Chapter 113: Unknown Territory [2] Moon’s expression turned grim at the thought of being crushed within these walls, it was something that he certainly didn’t want to experience. They were standing in a larger chamber currently, but if the same mechanism that had sealed those passages occurred in their current location... They’d be crushed just the same. Trapped in a death loop with no escape. Moon collected his thoughts and came up with a plausible escape plan that could save them from their predicament. "We need to understand the pattern. How long between movements? Is there a trigger, or is it cyclical?" He pulled out a timepiece from his spatial storage, marking the current moment. "We count the seconds until the next movement. If there’s a rhythm, we can predict when it’s safe to move and when we need to find stable zones." Selene nodded her head in agreement, "That sounds like a good idea, but how do we differentiate stable zones from non-stable ones, and...what if there is no pattern?" "Then we move fast and hope we’re not caught in the wrong place when it happens again," Moon said grimly. He studied the remaining open passage carefully. It was the only route forward now, leading deeper into... whatever this place was. "We can’t stay here," Moon decided. "Standing still just makes us sitting targets if this chamber decides to crush us. We move forward through the open passage, quickly but carefully. Watch for any spaces that look more stable." "What about Mirage?" Selene asked, looking at the armored horse with concern. "He can’t move as fast through tight spaces as we can." Moon’s hand rested on Mirage’s neck, feeling the horse’s rapid heartbeat. Leaving him behind wasn’t an option—Mirage would be crushed if left alone in a contracting chamber. "He comes with us. We adjust our speed to match his pace. If we encounter a passage too narrow for him to fit through safely..." Moon’s voice hardened. "We find another route. We’re not leaving him behind." Selene met his eyes and nodded. "Alright. Together, then. All three of us. "Stay close," Moon said. "If you feel any sudden pressure changes or hear that sound again, run forward as fast as you can. Don’t stop, don’t look back." Selene drew a weapon, a short sword that would be more useful in confined spaces than her typical equipment. "Ready when you are." Both awakeners waited anxiously in the unknown chamber, their bodies tense with fear as they monitored every subtle shift in their environment. A minute had just passed when the walls began to move again. This time, it was the chamber they were standing in. Moon’s eyes frantically scanned every surface. The walls on all sides were pulling inward with that same motion from before. Worse, the only pathway that had remained open—their sole route forward—was also also moving, which meant that it would offer the same fate. They had perhaps a second to decide their next move, and that decision would determine whether they lived to see daylight again or died permanently in this nightmare. Moon’s mind worked for a way out, rapidly. Staying in the moving chamber meant certain death when it did close. Moving forward into a closing passage offered the same fate. But the two previously sealed pathways... If this place operated on a rhythm, then those sealed passages might be opening even as their current location closed. It was pure speculation. A gamble based on nothing but an idea and hope. But it was the only chance they had. "Over there!" Moon shouted, making his decision instantly. He gripped Mirage’s reins firmly and guided the horse to charge directly toward one of the previously sealed passages—the ones that had crushed shut just a minute earlier. Moon and Selene were both mounted on the horse, trusting Mirage’s ability to accelerate rapidly in close quarters and cover the distance before the walls finished their lethal contraction. This positioning ensured they’d all survive or die together. No one left behind. Moon had decided to take a massive risk, betting their lives on the theory that the passages operated in opposite cycles. Selene’s eyes widened with shock as she realized what Moon intended. Every instinct screamed to disagree, to argue not to go there. But there was no time left for debate or discussion. She’d already agreed that Moon would lead their group during this expedition. A ship couldn’t sail with two captains—divided leadership in crisis meant death. So she gritted her teeth, wrapped her arms tightly around Moon’s waist, and prayed desperately that the sealed pathways would somehow open before the contracting walls crushed them all into paste, turning them into nothing more than a forgettable memory in an unknown realm. Mirage waited for the signal to charge forward without hesitation despite the terror that must have filled the horse’s mind. The white mount trusted his rider completely, even when that trust meant waiting before running directly toward what appeared to be solid, sealed walls. Moon could feel the pressure changing, the air being forced out as available space diminished rapidly. The walls on either side were closing in, narrowing the path. Moon could see the previously sealed passage. It was still closed, still compressed shut. Mirage’s hooves struck against the floor, his powerful legs building strength to charge them forward with everything he had. The passage remained sealed. ’We’re going to hit solid wall at full speed,’ some part of Moon’s mind whispered, whilst the other part trusted his instinct, telling him to just wait for the right time. Stone pillars formed on each point on the floor, roof and walls in an attempt to try and stop the collapse. But the pillars that Selene had formed did nothing as they collapsed immediately as the walls started to crash in on them. Neigh! Mirage dashed at the signal of Moon. "Now!" The sealed passage convulsed and opened right as they dashed towards it. The walls that had been compressed shut suddenly expanded outward with the same rhythm, creating an opening just as Mirage reached it. "The walls are closing!" Selene said, urging Moon to make Mirage dash faster despite the short distance.