Percy Jackson and the Far Side of the Moon

by 2BorNotTooBe2AForever

After binging the Percy Jackson series, BB came up with an amazing idea; a fanfi-Holy Grail War to end all Holy Grail wars. Kingprotea gave it five stars, Kazuradrop called it a massive waste of resources.

8. Leo's Weird Escapades『1 尾 』

"This is exquisite," he murmured as his fingers delicately traced the bronze. His other hand took apart the wires, moving the cogs, flexing the limbs. He was so enraptured with the arm, his eyes were sparkling with curiosity. I also smell a hint of greed and fear, humans….. No matter how much he changed, he can't escape human nature, this always happens when they see something new. The innate urge to possess what others have is a cornerstone of human dominance; they perpetually yearn for more, endlessly coveting what belongs to others. And to those they can't have, they fear. I am both disgusted and intrigued.

"So… Can you fix it?" I peer over the bench.

The inventor raised an eyebrow. "Maybe, but didn't you make this? For a boy of your talent, it should be an easy fix."

"No, I made the others but she's special."

"Awww. You do love me." She sings from across the table, the dismembered head looks at me with yellow gemstone eyes. Despite being a creature of melted metal she still retains some of her beauty.

"Fascinating." He picked up her hand and brought it closer to his eyes, inspecting the fingers. Each shined in the artificial light, rose gold that glowed like embers."I've never seen this metal before. It's not imperial gold, is it an alloy?"

"It could be?" Truthfully, I also didn't know.

The man glanced at me before turning back to the arm. If he was still made of flesh I'm sure he would be salivating. I could smell the greed for miles, I fought the urge to cover my nose.

"I wonder," he murmured, rummaging through his tools until he found a chisel and a hammer. My expression remained neutral as the chisel struck the metal, producing a sharp crack. The arm was fine but the tools were broken beyond repair. For a mere femtosecond, surprise flickered in the old man's eyes before they resumed their cold, calculating gaze. I felt irritated; it always vexes me when humans pretend to be something they're not. They shine brightest in their primal nature.

"Well… That's interesting."

"Really? I thought it was rather mundane," she sarcastically quipped. The inventor turned to her, and she merely shook her head from side to side. Pieces of her were scattered across the table, laid out as anatomically correct as possible. A single light cast its glow over her body in the dimly lit room. We gathered around the table, studying her as if conducting an autopsy.

"Tell me, construct, do you know what you are?"

"Hmmmm. Maybe I do. Maybe I don't. But why should that matter? Aren't you a mechanic? Shouldn't you be doing your job instead of playing metallurgist? I could sue you for malpractice."

"There's no court in the world that can judge me," he retorted before walking away to another room. I could hear the clink of metal and the rustle of tools.

My other half glares at me, she's not amused.

"What?"

"This is the one?" She says condescendingly.

"Yep." Though I'm not a hundred percent sure.

"You sure know how to pick them. Do you see the way his eyes move? If I was human, I would feel violated. The way his pervy eyes look at my body, like I'm about to be ravished by a beast. Poking my insides, caressing my limbs, touching my most intimate—"

"Alright, I get it," I cut her off.

She puckers her lips, reveling in the moment. "Of course, he'd be a pervert. A loner, friendless, workaholic, tinkering with robot women in the dark; he must have a few screws loose. I bet he was always picked last at dodgeball and masks his pain with humor."

I could feel my left eye twitch.

"What do you want from me? You know I can't fix you; this is our only plan."

"We could go back to–"

"No,"

"Are you sure?"

"She. Ate. Me," I emphasized slowly.

"Hmmmm. So? That's some people's fantasies."

"You mean weirdos."

"And you're not one?"

"Degenerate weirdos."

She gave me a look that I didn't want to acknowledge. I was beyond exhausted with this conversation, praying for Quintus to return. I walked around the room, mechanical parts were littered on the desks, it's nothing compared to the outside. Quintus workshop was a marvel of mechanical engineering, it was a museum of art, sculptures, literature, and most importantly machines. Entire animals made of bronze, vehicles, golems, and I think I saw the beginnings of a giant robot. I couldn't stop awing when I first arrived, my other half said I swallowed a bug and I half-believe her. I couldn't help it, the tinker in me couldn't calm down.

Quintus finally returned, in his hands a giant caliper.

"Is that your tool? Oh my, it's quite hefty. Are you sure you know how to handle it?"

I roll my eyes.

He giggled. "The mouth on this one, not even Galatea, was this chatty." He holds the caliper over her head, recording the measurements on his laptop.

"So, um. How long do you think it'll take?"

Quintus pauses before recording another measurement, not even acknowledging me. "Well child, I'm not even sure what you have here." His face never left his work; the man picks up one of the shards, twinkling in the light. The piece sparkles in violet, bronze, and gold.

"This is clearly a fusion of imperial gold and celestial bronze but you also have pieces of stygian iron. The first two I can believe but the third?... From my experience, stygian iron, is impossible to fuse with another alloy. Yet here is something the cyclopes and the underworld have tried and failed for centuries. Then there's the other parts, aside from the arms and legs, silver, adamantine, and…"

He slowly picks up a white shard fused with gold, a pale glow in the light.

"Bone steel." His voice was haunting. "You walk a dangerous path child."

I shrugged off his warnings, I didn't need another reminder.

"Yeah I know, but can you fix it?"

His gaze drifted to mine, a cloudy gray. I could peer beyond the facade, glimpsing into his heart, where fear and curiosity danced together.

"It depends, what you ask is a high order." He looks back to his laptop. "I don't know the process of re-fusing the material. I doubt it's as simple as applying more heat. I need more information, how did you come by this thing?"

"This thing has a name, human," she declared, her eyes locking with mine for a second. In just a glance, I could read her thoughts. There's a myth that twins can read each other's minds, for us, it's more complex. I can't read her thoughts literally, but I understand her on a fundamental level. We both emerged from the same saint graph; despite our differences, we were once one. She and I know each other more intimately than we know ourselves.

'How much should we tell?' She says.

I slightly tilt my head, and she understands.

"She's a gift from the gods." What I said wasn't entirely false. "She came from a meteor that crash-landed on this world, all alone and injured. As a good Samaritan, it is my duty to help her." I answered with fake pride, my fist on my chest.

He looked at me, then at her, his eyes betraying his skepticism. It wasn't entirely a lie, but it wasn't the complete truth either. Quintus sensed it too; I could smell his confusion. Perhaps he had something installed to detect lies, wondering if it's malfunctioning. Eventually, he huffed, his shoulders slumping in resignation.

"I see, if it's from the gods, it would be a crime to leave it broken," Quintus mused.

I nodded in agreement, my other half cooed, flattery always gets to her.

"But that still leaves me with the same problem. I don't know how to fix this." His interest seemed to wane, I can't let that happen.

"So you won't do it?" I glanced back at my other half, noticing the gleam in her eye. Inwardly, I smile. "I see, well that's too bad." I shrugged casually. "I guess I'll have to find someone else, someone more skilled."

Quintus's eyes widened. "There's no one more skilled than I," he growled.

"Really? It seems to me you gave up before even trying."

"I never said that." He turned his gaze back towards the broken body. Archer really did a number on her. The torso remained mostly intact, save for the gash from shoulder to hip, which split her in half. The head, left leg, and right arm were the only dismembered pieces, with tiny shards all around, shimmering gold under the light. She was a treasure that was worth a country, but there's no way I would tell her that. Her ego's big enough as it is.

"I just need to make a casting," Quintus grumbled to himself.

I could smell his pride, typical. Like meat on a flame, its flavor was tangy with a bit of spice. But pride wasn't enough; I needed something more, something stronger.

"If you want, I could lend you some of the pieces." His eyes sparked with greed, if only for a second. I could still smell it on him; greed always makes humans easier to manipulate. I could already calculate his next steps: give humans a free sample, if they come back they're yours.

"Truly?"

"Yep, I just need the limbs attached." I look towards my other half, her eyes narrowed and that's all the confirmation I need.

"There are a lot of excess pieces… I guess it could work, but." He grabs a handful of shards in his palm, they trickle down like a golden waterfall. "This still isn't enough as payment. I want what you promise me."

A little too greedy, just how I like them. "Yeah, yeah, sure. I know our deal. If I fail, you can have her as collateral." We both agreed on this, my other half and I. Money wouldn't sway Quintus; so we paid with something else. From what I could discern, Quintus was a shrewd man. He wouldn't assist us without something of interest. There were only two things he desired. The first was impossible for me, but the second was doable. Very dangerous and borderline suicidal, but doable. Despite our preference for another, Archer had forced our hand. As Quintus mentioned, heat alone wouldn't suffice. I needed an extra element to repair her. If I succeed, it's a win-win. If I failed, well… I wouldn't live to face the consequences.

"If you succeed," he said softly, his desperation leaked out of him. He wanted this even more than I did. Logically, he knew I would probably fail, but hope can change a man.

"Yeah, I know." I stretched my arms, cracking my knuckles. "When I come back, you will finally be free." Though I didn't know that for sure, I liked to gamble.

"Freedom." The man whispered, I could see the relief on his face. If it were any other person, he might have turned them away. But his lie detector, which may or may not exist, at least made him hear me out. To him, I was either mad or telling the truth. And I suspect he was a bit starved for visitors, after all no normal person could reach the heart unscathed. As we continued to talk, that possibility grew higher in his mind. That, maybe, despite all the odds, I could actually do it.

"Take care of her for me." I made my way to the door, offering one final glance at my other half. This could be the last time we see each other. A picture could tell a thousand words, but even in her diminished state, she conveyed more. I snickered; who knew she could be such a schmuck.

"I'm off to slay the ghost king." I cheered then closed the door behind me.

---

The labyrinth is an odd place. When I first came here, I felt the walls shift around me. Thanks to my unusual origins, my senses are heightened to a superhuman degree, perhaps even surpassing ordinary servants. I have a weird connection with nature and the earth, like a constant sensation of being watched. Yet, the moment I set foot on the first stone, that feeling disappeared. Or, to be more accurate, it was replaced. But as they say, better the devil you know than the devil you don't.

I kept looking back, a nasty habit, but now it felt different. Every time I glanced behind, I felt both relieved and lonely.

It hasn't been a few minutes and already, I'm starting to miss her.

I walked through the dark corridors, and endless stairs, I could sense the vibrations in the walls. It's constantly moving with me, the walls itself seems to breathe. I knew this place was alive but I never contemplated the scope of it. There were hallways smaller than my pinky and others larger than the state of Rhode Island; and the best part is, they're all interconnected. I could spend a lifetime walking these halls and still never see ten percent of it. Truly a work of art, I'm a bit envious.

I tilt my head to the side, an arrow whizzes past. I sniffed, it carries a scent.

Poison.

I side step on another pressure plate, triggering more arrows. I could hear the mechanisms in the walls, the drawing of string and the rustle of gears. I ran as fast as my legs could carry, when I kept activating traps I ran up the walls. Trap doors, a hail of molten lava, spear traps, rotating blades, flame throwers, falling boulders, canon bolts, and mechanical spider-crabs. Wow, when Quintus said death traps he really meant it; where was this stuff when I first arrived here?

A blade almost slices off my head, only grazing the tips of my hair. I'm getting a little irritated. This hallway is endless, with no door in sight. I scan the walls, there are three holes in the ceiling, all three are giving me a weird feeling. Then I looked down, one of the death holes felt, I want to say alright but, it's more of a maybe. I called myself an idiot as I jumped down, right before a wrecking ball smashed the entrance. I fell for a good three minutes, starting to think it was bottomless before I saw the flames. I dig my claws into the walls, stone and gravel yielding to my grip. I slide down a few inches before I stopped, that was too close.

And here I am, dangling precariously in a dark hole. I anchor my other hand into the wall, the stones feeling like putty beneath my claws as I start to climb. It reeks of sulfur, the stench of rotten eggs filling the air and numbing my sense of smell. Unfortunately, it's not the worst stench I've encountered. This ghost hunt is starting to feel more like Indiana Jones than Ghostbusters. After climbing a few feet, the sound of sawblades fills the darkness above me. I halt my ascent midway, above is a thousand rotating blades. I started to climb down before I felt heat, the flames were rising.

"Well that's just fantastic."

Stuck between becoming minced meat or well-done? Well, the flames wouldn't hurt, but it would ruin my clothes. I always knew the labyrinth was hungry, but I thought it would ease its way to me. Maybe take me out for dinner first before it starts eating me. I've heard that some people lose their minds here, but as a creature of instinct, that doesn't really bother me. It must be the reason why the labyrinth is taking such a direct approach.

I looked around, surrounded by nothing but stone as the flames rose higher. With a sigh, a black pistol materialized in my hand, I aimed at the wall across. This could make my situation even worse… I thought about the repercussions before the heat touched my face.

That's future Leo's problem.

I pulled the trigger, a beam of light shot out of the barrel. The labyrinth screamed, crying like an animal. The walls shook, and the ceiling collapsed. Amidst the chaos, I saw my prize: a perfect circular hole. Wasting no time, I leaped through it, each shot from my gun inflicting more pain on the labyrinth as I dug through its flesh. That was a lot of mana, like a tank full with each shot, hopefully I would never need to do this again. After the third I burst through into a wide opening.

Slid down the walls, the hole behind me rapidly closing. I could feel the pain, fear, anger, but mostly fear. I didn't know what level of consciousness the labyrinth had, but it felt primal. Initially, I had thought it as a passive creature, like a flytrap luring prey. But now, it felt more like a wounded predator. It has always seen me as food, but now it would regard me as an enemy.

And that was half my reserves. Urgh. Stupid. Never again!

As my feet touched the ground, slime completely coated my shoes.

"Eeww!"

I pull one leg up and kick the slime off my new sneakers; this was a gift. That's when I notice a tingling sensation crawling up my feet. I quickly jump on to a perch, kicking the shoes off. I sniffed the air and I wanted to gag.

Stomach acid. Or something similar.

I took a good look at my surroundings. It was a maze, I stood atop an endless stone maze. Slime dripped from the ceiling, and I could sense movement within the gaps. In the distance I see giant owls circle above.

"Well… That's wonderful."

The labyrinth shook all around me, stones fell from the ceiling and parts of the maze crumbled. I could hear its cry, its calling for revenge. The owls above took notice, they started to fly in my direction. I jump into the maze, avoiding the puddles of slime, keeping to the walls. Every time the birds pass I blend into the stone, staying so still I could be mistaken for a statue. I could hear snippets of a conversation every time they passed.

"Danger." "Where?" "Prey." "Award." "Human." "Food!"

I'm starting to form a picture in my head, the labyrinth continued to cry above. The birds grew more agitated, and I inched toward a corner when suddenly I felt goosebumps. I turned to see a bronze beast behind me—a minotaur, or at least an imitation of one. It stared directly at me.

Mechanical in nature, gaps in its body revealed gears and wires. Almost as tall as the maze itself, only its horns peeked out. This was not an animal; it was purely a creation of the labyrinth, no different than the stone and walls surrounding us. It spouted steam from its nostrils, gripping an oversized axe.

I was too dumbfounded to do anything; it felt like walking into the workshop all over again. The form, the gears, even the art on its skin—it was a masterpiece. I wanted it, I wanted it so badly.

The machine roared, its scream no doubt alerting every creature here.

I guessed stealth was out the window. That made what I was about to do easy, but it didn't make it any less painful. I really wanted it.

With a flick of my wrist, a weapon fit on my shoulder. I aimed the barrel at the machine. I really didn't want to do it; my finger hesitated to pull the trigger.

The man-bull charged at me, horns pointed, each stomp making pebbles jump a few centimeters. At its speed, it would be upon me in a minute. I bit my lip, I really, really didn't want to do it.

Its horns were going to skewer me; inches away from my head.

"I can't do it."

I turned small, and the minotaur ran past me. It crashed through the maze, breaking through five walls.

"There it is!" One of the birds shrieked.

I returned to my normal size, glancing back at the minotaur. The robot was getting its bearings, its body slowly repositioning itself. The entire torso twisted 180 degrees, steam escaping from its neck and shoulders. A bit too slow for my liking. Maybe if I add more sensors and refined the tuning a bit. I hoped the slime didn't damage the outer coating.

I ducked just in time to avoid a talon.

I wondered if its sensory input was connected to its eyes. If it were me, I wouldn't limit myself to just the eyes. Maybe the back? Or the chest and back, giving it 360 vision. Yes, that's it.

I jumped to the side, narrowly avoiding the bird's strike, it smashed through pavement.

This was too slow. If it were one of mine, they would already be attacking. Perhaps it has an inefficient power source? The problem with my robots wasn't the power itself, but the overheating. They were all tied to my spiritual core, so I guess I was cheating a bit. Huh? What's powering this thing?

"Human fast!" The owl shrieked, swooping down. I backflipped, soaring over the bird before landing in the same spot.

I wondered what it would look like if I painted it red.

"Raaaahhhh!" Two birds dove like missiles, each approaching from different angles. I leaped into the air, twisting sideways to avoid them. I briefly brushed against their feathers, and then I landed on my hand before springing back to my feet.

"How did he do that!?" "Human agile." "He's not looking!"

Nah, that's stupid. Neon red, now that's perfect.

The minotaur was facing me again. The beautiful piece of machinery roared in the air, flames came out of its mouth lighting up the maze, it reached a good hundred feet away.

"That's so cool!" I scream.

"Human distracted!"

The flap of wings and the rustle of feathers were all I heard. My body moved instinctually as all three came upon me. It felt like I could see the future, foresee their movements before they even made them. One beak aimed towards my neck, a talon to my back, and another to my heart. I could see the hunger in their eyes, and my will wavered. Their dilapidated bodies, molted feathers, the sheer desperation—these birds haven't eaten in years. My heart ached for them, even now when they were trying to kill me. I could feel nothing but pity.

I flexed my back, and the talon only scratched my clothes. I tilted my neck an inch, and the beak moved past my ear. The one aiming for my heart was another matter; faster than the eye could see, I grabbed the talon. I shifted as my body twisted around its claws. Partly between two forms, I slithered around its talons and up its leg. The bird must have noticed something was wrong as it squawked. I raced up its body, moving through feathers, and stood on its head.

"Human's a sorcerer!" It said in fear.

I looked back towards the minotaur, and my eyes widened. It was getting ready to fire, gathering heat in its mouth.

"Fly, you fools!" I screamed at the birds, but they only looked confused.

"Human speaks bird?"

The minotaur unleashed a wave of flame, evaporating slime and scorching stone. I panicked; but the birds didn't know what was going on. I jumped down and raised my hands; the flames obeyed and shot upwards. They soared into the air like an upside-down waterfall, the heat on my face, roaring like a lion. Eventually, the flames died, and all I saw was the minotaur. Its eyes were more alive than I thought, showing emotion that shouldn't be possible.

"The labyrinth," I whispered, then frowned.

This thing was possessed; the labyrinth was alive, so its automations could be analogous to antibodies. I wondered though, if it was still a machine after all, is it possible for me to take control? The minotaur roared again, so loud the birds trembled.

Well, I guess I'll find out.

It charged at me, swinging its axe like a maniac. The birds behind me were too paralyzed with fear; if I were a lesser creature, I would be as well. I summoned my sniper; I have to aim for the joints.

I hit its left knee, the bullet rang against the metal going straight through but the minotaur didn't stop. I shot another at its right, but I missed, it slid along the plates, ricocheting off into the wall. What was this metal? I wished my creations were this sturdy. It was too late to fire another, the monster was already upon us. Its axe swinged horizontally, I could easily dodge, but the birds were behind me. This was going to hurt.

Clang* My foot stopped the axe midway. Me and the minotaur struggling for control.

I grit my teeth, channeling my mana into my bare foot, it grinds against sharpened metal. By the gods that hurt. I clench my teeth, channeling all my strength I kicked the axe upward. I followed up by summoning a shotgun, without hesitation I shot it point blank. What came after was a dust cloud and the sound of vibrating metal. The minotaur was still, but deep in my heart I know it wasn't done.

