AN: Despise Noman, for it is writing for him that makes me take forever.
I wanted to respond to one question from the reviews in particular. Maybe I'll answer some more next Chapter (if you guys still have questions), but regarding Command Blocks. Command Blocks are rare and they exist, containing with them the power to kill anyone, recreate land, teleport players, and the like. The problem, however, is not the Command Blocks themselves, but the coded commands. Much like computer code, if even one letter or sign is missing, the code could fail or do something unpredictable. People can't abuse the power because, well, they're still trying to figure out the commands. That isn't to say they haven't figured out some codes. Airships use Command Blocks and Daymonte is researching the code and imputing their findings in the Command Block Codex. There's a science to it that they're still trying to figure out. Even something simple like teleporting people requires specific coordinates. Or the /kill command could be something as minor as inadequate spacing or using capital letters or forgetting to put in a slash.
I have programmed Command Blocks before, and I can attest that they can be a pain unless you copy and paste them from a separate page.
Moving on. The answer to last week's riddle: a quarter and a nickel. Thirty cents, since one coin can't be a nickel, but the other one is a nickel. Congrats to PaperBag for guessing it right. Enjoy your Victory Cookie and your acknowledgement. The rest of you get Negative Crackers.
(::)
To be fair, American viewers had an advantage over European viewers since they, and I quote, 'didn't know what the hell a nickel was'.
So here's a European riddle to even things out. (^_^)
Puzzle: Who succeeded the First British Prime Minister?
Disclaimer: I don't own Minecraft. Bwuh.
Chapter 119
Labyrinth
[Cobb]
"I hate to say I told you so, but I—"
"Cut the crap, we all know you want to say it." Soul growled at Jade, rubbing some sleep from his eyes. It was the morning of the Games, we had met in front of the prison as promised, and Soul had just informed us about his chat with the Silver Intent.
"So Charles—the guy in charge—said he never sent a report about any cultist assassination attempts? At all?" Floyd asked carefully.
"No, that's just it. He said there hasn't been any cultist activity. Not even small skirmishes. Nothing. Nada. Bupkis."
"So… what does that mean for us?" I asked, wanting to know where we stood.
"It does not change a thing." Lenz interjected, though he kept his gaze directed forward. He was focused on the gathering place for the Games. "Our team is registered. We still need to remain focused on these Parkour Games."
"Lenz, of course this changes things!" Floyd protested. "Can't you understand that we came here based off of faulty information?"
"Brett's information is never faulty." Soul defended.
"Then what do you call this?" Jade replied without missing a beat.
"I… don't know." The axe-wielder admitted with a sigh. "I asked a couple of guards just to verify, and they all confirmed the same thing. No cult attack on royalty. Charles was telling the truth."
"Which means Brett was lying."
"Or he was responding to a fabricated report." Soul suggested firmly. "Someone could have sent him wrong information. Ever think of that?"
"It's too bad we didn't bring the report with us." Floyd cursed. "We could have checked it for clues."
"Shouldn't the bigger question be why someone would go through the trouble of faking a report like that?" Jade reasoned with folded arms. "You're all so convinced this Brett guy knows his stuff, fine, but then that would mean someone deliberately wanted Silver Intent Agents to come to Zeppil. Can you explain that?"
"…Not yet."
"But we have even less reason to believe Brett would fake a report just to get us here."
"Actually, he said—" Soul abruptly closed his lips, drawing all our attention. His eyes were wide for a second before he hastily shook his head. "Er… forget it. Forget it. All Charles asked me to do is help recruit members, so I intend to do just that."
"…Maybe we should just leave." Floyd suggested, earning a horrified gasp from Lenz. "I'm sorry, but if someone really wanted Silver Intent agents here, maybe this is a trap or something."
"Soul just said there isn't cultist activity in Zeppil." I pointed out.
"Then somebody else, I don't know. Look, we all want that airship, but staying here for the Games might just be us playing into someone else's hands."
"That is absurd! We have no evidence to suggest we might be in danger! Cobbert, we are staying for the Games, yes?" Lenz pleaded, lifting his glasses as he did so.
"I say we stay." Soul stated firmly. "I'm not afraid. The best way to find out who wanted us here is to stick around and wait for them to make the first move."
