Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Maze

Iolene ran as fast as she could through the maze of hallways of the Palace. Her heart racing as she could not stop. Hoping that everyone is going to be okay. The guards rush past her as they head towards the ballroom of mayhem.

Iolene realising she has no weapons steals a small axe and dagger, from a decorative suit of armour. The axe is clunky and heavy, and struggling to hold it with one hand she had to let it go. Only keeping the dagger.

Iolene then crashed into the main palace doors that have been shut. They are massive and heavy as she tries to pry them open. Grunting and screaming as she manages to open it just enough for her to squeeze through. She had to be fast or the doors will crush her. She felt the doors squeeze onto her chest as she uses all of her strength to push through. She collapses onto the marble floor of the veranda.

The tail of her dress however rips as it gets caught between the shut doors. Iolene not thinking of her dress cries in distress after fearing her being crushed by a door. Tears come out of her eyes as panic took hold of her. Taking slow and heavy breaths she stands up looking at the garden. She realises this is not the front, but the back of the palace. Fires are lit to make a pathway on the white gravel floor.

Iolene moves forward trying to regain her confidence. Her mascara wet leaves black streaks on her cheeks. But something felt off inside her mind. A chill went down her spine. She is alone and vulnerable… Steeling her mind she must find her way back to Mercer Mansion.

She continued to walk around the bend on the path, hoping it should lead to the front entrance. She looks to her left trying to see if the fighting is still happening through the windows. She saw nothing, it was like everyone disappeared. She could not even hear the screaming and fighting anymore.

Did the fighting stop? She thought to herself hopeful. Thinking for a moment to walk back inside. Iolene knowing whatever she did she is dangerous. But Mercer Mansion is the safest place right now. She knew the others are very capable of taking care of themselves.

Iolene marches forward as Aaron told her. Run… Don't go back. The pebbles began to hurt her feet, but she swallowed the pain. She adored her heels… They were the most beautiful shoes she has ever worn. It felt like a dream for her to wear them, even with her bandaged feet. Eidith helped her design them and she left them behind in the palace… She learned to dance and walk in them. But she would not be able to run in them. Sore feet or a broken ankle? I am sure I can get another pair… I hope…

Iolene continued to walk as a masked individual jumps from the roof. Covered in slick black and dark purple armour. His face is covered and his eyes glowed yellow. Iolene shrieks in shock and stumbles backwards. Raising her arms in a defensive position. Preparing to use the dagger if necessary.

"Hello…" The stranger says. His voice sounded smooth… Alluring. Iolene knew not to trust him, even though he sounded like you can easily speak to him. But his armour design is from the Black Empire. Iolene instinctively doesn't trust him.

"Hello…" She answers politely as she could, trying to remain calm. Feeling the streaked mascara on her face hardening, making her cheeks itch. His aura felt dark… Like a glooming feeling took a hold of her. She did not know what to do.

"Are you upset? The party is inside" He asks kindly. His head tilted as his eyes looked at her up and down.

Iolene remains in the defensive position "No." She sharply says as she tries to walk around the stranger. He moves in front of her. She tightens the grip on her dagger. "Please move," she asks politely.

He is silent as she walks to the right he blocks her path again. In annoyance, she tells him to move. He grabs her arm and looks at her hand. She pulls trying to release from his strong grip.

He then pulls her into his arms as he raises her chin. Her dyed brown hair loose as her tiara is fixed on her hair.

Iolene struggles and shouts for him to let go. He is strong as Aaron! And he is wearing black draconium armour! She tries and uses the dagger by attempting to stab him. Failing as the flimsy blade snaps on impact. Solid Draconium is stronger than any other metal. It is even better that it is magical and forged with spells and rituals. Only created for the wearer so that no one else can use it. It can be destroyed but only on the wearer's death or given permission.

Iolene gasps as his yellow eyes widen along with hers. Her eyes glowed gold as they lit up in the darkness.

"So it is true…" He says with surprise as he does the same as what Aaron did. Lifting her up over his shoulder and begins to run. Albeit slowly and is limping as he hides his pain. Iolene screams punching his back. Even yanking on the feather that is connected to the top of his helmet. This almost caused him to trip over. Iolene having enough releases gold energy from her hands. Causing a small mag push that lifts them up making him lose his footing.

He falls over as it took him off guard. Having a moment to process what just happened. Iolene took the chance to run without hesitation. Not looking back she strays away from the path into the darkness of night.

Her heart racing as she tried her hardest not to panic. Sweating, trying to hold her tears. What have I done? He knows! She said repeatedly in her mind with tears finally falling.

Everything around her felt so silent… It disturbed her to no end. She is being watched she felt it. Something is clearly wrong. She takes a sharp turn walking into a hedge. Her eyes adjusted to the darkness. Feeling every step holding onto the hedge. Looking up it is almost as tall as the palace wall. Quickly letting go as she noticed how loud it is. Finally looking behind her she sees the moonlight lighting the palace. She did not realise how fast she ran…

She continues moving forward. She hears a branch crack as she then flees, seeing an opening in a hedge gateway. She runs inside hoping that it would lead to a way out. But with her disappointment and fear, she realises she is in the hedge maze.

