Three Crystal Halls

As soon as Menifee placed his stone on the left, the pedestal began to glow with an eerie green light. A rumbling noise filled the air, and the floor shook beneath their feet.

"Looks like we did something right," said Fred, grinning.

But their excitement was short-lived. The room began to spin, and they felt themselves being pulled in different directions. Suddenly, they were thrown forward, and they found themselves each standing in three adjacent rooms separated by transparent walls.

The walls were made of shimmering blue crystal, and the floor was covered in a thick layer of fog. Strange creatures floated in the mist, their glowing eyes fixed on the companions.

"What the hell is this?" exclaimed Menifee.

"I don't know, but we best be ready for a fight," replied Fred, drawing his sword.

As they cautiously made their way through the mist in parallel, they heard a voice speaking in a language they didn't understand. The voice grew louder and more insistent, and they realized that it was coming from a tall, azure-robed figure standing at the far end of the middle room where Fred was.

The figure beckoned to them, and they approached cautiously, ready for whatever lay ahead.

"I am the Keeper of the Crystal Maze," said the figure in a deep, resonant voice. "You have passed the first test, but only just so. No reward awaits you yet, but the path ahead is fraught with danger. Should you succeed brilliantly, your reward will be immeasurable. Perform only adequately, and you will again have nothing to show for it. Are you prepared to continue?"

"Are you the Voice that has been speaking to us all this time?" enquired Belboz, stepping forward. "You don't sound like it."

The Keeper remained cryptically silent, giving no semblance of an answer. As the silence mounted, Belboz finally spoke again. "We're not ready for the next Trial. Not without replenished mana reserves and extra supplies. What must be done to succeed here?"

The Keeper smiled enigmatically. "That is for you to discover. But be warned - the Crystal Maze is not for the faint of heart. You will be tested in ways you cannot imagine. And she will try to interfere."

With that, the Keeper vanished in a flash of blue light, leaving the companions alone in the mist. A small blue orb suddenly appeared in front of Belboz, who grabbed it and crushed it in his hand, knowing exactly what it was, and absorbed its mana content. Rations in various small containers appeared at each companions' feet in Mulukskin backpacks designed for each of them. Even Menifee got one. After briefly inspecting the contents, they promptly put on their packs and exchanged glances through crystal, steeling themselves for whatever lay ahead. They had come too far to turn back now. The Reward of the Second Trial was within their grasp, and they would not rest until they had completed each of their ultimate missions.

1. The trio begins their twisting journey through the Crystal Maze
2. The trio takes stock of their supplies while they are still close enough to communicate
3. Menifee suddenly roars and charges off into the Maze, leaving Fred and Belboz stunned
4. The trio hears the sounds of terrible monsters coming from the corridors behind them. So begins the Second Trial!

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