"Leave!" I scream at the birds, gesturing at them to fly away.

That brought them out of their shock. I had to clear them out before the smoke dissipated. The biggest of them started to move. They were somewhat identical, with bluish-black feathers and yellowish eyes. I could smell their fear, but most importantly, desperation with a hint of pride.

"You don't command-"

I glared at him and the bird froze. I growled, showing my fangs. I radiated something within all animals: a primal fear inherent from the first cell to the last, a fear that humanity forgot. It was essentially the minotaur roar but on a greater level. The birds screamed; they fled as fast as they could fly, leaving behind ruffled feathers and desperate scratches.

There, they should be safe for now.

The hairs on my neck bristled, I instinctively rolled forward, narrowly escaping the grasp of the machine. The minotaur's face was half marred, with open wires and mechanical gears exposed. One of its eyes, devoid of its protective casing, glared at me with a crimson glow that seemed to penetrate my very soul. I could feel the hatred, yet it was somehow immature, like a child taking its first steps.

Wow. Guess I'm the first person to make it feel pain. It's really gunning for me now, curse you past Leo!

It roared again; I could feel the scream vibrate in my bones. The monster dragged its axe on the ground and slashed towards me, flinging stone and debris. I dodged each rock and swing, we moved in a dance of boulders and bullets. I never stopped moving, each step was met by an axe, it was fast, faster than anything of its size should be. My hand guns barely fazed it, the shotgun took too much time to aim. Death came in every corner, each time I gained distance it quickly closed the gap.

I'm too close, my senses are going haywire.

Every movement, every scream, even a slight breeze made my danger sense go crazy. It was all starting to blur together, it was too much, my body was moving on autopilot. I ducked, jumped, twisted, shot, slid, dodged; each action was barely half a second, followed up by another. My body was getting sore, my movements were getting slower.

I can't keep this up!

I threw a flash grenade in the air, I shut my eyes as the thing went off. I was about to run before my left arm exploded with pain.

What!?

I was stuck in a grip, that made me afraid. It got me.

"No!" I panicked and shot its face with an assault rifle. The bullets pinged off it's skin, like a barrage of wind chimes. The pain spiked then I did something stupid again, threw a grenade, point blank, right at its face, right next to me. The good part is, it lets go, the bad part…. I think I have a concussion.

I was flung against a wall, my back killing me. Barely ten and I'm getting back pain, I let out a laugh but even that hurt. Struggling to my feet, bracing against the wall.

What am I doing?

My good arm was cradling my bad. Man that hurts, I haven't felt this much pain since…. Actually this is the most painful thing I have ever experienced. Just my luck, I giggled, still hurts.

Direct fights have never been my forte.

The minotaur didn't even look damaged. The most I did was tear off a few pieces of metal. It roared as it charged at me.

I frowned. I'm an Assassin.

The thought of having my own mechanical monster held me back, but no more. I looked at the machine, my mind going a million miles per hour, I could see its servos, the open gears, the cracks in its armor. I sneered just thinking about it.

Time to get back to my roots.

The monster rammed itself, breaking the wall behind me, but I was already gone. At the last moment I shifted but not before leaving a little present. Two grenades fly in the air, upon impact the explosions push it back a few feet leaving a cloud of dust. It flinched for a second but that was all the time I need, I scurry up its leg and into its open gashes. I am surrounded by gears and wires, my brain taking stock on all the mechanisms. My mind instantly racing on what each does and how its connected to others. It's hard to move with only three good legs but I'll make do, I follow the veins to the core of the machine.

It was interesting, located right below the left pauldron, right where the heart should be. Bright red, a rock-like mineral attached to a billion wires, mimicking a circulatory system. The complexity, the structure, it was so brilliant, I couldn't help but admire it for a few seconds. Then the world vibrated around me, the minotaur was moving, everything was starting to heat up. The metal under me turns from a cool sheen to a bright red. I panicked, my mind instinctually telling me to run and hide.

Wait?... This can't hurt me.

It took a half a second to remember the plan, I'm wasting time. I ran towards the rock, placing bombs as big as me. The minotaur roared again, and its scream was actually affecting me, my body freeze. This form is affecting my mental state more than I thought, the rodent in me is screaming in terror. It took all my will power to force myself to move. Every second is precious, and the sooner this is done the sooner I can leave. I adjusted the bomb with my good paws, relying on my feet to keep it stable, the pain is more of a distraction than an obstacle. The chamber turned completely red, soon it will turn into a pressure cooker. If it gets too hot the bombs will go off prematurely. After sticking the last of them I ran towards the exit, the fear making me move faster. Once I reached the outside I leaped, shifting mid-way and rolled on the ground.

I looked back and the minotaur began moving. I cradled my arm and smiled, the detonator in my hand. The monster stomped towards me lifting its axe, red eyes scanning me.

This is going to me so cool.

"Bom vo-" The bomb exploded taking out its entire chest and the automaton slouch down. First to its knees then its entire body fell. I didn't even press the detonator.

My smile died. "Oh come on." I slowly lifted myself, then backed away. She would probably be laughing her pants off.

No. Wait. I can still salvage this.

I summoned a magnum and aimed at the machine's head. I tried to think of a good one liner. "Well do I feel lucky….. Well do you punk!" I shot and the bullet ricocheted off the metal and into the wall. The world was comically silent, I could almost hear her sarcastic quips, mocking me.

"Ugh." I shrugged my shoulders, cradling my broken arm, it wasn't too bad. Sure it looks like a mangled mess, broken bones and purple skin, like a crooked tree branch. If I was a normal human I would be freaking out, if it was me two summers ago I would be swearing so much I would make a sailor blush. But ever since the change I developed a high pain tolerance, well not tolerance exactly, I have the uncanny ability to always be composed; perfect when talking to clients, great when you want to ignore things, like pain for example. That doesn't mean I can't feel it, it just doesn't show on my face.

It will probably go away in a few days. I looked towards the minotaur and licked my lips. Time for my prize.

My hands twitch in anticipation, ever since seeing the workshop I always wanted to get my hands on Quintus' stuff. To break it apart and rebuild it, to make it mine. The things I could do, will make this all worthwhile. My high dissipated when I heard the flapping of wings. I narrowed my eyes and looked towards the ceiling, the birds are back.

The biggest one landed in front of me, the other two perched on the walls. The big one's head bobbed and swayed, its eyes on my arm. I could smell its hunger, the creature was salivating. I could only frown, maybe I could talk my way out of this.

"Hey…. Can you not?"

"Human hurt." "Human tired." The other birds hooted and chirped. I could see where this is going, I don't blame them, it's in their nature. I look towards the center owl, these are undoubtedly phantasmals but they are still animals. Raptors and opportunists, no doubt they would target me now, I glance towards my arm. I pity them but that still doesn't mean I would back down, I have things to do.

"Please leave. I don't want to kill you."

I could try to intimidate them again, but they smelled blood in the water. The look in their eyes says it all, hunger can override fear no matter how powerful.

"Human. Weak. Hurt." The owl marched closer, opening its wings to look more intimidating. I frowned.

"It doesn't have to be this way."

"Don't fool me human."

I sighed, got my magnum ready. Right between the eyes, make this as painless as possible. But before I could aim every cell in my body twitch, my eyes widened. Danger sense activated, I looked around and it wasn't the birds.

Behind!?

"Run!" I screamed.

Before the owl could react a metal hand caught its torso. The bird hooted, flapping its wings in a vain attempt to escape. I grind my teeth, shooting my magnum, each bullet deflecting off its metal. I need something stronger.

How is it still moving!?

The minotaur looked at me with red glowing eyes, the labyrinth refused to give up. It crawled on the floor, the scraping was burning my ears.

"Let go!" "Please!" "Help!" The bird was crying.

The other owls hooted from the side lines, hopping on the edges, too scared to come close.

I traded my magnum for my sniper, and aimed for its head. The bullet pierced straight through, but it did nothing. The minotaur continued to crawl, squeezed even tighter, the owl shrieked in pain.

Of course the cpu won't be in the head. That's the obvious choice.

I frantically scan the machine, automations are more than gears and wires, it involves a bit of programming. The more advance stuff needs a cpu to issue all its commands, its brain has to be somewhere. Not the head, the chest is blown open, so not that. Can't be the limbs, not possible with its size. Come on, it has to be somewhere!?

The bird cried even louder, I could feel something within me squirm. The rage, the screams, all snuffed out in a second. A million animals cry in pain, in hate. I'm in the warehouse again, I can't watch this. Never! Not if I could stop it. My brain went into overdrive, processing information, taking in the structure of the machine. Remembering the wires, all of it connected to the…

I aimed at the left pauldron, gathering mana into this one shot. The moment I squeezed, my world turned slow. The mana left the barrel materializing into a bullet, pure ether forming into something tangible. It flew across, hitting the monster's shoulders. The bullet peeled away the metal, the bronze turning into ringlets against the bullet's point. Eventually it dug through entering the mechanisms. The hole flashed with sparks escaping its form, eventually breaking through the other side. It sailed to a wall, cracking through and puncturing another. The monster stood still and the red in its eyes became dull. I wasted no time and jumped on the hand, prying the fingers with brute strength, the bird fell to the ground, its body not moving.

No…. No. No. No. No.

I rushed to the bird, feeling its life through my hands. It was weak, very weak, malnutrition, scars, injuries old and new. The thing was barely clinging to life. I don't have any medical supplies, I can't do much except… I'm about to do something stupid again. I could feel her eyes glaring at me.

I shook away the feeling and poured mana into the creature. My own reserves start to empty, my injured arm starts to twitch. Soon the bird starts to stir, then it squawks. Color was returning to its feathers, its breathing starts to stabilize. The hunger in its eyes disappear.

My danger sense activates again, but I was too distracted to notice the talon swipes. I bounce off the floor until I hit a wall. I slid on my bad arm; biting my lip through the pain. It was like someone stabbed a metal rod through my hand, pain vibrating up my body every time it touches something. I sense the birds are angry, I could feel their gazes. I still have enough mana for a flash bang, maybe I can slip away in the chaos.

"Human weak." "Food. Prey." They snarled.

"Enough!" The downed bird stood, pushing the other two back. Its feathers were a dark blue with a reflective sheen, its eyes glowed a bright yellow. The other two looked confused, one opened its beak only to be squawked over.

"Human saved me. I am indebted." The owl glared at me, hate mixed with respect.

Huh? The flash bomb disappears from my hand.

"But–" "Hoot! My debt!" It knocks the owl over. "The ancient laws must be answered." The other bird shrinks away, their heads cowled. It stomps towards me, bobbing and twisting its neck. Its eyes judging me, constantly staring at my arm. I could feel its urge to attack, rip me into shreds. Yet couldn't do it, it was held back by a strange mix of pride and superstition.

"Human….. No. " The owl inhaled. "What are you? Human? Satyr?"

"Ah. What?"

"Carry the stench of nature. Yet you human, blood is unrecognizable. What are you?"

I've heard those words before, but never in this context. What am I exactly? I know I'm more than human, perhaps even better. Yet some part of me feels lesser for it, like I could be more. I'm part of nature yet removed from it, a creature of the wild that embraces civilization. It's in my nature, yet it isn't. By trying to be both, I belong to neither. I guess I'm destined to be the odd one out.

I remember asking her this question. She told me I was overthinking it, that I can only be myself, and that's all that matters in the end, even if it means being alone.

"I'm me. Nothing else." I said casualty, steading myself. I place my back on the stone, still in immense pain but that doesn't show on my posture. I need to be as composed as possible to get the upper hand.

The owl looked at me curiously, the hate disappears and it looks adorable; well as adorable as a giant man-eating owl could be. Its big eyes and small face make me grin inside. The tension disappears and for a moment I could forget I'm in a deathtrap. Ever since the change I developed a natural affinity to animals, to talk to them, command them, protect them, especially from…. I wasn't lying when I told him I hated humanity.

"You confuse me. I am Zenos, the greatest of my kind!" It flexes its wings, revealing a wingspan half the length of a bus. I hear quiet complaints in the background. "We are Strixes, wings of night, children of omens. Whoo are you?"

"I'm Valdez, a humble entrepreneur." I tipped my head. "So the debt thing….. How legally binding is it?"

The owl bobbed its head. "Is the ancient law, bound by honor." The other owls hooted in the background. "Separates us from beasts. Life for a life, debt must be repaid."

"And this debt… Can I ask for anything?"

"Within my power, and not dangerous." It glared at me again, its eyes held a deep malice. "Don't test me Human. I am no toy. Speak! Let this be done!" It's shrieks echoed throughout the labyrinth.

"Do you know where the ghost king is?"

The creature fell silent, its body going still. Honestly, I didn't have a plan. I like to take things as they come. My strongest suit has always been improv, mostly with my jokes. If you can't make them like you, make them laugh; at least it will distract them. That's my motto. But it also means I had no idea where the ghost king is. I mostly relied on my nose and hoped they would carry me through. After all, that's how I found Quintus.

"The king of ghosts?" Its head twisted towards its companions then back to me. "Stalks these halls, dangerous foe. Never in one place, searching for heart." It stretched its neck until its head was right in front of me. "Yes, I know… Debt repaid."

"What?" I almost shout.

"You asked and I answered. Debt no more." It raised its wings, preparing for flight.

"Hold on! You can't just leave with that!?"

"Debt repaid."

"But you didn't tell me where he is!?"

"No, question answered. I know where he is."

Ohhh. You're going to do me like that. But I dealt with stubborn customers before, I just need to attack the weakest link.

"Oh fine, sure." I shrugged. "Guess you can leave now." My eyes wander to the other owls in the corner. "Hey you two, are you hungry?"

The other two owls instantly lifted their heads.

"Then how about a deal?" My voice became smooth, like a salesman, or an infomercial. "You're still hungry right? I can fix that for you. If you take me to the ghost king, I can stop the gnawing in your stomachs." I was going to do this anyway, might as well get something out of it. As if I would ever let an animal starve.

"Food!" "You have food!" The other two jumped, their voices sounding like children on Christmas. It took Zenos a growl before they silenced. The bird looked towards me with hate filled eyes.

"Joke human. Smell no food on you, not if you offer yourself." Zenos bared its beak. "I eat you if you deliver false hope. I won't be tricked again!" I could feel the anger in its words, I kind of understand.

"Nope! And that's a hundred percent guaranteed." I snapped my fingers and winked. "Tell me, do you feel hungry now?"

Zenos blinked, its head bobbing. "You speak truth… How, magic?" Its neck stretched around me.

"Trade secret." I whisper. Zenos continues to eye me suspiciously before looking back at the others. After a minute it reluctantly lowers its guard.

"Fine human, feed flock. Then I take you to ghost king. If this a trick–"

"I never go back on my deals. Bad for business." I walk past the owl and towards the other two. Despite their size they were whimpering, I won't deny that caused my heart to waver; they remind me of a lost dog in the rain. My eyes instinctually look towards their plumage and their soft eyes. Though I didn't show it I frowned on the inside, I didn't know a thing about birds but my mind flows with outside knowledge; along with the malnourishment these birds are also pale, their wings stressed and feathers brittle, they haven't seen the sun in years. I wanted nothing more than to blow up the ceiling to free these creatures, no animal should live in captivity. One of the reasons I hate humans.

"Its ok." I held out my hand beckoning them to come near. They were wary at first before one of them inched closer.

"You smell of Earth." It hissed.

You mean dirt? I guess it's been awhile since I showered.

"Understandable." I petted its head, its feathers were rough and some cracked on my palms. You poor thing. I gather mana up my arm and out towards the bird. This would probably delay my healing for a few days, unless I talk to my Master. As I continue to press more mana that reality is inching closer and closer. I wanted to groan, this is taking a lot of my reserves. Eventually color returned to the feathers and strength filled its eyes. It broke away and let out a loud hoot, flapping its wings in joy. That caused the other to parade forward ready for its turn. I placed my hand on its head.

"So how did you guys get trapped here?" I assumed.

Zenos spoke first. "True. Trapped. Eons ago, my flock rested in cave, then wake up here. Was the labyrinth!" It cursed, my nose twitched.

As my mana drained, my eyes tired and my knees trembled. The only thing keeping me grounded was the pain in my arm.

"Tricked us! Promised lives if feed trespassers. But so little. Starving us, it doesn't care if perish!"

Is that right?

When I was done my hand struggled to lift itself. A good thing I'm a servant or they would have noticed some things off, they're still man-eating monsters after all. If they knew how weak I was, I'd likely be there new dinner. Even if I did help them, there's no guarantee they would find another food source in weeks.

"Ok, did my part." I looked towards Zenos. "Its your turn."

Zenos bobbed its head, then stared at me with bulging eyes. "Very well. I take you to ghost king." Zenos looked towards the other two before looking towards the horizon. "Leave now, before Labyrinth sees." I sniffed the air and smelled something foul.

"Hold that thought." I say before walking towards the minotaur.

---

I held on to dear life as Zenos flew through the air, my good arm grasping its feathers keeping from fall to my death. Honestly it was rather difficult with my low reserves, I couldn't even summon a small pistol; my arm is barely healing, had to make a custom cast using wires from the minotaur. Man, I really wanted that robot, if I had both working arms I would have dismantled the entire thing and rebuilt it in my image. Maybe make a mech suit that shoots lasers from its hands. A boy can dream. I clench tighter as Zenos dodges a building made of spears. We zoomed down the labyrinth, passing buildings and tiny settlements. Its a wonder that so many things can live here, from giant ants to weird dog-human things.

"How much further?"

"Soon." Zenos hissed.

We passed through a cistern; the labyrinth was a mishmash of a lot of different architecture throughout the ages. A stone wall can transition to smooth steel and then to wood. Some looked ancient and others brand new, most of the time a combination of the two. We entered into an area so wide for a second I thought the hollow earth theory was real. It was a cave, yet everything was metal, from the stalactites to a river made of mercury. The metal scent was overwhelming, then darkness, even with night vision I still couldn't see anything. That was two of my six senses, not a good sign.

I heard flapping, we were lowering altitude until Zenos landed, the force almost knocked me off.

"Why did we stop?"

"No room, must walk." Zenos voice echoed through the cistern, his voice distorting the further it goes.

"How do you know?"

I may have night vision but that only works if there's a sliver of light. Under the night sky I could see everything as clear as day, but here nothing, it was so dark I couldn't see my hands. I'm in total darkness, a midnight zone. Maybe if I applied mana to my eyes, but I'm running low on that stuff already.

"We children of night, the darkness is home."

Oh joy.

I slid down their body, my feet touching the cold metal of the cistern, I tried to rely on my other senses, mostly sound. I hear the flow of liquids, the scraping of talons, a drip of water, and howling wind. Visualizing the area, following the wind, there is a cave ahead.

"Let's go." I said, we walked together as I held on to Zenos. It wasn't scary, the dark doesn't scare me anymore. But it was a bit unnerving walking into the unknown. I only have a limited understanding of my surroundings. I could make a fire but….. No.

We walked up the hill until we reached the mouth of the cave, the temperature dropped by a few degrees. The wind was stronger but the smell didn't waver. The cave was a vortex of wind, I have no idea how far it goes. The birds must be uncomfortable, I could hear them whining in low breaths. We were about to walk through until something stopped us. Between the howling I hear a faint clicking noise. It's far, small at first then grew. One became two and two became four, eventually they all blurred together into a chorus.

"What's that?" One of the birds said.

I looked behind and panicked, seeing thousands of red stars blinking in the distance. On the ceiling, the ground, even the walls. A couple of them let out bursts of flames and I saw an army of bronze spiders before the darkness returned. They were a few miles away at most, gaining speed.

"Run, we have to run!" I scream.

One of the owls shrieked, starting to flap their wings.

"No! Don't fly, they're on the ceilings!"

"Then where go!?"

