Millenium : The Awakening of Heroes

Ikku quickly turned to Kenny and Yumé, who were struggling to dodge the relentless attacks from the statues, their movements growing increasingly frantic.

"Guys!" he shouted, urgency ringing in his voice. "Step forward with your left leg and stay still!"

"What?!" Kenny panted, his face twisted in disbelief. "Are you sure about this?"

"Just do it!" Ikku commanded, his eyes blazing with conviction.

Despite their doubts, Kenny and Yumé complied, awkwardly stepping forward with their left legs. The moment they assumed the posture, the statues froze in place, motionless as if time itself had stopped.

"What… just happened?" Yumé asked, completely bewildered, his breath ragged.

Ikku took a deep breath.

"By taking this position, we're showing respect," he explained, staying alert.

Kenny furrowed his brow, piecing it together.

"Respect? Oh… now that you mention it…" He hesitated before continuing, connecting the dots in his mind. "Isis… she was a revered queen centuries ago. Her followers would give her their utmost devotion. And the heart… it's on the left side. Stepping forward with the left leg was a symbolic gesture, offering your heart as a sign of respect to the queen."

Ikku nodded in agreement.

Kenny and Yumé exchanged glances. Relief washed over their faces, though a lingering tension remained. Staying vigilant, they advanced slowly toward the large door, keeping their left legs forward. Each step was measured, the silence heavy with meaning.

When they reached the ornate door, they noticed the statues' lances still barred their way.

"What now?" Yumé asked, his voice tinged with apprehension.

"Keep your left leg forward, kneel on your right knee, and bow your head," Kenny suggested, his voice calmer now that he was beginning to grasp the trial's logic.

Without hesitation, the three complied. The statues then slowly raised their lances, clearing the path ahead.

"Finally!" Yumé exhaled, a mix of relief and exhaustion in his voice. "Good call, Kenny."

Kenny shook his head with a faint smile.

"No, the credit goes to Ikku." Then, turning to Ikku, he added, "By the way, how's your injury?"

Ikku gritted his teeth, pressing a hand against his chest.

"It's manageable. We've been through worse."

The three friends stepped through the newly opened door, their muscles tense, bracing for the next challenge. The door slammed shut behind them, and the room lit up. They now found themselves in a much smaller chamber than the previous one.

The stark contrast of the wall murals unsettled them: one side depicted graceful angels, while the other showcased menacing, satanic figures.

Ahead of them stood two doors—one red, the other blue. In front of each door was a statue of a man. One statue bore a strange, unsettling smile, while the other displayed a sorrowful, downcast expression.

Kenny raised an eyebrow.

"What have we gotten ourselves into now?"

Suddenly, the chilling, unnatural sound of a baby's laughter echoed throughout the room. An ominous screen descended slowly from the ceiling, hovering in the center of the chamber. A message appeared on it:

**"Welcome to the Chamber of Scholars. Before you are two doors. One leads to the next stage, while the other opens into a magma-filled chamber. You must choose the correct door.

To aid you, two statues stand before you. One always tells the truth, while the other always lies. You may ask only one question to one statue. Choose your question wisely, or gamble with your luck.

You have five minutes. After that, this room will explode. Have fun."**

The message disappeared as abruptly as it had appeared, leaving an oppressive silence in its wake. Ikku, Kenny, and Yumé exchanged uneasy glances, worry etched on their faces.

"We're doomed," they muttered instinctively, in unison.

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Hi everyone! First of all, I want to thank you for taking the time to read my story. Maybe by now, fewer people are still following it, but that's okay. Ikku reflects a part of me. I see myself as someone who's never really achieved anything, and that's exactly why I decided to change that. I'm not aiming for fame or recognition, I just want to finish this story to prove to myself that I can stay true to my principles and commitments.

Well, I'm sorry for the long message 😊 Wishing you all a great read, and once again, thank you so much.

Oh, and one last thing: there is indeed a question that leads to the right door. Feel free to let me know in the comments what you think that question could be!