The narrow corridor of the labyrinth pulsed faintly with an ethereal blue glow, constellations dancing along the walls like rippling water. Verena's boots echoed softly as she guided Vivienne forward, her hand firmly gripping the girl's wrist—not because she cared that much, of course, but because it was practical. Practical. Entirely logical. Nothing more.
Vivienne stumbled, nearly tripping over a crack in the floor. "Ah! Sorry—"
"Just focus on walking," Verena sighed, pulling her along with more force than necessary. "It's a maze, not an obstacle course for toddlers."
The labyrinth whispered around them, faint voices like fragments of forgotten conversations echoing from the walls. The stars inscribed in the stone shifted as they moved, subtly rearranging themselves to reflect their presence. The Zodiacal influence was heavy here—it felt like walking through the belly of the universe itself.
"So… this is Trial Two, huh?" Vivienne asked, peering around with wide, uncertain eyes.