I looked back. "The cave!" I ran, they scuttled, towards the entrance. This opening wasn't natural, well more unnatural, it was shaped in ringlets, I could feel it on the soles of my feet. It was probably dug through or more likely melted, not that it matters. I stepped through puddles of mercury, praying it doesn't poison me. I don't know how high the cave is but it's enough to company three giant owls albeit in a straight line. They are surprisingly fast despite their short legs.

"How far!"

"Enough!"

What's that supposed to mean!?

I ran even faster when the clinking noise touched the walls, the vibrations echoed all around the cave. I tried to ignore that and focus on the wind; I heard a small whistle ahead, the cave splits.

"Left or right!" I scream.

"Huh!?"

"The cave, it splits in two! Left or right!?"

"Forgot!"

You gotta be kidding me!

I inhaled deeply and cringed. It's no use, I can't smell anything but mercury. I gotta take a gamble, and if there's one thing I'm good at, it's gambling. Ok, I can't see anything, have no idea where I'm going, but the mercury, if I'm right, is moving to the left. I could feel the liquid current under my feet, so maybe the exit is there or an underground lake? Won't that kill me? Or poison me? I'm almost there! I got to think fast!

"I'll go this way!" I pointed to the left. "You three go that way!"

"Wha-"

"There after me!" I sprinted towards the left, my feet sliding on the mercury. I don't hear any scraping noises, so the owls are gone. The clinking never stopped, if anything it's getting louder.

This is like the hole all over again, maybe I can shoot-

My feet slipped and I slid downwards. The tunnel was getting narrower and narrower as more mercury flooded the ground. This was turning into a water slide except with me face forward. I close my eyes and mouth to prevent the mercury from entering my body. It splashed all over my face, into my clothes and on my hair. I couldn't breathe, drowning out noise until all I heard was rushing mercury. I rolled and tumbled all over the tunnel, I had to force my mouth shut every time I bash against my injured arm.

Before I knew it I was free falling, still couldn't see, so dark. It was like I was floating in space, heard nothing but the sound of waterfalls and rushing wind. Then a chill crawled up my spine. Death, I felt death looming over my shoulders, getting stronger and stronger the further I fall. My danger sense screamed at me to do something. I stretched out my arm to grab hold of anything. My fingers brush against metal, I briefly grabbed before my hand slipped. If I continue to fall, I'm going to die.

I chewed my cheeks, I vowed to never do that again. The promise I made that day….

Damn it!

With a flick of my wrist fire sprung out of my arm. A blaze so big and bright it briefly illuminated the cave. I was in another bottomless hole, rivers of liquid mercury fell from the ceiling. The walls are melted, the culmination of thousands of years of mercury piled up and solidified. It wasn't uniform, it was a melted blend of stalagmite and stalactites fused together, that was both beautiful and terrifying. Not even the light illuminates it all, silhouettes in the distance, other forms beyond my sight, I'm probably the first person ever to see this. With my good arm I brace towards a stalactite. My fingers broke through the metal, it felt like wet mud, the momentum pulled me downward and for a second I thought I would fall. It was hard to grasp but I clawed as hard as I could. Eventually I stopped, my heart was racing by a mile, I don't know if it is sweat on head or mercury.

The fire died and I was in the darkness again. I inwardly panic, this is even worse than the hole, not only can't I see anything but the stalactites are as stable as a jenga tower. It would probably collapse in a few minutes.

I inhale air, it burns in my throat; then exhale, I breathe fire, a small flame but enough for my night vision to work. I calculated a path, swinging downward to another stalactite. I could hear the former crumble behind me, I watch as it falls to the darkness below. After five more jumps I still couldn't hear the impact, maybe this hole is bottomless.

I'm still trying to find a way out, like a door or a hole but nothing. It was endless, like a great forest from horizon to horizon.

I suck at gambling.

After the tenth jump I heard it, the clinking sound returned. I looked upward and saw red stars.

No…

They were multiplying.

No!

They were coming closer, scurrying down the stalactite. The extra weight was making it unstable.

I was panicking, I mean really panicking. My composure broke and I was crying. I couldn't see a way out of this, my arm is broken, I can't fly and I can't see an exit. I can't run any more. What was the point of this room?! Why does this even exist?!

I jumped to the next one before it broke apart. I see crab automatons the size of a child falling into the dark below. Each of them baring those crimson eyes, the Labyrinths hate in full force. They were going for this one next and I kept jumping. I was tired, low on mana and running out of pillars. The next is half a mile away. No escape, no way out. I can't laugh my way out of this one. Then the very real thought hit me, I was going to die here. Not from a servant, or a monster but a dark hole. I was going to die here unremembered and unfulfilled; there were so many things I wanted to do. I at least wanted to visit Mom's grave before the end. I grit my teeth, this is so unfair. Why does this always happen to me, what did I do to deserve this?!

I remember the flames, the smoke suffocating me.

I stopped crying and my body stilled.

I remember that woman, sneering in the haze.

The spiders are crawling down, the stalactite's shaking.

I remember Mom's smile, working together, taking apart and rebuilding. She would tell me exactly where each part goes and how it functions. She would speak in both Spanish, English, and Greek, sometimes adding a fake word just to confuse me. I would get so mad, and she would ruffle my hair.

"Eres tan crédulo, nene."

She smelled like motor oil and her hands are sticky. I was angry, but I couldn't help smiling.

"Always remember, hijo. Even in the darkest times. Una pequeña sonrisa puede alegrar el día de cualquiera."

I smiled, even if it was hollow. The pillar is cracking, tiny pebbles crumbling off. I see a spider bot just above me, its red eyes scanning my arm. A beautiful piece of work, simple yet complex. My smile turned genuine, there's no time left.

All I wanted was a way we all could win.

The stalactite finally breaks and I start freefalling.

What a stupid wish.

I see nothing but darkness ahead, if this hole is bottomless then maybe this could be comfortable. I keep grinning even if there is nothing to smile about. Looking at the endless void, I stared at the abyss and spat in its eye. If I'm going to go out, I'll at least be smiling.

Then I felt it, my back touched against the ground, yet I didn't splatter. My hand felt the surface, feathers.

"Human stupid." A familiar voice rang and I let out a laugh. I sat on the owls back looking at the endless darkness above, fingers through my wet hair. I am a good gambler after all. I probably look like a maniac, but I didn't care.

"What funny?"

"Just laughing at myself."

"Human's do that?"

"I do." I look forward, still darkness, but there's a nagging in my gut. This close to her, I take a small sniff. Interesting. "Hey, thanks... Umm. What's your name?"

"Have none. Only Zenos. Zenos strongest!" She flaps her wings, and we continue in a steady pace. I decide to press further.

"You're pretty strong to me. How about I give you one?" I lie on her back, my body finally relaxing. The owl bobs her head. I can't tell if that's a yes or no, but she seems interested. That's all the confirmation I need.

"You look like a Cathy."

The owl grunts.

"No? How about Cassy?"

"No." She squawks.

"Chloe?"

"No."

"Clover?"

"No."

"Clarissa?"

"Why begin with C?"

"Estrella?"

The bird ruminates, her head tilting sideways.

"Why that one?"

"It fits. You're my star in the dark." I sing, wiping the mercury off my hair. The bird twitches before continuing to fly.

"Too pretty." She says softly, her tone hesitant.

"Hm? Really? Sounds like you like it?"

"No! Need strong name!"

"Does that matter?"

"Yes! Strength everything! Zenos strong, I must be strong." I found the trigger, a smile etching on my face. It's fine, she can't see it anyway.

"Really? He seems like a huge jerk."

"No! Zenos strong. Protects us. Feeds us." She sounds offended. "Zenos does what's best. Even..." She drifts off, I was almost there. I need to keep pressing.

"Strong indeed. He helped you guys the entire way?"

"Yes!"

"Even when you're starving?"

"Yes. Zenos always give food."

"Even when he's starves?"

"Zenos strong!"

"Even if he's hurt?"

"Yes!"

"Even if it stains his honor?"

"Ah. Yes."

"Sounds like a great leader." I sing.

"Yes. Zenos strong..." Somber and that was all I need. I sigh. I knew it was too good to be true. The stench wasn't a fluke after all. I tapped my cast, the wires loose, but it retained its shape, arms still no good. Each calculation caused me to frown, not looking good. Its going to be hard but not impossible. We continued to fly until the temperature dropped again, another cave.

"We're here?"

"Yes…."

As soon as we landed I rolled off and braced the floor. It was nice to be on solid ground again, the dirt felt comfortable on my feet. It occurs to me that I'm not wearing shoes, yet I don't feel any sores. Thats good at least. I sniffed the air, the metal smell is not as strong as before, but the darkness still lingers. Its fine, I can work with this.

We both walked through the darkness, another pro is that I could sense the vibrations through my feet. Maybe I could try echolocation, I know its possible for some people. As we got deeper it started to become grimmer, I could smell things all around, none I'd like to see. I had to hold my tongue when I accidentally stepped on a bone.

"Zenos doesn't know where the ghost king is, does he?"

The bird squawked, turning her head towards me, yet I continued forward.

"Zenos knows best."

"I'm sure he does."

My body still reeks of mercury, I think some parts are starting to harden, like mud. That stinks. My whole wardrobe is soaked, I doubt I will ever get the metal stench off. This is the most expensive thing I ever own. All designer wear, a simple t-shirt, jacket and pants, not that different from what I usually wore; but that the brand logo makes it worth thousands. I remember walking past some rich kids in Beverly hills, the awe on their faces, no one has ever looked at me like that before.

I sniffed the air, the other two are here. I hear movement above, not Zenos, too small. Must be the other owl. We entered into a clearing of sorts, the smell of decay overpowering the mercury. I'm not even mad, or disgusted. Strange, last summer I would have run for the hills, but fear escapes me now. I'm just filled with… I don't know, disappointment.

"Human." I hear Zenos voice, they glide down smashing bones. "You've come."

"So, you're going to eat me now!?" I shout.

The owl recoils then moves, I could feel their vibrations circling me. Intimidation technique, would be scary if I could see it.

"Hoot. Bravery won't save you human."

"So what's the plan!? You eat first, they go second!?"

"Quiet! No…. We not feast."

Option two then, nice. Never kill the golden goose, not if you can exploit it.

"You stay. Your magic keep flock full forever!" The owl shrieked, I gave echolocation a shot. From my estimate we're in a cavern, a large hole above, behind, and a hallway to the left. Probably guarded, Estrella left my side the moment Zenos arrived.

"Is this how you treat your guests!? Where's the debt you owe me!?"

"That debt repaid."

"What about healing your friends!?"

"Twas your own decision."

"We made a deal!" I made sure to be extra loud, my voice echoing.

"Deals!? Deals don't feed us! Promises are wind here!" He flapped his wings, if I had a hat it would be blown right off.

"So that's the plan!? Keep me here while you feed off me like leeches! Where's that honor you love so much!?"

Zenos was mad, well even more mad, and its not because of the shouting. I also smelled something else, regret? No, it was more than that. A type of self-hatred mixed with shame; a bit complex for an animal.

"Honor isn't enough. Labyrinth cruel. Fear food never comes. Then all will starve."

I can respect that. Looking out for your pals, even if it means hurting yourself, that's what family is. What it's supposed to be. You got to look out for what's important. And so do I.

"I have to eat too, you know!? I need the sun, fresh air! My pallet got the itch for the finer things! I need atmosphere, a wardrobe, the pazazz!" I gestured my arm around. "Look at this place, a dank cave in the middle of a death trap!? Is this your first time taking care of a pet!? Well I'll have you know I'm not for beginners! I refuse to eat anything less than 5k… With gold leaf… And a crazy straw!" I made sure to emphasize the last one.

Zenos did the owl equivalent of a groan. "Stop shouting. You adapt. Will keep safe. Labyrinth, cries for your blood. Become one with flock. We grow together."

I close my eyes, imagining the layout of the cave. All that shouting was paying off. I take in the sound, wind pressure, touch, temperature, vibrations, smell—my danger sense. A couple of stalactites hang above, and a large stalagmite supports the dome. There is definitely a door, bronze I think, in the hallway. It's guarded by Estrella. The hallway isn't that long. I know where all the owls are, a subtle feeling ingrained in my very being; as long as it's an animal, I'll always be able to sense them.

"I'll take a hard pass!" I shook my head, sight escapes me now, but even I could tell the look on Zenos face.

I smell a spike in emotions, anger, sadness, and relief. Poor thing, even you knew what you were doing. After all, no animal wants domestication, that would make them no different from humans.

I feel the rush of wind as my feet hop to the side, narrowly avoiding Zenos' talon as it cracks the ground where I stood. I calculate every movement, processing in real time how many steps it will take to reach the hallway. Without sight, it's a challenge, one I'm familiar with. The bird above finally swoops down, and the sudden change in air pressure scrambles my thoughts for a moment. I barely dodge, rolling under its talon as it rips apart my jacket. Then my feet touch what I believe is last month's food. Yuck.

"You won't escape!" Zenos chirps and I take that sound to make a clearer picture. More of the cave is revealing itself in my mind, I inwardly recoil, I stepped in their trash bin.

"You know, have you thought about composting!?"

The other owl's on the move. I hear its feathers ruffling in the wind as it opens its wings. I immediately run toward what I think is the wall, sighing in relief when my foot touches the edge. I run up, bracing the walls with my feet. I hear the owl run behind me; for a silent killer, its size doesn't do it any favors. I somersault off the wall, hearing a crash as the smell of decay is flung everywhere. I reach my hand out in front of me, hoping to grab one of the stalactites.

The moment my claws touched stone, I let out a laugh. "Hahahaha! Is that the best you got, losers!" Ok, based on the sound I'm in the top left of the cave, the trajectory was a bit too far. I didn't touch the main stalagmite at the center. I need to sling shot off it and into the hallway.

"Human!" Zenos shrieked and I smiled. He was below me, furthest away from the hall.

I dangled from the stalactite, pushing and pulling my body, trying to swing toward the center. It was hard to do this with one arm. I sensed Zenos move and took a leap of faith, aiming to grab the main pillar. But a stalactite struck me in the face, stopping my momentum. I fell to the ground, barely managing to reorient myself, rolling to dissipate the excess speed. Despite using echolocation, I hadn't mastered it completely. There were bound to be blind spots, like that stalactite. If objects weren't big enough, my echolocation couldn't detect them.

I sense the vibrations, Zenos coming this way. I thought about fighting for a moment before instantly rejecting it, I still don't have in me to hurt them. I could feel my danger sense screaming at me, I jumped back and heard the dirge of a poor soul whose face planted in the dirt.

Been there before.

I took this chance and ran in the opposite direction. I could hear Zenos scream in anger. The air shifted again—the other owl was on the move. If I remember correctly, they were the smallest of the bunch. Still bigger than me, but small enough to fly in here. They were angling themselves; I could hear the wind circling. The air was a blind spot for me—I couldn't sense the vibrations.

"Hey, I think red is the greatest color in the world! I ate five whole pizzas just to see if I could! I stole a hundred and eighty grams of platinum from the Federal Reserve! I put gum in Britney's hair! I don't need a license to drive a car! I ding-dong-ditched Nicolas Cage! Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!" I was screaming random nonsense, but it was enough noise to get a rough estimate of the owl. They were a blur in my senses, ducking in and out. I could smell their confusion—they were hesitant, mostly because they had no idea what I'm doing.

When they were about to dive again, I sprung into action. I jumped on their back, and the bird immediately cried out, "Human! Off!" It thrashed in the air, trying to shake me.

"Land!" Zenos screams at the other owl. I feel its movements. We were moving in a circle, so that means the pillar must be at the center. It starts to slow down and I take my chance. I jumped off and my hand caught the stalagmite. I started to twirl around it like a pole, I need to do this perfectly.

"Stop!" Zenos cried, but its too late.

I twisted my wrist, spinning so fast it felt like my arm might pop. My head was seeing stars—I had to let go now. Sensing Estrella just on the edge, I released. My body shot like a cannonball, slamming into Estrella's stomach. My feet hit her coarse feathers; she chirped in surprise. Using the momentum, I propelled her backward until she crashed through the door.

I felt a cool breeze and saw the flicker of candlelight in the distance. I was back in the labyrinth, or at least the recognizable parts. Blinking my eyes, it was so good to see again; I could manage as long as there was some light. I jumped off the bird, dazed on the floor. Zenos' screams behind me, I took my cue to run.

It didn't take long for those screams to turn into real screams—screams of fear and horror. Against my better judgment, I looked back and saw a sea of red eyes, thousands of them. They were as big as me, shaped like garbage cans with legs. Mechanical crab-like spiders of bronze and gold swarmed the cave, crawling on the walls and ceilings. Twenty pinned Zenos to the floor, while the small owl above desperately flew, chirping for help. The spiders spouted fire from their exhausts, their legs as sharp as knives. I could map their design—hunters, ambush killers made to be numerous and disposable, created to overwhelm their prey.

I thought the Labyrinth was after me!? Why would it-

I shook that thought out of my head. If I moved fast enough, maybe they would chase me. But before I could take a single step, I heard the sound of a blade penetrating flesh. Zenos screamed in pain. I turned back—they weren't moving, their eyes focused on me. They stared into my soul. I could feel the Labyrinth taunting, beckoning me to come closer. I had underestimated it again, didn't think it was this smart.

A crab pounced in the air, trapping the small owl underneath, it whimpered.

"Let them go! Vile-arhhak!" Zenos cried, as they stabbed again.

I could feel hate growing inside me. It was strange—despite Zenos lies, I never felt any hatred toward them or the owls. But these things, I wanted nothing more than to go over there and rip them to shreds. But should I? This is the perfect distraction, I have a clear hallway right behind me. These owls did try to trick me and eat me, I have no obligation to help them. But a nagging thought appeared behind my head. Is it my saint graph? Is it because they're animals? I know she would have left them for dead, she'd want me to do the same. But…..

I hear the small owl weep, praying to any gods who would listen. "Night. Save us….."

I'm going to do something stupid again. Well that's a problem for future Leo.

My limbs ran past the slumbering owl, back into the cave. I could hear the spiders click in glee, the Labyrinth was laughing. Two in the ceiling and four on the ground spewed fire, it burned my shirt and my pants. I'll take my frustration out on their metal hides, I still have enough mana for that, maybe.

I jumped into the air, the flames lighting up the cave like a furnace. Jokes on them—the heat was nothing to me. I landed on top of the trapped owl, and with my good claw, I ripped into the spider's body, pulling out its core with my bare hands. Wires snapped and oil bled. Something primal consumed me; I could finally let loose and stop thinking. I kicked the crab off the small owl, which chirped "thank you" before flying away.

I turned my gaze towards Zenos. More crab-spiders dropped from the ceiling, scurrying into the cave. It was like being flashed with a thousand flashlights, all bearing those red eyes.

I was consumed with an odd glee, like I wanted this to happen. My blood was pumping, the adrenaline was rushing, my sight was clearer than it's ever been yet limited; tunnel-vision, I saw nothing but things to be destroyed. I smiled a terrible grin, any wider and it would break my jaw. The spiders started to move and I got on all three then pounced.

I don't know why, but I was faster this way, my body close to the ground, my arms acting like legs. Too bad I'm limited to three, my left arm was still in its cast; the pain never stopped but it only egged me on. I tore through three in a blitz, my body moved in a whirlwind of claws and teeth. Gods I felt strong, nothing could touch me. I ripped off one of their legs and wielded it like I was a farmer in harvest. More just kept coming, one jumped in the air and I threw the leg, bisecting it into two. It didn't matter, it felt good to use my bare hand. I lost count on my many I ripped apart, my body was completely covered in oil overpowering the smell of mercury, wires stuck between my claws. It looks like I was gliding on wings, diving into the crowd and emerging with new prey in my hands.

After a good minute the fires died down and everything went dark. It didn't matter, all I needed were the red of their eyes. That's when for the first time my danger sense activated, I dodged to the left, skewing through three in a row.

What?

