Denizens of the Labyrinth

“GREETINGS SEEKERS” a lone woman strolled forward, at first Jazmel thought she was human, but she was not. Antlers grew from her forehead and her hair was a lime green, it bloomed from her scalp like a shrub and the scent of it was fascinating. She looked young, but Jazmel could not tell her age. She wore a simple white dress and a wide brass embossed belt and held a mage staff in her off hand.

“I am Syana. Mage of the Eltene guild. Some of you may have heard of our guild.” She offered as to which whispers around Jazmel let him know, many had.

“Strength and power are mighty things for overcoming the many things that the labyrinth has to offer. But the greatest gift of all is potential!” at this she whirled her staff and a great monolith pillar appeared.

“This is the potential pillar of the labyrinth. Here the pillar will judge your fate and choose a colour which will depict your potential. Do not be alarmed or worried. As the labyrinth has a way of changing fates all the time. Use this chance as a starting point, though your potential might seem low, it can be considered a starting point if you have the will!” this drew another cheer from the crowd and Jazmel admitted he was impressed.

She was telling them all, that they all had the ability, if they had the will and he certified his own, in his heart. His goal was to find Tango and he had the will to begin.

“We will do this in the order of ranking. But this time. It will be first to last. Do not be alarmed if you are approached by guilds, or clans, even while others are being judged. Your turn will come.” She said this and stepped off to the side.

Alan, the young boy of the Kaminari clan strolled forward, his hands in the pockets of his shorts. Completely unbothered by the oncoming ordeal. In fairness, Jazmel had already known his potential would be high. But he was shocked that he was not nervous at all.

The pillar was a monolith more so than a pillar. A square block with a hand imprint at the bottom and a flame dwindling at the top of the pillar.

Alan placed his hand on the handprint and the flame zeroed in. for a moment it flicked down and then burst into a roaring inferno of black. The whispers in the crowd grew loud and even the guilds and clans were shocked.

“Black is the purest flame the pillar can offer. It means that he has the potential to be a Master.” Mary explained.

“There are three types of people in the labyrinth. Seekers, which are those who are new to the labyrinth. Then there are Rankers, people like me. Who have been in the labyrinth for years and have levelled up to wherever they are comfortable. And finally, there are Masters. They are the hardest to become because the exp it costs to level up as a Ranker is mammoth! The system will explain all of this for you. Do not worry too much about it. But just know, he has the potential to be extremely strong.” She clarified.

The darkling called Scion went next and to the surprise of no one. His fire was also black, deep, and pure. This was frightening for Jazmel who would obviously be next. Alan had been swarmed by his clan and though he kept a passive face. Jazmel could tell he was happy to do so well. Scion was alone and he hefted his sword once again and waited to be told what the next steps would be.

Jazmel stepped up next, and the others grew silent waiting to see how he would do. He could hear his heartbeat thrumming in his ears. He placed his hand on the print and like the orb from the second trial. The tingle of Mana could be felt. He did not look up but the whispering behind him was dreadful. He dares not look up. But he had to. He needed to.

Looking up he saw the flame burning brightly a deep red, the inner workings of the flame was pink but red was the deeper and purer colour. He removed his hand and while he was not touching the print the flame burned red for a long while, before dwindling again. He took it as a good sign and moved away from the platform. Circe eyed him as he walked past. He could never tell what she was feeling or thinking.

He moved away and stood beside Mary. She eyed him too and finally he crumbled.

“What does a red flame mean?” he asked, and she almost laughed, drawing some attention from the others.

“Red is good, exceptionally good. The red flame is second to the black flame. My potential was red when I entered the labyrinth.” When she said that, he felt relieved. Knowing that Mary had held the same potential as him comforted him for some reason.

Circe’s flame was a red tinted with black flames. Proof she nearly had Master potential. Talen followed shortly and his burned a bright red like Jazmel’s own. After that the others stepped up one by one, emboldened to try their own. Many were shades of yellow and orange. But a few burned a pale red. Nobody else Managed to make it burn black and this was not a surprise.

“Take this for being in the top rankings for all three trials.” Mary said. She handed him a double pocketed satchel that looped through the belt and hung at the back. He put it on immediately.

