Chapter 7:

My head is pounding and I feel sick to my stomach. I groan and cradle my head. "Ugh. Where am I?"

"Hell. That's where you are." I turn my head in the direction of the voice. A young man, who seems to be about my age with sandy blonde hair, blue eyes and a lean build, sits across from me. "Where are we? Who are you? Why are we here?" The man holds up his hands to stop the onslaught of questions. "First of all, I am Lord Earhart, Duke of the Goblin City. We are in the dungeons of the palace, and well...we are here because we decided to compete for Princess Laurel's hand."

I look at him in confusion. "What do you mean?" Earhart sighs. "So...the goblins didn't tell you. Did they?"

"No."

"Well, before you princes came, we were running the Labyrinth. There were seven of us. Lord Alaric from the Junk Yards, Lord Baron from the Fiery Woods, Lord Carrel from the Labyrinth Gates, Lord Derek from the Dreamworld, Lord Ferron from the Outsider's Woods, and Lord Garret from the Labyrinth."

I listen to Earhart's story, surprised at how similar it is to mine. "She told us that she could offer us our dreams. Three of us caved in for those damn crystals. Two of us fell for the nymphs trap, then it was just me and Garret. Garret was lost to the dreamworld. Finally, it was just me. Laurel offered me one last chance to get out of there."

Earhart hangs his head and chuckles. "I took it. Hoping that I would be able to get out of here. But when I exited the dreamworld, I found myself here. And I've been stuck here since."

I sit in silence and let this information sink in. "She offered me the deal. But every single time I told her that I wouldn't take it." Earhart chuckles again. "You're lucky she didn't destroy you on the spot. By the way, what kingdom are you from."

"I'm Prince Gabriel. I'm from the Fallen Angel Kingdom." Earhart nods and stares at the ground. "We're never getting out of here, are we?" I ask him. He shakes his head and I sigh.

"So that's it, then. I'm never going to save my kingdom. My uncle will rule and my subjects will be led astray." Earhart only nods. I sigh and let my gaze wander. Seeing something odd, I stare at it. "Earhart."

"Hmm?"

"How long has that opening in the ceiling been there?"

"This entire time." I look at him incredulously. "Come on, I know a way out of here." Extending my wings, I grab ahold of Earhart and lift us up through the opening. Once we exit the dungeon, I gently set him down. The junkyard around us towers above and the entire place stinks. It stings my eyes.

"So, what now?" Earhart asks me. "You're going to go back home. I'm going to go talk to a certain princess." I spot the kingdom in the distance and narrow my eyes. The hand on my shoulder makes me come back to reality. "Gabriel, you're not going in there alone."

"Yes. I am."

"No. You're not. Because you've only been here for a few hours. I know the Goblin City like the back of my hand. You need me." Knowing that there is no way to change his mind, I sigh. "Lead the way."

...

After what seems like three hours, we finally make it to the Goblin City. "How do we get to the palace from here?" Earhart stands next to me and points out the way. "Through that alley, turn left, turn right at the last building and the entrance to the palace will be right in front of you."

"Thank you." Earhart puts his hand on my shoulder. "I wish you luck, Prince Gabriel."

"Thank you. May you get home safely. And thank you, again, for your help." Earhart grins at me. I reciprocate his expression and take off in the direction he told me.

The castle gates loom in front of me and I fly over them with ease. Several goblin guards rush me, but I dispose of them easily. Laurel was sitting on the throne waiting for me.

She was dressed in a white dress that clung to her like a second skin. Her hair cascaded down her back like a river. She looked at me darkly with her mismatched eyes and her mulberry lips were pursed.

"Prince Gabriel. I must admit, I did not think that you would make it this far." Laurel stood up, the dress falling away to reveal white armor and a silver sword. "So...I assume that we have to duel each other now. Am I correct?" I ask her.

She answers my question with a sadistic grin. "Let the games begin."