I smashed through five spiders before recognizing that scent—bile, acidic, the slime from before! More of the crabs spewed slime, and I dodged by diving into a crowd, but a few droplets fell on my skin, burning. I tried to escape, but I was practically swimming in a wave of metal. The machines piled onto each other, turning the cave into a pool of bronze. Their knives stabbed and slashed at my skin. I tore apart each one, but they just kept coming.

I struggled until I broke out of the pile, using my strength to fling crabs into the air. The sound of clicking was maddening, their echoes reverberating everywhere, even in my skull. I thought about fleeing, but then I heard a faint scream.

Zenos.

They were underneath the wave. I held my breath and dove down, digging through the mess of machines. Each cut felt like a pinprick, but a hundred at once quickly overwhelmed my pain tolerance. I couldn't see through the chaos; I had to rely on scent and the innate feeling in my gut. There were too many. When my limbs were too slow, I had to rely on my teeth.

I was almost glad I couldn't summon my noble phantasms; I wouldn't have felt the joy of ripping them apart myself. I was beyond caring anymore. All I could feel was an endless release as I bared all my hate, fury, and pain on these machines.

My fingers touched Zenos feathers then I dug my claws into their skin. I tried to lift them up, but the crabs were relentless, too heavy. They slashed and stabbed at my immobile arm, taking their chances while I'm distracted. Man that hurt! It was like being bit by a thousand fire ants all at once.

These things are….. Annoying.

Fire sparked to life around my limbs.

Stupid robots!

Fire danced around my body. I could taste flames on my tongue.

"Why won't you just….. Die!"

And inferno exploded around me, melting the closest machines and disrupting the rest. The weight lessened, with newfound strength I pulled Zenos from the pile. We breached to the surface, barely holding on with one arm. The bird was unconscious, covered in scratches, bleeding golden dust. I pulled them towards the hallway, that's when the crabs regained their focus and attacked again. They stabbed at my back, I grit my teeth as I dragged the bird further.

I'm almost to the hallway, just a little- "Rahhh!"

They spew slime at me, the liquid sizzled on my skin. Is this what it's like to burn? My hand slipped but I bit into Zenos flesh before he could sink away into the bronze.

"Ha-Human!?" That voice.

I closed my eyes and shouted through my teeth."Estrella! Take Zenos! And close the door!"

"Wha-"

"Just do it!" I commanded, tapping into that primal fear from before. For a moment, I thought she had run away, but then the pressure on Zenos lifted, and they were gone from my jaws. I turned back and struck the crabs behind me. It wasn't until I heard the sound of the bronze doors closing that I unleash my fury. A great firestorm erupted with me at its epicenter.

I cried, I laughed—it had been so long since I felt so free, so alive. My entire body was covered in fire; I was fire. With a punch of my arm, I expelled a flame so large it would engulf an entire house. Hordes of spiders disappeared, but more filled in the gaps. I dropped to all fours, my bad arm breaking out of its cast then jumped. The crabs melted where I stood, their bodies turning into bronze goop.

I attacked like a lion, swiping the crabs with my claw and tearing them apart with my teeth. I tasted oil and metal, wires hanging from my jaws. When that wasn't enough, I roared flame like a dragon. More fell from the ceiling—the tide was endless. I leaped to a stalactite, but my heat was melting the stone. I dug into the ceiling and hurled molten lava at the crowd. It wasn't enough.

The tide bubbled and spurted like a geyser; it was as if I was fighting an ocean. I gathered more flame and fell upon it like a meteor, thousands of spiders melting or turning to ash. But it still wasn't enough. I saw nothing but red, all those eyes looking at me in terror and hate. I dug into their metal, ripping them apart, roaring, incinerating, pulverizing, gouging, biting, smashing. It still wasn't enough. The endless tide, like nature itself, was against me.

Then, all at once, they started spewing slime. At first, my flames evaporated it, but they just spewed more, faster and in greater numbers. My flames began to die down. They started piling on my body, their forms melting on my skin, dousing the flames even more. I tried to escape, but they used their sheer weight and numbers to hold me down. I finally start to feel the burns, the slime was dissolving me on a molecular level. I'm drowning in a sea of bile.

I never felt so angry, this isn't like before. Back then it was hopeless, here, it was just pissing me off. This is not how I die. I tapped deep into my saint graph, to the origin of who I was, hate soaring within me. I broke through their hold and smashed the ground, cracking the cave floor. I applied heat in both arms, the fire raced through the cracks tearing the cave apart. The labyrinth must have noticed something because it doubled down, the attacks became faster, the machines worked on overdrive. They stabbed my back, and I tasted blood. Fire melted them behind, liquid metal entered my wounds. I didn't care, the pain was nothing. This was nothing. I will make them nothing!

The entire cave rumbled, cracks formed all over the walls, all glowing red. I have so little mana left, using the last of my reserves I let out a fire so large it made the Labyrinth scream. It tore through the walls destroying everything in its path, I was burning through the last of my life. Eventually the ground caved in and thousands of spiders fell through. Crevasses in the walls and ceiling, the entire cave broke apart and everything fell into the darkness. The spiders stream like water into the holes. I laughed like a manic as thousands of machines fell like rain. I did it, I won.

The ground underneath me broke away, but I didn't care. I'm at the high of my life.

"Man….."

I fell into the darkness below.

"I really hate you, past Leo." I finally closed my eyes, the mana exhaustion is finally hitting. Still, it was fun, I ended with a smile on my face. I looked above one last time, then, darkness.

---

I could hear running water and smell pastries. I woke up, my body didn't ache—strange. My left arm touched my face; it was completely healed, even stranger. I was wearing a suit, a good one. I traced the details on the rim, silky smooth all the way to the cuffs. Black with a white collar shirt and bow tie. I looked like I was dressed for the Oscars.

I stood up from the floor, white tiles so clear I could see my reflection. I was in a garden, trees and flowers growing from patches of green. A large fountain stood in the center, filled with reeds and lily pads. I looked towards the ceiling, covered by a dome of glass, and beyond it, the night sky. So many constellations—definitely not near a city. But isn't this a botanical garden?

I looked around and saw nothing but towering trees and exotic plants. Ferns and flowers bloomed everywhere. But no bugs—impossible. Am I even in reality? I walked down a path, I couldn't sense any animals no matter how much I stretched my senses. The garden feels endless. Am I still in the Labyrinth? No, I can't feel any hunger in the walls.

Is this a dream? Maybe. Been getting a lot of them lately.

I felt something, a familiar presence. Where?…..No.

I stopped when I saw her. She was sitting by a glass table, surrounded by custards and cakes, sipping hot tea from fine china. My body froze—it's her. She was still in a black veil, her back turned towards me. I felt my hands twitch, my teeth clench.

It's her fault. It's all her fault. I blamed myself for years, but she's half responsible. If it wasn't for her, I would never...

"Have you come to gawk? If so, do it by the peonies. If not, then come forth, little hero." Her voice was just as I remembered it—snide and resentful. Soft-spoken yet venomous, it raked against my mind.

"You," I spoke with barely contained anger.

"Yes, it is I." She turned around, through her veil her eyes were half open... I saw oceans, a great forest, the cycles of death and rebirth, the rain, the snow, fields of gold, the first flame, hurricanes, magma twisting beneath the mantle, the rise and fall of civilization, an ancient world of giants, lightning, the extinction of life, the waves under the sea, and a golden flower glistening in morning dew.

I took a step back, my body shaking. My poker face finally broke; I was sweating buckets. I dared to look again, but her eyes, emerald green, rare yet completely normal.

What was that!?

"I'm surprised to see you here. A common theme these days."

"I-um. Wha-what are you doing here?!" I shake away the shock and a fire lit within me, the primal urge to destroy returning. I wanted to sink my claws into her and rip her neck with my jaws. I wanted to burn her away, make her feel all the pain I felt that day.

"I'll kill you!" Fire sparked in my hands.

She giggled, amusement in her drowsy eyes. "More beast than man now; my children would love you."

I pierced my claws deep into her torso. It didn't feel like flesh—it felt like dirt. I clenched my claws, it was dirt. Then her entire form cracked, pieces breaking away into black soil.

"So this is what it's like. Is this what you felt, my love?" The cracks reached her face, splitting her in half from her lips to her right eye.

"My time is short; she comes now." She looked me in the eye, and I felt a tug in my heart. "When it comes, you will wish it was me who breaks the world." Her body began to crumble, her head falling last, leaving only her mouth. "The pain I inflict is nothing to what you'll bring…" One last smile. "Farewell, my foundling." She turned to dirt.

I retracted my arm, and the dirt pile fell off the chair, leaving nothing but a long black robe on the ground.

My emotions still haven't caught up with reality. I'm huffing deep breaths, my heart racing a mile. Is she dead? What was she? Why would she...? So many unanswered questions. I don't even know her name. Is this how it ends, two long years of hate, suffering, just like that? It doesn't feel right. I don't feel fine. I still feel the same. What was it even for? I look back, to the robe, the custards, the spilled tea, the flowers, the trees, to the night above. Nothing, not a sound, not even a whisper, just an eerie silence.

"Mom…." I said that to no one.

I stood there for an eternity. My shock slowly disappeared until it was embers, I felt empty.

Then my danger sense sparked to life—I felt movement. I jumped back, looking towards the source. The robe. It bulged; something was beneath it. I approached it warily, my claws ready. When I was inches away, it jumped, pushing me down. Tiny hands touched my cheeks.

"Ah?"

On top of me was a small girl. She wore an Easter gown with long purple hair, adorned with a long white ribbon on her left side—or were those bandages? She wore a lot of them; they covered her arms, her neck, and the left side of her face. Half masked, rosy-cheeked, revealing only one eye—gold and red, like amber.

She playfully touched my face, squeezing my cheeks, pinched my nose, until she poked my eye.

"Hey! Off!" I tried to lift her, but she was heavy—so heavy I wondered how she wasn't crushing me. Eventually, she rolled off, clutching the black robe like she was Little Red Riding Hood. If I were close to death, I would have thought she was the Grim Reaper. I hastily got up, patting the dirt off my clothes. She on the other hand just stared at me, now that I think about it, she kinda looks familiar.

"Um. Hello-"

"Love?"

Oh, I know who she is now.

"Hey Master, how's it going?" I say with an awkward smile.

She blinked at me, tilting her head. I think I prefer her this size to the other one. I took a step forward, and she ran at me, hugging me so tight I thought my organs would turn to mush.

"It's really you," she sang, crushing my breath away. "I've been waiting so long. Just to feel..." Her squeeze almost knocked me out. "To feel this warmth..." I started to see stars, my ears ringing. "To be—"

"Sa-Stop! Pa-Please! You're crushing my organs!"

I inhaled deeply when she finally let go. That brought me closer to death than any army of mechanical spiders ever could.

"Hmmm? I don't understand. Isn't this what love is?" She sounded like that girl from Alice in Wonderland.

"I-ugh. Give me a sec." I flexed my back, trying to get my breathing back to normal. I checked myself to see if anything was broken. I'm fine, if a little bruised.

"I don't understand, Assassin? Isn't this what you told me? Physical interaction?"

"That's the first part." I cracked my neck and flexed my shoulders. "Then there's steps one to fifteen."

"How do I get to fifteen?"

"You're too young for fifteen."

She pouted, fisting her hands. "I'm old enough!"

"Not from where I'm standing." I ruffled her hair, periwinkle strands covering my hand.

"Assassin's a liar!"

"Tsk, tsk. I never lied. I said you were too young to be worrying about that stuff." She reminded me of my cousins; in the past, I would tease them until they cried. She even had the same blush.

"But I wanna know love NOW!" Her screams were so powerful they cracked the floor, sending me sprawling onto my back. The shockwave flung me, disorienting my equilibrium. She surrounded herself with lightning, her eyes the same as before—insane. I can't believe I forgot how dangerous she was. Her small form had made me too lax.

"Yeah, you're right, Master. Just kidding." I carefully got up, my hands held high. I need to walk on eggshells around her. I underestimated her power before, and that almost got me killed. I have to remember, despite being a little girl, she is still that giant inside—just as powerful, just as infantile. I can talk around her.

"That was a test, I needed to know if you really wanted it."

The pressure stopped and the lightning died down. She returned to being that preppy little girl, not gonna fool me again.

"I really want it, Assassin." She held her hands like a prayer looking at me with sparkles in her eyes.

How am I going to do this again?

"Thanks for pointing it out." I scratch the back of my head.

"Am I finally ready? I did research like you said! Mother gave me so many books. I loved your romance with Calypso. To know you have someone to love, to walk hand in hand. It was so beautiful." Tears swelled in her eyes.

Calyps-who?

"Even the curse." She touched her chest, her face serene. "Love is truly powerful."

"Yeee-Yeah. Love is the best thing in the world. I don't know what I'd do without it. I've heard it's the most powerful magic there is." I tried not to cringe.

"Just so. It's the only thing that will sate the hole inside. Yet I cannot stop myself from craving more. I want to gorge myself, grow fat on love. I want to suffocate, drown in this feeling. I want more. I will eat until I'm full. Until I can no longer breathe, think, devour. I need it, Assassin. Tell me! I must know. Tell me about love. Love. Love. Love. Love. Love. Love. Love. Love. Love. Love. Love—"

"Ok, ok. I get it. Sheesh. Don't go crazy." I almost scrambled away before steadying myself; I need to be in control. Or at least have the semblance of control.

"I think it's time. For me. To tell you. What love is." I spoke slowly to emphasize my point.

She squeaked, and my ears would have popped if I hadn't covered them.

"But," I held a finger up, "There's a catch."

She pouted again. Careful, Leo, don't want a repeat like last time.

"I can't just give it to you all at once." She raised her brow. I had to keep this slow. "It makes it less special. You want this to be special, don't you?"

She nodded her head. I wasn't in the clear just yet.

"It also helps if you work for it." This was the kicker. This could turn really bad, really fast.

"Huh?"

"Well, it's scientifically proven that earning something makes it worthwhile. If I just give you the answer, you wouldn't earn it. And it just won't feel good. After all, love without struggle isn't love at all." I realized my mistake once I said it. I shouldn't have said that last part.

"Love is struggle?"

"No."

"Are you lying to me?" I could feel the power behind her words.

"No! I mean it's part of it. I just didn't give you the full context. That's what's important."

She looked confused again, perfect. I managed to turn it around.

"See, that's what I meant when I said you're too young. You won't understand it. Love is really complex."

That got her really interested. I couldn't figure out why she was so fascinated with love. She reminded me of those crazy girlfriends you see in movies. She's both innocent and deadly. One minute she could be gentle as a lamb, the next, she could swat me like a fly or pulverize me without blinking an eye. I had to be careful with my words around her, never knowing what might set her off.

"Complex?"

"Very. But that's never been an issue for me. I've got a knack for love, back at home they call me the love guru." The lies came out like sweet honey, though my body language and tone made it less stupider than it was in my head.

She blinked, and that was enough to relieve my fears. The look in her eyes told me she was hooked. Now, I just had to reel her in.

"Trust me, with my expertise, you'll never go wrong when it comes to love."

"Just like senpai ," she said whimsically.

That was it, the final hurdle over. I silently thanked whoever this senpai was for making it so much easier.

"Right, Master. But first, you have to help me. Makes it even more special, right?" She nodded her head. Good.

"I kinda need more mana, once this….." I think it's a dream? "Dream ends, there's a big possibility I might be dead. Or dying, whichever comes first."

"Your not dead Assassin." She held her hands close to her chest, her voice became dreamy. "I would have felt it." Red tattoos appeared around her cheeks, three long tears running down her right eye all the way to her chin. Three red lines circle her right forearm until it meets the back of her hand; they look like shooting stars. My eyes widened.

Six…. You have six command spells!

"I am the most powerful of my sisters. Even Mother fears me. But I must still abide by her rules. One of them is, that each must hold only one servant, but there are exceptions."

"Like my other half?"

"Yes. In the Grail's eyes, you are the same servant, so I have not two, but one. At least according to the Grail."

"Then why is she a statue?"

She frowned. "Mother wasn't fooled. She wouldn't allow it without stipulations. I am glad she didn't reject my plan outright, only altered it. 'More interesting,' she says. She even allowed me to keep the command spells. I'll never understand her." She looked far away, through me and into the horizon, her expression turning strangely melancholic. I noticed the atmosphere; her entire mood was different. Like she's a completely different girl.

"And what is she exactly?"

"She is a cocoon, waiting to awaken." Her eyes locked onto mine, and through her gaze, I saw an endless vista beneath ember skies. I saw a great titan sleeping in the Earth, the footsteps of a colossal elephant, and a swirling chaos in a dark tide. Then, I saw her again, one last smile amidst the earthen soil. She mouthed empty words, yet I heard them clearly in my mind: 'The pain I inflict is nothing to what you'll bring.'

I recoiled, refusing to meet her gaze. My Master only smiled, twirling her dress as she danced toward me.

"Your so fun Assassin." She giggled. "I know with your help, I'll surely become a bride."

Yeah. Good luck with that…

"Can't wait to see the lucky guy. So the mana thing?"

She held out her hand, sparking with red lightning. I was hesitant to take it.

"Dance with me, Assassin."

I looked back at her, then at her hand.

"I can't dance."

Her eyes didn't waver, though her hand trembled. I wasn't getting out of this, was I? Slowly, I approached and grasped her hand with mine. She stepped forward, and I stepped back. It was a rhythm, our feet moving automatically. She paced closer until her head was on my shoulder. I had never been this close to anyone before, not since… Before I knew it, we were dancing. Fast yet elegant, slow but complex. I twirled her around, her dress sparking against the night. Her smile was infectious, almost playful without the context. I had never danced before, yet the moves felt like second nature.

"Like this, Master?"

"Yes. It's wonderful," she sang, resting her head on my shoulder. "If only… Senpai ."

I felt a torrent of energy racing up my arm. The power bordered on pain, searing through my bones and making me wince. Eventually, it transformed into a calm stream. When it was over, I felt different—more whole, as if I had regained something I didn't know I'd lost. I was dazed for a few moments before her voice broke me out of it.

"Assassin, do you have someone you love?"

That brought me up short. I didn't want to answer, but my mouth spoke for me. "Yes."

"Did it hurt?"

"Yes."

"Will it ever go away?"

"No."

She was silent, her eyes looking beyond the horizon, her hand on her heart. "Painful, those were your exact words. Mother," she said with longing, a voice that someone her age shouldn't have. She closed her eyes and finally let go. A smile on her face, yet, how could a smile look so sad?

"Treasure your mana, Assassin. I can't do this often. Though…"

"Right. Right." She kept staring at me. "What?"

"You said you would teach me about love."

"Right… Right." How am I gonna do that?

---

I woke up in another dark cave, more breezy than usual. As I got up, I realized why—my clothes were torn to shreds. My shirt was completely gone, and my pants were reduced to scraps barely covering my legs. I looked like Tarzan. Weird this doesn't bother me, in the past I'm sure this would have made me a bit embarrassed. I flexed my back and stretched my arms. Nice, completely healed. No stab wounds or broken arms. It felt good. I never realized how much I took it for granted until it was gone. Having a functional body.

I slid off a stab and my bare feet touched the ground. Odd, I can't sense the gnawing hunger; the ground, the walls, even the air didn't have that warm Labyrinth welcome. The feeling that I'm being watched is gone, replaced with something calmer.

Am I out of the Labyrinth?

I looked around. I was still in a cave, but it felt more homely. Greenery surrounded me, with flowers, bushes, and even a few trees. Light sources were scattered about, with rainbow crystals on the walls and artificial lights in the far distance.

Where am I?

I sniffed the air and caught the familiar scent of nature. Familiar, yet different—it was wild but lacked the same savagery. There was a harmony here. That kumbaya, circle-of-life garbage. I never liked that view. The wild is like the free market—uncontrolled, unpredictable. Anything goes.

Someone really powerful is controlling this place, it's even starting to affect me a bit.

