AN: Whew, sorry for the wait. Been a hectic couple of weeks, especially health wise. Also, this chapter turned out longer than expected. Isn't that always the way? Anyway, hope you enjoy reading!
Chapter 3:
"This floor is just filled with those damn stone walls and statues."
Drayce could only nod along to Blayke's grumbling. He was right, though. They had been walking around the third floor for about twenty-minutes already, choosing to be cautious by inspecting their surroundings. They didn't want to simply plough along, pushing over statues without first taking note of their environment. After all, the stone walls could unleash something they rather not deal with.
Yet, it seemed the only way to move forward through the floor was to do just that.
"Our best bet is to push over every statue we come across and hope we'll eventually find the stairs to the next floor," Drayce mused.
He felt kinda bad about it, honestly. The statues were rather adorable, after all. He wondered who made them; celestians? From ancient texts, they were the ones who prepared the labyrinth to be sealed shortly after the Legendary War, so they were likely the ones.
Why golems, though? They must have some significance. He might have to ask for more of Shashi's endless wisdom.
Nashoba suddenly standing to attention immediately pulled Drayce from his idle musings. He glanced down at the white wolf, taking note of how he was staring forward, ears straight up on the top of his head and his tail stock still. He didn't appear aggressive or anxious, however.
Faelen ran his fingers through the fur of his wolf companion, instinctively reassuring him. "I think there's someone else here."
That wasn't much of a surprise. There had been an influx of explorers lately, after all.
Bolstered by Nashoba's curious reaction, Drayce led the party in the direction the loyal wolf was focused in. A few moments later, they encountered a small alcove amongst the greenery and trees.
And at the base of a particularly luscious tree sat a figure. Head down, arms across the chest, breathing softly. Next to him, sat on the ground was a black ball with a yellow beak and two yellow bird feet.
Drayce felt the corner of his mouth twitched into an amused half smile as he hushed his bemused teammates. It was the guy from yesterday. Asleep. Much in the same position as yesterday, too! He hoped the guy hadn't slept all night in the labyrinth.
Before Drayce could call out to them, Raven, the little blob noticed them first. If the loud, chirp-like noise it made was any indication. It was enough to stir necromancer Kyrell from his slumber; a snort followed by the righting of the head. He quickly turned his head in Drayce's direction, catching his gaze immediately.
"Ah," Kyrell uttered as a polite smile spread across his lips. "We meet again."
"With you sleeping," Drayce countered, having no hesitancy in approaching the other man. "Do you have a habit of sleeping in the labyrinth?"
Kyrell stretched his arms over his head, completely relaxed and unfazed. "Ah, I suppose I do. I have the tendency to fall asleep in random places. It can be rather…what's the word, unwise?"
There was probably a lot of other words to describe it, but he'd go with that. "I can certainly understand that."
Blayke nudged at Drayce's shoulder to get his attention. "Is this the guy you told us about yesterday?"
Drayce nodded. "Right. Anyway, let me introduce you to my guild. This is Blayke, Kamali, Caelem, Faelen and Nashoba. Guys, this is Kyrell."
As a series of polite greetings were exchanged, two little appendages sprouted out from Raven's sides. They appeared to be wings, he using them to take to the air momentarily. And to perch himself on the top of Drayce's head.
"And this is Raven."
He certainly was a curious little wraith.
Kamali's eyes widen a fraction as he stared in open surprise. "A wraith?"
"That's one weird looking wraith," Blayke just could not help but add, even though he was pretty accurate.
A strange sound suddenly emanated from the wraith. A sound that was similar to the noise someone emitted when they stuck their tongue out at someone while exhaling. What did the oldies call it? A raspberry? Which was what Raven must have done, if the looks of surprise on his companions faces followed by Blayke looking annoyed and the others trying to smother unexpected laughter.
Man, Blayke and wraiths simply could not get along, huh?
Kyrell pushed himself to his feet and idly patted himself down, brushing off bits of grass and twigs. He soon stood tall and sent Drayce a small smile as Raven fluttered over to rest on his shoulder. "Now that I am awake, do you mind if I join you for this venture?"
Drayce felt the urge to immediately reply. The guy, and his strange little wraith, appeared harmless. If a little reckless, or maybe just ditzy, for falling asleep in random locations around the labyrinth. He, however, wanted to be considerate of his teammates' feelings. If they felt even the slightest bit uncomfortable, he would make some kind of excuse to decline Kyrell's offer.