"Yes. Yes! A wonderfully brilliant idea, Soul." Lenz supported generously. He just didn't want the chance for an airship to slip away twice in one week. "Plus, let us not forget this could just as easily be a ploy to keep Silver Intent agents away from Ringwood."
Floyd perked up at that. "What do you mean? Someone's trying to separate the agents?"
"Yes. Yes." Lenz nodded emphatically. "You are spread thin as is, are you not? These false reports could just be a means to misdirect your forces."
"I guess…" Floyd thought to himself, rubbing his chin. "Brett did give us a second mission in Akasha. We should check there next to see if the report is genuine. If not, Lenz may be right about these fabricated reports."
"And we will require an airship to travel to Akasha as swiftly as possible. Therefore—"
"Okay, okay, we'll stick around." Floyd relented. "I just hope there won't be any trouble."
"We're wanted criminals. Trouble follows us everywhere." I whispered so that nobody else could hear. Even if our posters weren't present this far south, the Parkour Games would be calling Crafters from all across Minecraftia. All it would take is one Crafter to recognize us and report us to the guards.
"It's not like anyone can attack you during the Games with so many people watching." Jade supplied. "It might be the safest place if anyone really is after Silver Intent agents. And speaking of the Games… Cobb, have you figured out Spleef yet?"
"…Yes."
"No you haven't."
"Then why did you ask!?"
"Look," Jade ignored my question entirely, "Spleef is a sport that originated with Griefers. It's why 'Spleef' sounds like 'Grief'. Arguably, it's the one good thing they offered to Minecraftia. You're put on a one layer thick platform of snow or leaves—some easily destroyable material—with other players and given a shovel to try and dig out their footing from under them. Much like how Griefers destroy blocks and pillage, Spleefers destroy blocks to make their opponents fall until there is only one left standing."
"So I got to dig my way to victory?" I summarized. "That… actually doesn't sound so bad."
"No, it's actually kind of fun. Against normal Crafters." The smile was wiped from my face. "You're fighting against seasoned pros. We all are. These Crafters probably trained day-in and day-out for these Games and we're only just entering them today."
"Which is why we must remain focused." Lenz repeated, staring forward. "Jade and I have a decent chance, but the two of you will have your work cut out just surviving the first round."
Floyd and I gulped, while Soul just laughed. The bastard. He didn't have to do this. Just like he didn't have to wear cursed armor.
"Our best chance of winning is to get first place in as many events as we can." Jade added. "But we can still get points so long as you place in the top fifteen."
"Sure… easy peasy…"
"You'll do fine." Jade assured.
"And if you don't, I'll have front row seats to watch you fail." Soul added with a smirk.
I scowled up at him. "Aren't you going to be too busy recruiting Silver Intent members?"
"For you, I'll make time."
Jade smacked him in the head, but, oddly enough, Soul's words did more to alleviate my anxiety than anyone else's. I would give it my best in Spleef, knowing he'd be watching, just to show him.
…Was that why he said it?
When we finally reached the registration stall, I was off put by the sheer number of contestants. The line yesterday had been long, but it was nowhere near the amount present today. Hundreds of Crafters were bumping into each other, all of them speaking to create a cacophony of noise that one had to shout over just to be heard. They were so close together that the names above their heads all merged together, making it impossible to distinguish between them. To rectify that, the teams were marked by different colored leather armor, a blessing in itself, since Team Beginners was stuck with cursed, brown-dyed leather. Even though there were obviously more teams than dye colors, nobody seemed to mind when two or three teams wore the same color leather.
As we were ushered forward into the crowd, Soul left us to get a seat for the events. The Games wouldn't start until noon, but there must have been a few rules and things they had to go over.
The four of us tried our hardest to stick together, but the crowd was bumping against us so much that we eventually got separated. I glanced around, trying to spot brown leather or green hair, but found nothing.
Or, well, not entirely nothing.
I fell backwards as if spit out from the crowded mass, landing in what appeared to be a gap in the bodies.
Why is everyone avoiding this spot? I thought as I tilted my head back before my eyes widened.
Standing in the center, wearing red-dyed leather and leaning on a large warhammer, was a mountainous man with untamed, vermillion hair, hazel eyes, and a scar like claw marks over his left eye. Under his tunic he wore nothing, and I could see the signs of rippling muscles hidden underneath. He wore red and black gloves and black jeans held up by a yellow belt. His chucks were black and yellow and his backpack was dark red.