I walk forward, sensing eyes in the shadows. Animals prowl around me, just hidden from view. I could smell the curiosity and fear. The bush to the right of me rustles, I couldn't feel anything dangerous, still I ready my claws. Can't be too prepared.

What came out surprised me for a second, it was a fat plump bird that reached up my ankles. Gray with yellow highlights, diminished wings, strong legs, and a indistinguishable beak. It walked forward bravely, its beak held high, looking at me straight in the eye, fearless.

"Hello." My voice didn't faze it.

"You speak bird?" Its voice was high-pitched, like a muppet.

"I speak many languages."

"Humans can't speak bird. It's impossible."

"Well, I made it possible."

"Then you're not human."

"Ehhh." I flexed my hand. "Somewhere in between. Will your friends come out?"

"They're too chicken, I'm not!"

That declaration caused some of the foliage to ruffle.

"They thought you were dead."

"Almost was. I could say the same to you, aren't you extinct?"

"Humans say many wrong things. I don't care. I fight humans! The Dodos will rule the world!" I couldn't help but smile; it was both adorable and exactly what I needed.

"Then you must be king of the Dodos. All hail the Dodo king, the bravest in the animal kingdom."

All of a sudden, every animal came out of their hiding place, arguing and declaring themselves the bravest. A sabertooth tiger jumped down from a rock, snarling. A great deer emerged from the forest, yelling. An alligator, a giant sloth, a giant armadillo, a miniature elephant, a blue parrot, a white rhino, even a weird dog-cat tiger thing. So many hurt egos—it tasted divine.

"Human is blind!" "I'm the greatest." "Dede's a fraud!" "Fear me!" "I'm too big to be afraid!" "Wrong! Wrong!"

I've never seen so many rare creatures in one place, well, except for Leonardo DiCaprio's birthday.

"Alright everyone settle down, let's just agree to disagree." That got all of them to quiet down, instead all looked wide eyed at me. Was it something I said?

"Did you hear that?" "I understood him." "We all did!" "How can that be?" "Human is blessed." "The blessing of Lord Pan." "Impossible."

"Um…" I turned to the dodo. "Do you know what is going on?"

"You don't know?" The bird answered curiously. "Then we must go to Great Pan; he will understand." With that, the bird waddled off into the distance. She turned around, motioning for me to follow before walking away. I didn't sense any malice coming from her, and my danger sense wasn't acting up. Well, it's better than staying here, so I followed. The other animals not far behind.

We walked deeper into the cavern, large crystals hanging from the ceiling, lighting up the cave with rainbows. Even the foliage grew thicker, and the smell of nature became stronger. I sensed more animals in the distance—it was amazing. All these herbivores together with predators. This Pan guy must be crazy strong or have a great management policy.

I came to a clearing and spied a mammoth guarding an even greater beast. If I could call it a beast, it was phantasmal, lounging on a fancy chaise. But it was no ordinary phantasmal; divinity oozed from its body. I could smell it, a god of nature, the wilds, the uncontrolled places of the Earth. As I approached, it opened one eye, and in that gaze, I saw a world before humanity, untouched and beautiful; it almost made me cry.

"Hello." His voice was soft, a smoothing balm on my soul. "You're finally awake."

Gods, dangerous customers. My mind ran through multiple scenarios before picking an approach. I bow, kneeling before the god.

"Thank you, my lord, for your protection and care. I am but a humble traveler, lost in the Labyrinth. Please accept my apologies for any disturbance I may have caused." I put as much sincerity into my voice as possible, digging up old memories to emulate that emotion. When it comes to gods, it has to feel real to sell the deal.

"Not at all, child. If anything, thank you for the excitement. My sleep has made things very lax." The god yawned, and I sighed in relief on the inside. I didn't want to fight a god, but if it came to it, I would. It's extremely difficult and the gains are almost never worth the losses.

"If it is your will, Lord Pan." As much as I wanted to vomit, I've sucked up to worse. Hopefully, he doesn't know that.

"Great Pan! Great Pan!" The dodo jumped, squawking. This idiot, does she not know he could obliterate her in an instant? From what I know, gods are prideful beings and do not take kindly to anyone who wastes their time.

"This human! Is he your champion? Are you finally leaving?!" All the other animals perked up when she said that, looking at the god with a mix of relief and sadness.

The goat god smiled. "No, dear. He is a guest. From an old friend."

Weird… I don't know anyone who can consider a god their friend. Maybe Quintus?... No, not likely; too divorced from the idea of nature. That left a few possibilities: my Master and…

"Zenos?" The god looked at me and smiled.

"Why, if I may ask." I bowed my head even lower.

"It's the most curious thing. A group of Strixes wandering in my home, carrying a wounded child. I expected them to eat you. But instead, they begged me to save you. Man-eating birds, creatures of the dark, threw away their pride in defense of a child. I thought I was still dreaming."

That I didn't see coming. The question of why filled my mind. Knowing Zenos, he should have eaten me; he never did hide his hatred for me. Maybe the other two overpowered him, I still couldn't see it.

"I know the question in your mind child. In ages past the Strixes were a proud race, never to forget a debt. Good or ill. You are very blessed." The old god shifted in his seat, pulling out a reed pipe.

"Thank you Lord Pan. For healing me–"

"I never healed you. I could only provide shelter from the Labyrinth, and even that was almost too much. My power has waned, child. The world has moved on without me," he said somberly, as the animals around him cried softly.

A god in his twilight—that opened a lot of possibilities. The greed inside me grows. Terrible ideas kept popping up in my head. He would be perfect for—no, I can't. But it's so easy, we could win the—He helped me, I can't betray him like that. Think of the opportunities—no, no! That would make me scum! I would be no different than—

"Human, that is what you are, right?" the god whispered, his hands inspecting his flute. "I've never met anyone like you. Someone with both feet on opposite sides. It wasn't the pleading of an old friend that convinced me. A spirit of nature yet a human at the same time? How could this be?"

That silenced my thoughts, a question I also had. Something that's plagued me for a while.

"I don't know." I say without any platitudes.

The god yawned and sighed.

"I'll make this easier, do you consider yourself human?"

"I…"

I wanted to say no, but Mom was human. If I said no, wouldn't that mean I wasn't her son? I hated that thought more than the alternative. There wasn't a choice.

"Yes. Yes, I am human."

"Do you hate humans?" He said immediately after I answered.

"..."

That was the question. I hate humans, I absolutely hate them. Yet, at the same time, I love them. They can't help but be what they are. Humans are still beasts, and they only follow their nature. But my bias is skewed. For two years, I have known nothing but scorn and hatred from humanity. I was never given the benefit of the doubt; they saw me as a devil child. My family, everyone else—they never gave me a break. They wrote me off, abandoned me. I guessed I did deserve it, I was half responsible. But it still hurts. Just one look in their eyes told me what they thought of me.

So, I laughed it off. If I was laughing, it wasn't bad—at least, that's what I told myself. If there was a problem, I'd run and not look back. But then last summer came, and I couldn't run away anymore. I heard things, saw things—the abuse, the torment humans inflict on animals, on each other. It shattered what little faith I had left in them. It broke something inside me. To know all the horrors they caused, all without a care in the world, how could that be anything but evil.

So I hated them. I slowly grew detached from mankind, reveling in my new gifts. I treated them like pawns, infiltrating high circles and making myself filthy rich. The debauchery, the vanity, the excess—I tasted the limelight and loved it. I loved the filth, the cheating, the capitalism. It was exhilarating. It was an epiphany: I loved humanity. I loved their vices, the manipulation, the ruthlessness. It was the wilds, and I was the apex predator.

A conundrum, how could I both love and hate?

"Yes, I hate humans, But…." A long silence followed, I didn't know what I was waiting for. The old god flared his nostrils before his eyes beckoned me to continue. "I also love them. Is that weird?"

The god huffed, then let out a small laugh. "Not at all, that's how most relationships work. You like some things and you hate others. A strange compromise, isn't it."

"I guess it is." I stood up, our eyes met. This borders on arrogance but I don't think the god cares. I look back to the animals they were circling around me, some brave enough to sniff. The dodo puffs her chest defiant in front of the god.

"So I should be going then, unless, do you know where the ghost king is?"

The god frowned. "I haven't left this cavern in eons. And I fear I never may. The judge of the underworld is a fickle man. If you trust anything, trust his hatred for the man who created the Labyrinth."

"Thank you, Lord Pan. If there's anything I can do to repay you—"

"No. This conversation is payment enough. Besides, my time is up."

Huh?

"I'm not long for this world. A bit early, but I sense that my life is near its end. Just… Thank you, child. Thank you for your kind words for a god about to meet his end." The animals around him whimpered, some hugged the god, and the mammoth wrapped his trunk around the god's horns, petting them gently.

I see… Then.

"I am Leo Valdez. Son of Esperanza Valdez. A humble traveler," I introduced myself, bowing to the god.

"I am Pan, the god of the wilds. Son to the god of travelers. Thank you, Leo Valdez, for indulging an old god. The entrance to the Labyrinth is where you came." He pointed behind me. "Good hunting, child of nature and flame."

With a final farewell, I walked back. This didn't feel right, yet the look in his eyes—those eyes that yearned for death—stopped me from saying anything more. Nothing I could say would ever convince him otherwise.

The sound of waddling came from behind, and I looked back to see the dodo.

"Wait!"

"Huh?"

The bird skidded and crashed into my leg. It didn't hurt me, but she was dazed.

"Ah. Wait, human. Uh. Wait!" Her feet stepped on itself, she tumbled for a bit before the trembling stopped.

"What do you want?"

"Human!" The bird stood her ground. "I demand you take me with you!"

I did not expect that.

I raised a brow. "But why, though?"

"I'm done singing! I wanna see the world! I want to build my kingdom! And conquer the universe!"

Not the worst goals I'd heard, and they beat mine by a long shot. But it would be irresponsible for me not to dissuade her.

"It'll be dangerous."

"I don't care!"

"You'll probably die."

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained!"

"There's going to be a lot of things that want to eat you."

"Let them try!"

I snorted. She reminded me of a tiny version of myself. Scratch that—myself without any impulse control. If anything, it would be an interesting experience. After all, all the good heroes have an animal sidekick. My other half would argue that sidekick is me; I do make good comic relief.

"But why me, and why should I?" I asked with a hint of dread. The bird was silent for a moment, then barked.

"Because you're a pushover." No platitudes. She just said it outright.

I was taken aback. I wanted to laugh—how could she be so right yet so wrong? Then the idea appealed to me a bit. What's wrong with me? Am I really going to do this?

"Alright, but first. A test," I hollered to the ceiling. "Hey, Zenos, you can come out now!" All of a sudden, three great owls glided downward from the caves above. The dodo jumped, falling on her back. They towered over me, especially Zenos; the owl had wear and tear on their feathers, a scratch under their right eye.

"How did you know, Human?" Zenos asked.

"Just did," I shrugged my shoulders, crossed my arms. Zenos huffed.

The owl narrowed its eyes, and I heard a growl behind its beak. It raised its wings and looked like it was about to pounce. The dodo hid behind my leg, and the moment they moved, she screamed. Then, Zenos lowered down, bowing its head.

"Ashamed. Even when betrayed, human saved me. A stain on my honor, on the night, on the Strixes," Zenos confessed, bowing even lower. For the first time, I couldn't hear any anger in his voice. "Forgive me, human. I've done you wrong." The other two owls bowed as well.

The dodo slowly peeked from my legs, waddling forward. "You're not so tough!" She puffed.

"On a good day, they would eat you whole," I warned her as I walked past her and stood in front of Zenos. "Hey, stop that. An owl as strong as you should never bow to a human."

"But I wronged. Take your revenge. My life is yours," Zenos declared with a finality that left a sour taste in my mouth.

"You were just doing what you thought was best. There's some dignity in that, so stand. I'm not angry," I reassured them. The owls slowly stood, refusing to look me in the eye, lowering their heads. "If anything, I'm mad at the Labyrinth. It destroyed your home," It was really me, but they didn't need to know that.

The owls gathered themselves, and Zenos was the first to look at me. "Human, if won't take head, I answer request. I take you to ghost king," he declared, his words silencing what I was about to say.

"You mean for real this time? I thought you were lying?" I asked, surprised.

"No. Told truth in first debt. I know where he is," Zenos affirmed, determination in his eyes.

"So, you were lying that you were lying?" I teased.

"I never lied!" Zenos shrieked.

"Hmmm," I rubbed my chin, pondering his words. "This isn't another trick?"

"Never." Zenos said, I sniffed the air, didn't smell any betrayal. My danger sense wasn't detecting anything odd. What to do….. The dodo walked passed me, and stood between both of us.

"I say we take their heads! All traitors must die!" She squeaks, her voice echoing in the caverns above making her voice even squeakier.

I giggled. "Alright."

The dodo puffs her chest.

"Let's go Zenos, I'll take that deal."

The flightless bird deflates.

All of us walked to the Labyrinth entrance, the Greek delta glowing above. I could smell its hunger, silently beckoning us to enter. I had to push the dodo back before they were consumed.

"If you're trapped, why didn't you leave here?" I pointed to the caverns above.

"Too deep in Earth. No big opening. Pan's home. Man-eaters scare animals. Not wanted," Estrella whispered.

I nodded back, a cold wind blew through the entrance, and suddenly I felt very breezy. It occurred to me that I'm practically naked. How am I not bothered by this? I guess I'm just really comfortable in my own skin. Huh.

"Human?" Estrella interrupted.

"Just give me a sec."

A pink light engulfed my body. In a flash, I'm wearing a skin-tight body suit—black with pink highlights—and combat boots, all leather with a reflective sheen. All the birds backed away from me, staring in amazement. I never liked this form; this suit is too ridiculous. It's like I'm Catwoman. I guess it fits my other half but not me. If only I could…. Wait a moment.

I activated my riding skills, and the suit started to glow once more. Transformed into a dark tank top, blue jeans, fingerless gloves, combat boots, and, weirdly, a scarf striped with purple and pink. When I pictured high fashion, I didn't picture this.

"Human! What happened!? You look different?" The dodo perked up, and I don't think she was talking about my clothes. My left ear twitched in anticipation. I reached out to stroke its soft fur. It wasn't part of my original anatomy, yet felt natural all the same. A spike of cartilage, sensitive to the touch, it felt nice to comb my hand over my ears. I wonder, though.

I checked where my normal ears would be, hidden under strands of curly hair. The skin was smooth, like it had never existed.

"Human! I knew you smelled strange. Is this your true form?" The dodo walks around me, poking at my pants. A single glare, and the bird backs off. I laugh a little; that was much easier to do in this form. Actually, there's not much difference between this form and my regular, ability-wise. I only use this form when I want to gain serious firepower with less mana cost. But being in the Assassin class, my durability is about the same in both. I wonder if that will change in the future?

I look toward the entrance and feel an ominous breeze. Despite my attire, I don't feel cold—another perk of this form. Now that I think about it, maybe I should use it more often. But this outfit... Questions for later.

"Alright." I pick up the dodo in my arms. It happens so fast she doesn't have time to protest. "Let's go." I fell back into the portal. The bird screams as we freefall into a large open space, a dome of stone. The walls are covered in frescoes, statues, and art, all in Greco-Roman style. Is the Labyrinth welcoming us?

"Are you crazy!" the bird screams, flapping her diminished wings as if they would do something.

"Don't worry." I relax in the air, folding my arms behind my head and crossing my legs; my scarf was waving wildly in the wind. It's been a while since I could stop and enjoy life. With my enhanced eyesight, I can see each artwork even though it's miles away. "Just think of it as a brisk massage."

"Where gonna die!"

"Well that's your point of view."

"AAHHHH!"

I snickered, in three, two, one. On cue, my back braced an entourage of feathers—a bit bristly, though. I think I like the air more. I still hear the dodo, though, screaming her lungs off, getting further and further away. I frowned; she missed.

"I'll be right back." I rolled off Zeno's back and into the air. I saw her, tears leaving a trail behind. I dived down, my form shifting, my body growing feathers, becoming more slender, aerodynamic. I flapped my wings as I raced downward. The dodo came into sight. I grabbed her with my talons and flew back up. She squirmed beneath my claws, I position myself to do as little damage as possible.

"Waahhhh! Take me back! Great Pan! Help me! I wanna go back! Please don't eat me!"

As if. If history is right, dodo meat is too gamey for my palate. She continued to scream even after I dropped her off Zenos back. I held her in my arms once again, tears all over my shirt, maybe I did take it a bit far.

"Shhh. It's alright." I petted her head. She's softer than I thought, like a feathered pillow.

"I-ugh. I-ahhh. I-Um. I wasn't scared." She whimpered, looking at me with a brave front.

"You sure weren't." She grinned back or at least the dodo equivalent. "Say, what's your name again?"

"My name? Great Pan calls me Dede."

"Cute."

"I'm not cute!" The dodo struggled in my arms. "I'll be king of the world! All will tremble in fear and awe!"

"You go girl." I petted again, I could tell it annoys her. "Hey Zenos, how long til we get there?" I rub on the feathers beneath me, the owl speaks.

"Hours, the ghost king near heart. Close to inventor." Their voice was raspy, but not angry. It was a nice change of pace.

Wait, near the heart? Did that mean I was way off course. I could have found him near Quintus' doorstep!? I groaned, deflating, my shoulders slumping. I looked at the dodo, still trying to escape my hold. Well, we do have a lot of time on my hands.

"So, what do you know about Pan?" The dodo looked at me like I'm an idiot. Zeno chuckled beneath us.

---

After a few hours of flying, we entered a dark corridor—well, calling it that would be generous. Imagine a corridor that is a thousand miles long, a million miles high, with a hundred bridges between two evil-looking canyons. I'll never understand how the Labyrinth can create these rooms. Isn't it supposed to incorporate buildings into its body, not entire land masses?

Everything here screams "evil dungeon"—cages and spikes, screams of pain. Everywhere we fly, I see torture devices. It doesn't help that everything is lit up in red; without night vision, your average Joe wouldn't see squat. This place tries too hard to be edgy, and it ends up feeling like a parody. Who would fall for this garbage?

I feel Dede tremble in my arms, well I guess everything has a market.

"So, where's the ghost king?" I didn't have the energy to fake enthusiasm.

"Over there." Zenos didn't even have to point it out. At the center of this place was a black fortress, angular and bristling with spikes—too dark for my taste. Zenos and the owls landed on an empty bridge overlooking this monstrosity. I jumped off with Dede in my arms. Earlier, she struggled to escape; now she refuses to let go.

"Can't go further. King of ghosts will sense us." Estrella mimics Zenos tone, her voice was deep.

"Well I'm going to kill him anyway. Best keep the element of surprise."

"You fool human," Zeno spoke out. "The dead cannot die. How you kill what's dead?" Their glare could cut stone, their body blending into the darkness around them, making all the owls look like giant shadows.

"Oh, you're right. I guess this is a suicide mission." I smacked my head. "Well, I'm off to die. Come on, Dede." I said that as nonchalantly as possible.

"What!?"

"Well, it's either that or stay here. In the dark. With the Strixes." I held a malicious grin.

The dodo looked at me, then back at them, then back at me. This back-and-forth happened for a while.

"If you're too scared—"

"I am not scared!" Too easy.

"I never doubted you for a second." I winked, and the dodo trembled. "Now off we go to be horribly maimed or have our souls severed from our bodies. Or whatever the ghost king does." I waved the owls goodbye. This could be the last time I ever see them. We may not always get along, but it sure has been a trip.

I put Dede down, she fought me but eventually her feet trembled on the ground. I walked towards Zenos and mouthed him one last message. They make a face, the owl recoiled and I walked back with a smile.

"Ready Dede?"

"Human, you're insane."

"And here I thought nothing ventured, nothing gained?"

"But this is crazy!"

"What? You chickening out?"

The bird looked offended. "Never chicken!" The bird stared at me defiantly, this is good. Pride can overcome fear. "I will conquer all!"

"Then let's go." I rush to grab the dodo and jump off the bridge.

