Episode 6: The Secret Within

Reference Picture (Got it from Google) (P.S not making money out of this.)

Continuation of Day 4

The clock read 4:15 pm as the four adventurers ventured further into the ominous maze. Chitose turned to Carl and Jay, her curiosity piqued. "Is there anything else in this maze that interests you, aside from the altar?"

Jay thought for a moment before recalling the mysterious room with a star and a circle. "There's a peculiar room with a large star and a circular pattern. It caught my attention."

Intrigued, Chitose suggested they investigate the star room before proceeding to the altar. They arrived at the star room, where both Sayuri and Chitose were captivated by its enigmatic design. As they contemplated its significance, Jay decided to activate his Unseen Sense, attempting to glean more information. His eyes turned a striking shade of yellow as he perceived a web of yellow light surrounding the star, extending beyond the room.

The group was taken aback by the transformation in Jay's eyes and he deactivated his Unseen Sense. They surmised that the room might contain a magical circle akin to those found in fantasy stories. With that in mind, they continued their journey towards the altar, as it seemed the sensible course of action.

Upon reaching the altar, they noticed that the four crystals began to emit a brighter glow, as though acknowledging their presence. Jay instructed them to push the pedestals holding their respective crystals onto predetermined paths. As the crystals moved into position, they floated toward the center of the altar, encircling it rapidly. The room filled with an intense radiance, and as the light reached its peak, a blinding moment ensued.

When they opened their eyes, the crystals had vanished, and the room displayed signs of structural stress. Cracks had formed, and beams of light extended from the room, illuminating an unknown destination. Rocks from the walls dislodged and converged, forming a humanoid shape that soon solidified into a Rock Golem. Its gaze locked onto Jay and his companions.

They engaged in combat with their newfound adversary, and with Sayuri's final strike, they believed victory was theirs. However, the Rock Golem began to regenerate, taking them by surprise. The creature unleashed an attack, targeting Jay, who struggled to evade it.

In response, Jay reactivated his Unseen Sense, revealing streams of yellow light encircling the Rock Golem. He informed his comrades about the presence of the yellow light and suggested a tactical retreat. Guided by Jay, they fled to a room where one of the streams of light terminated—the candle room.

Inside, they discovered that the previously darkened room had come to life, and they could interact with its furnishings. An investigation revealed a hint, suggesting they focus on the furniture's arrangement. Acting on Carl's intuition, they were abruptly transported out of the room, facing the Rock Golem once more.

The pattern repeated itself, with the group discovering and solving various rooms, all involving furniture and their positions. In each case, they were transported back to confront the relentless Rock Golem. After several encounters, they finally deciphered the puzzle.

The candle room, with the book "Aletheia," required the correct placement of the book to reveal the Crystal of Truth on a newly formed pedestal. They destroyed it and faced the Rock Golem again. In the brick room, a hidden button led to the Crystal of Structure, which they shattered. The old bookcase and newly crafted bed in the next room had to be repositioned, unveiling the Crystal of Time.

Finally, they reached the star room, where they lured the Rock Golem into battle, activating all their endowments. The star circle began to emit a yellow glow, leading them to believe that destroying it here would finally end the creature's existence. However, as they dealt the finishing blow, the Rock launched a surprise attack on Sayuri.

Chitose's Aura Reading alerted her to the impending danger, and she managed to push Sayuri to safety. Jay attempted to intercept the attack but was too slow. Amidst the chaos, a mystical eye materialized in Jay's thoughts, speaking to him, offering to halt what he had foreseen. Jay accepted, and time seemed to freeze. He acted swiftly, preventing the attack from reaching Chitose and Sayuri. When time resumed, his hair had turned white.

With renewed determination, Jay harnessed his endowments, including his newfound power. He noticed a crystal moving around the Rock Golem's body and targeted it. All of Jay's endowments were deactivated as the Rock Golem crumbled, and the yellow light that permeated the maze and star circle vanished. Jay, however, suffered a surge of lethal damage.

Chitose used her healing abilities to alleviate some of Jay's injuries. Carl then told Jay that he looked like the Phantom Traveler earlier, with his white hair, horn, and mysterious abilities. With the maze behind them, they focused on escaping but found the entrance blocked. The maze began to crumble around them, and as rocks descended, the entire structure vanished.