Other than the scowl of protectiveness on Blayke's face, which was honestly just his resting face, no one had any protests.
"Sure, we don't mind," Drayce replied.
Kyrell presented him with a polite smile while Raven squeaked loudly, seemingly fluttering his stubby little wings happily.
"Well, let's retrace our steps," Drayce instructed. "We've got some golems we need to bully."
… … … … …
Caelem crouched down in front of a moss-covered statue of smooth grey stone. He inched his fingers beneath the foundation until he found the best place to gain leverage. He took a moment to prepare himself, before the muscles in his arms and back tensed. Yet, it looked effortless on his part as he swiftly lifted the solid stone golem statue and threw it backwards, revealing an ancient lever mechanism.
Before the statue could settle in its new position, a loud grinding sound echoed through the air. Drayce glanced over his shoulder, watching the tail end as a stone wall slid down into the ground, revealing a hidden doorway.
"And that's the fourth statue," Drayce said as he turned his attention back toward Caelem. "You doing ok, Cal?"
Caelem effortlessly hefted himself to his feet. "Yes," he said with a smile as he idly brushed at the grass off of his clothing. "They're not that heavy now that I know how to lift them."
Therians were known for their super strength, and Drayce himself was aware of it. It was still a sight to behold, watching as Caelem effortless throw a six-foot tall boulder around.
Even so, everyone had a limit.
"Let me know if you get tired and we'll call it a day. I don't want you pulling a muscle."
They also need to be on their guard. They had been roaming around the labyrinth for a good few hours now, navigating winding and narrow paths and clearings. And yet they hadn't encountered a single monster. Not even a rabid acorn, and those little blighters were everywhere. Yet, they hadn't been accosted by anything. Nashoba hadn't reacted to negatively or protectively, either.
He wasn't complaining about the lack of monster activity, don't get him wrong. He was just curious. And he wondered if it was because of the larger than normal party. With Kyrell added temporarily to their ranks, there were seven of them.
That was what he hoped, at least. And the monsters of this floor weren't somehow plotting to ambush them at some point in the future.
Drayce was pulled from his thoughts by a high-pitched 'squawk!'. He jumped, instinctively placing his hand on his weapon as he prepared himself for possibly summoning a decoy shield. Before he switched to battle mode, as it were, he turned toward Kyrell and Raven. Only to find the tall, purple-skinned celestian unfazed. Calm, if a little bit airy as he continued to smile politely.
"Wha-?"
"My apologises for Raven." Kyrell reached up and patted Raven lightly before he turned and unexpectedly plucked a small red apple from a nearby tree. "He just saw a Moon Apple. He enjoys snacking on them, you could say."
Snacking? Wraiths could eat food?
It was a revelation that Kamali seemed to find baffling, too, as he immediately turned his blue eyes toward Raven. He appeared truly puzzled as he watched Kyrell offer the apple to Raven, and for the truly strange wraith to start pecking at the fruit rapidly.
"He…eats?" Kamali murmured.
"Not necessarily," Kyrell replied. "He just likes the texture. It makes him feel alive."
Oh. Of course. It's understandable that wraiths miss being alive. Hunger for their favourite foods. Their sight, sense of smell, perhaps even their memories remained. But the ability to touch, to feel warmth was forever lost to them.
That…that must be so painful.
Still odd to watch a black ball with a yellow beat peck away at an apple.
Kamali continued to study the peculiar wraith, no less confused or fascinated. "I can sense a strong deposit of mana. He is your companion wraith?"
"That is correct."
"I must say, I have never seen a wraith like him before," Kamali revealed, appearing somewhat unsettled. "Even in text."
Kyrell pulled the moon apple away and idly tossed the heavily blemished fruit into the dense foliage around them. "Raven is unique, you could say."
Drayce couldn't help but feel that Kyrell was hiding something. Purposely being vague. Which he had every right to be. He had his reasons. And they were virtually strangers, so Drayce had no right to start demanding answers.
He was very curious about the two, however.
"Um," Faelen uttered as he approached the tall necromancer. "Can I hold Raven?"
Still wearing that polite smile, Kyrell reached up and wrapped the entirety of his hand around Raven as he picked him up. Only the yellow feet were seen through his fingers. He lowered his arm, prompting Faelen to hold out his hands in a cupping motion. And he simply dropped the odd little wraith into Faelen's hands.
Faelen cupped his hands around the wraith. "He's so…squishy. He's squishier than Theodore."