"Huummaannn!" Dede screams.

I giggled as I twisted my wrist. Beneath me flashed a custom motorcycle, a black Harley with pink trims. Its roar echoed throughout the dungeon. I rode the thing moving in a straight line, hopping from bridge to bridge, waking up the creatures of the Labyrinth. Monsters of shadow, frog-like beings with spears, mechanical giants, weird guys with sacks on their heads, and ghosts—lots of ghosts. Blue specters that made Dede cry like a baby. All of them wielded some sort of weapon, like a flail, sword, bow, or axe. Not that any of them could hit me. I maneuvered the Harley to hop up and down the bridges, and the monsters could barely keep up with us.

Well there goes the element of surprise. And I call myself an Assassin.

We rode straight to the fortress, ghosts yelling behind us as they ate our dust. Weirdly, all of them spoke Greek, mostly swearing. As we approached the castle, the gates automatically opened as we drove. My instincts told me this was a trap. And as an Assassin, we never go through the front door. I turned to the left, away from the doors and toward the walls.

"What are you doing!" Dede screamed in my ears.

I answered by going faster, revving up the motor. I did a wheelie, wheels sparking with pink flames.

"We're going to crash!"

"Ye of little faith."

The Harley roared as I shifted the gear upward. It jumped, and instead of crashing, we rode up the walls. Driving past black stone and cracks, it was clear this place has seen better days, it looks like it was made eons ago. I sniffed the air, smelling brimstone and soot, but more importantly, I smelled opportunity. My eyes scanned the building—it was absolutely insane, reaching meters above. Unsustainable, the upkeep alone must be in the millions. If it were me, I would sell the place as soon as I found a sucker. But that's neither here nor there; the opportunity is further up.

My ears twitched, and I drove to the right, avoiding a fireball. I heard the flapping of leather and a shriek. Dede hid closer to my chest. I looked back, my scarf billowing against the wind, and saw it. A withered old lady with bat wings, fire in her eyes, glowing red teeth, and a fiery whip. It was about the most metal thing I'd ever seen.

"Murderer!" the woman screamed.

I flinched, then clench my teeth. Revved up my motorcycle, dodging another fireball.

"Murrrrdereeeer!" She flew faster, flinging her whip in the air, slashing at the walls, breaking stone, and missing my motorcycle by a hair. She's good, predicting where I would be on a dime. I performed evasive maneuvers, making a sharp turn. That confused her for a moment, the momentum forcing her to fly ahead. It gave me a few seconds of breathing time.

I summoned a revolver, one hand on the handlebar while I aimed with the other. When she was in my sights, I fired. She angled; I missed. The bullet tapped her wing membranes, leaving a hole.

"Murrrderer!" Her jaws opened, lava dripping out of her mouth like drool, her throat glowing.

I made a sharp right turn, narrowly missing a beam of fire that incinerated a large section of the wall.

"Murrddderer!" She was breaking my composure. I could feel myself growing angrier by the second. It takes a special type of person to do that, and they usually end up with broken bones.

"Who's that!?" Dede squawked.

"No idea." I growled. I pulled the handlebars and made a hard stop. It took a moment for gravity to take hold, and the cycle broke away from the walls.

"Wha?!" Dede squawked again, and then we fell, screams filling the air.

Free-falling backward, I aimed the Harley straight at the woman. Her eyes widened, and she dodged at the last second. Too late, though—the back wheel nicked her legs, and she yelped. But that wasn't enough to take her out of the air. She maneuvered around the vehicle, letting us fall to our deaths. But ramming her was never the plan. I cocked my gun, now with a clear shot. With both hands, I fired the revolver, emptying the last five rounds. One took an eye, another hit her throat, two more struck her shoulders, and the last pierced her heart.

I love a good plan, even when it involves me falling to my death. Huh, that's been happening a lot lately. I never expected a place called the Labyrinth to have—

"Do something!" Dede screeched right in my ear.

"Alright, alright! I'm getting to that." I revved the handlebars, the exhaust spewing fire. But that just made us spin even faster. There wasn't much I could do here, was there?

"Abandon ship!" I grabbed Dede and jumped to the walls. Luckily, I managed to grab a crack, and we dangled against the building. The moment I left, the motorcycle dissipated. Pity, I wanted to see a fireball. Dede was hyperventilating; I didn't know birds could do that.

"Hey, you okay?"

"Ah. You. Ha. Human. Are crazy!" She wiggled in my arms, a bit dangerous with us hanging here. "Crazy! Insane! Should have never left!" She tried biting my arm.

"Come on. No pain, no gain?"

"This isn't gain! This is insanity!" She was kicking my cheeks, trying to wrestle from my grip.

"It's not that bad." Maybe.

"That's because you're insane!"

"That's because I'm—" My ears twitched, and I let go. I ground my feet on the walls, slowing my descent as I slid down the castle. What was that? I looked around, catching glimpses of murder holes and shadows. Not here, where is it? I used my danger sense. It was above. I hopped to the side, a burning whip slashing where I had just been.

"Mrrrrrrr." I heard a horrible growl.

I smashed my feet into the stone, sticking us in place. Turning back, I summoned a semi-automatic and fired with my left hand. Bullet shells rang through the air, each projectile aimed at the woman. She glided downwards, rolling in the air and using her wings as shields. Whatever bullets did hit only penetrated her wings. I wanted to shout, but she was already upon me. Unfolding her wings, she grabbed me by the throat, her ugly face inches from mine. Wrinkled and leathery with scales on her cheeks, she was old but not frail. Her left eye was closed and bleeding gold, while her right glowed red with vengeance. She slurred her words, ichor spitting from her tongue.

"Maauaa! Murra! Murderer!" She squeezed tighter, cutting off my breath.

"Dee. De." I struggled to get out.

The dodo paused, frozen in fear, then shook her head and sprang into action. She bit the old woman's hand as hard as she could. The monster shrieked, her grip loosening just enough. I grabbed her arm, prying her hand from my throat. Using my legs, I grappled her torso and bit into her shoulder. My teeth tore through flesh, her ichor tasted awful. I had a good hold on her, and she wobbled as she flew, struggling to stay aloft.

"Murder! Murder!" Like nails on a chalkboard.

I could feel heat emanating from her. This isn't good. I was still holding Dede in my right hand. Wasting no time, I threw Dede upward with all my strength. Quickly, I used my free arm to jab my thumb into her eye, clenching my hand and clawing deeper into her head. The fire was finally here; she breathed it point-blank right into my face. Another perk of this form—it's just as fireproof as me. I chewed deeper and ripped the wing from her shoulder. My left hand broke bone and shattered her arm. With both hands free, I grabbed her head, forcefully tilting it upwards, the fire still spewing from her mouth.

We were both falling, the wind twisting us in the air. We were embraced in a mess of flames and ichor.

"Murderer! Murderer!" she shrieked.

"SHUT UP!" The rage makes me tear her head apart.

"Murd—" Her head exploded in ichor and fire. The explosion ricocheted me away, and I was finally alone, tumbling through the air. That was intense, I haven't felt like that since… I'm still falling aren't I?

I flapped my arms, transforming them into wings as my body shifted. I soared into the air, scanning the skies for any sign of Dede. Nothing. I stretched my danger sense, but still, there was no trace of her. Did she fall? She wasn't that heavy, was she? She couldn't fly, but she at least had feathers, which made her somewhat aerodynamic. There was no way she could have fallen before us.

Then she would have seen... I swallowed, I don't want anyone to see me like that.

"Amazing," an unfamiliar voice spoke, accompanied by slow clapping. "No one has ever slain her since... well, last week. But before that, it's been a hundred years."

I hovered in the air, harder than I thought, and turned to the voice. How did I not sense him? Sure, he's a ghost, but… no, he's no ordinary ghost. This is who I've been looking for. I could feel it in my bones, and that smell.

"Are you the Ghost King?"

The floating man cackled, an old figure with a pointed beard. He was bone-thin, wearing a hood with a crown atop it, and robes so white they looked like snow. Like all ghosts, he glowed an ethereal blue, but compared to those in the Labyrinth, he felt much more. He blinked in and out of my senses, as if on the cusp of becoming real. Yet despite all that, I could smell it. He reeked of greed, but more importantly, anger—a simmering fury that boiled just beneath the surface.

"A title I wear with pride," he said, his voice raspy, tired yet smooth. "But let's not waste time on ceremony here. I await you above. So does your friend." He sneered then vanished. It didn't smell like a lie, but neither did it ring entirely true. My instincts screamed 'trap,' but I had no leads.

Dede…

I flew up as quickly as my form could manage, much faster than a motorcycle, though it didn't have the same allure. After two straight minutes of ascending this ridiculously tall structure I reached it. At the top of the castle was another castle? Well, not quite—it was a temple full of marble columns, greenery, statues, gold, and at the center was the Parthenon, or at least a copy. I shifted back in mid-air and rolled on the floor, coming to a stop in front of a statue. It was a woman in a toga holding a ball of yarn; the statue was covered in sharp thorns and roses. I took stock for a moment, then sniffed the air. It smelled foul; even the roses didn't smell right. Nothing felt alive here; it reeked of death.

I stalked closer, crouching down to hide in the bushes. I couldn't sense anything—no animals, no monsters, no ghosts, no danger. It felt too sterile, but the worst part was the silence. Not even the leaves moved; everything had this unsettling stillness. The place was illuminated by torches with red flames, casting only a dim light and making it look perpetually like night.

I smelled the opportunity; it was coming from the Parthenon. I slid through the greenery, hiding in the shadows, and then up the steps to the temple. Unlike the real one in Greece, this one was complete, with a roof and walls. A big bronze door marked the entrance, embedded with the image of a king ruling on a hill and a maze beneath. I hid around the columns and scanned the walls, looking for any opening, but I didn't find any. As much as it irked me, I had no choice. I shifted again, turning into a small field mouse. Slipped into the tiny gap between the doors, then sniffed the air. Finding nothing, I entered.

The inside was dark, illuminated only by a lone hearth at the center with red flames. Instead of a statue, there was a throne at the far end. A blue light shimmered on its seat.

Ok, I know where he is. But where–

"You can't hide from me boy. This place is my domain, nothing enters without my knowledge. I will find you no matter what form you take." The blue specter stood up from his seat and pointed directly at me.

I kept my composure, testing the waters. I moved, and his finger followed. So subterfuge was out of the question. I shifted back into my true form, my ears twitching. I wrapped the scarf tightly to cover my face.

"A thief in the night? No. A blade in the dark. I've met many while I lived, none have succeeded."

That was a lie.

"Where is she?" I answered and the king scowled.

"You dare order me? A child not even half his years. Come to my home and demand things from me!?" His rage echoed throughout the room. I calmly walked forward. "I am the judge of the dead. The master of the Labyrinth. The son of a god! Who are you to order me!?" A gust of wind blew against my face, the fire wavered, casting high shadows.

"I should kill you, for your arrogance."

"Not at all, my king." I bowed, my body language shifting into something more welcoming. "I spoke in tongues. Your presence alone is enough to render me dumb, such is the grandeur of your reign. The splendor of your domain, the opulence of your court—truly, you are a monarch of unmatched might and majesty." My voice was so smooth it was criminal.

The wind stopped and the king paused.

"You possess the silver tongue of a minstrel," he remarked.

"I prefer to think of myself as a master salesman," I replied with a suave smile.

"A jester, then," he mused.

"If it means securing a deal, I'll perform to your heart's content," I countered, my voice dripping with charm.

The ghost laughs, a mocking tone; something I'm all too familiar with.

"Indeed, a fool. But charms can only get so far. Tell me, why have you come here?" I could tell from his eyes that he already knows. He must think this is amusing, but it doesn't hurt to gather more information, so I'll play along.

"I've traveled very far to meet you. I ventured through metal caverns, crossed bottomless pits, and danced with death to see with my own eyes the most wondrous spirit king. I've seen your grand castle, and I must say, it's breathtaking." In a way.

The king exhaled sharply, his eyes narrowing with offense. "This place? It's trash! Compared to my kingdom below, it doesn't hold a fraction of its grandeur. A mere imitation of Olympus, a relic from when their domains lay in other lands. The Labyrinth created it for my pleasure, and it's insulting. You insult me."

"I am too, Your Majesty," I said, bowing even lower. "Insulted by my own poor taste. I am disgusted with myself and this place. It is trash, not even worth the dirt beneath my boot. The ugliest thing I have ever seen."

"You dare insult my home away from home?"

"Once again, I find myself insulted by my own words, by my insult of this insult. I have never been one for architecture, your Majesty. My taste is poor, an insult even to myself. If you are insulted by my insult of this insult, then I too am insulted by my insults of this place you find so insulting. It is an insult, your Majesty. Forgive me. For I am young and not as wise as you. I pray you forgive my clumsy attempt at honesty."

The king's expression turned neutral.

"Truly a jester. You make a poor sycophant."

Shows what you know, that's half my life.

"I aim to please your Majesty."

His scowl returned, sat down and rested his head on his fist. He looked more kingly now, like one of those guys from Lord of the Rings. He has everything going for it, a ghost, a crown, he glows blue, and he's old.

"Please indeed. Tell me, why did you seek me? Only the dead have that privilege, and they dread it. Why you, a youth in his prime, still alive, seek the judge of the dead."

"I wanted to see if–"

"Enough. I've seen your sins. Your Daedalus catspaw. An Assassin."

So, no more playing? Alright then. I moved my hand to summon my gun, but a squawk broke my concentration. Another ghost materialized, she had no face and wore blue robes. In her hands was Dede, she was encased in a large cloche, poking at the glass, scratching it with her claws.

"Help! Human!" She screams, banging her head on the glass.

The ghost held the cloche high, displaying for all to see. The king smiled and turned to me.

"Such a fine feathered friend. Her kind is extinct, are they not? That makes her the rarest bird in the world. I wonder what she tastes? Will I savor her rarity?"

I could feel my anger grow, but I drowned it out. Getting angry won't solve anything, I have to maintain my composure. I can't let him know I'm attached, that would only put her in more danger. Besides, I have a great poker face. I could feel the king's eyes on me, looking for a chink in my armor. Eventually the ghost king stops and smiles.

"Impressive for someone so young. To have such a control on your emotions." He reaches out to pat the glass. "Then again it is for a pet. But children grow attached to the stupidest of things."

I said nothing, my face blank. I mastered everything, breathing, eye contact, hand gestures, even body language, I can't lose control here. Not when someone's life is on the line.

The king rubbed his chin, his eyes narrowed.

"I'll give you a choice, child. Daedalus has sent you to your death, but I can offer you so much more. Tell me where Daedalus is, and I will return your pet, award you gold, prestige, and secure your place in the afterlife. I am the judge of the dead, and your eternity is bound to my whims. Heaven or hell—it's your decision."

That's too good to be true, besides I never go back on a contract. Reputation is everything in the world of business and that would make me a poor one if I ever backed out. Also I think my other half would kill me.

I was still silent, the king mused, his eyes sparkled.

"Is it not glory you seek? Something precious, then... something you loved, or someone you lost."

My emotions spiked for a moment, but I showed no outward signs. I couldn't tell if he knew; I don't know all the abilities of a ghost. The old king sneered. I couldn't read him—he always exuded the same aura: greed and anticipation. Ambitious, manipulative, smart—has mastered his pride, the most dangerous kind of human.

"I could see it in you. Your desire, your hate. Your sins." The wind picks up again, an ominous howl that echoes through the room. Things move in the shadows, the flames dance in its hearth.

"We stand at the threshold between the Labyrinth and the Underworld. Here, my power is at its greatest." With a wave of his hand, the room began to tremble. The ghost beside him shivered in fear, and Dede whimpered in the glass. "You refused when I opened my doors, so I sent Tisiphone to smite you. Yet, you continue to defy me. I despise children who don't know their place, especially when they act beyond their years. But I learned something interesting from your fight... Your sins weigh heavily on you, Murderer."

I felt something pulse within me; my composure broke, and anger surged to the surface. I clenched my fist and glared. The ghost king's smile widened.

"There it is. I wonder, who you killed? Someone you hate? Someone you love? Yes, that makes sense. But who? A friend? No, it was family." I couldn't stop my eye from twitching. "Your father? Uncle? Sister? Mother?" I glared even harder, releasing killing intent. "Matricide, at such a young age. Did she scream when you killed her? Did you see the disappointment in her eyes? Or was it fear? Did you relish it when you ended her life? I wonder what she would say if she saw you now, Murderer."

I summoned my gun and fired. The sound of shattering glass echoed in my ears, but I didn't look. I charged straight for the ghost king. He was the only thing on my mind. His sneer, his crooked smile, and those words—those words that had haunted me for years. I heard them in the dark, when my back was turned, in my so-called 'friends', my 'family', in the voice of everyone who pitied me, everyone who hated me. They all abandoned me, threw me to the wolves. They took everything from me: my dreams, my home, my smile. The anger surged, a tidal wave of raw emotion that threatened to drown me. Every memory, every betrayal, every loss fueled the inferno within. I was small again, lost and alone, screaming into the void. They were everywhere, judging, mocking, reminding me of a mistake I could never take back. Something I could never make right, no matter how hard I try… All those humans. They're even worse than me, they allowed this to happen. All this suffering, all this pain. I hate them. I hate them. I hate them. I hate them! I hate them! Hate, hate, hate, hate, hate—

"Human, stop!" Dede's voice pierced through the rage.

I looked down. My hand was bloody, fist raised. I couldn't even feel the pain. I was staring at smashed stone. The throne was reduced to a cracked mess.

"Hahahaha!" The ghost king's laughter echoed behind me, filling the air with a chilling mockery. "A child indeed. You finally act your age." The ghost king stood by the hearth, his back against the red flame, shrouding him in shadow. "So much rage, you remind me of Asterion in his youth. You're both monsters."

My eyes flash to the king, I summon a gun and shoot. Each bullet passes through him, his body dusted away only to reform in seconds. He keeps laughing in my vain attempt to end him.

"You seek to kill what's dead? How stupid are you, child?"

A rocket launcher appeared on my shoulders, I aimed straight at the ghost. Dede backs away until she trips on pieces of the throne.

"Wait, Human!"

I fired. The rocket puffed smoke before launching. The explosion destroyed the hearth, lighting up the entire room in a flash of yellow. Broken stone and dust propelled in the air. Eventually, the light died, and everything went dark. I stayed alert, taking in all my senses. This wasn't over yet. After a few moments, everything went silent.

Dede waddled to me. "I think he's dea—"

A great fire bloomed from the broken hearth. Within, I could see the ghost king's face, laughing. The building trembled, and the wind cycled into a twister. Motes of blue shimmered into existence, revealing ghosts wielding scythes, axes, swords, clubs, and bows. They filled the room, each staring at me with empty faces.

"Servants, kill the child!"

They all ran towards me, well not run, more like walking on air; their feet move, but they're not touching the ground. Dede screams, she hides behind my legs.

"I'll draw them in, you hide somewhere."

"Ya-Um. I'm not scared!"

"Then bravely hide behind those columns!" I jumped into action, guns blazing. Shot the nearest ghost, the bullets made him vanish into mist. I ducked under a slash and fired another bullet at that ghost's head; he dematerialized. Another attacked, swinging a battle axe. My bullets pierced both his arms, causing his limbs to crumble. I followed up with another shot to the head; he disappeared too. Five more sprang at me. I twisted in the air, firing bullets at their heads, hearts, and lungs. When I land, they all turned into a fine powder.

"What!?" The ghost king hissed.

"I killed what's dead." I muttered.

The king was not amused, he roared in the flames, fire pillars into the air.

My danger sense activated, and I dodged three arrows. They cracked the ground where I once stood, disappearing, leaving arrow-shaped holes.

