Authors Note:
I apologize for my insane absent time on getting chapters posted for A New Era but my life's been kinda hectic these last few weeks but anyways here you go chapters 9&10 on the same day, as always please read and review the story to help me improve
The shadows were never ending as Willis advanced slowly down the dark tunnels of the maze. He held Wydra extended out to his side but he couldn't use the blade as well since he had taken the axe wound to his left shoulder rendering it useless. Even with all of his training in magic all he had managed to do was stop the bleeding. Once again he was cursing himself for allowing it to happen. He took a right down a tunnel that appeared to lead down but next thing he knew he was walking up a flight of stairs. Shaking his head he climbed up the last step and stepped into a wide chamber where he felt his heart stop. He stood in a wide circular room which held little light. In the center of the room sat a woman chained to the floor. Her body was gaunt and her bones showed through her skin while her eyes held a pale blue light. Wills stumbled forward a few steps towards her before saying "Hello? Are you alright?" The lady's head raided slightly as she said "Sit down young Willis son of the red hero." As she spoke a hum filled the air as if dozens of people whispered as one. Willis was confused by what she meant by son of the red hero when she continued "Don't worry about the Reapers they can't follow you here. This place is protected by my magic. As I know you are wondering who I am I shall reveal my name. I am Delphine , the Seer of the maze, viewer of the past and present, holder of forsaken knowledge and the only hope you have of surviving in the future." Hearing her words Willis sunk to the ground with his back against the wall. As he sat he flinched from the pain in his shoulder when he heard the woman whisper a word before a icy relief spread throughout his body as the massive wound to his shoulder was healed. Sighing he met the woman's eyes saying "What do you want with me seer?" The woman laughed hoarsely before saying "callous just like your father. Your future for you is bloody and not all paths will lead you to happiness. Betrayal is also present. As is the death of one of your greatest friends. You must stay strong however. When it seems hopeless and that your cause is lost journey to the land of stars far across the sea there you will find a piece of the puzzle to saving what you love. Blood will be spilt before your journey ends." Then Willis felt his mind drift away. Then before he knew it he stood on a hill over looking illeria, the city of his birth, as dragons roared and fought over the top of it. Fire rained down upon the city like a spring storm. Then he was on a ridge above a gilded city watching a group of Riders fight. As the scene changed he heard a yell of pain and anguish. Next he stood upon the prow of a ship leaving his home. Finally he laid on a beach looking up into a shining light and seeing a familiar smile. Then with a sudden pain he woke up on the floor of the chamber and the woman was gone. Climbing to his feet with the images swirling through his mind he grabbed Wydra just as a Reaper walked into the chamber. Cursing under his breath he crouched and crept through the shadows to the tunnel just behind the creature and slipped into it. Willis moved as quickly as he could while sneaking which was surprisingly fast down the long tunnel which was shrouded in shadows. He knew it would mean death to attack the Reapers right now. His blade was meant for open ground where he could use it's design to defeat his opponents but inside the tunnels it was woefully inadequate. He kept his head on a swivel as he came to more and more crossroads before he emerged onto a massive overhang looking down into a chamber below. Below him stood a army of Reapers. Each one was armed to the teeth and he knew from experience that they were quite deadly. From the looks of things there was nearly three thousand in all but what held his attention was the picture on the wall in front of them. It was a sprawling picture of a elf with red eyes and black hair. His body was covered in black armor and at his side was a black sword with the ancient language rune for Warden inscribed on it. Behind him sat a huge black dragon which sat proudly with it's head held high. In front of the picture was a altar where a Reaper of massive size stood with his arms raised out. On the altar lay a Riders sword of a purple hue. Then Willis heard the words of a chant. They were a strange mixture of the ancient language, dwarvish, human and Urgal tongues. The chants spoke of the sacrifice of blood from infidels who followed the false god whom the called Arnan the Bright and it was in the name of Cisternan the Dark. It told of his return and how his followers would walk the lands as kings. The youth was disgusted by these creatures but their ritual only got darker as they continued their chant. Then in a roar of flame before the altar appeared a man cloaked in red. When he spoke his voice hummed with power and depth. The man raised his hands and said to the assembled monsters "I am Guntrea, God of fire, pain, and strength, and the Creator of your race. My children our day is nearly upon us. Soon we will march into the sunlight once more and be a proud race. You will crush the foul human scum that inhabits the Brodding Kingdom and will form a new empire which will control the world!" As he finished his speech the entire maze seemed to ring with the ferocity of their roars before he saw flames engulf the man once more and he disappeared. Then the huge mass split. One group marched out of a tunnel while they cheered while the other begun to disperse. As all this happened Willis slipped through the shadows. Away from the insanity. Away from the pain. Away from the death.
