Inside the cell there was another prisoner, quite elderly, lying on his bed. One of the guards opened the cell door, and the old convict woke up from the noise. Etydameas stepped inside and placed his few belongings next to the second bed. The guards locked the cell again and informed both prisoners that shortly there would be an assembly in the courtyard outside the administration building. They said that the chief warden, Iolaos, would announce new instructions and measures, so they should be ready.
The elderly cellmate examined the young boy curiously, watching him as he set his things beside the empty bed. Filled with curiosity, he asked the young mage his name. Etydameas introduced himself, and the old man replied that his own name was Synagoras. Then Synagoras added, "Aren't you a bit too young to be a prisoner in Akmpazan?"
Etydameas sat down and briefly recounted everything that had happened to him, making sure, of course, not to leave out—rather proudly—his two nearly successful escape attempts from that legendary prison. As they talked, the ice between them broke, and Synagoras told the boy not to worry, that he would help him understand the new conditions of the prison of Ravmos Sogo.
Time passed, and life in Ravmos Sogo became a monotonous routine. Every day they were woken up early in the morning and assigned various chores: cleaning facilities, trimming gardens, building and painting structures, and many more. If they failed to complete their tasks or didn't do them well enough, they were punished—either with more labor or sometimes by being locked in isolation for hours. On rarer occasions, they were left outside in the cold for hours or kept without food.
As if that weren't enough, Etydameas was often forced to do the work of other prisoners as well, who took advantage of him because he was small and unable to defend himself against them. The only thing that gave him some comfort was the company of the elderly Synagoras, who was wise and told him countless fascinating stories and shared useful knowledge.
In his youth, Synagoras had been a soldier and had fought in many battles under the command of the great general Temon Tokris. He would recount stories of wars he had experienced, when General Temon Tokris aimed to crush all the enemies of their people once and for all. In this way, time passed, and Etydameas' friendship with the wise old man grew stronger.
By now, Etydameas had turned ten years old and learned from his parents that he had gained a younger brother, Iphikles. Apheni and Torpineas would have been overjoyed at the birth of another child, but their happiness was overshadowed by the knowledge that their firstborn son was in Akmpazan.
Nearly a year had passed, and Etydameas' parents had thought of countless plans to help their son in case he attempted to escape from Damanis' prison again. Apheni and Torpineas were determined and ready to risk everything to help Etydameas whenever—and if—he tried to free himself.
Meanwhile, Etydameas was very fortunate to have met the elderly Synagoras, who was a treasure of knowledge and wisdom. He passed on to him many valuable teachings—not only magical spells but also philosophy, mathematics, and other sciences. Because Synagoras had fought in many wars, he had learned powerful spells, such as summoning the shadow spirit Xodeinos.
Synagoras revealed the name of this powerful shadow spirit to Etydameas but warned him to use it only in real need. He explained that it was a being of ancient magic and required great mental strength to control, so if he ever used it, he must do so with caution and restraint.
Additionally, Synagoras was also fond of magical chess and taught him many things during their games. One of the most useful lessons he gave him was that opponents tend to repeat their opening moves in the first three matches.
Their friendship kept growing, and one day Etydameas confided his thoughts about escaping from Akmpazan. He didn't reveal his secret—the method that could guide him out—but assured him that he had the knowledge to find the gates leading out of that dreadful place.
Hearing this, Synagoras revealed that he too had once devised an escape plan from Ravmos Sogo. "I had been working on it for years," he said, "but after hearing about your experiences, I realized it would have been pointless, so I abandoned it."
He explained that even if he managed to escape the prison in Areino, he would have had no chance of locating the gates for the next rings of Akmpazan—let alone surviving the labyrinth of the Minotaur.
But when Etydameas told him that he had a way to locate the gates leading out, Synagoras regained hope. He decided to share his own escape plan.
"I believe that if we work together, we have a very good chance," he said confidently. "It's time to act and put my plan back into motion."
He then explained:
"I asked the chief warden Iolaos to place me in a cell alone, but he refused—two prisoners per cell is the rule. So I made life unbearable for my cellmates. Every time someone new came in, I forced them to request a transfer. I did this for three years, so I could have the cell to myself long enough."
"I stopped doing it with you," he added, "because after hearing your story, I realized the prison is far more secure than I thought. And besides… I liked you."
"When I was alone, I could work on my plan. First, I created an illusion on the wall behind my bed. Then, at night, I began digging at that exact spot."
Etydameas looked at him in astonishment. "How did you create an illusion and hide the hole… without a wand?"
Synagoras smiled.
"Tell me," he said, "do you know the three categories of magic?"