The name above his head: XoX.
He leveled an intimidating glare my way.
I scrambled to my feet, turning around to face him, though it did little to help with how intimidating he was. Jade hadn't undersold his appearance. He was large and muscular like Enyeto, but with a brutal confidence that spoke of deeper strength. His face gave away nothing, as if it were made of stone.
The warhammer at his side probably aided with his air of intimidation, hence why no one was getting close to or bothering him. It was made of iron, and yet it had to be a Tinker's weapon, since I had never seen one like it before. Then again, Tinker's weapons were made in Exter weren't they? Everyone always said how they were Exter-exclusive. If he was truly a Captain from there, it made sense why he would have a tool like that. I gulped, worried what it might do to someone.
Captain XoX, the Ogre of the West, held my gaze for a bit, refusing to say a thing, until he eventually hefted that massive warhammer onto his shoulder as if it weighed nothing and stomped away. The crowd parted to let him pass, filling in the spot he had just vacated.
"P-please excuse XoX's stoicism, sir." A new Crafter walked up beside me, dusting off my shoulders from when I hit the ground. I raised an eyebrow at that and the guy stopped immediately, smoothing out his own pants. "A-anyway, uh, crazy amount of people here, right?" He laughed nervously.
"Do I… know you?" I asked, turning fully to face this new guy. He shook like a leaf under my gaze, and for a moment I worried if he had recognized me from my wanted poster. Why else would he be so terrified?
"No, no, you, uh, you don't know me, sir." The man bowed slightly before glancing around at the crowd worriedly. "I'm, uh, on XoX's team." He stretched out his red-dyed tunic in explanation, offering a nervous smile. "I'm, uh, I'm sure the 'Captain' would have addressed you, sir. He meant no disrespect. He, uh, is simply focused on victory, you know how it is." Another nervous laugh.
"…Okay?" I answered awkwardly, a little lost as to why this guy was being super polite calling me sir. Maybe it was an Exter custom. Still, this was a good opportunity to gather some information about him. "Is it true he's entering the Spleef event? Sir?" I added as an afterthought, causing the man to sputter.
"Uh, y-yeah." He looked at me as if I had grown a second head. What was the problem? He called me 'sir' first. "He is indeed entering the Spleef event, sir." There! He did it again! "M-might I ask, uh, what event… you will be taking part in, sir?"
"The same." I replied dispassionately. It was as Jade predicted. XoX wasn't built for speed, he was built for strength. Spleef was the only event he'd be good at.
"Ah. Then XoX will have something to look forward to." The Crafter bowed again. "He was hoping for a challenge, and, aside from Captain Bak, I don't think ANY of these masses can touch him."
"Oh, well, nobody's more challenged than me."
What am I even saying to this guy?
"Indeed. Well, I should, uh, go make sure the 'Captain' knows where to go. Sorry to disrupt your business, sir." The polite Crafter ran off after the Captain, leaving me to be surrounded by the crowd once more.
"Can't help but think he identified me…" I spoke under my breath before resuming my search for the others.
Unfortunately, at that moment, one Crafter spoke out above all others.
"Hello! Hello! Listen up, all of you!" The crowd slowly quieted down and turned to stare at the man standing atop the registration stall. He had short dark hair with a shock of white at the front. "Now, I speak to all of you, not just as a Captain, but as a fellow competitor. We got two-hundred and sixty-eight teams worth of Crafters here, so some cooperation and quiet will go a long way."
"How many!?" I shouted in shock, earning the attention of every Crafter there. Oh, and there was Floyd, smacking his forehead in embarrassment. Hi Floyd!
My outrage was warranted. Each team had four members, so two-hundred and sixty-eight teams meant over a thousand Crafters. And out of all that, only sixty would be earning points; the top fifteen in each event.
I only just learned about Spleef!
"Please, contain your enthusiasm." The Captain, who must have been Captain Bak, called for calm. "The Games start at noon and the King has spared no expense making suitable arenas that both the audience and competitors will enjoy." The Captain pulled out a book from his backpack, flipping through the pages carefully.
"Each Crafter will report to their respective arena as follows. Arena A: Parkour. Arena B: Sprinting. Arena C: Archery. Arena D: Spleef. Follow the designated guards," he pointed out some guards who waved back, "and you shouldn't get lost. There will be a small opening ceremony, but then we'll jump right into the main events. The rules of each event will be explained in depth at your arena. Let's move it, people." He clapped his hands twice, and just like that the crowd was moving.
