Jamal and Jordan awoke once more, their breaths shallow and hearts pounding in unison. The now-familiar sight of the grand palace stretched before them.

Once again, everything was in place. Once again, Aric was happily reclining on his couch, a goblet of wine in his hand. Once again, servants moved around, looking as satisfied as could be.

The calm atmosphere and glorious appearance of the hall seemed mocking in its pristine perfection, given what they knew lay ahead. And the knowledge that this peace and solitude would be razed down in a matter of minutes was tormenting.

“Again,” Jordan muttered bitterly, pushing himself to his feet. “We got cut down again.”

Jamal groaned, clutching his side as though he could still feel the blades that had cut him down moments ago. “This is… this is hell, man. Literal hell. This madness will drive us crazy before that final whatever catches us.”

“It’s not gonna catch us!” Jordan shot back, his tone hard. “Not if we get serious. We’ve got three chances right now. We’ve got to focus. At least we have info on how to get out of here. That kid said we’ve got to get to the blue vortex, right? Let’s find it.”

Breathing heavily, Jamal nodded reluctantly. “You’re right, you’re right. But… but we have no idea where it is. This place is probably a maze.”

“Then we’ll run and look,” Jordan replied, the determination thick in his voice. “We’ve got no time to waste. The attackers will be here any minute.”

Jamal nodded. “Agreed. Let’s move ASAP!”

They bolted toward the side entrance near Aric’s ornate couch. A number of pathways loomed before them, flanked by intricately carved panels depicting tales of Aric’s victories. Each one revealed a long stretching corridor.

Breathing heavily, Jamal stared at Jordan. “Which one do we go with? It could be any of them.”

Jordan’s mind raced as he scanned the pathways ahead. Each one seemed to echo the same ominous and endless journey, with the same grandiose carvings of Aric’s conquests adorned on each wall. 

Come on, come on, come on! Which one do I pick?

His eyes flicked quickly from one corridor to the next, trying to discern any sign or hint that might guide their choice. Time was not on their side, but that certainly did not mean they could make any rash decision.

His gaze settled on one particular path, the one which appeared to have the shortest corridor. As he squinted, he noted that there was a door on the right.

He nodded quickly. This could be a quicker escape route for us. And if it doesn’t lead anywhere, we can quickly get out and find another path.

“This way!” he called, sprinting forward. “Let’s move!”

Jamal nodded, following him quickly.

They dashed down the path, their footsteps echoing in the narrow space as they pushed themselves to the limit, knowing every second counted.

As they reached the door, Jordan pushed it open, hoping for an escape or at least a clue. “Let’s hope it’ll get us somew–“

He stopped as they were met with the sight of a luxurious room filled with the strong scent of exotic oils.

As well as several of Aric’s concubines, who were chatting amongst themselves, with a number of them unclad. Startled by the door opening, they looked up at the strange duo, their expressions a mix of surprise and confusion.

This was one of the concubines’ rooms. Wrong place to turn.

Flustered, Jamal and Jordan quickly retreated, closing the door with apologies mumbled under their breaths.

“Wrong turn,” Jordan hissed as he slammed the door shut. “Crap. Worth a try, though.”

Jamal shook his head. “Can’t believe there’d be a day when I’d see a room full of naked ladies and not bat an eyelid or get excited.”

“Bruh, our lives are on the line! Of course you’d hardly be bothered. Let’s move!”

They immediately sprinted back up the corridor. “Let’s try the middle one. The one with the light at the end. Maybe that’s our way out,” he suggested, his voice tinged with hope as they prepared to take their chances.

They stepped out of the corridor and immediately made their way through the middle pathway.

Once again, adrenalin gushed through their veins and fired them ahead, their rushed footsteps echoing through the unoccupied corridor. Bright torches flickered dimly along the way, casting shadows of their rushing figures.

“Bruh, this corridor is long as hell!” Jamal commented, already feeling a stitch develop in his side. “I’m putting my all into this, yet I feel like we’re still in the middle!”

“I know, man, I know!” Jordan agreed, panting heavily. “But we can’t give up. We gotta see what’s at the end of this one. It might just be our way out…”

He trailed off as his eyes, fixed on the gradually appearing exit, noticed something.

He pointed. “Look!”

At the end of the corridor, there was a drawbridge leading outside. And beyond it, shimmering faintly in the distance, was an unmistakable glow of blue.

That was it. The portal of salvation they were looking for.

The vortex.

“There it is!” Jordan shouted, his voice filled with hope.

“That’s it! That’s it!” Jamal yelled excitedly.

“Let’s go, man! We’re almost there! We’ve got this!”

Adrenaline coursing through their veins, the two sprinted down the corridor with everything they had. The closer they got to the exit, the brighter the vortex’s light grew, beckoning them with the promise of salvation from this vexatious loop of horror.

“We’re gonna make it!” Jamal yelled as they got nearer to the exit.

“Yes, we are!” Jordan yelled back gleefully. “A few more steps…”

They continued to speed on, only a matter of meters away from springing out of the exit…

…and suddenly, an ominous creaking noise started up.

Their hearts immediately jumped into their throats. Whatever that sound was, it did have a positive edge to it at all.

Just as they reached the exit, the massive drawbridge began to rise, its chains rattling loudly.

“No, no, no!” Jordan screamed in frustration as it lifted up, beginning to conceal the vortex.

“Not now, man, not now!” Jamal wailed.

They threw themselves forward, trying to catch the edge of the rising drawbridge. Unfortunately, their efforts were futile. The drawbridge lifted higher and higher, the gap between them and the vortex widening until it was impassable.

The two fell to their knees, utterly devastated. How could they have been so close, and yet missed it?

“Damn it!” Jamal roared, pounding his fists against the stone floor. “Damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it!”

Jordan could only watch on helplessly as the vortex faded from view. “Why is this happening?” he whispered, his voice trembling. “We were almost there. How could–“

The sound of hooves against the stone floor and yells of aggressive men cut him short.

Their despair at losing access to the vortex was short-lived. Now was the time to get terrified. The massacre was underway, and these attackers had come all the way.

Jamal turned, his face pale at the unmistakable clang of weapons being drawn.

“They’re here.”

The attackers, bloodied and armed as always, advanced with murderous intent towards them.

“No, no, no!” Jordan screamed, backing away.

“Can’t we get out of here!” Jamal cried, looking for a way out.

The answer was no. There was nowhere to run.

And nowhere to hide.

They were right in the hands of these slaughter merchants, and there would be no stopping them.

The first blade struck Jamal, sending him sprawling to the ground. Jordan didn’t have time to react before another attacker slashed at him, sending him down as well.

The world dissolved into pain… and then darkness.

Ugh! They were so close. So darn close. That’s one attempt gone down the drain…