"Three parties entered yesterday," Valeria reported, kneeling beside the crude map she had sketched in the dirt. "Two have not returned."

  Alexander nodded, absorbing this information without visible concern. They had established a temporary camp at the edge of the forest clearing, just within sight of the Newcomer's Labyrinth entrance—a massive archway formed by two ancient trees that had grown together, their trunks twisting into an unnatural gate. Strange symbols had been carved into the bark, glowing faintly with bioluminescent sap.

  "What about the third party?" he asked, studying the entrance from their concealed position.

  "Emerged after six hours. Three entered, two came out." Valeria's tone was matter-of-fact. "They're recovering at the vilge now. I persuaded one to share information."

  "At what cost?" Alexander asked.

  "Medical supplies. Reasonable exchange." She pointed to several areas on her map. "According to them, the byrinth changes its internal configuration every twelve hours. Walls shift, pathways reconnect differently. But the overall structure remains consistent—central chamber with eight radiating sections."

  Elijah had been unusually quiet during the reconnaissance report, his attention seemingly focused on the byrinth entrance. Now he spoke, his voice thoughtful.

  "The tree archway... it's not just decorative. Look at how the roots spread out from the entrance. They match the pattern described—eight primary roots extending outward."

  Alexander studied the massive root system more carefully. His brother was right—the ancient trees had roots that radiated outward in eight distinct directions, partially visible above the ground before disappearing into the forest floor.

  "You think the roots correspond to the byrinth sections?" he asked.

  Elijah nodded. "Nature reflecting the internal structure. The symbols on the trunk might indicate something about each section's characteristics."

  Alexander turned to Riva, who had been silently sharpening her bdes. "What did you learn from the vilge elders?"

  "The byrinth tests different skills," she replied, setting down her whetstone. "Pattern recognition, navigation, resource management, combat proficiency. Each section emphasizes a different aspect."

  "A comprehensive evaluation," Alexander concluded. "Makes sense for the first major challenge." He turned back to the map Valeria had drawn. "What about the two who didn't return from the third party?"

  "Lost in a section they called 'the strangling vines.' Apparently, vegetation in that section reacts aggressively to movement or sound."

  Alexander processed this information methodically. "So we need to identify each section's challenge and adapt accordingly."

  "The elders mentioned a chamber of silence," Riva added. "And another with constantly shifting light patterns that disorient those who look directly at them."

  "Visual and auditory challenges," Alexander noted. "What about physical obstacles?"

  "Multiple types," Valeria confirmed. "Moving walls, uneven terrain, some kind of water or liquid feature in the northern section."

  Elijah had moved closer to the entrance, remaining within the treeline for concealment. Alexander joined him, watching his brother's unusual focus on the structure.

  "Something else you've noticed?" he asked quietly.

  Elijah gestured subtly to the glowing symbols. "They're changing—slowly, almost imperceptibly. I've been watching that spiral pattern for the past hour. It's rotating."

  Alexander studied the indicated symbol. At first, he saw nothing, but after nearly a minute of observation, he caught the slight movement—a gradual clockwise rotation.

  "The configuration is changing even now," he realized. "Not just every twelve hours as reported."

  "Continuous adjustment," Elijah agreed. "But probably with major reconfigurations at specific intervals."

  They returned to their camp, where Alexander began organizing their approach. He id out their avaible supplies, mentally cataloging what they would need for each potential challenge.

  "We have limited information, so we prepare for adaptability rather than specific challenges," he decided. "Riva, construct lightweight markers we can use for path tracking. Valeria, prepare our water supplies for maximum efficiency—we don't know how long we'll be inside."

  "What about mapping?" Valeria asked.

  "Elijah will handle primary mapping," Alexander decided, noting his brother's spatial awareness had already proven exceptional. "I'll maintain a secondary map as backup. We'll compare notes at each junction to ensure accuracy."

  For the next few hours, the team worked on preparations. Alexander fashioned colpsible probes from flexible branches—tools to test paths ahead without risking direct exposure. Riva created a series of small, distinctive markers they could leave at intersections, carving different patterns into wooden tokens that would be difficult for others to replicate or confuse.

  Valeria returned from a quick scouting mission to report on another group preparing to enter the byrinth—information Alexander noted but did not consider immediately relevant. Competition within the byrinth was to be expected, but their primary challenge would be the environment itself.

  As afternoon faded toward evening, Elijah approached Alexander with several strips of cloth he had prepared.

  "Blindfolds," he expined. "If there's a section with disorienting visual effects, having these ready could be crucial."

  Alexander nodded approval. "Good thinking. What about the sound-sensitive areas?"

  "I've padded our boots with moss to muffle footsteps," Elijah demonstrated, showing the modification he had made to his own footwear. "And created these." He held up small triangur pieces of soft bark. "Ear protection, if we encounter high-pitched sounds."