I was buffeted around trying to peer over heads to get to the Arena D guard. It was pretty annoying and I bet XoX didn't have trouble seeing how everyone avoided him like the plague. Sure enough, I spotted his vermillion hair in a gap in the crowd, heading the same way I was going.
It gave me an idea.
I pushed my way through until I reached the same gap XoX had formed with his natural aura of intimidation. Everyone else was too afraid to get close, but I didn't mind as much following in his wake especially if it meant having a little elbow room.
XoX didn't mind either. It didn't look like he even acknowledged my presence. Fine by me. I could walk along unbothered.
[Noman]
I ran a hand through the pond before me. The water felt like any other, but if the clues in the Labyrinth book were to be believed, this was the place to be.
According to the map, this pond was directly on the border between the Yang and She Districts. Sheep and Snake. Both of which were mentioned in the Labyrinth myth. It couldn't be a coincidence that the districts were all named after the same animals.
It was still a stretch that the entrance to the fabled Labyrinth was simply hidden beneath a pond. Nevertheless, I came prepared. Two Potions of Water Breathing. Each lasting eight minutes. One to get there—if it even was there—and one to get back. I also bought a Potion of Night Vision since there would probably be little light at the bottom.
I glanced around, checking that nobody was watching, before slipping my legs into the pond, downing my potion, and sinking beneath the surface.
Breathing underwater was an… interesting experience. Though my body felt the cool, enveloping water, it passed through my mouth, down my throat, and into my lungs just like air. The only real difference was that the air felt cooler than usual, almost soothing my throat.
As if that wasn't odd enough, I then began to drink underwater. My Potion of Night Vision tasted of carrots, but it illuminated the dark depths of the pond—and there were dark depths—as if they were in broad daylight.
The bottom of the pond extended down about fifty feet before leveling out into a narrow passageway. Blue particles of my potions emanated off of me as I swam down, my legs kicking to propel me. Subconsciously, I found myself needlessly holding my breath despite the fact I could breathe; it was an ingrained instinct, difficult to shake.
Reaching the passageway, and finding it built of stone bricks, I clawed my way through and wiggled past the narrowest points before continuing on.
At this point, I knew I was on the right track. My quickening heartbeat had nothing to do with my held breath. No pond would have a passageway like this unless there was something hidden. Which meant that I had correctly interpreted the clues of the Labyrinth myth. This was a place that no Crafter had ever explored.
Hopefully…
It was with a hopeful heart that I swam on.
And on.
And on…
Now my quickening heartbeat had everything to do with my held breath, because my potions were starting to run out. Just how far did the passageway go!?
I kept an eye on the counter until it held a second before taking a deep breath of air. My last. Then the bubbles tattooed on my arm, representing my oxygen level, began to vanish one by one.
I clamped a hand over my mouth as my vision darkened with the last seconds of the Night Vision ending. I couldn't see anything, only having the feel of the smooth stone bricks as a guide. I felt around, my legs kicking faster than ever, debating whether I should take the second potion or not. I'd have more time if I did, but then I wouldn't have one later to escape with.
Two more bubbles ticked off before my fumbling hands gripped an edge to the smooth bricks. My eyes widened, and I noticed a dim, red light shining above.
Light! Glorious light! I could see in front of me for once that the passageway opening up to a pool or a basin. Something wide that could hold a lot of water. But the surface was close. I just needed to—
Three purple beams of energy tracked me as I exited the passageway. I glanced down at them, noticing how they each targeted my heart, before I wallowed around and let out an underwater gasp, losing a few more precious breaths of air.
Three man-sized pufferfish with nasty spines and a lone, creepy eye greeted me, the beams emanating from their eyes following me belligerently and, alarmingly, turning from purple to a bright yellow.
Not wanting to wait to see if those pufferfish were friendly, I thrashed my arms and legs, desperately trying to swim to the surface. The beams were still on me; I could feel those creatures' glares.
And then, three bright yellow beams struck my back with the force of a jackhammer and the sound of a muffled drill. My mouth opened in a soundless cry of pain. Though I wore diamond armor, I only wore a blue leather tunic over my torso. It was my weakest point, and those creatures took advantage, their trio of beams destroying it and eight Hearts of my Health in one go.
