The Taste of Seduction

"Are you alright?" Atlas asked, Meredith just waving her hand to brush off the concern as she indicated she was alright.

"We\'ve come this far. We\'re not going to stop now," she replied, the three of them nodding at her statement.

Atlas, Meredith, Marcus, and Austin were on a quest to prove their worthiness. They noticed that as they went on with the ruin\'s challenges, they were getting more and more difficult.

And this next challenge may just be another one of them and they have to be up in their toes in order for them to accomplish it.

As they approached the entrance of the next challenge, they felt a chill run down their spine. The ruins had an eerie feel to them, and the darkness seemed to swallow them whole. The group stood in front of the entrance, and they knew that this was the moment they had been waiting for.

Within this maze is another maze. How many challenges must they accomplish so they can prove their worth?

It was frustrating, but they have no choice if they want to get ahold of the book.

Things are not really that simple especially if magic and mysticism is involved.

"Prove thy worth, get what you seek," the voice bellowed, getting the group\'s attention. "Go through your reflections and overcome what lies within. Question your trust."

"Question our trust?" Atlas mumbled to himself, only Meredith hearing what he said. "What could that mean?"

"It is you who will decide if a traitor is amongst you. Through this challenge, should you get the answer. A jealous heart is not something to be trampled with: a word of caution."

The mysterious voice spoke in riddles. The group did not understand what it said and they just looked at each other, Marcus making a comment on what they just heard.

"If they want us to reflect, then why do they have to talk in this manner and not go straight to the point?"

Atlas chuckled, agreeing to what he said. "Tell me about it. But… things are not that simple, right?"

The four of them went quiet for a while. As the breeze continued to blow from the entrance, Austin pondered for a bit and then suggested a way for them to accomplish the maze.

"Let\'s split in groups. The clock is ticking," he began, looking at Atlas and Meredith. "You form a pair, and Marcus and I form the second."

The challenge was to solve a puzzle of a maze full of mirrors. The four of them split up into two teams; Atlas and Meredith, and Marcus and Austin. They knew that time was of the essence, and they had to work quickly.

Atlas and Meredith went to the left, while Marcus and Austin went to the right. They entered the maze, and it was like they had stepped into a different world. The maze was tricky and confusing, but they managed to navigate through it by following their instincts.

The mirrors in the maze were disorienting, and it was easy to get lost. The group had to keep their wits about them and stay focused on the task at hand.

"Now I know why we\'re split in to two," Meredith commented, holding hands with Atlas as they carefully went through each maze, solving easy puzzles so it could reveal which turn they could go. "As we solve the riddles, a turn is revealed, yes? It leads us to the middle area of the maze."

"Ah… you\'re right," Atlas agreed, looking up to see a light shining at the centermost part of the maze. "Amazing how Austin could get a grasp of what\'s to expect in just one look, huh?" he added, Meredith nodding in agreement.

"Well, he isn\'t a powerful fae for nothing. We could decide to cheat on the puzzles if we want, but Austin for sure wouldn\'t want that. Remember the essence of the challenges? It\'s to prove our worth."

"True," Atlas said, the two of them taking another turn as they easily solved a mini riddle to reveal their next curve through the maze. "I wonder what the mysterious voice meant, though… about us deciding if there is a traitor among us."

Meredith shook her head, stopping before they continue onward.

"There are no traitors in our group," she said, scoffing at the thought. "Austin is helping us with all that he could. Marcus even decided to help us despite it being painful on his part—you know what I mean."

"You have a point," he replied, narrowing his eyes at her as he slightly surprised Meredith with what he said next. "The last kiss he gave you proved that. It was a good thing I did not attack him and respected him with his goodbyes."

She gasped a little, commenting on what he said. "You were awake?"

"Yes," Atlas said, a smirk appearing on his face. "I\'m guarding you, too, even though he was on night watch. But… a man to a man… I will respect what he said to you and what he decided to do. He\'s a respectable man in a way—strong for him to decide on that."

Meredith rolled her eyes at him. "Anyway… the two of us aren\'t traitors, even." She redirected the topic, making him laugh a little. "I think that\'s just the mysterious voice confusing us and challenging us when all we want to do is to accomplish the challenges and prove ourselves worthy for the book."

With that, the two of them continued accomplishing their side of the maze efficiently. As they went on, they understood that one of the goals to accomplish the challenge is to finish the puzzles of the maze both on the left and ride sides before the two teams can convene in the centermost area.