<div class="title">THE MAZE</div>
<img src= "https://thesebster1.neocities.org/Maze.png" alt="Dark Maze" width="600">
<div class="story-text">
You wake suddenly.
The ground beneath you is cold stone.
A foul smell lingers in the air.
Tall walls surround you on all sides, disappearing into the darkness above.
Somewhere far away, you hear a scraping sound.
Then silence.
You are alone.
Or at least, you hope you are.
What will you do?
</div>
<div class="choices">
[[Walk deeper into the maze|MazePath1]]
[[Call out for help|CallForHelp]]
</div><div class="story-text">
You carefully move deeper into the maze.
The sound of your footsteps echoes around you.
As you round a corner, you notice strange marks scratched into the wall.
Fresh marks.
Whatever made them can't be far away.
[[Continue forward|MazePath2]]
[[Run back|Scraping Noises]]
</div><div class="story-text">
"Hello?" you shout.
Your voice echoes through the maze.
For a moment, nothing happens.
Then, from somewhere in the darkness, something answers.
Not with words.
With a low growl.
[[Run!|MazePath3]]
</div>:: MazePath2
After hours of wandering, you discover a massive steel door.
A sign above it reads:
EXIT
Unfortunately, the door requires three keys.
You currently have:
- The Rust Key
- ?
- ?
The search continues...
[[Continue searching|KeyHunt]]:: MonsterDeath
You follow the scraping noise deeper into the darkness.
The sound suddenly stops.
Everything is silent.
A cold feeling runs down your spine.
Two glowing eyes appear in front of you.
Before you can react, a massive creature lunges from the darkness.
Its claws tear through the air.
You don't even have time to scream.
<hr>
<h1 style="color:red;text-align:center;">YOU LOSE</h1>
<p style="text-align:center;">
The maze claims another victim.
</p>
[[Play Again|Start]]:: RunFromMonster
You sprint away.
The creature shrieks and gives chase.
Ahead are two paths.
[[Jump over a collapsed section of floor|JumpChallenge]]
[[Slam through a wooden door|WoodenDoor]]:: JumpChallenge
A large gap blocks your path.
Do you attempt the jump?
[[Jump|SuccessfulJump]]
[[Look for another route|MazePath2]]:: WoodenDoor
You burst through the door.
Inside is a small room containing:
- A key
- A map fragment
Choose one.
[[Take the key|TakeKey]]
[[Take the map fragment|TakeMap]]:: SuccessfulJump
You leap across the gap.
Your feet slam into the stone on the other side.
For a moment you nearly slip.
Behind you, the creature falls into the darkness below.
Its screams fade into silence.
You take a moment to catch your breath.
Ahead are three paths.
One leads toward the sound of running water.
One leads to an old iron door.
One descends down a spiral staircase.
[[Follow the water|UndergroundRiver]]
[[Open the iron door|IronDoor]]
[[Descend the staircase|SpiralStairs]]:: TakeKey
You take the key.
It may unlock something later.
[[Continue|MazePath2]]:: TakeMap
You unfold the map fragment.
Most of the maze is missing, but a strange symbol catches your eye.
According to the map, there is a hidden section of the maze behind a cracked wall nearby.
As you study the fragment, you notice writing scribbled across the bottom:
"DO NOT FOLLOW THE WATCHER."
You decide to follow the map.
[[Search for the hidden wall|HiddenWall]]:: SplitRoad
You leave the door behind and continue searching for the other keys.
Eventually you arrive at a crossroads.
Three paths stretch before you.
The left path is covered in strange red vines.
The middle path descends into darkness.
The right path is lit by flickering lanterns.
Which path will you take?
[[Take the Vine Pathe|VinePath]]
[[Take the Dark Path|DarkPath]]
[[Take the Lantern Path|LanternPath]]:: VinePath
The vines seem to move when you're not looking directly at them.
Something glints in the distance.
It looks like a key.
[[Take the key|SecondKey]]
[[Turn back|SplitRoad]]:: DarkPath
The darkness becomes overwhelming.
You hear heavy breathing.
Something enormous is nearby.
[[Keep moving forward|DarkMonster]]
[[Retreat|SplitRoad]]:: LanternPath
The lanterns illuminate an old stone chamber.