I clamped a hand over my mouth, forcibly holding in whatever meager breath I had left as my back went numb. I couldn't swim like this, and I was already slowly sinking, the dim light, surface, and sweet oxygen growing more distant. I tried to reach an arm up, a pointless struggle for air.
One of those pufferfish cut me off, swimming before me and ramming into my shoulder hard enough to send me spinning head-over-heels deeper into the basin. The world was a blur, but I felt the jagged cuts made by that thing's spines. It took off another Heart and my oxygen was running out.
Thinking fast, I whipped out one of my precious Enchanted Golden Apples and shoved it down my throat. Of the ten Notch had first gifted me, this was my fourth. I had been saving them for dire situations, much like the one I was currently in. My air ran out and one of the giant pufferfish clipped me again, sending me spinning further down, right to the bottom.
But thanks to the hastily devoured golden apple, my life was spared.
"GAK!"
My oxygen was not.
Golden apples had no effect on oxygen levels. I was taking damage because I couldn't breathe.
Something else was wrong too. Normally, eating an Enchanted Golden Apple provided Regeneration V, Absorption I, and other effects that could instantly refill your Health. But the effects felt swapped now. Regeneration had gone down to II for a shorter amount of time while Absorption had been ramped up to IV. Resistance and Fire Resistance were left unchanged.
In this situation, I needed the higher Regeneration, since it could replenish my Health in an instant and keep it there. Absorption gave me a few extra golden Hearts, but it wasn't the safety net I needed. I was drowning!
I couldn't think about why the Notch Apples were failing me. Those pufferfish were coming back around. Their beams lighting up. I thrashed about, fumbling for something else in my backpack.
The beams went from purple to bright yellow before I replaced my torn tunic with the one thing I hoped hadn't changed.
As soon as the Severe Shield settled over my torso, my lungs could breathe again. I had forgotten that it came with Water Breathing and Fire Resistance effects; I was only putting it on for the Health Boost, Protection, and Thorns.
I went from two Hearts to thirty-two Hearts, and as much as I feared wearing such a dangerous artifact, I couldn't deny the sense of security it brought me. And I had no qualms using its power against Mobs.
The bright yellow lasers struck my chest again, but this time, I barely felt it. The Severe Shield's high Protection Enchantment limited the damage from eight Hearts to one Heart, though the Notch Apple's Resistance might have also added to my defense. However, the Thorns effect didn't activate since the pufferfish were undamaged. Maybe because they struck with beams instead of making physical contact. If they actually tried to charge me…
My mind was calmer now that it had a steady supply of oxygen. I pushed off the basin floor and swam upwards towards the red light once more. The Mobs circled like sharks, their spines extended as they prepared to pierce me.
They struck me one after the other, dying in quick succession. Aqua colored shards dropped from their disappearing bodies and sunk like stones to the bottom. Some EXP orbs flying into my arms.
It was a grim reminder of what the Severe Shield was capable of. True, I could wear it at all times, but I had seen what it could do. Crafters would burst into gear at the slightest scratch, much like how those pufferfish died. The last time I had used it was back in Dover Plains, and I was in no hurry to face Crafters with it again.
That was why I learned aikido. Disarming opponents while being conscious about their safety. Being strong enough to worry about them and me. I didn't need the Severe Shield when I had my Slight Shield.
It wouldn't have worked against those pufferfish, though. They must have been some form of defense in case anyone broke through. The Labyrinth myth failed to mention such Mobs. With the threat averted, I quickly swam to the surface, finally pushing my head out of the water to breathe real air.
I tore off the Severe Shield as soon as I could, stuffing it in my backpack. Even though it was unlikely I would run into any Crafters down here, I didn't want to take the chance. Shortly after, I pulled myself out of the basin and onto a slim, platform of stone bricks. The red light illuminating them came from redstone torches mounted along the walls. What resembled canals broke off from the basin, branching off in different directions. Maybe I had stumbled upon Zeppil's sewer system.
I took out my six remaining Notch Apples and observed them carefully. They didn't look any different, but I knew now that their effects weren't as beneficial as they had been in Dover Plains. But what had changed between then and now?
Nothing came to mind.
That didn't mean they weren't useful. They still provided Regeneration, Absorption, Fire Resistance, and Resistance. Just with less powerful results. I pocketed them with that in mind before looking around.
