The chamber felt different that morning.
Heavier.
Like the air itself knew something was about to happen.
Dozens of acolytes stood gathered in the center of the Temple of Cipher, all of us facing forward, all pretending not to feel the same thing pressing against our chests.
Anticipation.
Fear.
Excitement.
I stood beside Nikolai, shifting slightly, trying to ignore how fast my heart was beating.
"This is it," I muttered.
"It is," he replied calmly.
At the front of the chamber, the High Priest stepped forward. His robes were layered and heavy, etched faintly with runes that seemed to breathe with a slow, steady pulse.
The walls behind him did the same.
Not brighter.
Not changing.
Just… alive.
When he spoke, the room fell silent.
"Welcome, Acolytes! Today is the day you start your training. Your training comes in nine stages called trials. The first is the Trial of Veiled Truths."
The low hum beneath our feet had always been there—but now it felt impossible to ignore.
"Today we are sending you into a labyrinth designed to confuse and distract you. You all know the rules—no weapons are allowed, only wits and strength. No calling upon the gods for help. The labyrinth is shielded from outside interference by our great patron god Cipher."
The steady pulse of the runes continued.
Unchanging.
"Praying to the gods or goddesses," the High Priest continued, "will immediately disqualify you from the trial."
A slight pause.
"When this occurs, you will be removed from the labyrinth."
A ripple moved through the acolytes.
Some relieved.
Some more nervous than before.
"If you choose not to enter," he went on, "you will remain at your current rank within the Order. You will not advance—but neither will you be cast out."
The murmur returned.
"You may attempt the trial again when it is offered next year."
He let that settle.
"Understand this—others will not wait for you. Others will advance."
Silence returned.
He nodded once.
"Any Questions?"
A beat.
"Nope," we all answered together.
The High Priest raised his hand.
Two fingers poised.
The same gesture.
The same weight.
My chest tightened instantly.
"…The Archmage," Nikolai murmured.
The High Priest snapped his fingers.
Snap.
The temple did not react.
The pulse did not change.
Reality simply—
Slipped.
The chamber vanished.
Not violently.
Not suddenly.
Just… gone.
Stone replaced it.
Cold.
Endless.
The labyrinth.
It felt real.
Too real.
The air was colder.
Heavier.
The ground solid beneath our feet.
This wasn't an illusion.
It couldn't be.
"Start."
The voice echoed from everywhere at once.
And just like that—
We were inside.