  "You've thought of everything," Alexander commented, impressed by his brother's thorough preparation.

  "Not everything," Elijah admitted. "But I've been... sensing patterns since we arrived. It's difficult to expin."

  Alexander studied his brother's expression. This wasn't the first time Elijah had demonstrated unexpected intuition about their environment, particurly regarding patterns others missed.

  "Trust your instincts," Alexander said finally. "If you sense something inside, tell me immediately—even if it seems insignificant."

  Elijah nodded, relief evident in his expression. "I will."

  As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the clearing, the team gathered for a final strategy session. Alexander had sketched a preliminary map based on all avaible information, with eight sections radiating from a central chamber.

  "Our primary objective is straightforward—reach the center chamber, then find the exit that leads to the next floor area," he expined. "However, we have secondary objectives: mapping the byrinth's structure for future reference, and identifying the specific challenges in each section."

  "Resource management is critical," Valeria added. "We don't know how long we'll be inside. Water conservation is priority."

  "Agreed," Alexander said. "Now, let's establish communication protocols. If we're forced to separate, three short whistle bursts signals danger. Two long means discovery of something significant. One short, one long means you're returning to a previously marked junction."

  The team practiced the signals until Alexander was satisfied they could reproduce them accurately even under stress.

  "What about combat situations?" Riva asked, ever practical.

  "The byrinth reportedly contains both environmental hazards and hostile entities," Alexander replied. "Standard formation applies—Riva and I at front and rear positions, Elijah and Valeria protected in the center. If space constraints force single-file movement, I'll lead with Riva at the rear guard."

  Alexander then outlined contingency pns for various scenarios: separation, injury, resource depletion, and hostile encounters. For each potential challenge, he established clear protocols for the team to follow.

  "Remember, this is not just about survival," he emphasized. "This is our first true test as a coordinated unit. How we perform here sets the foundation for all future challenges."

  He paused, looking at each team member in turn. "Questions?"

  "What's our entry timing?" Valeria asked.

  Alexander considered this. "Dawn provides optimal light conditions and maximum time before the next major configuration shift. We enter at first light."

  Riva raised another point. "The tokens for marking our path—they could be discovered or moved by other teams."

  "That's why we're using our unique carving patterns," Alexander replied. "But you're right about potential tampering. Elijah, any suggestions?"

  Elijah thought for a moment. "We could add a second marking system—something less obvious. Perhaps small arrangements of stones or sticks at the base of walls, using a pattern only we recognize."

  "Implement it," Alexander decided. "Redundancy increases reliability."

  As night fell completely, the team finalized their equipment preparations. Alexander insisted they eat well and rest in shifts, ensuring everyone would be at full capacity by morning. During his watch, he observed the byrinth entrance, noting how the bioluminescent symbols brightened in the darkness, their slow transformation continuing throughout the night.

  Elijah joined him during the final watch before dawn.

  "I've been thinking about the root system," he said quietly. "If the roots truly correspond to the internal sections, they might provide clues about what we'll find inside."

  Alexander followed his brother's gaze to where the massive roots disappeared into the soil. "What kind of clues?"

  "The northeastern root is darker, with fewer offshoots," Elijah pointed out. "That might indicate a section with less vegetation—perhaps the water feature Valeria mentioned. And the southeastern root has unusual nodules along its length. Those could correspond to the chamber of silence, as some pnts develop simir structures for sound absorption."

  Alexander was impressed by the observation. "That gives us potential mapping information before we even enter. Can you identify patterns for the other sections?"

  Elijah nodded slowly. "I've been studying them all night. The western root system is heavily branched with what looks like defensive thorns—that might be the strangling vines section."

  They spent the remaining time before dawn analyzing each visible root formation and hypothesizing about its corresponding byrinth section. Alexander incorporated this information into their preliminary map, marking each section with its potential challenge.

  As the first gray light of dawn appeared, the team made their final preparations. Alexander performed a meticulous equipment check, ensuring everyone had secured their water supplies, marking tokens, and specialized tools. Elijah reviewed their map one st time, committing the expected yout to memory while acknowledging it would likely differ from reality.

  "Remember," Alexander told them as they prepared to move toward the entrance, "adaptability is our greatest strength. The byrinth will test different skills, but working as a coordinated team is the true challenge. Stay focused, maintain communication, and trust each other's capabilities."

  They emerged from their concealed camp and approached the ancient tree archway. The symbols had stopped their rotation with the coming of dawn, now glowing with a steady green light that cast eerie shadows across the forest floor.

  "Ready?" Alexander asked, receiving confident nods from each team member.

  With a final gnce at the forest behind them, Alexander led his team toward the Newcomer's Labyrinth entrance, stepping beneath the twisted arch into whatever challenges awaited within.