"Where to now?" I asked myself. I had been talking to myself a lot lately, being the only one willing to put up with me.
I took out my map and looked over the districts the Inn Owner had pointed out. My white blip was firmly in the She District. The Snake District. And as for the path I had to take next…
While the branching sewer canals had no discernible markings or signs, the map in my hands showed that the Gou District, or Dog District, was to the west. There was only one path leading west, and as the myth followed sheep, then snake, then dog, so would I.
Trudging down the path and shivering at the cold water seeping into my boots (I didn't want to think what else might be in the water), I distracted myself by reading further into the Labyrinth myth.
Last I left him, the boy was stuck inside the ever-changing Labyrinth. With no escape in sight, the boy broke down and wept, not moving as his Hunger slowly ticked away.
However, as if his prayers had been answered, a path lit up before the boy's tear-stained face. No, it wasn't magical tears. That was just silly. But something had triggered a response from the Labyrinth.
The boy followed the trail of light, even as it passed through walls, gasping in awe as he passed through the walls. He followed the light into dead ends that transformed into new paths, doubled back more than once only to reappear in some unforeseen section. All while his Hunger ticked away.
And just as he was about to starve, the light whisked him away to a solitary room with a chest. The Heart of the Labyrinth.
The boy was ecstatic to have reached the end, and also cautious. The maze had played tricks on him before, so he tentatively clicked open the chest, ready to spring back if anything monstrous was to pop out.
And what he found inside was…
Was…
…
The only word referenced was 'treasure'. No mention of an artifact, just 'treasure'. It could mean anything.
But after finding the 'treasure' the boy suddenly found himself outside the Labyrinth, his Hunger Meter generously filled, as if an unspoken apology for the trouble the Labyrinth caused.
After that, the boy had several runs of good luck. He found windfalls of emeralds lying on the street. He started his own armor business with resounding success. He married a beautiful woman and seemed to succeed in everything he did.
It sounded like a happy ending.
So then… why was there more to the story? The book still had a quarter of its pages left.
At the same time I asked this, I found myself exiting the sewer canal and entering a small chamber. This, too, was lit by redstone torches and built out of stone bricks. It was also directly under the Gou District according to my map.
And, all along the wall, were banners over buttons.
The banners immediately drew my attention as I passed them. Each one depicted a different animal. At first I thought they were the animals the districts were named after, but then I had to rethink that since there were only eight banners hanging up.
Yet there were twelve buttons.
I narrowed my eyes as I looked at them once more. I was right the first time, they had to be the districts. One of them was a dragon. Another, a rat. Twelve buttons, twelve districts.
But four of the banners were missing.
I gazed at each banner, counting them on my hand and reciting the twelve Zodiac animals from what I remembered.
"Fiddlesticks…" I cursed upon spotting the absence of a Sheep and Snake from the banner depictions. The Tiger and Monkey were missing too.
The buttons were obviously a code. Probably the same code that led me here. With the banners, it would have been easy inputting Sheep, Snake, Dog. So easy that someone had purposefully knocked two of those banners off.
So someone was here before? But then, what about the artifact? Is it even still there?
I ran a hand through my hair, staring at the banners maddeningly. The Dog was obviously last, if the order was the same as in the myth, but I had four options that could have been either the Sheep or the Snake. What would happen if I guessed wrong?
I thought it over for a second before donning my Severe Shield once more. With a reluctant sigh and a slight wince, I reached out and pressed the first of the unmarked buttons…
And took fifteen Hearts of damage.
It all hit me at once, a Crafter's worth of damage and then some assaulting my core and causing my breath to catch. It was like my insides had just been pulverized by a hammer, all the damage striking within. I doubled over, falling to my knees and clawing at the armor frantically.
Thank Notch for the Severe Shield's Health boost; otherwise I'd have been strewn all across the floor.
"Bad… button…" I choked out, falling on my side as my Health tried valiantly to fix itself. I nibbled on some cooked mutton, barely having the strength to chew, to speed up the process. Then I rolled onto my back, staring up at the dimly lit ceiling.
I wasn't even sure where that damage had come from. No dispensers fired anything, no Mobs punched me, and no blender extended from the wall to liquefy my internal organs. It just… hurt. Instantly. Whatever the button was attached to, I was glad my Severe Shield could withstand it.