At the centre sits a locked chest.
If you found the Rust Key, perhaps it fits.
[[Open the chest|ThirdKey]]
[[Return to the crossroads|SplitRoad]]:: SecondKey
You carefully grab the key.
The vines suddenly begin tightening around the walls.
You sprint away before they can trap you.
You obtained:
✓ Rust Key
✓ Vine Key
[[Return to the crossroads|SplitRoad]]:: MonsterAmbush
You decide to head back toward the crossroads.
The maze seems quieter than before.
Too quiet.
A wet growling sound echoes from behind you.
Slowly, you turn around.
Standing in the corridor is a gigantic beast.
Rows of jagged spikes protrude from its back.
Thick saliva drips from its jaws.
Dark, matted fur surrounds its mouth.
Its eyes lock onto yours.
For a moment, neither of you move.
Then the creature charges.
You run.
The maze twists and turns around you, but the beast is faster.
Its thunderous footsteps shake the ground.
Suddenly, a dead end.
The monster lowers its head and lets out a roar that echoes through the maze.
There is nowhere left to go.
<hr>
<h1 style="color:red;text-align:center;">YOU LOSE</h1>
<p style="text-align:center;">
The maze was never going to let you leave that way.
</p>
[[Play Again|Start]]:: DarkMonster
A giant creature emerges from the shadows.
It blocks the entire corridor.
You try to run.
You are not fast enough.
<hr>
<h1 style="color:red;text-align:center;">YOU LOSE</h1>
[[Play Again|Scraping Noises]]:: ThirdKey
The key fits perfectly.
Inside the chest is another key.
You obtained:
✓ Rust Key
✓ Vine Key
✓ Iron Key
You now possess all three keys needed to escape.
[[Return to the exit door|Victory]]:: Victory
You place the three keys into the massive steel door.
One by one, the locks disengage.
The door slowly opens.
Fresh air fills your lungs.
For the first time since waking up, you feel safe.
<hr>
<h1 style="color:lime;text-align:center;">YOU ESCAPED</h1>
<p style="text-align:center;">
Congratulations!
</p>
[[Play Again|Start]]:: HiddenWall
After several minutes of searching, you discover a cracked stone wall.
The map was right.
Behind the wall is a narrow tunnel.
A cold breeze flows from within.
[[Enter the tunnel|WatcherTunnel]]
[[Ignore the tunnel and return to the maze|MazePath2]]:: WatcherTunnel
The tunnel twists deep beneath the maze.
Eventually you emerge into an ancient underground chamber.
Strange statues line the walls.
Each statue has had its eyes scratched out.
In the centre of the room stands a stone pedestal.
Something rests on top.
[[Inspect the pedestal|Pedestal]]
[[Search the statues|Statues]]:: Pedestal
On the pedestal sits a black key.
The moment you touch it, a distant roar echoes through the chamber.
You have obtained:
✓ Shadow Key
A hidden doorway opens nearby.
[[Enter the doorway|ShadowCorridor]]:: Statues
Behind one of the statues you discover an old journal.
Most pages are unreadable.
One sentence remains:
"The Watcher sees those who look back."
Suddenly you hear footsteps.
Heavy footsteps.
[[Hide|HideFromWatcher]]
[[Run|ShadowCorridor]]:: ShadowCorridor
The corridor ahead splits in two.
The left passage glows with a faint red light.
The right passage disappears into complete darkness.
[[Take the red passage|RedPassage]]
[[Take the dark passage|DarkPassage]]:: HideFromWatcher
You crouch behind a statue.
A tall figure enters the chamber.
Its face is hidden beneath a hood.
It slowly scans the room.
After several terrifying moments, it leaves.
You survive.
[[Continue|ShadowCorridor]]:: RedPassage
The red light comes from hundreds of glowing crystals embedded in the walls.
At the end of the corridor is a locked chest.
The Shadow Key fits perfectly.
Inside you find:
✓ Ancient Key
This may be useful later.
[[Return to the main maze|MazePath2]]:: DarkPassage
You walk blindly through the darkness.
A pair of glowing eyes suddenly opens ahead.
The Watcher has found you...
