The Crowns Gambit

❦ Chapter Ten: Atlas ❦

As we sprint through the winding path of the maze, the sounds of our hurried footsteps echo in the dim light. Each turn feels more treacherous than the last, the air thick with uncertainty and the weight of our goal pressing heavily on my shoulders.

"Should've known it wouldn't be that easy," Oliver pants beside me, wiping sweat from his brow as we round another corner. "Next time, I'm bringing a map. Or a GPS."

"Good luck finding a signal down here," Alexander quips, his voice breathless but his tone light. "Unless you plan on climbing the walls to get a better view?"

Oliver rolls his eyes, picking up the pace. "You think I'd climb anything in this maze? I'd rather face the minotaur, thank you very much."

"Is that a challenge?" I ask, a grin breaking through my anxiety. "You know, if you think you can climb those walls, we might as well make a game of it."

"Count me in!" Alexander declares, laughing as he jogs ahead. "Loser has to carry the winner's pack for the rest of the maze."

"Just what I wanted, a workout and the privilege of hauling your gear." Oliver scoffs, but there's a spark of excitement in his eyes.

As we continue, the path shifts, narrowing to barely two feet across. "Okay, here's the deal," I say, taking the lead. "We make it to the center of the maze, and then you both have to prove your worthiness. Climbing contest. Winner gets to choose our next path."

Oliver groans, "Why do I feel like you're just setting us up for failure?"

"Because I'm the one who's going to win?" I suggest, shooting him a sidelong glance. "Besides, if we're going to be stuck in here together, we might as well have some fun."

"Fun?" Alexander repeats incredulously. "We're in a life-or-death situation, and you're suggesting a climbing competition?"

"Exactly! Keeps our minds off... you know, dying," I reply, trying to sound chipper even as a nagging fear creeps back in.

We continue down the narrow path, the walls closing in like the jaws of some ancient beast. The tension between us rises, but the lighthearted banter eases the dread that threatens to swallow us whole.

"I'm going to win," Alexander declares, suddenly serious. "You two will be nothing but a memory when I'm standing at the top."

"Big words for someone who was just hobbled by a few thorns," Oliver shoots back, a mischievous grin on his face. "If anyone's going to win, it's me."

"Sure, as long as you don't trip over your own feet," I add, my tone teasing. "But hey, even if you do, I'll make sure to take a picture for the 'Wall of Shame.'"

"Let's just focus on surviving this first," Oliver says, shaking his head. "Then we can start talking about who's the fastest climber."

We push on, each twist and turn taking us deeper into the maze's belly. The path begins to widen, and I can feel the atmosphere shift—an electric charge fills the air, thick with anticipation.

"Almost there," I murmur, glancing back at Oliver and Alexander, who are both looking ahead intently.

Suddenly, we reach a clearing—an open area surrounded by towering walls, each one adorned with ancient symbols that glow faintly in the dim light. In the center stands a stone pedestal, the top of which shimmers with an otherworldly light.

"Is this... the center?" Alexander asks, awe creeping into his voice.

"Looks like it," I reply, moving forward cautiously. "But I don't think we're alone."

"Why do you say that?" Oliver whispers, scanning the area.

Just then, the sound of footsteps echoes from the opposite side of the clearing. My heart races as I recognize the familiar figure of Damon emerging from the shadows, a smirk plastered on his face.