Shit! Iolene thinks repeatedly to herself as she loses herself in the maze. Beginning to shake and trying to control her breathing. Her breathing has become loud and unstable. Iolene runs through the hedge maze hoping to find her way out. Hoping she does not cross paths with the man.

Iolene hears an all too familiar noise of magging energy. As she sees the black draconium light flash in the sky. Iolene in the spur of the moment tries to hide underneath the bush. With twigs and sticks poking into her dress and skin. Going into a foetus position she grabs her dress and pulls it in. Shaking in complete fear she tries to control her breathing. Iolene preparing to hide here for the whole night and the next day if need be.

Her mind begins being cruel with endless thoughts of self-doubt. Echoes of voices from her friends and family. She is useless... Can't even punch a person. This is the princess really? All she can do is play the harp... Nerida gave her a stern glance. Recollecting Stein's disappointed face when he first saw her. Lexi was annoyed with her when they first met. "Stop..." Iolene whispers. She forces herself to remember her mother's painting. Iolene then looks down and sees Laelia's sarcophagus. The marble stone looks exactly like Gild Empress as if she was just sleeping. Iolene reached to touch her face. Help me to be brave mum... Help me to be brave dad... I'm so weak and a coward. But how can I defend myself?

Relax... Let the power flow through you. A male's voice speaks while Iolene closes her eyes. Erastus, is that you?

Her thoughts stop.

Footsteps.

Iolene remains still and quiet. Not making a noise. The footsteps are coming closer. They are slower as they sounded offbeat. He is limping... Iolene held her hand in front of her nose and mouth. Before she knew it two boots of black magic armour stand in front of her. It is the man she fought earlier. Hoping her hardest that he moves forward and away from her.

He does not.

Standing there he does not move. Iolene's body trembles as more tears fell. He slowly bends down and checks the ground. Lowering himself to her level, he struggles almost losing his balance.

"Nice try... But since you hit me with your draconium powers. I can sense your presence now." His helmet's yellow eyes glow brightly as he stares right at her. Iolene notices his helmet is scuffed.

He reaches out his hand to grab her as she smacks him away. Iolene has no way to escape. That was until she heard an all too familiar roar. It sounded far away but it gave Iolene hope.

"BEAU!" She screamed with her might.

Beau roars again. Iolene hoped he heard her. The man looks behind as he tries to throw her over his shoulder again. Iolene deciding to finally throw caution into the wind tries to mag push him away. This time he prepared and blocked the attack. He mags pull her closer and grabs her. She felt instant exhaustion as using her powers are beginning to take a toll on her. She punches him in the face she felt immense pain in her hand. His armour is so solid she knew that her right hand is broken. She screams in frustration and anger. Now using her legs she tries to kick him away.

He couldn't help but begin to laugh, as he throws her over his shoulder. Iolene screamed into his ears. Her throat started to ache and become dry but she didn't stop.

The man leaps with Iolene into the air with a mag push. A stream of black draconium forms underneath them. Lifting them high into the air. Iolene tried to hold herself steady as they almost felt like flying. She however in a moment gets a glance of Beau and Iymp in the distance. She smiles.

The man landing outside of the maze begins to run away with her. Iolene tried, again and again, to throw him off balance again. But he will not fall for that again. She instead sways her body from side to side. But his grip tightens as his strength felt like it was going to snap her back.

Iolene's grin widens as Iymp jumps over the two of them blocking the path. Iymp used his long body as a blockade snarling with his long white teeth revealed. Iymp has a gnarly cut on his forehead next to his bonemark.

Beau jumps behind trying to do the same as Duryss and Fred arrive. Fred had to hear Iolenes' screams of distress as he just watched the craziness from the outside.

"Blondie! I have arrived!" Fred shouts gallantly. Revealing his large hammer.

Iolene sighed wishing it was Aaron, Lexi, Mali, Stein or anyone else but him. But she has no moment to complain. As long as he doesn't use this as a way to marry him.

The four then attack at once with the man dodging with ease. Even though he is struggling with his previous injuries. Iolene hoped that he loosens his grip so she can slip away. Iolene couldn't help but be impressed that he is fighting with one free hand. Deflecting all their attacks with ease. Reflecting Iymp's attack as the red dragon gets hit and gets knocked into the palace walls. The windows smash as part of the wall collapses on him.

Iolene attempts to use her mag energy again. Thinking of Iymp. She follows Erastus' voice. Relax... Closing her eyes and lets her body go limp. The man is too busy fighting against Beau, Duryss and Fred, to notice. Iolene tuned her magical energy into one source. Her body begins to glow a bright yellow as the enemy soldier is still fighting against the others.

With sudden power burst she releases a large amount of gold energy. Throwing the man out where Beau, Iymp, Duryss and Fred jump out of the way. As the energy flowed like a bomb.

For a moment Iolene felt powerful as she blacks out.