Etydameas, despite all his studies, had no idea and asked eagerly what they were.
"Didn't they teach you at the School of Pirosovia?" Synagoras said in disbelief. "Ah… of course. You left in your second year."
He continued:
"Magic falls into three great categories. The first—and simplest—is the magic of words: spells. The second is higher-level magic, performed through hand movements. And the third is the magic of the mind, which only the most skilled mages can use purely through thought."
"The combination of these—for example, a spell with movement—can increase power. That's why most mages speak their spells or chant when creating potions."
"Wands and magical tools don't create power—they only amplify what already exists."
Etydameas now began to understand what was happening to him—and realized that Synagoras was no ordinary mage.
Smiling, he said:
"Then it's time to start digging."
"Not so fast," Synagoras replied. "Digging through the wall takes time. From my calculations, we'll need at least another year to break through."
He paused.
"And there's one more problem…"
The beasts in the second sector, according to what you told me, are many and powerful, so without a wand we will have no chance against all those demonic creatures.
Etydameus was now excited.
"Let's start digging tonight," he said to his friend and teacher, Synagoras. "Let's begin with the digging, and along the way we'll think of something to find wands. What matters now is opening the hole in the wall. We'll deal with the rest later."
And so, from that very night on, the two friends stayed awake and took turns digging into the wall.
At the same time, Etydameus asked Synagoras if he could teach him how to use magic without a wand, just as he did. Synagoras asked him whether he had ever managed to do anything magical without one. Etydameus then described in detail everything he had done before being imprisoned. However, he admitted that ever since he had been marked on his left shoulder, he could not remember succeeding in anything without a wand—and even with one, not perfectly.
Synagoras encouraged him. He explained that with patience and persistence, he would surely succeed.
"I am certain you possess great power," he told him. "If you train in what I teach you, your magical abilities will grow, and you may regain the ability to use at least some magic without a wand."
Thus, at night Etydameus helped with the digging, and during the day he practiced mental concentration techniques that Synagoras taught him. In time, his magical strength slowly grew.
Time passed. The young mage turned eleven and became far wiser under the guidance of his mentor. His younger brother, Iphicles, had also grown and was now over a year old. Thoughts of his family gave him strength, and he continued tirelessly both his training and the digging.
Another year passed.
At twelve years old, Etydameus had significantly improved. Thanks to Synagoras—an expert in illusion and shadow magic—he learned to perform minor illusions using only his hands. He could now create deceptions, like the illusion covering the hole in their wall.
He felt deep satisfaction seeing the results of his effort.
Some time later, Etydameus approached Synagoras with a big smile and presented him with a wooden chair.
"What do you think? Is it good?" he asked.
Synagoras looked unimpressed. "It's nothing special. Just a wooden chair without even a proper cushion."
Etydameus pretended to be disappointed. "Too bad. I worked all day in the kitchen to get it."
Then he dropped the act.
"This chair is our salvation," he said. "It's made of oak."
Synagoras froze for a moment—then his eyes lit up.
He embraced the boy, grabbed the chair, and immediately got to work. He broke off two of its legs and hid them. The next day, they carved them into two wands.
Now everything was in place.
With their new tools, the digging became faster and easier. At the same time, Synagoras trained Etydameus more intensely, testing his skills and preparing him for what lay ahead.
At first, the boy had no chance against his experienced mentor—but he learned quickly. Eventually, he was able to match him… and even defeat him.
Satisfied, Synagoras revealed one final secret:
"There is one more spell I have not taught you. An ancient one… Rizard Sihar."
He explained that it granted radiant wings of fire and light, allowing flight and devastating attacks.
This was his final lesson.
The two friends continued their work, filled with hope.
But then… everything changed.
Synagoras fell ill.
Etydameus stopped digging and devoted himself entirely to caring for him. Days passed, but there was no improvement. The guards refused to bring a healer.
Helpless, the boy watched his mentor suffer.
One night, Synagoras turned to him weakly.
"My time has come."
He spoke calmly, giving his final advice:
"Do not despair. Life does not always go as planned. Keep your head high. Use what you've learned for good… not revenge."
Then he revealed his final plan:
"When I die, use illusion magic. Switch our appearances. When they come for my body… they will take you out instead."
Minutes later, Synagoras took his last breath.
Etydameus broke down in tears.
After a while, he stood up, wiped his eyes, and made a silent vow over his mentor's body—that he would escape, no matter what.
He called the guards.
Before they arrived, he used illusion magic with precision.
He transformed himself into Synagoras…
…and his dead mentor into himself.