One ghost came from behind, and I punched through its torso, creating a gaping hole in its stomach. The ghost moaned, its body momentarily frozen. I delivered a mana-enforced kick, scattering its entire form. I backpedaled until I stepped on some stone. A jagged piece, broken from the hearth. I wanna test something. I threw it at the nearest ghosts, but it harmlessly passed through, shattering on the floor. It didn't disrupt their forms, and they continued to advance toward me.

Is it mana?

Technically, all my bullets are made of mana, I fight with mana-infused kicks and punches. So mana can kill them? No, it didn't feel like death, more like passing them on… But what about the other thing?

I sniffed the air. Physically, these ghosts had no scent, but my senses aren't limited to the physical realm. Frustration, despair, irritation, I knew this smell; people who want to unionize. These ghosts are slaves, spirits forced to work under him. No wonder why they're so half-ass in combat. Their hearts are not in it, I bet most of these are civilians. I dodge another spectral arrow, taking my gun I shot the ghosts in the rear. They disappeared but more took their place, I may be freeing them, but they are endless. Eventually, they will tire me out.

I stabbed into the nearest spirit, the ghost shimmered, losing its form. This is pointless. I turned to the flames, the ghost king sat there like an emperor in a coliseum. He treats this like entertainment.

I need to take the fight to him.

I ran towards him, and the ghost king spouts fire from his mouth. I took it head on. The flames pass through me like a summer breeze. Didn't hurt, brushing the embers off my shoulders.

"You're a child of fire. I see… Hahahahahaha!" He roared again, though his amusement puzzled me. "It seems I do need your help after all, my pet."

My danger sense activated, but I didn't know where. Before I could dodge my body was slammed to the side, propelled to a column, cracking stone. It hurt, really hurt. Like a school yard beating a hundred times over. I coughed as I slid to the floor, tasted blood on my palate.

"Human…" I could see Dede hiding in the column shadows.

"Sta-Stay the-there." I braced against the column, looking at something that shouldn't be there. I thought I was seeing things at first, but my eyes traced an outline over the red flames. It was large, mechanical, angry, but more importantly.

Its invisible.

"The Labyrinth hasn't sung in years. Whatever you did, scared it to the bone. Not even the gods can do that."

The invisible creature roared, the sheer force pushing me back. I could feel the Labyrinth's gaze upon me, filled with the same fear, the same rage. The creature moved, heavy paws imprinting the floor. It has no shadow. Panic surged for a moment, but I quickly reminded myself—I've faced opponents I couldn't see before. I need to apply the same strategy.

I ran to the left, and I could feel its eyes follow me.

"Hey, ugly! Have you seen a mirror, because that's what you look like!" I tried to use my echolocation but then, my danger sense flared. I saw nothing. Instinctively, I rolled away just as the ground was slashed where I stood, a sword mark. My instincts flared again, and I backed away, feeling the wind of another sword swing.

The ghosts—I scanned the area—they were gone. No, they were invisible too. That's even worse. Sound passed right through them; I couldn't use echolocation.

"Hahahaha! It has been so long since the Labyrinth cried for blood. It even groveled before me, begging for help. As its creator, it is my duty to respond. But you wouldn't understand that, would you? Murderer."

I cursed before I dodged another weapon. It smashed into the ground, broken marble shattering upon impact. My ear twitched, I heard the wind whistle. I slid to the side, avoiding two arrows. Invisible projectiles—more incoming. My danger sense was in overdrive. I twisted in the air, bending and jumping, never staying in one place. I don't even know where they were coming from.

Then came the sounds of gears and pistons. The monster was on the move. My instincts screamed at me to duck, and I dodged what I assumed was its tail. But I was still slapped away by an invisible force. I barely got to my feet before I saw the outline of its arms, it swiped at me. Its claws were sharp, slicing through the air with a metallic ring. I backed away, the nails whizzing by my eyes. In an instant, I saw a small glimmer of bronze and cogs between the invisible plates.

The beast hissed at me, and then I heard the metallic thrum of pistons. My instincts screamed to get away. I tried to dodge, but it was already too late. A stream of slime expelled from the monster. I clenched my hands and summoned a riot shield. The force of the slime pushed me back, the shield trembled in my hands. When the stream waned, I broke away, immediately shielding myself against the onslaught of invisible arrows. But I couldn't cover everything, some managed to cut my legs and arms. The pain was quick, but I couldn't let it get to me. I had to keep moving.

I took out my gun and fired. But my bullets pinged off its invisible plates. The monster leaped, and I rolled under it, leaving a grenade behind. As it landed, the explosions erupted beneath it, releasing a roar that sounded like two blades clashing. I raised my riot shield to block another sword slash, it cracked the glass. Hearing more moans, more enemies are closing in behind.

I popped off a smoke bomb. The gray cloud quickly built, encasing half the room. I could see the smoke parting around their weapons—not perfectly clear, but better than nothing. I slid and jumped, bashing the nearest ghost with my shield. I shot two more, my bullets scattering the cloud. My ears twitched, and I ducked just in time as two arrows whizzed by, leaving holes in the smoke.

So they can still see me. I remembered the ghost king's words and cringed. As long as I'm in his domain, he will always know where I am. But doesn't that mean he and his ghosts are connected? I don't hear him delaying orders, could it be telepathy? How can I use that!?

The monster smashes the floor emitting a loud gong, I could faintly see its shape in the cloud. Dragonish, big as a school bus, long neck, quadruped, dinosaur whiptail, but no wings. If it were me that would be the first I'd make. Props on it being invisible though, never would have thought of that. For a few days.

I dodged again. Elliott, I named it, was targeting me, spitting wave after wave of slime. I charged, using my riot shield to tank the slime. The bile was corrosive, but it didn't dissolve anything inorganic; otherwise, this entire place would be filled with holes.

Elliott charged as well. But I knew the exact weapon for the job: nitroglycerin and a lot of it. If you have a problem, throw a lot of bombs at it; that's capitalism, if you substitute bombs with money, or not, it depends on the weather. As I ran I threw a barrage of explosives—TNT, grenades, flashbangs, land mines, napalm, and my favorite, C4; at the dragon's direction. Elliott exploded in a violent flash of light. The ceiling quivered, and I almost tripped from the force, using my shield to protect me from the shrapnel.

But that was never my real goal. With Elliott successfully distracted, I charged toward the ghost king. Using my danger sense, I ducked under ghostly swings, batted away arrows, and shifted between forms to avoid the axes.

I reach the red menace, his face twisting in the flames. I just need to do one thing and all of this is over. Forget Elliot, his soldiers, I just need the ghost king. I jump into the flames, the monarch continues to glare. But before I could touch the fire, he ran. The red flames correlated into a star then flew to the air. I could hear the king laughing as he levitates.

Oh come on!

I feel the vibrations, Elliott, he's running this way. Yet he was half the room apart, plenty of time for me to retaliate. I prepared another bomb, then my senses blanked.

He jumped?

My danger sense flared, but without context, I didn't know what was happening. I surrendered to the feeling, shifting into a sparrow and taking flight. Behind me, I heard the shockwaves of whips and roars. Elliott slammed into the ground making a large crater.

It sounded painful so that should give me a few seconds. My eyes scanned for the ghost king, he was a red speck riding on the winds, faster than me. I need to touch him if I want this to work. Another idea popped up in my head, it was risky, really risky. Borderline suicidal, but only in theory. I need to think more–

An invisible arrow narrowly missed me, and I felt more whizzing by as I flew in the air. Then I felt the glares, Elliott was watching me. Caution to the wind then, I focused on the ghost king, calculating where he would move next. He's fast but not fast enough for my eyes, I could tell where he would go.

Well, I am a gambling man. And when it comes to gambling, I always win!

I shifted back, positioning myself mid-air for the perfect strike. Using half of my reserves, I drew one of the most powerful weapons in my arsenal, one of the seven superweapons, a device capable of destroying worlds, [Logos React]. This device could calculate and create countless worlds, a power that even surpassed the Labyrinth. I manifested it in my hands—a clear, colorless orb. Beautiful, nothing I could make can compare to this. The most dangerous weapon in existence, the culmination of centuries of work and the hope of humanity. And I kicked it like a soccer ball.

The glass ball flew through the air with the force of my mana-empowered kick. I was right on target, the orb flying where the ghost king would be. A perfect hit, it was over. A manic smile spread across my face. A smile that died when it hit an invisible wall. Elliott.

What is it doing!?

The machine was in the air, blocking the orb, the glass pang on Elliott's hide.

"No! You'll kill us all!" The scream tore out of me as I fell to the floor. I couldn't watch. I guess this is it. Nice knowing you, Leo. You had a... well, it was a life. I land to the ground, expecting the orb to explode and destroy the entire western hemisphere. But… Huh? No explosion. I quickly rolled out of the way of a hammer, drawing my gun to shoot the ghost.

How is that possible?

My eyes searched for the orb, bouncing around the room like a hyperactive game of pong. Well, it wasn't the original weapon. All weapons are within my authority, but the superweapons are a different case—I would need a couple of command spells to summon the real ones. Prototypes or imitations, however, are fair game, as long as I have the mana, and it takes a lot of mana. I just didn't think the prototype would be this sturdy. I guess I shouldn't underestimate a group of magical shut-ins with a savior complex.

I dodged another attack, my mind still racing. I did not expect the orb to be this… Bouncy? Perhaps, I could use this. I tracked the orb, it moved like a white shooting star. I climbed up a column, then jumped into the air. As the orb passed, I kicked it again towards the ghost king. The weapon flew even faster, but missed by a hair, leaving a large crack in the wall before bouncing away.

The ghost king's laughter echoed through the chamber. "You think you can defeat me with your tricks? I've grown wise to your games! You're only delaying the inevitable!"

Ignoring his taunts, recalculating. I was about to move before the echolocation warned me, Elliott was coming in breakneck speeds. The dragon smashed the floor, and I think he tried to bite me? I dodged to the side, only to be met by his arm. He swiped, my bullets pinging off his hands as I jumped over. I wasn't sure if my bombs had done any real damage, but his movements did seem slower. I darted under his neck, remembering the seam I've seen earlier. If I could find another, I could take him down the same way as the Minotaur. I hear the sound of shifting gears, and Elliott jumped away. My danger sense flared just before his tail slapped across my face. A thin line of pain cut across my cheek, numb at first but started to ache once it settled.

Elliott wasn't as dangerous as the others, but he's certainly annoying. Bullets didn't do much, so it was time to bring out the big guns. I reached for one of my favorites, old reliable: my trusty sniper rifle.

What makes this gun different from the rest?

I cocked my gun, aiming it roughly in Elliott's direction.

It has piercing damage.

The barrel screamed as I pulled the trigger. Elliott roared as the bullet broke through his plate. A small hole appeared on what I assumed was his side. To the untrained eye, it would look like the air itself had a wound.

Elliott didn't like that. He screamed, and for a second, he lost his cloaking. I saw him clearly—completely bronze, a ringlet tail with a segmented neck stretching all the way to his head. Shaped less like a dragon and more like a lizard. But it has the same eyes as all the others, crimson lights, full of hate. It turned invisible again then charged. I ready my gun then the orb strikes its head, causing the whole machine to tumble.

Huh?

I dodged an invisible blade, swinging my rifle toward what I guessed was the ghost's head and fired. The soldiers won't stop until the ghost king is no more. I scanned for the orb; it was moving even faster now, cracking every surface it touched. Eventually, it will be so fast I wouldn't be able to touch it. It was going to take more than luck to get a clear shot—I need to improvise.

I need to position the ghost king just right. I searched for that red flame, he moved just as fast as the orb, making it difficult to pin him down. I fired potshots, hoping to steer him, but he dodged each one and continued his path. I needed something more tangible. Then Lord Pan's voice echoed in my mind. 'If you trust anything, trust his hatred for the man who created the Labyrinth.'

"Hey, geezer!" I screamed while dodging invisible arrows. "Is this the best you can do? No wonder why Daedalus is better than you!"

The red flame stopped mid-air. I could smell his pride.

"You're just an old has-been! Judge of the dead? Who's ever even heard of you?! Daedalus is more famous than you'll ever be!"

"You dare!" The entire building shook, the winds picked up, and the ghosts flickered in and out. "I am the son of Zeus! Arbiter of the afterlife! King of—"

"Nothing! You're just an old relic of a bygone age! You didn't even make the Labyrinth! You're Daedalus' understudy! His off-brand imitation!"

That really made him mad. He screamed so loud that I shuddered for a moment; the winds howled, red flames surged engulfing the ceiling. If I weren't immune to fire, I would have been incinerated. But now he's finally still; this is my chance. I run to where the orb is; still bouncing even through the fire. I calculate its trajectory: it will hit the ceiling, then the floor, bounce off the corner, then… I move in front of a column, a metal bat materializes in my hand. I look to where the ghost king is, hard to miss with all that fire. Using my hand, I angle myself for the perfect shot, then finally the orb bounces my way. This is it!

I swing; and the orb crashes against my bat, grinding against the metal. The force is so strong it feels like my arms would rip off. I dig in, gathering mana in my arms until finally, I smack the orb towards the ghost king. My bat breaks in half, and my arms ache, but I did it. The orb flies supersonic; ready to deliver the finishing blow, then… The orb hits another invisible wall, Elliot. That stupid lizard!

He took all the damage; the force uncloaks the dragon, pieces of gears and metal break away from its body. It completely smashed his torso to pieces. The orb bounces away, taken off a lot of speed. Elliott drops like a rock and crashes to the floor, silent.

On the plus side, that's one threat down.

"You! Mortal!" the ghost king growls, red flames curling around his face. "You dare judge me? I see your sins! A monster in the guise of man, indulging in every vice. Liar! Manipulator! Degenerate! Hypocrite! Murderer! Pale shadow of a beast!"

He drops down, his entire body engulfed in red. The king wears ornate Greek armor, a long white cape draped on his shoulder, with a helmet shaped like the minotaur. His eyes burn like red stars, the room blackens, leaving him the only light. He unsheathes two long blades, each wreath with flames.

"I shall slay you myself!" With a wave of this hand all the ghosts reappear then vanish, then he charges in the air.

I shoot at him but the bullets pass through his body, disturbing it for a second before reforming. He's not disappearing like the others.

"Die." The king was close enough to swing his blades. It would have severed my head if I didn't duck. I kept my head down while I ran in the darkness, my danger sense keeping me aware of his swings.

"Hold still and die!"

"No thank you."

I shifted into a bird and soared into the air. The ghost followed, his cape billowing behind him as he flew. I dived past his blades, making quick turns to gain some distance, but he's never far behind. At least I could see him, which made this a bit more bearable. It was a game of cat and mouse, in the air, with swords. I flew upward until I hit the ceiling; easy to forget I was in a room and not an endless void. I shifted back and threw a flashbang. The king blocked with his swords as the bomb exploded in a violent light. While he was distracted, I took my chance and shot. I fell, but that didn't affect my aim—I'm an excellent marksman.

The bullet missed; instead of hitting his head, it punctured his shoulder. It didn't do anything—his shoulder turned to mist for half a second before reforming. I literally have nothing that can hurt him. I wish I still had those purple bullets right now, maybe that would have done something. At that moment I heard a whizz in the air. The orb is still bouncing!

I landed gracefully on the ground, my eyes scanning the darkness, until I found it, a white glimmer moving in the distance. I backed away from a sword strike, it broke the floor, slashing tiny particles in the air.

"You won't have the chance mortal!" The ghost king sneered.

"Shows what you know, you Daedalus knock-off."

The ghost breathed fire, flowing out of every orifice, the flames traveled up his helmet until his head looked like a fiery bull.

"The depths of Tartarus is too kind for you. I will throw your soul to Chaos itself!"

Like a bull, he charges at me headfirst. My danger sense keeps warning me that his horns are a threat. But we're too close. I summon my riot shield just as the horns plunge. They crack my shield, two red spikes jutting out inches from my face, glowing like neon lights. Then the ghost king lifts, raising the shield above his head and bringing me along for the ride. He thrusts his two blades upwards; I would be a shish kabob if I didn't plank my body. Then came the thrashing—the king tries to pry me off, stabbing his blades and bucking his head. It's like I'm riding a bull, holding tight to my shield.

"Let go!"

"You let go!" I scream. Holding on with one hand, I summon an auto-pistol with the other and carefully aim under the shield. The ghost king flies into the air. Using the upwards speed to buck again, the force is enough to crack my shield in half, knocking me off. Mid-air, he swings both his blades, twisting his body in a wide arc. It's going to cut me in half through my torso.

"No!" I yell, tapping into the primal fear. The ghost hesitates, and that's enough for me to reposition my body, turning his sure hit into a near miss. And miss it did, but barely; the tip of the blade slices a line across my stomach.

I flop to the floor, rolling before the king strikes the ground. I quickly got up and ran into the darkness. I'm wasting too much energy and that was too close. I try to feel the vibrations, the orb is bouncing on the ceiling.

"You will not get away!"

Ignoring him, I focus solely on the orb. I switched to four legs; with the extra speed I was able to outrun my opponent for a short while. I circled around the room, looking above, then I spot it, a white light bouncing in the corner. I leap towards the nearest column. Using my claws, I perch myself, then jump again until the orb is right in front of me. I grabbed it, feeling the momentum race down my arm. Twisting in the air I threw it at my pursuer. The orb vibrates, sailing towards the ghost. But he effortlessly dodge and it bounces on the floor. I twist in the air to avoid the ghost king's blades. Twirling until I reach the ground, balancing myself on one leg.

I looked towards the ghost, his eyes were ablaze.

"Is that all you can do?" He mocks.

"Ahhh. No."

The ghost king laughs, then points his fingers into the distance. A small flame shoots into the darkness until I see a bright light. Red flames surround a fallen machine, causing it to rise. No longer invisible, but haunting all the same. The red fire engulfs its entire body, within and without. The mechanical dragon roars with new might. Elliott stands on all fours, bruised and misshapen, like an undead monster baked in flames.

"The dead have no end." The king snarks.

The dragon charged, each step igniting a fiery trail. The ghost moved too, but I was ready. I somersaulted over him, narrowly avoiding his long blades. I just needed the orb to touch him, and it would all be over. I run back into the darkness but then my danger sense tingled. I flinched, trying to dodge, but Elliott's tail was faster. I was flung into the air; bounced on the floor until I slid to a stop.

Looking back up, the dragon was already charging again. How was he so fast!? I didn't have enough time to stand before he was upon me. His claw swiped downwards, and I rolled to the side. He responded by snapping at me, his long, sinuous neck extending and retracting with each miss.

I scrambled backwards, barely avoiding having my legs bitten off, kicking at his nostrils with every opportunity.

What's going on? He was never this fast before!? I dodged another attempt at my head. Or this aggressive.

I summoned a semi-auto in my off hand, firing at the beast, but the bullets pinged harmlessly off. He roared at me, a misshapen lizard skull with a huge dent to the side, fire escaping its mouth, red eyes blazed with flames. I need to use explosives, that's the only thing he responds to. But he's moving too fast, I can't get enough distance!

It slammed its front claws and pulled its head back. For a second, I thought it would spit fire, but I knew better. I backflipped, preparing a grenade mid-air. As I landed, I threw the grenade just as Elliott opened his mouth. The grenade sailed into the dragon's maw, and just as the acidic slime began to escape, it detonated. The explosion blasted the dragon's head from the inside, flinging mechanical parts—pistons, shards, gears, and other metal fragments—everywhere, along with splatters of slime.

I shielded my face as it exploded; too fast to avoid the droplets. I felt them sizzling on my skin. When it was over, I checked the dragon. Elliott was headless but still wreathed in flames. I stepped back as it kept moving, slime dripping out of its dismembered neck. It really looked like an undead dragon now.

I summoned my sniper.

"Do you see?" The ghost king stood on top of Elliott, brandishing his twin blades. "How pointless it is?"

The dragon took a single step, and I aimed my gun.

"This is the end. You will not leave the Labyrinth alive."

I smiled, this wasn't looking good. "Is this the part where you deliver your terms?"

