The labyrinth had shifted again, corridors stretching impossibly, walls pulsating with faint energy. Ash led the way, careful not to step on damaged panels, her senses alert for any sign of danger. Ayin moved close, supported by Ash's steady hand.
"I… I think I remember something," Ayin whispered, her voice trembling. "Not… all… but flashes… images… voices."
Ash glanced at her sister, concern etched across her face. "Take your time, Ayin. Don't force it. Just tell me what you can handle."
Haru moved to flank them, scanning the walls. "Memory fragments can be dangerous here. Some of it might trigger the labyrinth's defense mechanisms. Be careful with what you share."
Ayin hesitated, then bit her lip. "There was… a machine. Wires… people. I… I felt trapped… Ash…" Her voice faltered, eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Ash pulled her into a gentle embrace. "I know, Ayin. I know what they did. But you're safe now. I'm here. We're here."
Haru stepped closer, his hand brushing Ash's shoulder. "She's stronger than she thinks," he said quietly. "And she's not alone."
The trio continued, winding deeper into the facility. Shadows shifted unnaturally, sparks flickering from overhead conduits.
Suddenly, a flicker of movement caught Ash's eye. A shadowy figure moved across the wall, just beyond the glow of the damaged lights.
"Stay close," Ash whispered, pressing Ayin's back to her chest. "Whatever that is, we face it together."
Haru's eyes narrowed. "It's a surveillance drone. Likely detecting heat signatures. We need to move silently."
The three pressed against the wall, footsteps muted, breath slow. The drone's sensors swept over them, scanning, humming faintly. Tension crackled in the air, each second stretching painfully.
When the drone moved past without detecting them, Ayin exhaled shakily. "I… I almost panicked."
Ash stroked her hair. "You didn't. You stayed with us. That's all that matters."
Haru's gaze softened as he looked at Ash. "You've been holding so much, Ash. Even in moments like this, you take care of everyone else first."
Ash met his eyes, a faint smile on her lips. "Because someone has to. But… it's different with you. You help me carry it, too."
Haru's hand brushed hers briefly. "Then I will. Always."
As they rounded another corner, Ayin suddenly froze. "Stop… there… a door… I remember it. It leads… to something important. Something they hide."
Ash's pulse quickened. "Then we check it. Carefully. Together."
Haru nodded. "Agreed. But we stay alert. The labyrinth won't make it easy."
The trio approached the door cautiously. Ayin's hands trembled as she reached for the handle. "I… I can't do this alone."
"You won't," Ash promised, placing a hand over hers. Haru's hand rested on her shoulder, steady and reassuring. "Together," he said firmly.
The door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit chamber. Inside, machinery hummed faintly, wires snaking along the walls. Sparks flickered intermittently, casting ghostly shadows.
Ayin's eyes widened. "This… this is it. This is where… it started…"
Ash stepped forward, her hand on Ayin's back. "Then we find out. Step by step. No one left behind."
Haru positioned himself beside them, scanning the chamber. "This is where the past and present collide. Whatever we find here, we face it together."
For a brief moment, the labyrinth's oppressive energy seemed to pause, as if acknowledging them. And in that pause, Ash realized something profound: survival wasn't just about escaping the facility. It was about confronting the ghosts of the past, protecting those she loved, and holding onto trust when everything else threatened to fall apart.