Whispers of Worlds Beyond: A Series-Chapter 118 : Tuning Up [1]

Aiden stared at the floating stones, the way they hovered over nothing but open sky. The waterfall roared beside them, the mist making the air damp and cool.

He wasn't afraid of heights, but this was something else.

There were no railings and no safety measures- just a thin trail of floating rocks leading to an island that looked impossibly far away.

Adrian exhaled sharply beside him. "We're really doing this, huh?"

Ivara had already stepped forward, testing the first floating platform with her foot. It held steady, not even wobbling under her weight. "Seems solid enough," she said, stepping fully onto it. She turned to them, grinning. "Come on, unless you all want to look like cowards in front of a second-year."

Cypris, still standing on one of the stones ahead, tilted her head with amusement. "She's got a point."

Sevan muttered something under his breath before taking a deep breath and stepping onto the first stone himself.

When it didn't immediately plummet into the abyss, he relaxed slightly. "Okay. Not as bad as I thought."

Adrian went next, and then Aiden, who stepped cautiously onto the first platform. It didn't move under him. The second was the same, and the third.

The path continued like that, each step feeling more surreal. The higher they got, the more they could see of Genvah's floating islands, the way they stretched far beyond what they'd thought was the "main" campus.

Aiden had never even considered the possibility that the academy was this vast.

"Not bad for a bunch of first years," Cypris called from up ahead, easily leading the way. She moved without hesitation, her steps light and confident, like she'd done this a hundred times before. "Most people freak out the first time."

Adrian snorted. "Yeah, well, I'm currently using every ounce of willpower not to freak out."

They continued moving forward, following the trail of floating rocks.

As they got closer, the labyrinth island came into clearer view.

It was massive, the terrain uneven and covered in towering stone walls. From up here, Aiden could just barely make out the shifting pathways inside. It was like the whole structure was alive, changing its layout in real time.

"The labyrinth's enchanted," Cypris said, noticing where Aiden was looking. "It shifts during duels, keeps things interesting."

"And people voluntarily fight in there?" Ivara asked.

Cypris flashed her a grin. "It's an honor, really."

Aiden wasn't so sure about that.

They reached the last floating stone, which led onto a cliffside pathway connected to the labyrinth island. As soon as Aiden stepped onto solid ground again, he exhaled, relieved to not have died from missing a step.

Adrian rolled his shoulders. "So. Now what?"

Cypris gestured ahead, toward a large, arched entrance built into the side of the labyrinth. "We find seats. The first duel should be starting soon."

With that, she led them forward, disappearing into the shadows of the stone walls.

As they stepped inside, the temperature dropped noticeably, the sunlight from outside dimming as the towering stone walls enclosed them. The labyrinth was massive- far larger than any of them had anticipated.

The walls stretched impossibly high, rough with age, covered in creeping ivy and glowing moss that emitted a faint, eerie light.

The ground beneath them was a mix of smooth stone and patches of cracked earth, and every few steps, they'd spot worn carvings etched into the walls—symbols, names, and what looked like battle markings from past duels. Some stones jutted out at strange angles, as if the labyrinth itself had shifted violently at some point.

Even more unsettling was the constant, low hum in the air.

It wasn't loud, but it was there- a faint vibration beneath their feet, as though the entire structure was alive.

Cypris walked ahead without hesitation, completely at ease. "The labyrinth isn't just a battlefield," she explained. "It adapts. It changes based on the duelists inside. No fight is ever the same here."

Ivara glanced around warily. "So, it moves?"

"It does," Cypris confirmed. "The pathways shift, the terrain adjusts. Sometimes, even the walls themselves collapse or rebuild."

Aiden narrowed his eyes as he noticed something ahead- two archways that hadn't been there seconds ago. One led deeper into the labyrinth, the other curving in a different direction. He could have sworn the wall had been solid just a moment ago.

They passed by what looked like an old stone fountain, dry and cracked, its basin covered in faintly glowing lichen. The further they walked, the more signs of past battles they saw- scorch marks, weapon scratches, and even fragments of shattered weapons embedded into the ground.

Sevan muttered, "I can see why this place is legendary."

Cypris stopped suddenly at the base of a set of stone steps leading up to an overlook. "This way. Spectators usually watch from above."

As they climbed, the hum beneath their feet seemed to grow stronger, like the labyrinth itself was anticipating the duels to come.

Cypris spotted a group of older students gathered near the front of the spectator area, their uniforms slightly altered like hers, exuding an effortless confidence that set them apart. With a bright grin, she turned back to the first years and gave them a small wave.

