Denizens of the Labyrinth

Jazmel and Sadé had agreed to band together, the other Seekers did not seem to connect with one another, and some did not even speak to Jazmel and Sadé. But they had. Jazmel had felt intrinsically connected to her the moment he had seen her and in a small way, he thought she felt the same.

After she had sorted through her rewards and stats, she went down to the infirmary seeking out health potions but there were none. Jazmel had not even thought of that, but he piqued at the idea of potions. Another thing to add to the list of things he would be learning about as soon as possible. They left through the north gate and headed into the woods.

To their surprise there were no creatures in the woods, these were quiet and only animals Jazmel had seen were out and foraging. Deer and rabbits were about, birds sung their songs and the trickle of water running let him know a river was near.

He had asked Sadé why he had not felt hungry yet and she laughed, adrenaline or the constant levelling up was all she said, and he figured when he was hungry, he would have to do something about it then.

The trees of the woods were not so thick that they blotted out the sun, but Jazmel could tell they were growing thinner, the further they went from the castle. Before long they had entered a rocky area, great rocks and stones of all sizes riddled the spotty grasslands and ahead the path, he could make out the awning mouth of a cave.

So that was their path and they continued along, both alert but also confident in their meagre skills. Jazmel knew he was not strong, especially compared to Mary. But he was growing stronger and that was enough for him now.

The cave was dark in the opening and the transitioning from daylight to cave was startling but even with the small amount of light. Jazmel could still see, and his eyes were doing all the work. At first, he thought he was seeing lights of Mana from the cave itself, in truth he was. But also, the Mana eyes were cloaking his eyes in Mana and so he was seeing everything in a blue hue.

“So cool.” He said and Sadé looked at him, but he shook his head. Not bothering to explain what was going on for him.

They walked through the cave and picking out a descent, Jazmel led the way. Seeming more surefooted than Sadé currently. She followed his lead. Not questioning him, another sign that she was a good person for him.

The sounds aside from their own breathing and steps, was the insistent dripping of water from somewhere in the cave. He could hear it but not pinpoint it and it did not grow louder, so he knew he was not heading towards it. The cave seemed much larger than he had previously thought, and the tunnels were wider and larger than he had expected too.

“I don’t know how long we have been in the tunnels of this cave, but I am starting to wonder if we will ever make it out.” He said and Sadé huffed in agreement.

“I would not really worry about time; the labyrinth runs on its own source. My father told me that you could be in the middle of the night on one floor and then enter a gate and come out during lunching hour somewhere else. The labyrinth is truly a wonder.” She said and he grew quiet as he considered her words.

“Was your father a Seeker too?” he asked, suddenly curious about her family.

“My father is a tier II, Ranker. Almost tier III if he would leave the safety of my mother.” She laughed to herself, and Jazmel could not help but smile in the dark.

“What is a Ranker? I know they are seekers, but why is the name different?” he asked her, remembering something he had been meaning to ask Mary during the trials but had forgotten.

“That is a good question, the best way to explain it is to consider power. The stronger you get, the stronger your body needs to become. Each time you level up, your body has to realign itself with the skills and abilities you have at the time.” She explained.

“The Seeker is the first step into the labyrinth, there are three tiers per rank and when you overcome them all, you will become a Ranker. Somewhat like a denizen of the labyrinth.” She told him.

“A denizen?” he asked, remembering it from what the system had called him.

“A denizen is someone who was born in the labyrinth.” She explained.

“Are they much different to those who aren’t?” he quizzed her, keeping his secret to himself, but acutely aware of how fast his heart was beating.

“Well think about it when you joined the system at sixteen. That was the first time you linked with the system. Those who are born in here are linked from birth. Though the system does not allow them to do anything, their parents can see immediately what to train and work on them with.” She told him and he nodded in understanding, it was the preparing that the denizens had over those who joined on ceremony.

“I was training my Mana from my tenth birthday. I have six years on others.” She confessed, she did not sound smug and so he waited for her to continue.

“But that does not mean anything, the system responds to arduous work; the harder you work in here. the better the rewards you reap will be.” She offered as a counter and he smiled, understanding her. Talent and hard work were something Tango always told him to focus on.

