The Taste of Seduction

He believes that as they went on through the maze, they would compromise their safety if they are not careful. What more if they are split into groups?

But seeing as to how Austin was able to quickly grasp the mechanics of the next puzzle, they had no choice but to follow as he is the smartest of all of them. Also, they were able to discern as early before they started the maze that they would have to meet in the middle of the room to finish the challenge.

They have to finish the mini riddles and puzzles in their side of the maze.

Marcus joined them to protect Meredith, but with her being with Atlas, then he is also assured that she will be okay.

Though with magic and unexpected events that may happen while they go deeper in the labyrinth, he started to worry when the challenges will end and if they\'re going to have more and if they\'re going to be more difficult.

"You\'re worried," Austin commented, snapping the vampire out of his thoughts. "Don\'t be. We\'ll get this through and finish this until the end," he added, reassuring Marcus even though the two are not really that close.

As they finish as much as many puzzles as they can, they were led every turn and curve to go to the centermost area of the labyrinth. The two looked up and they noticed that as they were nearing their destination, the light illuminating the centermost part turned brighter.

"Let\'s be careful not to trigger traps as we go. I bet there will be one when we reach the end of this maze. It\'s not really as simple as this; it\'s going to test our wit and strength… along with our trust to each other," Austin added, Marcus just nodding as he stayed quiet.

As they made their way through the maze, they encountered many challenges. They had to solve puzzles, avoid traps, and work together to navigate the maze.

As they reached the middle of the maze, they heard each other\'s voices echoing through the halls. It seemed that Austin and Marcus had reached the middle first before Atlas and Meredith could.

Marcus couldn\'t help but pace back and forth as they waited for the two. Three minutes had already passed since they arrived and still, no signs about them were present in the room.

Marcus then stood straight, biting the tip of his thumb as he grew anxious by the second.

\'Did something happen to them? How is Meredith? Did they encounter a problem? Is she safe?\'

Austin watched him walk back and forth once more. With a small sigh, he called his attention to calm him down.

"Trust them," he said, breaking him out of his stupor once more. "The two of them will be here in no time," he added, the vampire looking at him with a slightly anxious expression on his face.

"Well, yes… but what if their side of the maze turned out to be more difficult than ours?" he asked, Austin giving him a reassuring smile.

"Nothing that they can\'t handle," he replied, gesturing at the area where they are now. "Besides… since we came here, no traps were triggered. It seemed the place is safe. You can immediately come to Meredith once she arrives to check on her if you want."

"Well—"

Before Marcus could even finish his statement, the left side of the maze where the other pair was suddenly parted ways to make way for them. The moment he turned, he saw the two running to the centermost area, making him sigh in relief.

"Meredith!" Marcus exclaimed, taking a few quick steps to approach them. "I\'m glad that the two of you are safe!"

Suddenly, the ground shook, and a loud noise echoed throughout the room. They were startled, and their hearts were pounding with fear.

"Shit!!"

"Atlas… no!"

The two exclaimed as things happened too quick before they could even process it. A pit fall appeared underneath Atlas, making him almost fall until Meredith grabbed his hand, struggling to keep him safe.

"H-hang on tight, Atlas!" Meredith grunted.

Atlas was worried that his weight might pull her down with him. The moment he looked down, he noticed that there was lava below, wondering how it even happened.

The place is indeed laced with magic they cannot even fathom. No things were impossible for this place, but would it be possible for them to overcome each challenge without risking one\'s life?

"Meredith, grab on to something!" Atlas shouted, feeling the heat intensify beneath him even more.

"There\'s nothing here!!" Meredith grabbed onto his hand with both of her hands, already pulling as hard as she could. "Please… Austin, Marcus… help!!"

As sweat started to form on the two, Marcus felt pressure. If he hadn\'t walked further on ahead, he wouldn\'t have triggered a trap risking the two.

With the urgency in her voice, he was about to run towards them when suddenly, a shout stopped him.

"Don\'t! If you take a few more steps, you might trigger another trap!"

"You said it was safe!" Marcus shouted back at him, not knowing what to do as the other two are now struggling even more. "How could we save them, then?!"

"Stay put!" Austin instructed, looking around. The moment he did, he noticed that there was a pedestal behind him, something that wasn\'t present a while ago.

On the pedestal were five balls with a specific crest that went each on the holes on top of the pedestal. He already knew what to do, having to pair each ball with the crest present on the pedestal\'s hole.

"Nnngggh!! Hurry up, both of you!" Meredith was desperate at this point, feeling that she is being dragged along with Atlas\' weight. "I can\'t hold on much longer!"

The clock was ticking and Marcus didn\'t know what to do as he was told to be in place before the situation worsens.