The three of them stood before the doors.

  Bronze, silver, gold — gleaming like promises they no longer believed in.

  No one spoke for a long time.

  The air hummed faintly. The Maze waited.

  Leo finally broke the silence. “Fifty-something attempts.”

  Bert nodded. “Fifty-three.”

  Harlada frowned. “That’s not something to be proud of.”

  Bert smiled faintly. “No, but it’s something.”

  They stood there, tired but steady, letting the memories bleed through.

  The early deaths.

  The river.

  The ants and their stupid card game.

  The endless puzzles, the lightning, the sharks.

  Leo rubbed the back of his neck. “We made every mistake possible.”

  Harlada smirked. “Twice, usually.”

  Bert shrugged. “We’re fast learners. Just very slow about it.”

  The Maze pulsed softly.

  Historical accuracy: Painfully high.

  For a while, they said nothing more — just three adventurers and a wall full of endings.

  Leo looked at the others. “The only thing we have left is us.”

  Harlada nodded. “And that’s barely stable.”

  Bert grinned. “Good enough.”

  They turned toward the doors.

  The gold one shimmered brightest, promising glory, advancement, and almost certain disaster.

  Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

  Bert pointed. “Gold, right? Go big or respawn trying.”

  Harlada nodded automatically. “Gold. Obviously.”

  Leo hesitated. “Wait.”

  The others stopped.

  He turned to the ceiling. “Maze. What’s the difference?”

  A pause. Then the familiar pulse.

  Clarification: Gold door leads to Maze Level Two. Silver door leads to Maze Level One. Bronze door resets the tutorial.

  They all stared at the doors for a full three seconds.

  Then, in perfect unison, they said:

  “Silver.”

  The Maze pulsed, almost sighing.

  Cowardice detected. Approval granted.

  Leo placed a hand on the silver handle. “We’re not cowards,” he said quietly. “We’re practical.”

  Harlada smiled. “Same thing in this place.”

  Bert nodded. “We’ll go for gold next time.”

  The Maze pulsed one last time, soft and unreadable.

  Attempt concluded. Tutorial complete. Welcome to the Maze.

  The silver door opened, and they stepped through together.

  “We didn't forget to loot again?” the voice of Harlada got softer.

  “We were level up again after the sharks weren’t we?” The whisper of an annoyed Bert was the last sound of the three in the tutorial.

  ***

  ***

  ***

  ***

  This is the end of Season One of The Maze of Many: You Died!

  I hope you enjoyed it.

  Next on the agenda is… well, The Maze of Many: Season Two — Continue? Y/N.

  I’ll wait a while to see how this one is received. Please let me know if you want more, what you’d change, or any other thoughts. I consider it a learning experience — and expect to fall flat on my face at least as often as my characters.

  The Maze of Many originates from an old DnD campaign setting by the same name — about 20–25 years old now.

  If you’d like to read more of my writing, The Ballads of Reralt has entered its second volume: Devin’s Wishdom.

  As always, thanks for reading.

  — R.J.J. Moll