"You guys okay from here?" she asked.

Aiden, still feeling the lingering daze from earlier, nodded quickly. "Yeah, thanks for showing us the way, Cypris."

"Yeah, appreciate it," Adrian added, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

Sevan gave her a nod. "Thanks, Cypris."

She smiled, tilting her head slightly before turning on her heel and striding toward her friends, slipping seamlessly into their conversation as if she had never left.

The ease with which she moved, the way the others naturally shifted to accommodate her presence- it was clear she was well-liked among them.

As she disappeared into the crowd, the three first years turned to find seats.

The stands were filling up fast, students buzzing with anticipation for the upcoming duels. They managed to find a spot with a decent view, only to realize- unfortunately- they were just a few rows behind none other than Shiloh, Lochan, and Ambrose.

"Fantaaaastic," Adrian muttered, dragging out the word. "As if this place wasn't unsettling enough."

Lochan, who had been leaning forward, speaking to Shiloh in a low voice, seemed to sense them and turned his head slightly.

His gaze flickered over them before he smirked, nudging Ambrose. Ambrose didn't bother looking back, but Shiloh- seated in the center like some self-proclaimed ruler- leaned back lazily and exhaled a quiet chuckle.

Aiden ignored them, focusing instead on the arena below, where the labyrinth stretched out beneath their vantage point. The stone pathways twisted and branched unpredictably, shifting ever so slightly, as if adjusting itself for the duel ahead.

Ivara, seated beside them, leaned forward, resting her arms on her knees. "At least we're not the ones fighting today," she murmured.

A few moments passed, the murmurs of the crowd settling as an enchantment hummed through the air. Then, a voice boomed across the arena, rich and commanding, yet smooth like silk.

"Welcome, students of Genvah Academy, to today's official duels."

The sound didn't come from a visible speaker or person; rather, it resonated through the labyrinth itself, as if the very walls carried the voice. Some students exchanged glances, while others simply listened, unfazed.

As the duelists took their positions, the announcer's voice rang through the labyrinth.

"Today's match will be an Exploding Battlefield!"

A murmur of excitement spread through the audience, and Aiden straightened in his seat.

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He had seen this match type before in a book Sevan was reading but never seen one in person.

The announcer continued, "The battlefield will remain unstable throughout the fight. Sections will explode, shift, and create hazards at random intervals. Fighters must endure the ever-changing terrain while also engaging in combat. The first to land a clean hit on their opponent will be declared the winner."

Aiden frowned. This wasn't just about strength or magic- it was about adaptability. In a fight like this, even the best duelists could lose if they made one misstep.

"And now, the duelists! Our first contender, Tachyon Takhús!"

A cheer rose from the stands.

"Tachyon is ranked first among the second years and possesses the power of super speed!"

A wave of murmurs swept through the crowd, and Sevan immediately perked up, nudging Aiden and Adrian.

"That's him," he whispered. "The guy who just appeared in the Great Hall the other day. You know, when Lopt pranked the Great Hall."

Tachyon stepped into view, and even without the dramatic entrance, he had an unmistakable presence.

His wild black hair was messily tousled, sticking out at odd angles, giving him a permanently windswept look. A pair of goggles rested over his forehead, slightly askew, like he had either forgotten to remove them properly or had been tinkering with something before arriving.

He was tall and lanky, his uniform slightly unkempt, and he had an almost detached air about him, as if he had stumbled into the match rather than intentionally signing up for it.

Aiden's eyes flickered to the goggle-wearing boy, whose relaxed posture made him look like he wasn't taking this seriously. But Aiden wasn't fooled. Someone with super speed in a constantly shifting battlefield? That was dangerous.

If Tachyon could predict the terrain changes, he could move before they even happened.

"And his opponent, Ullr Echelon!"

Another cheer erupted.

"Ranked ninth in the second years, Ullr possesses the ability of force fields!"

Now Aiden understood why this matchup was so interesting.

If Ullr timed it right, he could use his force fields to shield himself from explosions or terrain shifts, making the battlefield's hazards meaningless. And if Tachyon tried to strike, Ullr could block at the last second.

This was a battle of timing versus speed.

"Wow," Adrian muttered, watching Ullr roll his shoulders. "This is gonna be close."

Aiden nodded. "Yeah. The battlefield itself is dangerous, but they counter each other perfectly. Tachyon can move before a hazard gets him, but Ullr can make it so the hazards don't affect him at all."

The energy in the air was tense as the duelists locked eyes.

"Duelists, prepare yourselves."

The ground beneath them rumbled.

"Begin!"