Denizens of the Labyrinth

The group had stayed in the cliff shore for what felt like a week. In reality, it had been four days. One day for everyone to heal and rest, another for Bannerman and Sadé to tier up to tier II Seeker and then the third day had been entering the nest of the Wyvern after they had divvied up the remains.

The rewards had been bountiful, and everyone took their share, from coins to weapons and armour. Jazmel had not been interested in the wealth much but after Baek explaining that money had its uses just as much as gaining strength he took his share.

The wealth of a Wyvern was no mere amount and after the others had taken their shares. Jazmel had gained fifty white gold coins. No small thing, but he also knew the higher he climbed the greater the expense items and swords would cost him. So, he put his coins away and let his own small wealth accrue.

The Wyvern was bigger than they all imagined, the wings, the head, the body, and the tail were big and none of them had a storage ring big enough to hold it in. but Baek did, he took it in his own storage ring and bid the group to hurry about their decisions.

“Could you take everything that is in that cave?” Patton asked, his eyes glinting with an unusual look.

“Not all that glitters is gold. Even if you took everything within that cave, you would not be sated. Take only what you need, do not sought after what is not yours. It will only hinder your walk.” Baek warned and Patton immediately gave up.

“I do not want the Wyvern, but I would like the core if I can have it.” Jazmel asked and everyone looked at him, Patton looked around and then nodded.

“You can have it.” Baek took it from his storage ring. Jazmel took it in his hand, it was a dark slate gem. Monster cores usually looked like jewellery, but this was different to any he had seen before. He looked at it in the sun and at the centre a small flame flickered, purple in colour but withered and very faint. He turned and dropped it into his shadow.

DING!

The system notification whirred to life.

SHADOW WRAITH CONSUMED WYVERN CORE

…

SHADOW WRAITH EVOLVING

DING!

SHADOW WRAITH HAS EVOLVED

…

CONGRATULATIONS

SHADOW WRAITH HAS BECOME A WIGHT

Jazmel listened to the notifications as they flooded his system and, on the outside, he felt his shadow reach up. It entered his mind faintly and whispered.

Master… offer me a name…

Jazmel felt the shadow’s obedience and instantly felt satisfied. It was asking for an identity.

“Paldane.” Jazmel said and he felt the shadow grip the name in its mind.

“What did you say?” Sadé asked, but he shook his head. As if mumbling to himself.

Master, I must form myself. I will sleep, soon I will share myself with you…

The whispering voice of his shadow left his mind as it had come and slipped back, suddenly dormant. Baek was near enough for Jazmel to turn to him and ask what a wight was.

“Why?” Baek asked him, curious but a little alert. Jazmel told him about the first floor and the hidden thing he had won from the captain of the keep. He then explained what had just happened to which Baek looked at him, with little wonder in his eyes.

“Truly, I have never heard of someone to have such luck within the labyrinth at such an early stage.” He said, clearly in awe.

“A Wight is unlike a Wraith as it has its own identity, it is sentient and in knowing itself. it has power. A Wight in its own domain, could highly likely kill any who entered up until tier II Ranker. A Wight is just beneath a death knight, and a death knight is the last thing you want to see in the labyrinth right now. Let me assure you.” Baek explained and Jazmel listened, mystified. There were monsters he still not seen in the labyrinth and the more floors they overcame. The more likely they were to see them; this gave him goosebumps. He could not hide his excitement at all.

“I have found the gate for the next floor. It is on the cliff. Let us make haste.” Baek told them all and everyone began to make their way to the cliff face, towards the next gate.