The sun was sinking into a warm, amber horizon by the time Ash and the others were released from the healing ward. Music thrummed through the courtyards, drifting between colorful banners and arcs of luminous lanterns that floated like tethered stars. The Academy of Fangs had transformed—where usually stern-faced instructors patrolled, now there were booths of food and game stalls alive with cheers.
No one would guess that beneath the stone pathways lay a labyrinth that had nearly claimed them.
Ash's pulse still held the echo of battle, every heartbeat reminding him they'd barely escaped. The Codex's presence lingered like a second consciousness curled behind his own.
You are unsettled, the Codex's voice chimed through his mind—smooth, calm, ancient.
Ash took a steadying breath. Yeah. Hard not to be.
"Hey, Vale, don't go all gloomy sage on us now!" Garrick shouted. He was already double-fisting meat skewers, grease glistening on his cheeks. "We survived a probably deadly Darius trap and now—festival food! This is what living feels like!"
Selene laughed. "He's right! We deserve to enjoy tonight."
Caius—tall, dark-haired, expression sharper than usual—nodded once. "Agreed. We'd be foolish to waste an opportunity to rest. Danger will find us soon enough."
Ash managed a smile. They were trying. And he didn't want to spoil this moment.
They moved into the heart of the celebration. Fireworks streaked the sky, turning the world violet and gold. Students in house colors competed in enchanted archery contests while illusionary beasts roamed in the air above the crowds. Cobbled streets smelled of sweet spices, sizzling meats, and honey-baked bread.
For a time—just a few minutes—Ash allowed himself to feel normal.
Selene darted toward a booth selling pastel-colored candy clouds. Her eyes sparkled with childlike delight. "Everyone gets one! My treat!"
"Make mine the size of my head!" Garrick demanded.
"It already is," Caius muttered dryly.
Ash snorted.
There. That warmth in his chest—that was real.
Yet… beneath the laughter, a shadow lingered.
Your instincts remain cautious, the Codex observed.
Is that wrong?
On the contrary. Given—The voice abruptly paused.
What?
The Codex only answered, Remain aware.
Ash's jaw tightened. Something wasn't right.
But what?
He focused on the present—Selene offering him a swirl of blue and silver candy that resembled a miniature nebula. "Here! Try it! Eastern province specialty."
He took a bite. Sweet, airy, melting instantly with a cool hint of frost mint. "Wow. That's incredible."
Selene beamed, proud.
Caius looked like he wanted to say something—maybe praise, maybe teasing—but the words never came. His attention sharpened suddenly, like a sword unsheathed at the first sign of threat.
Ash followed his gaze.
Darius Blackwell stood across the festival square, surrounded by his entourage. His golden hair glowed almost unnaturally beneath the lantern light. While everyone else laughed freely, his smirk held a cruel satisfaction that made Ash's stomach drop.
Darius raised his cup in mock salute.
Ash clenched his jaw. "He's watching us."
"He hasn't stopped," Caius replied coldly.
Garrick's cheerful façade faltered for a heartbeat, but then he forced a grin. "Then ignore him. The jerk doesn't get to ruin tonight."
But Darius was already approaching.
His voice carried—smooth, charismatic, poisonous.
"Well, well, the little worms crawl out of their hole victorious. Surprising." His eyes glimmered. "Care to test your luck further? Or is running away your specialty?"
Garrick bristled. "Say that again—"
"No," Ash said, stepping forward. "What do you want, Darius?"
A crowd formed—hungry for spectacle.
Darius gestured to a towering archway near the plaza's edge. Black fog clung to it like a veil. A sign above read:
🜂 House Obsidian Challenge — The Mirror Labyrinth
Enter Only If You Possess True Courage
A shiver licked Ash's spine.
Not again.
"You know," Darius sneered, "rumor says you survived a labyrinth today. Why not prove it wasn't just dumb luck? Or… are you terrified that without your tutors present, your little band will crumble?"
Caius stepped forward, voice a blade. "We don't answer to your dares."
"No," Selene agreed. "Your games aren't worth our time."
For a moment, Ash expected Darius to back off.
But the smirk deepened. "The rules are already written. You and your friends are the first challengers. Academy pride demands you participate. Unless…" He leaned closer. "You'd rather be remembered as cowards who fled from a harmless school game."
Harmless? The Codex's voice bristled like frost. His intent is malicious. The danger is veiled but present.
Ash swallowed hard. His friends watched him—trusting him to decide.
It hit him then—he wasn't just protecting himself anymore.
He inhaled slowly. "We'll do it."
Caius turned sharply. "Ash—"
"We can't give him what he wants. He wants us to balk." Ash kept his voice soft. "If we walk away now, this becomes a chain around our necks forever."
Selene nodded, confidence bright. "We'll win. Together."
Garrick spun his skewers like batons. "Yeah! What's one more maze to punch?"
Darius's laughter came low and delighted. "Excellent. Try not to die too quickly."
He stepped aside. The archway shimmered. The fog parted like a beckoning throat.
Ash took the first step.
As they crossed beneath the arch, sound died. Lanterns dimmed. The festive colors dissolved into monochrome.
The world folded in on itself.
And the Mirror Labyrinth swallowed them whole.
—
Ash staggered forward as lights flickered awake—a cold blue glow illuminating mirrors stretching infinitely in every direction.
Each reflection of him was… wrong.
Too still. Too knowing.
Selene's breath trembled. "This isn't ordinary."
Garrick pressed a hand to the nearest mirror. His reflection did the same—except… too slow. Too delayed.
Caius's argent eyes narrowed, reading danger.
Ash's heart pounded.
Codex…?
Silence.
Codex?
A faint vibration—like a heartbeat not his own.
You are inside a containment enchantment. Communication… strained.
Can you guide me?
Yes… but my voice will be faint. You must remain focused. This place… distorts the mind.
Ash exhaled shakily.
Darius's last smile flashed through his memory.
He'd never intended for them to come back out.
—
"We stay together," Caius ordered.
"Yes," Ash agreed quickly. "If anyone sees something odd—something out of place—say it immediately."
They pushed deeper into glimmering corridors. Reflections warped: too tall, too wide, twisting into shadowy horrors the moment one looked away.
Selene reached for Ash's sleeve—seeking grounding.
"Are we being watched?" she whispered.
"Oh absolutely," Garrick said with forced bravado. "Probably by the world's creepiest versions of ourselves."
One reflection smiled when none of them did.
This is a trap…
Ash's pulse thundered.
But we will not panic.The Codex's words pulsed like light. Observe. Lead. Survive.
Ash nodded slightly—then froze.
In the reflection beside him… he wasn't alone.
A tall shadow loomed behind him—its hand reaching for his throat.
"MOVE!" Ash shouted—