Seriously? And that ghostly wraith was super squishy and elastic.
"Pat him on the head," Kyrell suddenly instructed.
And Faelen didn't hesitate to do as told, earning himself a couple of high-pitched and very amusing squeaks from Raven in response. Faelen was at first surprised by the sound before his soon fell into the giggles. Nashoba even reacted at the noise; raising his head in alertness and his ears perking straight up.
"He's a squeaky toy!" Faelen laughed. "I think Nashoba wants to play fetch now."
Kyrell tilted his head to the side for a moment. "Now that may be an interesting prospect. Why not give it a try?"
Faelen raised his head quickly and looked up, wide-eyed at Kyrell. "Wh-what? I couldn't," he began.
"Nonsense," Kyrell replied, dismissive of his worries. "Just pull your arm back and hurl him as far as you can. He won't mind."
With Faelen looking uncertain, Drayce felt the protective urge to step in, to either reassure the young rover or to get the subject to drop. But he also noted that Raven did not squark in protest. He continued to sit in Faelen's hands, like a bouncy black ball, only it's white eyes and yellow peak noticeable.
He was honestly curious to see what would happen.
"Go on, Fae." Drayce chose the encouragement option. "If Raven objected, he'd let us know."
Faelen continued to look hesitant for a few more seconds before he finally turned, searching for the ideal place to play. Thankfully, they stood in a slight clearing so he chose a direction away from the everyone. He pulled back his arm, Raven unfazed in his hand, and with a step forward, he threw the wraith in a high arch in the air.
He obviously did not throw the wraith with his full strength, still hesitant. And, well, who wouldn't be? Playing fetch with a wraith was a ridiculous concept.
"Fetch, Nashoba!"
Yet, that was exactly what was happening. The white wolf darted forward before Raven even hit the ground, and when he did, he literally bounced. Like a rubber ball. Bouncing along the grass. With Nashoba scuttering after him, jumping and hopping in an attempt to catch the make-shift ball in mid-air.
He finally managed to snare the wraith and swiftly spun around, rushing back to Faelen to drop Raven at his feet. And for Nashoba to jump back, dropping down to his belly as his tail wagged playfully. Happily.
And Raven? No protest. No attempt to flicker away to the astral plain like what Theodore would do when feeling sulky. He just sat at Faelen's feet, eyes staring up at him almost expectantly.
Faelen hastily bent down and picked Raven up. He then unexpectedly turned to Caelem. "Cal, you throw him. You'll throw him further than I can."
Caelem blinked, clearly taken aback by the request from a cheerful Faelen. He stared down at Raven for a moment, noting that he was indeed not protesting in the slightest. He finally moved to pick him up, but in the same way one would pick up a simple rubber ball. After taking a moment to inspect the clearing, he pulled his arm back and hurled Raven into the air once more.
Nashoba immediately leapt up and gave chase, a flurry of grass and soil behind him.
Drayce couldn't help it, he laughed in true amusement at the absurdity of it all. Now that was a sight to behold! Raven certainly was quite the character. As was Kyrell.
Something cool resting against his forehead surprised Drayce from his observations. He turned his head slightly to the side to see that it was Kyrell who had reached up and rest his palm flush against his forehead.
"Hm? You appeared quite flustered," he said, a soft frown on his lips.
"Huh?" Kyrell pulled his hand back, prompting Drayce to rest up to press his own hand against his forehead. And was startled by the steamy heat radiating off of the skin. "Oh, just feeling a little overheated, I guess."
Now that he took a moment to assess the environment, it was quite hot in the labyrinth. A stifling kind of heat.
"You want to sit for a bit?" Blayke asked him, immediately with that protective tone of his, as he pointed to an area over Drayce's shoulder. "There's some shade over there."
Drayce felt the instinctual urge to protest, to insist that he was fine and not to worry. But they had been in the labyrinth for hours. It was probably even after midday, in the hottest time of day. The others were probably realising how tired and hot they were, too.
"Actually, that would be a good idea. Need to ensure the maps are accurate. All these switches and hidden doors can be a bit confusing."
That seemed to satisfied Blayke enough for him not to nag at him. Instead, he led the way to the shady corner of the clearing, stalking forward to inspect the area for any threats. The lack of drawing of a weapon was enough reassurance, so Drayce stepped forward, also.
