Hi everyone! This is the moment you all have been waiting for! Sorry it's so short!
Majeel was working in the library, bend over the ancient wooden table. Ramerra had left and Majeel was alone which suited him fine. Well, it kind of suited him. He wound up gears on the little machine in front of him. It was the shape of a scorpion and inside it housed dark magic that will unleash at the right moment. He sat back, admiring the gold metallic surface. A scorpion is not the only shape his machines took. Some were snakes, some were beetles, some were spiders, some flew in the air as birds or moths, and some even took on the shape of frogs. They were all the same size though, no bigger than a dinner plate.
When Majeel opens the gateway between the Underground and Aboveground, he would release thousands upon thousands of these into the Aboveground. Then his father, nicknamed the King of Nightmares, would have his dream continue. All those who were oppressed and lost their lands and freedom in the Underground who find refuge in the Aboveground. Those like Majeel's father and his beautiful nightmare subjects, who were banished to a deserted corner because no one wants them. Majeel grinded his teeth as he thought of the anger he felt. It wasn't fair. But he would make it right.
Majeel thought about the girl, Raelinn, and how he could have just taken the amulet. He was sure that Jareth cursed the amulet to stay on her so she couldn't lose it, but she must have accidentally found a way to travel to the Labyrinth. The Labyrinth of all places! She could have transported back to his father's lands, but no, here is where she ended up. What luck! Majeel liked the girl. She obviously had fresh nightmares. Nightmares that he didn't know humans had. She would have lots of ideas. She would look at him and say, "Your Majesty" and then tell him all the ideas she had. He closed his eyes and smiled, liking this fantasy. How easy would it be to corrupt her? He wondered. I hope it's hard. I like a challenge! Majeel chuckled.
"Your Highness! Your Highness!" A goblin ran into the room, bowed hurriedly and continued, "The kitchens!"
"What?!"
"The kitchens are on fire! It's huge!" The goblin replied. Majeel rolled his eyes and followed the goblin out.
Seraphim was appalled. He almost said, "Raelinn, you are trapped," but stopped himself. He knew that would not go over well. He felt like there was a beast trying to come out; its bloodlust was strong. If he said that and she ran, he knew he would have given chase. He could barely control it before he was imprisoned. He even attack his own father and bit him. It wasn't enough to kill, but he knew he had been infected. If he was honest with himself, he was secretly glad to be imprisoned. While he was there, he worked on his newfound perks he discovered. He was able to project his consciousness out and spy on the mages coming down the stairs that check on him, although it left him feeling confused about where he was afterwards. He had heightened senses and was able to run faster than he ever had. He was able to heal faster and found a way to preserve his heart outside of his body( a project he had been working on, but was only successful after the infection). He put his hand up to his chest, feeling his heart beating wildly. Oh, and he had a thirst for blood like he was some beast. A catch he didn't like.
"So you're a vampire," Raelinn said. She was breathing deeply to try to remain calm. Calm, calm, calm…she chanted in her head. She was petting the camel's head to do something with her hands. They were shaking. Seraphim frowned. He didn't like seeing her shake. He didn't want anyone (except for a select few) to be that afraid of him.
"I won't hurt you," He said and stood up, "You freed me and I owe you. I will protect you from Majeel so you can get the amulet off and go home. I know the fake amulet messes with the mind, otherwise you would have left for home right about now. Although," He titled his head (Ugh, just like his father, Raelinn thought) and evenly said, "You were able to break the spell that trapped me. Maybe you don't need my protection." He smiled.
"She most certainly does," a voice said from behind the camel.
Jareth walked out into view. Into view of both Raelinn and Seraphim. Seraphim blinked and stood up taller despite his being taken back. Raelinn just rolled her eyes, her fear ebbing away. She was feeling odd; she was accepting the madness of this place. This was her home…..No, no. I should still be scared. Why are some things not bothering me so much? She also stood up and brushed off some dirt. Raelinn kept walking along the wall of the Labyrinth looking for the door. I have to get the amulet off. I feel like I'm going looney, she thought to herself. She didn't notice that Seraphim also saw Jareth.
"Father, what are you doing here?" Seraphim asked. Raelinn spun around. She looked back and forth from Seraphim and Jareth.
"I thought you said no one can see you!"
"I did?" Jareth asked, faking puzzlement. "I lied. I wanted to make sure you don't tell Majeel about me. By the way, I just spied on him. It's a good thing he neglects Labyrinth challengers. He would have seen your whole rescue. I even created a distraction so he'll be busy for a while. You're welcome."
Seraphim knocked on the wall of the Labyrinth. A part of the wall swung open like a door leading to the inside of the Labyrinth. He motioned to Raelinn to walk inside, all while keeping his eyes locked on his father.
"You could have just told me not to say anything. I wouldn't have anyways! What else have you lied about?" Raelinn walked backwards to glare at Jareth. She had her hand on the camel's neck as it followed her into the Labyrinth.
"Good question! Let's talk about it when we get the amulet off you. We need to look for something else. I had a plan, but it seems to be backfiring a bit," Jareth followed them in. He looked confident and aloof. His eyes were glazed over.
"Where is this going?" Seraphim asked. "There's something you're not telling us. What's the use of closing the portal if you're dead? You didn't care too much about the Aboveground. Why bring her here to free me? You seem to be able to walk around and touch things just fine for a dead man." Seraphim narrowed his eyes. He sensed something was off the moment he saw his father. He was happy to see him, but didn't allow himself to show it when he saw the way his father was acting. He felt like Jareth was playing a game of human chess with Raelinn. A game Seraphim played against him all the time. A game that his father cheated in any way to win.
"Where are we?" Jareth asked, truly puzzled this time. Seraphim and Raelinn felt that something was wrong. Jareth should know exactly where in the Labyrinth they are. He looked sideways to at them, his arms clasped behind him. He raised his chin in proud defiance. "I know where we are. We are in the east hedge maze. There should be a fountain over there," he pointed to the left.
Seraphim corrected his father by pointing to the right. "Explain yourself. You're not dead are you." It wasn't a question. Silence. Jareth kept up his proud act.
Jareth cleared his throat. "No."
