Stick Together
The door closes behind them with a deep, echoing thud.
Cecilia’s usual composure is nowhere to be found. Her shoulders are stiff, her movements sharp, and her gaze darts around the new chamber as if daring it to present another threat. Gigi, still reeling from nearly falling into a bottomless pit, sneaks glances at her companion.
The room is simple, at first glance. Circular, with four arched exits evenly spaced along the walls. The air is cooler here, but not unpleasantly so, and the stone floor is smooth, unmarred by traps or swinging blades. It feels almost... serene.
Too serene.
“This feels like a trick,” Gigi murmurs, stepping closer to Cecilia. “No spikes, no lava pits, no giant... stabby things? Definitely a trap.”
Cecilia doesn’t respond. Her green eyes scan the room with laser focus, her jaw clenched.
Gigi frowns. “You okay?”
“I’m fine,” Cecilia says sharply, though her voice betrays a tremor.
Gigi raises an eyebrow. “Right. Because snapping at me is totally fine behaviour.”
Before Cecilia can retort, the same disembodied voice they’ve come to loathe reverberates through the chamber.
“Trial Three: The Labyrinth of Solitude. True strength lies in unity, yet this path seeks to divide. Only by remaining steadfast will you prevail.”
Gigi pales. “A maze? Oh, come on! Why is it always something with you people?”
As if on cue, the four exits begin to shimmer and shift, their edges distorting like ripples in a pond. A low rumble echoes through the chamber as the walls themselves seem to rearrange, creating twisting paths that lead to who-knows-where.
Cecilia stiffens. “Stay close.”
Gigi snorts, trying to lighten the tension. “Wasn’t planning on running off, don’t worry.”
But when the ground beneath their feet vibrates and the exits flicker again, Cecilia grabs Gigi’s wrist, pulling her sharply toward the nearest passage.
“Hey!” Gigi protests, stumbling after her. “I have legs, you know. I can walk!”
“Not fast enough,” Cecilia mutters, her grip unrelenting.
They enter the maze, and the air immediately feels heavier. The walls stretch impossibly high, their smooth surfaces glowing faintly with runes that pulse like a heartbeat. The corridors twist and turn, each one looking identical to the last.
As they move deeper, the oppressive silence presses down on them. Gigi’s earlier bravado falters, and she looks up at Cecilia. “Uh, not to be a pessimist, but what if we get, you know, permanently lost?”
“We won’t,” Cecilia says firmly, though her grip tightens on Gigi’s wrist.
“And what makes you so sure?”
Cecilia stops abruptly, turning to face her. “Because I won’t let that happen. I almost—” She cuts herself off, her jaw tightening.
Gigi blinks, surprised by the raw emotion in Cecilia’s voice. She’s about to press for more when the walls around them shudder, and the path splits into two distinct directions.
“Oh, no,” Gigi groans. “This is it, isn’t it? The part where we’re supposed to split up and ‘find our own way’ or whatever nonsense these trials are obsessed with.”
Cecilia doesn’t hesitate. “We’re not splitting up.”
“Well, yeah, but the maze doesn’t exactly care what we want—”
She’s cut off when Cecilia suddenly grabs her hand, threading their fingers together with a firmness that leaves no room for argument.
“Uh—” Gigi’s brain promptly short-circuits.
“We’re staying together,” Cecilia says, her voice brooking no debate. “No matter what.”
Gigi’s heart does a ridiculous little flutter. “Okay, sure. I mean, who needs personal space, right? Totally overrated.”
Cecilia doesn’t seem to notice her awkward rambling. She’s already leading the way again, her grip unwavering.
At first, Gigi is too flustered to think about much else beyond the warmth of Cecilia’s hand and the fact that she’s not even trying to let go. But as they navigate the twisting corridors, she starts to notice the tension in Cecilia’s shoulders, the way her pace quickens whenever the walls groan ominously or the path seems to shift behind them.
Then it clicks.
“Cecilia...” Gigi’s voice is softer now, almost hesitant.
“What?”
“You’re still worried. About earlier.”
Cecilia glances at her, her expression guarded. “I’m not—”
“Don’t.” Gigi squeezes her hand gently, stopping her mid-sentence. “You don’t have to act like it didn’t scare you. I was there. I saw your face.”
Cecilia’s jaw tightens, but she doesn’t pull away.
