Denizens of the Labyrinth

“Come in!” He said and whirling, he moved over to his bed and sat down with a huff. Sadé was standing at the entrance of the suite and trying her best to look everywhere but at him.

“What’s wrong?” He asked and suddenly he became aware that he was topless.

“I am sorry about that; I was not trying anything. I had just finished tiering up.” He said and smiled a little, she was blushing, she let her hair flow down her shoulders to try and cover her face, but her ears were hot and with his Mana eyes, he could see the Mana floating around her body erratically.

“Congratulations. What level are you now?” she asked him.

“38.” He smiled and she giggled shaking her head.

“You finally overtook me; I do not know how you managed it. But you have managed to overtake me, and you are also remarkably close to your third tier up.” She exclaimed, she came and laid down the other side of the bed. He did the same and their heads were opposite each other as they laid across the beds.

“I got ten levels for the main plot completion, probably helps that we fought and defeated the sworn too though.” He pointed out and she nodded, smiling.

“We have to keep going.” He said and she turned her head to look at him.

“I need to go to the Kuzuryu kingdom.” He told her.

“You want to find out if that is your family?” she asked him, and he nodded.

“Yes, but also I want to see if I can make it there, will you come with me?” he asked her, turning to look at her now. Their faces, incredibly close and he realised it quite suddenly.

“I would follow you to the very end of the labyrinth if you asked me.” She told him and he knew she meant it, he kissed her. In truth, he had not meant to. But it sort of was on his mind and then the next moment their lips touched. She kissed him back, immediately and pushed her tongue into his mouth. His kisses were quick and hungrily, but she slowed him down and taught him how to kiss her back. She was not as excited at him, but he could feel her hunger still.

BANG

BANG

The door was knocked, and they both jumped. Jazmel yelped and leapt from the bed, remembering that they were in a party.

“One second!” he called out and getting up, he pulled his t shirt on and then his jacket also. He went to open the door and it was Mary and Tango. Accompanied by Baek also.

“Can we come in?” he bid them come in and Sadé skipped past them, hiding her face, and mumbling that she would see him later.

“Congratulations.” Baek said and Jazmel whirled on him.

“What?” he asked, confused.

“Congratulations on your tier up.” Baek said and then a great big smile formed on his lips.

“What did you think I meant?” he asked and Mary clocking on, smiled too. Tango simply stood and watched.

“I don’t know what you mean Baek.”

“Yes, young Master.”

“What brings you guys here?” Jazmel asked, trying to hide that he was flustered.

“We are leaving.” Tango said and Mary nodded, crossing her arms with agitation.

“Why?” Jazmel asked and he felt tears well in his eyes.

“Because I am weak.” Tango said, his tone was bitter but also matter of fact.

“I need to be able to defend myself and protect you.” Tango explained and while there was sense to what he was saying, Jazmel was already upset with this idea.

“We will stay connected. But I need to enter the labyrinth for the first time since I found you and grind out some levels. I need to tier up.” Tango said and Baek cleared his throat.

“You both need to tier up, the road ahead will not be any easier and if you wish to become a retainer of the young Master, you should be a high Ranker at least. Tier III at the lowest.” Baek said and Jazmel almost spoke up, but Tango spoke first.

“You are right, I need to work a lot harder than I have been. So, I am going to, Mary has offered to help. We are both going to push for tier III Ranker.” He told Jazmel and Baek. Jazmel looked at Mary and she was looking away from him, agitated with something.

“I do not like to feel weak ok! The sworn have Master members in their rank, I need to be strong enough to fight them on par.” She exclaimed and huffed.

“I understand.” Jazmel said and Mary nodded, before turning to leave.

“We leave tonight.” Tango told him, offering his hand for a handshake. Jazmel pushed past it and hugged the man who had raised him, his father as far as he was concerned.

“You have to shake my hand so I can send you a friend request.” Tango laughed in his embrace. Jazmel let him go and shook his hands. The system chimed and Tango became a friend of his. Now he would be able to keep up with him as they both traversed the labyrinth.

After that Tango and Mary left Jazmel alone with Baek and his thoughts.

“It is admirable that you have reignited the ambition in both. they are not bad regarding other Rankers of their level.” Baek surmised. Jazmel could not help but smile at that and looked at Baek with wonder.

“How strong are you? Like truly??” he asked and Baek mulled it over in silence for a while.

“I could have taken that Lich Queen on by myself if I had the space. But the skills I would have had to use, would have destroyed the sewers and so we had to bring the fight outside.” He explained and Jazmel could not help but feel excited. He wondered if he would ever reach those heights.

“How strong is the black dragon?” Jazmel finally asked and Baek smiled.

“Even if there were ten of me, I would not be able to defeat him.” Baek said with a smile.

“But you are a Master?!” Jazmel cried out.

“Being a Master means nothing, it is simply a rank. How you use it and how you level up is determined by your own skillset. My Master is just a man outside of normality.” Baek explained and he said it so matter of fact that Jazmel sat in disbelief.

“Some people are born with greatness, their path to destiny is set for them. all they must do, is take each step. The man who I believe to be your father, was set on a path to greatness and he has walked his fate, sublimely.” Baek professed and Jazmel admired the clear appreciation he had for this man.

He had already decided he would go to the kingdom, but he needed to get stronger. He needed strength for surety and stability.

“But that is not the only way to greatness. There are those who have absolute faith in themselves. Those who break into fate and make their own way, I see too few of people made of such mettle. You are the first in an exceptionally long time, and that is why I would like nothing more but to watch your advancement.” Baek told him and Jazmel took a seat on the edge of his bed and listened intently.

“Do you really think my fate is to get stronger?” Jazmel asked, his voice barely a whisper.

“I think you will reach heights that few others have even considered, I believe the labyrinth will bear new gates to you.” Baek declared.

“You have a great deal of faith in me.” Jazmel admitted and Baek nodded.

“The labyrinth needs something new. Someone outside of the already created normality.” Baek told him and Jazmel felt himself feeling a little overwhelmed.

“We will do what we must.” Baek said.

“And what is that?” Jazmel quizzed.

“We will keep moving forward.” He smiled and at that, he rose up and made to leave. Telling Jazmel to get some rest, and that the party would be leaving in the morning.

Jazmel laid down and immediately was asleep.