In front of them lay the Third Level — a world unlike anything they had seen below.
It was the only level where one could see the sky. A vast crack split the ceiling above, letting the elements of the surface pour through. Sunlight streamed down in shifting shafts, cutting through mist and smoke. Rain dripped from stalactites, feeding moss and vines that had somehow taken root in the cracks of stone.
Beneath that fractured dome sprawled a wilderness born of chaos — jagged rocks, crumbling ridges, and in the heart of it all, a towering rainforest that seemed impossibly alive. Massive trees stretched upward toward the distant crack of light, their emerald canopies glistening under the falling rain. Deep fissures scarred the ground, where once a great tremor had ripped through the level, reshaping it into this strange paradise amid ruin.
Water from above cascaded through the cracks, forming thin waterfalls that vanished into the depths below — to the Fourth Level. On rare days, the sunlight was said to reach even there, allowing for another forest to grow beneath, twisted and pale.
When Oscar and Mahin emerged onto the ridge and looked upon the Third Level for the first time, they stood speechless. They had escaped a world of fire and chains only to find themselves in the embrace of nature — raw, overwhelming, untamed.
Tarko stepped forward, his weathered face softening under the dim sunlight."Welcome," he said quietly, "to the Third Level — the Undying Forest."
As they descended toward the jungle floor, they began to notice signs of life.Tents, shacks, and makeshift huts dotted the outskirts of the forest — a small settlement of survivors and prisoners who had made this level their home. The Empire rarely interfered here. In fact, the Third Level was the only one where they delivered supply packages to prisoners.
Close to the forest wall stood a line of caves, carved into the black stone — shelter for those who had given up on escaping the Labyrinth. It was inside one of these that Oscar's remaining crew had taken refuge, waiting for their captain's return.
At the entrance to the level, Sergio and Alex were standing guard. Both were Orbiton pilots aboard the Tarrtarusios before the Empire's assault. They'd been caught in the ship's corridors, captured before they could even reach the hangar.
Sergio, in his mid-twenties, had long brown hair and calm brown eyes. Friendly and lighthearted, he was the kind of man who made hell bearable — though his chatter sometimes tested patience, there was no one better to have guarding your flank.
Alex was his opposite. A fiery soul with hair as red as flame and eyes sharp as emerald blades. He was reckless, impulsive, and brave to a fault — the first to charge, the last to retreat.
The two were lying low on the slope leading down to the forest when they heard a familiar voice call out through the echoing cavern:
"Hey, you two! What are you doing lying around? Come give us a hand!"
They both looked up. Oscar stood above, waving them down.
Alex grinned and nudged Sergio. "Get up! The boss is here!"
They scrambled to their feet and ran down the path to help the others descend. When they reached the bottom and saw Oscar — alive, soot-streaked but unbroken — both men's faces lit up.
"Where are the others?" Oscar asked as he caught his breath.
"They've set up camp in one of the caves nearby," Sergio replied. "We've been waiting for you here to lead us in."
Oscar nodded and turned to the group behind him — Mahin, Tarko, and the weary Emperor Kaiser himself."Then let's move."
When they entered the cave, the air filled with shouts of relief and joy."The captain is back!" someone yelled.The sound echoed through the cavern, laughter and cheers rising for the first time in what felt like an eternity.
Once the excitement settled, Oscar, Mahin, Tarko, and Kaiser sat together near the campfire, the crackling flames casting long shadows on the rock walls.
Oscar leaned back with a deep sigh. "Finally… now all that's left is to get out of here."
Tarko raised an eyebrow. "And how exactly are we supposed to do that?"
Before Oscar could answer, Kaiser let out a low laugh. "You think escape is possible? The only true way out of here… is through death. Trust me when I say that."
Oscar frowned. "And what makes you so sure?"
Kaiser's expression darkened. "Because the Labyrinth was built that way — long ago. By our ancestors… the Earthlings."
At the mention of the name, Tarko stiffened. "You mean the First?" he asked, his voice almost reverent.
Bjorn, who had been standing quietly nearby, looked puzzled. The name meant nothing to him. In his time, the planet called Earth — the birthplace of humankind — had long faded into myth.
Bjorn leaned closer to Oscar, whispering, "Captain… there's more to this. Maybe we should tell them the truth. We might get answers."
Oscar gave a small nod. "Alright." He turned to the others. "Listen, what I'm about to say will sound impossible — but it's the truth. We're not from your time. The Braraken Empire you speak of? In our era, it's an ancient ruin. We come from… ten thousand years in the future."
Silence fell.
Tarko blinked, mouth slightly open. The old Emperor stared into the fire, eyes reflecting the flicker of disbelief — and recognition.
It was Mahin who spoke first, confirming the impossible. "I saw their vessel. I met their people. What they say is true."
The realization took time to settle in. But for Tarko, it didn't matter who or what they were — only that they might have a way out.
For Kaiser, though, it was different. The moment he heard those words, something shifted in his eyes. He'd spent decades searching for meaning in the Labyrinth's design. And now, perhaps, the key lay not below — but above.
Bjorn leaned toward him. "Your Majesty… may I ask you to tell us more about this 'Earth'? What was it?"
Kaiser turned slowly to him. "So, your time has forgotten… where we began?"
Bjorn nodded. "We have records, fragments. But our history speaks of many species — not just humans. We believe we are a branch of something older. A sub-species, maybe. We call ourselves the Morphs."
Kaiser stroked his gray beard thoughtfully. "Then hear me well, young man. There was once a world unlike any other. A blue sphere in the void — a cradle of oceans, mountains, and life. It was called Earth."
Bjorn frowned. "I've never heard of it. Which galaxy was it in?"
"The Milky Way," Kaiser said softly.
A hush fell over the group. Even the crackling fire seemed to fade.
Kaiser looked into the flames, his voice low and distant."It was also known by another name — a name whispered by our ancestors before the fall. They called it… Terra."