The inner disk was a shifting maze.
Platforms slid along invisible tracks. Segments rotated in and out of alignment. Some stairs led onto ceilings that became floors if you committed fully.
Illusionary doors opened into loops that spat you right back to where you started. One misjudged jump, one mistimed step, and the Trial reset you… or dropped you into the void, voiding your rank instantly.
And that was without the handicaps.
Lucien and Marie moved through it slowly.
Sometimes Marie's directions faltered.
"There's a gate ahead—wait, no, it shimmered. Illusion. Sorry—back one step, right turn—"
Each time she hesitated, Lucien didn't rush her.
He simply stood steady.
"General heading?" he murmured.
"Forward-left," she answered, tapping his shoulder. "But the path bends right to get there. It's rude."
"Then we follow the rude gate," Lucien said calmly. "Not the polite ones."
She snorted. "You and your loopholes."
He reached into his Inventory and pulled out another tool.