“And I get it,” Gigi continues, her voice steady. “But I’m not going anywhere, okay? You don’t have to hold on so tight.”
For a moment, Cecilia doesn’t respond. Her eyes search Gigi’s, and Gigi swears she sees a flicker of vulnerability in their green depths. Then, to her surprise, Cecilia squeezes her hand back.
“Maybe I do,” Cecilia says quietly, her voice barely audible over the hum of the maze.
Gigi’s chest tightens, and she feels a warmth spreading through her that has nothing to do with the glowing runes around them. “Well,” she says softly, a small, lopsided smile tugging at her lips. “If you’re holding on to me, I guess I’ll just have to make sure I’m worth holding on to.”
Cecilia huffs a quiet laugh, and for the first time since the trial began, the tension between them eases.
The maze seems endless. Each turn feels more disorienting than the last, and the glowing runes on the walls pulse with a rhythm that seems to quicken with every wrong turn. Gigi’s feet ache, but the warmth of Cecilia’s hand in hers is grounding. It’s almost as if their connection cuts through the oppressive atmosphere of the labyrinth.
“I don’t get it,” Gigi mutters, frustration bubbling to the surface. “We’ve been walking forever, and we’re still no closer to—”
She stops abruptly, her eyes catching a faint shimmer on the ground ahead. A barely perceptible line stretches across the floor, glowing faintly before disappearing into the gloom.
“Hey! Look!” She tugs Cecilia forward, pointing to the line.
Cecilia crouches to inspect it, her green eyes narrowing. “It’s a path marker. The maze must’ve been leaving these for us.”
“Well, that’s convenient,” Gigi says, tilting her head. “Why didn’t we notice them before?”
Cecilia stands, her hand tightening around Gigi’s. “Because they weren’t visible before. The maze reacts to us—our trust, our progress. We’ve stayed together, so it’s giving us the way forward.”
Gigi blinks, surprised. “That’s... kind of sweet, actually. In a creepy, manipulative-maze sort of way.”
Cecilia smirks faintly, and for the first time since the trial began, her shoulders relax. “Come on. Let’s follow it.”
They move carefully, their steps in sync as they trace the glowing line through the winding corridors. With each step, the air grows lighter, the oppressive weight lifting as if the maze itself is relenting.
Finally, they reach a towering stone archway, its surface etched with intricate symbols that shimmer softly. Beyond it lies a small, open chamber with a single pedestal in the centre. Resting atop it is a crystalline orb that radiates a warm, golden light.
“That has to be the exit trigger,” Cecilia says.
“Looks easy enough,” Gigi replies. “Which probably means it’s not.”
Cecilia doesn’t respond immediately. Instead, she looks at Gigi, her green eyes softening. “We made it.”
“Yeah,” Gigi says, smiling. “Guess we’re pretty good at this whole ‘trust’ thing.”
Cecilia doesn’t let go of her hand, even as they step into the chamber together. Gigi glances down at their intertwined fingers, her cheeks warming.
“Not to ruin the moment or anything, but, uh... you’re still holding my hand,” Gigi says, her voice teasing but gentle.
“I know.” Cecilia’s tone is calm, almost shy, and she doesn’t release her grip.
Gigi’s heart skips a beat. She looks up at Cecilia, searching her expression. “You really were scared, weren’t you?”
Cecilia’s gaze flickers, but she nods. “I don’t... want to lose you.”
The words hit Gigi like a tidal wave, and for a moment, she forgets how to breathe. Then she smiles softly, her fingers tightening around Cecilia’s. “You won’t. I’m not going anywhere.”
The golden light from the orb flares suddenly, bathing the room in warmth. The pedestal sinks into the ground, and a new door materialises in the wall ahead.
“Looks like that’s our cue,” Gigi says, her voice soft but steady.
Cecilia finally releases her hand, though the warmth of her touch lingers. Together, they step through the door and into the next chamber.
The new room couldn’t be more different from the trials they’d faced before. The heavy tension of the maze was replaced by a space that was... bizarrely charming. Soft, glowing lanterns floated gently overhead, casting a golden hue across the room. In the centre was a circular platform surrounded by shimmering curtains of light. Above it, a floating sign read:
Trial Four: A Dance of Trust. Match the movements in perfect harmony, or remain here forever.
Gigi stares at the sign, blinking. “Did that just say dance?”