<div class="lose-screen">
YOU LOSE
</div>
[[Play Again|Start]]:: UndergroundRiver
You follow the sound until you discover an underground river.
A small boat is tied to a wooden post.
Something glimmers on the opposite shore.
[[Take the boat across|BoatCrossing]]
[[Follow the riverbank|RiverBank]]:: IronDoor
The rusty iron door groans as it opens.
Inside is a room filled with old paintings.
Every painting depicts the same creature.
The monster you've been running from.
At the far end sits a locked safe.
[[Open the safe|SafeRoom]]
[[Leave immediately|PaintingEscape]]:: SpiralStairs
The staircase descends deep underground.
The air grows colder with each step.
At the bottom sits an enormous stone archway.
Above it are carved words:
"ONLY THE BRAVE MAY PASS."
[[Enter the archway|TrialRoom]]
[[Turn back|MonsterAmbush]]:: BoatCrossing
The boat creaks as you cross.
Halfway across, something brushes against the bottom of the boat.
You row faster.
On the far shore you discover a Silver Key.
✓ Silver Key
[[Continue|MazePath2]]:: RiverBank
The riverbank eventually ends at a cave.
Inside is a backpack left behind by another explorer.
You find supplies and a map fragment.
[[Continue|HiddenWall]]:: SafeRoom
Inside the safe is a strange brass key.
✓ Brass Key
A hidden door slides open behind you.
[[Enter the hidden door|SecretTunnel]]:: PaintingEscape
As you leave, one of the paintings appears different.
The creature's head is now turned toward you.
You don't stop to investigate.
[[Continue|MazePath2]]:: SecretTunnel
The hidden door slides shut behind you.
The tunnel is lined with strange symbols.
At the end is another steel door.
The Brass Key unlocks it.
Inside lies the second of the three escape keys.
✓ Iron Escape Key
A ladder leads back to the main maze.
[[Climb the ladder|MazePath2]]:: TrialRoom
Inside is a stone table.
Three objects rest upon it:
A sword.
A lantern.
A key.
You may only take one.
[[Take the sword|SwordPath]]
[[Take the lantern|LanternPath2]]
[[Take the key|KeyPath]]:: MonsterAmbush
As you turn back, a gigantic creature blocks the corridor.
Spikes cover its back.
Saliva drips from its jaws.
It growls.
There is still a chance to survive.
[[Hide in a nearby crevice|HideFromAmbush]]
[[Sprint past the monster|RunPastMonster]]:: SwordPath
You take the sword.
The moment you lift it, the room begins shaking.
A stone gate opens.
Beyond it stands a beast with spikes running down its back.
This time, you are armed.
[[Fight the beast|FightMonster]]
[[Run away|MonsterAmbush]]:: LanternPath2
You take the lantern.
Its light reveals hidden messages on the walls.
One reads:
"Follow the light to find the forgotten exit."
A secret passage opens.
[[Follow the passage|ForgottenExit]]:: KeyPath
You take the key.
Suddenly the table sinks into the floor.
A secret compartment opens.
Inside is a map showing the location of the final escape key.
You carefully memorize it.
[[Follow the map|FinalKeyRoom]]:: FightMonster
The creature charges.
You dodge and drive the sword into its side.
The beast collapses.
Behind it lies a golden key.
✓ Golden Key
A doorway opens back into the maze.
[[Take the key and continue|MazePath2]]:: ForgottenExit
You discover an old stone chamber.
A skeleton sits beside a chest.
Inside the chest is:
✓ Rusted Escape Key
A staircase leads back to the maze.
[[Climb the stairs|MazePath2]]:: FinalKeyRoom
After a long journey, you discover a hidden shrine.
At its centre rests the final key.
✓ Final Escape Key
You now have enough keys to return to the exit door.
[[Return to the exit|Victory]]:: HideFromAmbush
You squeeze into a narrow crack in the wall.
The creature sniffs the air.
After several terrifying moments, it moves on.
A hidden tunnel lies beyond the crevice.
[[Enter the tunnel|SecretTunnel]]:: RunPastMonster
You sprint toward the beast.
It lunges.
You almost make it.
<div class="lose-screen">
YOU LOSE
</div>
[[Play Again|Start]]