Once the pain subsided enough that I could stand without getting dizzy, I looked at the remaining buttons with fear. The first one hadn't been the Sheep Button. Three left to try.
I gulped and reached out with a shaking hand before pulling back sharply. My mind kept going back to that sudden burst of agony. Obviously, whoever had booby trapped these buttons did so with the intent to kill! The book never mentioned anything like this in the Labyrinth myth. Who had even built this? The boy from the story?
Knowing I had to press a button to progress, I bit the inside of my cheek and slammed a fist into the next button, my eyes screwing shut as I expected immense damage.
…
I slowly cracked an eye open and, noticing no damage had occurred, allowed my shoulders to slacken. I fell to my knees again, but more in relief.
I took out my Crafting Table and combined a stick with six wooden planks to make three signs. I slapped one just above the correct button, labeling it as 'Sheep'. I gave an approving nod at my handiwork before glancing to the remaining three buttons. Snake Button was next.
The fear was back. This was the literal definition of trial by fire. But with buttons. Trial by Death Buttons.
I skipped the third button and went straight for the fourth unmarked one.
I clicked it.
And wound up on a floating island—WHAT!?
"HOW!?" I shouted in disbelief, my voice loud enough to rival the whipping winds as I stood upon a tiny floating bit of land thousands of feet over Zeppil. It was one of the floating islands airships occasionally docked on. I could see all of Zeppil from up there…
But I couldn't see how I went from the underground chamber to the sky in an instant! And, again, there had been no warning! Faster than a snap of the fingers!
"…Is there such a thing as magic?" I spoke worriedly. It wasn't even like an ender pearl where I at least felt the shift in space. It was no different than walking through a door.
I must have pressed the wrong button.
…
"How do I get down from here?"
Two Hours Later…
I was back in front of the buttons. I had to buy another Potion of Night Vision so I could find my way through the pond, but I saved time using the Severe Shield's oxygen instead of a Potion of Water Breathing. As for getting down from the sky island, I had to wave down an airship and pay them ten emeralds for a ride down, avoiding curious questions as how I had ended up there in the first place.
But I was finally back by the buttons! I slammed a sign over the wrong button, labeling it as such, before restarting the order of buttons.
"Sheep…"
*click*
"…Snake?" I guessed, going back to the third button.
*click*
Back to the sky island.
"MOTHERFIDDLESTICKS!"
Two More Hours Later…
I marched up to the buttons, my eye twitching. I strode to the incorrect button, hammering a sign labeling it as 'The Epitome of Wrong' before ramming my fist into the first button.
"SHEEP." I snapped.
*click*
I walked up to the only button left before slamming my head into it.
"SNAKE."
*click*
No teleportation.
I stormed over to the last button—the only labeled one of the three.
"DOG." I reared back a fist and punched with all my strength.
*click*
I found myself teleported to a new place altogether, and I nearly cursed, thinking I had messed up again. However, the words died on my tongue for two very important reasons.
First, I was surrounded by walls that rose to the ceiling and boxed me into a narrow passage with paths going in every direction. This… this was the Labyrinth.
And the second reason I couldn't speak was shock.
Because my entire Inventory, including the artifact I had been wearing, had been stripped away.
[Cobb]
"Now, with the Opening Ceremony out of the way, let the Parkour Games… COMMENCE!"
The roar of the crowd was deafening, and this was only a quarter of the viewing audience. All the other events would be beginning at the same time, and Team Beginners was locked in.
And there I was… holding an enchanted iron shovel, wearing cursed armor, and feeling more underprepared than ever.
"Go team…" I mumbled weakly.
