacrifice... help... someone help me..."
Qing Yi's legs burned, his lungs screaming for air. He couldn't run anymore. Exhausted and overwhelmed, he collapsed to the ground, curling into himself. He crouched there, hands covering his head, trying to block out the world around him. His body shook with each ragged breath as he mumbled incoherently, "Not alive... but grow... the sacrifice... no lungs... the supplicant... water kills..."
For what seemed like an eternity, Qing Yi remained in that position, his mind a whirlwind of fear and confusion. Gradually, the voices began to fade, and an eerie calm settled over the maze. The sudden silence was so complete that for a moment, Qing Yi thought he had gone deaf.
Slowly, hesitantly, he lifted his head. The maze around him seemed different now – still and watchful. The air was heavy, like the calm before a storm. Qing Yi's rapid breathing sounded unnaturally loud in the silence.
It was then, in this moment of eerie calm, that Qing Yi caught sight of a dark figure in the distance. It stood motionless, its back turned to him. Qing Yi froze, his breath catching in his throat. The ominous silhouette sent a wave of dread washing over him, rooting him to the spot.
For several heartbeats, Qing Yi could only stare, his mind racing with possibilities, each more terrifying than the last. The figure remained unnaturally still, as if it were part of the maze itself.
Finally, gathering what little courage he had left, Qing Yi managed to find his voice.
"H-hello?"
He called out, his voice barely above a whisper, trembling with fear and uncertainty. The word hung in the air, heavy with the dread of what response it might provoke.
But the figure didn't respond. It stood unnaturally still for a moment, then began to walk away with slow, deliberate steps.
Qing Yi's heart raced, every instinct screaming at him to run in the opposite direction. But as he glanced around, he realized with growing dread that the path where the figure had disappeared was the only way forward. The maze had closed in behind him, leaving no other choice. With trembling hands, he drew his wand, gripping it so tightly his knuckles turned white.
As he took a tentative step forward, Qing Yi glanced up at the sky. The warm hues of sunset were fading, giving way to the cooler tones of twilight. Long shadows stretched across the maze, the hedges casting dark shapes that seemed to reach for him.
With a shaky breath, Qing Yi whispered, "Lumos." The tip of his wand ignited, casting a soft glow that provided a small measure of comfort against the deepening dusk.
He took a tentative step forward, then another, his movements slow and deliberate. Each rustle of leaves made him flinch. His eyes darted frantically from side to side, searching for any sign of the figure or other hidden dangers.
As he rounded the corner where the figure had disappeared, Qing Yi held his breath. He pressed his back against the hedge, inching forward with agonizing slowness. The wand in his hand provided little comfort as he peered around the bend, dreading what he might see.
The wood felt warm against his palm, a small comfort in the face of the unknown. He rounded a final corner, his heart in his throat, only to find... nothing. The figure had vanished as if it had never been there.
Breathing heavily, Qing Yi advanced slowly, his wand outstretched. The silence pressed in on him, broken only by the sound of his footsteps and ragged breathing. Every shadow seemed to hold a threat, every rustle of leaves a potential danger.
Without warning, a chill ran down Qing Yi's spine. He sensed, rather than heard, a presence behind him. Slowly, dreading what he might see, he began to turn around.
The dark figure was there, much closer now. Qing Yi caught a glimpse of gleaming eyes in a face shrouded by shadow before the figure lunged forward with inhuman speed.
Qing Yi's terrified scream echoed through the maze, a sound of pure, primal fear that carried to the far corners of the labyrinth. The haunting cry sliced through the air, reaching the ears of his separated friends in different parts of the maze. In their respective locations, Lan Xichen's group and Lan Wangji's group jerked their heads up simultaneously, their eyes wide with shock and fear.
Lan Xichen's group froze mid-step. Lan Xichen felt his heart stop for a moment, then start racing at an alarming speed. His brown eyes, normally calm and reassuring, now widened with a mixture of horror and desperate concern. For a split second, he saw Qing Yi's face in his mind - those bright emerald eyes wide with terror - and it took all his willpower not to cry out.
"Qing Yi!" he gasped, his voice tight with worry, barely above a whisper. Then, louder, with a determination that surprised even him, "We have to find him, now!"
Beside him, Jiang Cheng's face drained of all color, his knuckles turning white as he clenched his fists.