He kicked his shield into its stand as he shrugged off his jacket. He draped the piece of clothing over his shield, feeling an immediate refreshing relief. He was a lot hotter than he figured, which was probably alarming. Maybe he should get a drink or two to help with the cooling down process. Though, he couldn't imagine they would stay much longer in the labyrinth.
No need to map the entire place hastily and in one day.
"Cal, Fae; we're taking a break," Drayce called out to the two therians. "You two continue to play with Nashoba and Raven. They appear to be having fun."
"Kay," Faelen replied with an eager Nashoba in front of him and a passive Raven in his hands.
What a tolerant wraith.
It was nice to see Nashoba being playful, acting like a young pup, though. And it was good to see Faelen strengthening his bond with his wolf companion. Caelem seemed to be having fun, also.
Drayce dropped down onto the grass and pulled out his mapping utensils. He turned his gaze to his companions, Blayke sitting to his left with Kamali next to him, while Kyrell sat cross-legged to his right. "You two alright?" he asked, noting that they had their fair share of armour and protective clothing.
Kamali nodded. "Environmental changes do not bother me due to my warlock abilities. But I can make some ice, should you need it."
"Thankfully, I don't need something like that yet, but it is reassuring to know." Elemental and magic users truly were a god send. "And you, Blayke?"
Blayke leaned back to rest on his hands as he stretched out his legs in front of him. "I'm fine. My armour isn't as heavy as yours."
Drayce resisted to roll his eyes. Blayke was allowed to be dismissive of his health status, but God forbid anyone for doing the same. Protective hypocrite.
Kamali pulled his legs into a lotus position and rested his hands upon his knees. "This is quite the floor."
"Pretty annoying, but at least we haven't had to deal with monsters every few steps," Blayke added. "Gotta say that all these doors and switches are suspicious, though."
"Right?" Drayce rested his map upon his knee. "I wonder if they're also hiding something on this floor. Or if this was a line of defence to prevent anyone from exploring the labyrinth?"
Kamali immediately nodded his head in agreement. "I think that may be the case. To ensure that another invasion will be as difficult as possible."
Yeah, that definitely sounded plausible. The Legendary War was devasting. No one wished for that to be repeated. Ever.
"Yet, the switches can be deactivated," Kyrell reminded. "That surely was not an error."
That was also very true. It was quite the large oversight, if they wanted to seal the labyrinth. Not to mention that if someone was desperate or determined to explore, they would find other ways. Scaling the outside of the giant tree was an option, after all.
"So, the ancient Celestians anticipated that the labyrinth would be reopened some day?" Drayce mused.
Kyrell gave a rather sagely nod of his head, that polite smile still on his lips. "That is what I believe. It holds many precious resources, after all."
"That is true." Kamali turned his gaze toward the grass before him, and he took a hold of his own chin. In a stance reminiscent of his brother. "The first two floors are without traps. That must be by design, as well. Curious."
Blayke pulled a leg toward his chest and he draped his arms casually around it. "Shoving over a statue is hard enough. You'd need several guys or a couple of therians to place them back into place."
Kyrell gave another slight tilt of his head. "Again, I believe that is by design. If Therians are searching the labyrinth, then it is a sign that they are on good terms with the Earthlain royal family. Of course, I cannot be certain."
"Interesting theory, nonetheless," Drayce replied.
He may have to look into it. The events in the days and years following the climax of the Legendary War were muddled with insecurities and protective lies. One thing that was certain was that the relationships between the four races were strained. He knew how the Earthlain royal family had reunited with the Celestians, but what of the other races?
Something coming to rest against his forehead pulled Drayce from his musings once more. Strangely, he immediately knew it was a hand. And that hand belonged to Kyrell.
"Ah," Kyrell made a sound of relief, still smiling gently. "You're looking brighter."
Drayce unexpectedly flushed lightly. "Am I? A rest really can do wonders to a guy," he murmured as Kyrell pulled his hand back.
"You know," Blayke suddenly drawled, rather displeased. "You are acting very chummy with Drayce."
Drayce felt his flush deepen, a rather strange session, as he whipped his head around to regard the scowling, blue-haired fencer. "Blayke, dude." He didn't have a problem with Blayke's protectiveness, but his frankness might not be appreciated by everyone.
Kyrell, rather unexpectedly, laughed good-naturedly, maybe even dismissively in response. Unfazed by the glare from the fencer. "Am I? I apologise. Drayce reminds me of someone I used to know. Someone who is quite…" he trailed quietly.