Inventory (Cobb): 1 Leather Cap [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III], 1 Leather Tunic [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III], 1 Leather Leggings [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III], 1 Leather Boots [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III], 1 Fishing Rod {Backlash} [Knockback II, Luck of the Sea III, Unbreaking III], 1 Golden Shovel [Silk Touch I, Unbreaking III], 1 Iron Shovel {Spleef Shovel} [Efficiency V, Unbreaking I], 1 Diamond Sword, 1 Banner {Beginners}, 64 Cobblestone, 47 Cobblestone, 1 Bed, 5 Dirt, 19 Torches, 34 Coal, 12 Cooked Mutton, 12 Jungle Wood Logs, 60 Jungle Wood Planks, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Clock, 1 Water Bucket, 5 String, 1 Leather Tunic [Dyed Green, Mending I, Unbreaking I], 1 Diamond Leggings [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Iron Boots, 22 Emeralds, 2 Gunpowder, 25 Rotten Flesh, 1 Book {How to Kill Stuff for Numb Nuts}, 1 Book {Advanced Mob-Slaying}, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}
[EXP: 29]
Inventory (Floyd): 1 Leather Cap [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III], 1 Leather Tunic [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III], 1 Leather Leggings [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III], 1 Leather Boots [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III], 1 Iron Pickaxe, 1 Iron Sword {Weak}, 30 Iron Ingots, 1 Fishing Rod, 2 Ender Pearls, 1 Furnace, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Minecart, 1 Bed, 1 Boat, 1 Emerald, 1 Iron Sword, 1 Diamond Helmet [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Diamond Chestplate [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Diamond Leggings [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Diamond Boots [Projectile Protection IV], 1 Iron Leggings, 16 Cooked Mutton, 1 Potion of Fire Resistance {8:00}, 17 Gunpowder, 1 Iron Helmet, 1 Iron Chestplate, 1 Iron Leggings, 1 Iron Boots, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}
[EXP: 31]
Inventory (Lenz): 1 Leather Cap [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III], 1 Leather Tunic [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III], 1 Leather Leggings [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III], 1 Leather Boots [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III], 1 Bow, 1 Shears, 2 Levers, 1 Flint and Steel, 1 Stone Button, 5 Redstone Torches, 1 Bed, 9 Redstone Repeaters, 3 Redstone Comparators, 28 Redstone, 18 Blocks of Redstone, 2 Hoppers, 3 Pistons, 2 Sticky Pistons, 21 Cobblestone, 1 Minecart, 1 Compass, 25 Gunpowder, 5 Arrows, 16 Jungle Wood Planks, 1 Crafting Table, 16 Sugar Cane, 8 Cooked Mutton, 8 Paper, 5 Ink Sacs, 3 Leather, 5 Emeralds, 1 Book {Airship Piloting 101}, 1 Book {Notebook}, 1 Book {How to Kill Stuff for Numb Nuts}, 1 Book {Advanced Mob-Slaying}, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Daymonte Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}
[EXP: 15]
Inventory (Soul): 1 Diamond Axe, 1 Iron Pickaxe, 64 Iron Ingots, 55 Iron Ingots, 12 Gold Ingots, 1 Milk, 1 Diamond Helmet [Protection IV, Unbreaking III], 1 Diamond Chestplate [Protection IV, Unbreaking III], 1 Diamond Leggings [Protection IV, Unbreaking III], 1 Diamond Boots [Protection IV, Feather Falling IV, Unbreaking III], 1 Crafting Table, 1 Bed, 1 Furnace, 1 Anvil, 35 Torches, 34 White Wool, 37 Dirt, 64 Cobblestone, 31 Cobblestone, 5 Stone Slabs, 33 Coal, 32 Jungle Wood Planks, 2 Sticks, 1 Armor Stand, 47 Emeralds, 41 Cooked Mutton, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}
[EXP: 49]
Inventory (Jade): 1 Leather Cap [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III], 1 Leather Tunic [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III], 1 Leather Leggings [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III], 1 Leather Boots [Dyed Brown, Curse of Binding I, Unbreaking III], 1 Diamond Helmet [Protection IV], 1 Diamond Chestplate [Protection IV], 1 Diamond Leggings [Protection IV], 1 Diamond Boots [Protection IV], 1 Iron Sword, 1 Bed, 1 Iron Pickaxe, 23 Cooked Mutton, 1 Crafting Table, 1 Furnace, 17 Coal, 36 Torches, 34 Jungle Wood Planks, 64 Cobblestone, 29 Cobblestone, 16 Obsidian, 1 Water Bucket, 1 Bucket, 1 Compass, 1 Clock, 23 Emeralds, 4 Ender Chests, 1 Map {Minecraftia}, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Ringwood Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Dover Plains Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Lazuli Entry Pass}, 1 Paper {Zeppil Entry Pass}
[EXP: 30]
Inventory (Noman): {Empty}
[EXP: 20]
Beetroot the Horse
AN: Games start next Chapter. And the Noman stuff, I guess, if you're interested. (-_-)