"That was definitely Qing Yi," he said, his voice shaking with a mix of anger and fear. "What the hell is this maze doing to him? If it's hurt him, I swear I'll-"
Jiang Yanli placed a steadying hand on her brother's arm, but her own voice trembled as she spoke. "We need to stay calm," she said, though her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "Panicking won't help Qing Yi. We need to think clearly."
Wen Qing, usually stoic and composed, felt a chill run down her spine. Her mind racing through possible scenarios, each worse than the last.
"Whatever's happening," she said, her voice tight, "we need to reach him fast. That kind of fear... it's not good."
Lan Xichen nodded, forcing himself to take a deep breath, though his heart still pounded in his chest.
"We need to solve this puzzle quickly." His eyes scanned the shimmering symbols floating before them:
🔥 🌙 💧 ☀️ ❓ ❓
"It's a sequence puzzle," Jiang Yanli observed, her voice steadier now as she focused on the task. "Look, it's alternating between elemental and celestial symbols."
Jiang Cheng's brow furrowed, his worry for Qing Yi momentarily overshadowed by concentration. "Fire, Moon, Water, Sun... what comes next?"
Lan Xichen's eyes lit up with understanding, his mind racing to solve the puzzle even as part of him ached to rush to Qing Yi's aid. "Earth and Stars. It's the classical elements paired with celestial bodies."
As they spoke the answer, the symbols glowed brightly, and a new path opened before them. The hedge walls parted, revealing a narrow corridor that seemed to lead deeper into the maze's heart.
"Quick," Lan Xichen urged, his voice tight with worry for Qing Yi. "This way. Every second counts."
As they hurried down the newly revealed path, Lan Xichen's mind was a whirlwind of worry and determination. He couldn't shake the image of Qing Yi's frightened face, couldn't unhear that terrified scream. He pushed himself to move faster, to think quicker, driven by a need to protect that seemed to come from the very core of his being.
****
Meanwhile, in another part of the maze, Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji, Wen Ning, and Nie Huaisang also heard the scream. Their reactions were just as visceral.
Nie Huaisang's fan clattered to the ground, the sound unnaturally loud in the sudden silence following the scream.
"Qing Yi!" he cried, his face a mask of horror, hands shaking as he bent to retrieve his fan. "Oh Merlin, what's happening to him? This can't be part of the game, can it?"
Wei Wuxian's usual mischievous grin was nowhere to be seen. His dark eyes flashed with a mixture of concern and determination as he gripped his wand tightly. Gone was the playful troublemaker, replaced by a fiercely protective friend.
"We have to move, now," he said, his voice uncharacteristically serious. "Lan Zhan, can you track the source of the scream?"
Lan Wangji, typically stoic, couldn't hide the tension in his shoulders or the slight widening of his eyes. His jaw clenched as he nodded,
"Mn. This way." He set off at a brisk pace, his movements betraying an urgency rarely seen in the composed Ravenclaw.
Wen Ning, bringing up the rear, felt his heart racing. His usual timidity was overshadowed by concern for his friend.
"Please, Qing Yi, hold on," he muttered anxiously, his voice barely audible. "We're coming. Just... just be okay."
Lan Wangji led the group through the twisting paths of the maze, his steps quick and purposeful. The hedges loomed on either side, their leaves rustling ominously in a breeze that seemed to come from nowhere. As he turned a corner, his eyes widened slightly. In the distance, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure with silver hair just about to turn another corner.
"Qing Yi," Lan Wangji called out, his usually quiet voice carrying an unexpected urgency. He turned to the group, gesturing forward. "This way."
The group rushed forward, following Lan Wangji's lead. Despite their calls, Qing Yi seemed to keep moving forward, ignoring their voices. What struck them as odd was his pace - calm and constant, a stark contrast to the terrifying scream they had heard earlier. His movements were almost mechanical, lacking the panic or fear they had expected.
Wei Wuxian frowned, his dark eyes fixed on the distant figure. "Something's not right," he muttered. "He's moving like he's taking a leisurely stroll, not like someone who just screamed in terror."
Nie Huaisang, panting slightly from the pace, called out again, "Qing Yi! Wait for us! Are you okay?"
But Qing Yi continued to walk forward, always just out of reach, always about to turn another corner. His silver hair gleamed in the strange, shifting light of the maze, but he never turned or acknowledged their presence.
