That mysterious force sucked us into a dimly lit hall. Eerie mist swirled around, obscuring our surroundings.
Senior held me tightly by the shoulders, his gaze sharp and alert. Suddenly, a deep, commanding voice echoed through the hall: "Why have you trespassed here?"
I trembled in fear, pressing myself deeper into Senior's embrace. He only held me tighter and responded firmly, "We mean no harm. We merely lost our way in the darkness."
A chilling laugh followed, and a figure gradually emerged from the mist—an elderly man with a gaunt face and eyes gleaming with an unfathomable light.
"Since you’ve come, don’t expect to leave so easily," the old man threatened.
Unshaken, Senior retorted, "If you dare stand in our way, don’t blame me for what happens next." With that, he shielded me behind him, his stance domineering.
The old man sneered and flicked his sleeve, unleashing a powerful force toward us. Senior instantly stepped forward to counter it.
I watched anxiously, my heart in my throat. Just as Senior began to falter, an inexplicable surge of courage rushed through me. I dashed forward and wrapped my arms around him, crying out, "Don’t hurt him!"
Senior turned to me, his eyes filled with surprise and warmth. He grasped my hand firmly and said, "Don’t worry, little one. I won’t let anyone harm you."
Seeing our determination, the old man hesitated and withdrew his power. "Fine. Perhaps this is fate’s design."
Then, a strange sound echoed from the depths of the hall, as if summoning us. Without hesitation, Senior took my hand and led me toward it.
We passed through a shadowy corridor and entered another chamber. When Senior reached for an ancient tome on the altar, an invisible force repelled him.
"Only those who share true love may open it," a voice whispered in our ears.
Senior looked at me, his gaze brimming with tenderness and resolve. Suddenly, he pulled me into his arms and captured my lips in a fierce kiss. Startled at first, I soon melted into the passion of it.
When we parted, Senior reached for the tome again—this time, the force did not stop him.
Inside, we found instructions on how to leave. Following the guidance, we arrived at the temple’s rear courtyard, where an old stone well stood.
Peering inside, Senior saw a strange glow emanating from its depths. "Little one, let me check it first," he said, preparing to jump.
"No, Senior. I’m going with you," I insisted, clutching his sleeve.
With a helpless chuckle, he swept me into his arms and leaped into the well.
The well seemed to lead to another world—a realm of dazzling lights and surreal landscapes. Senior never loosened his grip, shielding me from any harm.
After what felt like an eternity, a sliver of light appeared ahead. We hurried forward and emerged into a breathtaking valley.
Flowers bloomed in abundance, and a gentle stream murmured nearby. Senior led me to the water’s edge, cupping some in his hands to wash the grime from my face.
His eyes overflowed with tenderness, and I found myself lost in them. Suddenly, he smirked and splashed water on me.
"Look at you, all flustered," he teased.
I pouted, but he pulled me close and kissed me again—deep, lingering, as if time itself had stopped.
When we finally parted, he murmured, "From now on, you belong only to me."
Blushing, I nodded.
The golden hues of sunset bathed us, illuminating our blissful smiles.
We spent peaceful, joyous days in that valley. Senior doted on me endlessly—every glance, every touch brimming with love and possessiveness.
At night, we lay on the grass beneath a sky full of stars. He held me tightly, his heartbeat fierce against me.
"You’re mine. Forever," he whispered, his breath warm against my ear.
As days passed, our bond deepened. Senior surprised me often—sometimes with a wildflower he’d picked, other times with a lavish picnic.
One day, as I washed clothes by the stream, he embraced me from behind.
We lingered in that dreamlike valley, wrapped in love’s sweetness. The sun warmed our skin, and fragrant breezes carried the scent of blossoms, as if time stood still for us.
But fate soon bared its fangs.
Without warning, the valley quaked violently. Boulders crashed down like meteors, the earth splitting beneath us.
"Run!" Senior shielded me instantly, his eyes blazing with resolve.
A massive rock struck him. He grunted in pain, blood staining his clothes.
"Senior!" I screamed, tears blurring my vision, terror clawing at my heart. Seeing him hurt shattered my world.
Darkness swallowed me.
When I awoke, I was back in that sinister chamber—alone.
I called for Senior desperately, but only silence answered. Fear coiled around me, but for his sake, I forced myself to stay calm and press on.
Ahead, three passages glowed ominously—red, green, and blue.
From the red one came anguished wails, as if tormented souls wept. The green passage was veiled in thick, impenetrable fog. The blue one echoed with shrill screeches, like warnings from some unseen beast.
Torn with dread, I chose the blue path.
The moment I stepped in, a violent gust hurled me to the ground. Pain lanced through me, but I staggered up, finding myself in a vast mechanical chamber.
Gears and pipes covered the walls, grinding and hissing. At the center stood a colossal control panel, its buttons and lights flashing chaotically.
Just as I was at a loss, a cold, emotionless voice rang out: "Press the correct button, or the room will initiate its self-destruct sequence."
Panicked, I stared at the control panel—the buttons and indicator lights seemed like grim omens. My heart raced, and cold sweat beaded on my forehead. Time ticked away, each second a sharp blade slicing through my nerves.
Suddenly, I remembered the starry pattern I had once admired with my Senior in the valley. It was a beautiful night—we lay on the grass, gazing at the sky, sharing our dreams and hopes. Clinging to that memory, I desperately searched the control panel until I found a similar symbol. With trembling hands, I pressed the button.
"Congratulations. You’ve escaped death—for now," the voice announced as a door slowly creaked open, revealing a sliver of faint light.
I took a deep breath, mustered my courage, and stepped inside. Before me stretched a suspended platform, surrounded by an endless abyss of darkness—a gaping maw ready to swallow me whole. A narrow stone bridge, barely wide enough for one person, spanned the void, leading to another sealed door on the far side.
I treaded carefully, each step deliberate. But after only a few paces, the bridge began to shudder violently, cracks spiderwebbing across its surface as though it might collapse at any moment.
"To pass, you must relinquish what you hold most dear," the merciless voice declared.
Memories of my Senior flashed through my mind, and tears spilled down my cheeks. My mother’s necklace—my most treasured possession, a keepsake of her love—hung around my neck. But to find my Senior, I gritted my teeth, unclasped it, and hurled it into the abyss.
The bridge steadied, as if acknowledging my resolve. Without hesitation, I sprinted across and entered the next room.
