Sealed In Stone
Chapter Two: Gryphon?
"Recognize anything?" Mina spoke up after a long time of silence as they walked along the bending paths. She seemed to know where she was going, but Sarah surely didn't.
"No. I don't."
"Really? I can't see why not. This is the exact same path you walked when you first visited the Labyrinth."
"It doesn't look like it." Sarah said stumbling as she looked around.
"No, I wouldn't think so."
Sarah hit something, her eyes found a still Mina. She looked curious, "What? What is it?" Mina held up her hand to silence her. She listened for a moment or two more before grabbing Sarah and slamming her into on of the dead ends. Holding her against the wall as an enormous blue blur sped past. The wind echoed in the small dead end and hurt their ears. Sarah had covered hers with her hands, Mina had not. Though her eyes were scrunched together in pain. She look up, her eyes returning to their normal size, maybe wider and pushed Sarah onto the floor. Holding her down as one of the walls shattered and stone flew in the air around them. When all was still Mina looked back up and rolled herself and Sarah away from the last rock to fall.
Mina slowly pushed herself up, dusting her tights off. She then offered her hand to Sarah who took it and they stood, looking around. Sarah coughed up dust and gagged.
"Yuck, what was that?"
"The worm that used to live in the Labyrinth. He used to help with its upkeep... but now he just destroys it further."
"Why?"
"The opposing kingdom is... well it's basically dark matter. All the dark creatures of our realm, Our opposites. They've been called many names. The dark fay, the demons, the dragons, things like that. Basically nightmares your kind have dreamed up. Well they had been invading kingdoms all over the Underground, the Dark General has an ability that can give dark matter to the creatures here, turning them to his side. I'm sad to say a lot of the Goblins have succumb, along with most of the dwarfs and some of the other creatures just in the Labyrinth." She had started walking again, Sarah following close behind.
"What about the rest of the Underground?"She asked curiously.
"Well, last I heard the defenses around the capital were holding but growing weaker. They've probably fallen by now. Our messengers were captured, turned, or shot down."
"That's terrible. What about the other Fay people?"
"The Dark General has this thing for the highest noble line of fay. He captured King Jareth, then King Hrothgar, then went to the capital to capture Queen Jacklin, I suppose."
"So there is no royalty ruling at the moment?"
"Well, I'm sure there is somewhere. The smaller kingdoms, probably. But at the moment we are loosing the war. King Jareth and King Hrothgar were the two best military strategists we've ever had. Without them, our troops are basically lost."
"Is Jareth the only child?"
"No, he has a sister. Kiara, I believe. She's believed to be searching for any family members who can help. 4 children in particular."
"Who?"
"You ask a lot of questions." Mina said looking over her shoulder.
"I'm curious." Sarah said getting defensive.
"You'll find out in time, we must hurry. If we do not make it, at least to the castle by tonight we'll both be in danger." Mina said as she quickened her footfalls. They almost ran through the Labyrinth, Sarah almost had a hard time keeping up.
Mina reached a blank wall and pushed her hand against it, "Please still work... Please still work..." She whispered. Though no one heard it but herself. The wall slid open and they stood in the middle of the Throne room. Mina looked around, the sparkling fabric still rested where it had been thrown while the Goblins ran a muck. She walked over to the throne and ran a hand over the arm rest and took a deep breath. She felt a hand brushing her hair back.
She glanced at Sarah, her expression cold.
"Your ear is bleeding." Sarah stated, a familiar and concerned tone in her voice.
"Oh."
The truth was, Mina already knew that. She just wasn't going to mention it. Sarah sighed and picked up a piece of fabric from the floor. She washed it in the water leaking from the wall in a steady flow and washed the blood from the girls ear. It had stopped, though Sarah knew it would hurt constantly for a while.
"Thanks." Mina muttered as she rubbed her ear. She looked out the window, "It will be dark soon. We should get settled it." she said, "Come on." she said as she walked towards the opposite hallway. From the throne room the castle became much elegant and cleaner. Or it used to, Now the tapestry's were burnt and falling on the floor. Wood was laying all over the place, Mina picked up pieces constantly. They turned a hallway and Mina once again slammed Sarah into the wall.
"Shh."
"What happened?"
"Will you be quiet."
"You will not speak to me in that manner."
"Yes I will."
Mina seemed to recognize the voices, "If I were to enter a room and said I was called Leg and I was a dwarf, what would be your reply?" She called through the hall, making her voice echo, so they couldn't tell where she was yelling from.
"I'd say my name was Phoenix and that I was a Goblin hailing from your kingdom." Came a confused voice. "Mina?"
"Gryphon?" She asked as she walked around the corner. She ran towards him and tackled him with a flying hug, "It's you! I though you were dead."
"I could the same thing about you, Princess."
She let go, and took a step back. She looked up at the man with him that wore a black hood to cover his face and bowed her head in greeting.
"Sarah, it's alright. You can come, these two are friends."
Sarah didn't answer.
The hooded man took a step forward.
There was the sound of a slight struggle and Sarah's voice screamed a cry for help and she was brought around the corner.
Held by two of the Goblins that used to serve the Goblin King.
All three froze where they were. The Goblins were the biggest in the Kings army.
Crusher and Jaw.
"Release her." The hooded man said calmly.
The two Goblins laughed.
"I said, release her." The stranger said, a bit more like a command. Mina watched him carefully with one eye and the other watched Sarah struggle.
"Why should we?" Jaw, the smarter of the two, said.
The hood fell as a crystal appeared in the strangers hand. Mina's eyes grew wide. "Because I command you to. Let. Her. Go." This time the Goblins dropped Sarah. Then acted like they were going to flee. The crystal became two and froze them both when thrown. Sarah rushed away from them and turned to the man who wasn't so much a stranger anymore. "Jareth?"