They kept following, their pace quickening with each step. The disconnect between the calm figure ahead and the memory of that bone-chilling scream created an eerie atmosphere that set them all on edge.
As they watched Qing Yi turn yet another corner, they hurried to catch up. But when they rounded the same bend, they found... nothing. Qing Yi had vanished as if he had never been there at all.
Nie Huaisang let out a frustrated groan, running a hand through his hair. "What the heck? Is that the maze's trick on us again? How can he just disappear like that?"
Wen Ning looked around nervously, his voice barely above a whisper. "Maybe... maybe it wasn't really Qing Yi? But then, where is he?"
Lan Wangji remained silent, his golden eyes scanning the area intently. His brow furrowed slightly as he tried to discern the situation, to understand what they had just witnessed. The calm demeanor of the Qing Yi they had seen didn't match the scream they had heard, and that inconsistency troubled him.
After a moment of tense silence, Lan Wangji spoke, his voice calm but tinged with determination. "We continue. This way."
As the group followed Lan Wangji deeper into the maze, the air grew thick with tension and unspoken questions. What had they just seen? Was it really Qing Yi, or another illusion? And if it wasn't Qing Yi, where was their friend? The memory of that terrified scream echoed in their minds, a chilling counterpoint to the eerily calm figure they had just been chasing.
Nie Huaisang clutched his fan tightly, his knuckles white. "I don't like this," he murmured. "This maze... it's playing tricks on us, isn't it?"
Wei Wuxian nodded grimly. "Seems like it. But trick or not, Qing Yi is still out there somewhere. We have to find him."
With renewed determination, they pressed on, each lost in their own thoughts but united in their goal. The maze might be trying to confuse and mislead them, but they weren't about to give up on their friend.
****
Lan Xichen's group moved cautiously through the maze, the eerie silence pressing in on them from all sides. The absence of sound was almost more unnerving than any noise could have been, setting their nerves on edge.
Jiang Cheng broke the silence, his voice tight with frustration. "Let's make a pact right now. We are never, ever doing this maze again. Halloween can go hang itself."
Jiang Yanli offered a weak smile, squeezing her brother's arm. "Or maybe next time, we just stick together as one big group. Safety in numbers, right?"
As they rounded a corner, they came upon a familiar sight - the same puzzle Qing Yi had encountered earlier. Lan Xichen scanned the area, his keen eyes noting the disturbed hedges and faint footprints in the soft earth.
"Someone was here," he said softly, kneeling to examine the ground. "Recently. And they were agitated - look at how the leaves are torn here."
Jiang Cheng stepped closer, peering at the signs Lan Xichen pointed out. "Do you think it might be Qing Yi?" he asked, a mix of hope and worry in his voice. "Or... someone else?"
Lan Xichen's brow furrowed, his mind racing with concern. He tried to keep his voice steady as he replied, "I'm not sure…”
Wen Qing, who had been examining the glowing letters, spoke up. "There’s a puzzle here: I am not alive, but I grow; I don't have lungs, but I need air; I don't have a mouth, but water kills me. What am I?"
For a moment, they all pondered silently. Then Lan Xichen's eyes lit up with realization. "Fire," he said. "It's fire."
As soon as he spoke the answer, the air around them seemed to shift. Whispers began to rise from the hedges, slowly growing into recognizable voices - their friends, calling out to them.
Lan Xichen's jaw tightened. "Stay focused, everyone. Remember, the maze plays tricks."
Jiang Yanli, her face pale but determined, quickly grabbed her brother's hand and Lan Xichen's. "Quick," she said, her voice steady despite the tremor in her fingers. "Everyone hold hands. If one of us disappears, we all disappear together. We're not letting this maze separate us."
They had barely joined hands when a heart-wrenching cry cut through the air.
"Help! Is someone there? Help me!" It was Qing Yi's voice, filled with such raw terror that it made Lan Xichen's heart lurch painfully in his chest.
Jiang Cheng tensed, his eyes widening in shock. He gripped Jiang Yanli's hand tighter, "That's him! We have to-"
"Don't!" Wen Qing's sharp command cut through his panic. "Don't fall for it, Jiang Cheng. It's another trick."
"But what if it's really him?" Jiang Cheng's eyes darted to Lan Xichen, seeking guidance.
