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The sight is simultaneously majestic and somber, hinting at the great history and violent end of this place.
As we approach the pyramid, the mysterious pull I’ve been feeling intensifies, emanating from the top of the structure. It’s an almost magnetic attraction, guiding me towards the pyramid with an insistent urgency.
Standing at the base of the pyramid, I’m struck by its presence. The structure is adorned with enigmatic symbols and images that cover its surface. It exudes a sense of significance, as though it holds the key to unlocking the secrets of this lost civilization.
I turn to M’ijel. “We need to go up,” I say, pointing to the peak of the pyramid.
It seems to hold the answers we’re searching for, a beacon amid the labyrinth of ruins.
M’ijel gives a nod of understanding, and together, we start ascending the ancient steps.
M’ijel
As we ascend the ancient pyramid, every sense in my body is on high alert. I’m not comfortable with the exposure, with being so open and visible atop this structure.
The ruins below offered some semblance of cover, a chance to hide and take stock. But here, on the summit, we are starkly visible against the backdrop of the sky.
We reach the top and pause to survey our surroundings. The view is breathtaking — the entire maze sprawls out beneath us, shrouded in a thin mist that obscures the canopy. It’s this mist, I realize, that concealed the temple from our view when we were navigating the labyrinth below.
The sight is both awe-inspiring and sobering, a reminder of the scale of the world we are trapped in.
Then, Zoey and I notice something else, something even more remarkable. Floating in space around us are a series of platforms, each one akin to our own. It’s a vast array of suspended landscapes, each hosting its own version of the nightmare we ourselves are enduring.
Zoey gasps, her hand clasped over her mouth as she takesin the sight. The platforms are beautiful, yes, majestic even in their alien architecture, but the beauty isn’t what brings tears to her eyes.
“It’s true… everything you told me about this place… it’s really true. I didn’t think… I thought maybe… it wasn’t true. But it is. Oh God, it is.”
Instinctively, I pull her into my arms, holding her close. I can feel her shaking, the weight of our reality dawning on her. I place a gentle kiss on the top of her head, trying to offer some semblance of comfort.
As we stand there, her hands unconsciously stroke the scales on my arms. The sensation is soothing, her touch gentle and caring.
For a brief, blissful moment, I lose myself in her, in the warmth of her embrace, in the connection that has grown between us despite the nightmare surrounding us.
I wish this moment could last forever, that we could stay here, locked in each other’s arms, away from the horrors and the dangers of the maze below. But I know that’s not possible.
We have a task ahead of us, a mission to find a way out of this hellish game. Yet, for now, I allow myself this moment of peace, of closeness with Zoey, cherishing it amidst the chaos.
Zoey
In M’ijel’s embrace, I find a rare moment of tranquility, his presence a comforting shield in this bizarre, perilous world. His warmth and the steady rhythm of his heart against mine provide an odd sense of comfort.
A nagging question surfaces, uninvited yet compelling:
Could I be developing feelings for him, an alien from a distant world?
This thought feels surreal, something I’d never have imagined. Is this connection a mere byproduct of our extreme circumstances?
The notion that my emotions might be shaped by this ordeal is unsettling, yet there’s a part of me that acknowledges a genuine bond with M’ijel. His steadfastness has been a pillar in this surreal ordeal, his unexpected kindness a source of solace.
But indulging in these emotions now seems imprudent. We face a pressing challenge: to escape this labyrinth, to break free from the Malquarans’ malevolent game.
Our priority must be survival and escape. Once we’re safe, once this ordeal is behind us, we can unravel thesecomplex emotions, deciphering the nature of our connection.
Yet, the prospect of escape carries an undercurrent of melancholy. The idea of possibly never encountering M’ijel again after leaving this maze strikes a surprisingly painful chord.
Amidst all the fear and uncertainty, he’s become a significant presence in my life, albeit within a brief span. The thought of resuming a normal life devoid of his presence is tinged with a sense of loss.
For now, I set these emotions aside, focusing on the pressing task at hand — survival and escape. Yet, in the recesses of my mind, the sense of sadness remains, acknowledging the bond we’ve forged and the unknowns that lie ahead in our futures.
