• Why are you so gloomy? Afraid? – Thane shacked his head negatively and said quietly.

• No…I just was thinking, that mom…

• Will come to see you? Do you really think her absence is worth being so sad? My parents are so bogged down into the research that they make me breakfast and run away to work immediately. Don't you worry! By the way, how did handle the test yesterday? – Thane shrugged and mumbled.

• I’ve coped with it. And you? – Annaremi shrugged as well, and said looking in the cloudy sky.

• One more assault course, just like the first day, but smaller with greater number of steps. Nothing serious, unlike yours.

• Are you kidding me?

• No. You know, biotics has always been something incredible and mysterious for me, – she shook her head and smiled to him. – Have you already forgotten, how I have accosted you about it all the past year long.

Thane smiled and nodded. Talking pleasantly they have reached the cave, where the next part of the competition was taking place. Senshi was following them at some distance, because he decided to let them talk without interruptions. Right before the entrance he has wished both of them good luck, prayed to Arashu and then gone home. He was going to come back till the end of the competition. Thane and Annaremi exchanged a quick glance and entered into the narrow passage, sometimes forgetting to make a breath because of the excitement. It was cold and dark inside. And the further they moved into the cave, the darker it became. Regul has stopped and called Krios after stumbling over something for several times:

• Hey! Why are you so fast? Are you in hurry, or what? – Thane has stopped, placed hand into his pockets and struggled.

• Examinators won’t be glad, if we are late. Don’t want to upset them, as well as making my dad mad. He has repeated thousands of times, that I should show respect to them. Are you tired?

• No, just…What do you think, Saggita and Kadiy are being late too? – Krios struggled once more and looked at the direction they have used to come till here.

• I have no idea. Let’s move. I don’t feel safe in here.

Annaremi has followed her friend, sometimes looking around. One more hour has passed and they have stopped again. They’ve started both:

• How long, do you think… – they stopped synchronously, just as they have started and then laughed. Thane pulled Regul’s shoulder gently and said:

• Fools seldom…

• …differ. You are deadly right! We are wondering here for about an hour and haven’t reached the place yet. Any ideas?

• Don’t know…don’t get it…We should already be there. And…did you mention?

• What?

• I think we have been here already, – Annaremi frowned her eyebrows.

• No, this is all in your imagination. Let’s move. Enough waiting!

• It’s not imagination. You better check it yourself! Look at these walls…

• This is all Artu’s tricks! You are right! We have passed this pattern already.

Annaremi stretched her photographic mind to reveal memories. Sharp images started to show up in her head. It was hard to compare them, but she managed this. Once realized, she startled – they have passed this place not for two, but for three times already.

• This is a labyrinth!

Kids have done their best to engage their imagination and connect each picture, taken by their eidetic memory. Wall after wall, scene after scene – and a whole map of the cave, where they have been lost, appeared at their inward sights. Drell started to draw it on the sand that was covering the floor under their feet, but still were not able to find an exit.