Denizens of the Labyrinth

The floor they walked through too was unlike anything Jazmel had ever heard of. There It was dusk; the sun had sunk beneath the horizon and amber and ruddy red watery colours bathed the city streets in their ambience. The streets were filled with people. Seekers, denizens, and many others that Jazmel did not yet know the name of. Store doors were open, and seating had been arranged in unusual parts of the street so people could sit outside and drink or eat their meals.

Jazmel had not seen anything like it before, women scantily dressed were serving drinks to men. A random man pulled a woman into his lap, she spilled some of the drink she was holding in a mug to share and rather than throwing it at him. She began to pour it down his throat, to the enjoyment of those he sat with.

“Ladnipor.” Baek said with clear disdain.

“This is a city for thieves and knaves. We should find the gate quickly, nothing good can come of us being here.” he said, and Jazmel could tell he really did not like the place at all. They made their way through the dining area and headed towards the centre of the city.

“We should sell the Wyvern here; we would get more money than a normal auction.” Baek told them all and after Patton asked why, he simply said.

“People here buy things and are willing to pay more, because less questions will be asked.”

“Stick together and try and find an auction hall.” Baek told them and they all headed inward. The city centre was just a larger hub where all the roads seemed to connect, it seemed like every storefront that Jazmel laid his eyes on, was a bar or restaurant and Seekers of all kinds were sitting around indulging.

“This place seems like the dark parts of the labyrinth.” Sadé said to him, and she seemed uncomfortable by all the frolicking around them.

“Hey, you!” someone shouted, and Jazmel looked over, a large man was staring at the group. Pointedly at Sadé but she was not looking at him.

“Elf!” he shouted, and this drew her attention.

“You are a beauty, come and drink we me and my friends.” He called out and that was when Jazmel realised, he was drunk. Sadé did not even respond, she turned her body away and looked over Jazmel’s shoulder, snubbing the man clearly. This drew laughs from him and his friend, but he got up to make his way over. Within seconds, Bannerman was beside Jazmel; who had flicked the sword on his belt up and using his thumb he unsheathed it a little. Patton had drawn his own sword of runes and magic etched upon the blade burned, alive with power.

“What did you want?” Jazmel asked and the man realising that Sadé was not alone, suddenly grew serious.

“Ahhh stop it. Here friend!” Katie said, pushing past Bannerman, she flicked a gold coin into the man’s lap and said.

“Have a drink on us, we will not be joining you. But you can drink for all of us.” She said with a nice smile. The man thanked her and ordered a drink, showing the store servers the gold coin.

“Put that away!” She waved at Jazmel; through clenched teeth. Who in turn, sheathed his sword again slowly and he readjusted the scabbard in his belt.

“Boys are so stupid. Not everything has to turn into a fight, Ladnipor is not like any city you have been to before. It is lawless here.” she told them and Baek interjected.

“She is right. You would have fought, and the winner would have held the day. But who is to say they would let you off with winning?” he uttered, and Jazmel considered his words.

“Come. I found an auction hall.” He motioned and they all followed him in the direction he led.

Sadé was surprisingly calm and to show it, she linked arms with Jazmel who seemed to feel all the tension seep out of him. He liked Sadé, he knew he did. He smiled to himself at the idea. He had not been popular with the girls in his hometown, being an orphan was not the easiest handle to maintain and though everyone respected Tango, that respect never seemed to reach Jazmel too.

He flicked open his notifications and sent a message hawk to Mary to tell her where he was. She had not responded to the last, but he felt that if he told her he was still climbing the floors, then maybe she would respond. As the origami hawk formed in his hand, Sadé watched intently and as it fluttered above them, ascending into the sky she smiled.

“Was that to your family?” she asked, and he nodded, Mary was sort of family to him, right?

“I was just letting her know I had reached the ninth floor.” He explained himself and Sadé nodded in understanding.

“After I tiered up, I sent a message to my parents.” She told him and he smiled, thinking back to her parents.

“The system gave me so much experience for that Wyvern that I had to tier up.” She told him.

“What did you use?”

“I had nothing for my body, but I used a Wyvern bone. Which strengthened me immensely.” She smiled, showing a bicep to Jazmel. He laughed a little and with a mock bow he surrendered to her strength.

“You will tier up next, it will probably be such a great tier up that you will grow stronger than all of us.” She tried to convince him, but Jazmel just smiled a little.

He was conscious of being the lowest level in the group and that was something he had no control over. He had damaged the Wyvern more than others he thought, but at the cost of his wounds. He was unable to land the final blow. Something Sadé had done, this made him realise he had to grow stronger, but also that he had to work harder on learning more about his own abilities.

At this time, they had reached the open doorway of the auction hall. It was a restaurant on the ground floor, tables were filled to the brim with Seekers and other denizens of the labyrinth. At the door, they were each given tickets and Baek explained that after dining the tickets would alert those who were next to go up to the store of the auction hall and either sell or buy goods. The restaurant was just to ensure Seekers did not fight amongst themselves, but while Jazmel looked around, he could see that guards were walking the perimeter and making sure nobody was acting out.

“Come let’s sit, I am hungry.” Katie said and she led the way to a table that had been cleared off to the west side of the ground floor. Seated, many servers came and began to place starters and drinks on the table. They had not even asked what any of them wanted but Katie began to try them all and the ones she did not like, were removed from the table immediately.

Jazmel began to do the same and in moments the whole table were tasting and assessing the different small dishes at the table.

“I am glad to see you here!” a voice called up and Jazmel; out of curiosity looked up. It was Circe.