Ezra, feeling increasingly isolated, leaned against a wall in the corner of the room. The weight of numerous gazes bore down on him, pinning him to his spot. Despite his curiosity about the diverse individuals around him, he avoided making eye contact, wary of giving the wrong impression. He noticed another door, significantly larger than the one through which he had entered, but he hesitated to approach it, haunted by his recent encounter with the humanoids.

As time ticked by, people gradually left the room, moving through the large door. The room slowly emptied until only a dozen people, including Ezra, remained. He understood that this door must lead to the next phase of the test, but the thought of facing those creatures again filled him with dread.

Just as Ezra steeled himself to approach the door, two figures approached him cautiously yet confidently. The tousled-haired young man and his companion had been observing Ezra and now saw an opportunity to approach.

– Excuse me, the tousled-haired young man said, his tone measured. I couldn't help but notice... well, you seem different from the others here. My name is Hato, and this is Yael.

Ezra's eyes narrowed slightly, his mind racing. 

– Different how? he asked, his voice tinged with suspicion.

Hato hesitated for a moment, then said, 

– Well… It's a bit of a vulnerability to admit, I have a detection rune,  it helps me sense the energy flows of others. Yours, however, is... elusive. It's intriguing.

Ezra processed this information slowly. A detection rune? It was another new term, another piece of this complex puzzle. He remained silent, unsure of how much to reveal about his own lack of understanding.

Yael chimed in, trying to ease the tension. 

– We're not here to cause trouble. We're participants just like you. But in a place like this, it's rare to see someone who can conceal their energy so well. It could be a real advantage.

Ezra felt a flicker of curiosity amidst his skepticism. 

–Why are you telling me this? he asked, his guard still up.

Hato and Yael exchanged a glance. Hato spoke again, 

– We're looking to form a team. This selection process... it's brutal. Alone, we're vulnerable, but together, we stand a better chance. And someone with your... uniqueness could be the key to surviving.

Ezra pondered their words. His instinct warned him of potential deceit, yet he couldn't ignore the opportunity for alliance in this unfamiliar and dangerous environment.

– How do I know I can trust you? Ezra asked, his voice steady but revealing an undercurrent of uncertainty.

Yael’s response was sincere. 

– You don’t, not fully. But in this, trust is as much a risk as it is a necessity. We're willing to take that risk with you too.

Ezra remained silent for a moment, contemplating. He thought about the challenges ahead, the uncertainty of what lay beyond the door, and the potential advantage of having allies.

As the room grew emptier and the final hour approached, Ezra weighed his options. He understood that his survival might hinge on forming alliances, skeptical as he might be of their true intentions.

Finally, with a slow nod, Ezra agreed to join them. 

– Alright, I’ll go with you.

Hato leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper, adding an air of conspiracy. 

– Cool ! 

Hato glanced around to ensure no one else was listening.

 – I managed to overhear something about the next stage, it's called 'The Labyrinth of Shadows.' As the name suggests, it’s a maze, but not your typical kind. This one is special. The walls, they move, constantly shifting. Paths alter every moment. It's designed to be disorienting, to confuse anyone who enters. 

– How did you come by such specific information? Ezra asked, impressed yet skeptical.

With a sly grin, Hato tapped the side of his nose.

– Let’s just say, in this place, staying silent and observant pays off. You learn to pick up on things others miss, and stealth is my thing.

Ezra listened intently, a frown creasing his brow. The concept of a labyrinth was familiar, but the ever-changing aspect added a layer of complexity he hadn’t anticipated.

Yael nodded in agreement. 

– I've heard about it too. The Labyrinth is filled with traps.

Hato continued, 

– The real challenge, however, is the shadows. They are not just ordinary shadows; they're manifestations of our deepest fears, created by the labyrinth to break our will.

Ezra felt a chill run down his spine. Confronting physical obstacles was one thing, but facing his deepest fears was a different ordeal altogether.

– So, how do we navigate through this? Ezra asked, his voice steady but laced with concern.

Hato leaned against a nearby wall, his mind working through possible strategies. 

– First, we need to stay together. The maze tries to separate its challengers. We stand a better chance if we support each other.

Yael added, 

– We also need to be prepared for mental challenges. Puzzles, riddles, illusions – the labyrinth will throw everything at us. We have to keep a clear head and not let fear overpower us.

Ezra nodded, absorbing their advice. 

– What about these shadows? How do we deal with them?

Hato sighed, 

– That's the hardest part. The shadows feed on your fears and doubts. The best way to combat them is to face them head-on. It's easier said than done, but it's the only way.

The trio then huddled together, discussing various strategies and contingencies. Hato and Yael shared their knowledge of different traps and puzzles they had heard of, while Ezra contributed ideas on how to keep morale and focus in the face of fear.

Finally, with their strategy set, they took a collective step into the light door.