Aiden stumbled into the depths of the maze, every breath piercing his chest like a knife.
Blood stained his arms and legs red, but he could no longer distinguish which belonged to him and which belonged to the fallen.
His body hissed with exhaustion, but his reason refused to yield.
His whispers have not stopped.
Break free from the chains... shatter fate
The sound did not come from the outside world, but from within - as if seeping out of his bones. Whenever it speaks, its skin feels a sharp pain, its vision becomes sharp, and the pain in its limbs decreases, even if it is only mild.
Something is not right. No, some things are changing.
Aiden leaned against the cold wall and held his breath. He trembled and touched his chest - then froze.
His heart beats fast and slow, with a strange rhythm. However, with each irregular rhythm, a warm current spread through his veins, both scorching and comforting.
He lowered his head and looked at his arm. The wound left a few minutes ago is currently healing. The flesh and blood heal, and the blood gradually stops. Although not fully healed, it is no longer fatal.
What is this? "He asked in a low voice.
The answer sounded like thunder in his mind.
This body no longer belongs solely to you.
Aiden's eyes widened.
Memories welled up in his heart - his childhood, his arrest, and the chains. All these moments belong to him. But at this moment, beneath his skin, he felt another presence. Something vast, ancient, and patient. It's not a voice from heaven. They are not gods either.
Something locked in a cage.
Something used him as a container.
The sound of footsteps woke him up.
The shadows at the edge of the corridor are moving. Three prisoners stumbled out of the darkness - their faces haggard, their eyes wide open, but holding sharp blades that had been pried off the fallen guards. Their gaze was fixed tightly on Eden.
One of the fierce men, covered in scars and with a twisted smile, raised his knife.
Food. Clothes. Your life, "he roared. Give it to them, maybe we'll let you crawl away
Aiden became nervous. There is nothing worth stealing from him - but he knows what a person can become in this hellish environment. In the needle maze, killing is safer than kindness.
He tried to raise his fist, but his body trembled uncontrollably. He is still weak and powerless, almost unable to stand. Faced with three people, he had no chance of winning.
The scarred man pounced over.
Instinct demanded that Eden take action, but before his body could react, something else had already taken action.
A flame erupted in his blood vessels. His muscles tightened, his vision narrowed, and the world seemed dull.
He suddenly swung his arm, with a speed far beyond his imagination. His palm hit the attacker's chest - the person fell backwards, his bones breaking like dry branches, and he slammed heavily against the wall covered in spikes. The needle pierced through flesh and bones, pinning him down like an insect.
Aiden was stunned, staring at his hand. He didn't push so hard. Impossible.
The other two stumbled back, their faces flashing with fear.
He... what is he? "A person asked in a low voice.
Inside, a voice echoed, colder and clearer than before.
This body is not owned by you alone. Strength... but it comes at a cost.
The second person screamed and rushed forward, panic overwhelming fear. His knife pierced Eden's throat - but Eden's body was once again ahead of his mind. He twisted violently, grabbed the man's wrist, and twisted it with extraordinary force until the bone broke. The knife fell with a loud bang, followed by the man's scream.
The last one escaped and ran down the corridor without looking back.
Aiden stood at his feet, watching the prisoner groaning incessantly. His heart was pounding and his breathing was rapid. His limbs trembled, not because of weakness, but because primitive and scorching energy surged in his blood vessels.
He looked at his hands again, almost scared.
This... this is not me
The voice whispered softly.
Not you. Not yet. But together... we will go further.
Aiden's stomach churned. That's right, strength saved him - but the thought of easily defeating the enemy spread a sense of unease along his spine.
Is he still himself or has he transformed into something else?
The silence after the fight was even heavier than the screams just now. Aiden stood against the wall, his chest heaving violently as everything that had just happened weighed heavily on him. He should have been delighted to have survived - but all he felt was unease.
The man nailed to the spike let out a groan and then remained motionless. Blood dripped down the wall, forming thin streams. The man on the ground writhed in pain, tightly grasping his broken arm, his eyes filled with fear, as if Eden was no longer human.
Perhaps I am not, "Eden thought seriously.
But the maze didn't give him time to think about this issue.
A sound of friction echoed in the hallway. The floor he stepped on barefoot trembled. The stone moves and slides away, revealing rows of hidden needle like objects that rise upwards. The corridor ahead winds and twists, with walls rubbing against each other, as if the maze itself has come to life.
The prisoner moaned and the floor beneath his feet cracked open, swallowing him into a deep pit filled with spikes. He let out a scream. His voice was interrupted by a damp creaking sound.
Aiden stumbled backwards, his eyes wide open.
The maze... is it changing
Upstairs, laughter could be heard from the balcony of the supervisor. For them, this constantly changing maze is a wonder. For Eden, it was destruction.
The road he walked disappeared. There are only two roads left - one narrow and dim, the other wider, but lined with sparkling spikes and dripping with blood. Both roads look unsafe.
He chose the narrow one.
The wall was tightly pressed against the ground, covered in razor like fine needles that shone brightly. Aiden moved cautiously forward, but his foot touched a hidden stone.
Click.
The ceiling cracked open with a loud bang, and a burst of darts poured down.
Aiden's body moved earlier than his mind. He suddenly lifted his arms and swung the dart at an incredible speed. A dart grazed his shoulder, burning like fire. The remaining darts shattered to the ground.
The power of aliens once again saved him - but this time, it did not disappear.
It has grown up.
His heartbeat grew faster and faster until a sharp pain pierced his chest. His blood vessels were burning with pain, as if molten iron was flowing through his body.
He took a deep breath, knelt on one knee, and covered his ribs. His vision blurred. The maze spun around him.
Then he saw it in his mind.
A figure, shrouded in shadow, immensely huge, firmly locked in darkness. Its silhouette flickered between humanoid and monster, its eyes shining like embers. It is the existence that once whispered to him.
It slowly lifted its head.
Do you feel it now? This is the price of strength. Every time you call me... you lose a part of yourself.
Aiden felt excruciating pain, his screams echoing in the hallway.