The guards open the dark cell and go to the body of the bedridden Etydameas, who had taken on the appearance of Synagoras. They wrap him in white cloths and take him away to throw him outside the prison into the pit where they leave the dead bodies of the unfortunate prisoners. Thus, the guards of Ravmos Sogo carry him out of the prison and load him onto a cart, which would transport him to the pit of corpses.
Without wasting any time, Etydameas unwraps himself from the shroud and immediately knocks the driver unconscious, throwing him off the cart. Then he grabs the reins and, for the first time, sees some strange, ugly horses pulling the carriage. These peculiar horses flew swiftly and carried him exactly in the direction he felt through the liquid of Seunadasi, toward where he wanted to go.
Etydameas knew that dawn would soon come, and during the morning roll call they would realize he had escaped when they entered his cell and saw the body of Synagoras. So he whipped those strange horses to reach the gate of the second ring of the Minotaur as quickly as possible. These mysterious creatures were the mythical Stathrel, fast beings capable of sensing their rider's destination telepathically, and thus they guided him without delay to the location of the gate leading to the second sector.
The strange horses land, and Etydameas immediately attacks the two guards stationed there, disarming them with the spells Tholixo and Esperiarm. Then, after turning them to stone, he uses Roverio to reveal the gate of the labyrinth. He runs to the rock and touches the hidden gate with his wand, and it opens magically.
Meanwhile, the guards of Areino discovered the young mage's deception, but it was already too late, as he had managed to escape successfully for the third time from the ring of Ephilia. The guards of Akmpazan immediately inform the Odyvii of Etydameas's escape, and thus Aphenē learns of it while sleeping beside Torpeneas and their two-and-a-half-year-old son, Iphikles.
Aphenē wakes her husband and informs him of the event, and they exchange a determined look. She tells Torpeneas to take care of their son, kisses them both, and leaves for the palace of Sazideas, as she was a member of the council of the Odyvii of Koryvos. She arrives and finds almost all the members already there, watching the twelve-year-old mage, who is now completely alone inside the labyrinthine ring of the Minotaur.
Etydameas sits and reflects on the wise words of his mentor, Synagoras. He recalls what he had said—that in chess, opponents always repeat their opening moves in the first three games. Somehow, he realizes that they had been watched before. He remembers that when they reached Cerberus, a group of agents was already there, as if expecting them.
Even without his mother's subtle hint, he had suspected that the black-cloaked agents had somehow been observing them during their previous escape attempt. Thus, before moving forward, he understands that even if he survives the traps and demons of the labyrinth, they will be waiting to ambush him when he exits the level of the Alnafropes.
Still, he cannot think of a good solution to overcome them, especially now that he is alone. He is not even sure he can survive the terrifying labyrinth filled with demonic creatures. On top of that, the mark on his left arm and the oak wand limit his magical abilities. Therefore, he realizes he must be extremely careful, conserving his magical energy and using spells wisely, at the right moment and against the right enemy.
After reflecting on all this, he gathers courage. Suddenly, he rises and declares aloud to himself, "One step at a time," and begins walking steadily toward the entrance of the labyrinth.
Some of the Odyvii suggest intervening and stopping the young mage from his reckless attempt, but the majority insist on letting him continue—for now—so they can understand how he managed to locate the shifting gate. Others are curious to see the capabilities of the twelve-year-old, who continues to astonish them.
Aphenē strongly urges them to intervene and send him back, though in truth she hopes he reaches the exit so her plan can unfold. Still, she is deeply anxious, seeing him alone against so many dangers.
Soon, Etydameas encounters the demonic beasts known as Gichones—muscular, monstrous, bloodthirsty creatures of the earth element. Knowing this, he uses fire and air spells to maximize damage while conserving mana. He sets a trap with Batra, then attacks with Convyrgo, burning several of them. Many fall into his trap and plunge into a deep pit, while others are consumed by flames from Avlothopia and Imsenthio.
Finally, he summons the fiery beast Egni, which helps him eliminate the remaining Gichones. He quickly dismisses it afterward.
Aphenē watches anxiously, hoping for his survival. Meanwhile, some Odyvii begin illegal betting—on how long he will last, how far he will go, even which creature will kill him. A hidden network broadcasts these events across the magical world, turning escape attempts into a spectacle for profit.
Thus, many have no desire to stop him.
Etydameas, already famous for his previous escapes, has drawn the attention of the entire magical world. Mages everywhere seek to watch or wager on his fate.
Meanwhile, he continues forward, guided by the pull of the Seunadasi within him, conserving his energy—hoping he will have enough to use the spell Onyubator when he faces the horrors of the third ring.