His polite expression faltered for just a moment, his bright pink eyes becoming dull in that thousand-yard stare one took on when they became lost in their thoughts. Or memories. As he stared into nothingness, the calm politeness evolved into an expression of sheer, emotional pain.
It latest only a moment, and yet so much seemed to happen. And, somehow, Drayce managed to catch it all.
"Delicate," Kyrell continued, snapping back to his carefree, airy appearance. "It's natural reflex of me to be fussy, I do suppose."
"That so?" Blayke continued to scowl, as protective as always, likely not noting the abrupt but subtle shift in Kyrell's demeanour. "Who's does Drayce remind you of? A friend?"
Kyrell gave yet another sharp tilt of his head. "Indeed. He is someone I hope to reunite with one day. But first…I must prepare a few things."
Drayce tilted his head to the side. "Prepare?"
Nashoba giving a sudden loud growl of warning immediately prompted Drayce to sit up in attention. The white wolf stood in the centre of the clearing, heckles raised and head down in an aggressive stance. Both Caelem and Faelen were tense, the two staring in the same direction as Nashoba. In the direction of where a narrow path was found.
"What's wrong?" Blayke was the one to ask as he scrambled to his feet, hand resting on the hilt of his rapier.
"I think something's coming," Faelen replied.
That was enough for Drayce to take to his own feet, immediately grabbing his protective jacket and slipping it on. He took a moment to slip his map and utensils into the inside pocket before he snatched up his cannon.
"You three, over here," Drayce ordered.
Faelen moved forward to snare Nashoba by the collar, Caelem instinctively following to stand guard over him. As Faelen dragged Nashoba along with him, Drayce grabbed a hold of his shield and took on his defensive stance.
Not a moment later, something large entered the clearing.
It didn't just walk in. No; it stalked in. It's large, muscular arms swung out from its sides aggressively. Tall, in various shades of brown. Body of a large bear, but the head of an owl. And it appeared to be fuming. It gave the distinct impression that it was ranting loudly in its head about some grievous crime. It honestly reminded Drayce of an overly angry pugilist, storming off with the sole intention of punching someone in the face as punishment for a wrong.
"Ah, yes, an Owl Beast," Kyrell uttered in casual realisation as Raven settled comfortably upon his shoulder. "We better run."
"Huh?"
"This one is quite aggressive, you could say."
As if responding to Kyrell's words, the monster whipped its owl-shaped head in their direction. It's attention then became super focused, its rage building at an alarming rate. It was as if the mere sight of them was a great, unearthly offense to all things living. Or something.
Kyrell turned to give his full attention to the party, still acting far too casual. "Shall we run now?"
"Yes!"
… … … … …
Drayce leaned forward in his seat, arms folded atop of the dining table. With a cool, icy drink in front of him, and a late lunch pending, he was content to listen to Faelen excitedly explain in detail what had occurred during their exploration of the fourth floor.
He was glad to be home, though. He had never seen an Owl Beast before. And he most certainly never seen one run so aggressively; bulking arms pumping at its side, head straight, eyes super focused, and feet pounding into the ground so strongly that it sent tuffs of soil and grass into the air with each step.
That certainly was an experience.
It may even have been an amusing one. If he, and his guild, weren't the one that were running, of course.
But if there was ever a sign to call it a day in the labyrinth, that was it.
Salim, Tokala, and even Shashi listen intently as Faelen prattled about their time with the mystery necromancer, Kyrell. He was most eager to explain how he had literally played fetch with a wraith. With the wraith as an impossibly bouncy ball.
And from what he said, Raven actually had fun with the experience, if Raven scrambling upon Caelem's arm and chirping at him until he threw him again.
What a strikingly odd, but playful wraith.
Blayke snorted out a scoff after Faelen finished detailing their hasty escape from a FOE. "The guy was a ditz."
"He seemed nice enough," Faelen countered.
Conversation died down slightly when Ashton entered the room with lunches for everyone. While he began to serve out the plates, Drayce noted from the corner of his eyed someone else enter the room.
While he was always pleased to see his numerous guildmates up and about, he had to admit that he was mildly disappointed that it wasn't Zohar who walked in.
"Hey, Fio," Drayce greeted. "Zohar still…working?"
"He appears to be." Fiorello seemed equally displeased by this revelation.
Drayce glanced at the clock, noting that it was mid-afternoon. He had been gone since early morning. Was the…case that bad? Or had something else happened? "I hoped he at least had something to eat."
And that he was all right…