They found themselves in a dark tunnel and proceeded cautiously. At its end lay a vast cave beneath EverChanging City. Carl and Jay explored, discovering peculiar tracks on the cave's ceiling. Carl deduced that they were underneath the city and speculated that these tracks might help predict the city's changes during the midnight phenomenon.

As they contemplated the daunting task of dismantling the complex tracks on the cave's ceiling, Jay and Carl reluctantly considered seeking assistance from Mark Kenny, the Bomb Expert. Exiting the cave, they were met with a disconcerting sight—an ominous cloud of black smoke rising from the city, accompanied by deafening explosions. Eager to investigate, they quickly returned to their car and set out towards the city, with the observatory approaching on the horizon. However, as they neared the observatory, Jay spotted Joel Ashley seated on the stairs, casting an enigmatic presence over the unfolding chaos in EverChanging City.

Concerned, they called out to him, but Joel appeared gravely wounded. Jay approached him, and Joel grabbed his t-shirt, revealing his true identity as James Raven. Joel explained that he had assumed the name Joel Ashley to continue the legacy of the FiveWielders and revealed that Strait Hardin was the main culprit behind their predicament. He had planned to distract the police by attacking their base while they navigated the maze.

Joel's strength waned as he shared this information and asked Jay to deliver a pair of goggles to Mark, a gift from his master, Issac. With his final words, Joel implored Jay to save the city, free his friends, and rescue anyone in need. Then, he passed away.

Jay was determined to head to the city, but Carl cautioned against it, fearing that the police would connect them to the maze. They argued briefly but were interrupted by a voice from the observatory. Antonia, Strait Hardin's daughter, called out to them, inquiring about their presence.

Under the veil of a hastily spun lie about a YouTube video, Jay diverted Antonia's attention as black smoke curled ominously from the city. Antonia's growing concern led her to contemplate alerting her father, a move Jay and Carl vehemently opposed. Realizing the urgency, they managed to dissuade her, although time was running out, and midnight was fast approaching. Antonia, determined to understand the unfolding chaos, turned to the observatory's telescope, drawing Jay, Carl, and the others in her wake.

As they rushed forward, a sudden supernatural force enveloped their surroundings, causing Chitose to briefly lose control until Sayori's steadfast grip steadied her, gradually restoring her composure. With Chitose back to her senses, they all focused intently on the eerie events transpiring in the city below, ready to face the mysteries that awaited them.

The midnight phenomenon unfolded, causing buildings to shift and disappear. As the phenomenon commenced, Jay noticed that Antonia remained unaffected, raising suspicions. When the spectacle concluded, Antonia, still puzzled, asked for explanations.

Jay offered a plausible excuse, attributing her observations to the high altitude of the observatory. She accepted the explanation, and they decided to head to the city.

Jay, desperate to maintain their cover, asked Antonia to vouch for their presence together to the police. She reluctantly agreed, but their journey back into the city was halted by a police checkpoint. There, Jay ran into Bruce once more, who questioned their late-night activities.

Antonia, attempting to divert suspicion, casually mentioned they were hanging out. Bruce, however, nonverbally inquired about Joel's condition, and Jay simply shook his head, silently confirming Joel's demise. Another officer approached Carl's window, questioning their trespassing, to which Jay spun another web of deceit, though the officer remained dubious.

Bruce explained to Antonia that her father was searching for her, prompting her to exit the car and head home with him. Jay took the wheel, steering the group toward their dormitory. Meanwhile, Chitose and Sayuri, sitting in the backseat, checked their phones and were surprised to find their apartment missing from the city map.

Upon arrival at the dorm, Jay sought an available room from Mr. Sekano, suggesting that if none were vacant, Carl could join him in his room, an offer Mr. Sekano accepted. With that settled, they all retreated to their respective rooms, Jay and Carl bidding goodnight to Sayuri and Chitose. In the end, they settled into their beds, putting an end to their extraordinary night.

The clock struck 12:20 am, and a new chapter in their journey awaited.

End of Episode 6: The Secret Within (End of Day 4)