“So, it goes Seeker, Ranker and finally Master.” She told him and he nodded as she rounded them off.

“How strong is each one?” he asked, and she smiled knowingly.

“Well, it depends on the seeker, so many things have to be in order for someone to be considered stronger. It really is the luck of the draw and for the seeker most prepared. But what I will say is the most balanced level and stats will always win out. Does not matter at what rank or tier.” She pointed out but continued shortly after.

“Though Rankers are strong, my parents are both probably some of the strongest people in my family. But they could not do much if Masters were to attack us. Especially if they had no time to prepare.” She said, her face almost ashen with imagination.

“Are they that strong?” he enquired, focused, and amazed.

“A master is the height of the labyrinth. To make it to that rank and level. You need to have talent, hard work, and luck. They all count for something in here.” she said and continued pushing forward through the caves.

“Are they the reason you decided to do the Seeker trials?” he asked, and she grew quiet.

She was quiet for a little while and Jazmel wondered if he had asked too much. Sighing he was about to apologise when she started speaking.

“My father is a human Ranker; my mother is an elf, Ranker. They grew in love as they travelled the labyrinth together. My mother never told my father her lineage and though elves are uncommon, high elves are rare on the lower floors.” She explained and Jazmel merely listened.

“My mother is a high elf Ranker, the daughter of a high court official and a Master. My hair is proof of my lineage, the darker the purple the purer the blood. Or so my grandmother says.” Jazmel did not know any of this, so he just listened as she shared her story.

“My mother has hair darker than mine; it is also a miracle that my hair is as dark as it is, especially with me being half. But I am what I am, and my parents love me dotingly. I entered the labyrinth for myself, I wanted to see if I had what it takes to reach Master rank. My grandmother thinks me soft.” She explained and Jazmel stayed silent still.

“Enough of me, I am a half elf. But what about you, I have not seen anyone fight as well as you, at my age. I think you could spar with my mother. My father too, but my mother is better.” He could hear the smile on her voice, and he laughed a little.

“I am human, a man found me when I was a baby. He took me in, and it has been so ever since. I do not know my parents or their story. But the day before the trials. Someone burned my house to the ground and the man who raised me is missing. I entered the labyrinth to find him.” He said and it was the first time he had said it aloud, he did not realise how much Tango meant to him, but as he spoke, he had to fight to make sure his voice did not break.

The silence was sombre, and she gave him time to collect himself.

“I am sorry. I hope you find what you are looking for. I hear that fate is just a floor away inside the labyrinth, so maybe we will find your parents or your adopted father.” She said and that almost broke him again. She was promising to stick with him and help him search in the labyrinth. How powerful. He smiled and even in the dark he grew shy, not wanting to show her how much she made him smile.

Ping! The system chimed in his mind.

PLOT CREATED

…

PLOT FOR THE SEEKER

…

FIND WHAT WAS LOST, KNOW THYSELF

Obtain Seeker tier II.

Complete the trial of the 9th

REWARDS +10 LEVELS

This chimed in his mind and startled him. Alone and out of earshot of anyone. He asked her.

“What is a plot?” he questioned.

“Did you just gain a plot just now?!” she shot back.

“Yes.” He said, after nodding but realising she might not have seen him.

“A plot is a Seeker story. My father says that the system forms a plot to allow the Seeker to seek out what they really want. It does not happen for everyone but its direction for most, the labyrinth is a bizarre creation, and many can get lost in the many twists and turns it offers. A plot is a focus tool for those in the labyrinth.” She explained and giggled a little.

“My father had a plot before he met my mother, it was what got him to the twentieth floor and drove him right into her path. It helped him level up immensely. I would be happy for a plot!” she exclaimed, and he laughed a little too.

“I imagine it will direct you to finding some clues. So, use its direction and get stronger. Then you will be able to find the things you want.” She motivated him and he smiled, happy to be part of the system. A plot would drive him in the right direction, but it would also make him stronger. A howl was heard, clearly from far but loud enough that they both reacted.

“And we will manage some cave wolves.” She said quietly.

Quiet now, they both picked up speed and Jazmel led the way through the tunnel, trying to get out of the caves quickly. Jazmel a little apprehensive as he had no sword, only the broken haft.