After narrowly escaping the creature, Takumi felt something new stirring inside him. His mind was racing, his senses heightened in a way he'd never felt before. He looked around at his teammates. Haruka's eyes were wide with terror, and Ryo's usually cynical face was pale, his jaw clenched tight. But Takumi wasn't focused on them.
He felt it—a surge of energy. It was like the Maze was feeding him power, unlocking something deep within. A new skill? Or was this the Maze playing with his mind again?
"I don't know what just happened," Takumi muttered, clenching his fists, feeling the energy crackle inside him.
Haruka glanced at him nervously. "What do you mean?"
Before Takumi could respond, a strange voice echoed in his mind—low, whispering.
"You are the chosen one, Takumi. You have awakened. The Maze now belongs to you."
He staggered back, clutching his head, but the voice wouldn't stop. It was as if the Maze had merged with his mind, and now it was controlling him, speaking through him.
"Takumi?!" Haruka cried out, grabbing his arm, but Takumi barely registered her touch. His body felt like it was on fire—a powerful energy surging through his veins, a new strength coursing through his limbs.
Suddenly, he looked up. His eyes—glowing, pulsing with an unnatural light. He could feel his senses heightened to an insane degree. He could see the cracks in the walls, the invisible patterns in the air. It was as though he could see into the very fabric of the Maze itself.
"I have powers..." Takumi whispered, awe and fear mixing in his voice.
Ryo stepped forward, his face twisted with frustration. "Great. Now you're a freaking superhero. But we're still stuck in this nightmare."
Haruka pulled away from Takumi, her eyes wide with fear. "Takumi, what's happening to you?"
But Takumi couldn't answer. The power inside him was too much, overwhelming him. The Maze had changed him. It was a curse, and he wasn't sure if he could control it.