Senior stared at the chessboard, his gaze sharp and penetrating, as if he could see through every piece.
"Wait and see. I’ll crack this game." His tone was domineering, brimming with unshakable confidence. His eyes remained locked on the board, as though the entire world had narrowed down to this single match.
I watched nervously from the side, my heart pounding in my throat. Senior’s fingers moved swiftly across the pieces, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, glistening faintly in the dim light like proof of his intellect and determination.
Time crawled by, the air thick with tension. I held my breath, not daring to blink as I fixed my eyes on the board, silently praying for Senior to solve the intricate puzzle.
After a while, the corner of Senior’s lips curled into a faint smile, like a ray of light piercing through darkness. "Got it!" His voice was laced with triumph.
But before we could celebrate, a thick fog suddenly filled the room, engulfing us in an instant. The mist was so dense it felt tangible, obscuring everything beyond an arm’s reach.
"What the hell is this now?" Senior cursed, his voice sharp with irritation.
I clutched his arm tightly, trembling with fear. "Senior, I’m scared," I whimpered, my voice small and helpless in the suffocating haze.
Senior pulled me close against his chest, his body warm and solid. "Don’t be afraid. I’m here," he said firmly.
As the fog gradually dissipated, we found ourselves facing a narrow passage lined with sharp spikes on either side. The jagged edges glinted ominously in the faint light, sending chills down my spine.
"Senior, how do we get past this?" My voice shook as I stared at the deadly spikes.
He glanced at me, his eyes resolute. "Hold onto me tight, little one," he murmured, his voice deep and reassuring.
With that, he shielded me with his body and carefully stepped into the passage. Every move felt perilous, danger lurking at every turn.
As we advanced, my foot accidentally brushed against one of the spikes. A sharp pain shot through me, and I cried out.
"Bear with it!" Senior quickened his pace, his breathing ragged but his steps unwavering.
Finally, we emerged into a vast chamber. At its center lay a massive lake, its waters an eerie shade of green. The surface was unnervingly still, like a sheet of emerald silk, yet it reeked of something foul.
"Senior, this lake looks terrifying," I whispered, my voice trembling.
Senior frowned, his gaze wary as he studied the water. "No choice. Let’s check it out." He took my hand and led me closer.
Suddenly, a monstrous creature erupted from the lake. Covered in scales, its massive form loomed over us, eyes glowing green as it lunged with bared fangs.
Senior shoved me aside and charged at the beast. "Stay back, little one!" His voice echoed through the chamber.
"Senior, be careful!" I screamed, my heart leaping into my throat.
Senior dodged the creature’s attacks with agile grace, countering with precise strikes. After several exchanges, the monster began to falter, its movements sluggish and weak.
"Hmph. You think you can hurt me? Not a chance." Senior’s voice was fierce, his eyes blazing with defiance.
Seizing the moment, he drove his fist into the monster’s abdomen. With a pained roar, it collapsed to the ground.
With the creature defeated, we pressed on, searching for an exit.
Then, a stone door slowly rose, revealing a dark void beyond. A cold gust of wind swept out, making me shiver.
"Stay close," Senior said, gripping my hand as we stepped inside. His touch was warm and steady, a small comfort in the unknown.
The moment we entered, torches flared to life along the walls, illuminating eerie carvings of humanoid figures. Their expressions ranged from grotesque to sinister, sending a chill down my spine.
"Senior, these carvings are so strange," I murmured, my voice quivering.
Senior didn’t respond, his brow furrowed in concentration as he studied them.
Suddenly, the figures seemed to move, their hollow eyes locking onto us. I yelped and buried my face against Senior’s chest.
"Don’t be afraid," he murmured, holding me tight. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat slowly calmed me.
Just then, the ground beneath us gave way, and we plummeted into a deep pit.
"Senior… can we get out?" My voice cracked with tears.
He pinched my cheek lightly. "As long as I’m here, we will." His unwavering gaze gave me hope.
After scanning the pit, Senior spotted jagged protrusions along the walls.
"I’ll climb up first, then pull you after me," he said, carefully scaling the uneven surface.
With great effort, he reached the top and hauled me up.
We pressed forward, only to find ourselves in a labyrinth of twisting corridors.
"Senior, I can’t go on," I panted, my legs leaden with exhaustion.
He stopped and turned to me, his eyes softening. "Come on, I’ll carry you." He crouched down, offering his back.
Climbing onto him, I felt an overwhelming sense of security. His strides were steady and sure, carrying us onward.
After what felt like hours, we finally escaped the maze—only to find ourselves back in the very first room.
"How…?" My voice broke as tears spilled over.
Senior gritted his teeth. "There’s always a way out." His determination never wavered.
Then, a disembodied voice echoed through the chamber.
"You’ll never escape. Hahaha…" The taunting laughter sent a shiver down my spine.
"Enough talk! Show yourself!" Senior roared, his voice reverberating with defiance.
"To leave, you must pass every trial," the voice replied.
Suddenly, a grid of laser beams crisscrossed the room, deadly and precise.
Senior pulled me along, dodging frantically. "Watch out!" he urged, his voice tense.
In the chaos, a laser grazed his arm, staining his sleeve crimson.
"Senior, you’re bleeding!" I gasped, my vision blurring with tears.
He wiped the blood away. "It’s nothing. Keep moving." His voice was steady, as if the wound meant nothing.
At last, we evaded the lasers.
"This must be the final test," Senior said, exhaustion lining his voice—but hope still burned in his eyes.
At that moment, a massive treasure chest appeared in the center of the room, its lid secured with a lock.
"Senior, could this be the key to the exit?" I asked, a flicker of hope igniting in my chest.
Senior stepped forward, examining the lock carefully. "Let's try it," he said, his voice steady and calm.
I watched nervously as he worked on the lock, my heart leaping into my throat again.
Suddenly, Senior pulled me into his arms. "Little one, once we get out of here, you’re mine," he murmured, his voice low and suggestive, his warm breath brushing against my neck.
My face flushed. "Senior…" My heartbeat raced, unsure how to respond.
Just then, the lock clicked open, and a door materialized before us.
"Finally, we can leave," Senior said, leading me through.
But beyond the door wasn’t the outside world—it was another unknown chamber, even more eerie and terrifying than the last. The walls pulsed with an eerie glow, and strange noises echoed from the shadows.
Senior frowned. "No matter what, we’ll find a way out."
I nodded, staying close behind him.
The chamber reeked of a pungent, nauseating odor. We treaded carefully until the ground beneath us began to writhe with squirming insects, sending shivers down my spine.
Without hesitation, Senior crushed them underfoot and pressed onward.
Eventually, we reached a massive stone coffin, its surface carved with cryptic symbols.
"Senior, what is this?" I asked, my voice trembling.
He studied the markings closely. "I’m not sure, but it doesn’t feel right."
At that moment, the coffin lid slowly creaked open, and a powerful force yanked us inside…