Cecilia stiffens beside her, her posture more rigid than usual. “It’s absurd.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Gigi says, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. “I think it’s kind of... adorable. You up for a little waltz, Your Grace?”
Cecilia shoots her a look, the faintest hint of a whirr. “This isn’t a joke.”
“It’s not,” Gigi replies, feigning seriousness as she steps onto the platform. “It’s a trial. A dance trial. And we have to win.”
Cecilia hesitates, her eyes flicking between the platform and Gigi’s outstretched hand. The glowing sign above flashes again, accompanied by soft, lilting music that fills the room.
“We don’t have all day, Cecilia,” Gigi teases, wiggling her fingers.
Finally, with an audible sigh, Cecilia steps forward and takes Gigi’s hand. The contact sends an unexpected jolt through both of them.
The platform beneath their feet begins to shimmer, and golden light swirls around them, creating faint, translucent figures that glide gracefully through the air, their movements fluid and perfectly synchronised.
“I think we’re supposed to copy them,” Gigi says, tilting her head as she watches the glowing dancers.
“Brilliant deduction,” Cecilia mutters, though her voice wavers slightly.
“Relax,” Gigi says, stepping closer and placing her free hand lightly on Cecilia’s shoulder. “I’ve got this.”
Cecilia’s green eyes widen as Gigi takes the lead. “You’re—wait—are you even sure you know what you’re doing?”
“Nope!” Gigi replies cheerfully, guiding them into a slow turn. “But you’re trusting me, remember? That’s kind of our thing now.”
Cecilia exhales sharply, her internal machinery humming louder as Gigi pulls her closer. The music shifts, growing livelier, and the glowing figures swirl faster around them.
“Okay, quick steps now—watch your feet!” Gigi says, trying to keep up with the rhythm.
“You’re stepping on my toes,” Cecilia mutters, though there’s no real bite in her voice.
“Maybe, but you’re doing great!” Gigi replies, her grin widening.
The glowing sign above them flashes again, this time displaying: Closer!
Cecilia’s jaw tightens as the platform seems to shift, pulling them together until there’s barely any space between them. “Is this really necessary?” she grumbles, her voice quieter than usual.
Gigi suppresses a laugh, her own cheeks warm. “Apparently, yes. Don’t fight it, Cecilia. Just... go with the flow.”
Cecilia doesn’t reply, but Gigi can feel the tension in her frame as they continue to move. Despite her obvious discomfort, Cecilia matches Gigi’s steps with surprising precision, her natural grace shining through.
The music swells, and the glowing figures twirl dramatically, their movements culminating in a final pose—a dip.
“Oh no,” Gigi says, her grin turning mischievous as she looks up at Cecilia. “You ready for this?”
“Absolutely not,” Cecilia says flatly.
“Too bad!” Gigi exclaims, and before Cecilia can protest, Gigi guides her into the dip, one hand bracing Cecilia’s back while the other supports her hand.
Cecilia’s eyes widen as she finds herself leaning back, her face mere inches from Gigi’s. For a moment, the room feels impossibly still, the glowing light casting soft shadows across Cecilia’s sharp features.
“See? That wasn’t so bad,” Gigi says softly, her voice laced with playful confidence but tinged with something gentler.
Cecilia doesn’t respond immediately, her green eyes locked on Gigi’s. Her breath catches, and for the first time, Gigi sees her completely flustered, her usual composure utterly shattered.
“Gigi,” Cecilia says finally, her voice low and trembling.
“Yes?” Gigi replies, a little breathless herself.
“Let me up.”
Gigi grins and gently pulls Cecilia back upright just as the music fades. The glowing figures vanish, and the platform stills.
Above them, the sign flashes one last time: Trial Complete. Harmony Achieved.
A door materialises on the far side of the room, but neither of them moves immediately.
“That wasn’t so bad,” Gigi says, breaking the silence with a teasing smile.
Cecilia runs a hand through her hair, her whirrs still faintly audible. “Let’s just move on.”
As they step through the door, Gigi lingers just behind Cecilia, watching the faint stiffness in her stride and the way her hand trembles.
“Hey, Cecilia,” Gigi says, her voice light but tinged with affection.
“What?”
“You’re not a bad dancer.”
Cecilia doesn’t turn around, but Gigi catches the faintest flicker of a smile before Cecilia quickens her pace.