Round 55

The stone basin pulses with an ominous light—as Seraphine approaches, the liquid inside shifts, forming patterns that seem almost... sentient. This is exactly what the quest warned us about—a pool of living magic, a focal point for the tower's darkest energies. The symbols on the walls glow brighter in response to our presence, as if awakening from slumber. I can feel the dark reflection stirring inside me again, feeding off this raw magical power like a parasite. Seraphine suggests treating my leg wound before we proceed—good idea, but also convenient timing for her to get me away from the pool's corrupting influence. "Sure," I reply, trying to keep my voice steady despite the pain and the growing darkness inside me. "But let's make it quick. This place feels... wrong." I limp after her towards a narrow gap in the wall she spotted earlier—a potential escape route from this chamber of horrors.

As we squeeze through the tight passage, I notice how close Seraphine keeps to me, as if seeking protection despite her obvious fear of my current state. "You okay?" I ask, genuinely concerned. She nods stiffly, her eyes darting around the cramped space. "Just... claustrophobic," she admits. I can relate—being trapped in a collapsing maze with a dark reflection possessing you does wonders for one's comfort level. We emerge into a slightly larger chamber, and I spot what looks like a...

Seraphine freezes mid-step, her eyes fixed on something ahead. "Jeane..." Her voice trembles as she points. "Look." I follow her gesture and feel my stomach drop. Ahead lies a massive pool of shimmering liquid, its surface rippling with impossible patterns. The walls around it are covered in glowing symbols that pulse with an ominous light. "The Pool of Reflections," I whisper, the name coming unbidden to my lips. This is it—the heart of the maze's magic, the place where our deepest fears and darkest selves are supposedly made manifest. And now we're standing right in front of it.