“That will store just about anything, I got it on the tenth floor and used it a lot before I got something better.” She smiled.

He thanked her immensely and smiled, knowing she was probably partaking in what they both knew Tango probably would have done.

“Put the sword in there too and take this too. But do not open it till you have linked with the system.” She spoke. In her hand was a small black box. It looked like it held jewellery, but something told him that Mary was not the type. He put the sword in, and it disappeared into the satchel immediately. So did the box and with his hands now free he thanked her. He went for a hug, but then thought better and went for a handshake instead. She rolled her eyes and pulled him into a hug that almost crushed him.

“Remember what I said. Level at a balanced rate and make sure you take your time with quests and trials. They will afford you the opportunity to earn more stats or exp and this will really help with your levelling up.”

He embraced her more.

“Actually, wait.” She flicked something in front of him and then he felt a pin prick at the edge of his mind.

“You’ll see that when you enter the labyrinth don’t worry.” She smiled and letting him go she went off, to speak with some of the guild members standing around.

Jazmel was standing alone and began thinking about his next steps. The labyrinth was a massive creation it hung in the air before them in an odd way, it had not pierced the atmosphere. Nor did it affect the sun or moon. But gates around the world were erected when it first appeared in the sky. These gates allowed people to enter the labyrinth, and this was what was next for Jazmel.

The gate would take him somewhere for a beginner Seeker and allow him to begin earning exp to level up. Nobody ever knew where it would begin, so he had no idea what to do. But he figured he would keep going forward and worry about his next steps when he had a better idea of direction.

“May I have a moment of your time?” a voice said from behind, Jazmel turned and to his surprise it was Gideon. The guild Master of the Heron guild.

“Yes.” Jazmel stuttered and Gideon smiled. Running a hand through his hair, his jacket still fixed to his shoulders by some unseen force.

“Have you been picked up by a guild yet?” he asked Jazmel who in turn told him no.

“Are you looking for a guild?” Gideon asked him, eyeing him for a response.

“I am looking for someone. I am not sure I can commit to a guild when I must find someone first. I feel like that would restrict me.” Jazmel answered truthfully. To which Gideon nodded with a smile.

“I like that answer, which is very honest. I will be honest in that case then; I like you kid. You have enormous potential. I like what I saw, even before you used a sword.” This drew a smile from Jazmel.

“Well, here is my calling card, if you decide to join a guild. Make sure it is my guild that you consider first. Even over Bloody Mary.” He handed Jazmel a small card with a red heron on embossed on it.

“When you link with the system, rip the card and it will let you request a friendship. I will accept of course if you need anything. Let me know.” He offered Jazmel and they shook hands.

“Here is a gift too. But do not tell Bloody Mary, you got it from me.” He flicked something in front of him too and the same prick at the edges of his mind bothered Jazmel again. Before walking off to find other members to take into his guild.

A few others did the same, offering their cards and great promises. But Jazmel declined them all.

Mary returned and after that they did not bother him again.

She eyed the cards in his hand, and he pushed them into the satchel she had given him.

“Are you in a guild Mary?” he asked her.

“Yes.” She spoke.

“Why didn’t you ask me to join your guild?” he asked her.

“I didn’t think you wanted to.” She confessed.

“I know you are looking for Tango and as his friend, it would be unfair of me to take you into my guild without speaking with him first.” She explained further.

“Thank you for that, for answering honestly.” He told her.

She smiled and they waited as the other guilds picked the other members who were left amongst the Seekers.

“Why do they call you bloody Mary?” he asked, and she snarled at him.

“Who told you that name? Gideon? I am going to kill him!” She stalked off and now Jazmel was alone again.

“Have you sworn yourself to the Muninn guild?” Circe asked him as she strolled up to him.

“I am not joining any guilds.” He told her. She smiled a little if it could even be called that.

“Good. I will see you again in the labyrinth. I am not linked to the system yet; I was not born inside. But I have a card that will let you link systems with me. Message me when you are inside.” She said, suddenly shy she threw her card at him and ran off. It was a white card with her name in silver cursive.

She ran off before he could respond and when he turned, Mary was back and smiling at the card in his hand.

“Do not. Say. A. Word.” He uttered and she laughed. Suddenly happy.