I do not own anything except any OC characters that I choose to add into the story. Thank you.
III.
As Sarah's eyes adjusted to the light, the room was open and empty except for a strange glowing ball of energy that seemed to pulse and rotate in the center of the room. As she took another step into the room, the ball of energy pulsed softly and Sarah felt a sense of calm surrounding her as a soft voice filtered through her thoughts. 'My Champion, the one who took back the child, my lady…' The voice was neither male nor female, but the speech almost felt like it was caressing her.
"Um…yes? I suppose that's me. Who are you?" She asked, hesitantly.
'Do not be afraid, child. You are under my protection. Nothing will befall you here. As for who I am, I am the Labyrinth.' The voice said, still soft and warm, as the ball of energy pulsed while it spoke inside Sarah's mind.
Sarah wasn't as surprised as a normal person, but then again, she wasn't a very normal person at all. "Labyrinth, huh? You wouldn't happen to know why I'm back in the Underground, would you?" She asked, stepping closer to the pulsing ball of energy.
The ball of energy pulsed again, as another wave of calm flowed through Sarah before the voice spoke again. 'I cannot say for certain, only that recent events of late have wound yours and my king's fates together again. One cannot escape destiny, change it mayhap, but not escape. My king played with forces that he did not know existed at the time.' The voice of the labyrinth replied.
Sarah sighed deeply, "Of course I had to be pulled into this mess by his majesty. Couldn't leave well enough alone, could he?" She asked, placing her hands on her hips as she spoke.
A laugh that sounded like smooth silk passed through Sarah's mind, 'Do not blame him, my lady. He does not know what forces he awoke. He needs you more that he knows. Guide him. He will listen to you. And as for his current predicament, I only ask you this. Trust him. He will not lead you astray.' The voice of the labyrinth said, pulsing briefly as it spoke.
Sarah sighed again, "I don't have much of a choice, do I?" She replied, letting her arms fall to her sides.
The laughter passed though her mind again, but the tone of the voice of the labyrinth was serious, 'There is always a choice, my lady.' The ball of energy pulsed again, 'We will meet again, my Champion. When the time is right. You will know the way.'
As Sarah was about to speak again, the ball of energy pulsed with bright light and she had to cover her eyes with her arms to block it out. As she started to regain consciousness, she could hear 2 voices speaking to each other. Sarah recognized the 2 voices, one was Jareth, the Goblin King, and he was using his light, bored tone of voice to answer the 2nd voice, which was the man in robes that had appeared before them before. Sarah cracked an eye open just enough to peek and see that the sun had risen and had illuminated the room. Not wanting to alert either of the men that she had awoken, she closed her eye again and listened to the conversation.
"You will stay until the time has passed. Beltane will come and go without you, and then you will be the council's problem." The man said and Sarah could almost hear his grin as she kept her eyes closed, listening.
"Your master is quite sure of himself is he not?" Jareth replied, the tone of his voice never faltering from bored and slightly amused, which seemed to make the man irater by the minute.
"My master is none of your concern. He does not have time to deal the likes of you. He is far too busy." The man replied, his voice rising a few decibels.
There was a shuffling and clinking of chains as Jareth spoke again, his voice the same tone as before. "Ah, and therein lies the issue. As I still do not justify the reasoning on bringing the mortal into the equation. Send her home."
The man laughed darkly, "Ever the diplomat, are you not?" He paused, then continued, "No. I think the mortal stays. Better to have some leverage against you, might make you more agreeable." The man replied, his tone hard.
"Doesn't the mortal get a say?" Sarah's harsh tone broke the tension in the air as the man turned to see her leaning casually on her arms that were resting on her knees.
"Unfortunately, for this occasion, no. Your presence is warranted, for lack of a better term." The man walked slowly over to Sarah and offered a hand to her. "Perhaps, though, I could be persuaded to offer better lodgings, provided you might be accommodating." The man cracked the same toothy grin that made Sarah's skin crawl.
"Not on your life. Or anyone else's for that matter." Sarah shot back icily, then spat in the man's hand.
The man's grin twisted into a scowl, then he back-handed Sarah on her right cheek, drawing blood. The sound of wrenching chains was heard from behind, but both the man and Sarah ignored it. The man grabbed her chin and jerked her face to meet his gaze. "You would do well to remember your place, mortal scum. I could end your life." He sneered, then dropped her face quickly. "But alas, you are not mine to do away with." The man walked back over to the normal spot that he stood in before he spoke again, "Maybe another day or so without food or water will teach you." He said, as he disappeared again, leaving only the swirling dust cloud behind.