The king snarled. "That has long since passed. You have spurned my mercy for far too long!" The dragon charged, whipping its neck, slime arcing through the air, dressing the area with bile. I dodged, jumping and ducking. The slime was the hardest part; a few drops stuck to me, burning.

I fired, each of my bullets pierced the dragon's hide. It did nothing to stop the beast. I fired more at the ghost king, but he laughed as the bullets passed through him. I aimed for his head; the bullets swirled his shape like mist, but he eventually reformed with a sneer. This was pointless, I need to escape! Its tail swung at me, much longer than its neck and more prehensile. I ducked under it, only for the tail to curve and strike me again in the same swing. It nicked my back leg before I shot the end, ripping the tip off.

That roused it further; it pounced, twirling its body like a whirlwind. It was hard enough to dodge both ends—now I had to do it at hyper speeds. Elliott spun like a top, his neck and tail moving so fast my danger sense couldn't keep up. He hit me in a flurry of blows. I didn't have enough time to aim my gun. I was knocked away, barely standing before it happened again. I tried shooting bullets, but the tails kicked the gun from my arm. He slashed my head, torso, legs.

I tried to retaliate, but he moved so erratically I couldn't predict where his limbs would strike. Another bout of pain, it's like death from a thousand papercuts, if the paper moved with the force of a truck. A tail to the head had me seeing stars. My danger sense is useless, I know where he's going to attack but I can't react fast enough. All the while, the ghost king laughed. My bones broke, my skin ruptured, I'm bleeding from my head. So many whips, so many slashes, I should have been unconscious minutes ago. It's like every cell in my body was in pain, suffocating, I couldn't breathe; I didn't have enough time. Like I was in a blender, being pureed. Its the Minotaur all over again. A powerful whip launched me into a column, and I flopped to the floor, blood staining my person. My knees were weak, and my arms trembled as I tried to pick myself up.

"This ceremony is at its end," the ghost king solemnly said.

I could taste blood in my mouth, my left eye struggled to open. This is a stupid way to die. I can't believed this is how-No. There's still something I can do.

A black pistol reemerges in my hands. But with how much mana I have left, each shot will bring me closer to death. But I'm dying anyway, what does it matter? I aimed it at the ghost king, he challenged my glare.

"Now, be—"

The roof burst open, large pieces of debris fall to the floor. I heard a loud hoot and snickered, then coughed blood. Worth it.

"What!?" The ghost king looked up.

A great light broke through the room, chasing away the darkness. Three large shapes entered, diving towards Elliott. The dragon was set upon by talons and beaks, each bird tearing the machine apart. Like carrion crows, they ripped metal plates away to chew through his insides. The red flames flared, and then a roar came out of nowhere, extinguishing the fire. I had no idea what that was—it felt like a pulse of mana.

The ghost king flew into the air, and a hooded figure emerged from Zenos' back. It jumped, chasing after the ghost king. The monarch let out a scream of pain as the figure closed in.

What was…. I vanish my gun. Then scrambled on the floor, looking for the orb. I can't waste any more time.

"Human!" Dede ran towards me, her body barely managing to keep herself steady. "Human! Get up!" She reached my side, using her beak to lift me. "You must get up! Human!"

"I ugh." I could barely speak, coughing blood. My muscles finally relaxed. The adrenaline has stopped, and the pain is settling. Everything is so quiet. Why am I tired?

"Human." She nubs her face against my head. As comforting as it is, it's painful.

"Please. You must get up."

"Dee…" My vision blurs.

"I know you can do it. You're strong."

I almost laughed, but the pain. I don't have the energy.

"I order you not to die!"

I don't think I can…

"Don't die you big pushover!"

This again…

"You're a giant pushover! Now do what I tell you and get up you crazy maniac!" She was yelling right up my ear. "You've done more dangerous stuff than this, is this how you're going to die!? It's so stupid! Now get up! Your king commands you!"

I snicker, still hurt but I didn't care. She's right, I can't die here. I'm too busy.

"I command it!" She goes underneath my chest and tries to pry me from the floor. Her body struggles with my weight, but I could feel myself slowly lift.

"Don't you die on me."

I could smell her desperation, her hope, her fears.

"I won't lose another friend." Her voice echoed inside me, a spark in my spirit.

"I-If thass what tha king wans." I slurred.

I don't know where I got the strength, pulling myself off the ground. Maybe I am a pushover. I could hear my other half goading or is that a laugh? With Dede's help I steady myself, my right arm was limp, my knees trembled as I stood. With my good eye I look towards the light, a small glimmer enters and exits the rays.

There it is.

I take a step forward and the pain partly blinds me. I fall to my knees.

"Human!" She flutters around me.

"I-ugh. Don't know-ah. How I'm gonna do this Dee…"

"Huh?"

"See that light." I point towards the opening. Right above the owls, the orb sparkles every time it bounces in and out of the rays.

"I need it." But it's pointless, I'm too injured to move and with that height there's no way I can make that jump now. I need to think of-where's Dede?

The dodo ran towards the light, flailing her wings in an attempt to fly.

"Dede! What are you doing!?"

"I'll help!"

"You can't fly!"

"Yes!" As she ran her body started to lift. A faint breeze came out of nowhere, I could smell the wilds. "I can!" She took off, her body struggling in the air. Constantly falling but miraculously kept afloat from the up draft. This is the work of a god, a small blessing but good enough. I just hope she isn't torn apart by the orb's speed.

I heard a loud howl in the distance, like a wolf. I looked towards the opposite side of the room, the ghost king was fighting the hooded man. His red swords constantly strike but the man effortlessly dodges. He's fast, too fast for a normal human. The ghost king screams, red flames erupt from his body, throwing fire at the other. But… I don't know what he did, it's like he glitched through the world and the flames passed harmlessly. The man fights back, punching the king in the head, knocking his bull helmet off. Now how did he do that? All I manage to do is scatter his body into mist, I thought the helmet was part of him?

Then a loud pang echoed throughout the room, my eyes immediately moved to the source. I looked in horror as Dede ram into the orb, smacking her off the air, the weapon fell like stone.

"Dede!" I tried to move but could only limp. The pain was too much; my left leg broken. Trails of blood dripped down my cheek. I screamed as Dede fell, her body disappearing behind a large piece of debris.

"Dee!" The pain made me trip. The ceiling collapsed even more, with hurdles of rock tumbling down. When I got up, all I saw was a great dust cloud. I looked into the distance, praying for a glimpse of gray feathers. Out of it, one of the owls detached from the carnage—the smallest one. He flew towards me with the orb in his beak.

No. Dede.

"Human." The bird landed in front of me, his size easily dwarfing mine, casting me in shadow.

"Where's Dede?" I demanded, my voice shaking.

The bird tilted his head.

"The dodo! The other bird!? What happened to her!?"

The owl's eyes clouded over, and he angled the orb towards my hand. I didn't want to think about the implications—another died because of me. Dammit! I grabbed the orb with my left hand, clutching it so hard I thought it would break. I didn't have time to be sad; I skipped grief and went straight to rage. The ghost king—it's his fault, it's all his fault. I turned towards his battle, seeing him on the defensive, still avoiding the hooded man. I clenched my teeth so hard they felt like they might crack.

"Hey Daedalus wannabe!"

He ignored me. That just made me angrier.

"You're nothing but Daedalus' bitch! A pathetic, washed-up king with a pathetic, useless power! Everything about you screams worthless. You can't do anything right! You're not even strong enough to kill me yourself! A thousand years of nothing! Your power is nothing! You're the judge of nothing! You're the king of nothing! The only thing dead is you! You spiteful, petty, ignorant, little man! You know why you haven't found Daedalus?! Because you're terrified of him! You tremble at his shadow! You cower in your tacky castle, hiding behind cheap costumes like it's Halloween! Daedalus will always be better than you, and deep down, you know it!"

The ghost king stopped, glaring at me with a face of unimaginable rage. If looks could kill, he would have ended my life a thousand times over.

"Child. I'll–"

The hooded man howled directly. Then the king froze, his body twitched, both hands dropped his swords. Fire flickered on his form, his mouth contorted, barely letting out words.

"That won't hold for long! Now!" The hooded man snarled.

I sprung to action, pulling my hand back, gathering what little mana I had left. With a terrible roar I swung, the orb flew out of my hands faster than a bullet. I wished I could see the ghost king's face on impact. The orb pulsed, an a splash of energy surrounds the ghost. He screamed as particles of him were dragged into the orb. [Logos React] can do many things, it can also store souls. And that's what I need.

"RRAHHHHHH!" It started with his head, the ghost body spaghettified, turning into tiny particles of dust. I saw his eyes, for the first time in a long time, he felt fear. I relish its taste. He tries to point at me but the force was too strong.

"MMMURRRDDDEERR–"

"SHUT UP!"

Like a thunderbolt the orb flashed, a white light, then nothing. The orb hangs in the air for a second before unceremoniously falling down, pinging on the floor.

I fell to my knees, exhaustion finally catching up to me. I did it. The ghost king was no more, just as Quintus wanted. I didn't feel anything. I'd completed my contract, fulfilling my end of the bargain, one step closer to winning this war. I should have felt relieved, but even that emotion escaped me.

Dede...

It was hollow. Empty, sad, angry, just like with the woman in black.

'The pain I inflict is nothing to what you'll bring…'

The hooded man walks up to me, the orb in his hands. In the shadows was a wolf.

---

There wasn't a body; Dede technically wasn't even alive. Her form crumbled into stone, ashes slipping through my fingers until the wind swept them away. But she was alive, though. She loved, she dreamed, she feared. Created by the whims of a god, but for what? Companionship, entertainment, a pet? Or maybe he was just lonely. I could still hear her voice, the way she screamed at me, the way she poked at my legs. It was adorable; she was adorable. She always managed to put a grin on my face.

I lay back against the feathers, combing through them with my hands. Dede's were softer.

"How close?" my new friend mutters.

I look up at the ceiling, its familiar architecture mocking me. The Labyrinth could be fooling me again. I close my eyes and sniff the air, sensing the opportunity was ripe.

"Close," I said, looking towards Zenos. All of the owls were on foot; the ceiling was too low for them to fly. We encountered a few dangers—spikes, pitfalls, more automatons—but they were nothing against my new party. My one eye lazily locked onto Zenos. My entire body was wrapped in wires and metal. Not a lot of medical supplies in the Labyrinth, so I had to improvise using pieces of Elliott. My head was wrapped in cables, a makeshift brace on my arm and leg, and a large piece of metal around my torso. I couldn't move very well, so I had to piggyback on the smallest Strix.

"Where'd you find this guy?"

Zenos looked back, his eyes were a clear yellow.

"He found us. Ally." The bird marched forward, didn't really answer much.

I sniffed the air again. Not human indeed, not even a monster. This guys a servant. But I can't sense any malicious intent, not like with Archer. His scent bounced between friend and foe, always unease, at any moment he would strike. This guy on the other hand smelled like a friend. No greed at all, rare, but I don't trust people without greed. But if he wanted to kill me he would have done it anytime, I'm in no position to fight back. An alliance? Probably. But… I could smell opportunity from him too. A job?

We suddenly came to a stop. My head ached as I turned around, a long door with the Greek delta.

"This is it," I said, gesturing for the bird to continue. But he wouldn't move. "What's the hold-up?"

"Where we part," Zenos spoke for the rest of them. I could feel the small owl crouch down so I could dismount, but I didn't. Zenos looked at me with mild irritation.

"What?"

"You're not leaving?" They grumbled.

"Of course not."

"Why?"

"I said I would set you free, right?"

All the owls twitched, and Zenos took a step back. "You joke," They said incredulously.

"Nope. I said I will, and I don't lie." That you know of.

He made the same face he did in the dungeon—a look of disbelief, worry, and fear. "Why?" They hissed.

"You already know."

"Why? We monsters. Eat humans!" They shout echoed through the halls. My mysterious benefactor crossed his arms, hood over his face.

"We all gotta eat sometimes. Besides, I know you'll do the right thing."

"Lies. You'll regret this."

"Hey, I like to gamble." I smiled, and then the door slowly opened. We were all hit with rays of golden light.

"The sun!" Estrella chimed. And all the birds stare, the hooded man entered first, Estrella second, then my ride. Zenos stayed behind.

"Aren't you coming?"

Zenos grumbled, looked forward to they're flock, then slowly entered. I was back in the workshop, beautiful displays of machinery, art, schematics, architecture, sculptures, and a few vehicles surrounded us. Behind it all was a room size glass window, showing a canyon, a forest, with a clear blue sky. The Strixes spread their wings, finally free from that enclosed hallway. I dismount from mine, the pain caused me to seethe, trying to balance on my good leg. My ear twitches, footsteps.

He came in white, a lab coat adorned in bronze ornaments. He was an old man, around forty or something. Behind him were two guards, automatons. Unlike the ones outside, these didn't have red eyes. They were robots, gears and wires in the shape of humans, but you would never mistake them for one. They held spear-guns, and hoplite shields with Delta symbols.

"You've returned," Quintus' voice was stern, distrustful. That's understandable. "Did you accomplish your mission?" His voice edged closer.

I limped his way, reaching into my brace. The guards clenched their weapons, but Quintus waved them off. He stepped closer as I brought out the orb. Quintus trembled as he took it into his hands, bringing the orb to his eye. Within the ball was a flare of red and a face that screamed in terror.

"I got the ghost king."

The man fell to his knees, clutching the orb. I thought he was weeping, but machines shed no tears.

"He's gone. He's finally gone. I'm free," he muttered, then laughed. "I'm free!" He held the orb high, the sun reflecting off its sheen. "Freedom! After eons, thousands of years, hiding from the gods, from him. I'm free from death!" He sneered towards the end, looking to the ceiling. I could smell it, all the stress and fear in an instant evaporated. Yet something still lingered, a deep obsession behind all his actions.

He gasped, but the man didn't need air. His eyes still looked like they would be weeping.

"Alright, drama queen. I fulfilled my end of the deal," I groaned.

That brought him out of his stupor. He immediately stood up and resumed his professionalism, fixing his coat and blanking his face. "Of course."

I held up my hand. Quintus looked towards the orb, then to me. I could smell his desire, the fear. But eventually, he returned it. The fear's still there, eyes constantly on me.

"I have another request."

"Yes?" I could smell his worry.

I pointed my thumb back.

"These guys, they want to leave the Labyrinth."

Quintus' eyes clouded, lost in thought. Then he came back, reassured himself, and nodded.

"Oh. Of course." He took out a remote from his pocket, opening the windows. I felt the breeze; I could smell the earth. The birds' eyes widened at the opening, a clear sky. Probably the first they've seen in eons. The small one was the first to react, tears in his eyes.

"The sky!" he screamed, taking flight out the window into the open air.

"Wait for me!" Estrella followed after.

Zenos looked at me, their eyes unexpressive. "I will not forget this, human." They flew, the wind blowing a few lightweight things off tables. I watched them fly in the sky, three black dots darting across the blue getting smaller and smaller, until they were no more. Then the windows closed, good, I was starting to feel a draft.

"You got her ready?"

"Yes… Sadly I wasn't able to fuse her together. The metals were too diametrically opposed. I did my best though; I still have her in the cast."

"Bring me to her..." Quintus walked while I struggled to keep up. I could feel my new friend eyeing me.

"A little help?" The hooded man huffed.

"Nah. It's fine." I took a single step, pain raced up my leg. "I-If you're offering." I awkwardly smile.

The hooded man came closer, pulled his arm under my torso, carrying me like a sack of potatoes. Well, at least its not painful. We walked down a long hallway, it had a lot of doors.

"Were you the one who agitated the Labyrinth?" Quintus asked without looking back.

"Yep."

"Hmmm. That was foolish. It will stop at nothing to kill you. Even now it's beckoning me. I would advise you don't Labyrinth travel in the future."

"It's ok. After this, I am never coming back here again!" I answered with a smile, the hooded man grunted.

After a few minutes Quintus opens a door to a large smithing room. I see lava waterfalls, giant machinery, automated hammers, and endless weapons. There's a rack filled with metals and even more with tools and blueprints. It almost made my mouth water, a dream come true.

"Over here." We reached a long cylinder, surrounded by scaffolding, as tall as Quintus, completely made up of onyx. It was a rainbow of black and white with a mixture of red all layered in. I could feel my other half within. Weak and segmented, she could feel me too. It should be a few days but it felt like an eternity apart. It was like a block was lifted and I remembered how much I missed her.

"Let me down here." I pointed in front of the stone and the hooded man obliged.

I pressed my hand on the rock, cold to the touch but I could feel her warmth. I could smell her perfume, when I closed my eyes I could see her right in front of me. Phantom sensations, we are so tied to each other its like we're one person, technically we are.

I pulled the orb out of my brace and tapped it to the stone. I flared my spiritual core, right where my heart is. It resonated with the orb, two pulsing sounds, then a third hum inside the stone. I closed my eyes. What happened next could be argued to have never happened. Time wasn't involved, space wasn't an obstacle. Even the stone vanished; everything except for us. We were two lights in a lattice. Hers shined hungrily, pinging to mine, and I answered. Our voices were a rhythmic hum—not sound, not song.

A small flame was by my side. I held it up to her, and she greedily took it, devouring it like a man starved, ignoring the screams from the tiny flame. Not even scraps remained, just a memory of the king—a memory she took. She took everything from him: his name, his power, his screams, his anger, everything. She pulsed with power, a terrible song into the distance. It resonated with me, and I felt it's strength as well. We both sang in the untime. One slot taken, eight more will follow. And when it's complete, this war will be... I opened my eyes, the pain was gone, barely a second had passed. The orb vanished into spectral lights, fizzing between my fingers.

I took a step back, Quintus looked puzzled while my hooded friend sighed. I guess only a servant would know.

The stone began to crack, like tiny spider webs itching on the black sheen. I could hear her laugh inside. Then the stone erupted, pieces of black and white dancing in the air. I hear the kicks and punches on the collapse stone. A dust cloud blocked our view.

"Oi. Oi." She walks out stretching her arms. "I forgot how good that feels."

With a wave of her hand, the dust cleared. She looked the same as before, in her pink flight attendant uniform, showing off more chest than I would have liked. Her high heels stomped on the cracked stone as she adjusted her cap and preened her ribbon. She cracked her neck, her long pink hair flowing gracefully. She looked at me with yellow gemstone eyes, glinting with new found power.

"Hmmm. You look–"

I ran to her, clenching in a tight embrace.

"Wow." She petted my head, her hand caressing my ears.

"Te extrañé, prima." I sighed in relief.

"Ahhh…" Her voice sings, combing my hair. All my stress trinkled away if only for a moment. "What are you wearing?" She giggles.

I immediately broke, regaining my composure. "What? This?" With my injuries healed and strength returned, I no longer needed the makeshift cast. I tore through the metal like tin foil, kicking my leg free and opening my brace until all the parts lay scattered on the floor. It felt good to have two eyes again, to feel whole. I flexed my fingers and rolled my shoulders.

"Its nothing."

"No, I mean that." She narrowed on my clothes.

"This is... ahhh. We're gonna need to buy a new wardrobe," I said, tugging at my tank top. These clothes belonged to my servant form, the real ones are in tatters. That's when I realized she wasn't looking at my clothes.

I touched my back and felt fur. I squeezed, and felt the pressure. It's a tail. I have a tail? Bushy and brown, puffy like a rabbit's.

"Well, that's new," I muttered.

Her smile looked friendly but I know she wasn't amused.

"Of course. Did anything else interesting happen?"

I see visions of Dede, my Master, and the woman in black.

"No."

She didn't believe me, but decided not to press for now. She calmly walks forward, a side glance at Quintus before standing in front of our hooded friend.

"And who are you?"

The man wore a long gray hood that covered his entire head. Beneath it was leather armor patterned in squares, looking like a mix between a suit and a jacket, all colored platinum. He pulled down his hood, revealing his full face.

The wolf-man grunted, his yellow eyes neutral, he smelled like the dead.

"I am Rider… I've come because my Master has a job for you."