Lan Xichen stood rigid, his eyes closed tight, every muscle in his body screaming at him to run towards Qing Yi's voice. But he forced himself to remain still, to think logically.
"Focus," he said, his voice strained. "We solve this puzzle, we move forward. The center of the maze is where this ends. We have to believe that."
As they progressed, the voices shifted and changed. Lan Xichen heard his brother's voice, usually so calm, calling out in distress. Jiang Cheng flinched as Wei Wuxian's laughter turned to cries for help.
"This is madness," Jiang Yanli whispered, her grip on her companions' hands tightening. "The voices are getting louder."
Jiang Cheng nodded grimly. "You're right, Jie. I think it means we're close to the end. The maze is throwing everything it has at us to stop our progress."
They pressed on, hands clasped tightly, creating a human chain against the maze's illusions. Each step was a battle against their own instincts, their own fears. Lan Xichen felt as though his heart was being torn in two - one half desperate to run back and find Qing Yi, the other knowing that moving forward was their only hope.
"Stay together," he reminded them, his voice hoarse. "Whatever happens, whatever we hear, we stay together."
As they navigated the twisting paths, the cacophony of familiar voices begging for help grew to an almost unbearable level. Tears streamed down Jiang Yanli's face, but she kept moving, pulling her brother along. Wen Qing's expression remained impassive, a stark contrast to the turmoil churning within her. Her eyes, however, betrayed a flicker of the fear she fought to suppress as she pressed forward with the others.
Lan Xichen felt as though he was walking through a nightmare. Every fiber of his being wanted to turn back, to find Qing Yi, to make sure he was safe. But he forced himself to keep moving forward, one agonizing step at a time.
Suddenly, the cacophony of voices faded, leaving an eerie calm. Lan Xichen could sense they were nearing the center of the maze, but the group continued to move cautiously, their pace slow and deliberate, hands still firmly clasped together. The sudden silence was almost more unnerving than the previous chaos.
In the distance, faint shouts broke the silence. It sounded like spells being cast, the unmistakable cadence of a magical duel. The group exchanged worried glances, their grips on each other tightening instinctively.
Wen Qing, her eyes fixed ahead and her face a mask of concentration, whispered, "Are you all hearing what I'm hearing?" Her usual composure was cracking, a hint of fear creeping into her voice.
Jiang Yanli nodded, her eyes wide with concern. "It sounds like someone's casting spells. But why would anyone be dueling in here?" Her free hand clutched her wand tightly, knuckles white with tension.
"Those voices," Jiang Cheng murmured, his brow furrowed in concentration. "They sound familiar. Almost like..."
Lan Xichen strained his ears, his eyes widening as he recognized one of the voices. "That's Wangji," he said, his tone a mix of relief and concern.
His brother's voice was firm but not aggressive, casting defensive spells like "Protego" and "Expelliarmus". A flutter of hope and worry battled in his chest - if Wangji was here, they were close to finding the others, but what danger were they in? With a gentle tug, Lan Xichen pulled Jiang Yanli's hand, urging the group forward.
"The voices are coming from ahead," he said, his voice low but urgent. "Stay focused, everyone. Wands at the ready."
They drew their wands, approaching the source of the commotion with caution. The air seemed to thicken with tension as they crept forward, each of them acutely aware of every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig beneath their feet.
As they rounded the corner, they were met with a chaotic scene that made them all gasp in shock.
Wei Wuxian ducked, a spell whistling past his head, ruffling his hair. His usual carefree grin was replaced with a look of intense concentration.
"Ooh, that was close!" he yelled, spinning to face his attacker. "Expelliarmus!"
"Wei Wuxian!" Jiang Cheng called out, his voice a mix of relief and exasperation. His face cycled through a range of emotions - worry, anger, and finally, a grudging relief at seeing his friend alive.
Wei Wuxian's head snapped towards them, a grin spreading across his face despite the situation. For a moment, his eyes lit up with their usual mischief.
"Oh hey, guys! Fancy meeting you here—" His words were cut short as another spell hurtled towards him. He rolled out of the way, tumbling towards Lan Xichen's group, his playful demeanor instantly replaced by urgency.
"Get down!" Wei Wuxian shouted, his eyes wide with alarm. "Everyone, get—"
But before he could finish his warning, a figure suddenly appeared from behind a hedge. It was Qing Yi, but something was terribly wrong. His usually bright, emerald eyes were unnaturally blank, devoid of their usual spark. It was as if a stranger was wearing Qing Yi's face.
