Great! We continue in epic style. Here's **Chapter 26**, another long and tense chapter, in which Zofia and her group delve even deeper into the underground, facing traps, betrayal, and difficult choices:---

### CHAPTER 26 – The Labyrinth of Illusions

The group approached another entrance – a tunnel that looked simple, but the walls were covered in swirling runes, creating a mesmerizing pattern. Elijah warned: "This labyrinth is not what it seems. Don't trust your eyes. The underground tests your observation skills and mental fortitude."

Zofia took a deep breath. Her hands were shaking, but she knew she had to remain calm. Every step demanded attention, for the floor was full of mechanical traps: wire spikes, spinning blades, and hidden trenches.

"Stay close together," Lira said. “This maze could tear you apart.”

Zofia walked at the head of the group, observing the movement of the runes. Suddenly, the walls began to shift, creating illusory corridors. Every path they chose seemed to lead blindly, and the echoes of footsteps reverberated in strange, deceptive ways.

“Don’t trust what you see,” whispered Elijah. “Listen to the sounds, feel the rhythm of the runes and your instincts.”

The first trap appeared immediately. Whirling blades descended right before Zofia’s feet, and the runes on the floor transformed the pattern into a deception meant to confuse her. Zofia remembered the lessons of earlier trials: concentration, calm, analysis. She focused on her breathing and took a precise step, avoiding the trap.

At that same moment, the group noticed one of the prisoners—the man they had recently freed—vanishing from view. Elijah shouted, “Be careful! The maze draws in those who are not vigilant!”

Zofia ran toward him and saw that he was in an illusory tunnel. "Don't look at the walls!" she shouted, grabbing his arm. "Focus on the sound of the runes!"

The man nodded, and Zofia led him through the shifted corridors, using the rhythm of the runes as a guide. Soon they were all together again, but the labyrinth refused to let up.

At the end of the chamber, another test awaited – three gates marked with different symbols. Each gate led to a different part of the underground, but only one was safe.

"It's time to make a decision," Elijah said. "You can't follow your instincts just once. You must anticipate the consequences of your actions. Time is limited."

Zofia examined the symbols. One resembled a symbol of protection, the second a symbol of risk, and the third a symbol of sacrifice. She knew that the underground was testing not only her mind but also her heart.

"Sacrifice," she whispered, pointing to the third gate. "This is the only right path. We must think of others, not just ourselves."

The group passed through the gate, and the runes around them glowed brightly, as if the underground world confirmed their choice.

But at that moment, enemies emerged from the darkness – this time a larger, well-organized group that had been watching them from the beginning. Elijah shouted, "Not just puzzles and traps – now fight!"

Zofia felt adrenaline rush through her body. The group's cooperation was crucial. With Lira's help, they blocked some of the traps and used them against their opponents. Zofia threw stones at the mechanisms, causing the spinning blades to snap shut behind the attackers.

In the heat of the battle, Zofia noticed something disturbing – the child who had accompanied the group until then was disappearing from view. This time, it wasn't an illusion. She shouted, "Child!" and ran toward the disappearance.

The child stood by a trap that could destroy the chamber's mechanism, his eyes full of fear. Zofia caught him at the last moment, pulling him from danger.

"We must work together. We cannot trust chance!" she said, and the rest of the group nodded, tired but determined.

When they finally defeated their opponents and the rune labyrinth gave way, the group found themselves in another chamber—this time larger, where more artifacts and symbols awaited. Zofia felt that the dungeon was teaching them everything: courage, reflexes, logical thinking, cooperation, and morality.

"This is only the beginning of the true challenges," Elijah said. "Deeper underground, even more traps, enemies, and puzzles await. You must be ready for anything—your decisions here will have consequences that cannot be undone."

Zofia nodded, feeling a mixture of fear and determination. She knew one thing: each subsequent attempt would be more difficult, and the dungeon more merciless. But now it was ready.

--

If you want, I can immediately prepare **Chapter 27 and beyond**, in which Zofia and the group will face an even greater threat – betrayal, a treacherous faction in the underground, an epic sequence of traps and puzzles that will be truly complex, creating a multi-page, long epic sequence of events.

Would you like me to continue in this direction?