"Stupefy!" Qing Yi's voice rang out, cold and emotionless, a jet of red light streaking towards the group before they could fully process what was happening.
The group barely had time to react, some ducking, others frozen in shock. Lan Xichen, however, moved with lightning reflexes.
"Protego!" he countered swiftly, a shimmering shield erupting from his wand just in time to deflect the spell. The red light bounced off the shield, dissipating harmlessly into the hedge.
Nie Huaisang's voice cracked as he called out, his face a picture of confusion and hurt, "Qing Yi! What are you doing? It's us!" His fan trembled in his hand, forgotten in his shock.
For a moment, Qing Yi hesitated, a flicker of something - recognition, perhaps - passing over his face. But then his attention snapped to the right, his wand moving in a fluid arc.
"Flipendo!" he cried, countering a spell from Lan Wangji who had just emerged from behind a hedge, his usually stoic face showing signs of strain.
Before anyone could react further, Qing Yi turned and sprinted away, disappearing around a corner. The group watched in stunned silence for a moment, the reality of what they'd just witnessed sinking in.
Wen Qing caught sight of her brother and immediately rushed toward him. "Wen Ning!" she called out, relief flooding her voice. She quickly grabbed his hand, giving it a squeeze.
"Jie," Wen Ning replied, his tense expression softening with relief at the sight of his sister.
"Thank Merlin you're alright," Wen Qing breathed, her eyes scanning him for any signs of harm as they continued their pursuit.
The two groups converged quickly, all thoughts of maze challenges forgotten as they immediately gave chase after Qing Yi. They moved swiftly through the twisting paths, their conversation punctuated by the sound of their rapid footsteps and rustling leaves.
"What's the matter with Qing Yi?" Lan Xichen asked his brother as they ran side by side, his voice tight with worry, eyes darting between the path ahead and Lan Wangji's face.
Lan Wangji shook his head, ducking under a low-hanging branch. "He appears to be enchanted," he replied, his usual stoic expression tinged with a rare show of confusion.
"We've been trying to subdue him without causing harm, but..." He trailed off, frustration evident in the set of his jaw as he leaped over a root.
"Enchanted?" Lan Xichen's brow furrowed deeply as he sidestepped a hedge. "But this maze was only designed for Halloween fun. Anything more challenging is reserved for the Triwizard Tournament. How could this have happened?"
"You've got me there, brother," Lan Wangji replied, his tone grave as he quickened his pace. "I don't understand it either. For now, let's focus on getting Qing Yi out of here. We can unravel this mystery once he's safe."
Wei Wuxian, keeping pace beside them, added breathlessly, his usual joking manner completely absent, "Whatever's going on, it's not good. That's not our Qing Yi in there. His eyes... they're all wrong. It's like he's not even there."
As they raced through the twisting paths, the group's determination was palpable. Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yanli exchanged worried glances, their sibling bond allowing for silent communication. Wen Qing's mind was already running through possible causes and cures for Qing Yi's condition. Nie Huaisang, despite his usual cowardice, kept pace with the others, driven by concern for his friend.
"There!" Jiang Cheng shouted suddenly, pointing ahead where a flash of silver hair disappeared around another bend. His voice was hoarse, a mix of exhaustion and determination.
The group surged forward, their feet pounding against the maze floor. As they rounded corner after corner in pursuit of Qing Yi's fleeting figure, the hedges seemed to blur into a green labyrinth of confusion.
Wen Ning, his usual timidity replaced by urgent concern, panted heavily as he called out, "This isn't good! He's leading us back into the maze. At this rate, we'll be stuck here forever and miss our carriages back to Hogwarts!" His face was flushed with exertion, worry etched in every line.
Lan Xichen nodded grimly, his mind racing as fast as his feet. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he made a quick decision. "You're right. We need to split up." He turned to Jiang Yanli, Wen Ning, Wen Qing, and Nie Huaisang, his eyes conveying the gravity of the situation. "You four, head to the center. We'll chase after Qing Yi."
Jiang Yanli hesitated for a moment, her protective instincts warring with logic. Finally, she nodded, her voice tight with worry. "Alright, we'll wait for you there. Be careful, all of you!"
****